? For those that workout in the morning!

BrenB150
BrenB150 Posts: 132 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I usually get my workout done in the morning, before anyone else gets up.. But just curious on what you usually eat after you workout (breakfast time).. I wake up and then go workout so I do not eat anything before.. I have protein shakes I would like to start using, but not sure if I have that after my workout? do I use it as a meal replacement? Or is it better to just eat something like eggs and toast? And have a protein shake as a snack like food? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..

Thank you!
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Replies

  • dwightdegroff
    dwightdegroff Posts: 97 Member
    I'll drink about a cup of chocolate milk just to get some carbs and protein in my system before my morning workout. It seems to give me "enough" to push through.
  • Stymie977
    Stymie977 Posts: 12 Member
    I usually work out in the moring as well, normally a 4-6 mile run. Once finished I drink a protein shake, and feel full, so I almost never eat anything after.
  • SocraticS
    SocraticS Posts: 19 Member
    I just started swimming in the morning: I make myself a coconut black tea and mix it with a light vanilla muslce milk (just 100 calories) and drink it on the way to Austin's lovely natural pool:) I have eggs and ham with wheat toast, or veggies sausages and wheat toast, or oatmeal with nuts when I get back.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Coffee is the first thing on my list to have post workout. Then when I get home I make a protein shake:

    1/2 cup skim milk
    3 scoops protein powder
    1 scoop creatine
    1/4 cup non fat yogurt
    1 cup frozen natural blueberries

    It's enough for two people.

    Pre workout I have a home made granola protein bar.
  • MrsLVF
    MrsLVF Posts: 787 Member
    I have a protein bar before, and if it's a strength training workout, a protein shake after.
  • js370
    js370 Posts: 140
    If you have time to eat something after your workout, that would be best. I work out in the mornings too, but don't have time to sit down and eat anything, so I have a protein shake right after my workouts. Then on my way to work I'll grab a steak egg and cheese sandwich from Subway, and eat it before starting work. It's usually about an hour and half after I've worked out.
  • js370
    js370 Posts: 140
    P.S. Unless you're adding other things in your protein shake, I wouldn't really count it as a meal.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    I usually drink a cup of chocolate milk or eat boiled egg (for protein) after I work out. But I don't eat my actual breakfast until I get to work, which is usually about 2 hours after I've worked out.
  • scribe313
    scribe313 Posts: 103 Member
    I normally do eggbeaters and a slice of cheese (fat free) takes 3 minutes, and run out of the house. I have protein shake in the car for after if I am extra hungry
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I'm also an early riser and do my workout before the rest of the family is up. When I'm finished, I usually have a glass of chocolate milk while I get my daughter ready for school - holds me over until I get home & have real breakfast (two eggs & whole wheat toast). On days that I run, I'll have a bowl of oatmeal with berries, walnuts, honey and some greek yogurt between the morning workout & taking the kid to school - then I run when I get back. And depending on my run, I sometimes have eggs and toast after that - second breakfast! :bigsmile:

    When I do protein shakes, it's usually a green smoothie with fruit, protein powder, fresh spinach, a splash of juice, and I do often have that for lunch as it is very filling.
  • ssstefanieee
    ssstefanieee Posts: 80 Member
    I have a protein bar before, and if it's a strength training workout, a protein shake after.

    Exactly what I do, works well for me
  • MrsRawwwr
    MrsRawwwr Posts: 166 Member
    I eat a piece of whole wheat toast or a banana on my way to the gym, then when I get home I have a protein shake with some extra stuff (almond milk and fruit or peanut butter and a banana).
  • Mzfoster0517
    Mzfoster0517 Posts: 83 Member
    I work out in the morning and if it's a hard workout I drink a protein shake but I still eat my breakfast. I use my protein shakes only for recovery.
  • BrenB150
    BrenB150 Posts: 132 Member
    Thank you for everyone's input.. This was very helpful.. I like the idea of having something before my workout, but I usually get out of bed and run downstairs to my workout so there is really no time.. But I can do the chocolate milk before my workout.. And I like the idea that if I add stuff to my shake then consider it a meal.. I get up at six, but if I make something it usually isn't till 9, that's why I like doing shakes in the morning! :-)
  • aproc
    aproc Posts: 1,033 Member
    I can't get a good workout in without eating something first. I get my workouts done early in the morning everyday as well. My normal pre-workout meals are either homemade cinnamon protein bread, toast spread with peanut butter and half a banana, or a kind fruit and nut bar. One of those along with my pre-workout drink which is usually neurocore or superpump.
    I have my real breakfast after my workout. :)
  • kpittman0612
    kpittman0612 Posts: 84
    I do my workout and then take the kids to daycare so I eat breakfast when I get back before I have to leave for work. That consists of Oatmeal and a cup of chocolate milk.
  • Mommyof3texans
    Mommyof3texans Posts: 347
    I try to eat something small before my workout, so I have the energy to get through it (a 1hr fitness bootcamp). I either have a small bowl of Special K Protein Plus with skim milk or half a banana w/ some peanut butter. I have a protein shake as soon as I get home from my workout to help replenish and repair my sore muscles!

    I workout from 5:30 - 6:30am so by the time I get settled in at work, I'm already ready for a morning snack!
  • jademh
    jademh Posts: 94
    I've been doing early morning workouts (I do Insanity) since around last May and I always eat breakfast right after. Every day I have a whey protein shake mixed with fat free milk and then I'll have a few other things - every day is different. some ideas of what I use: egg whites, oatmeal, peanut butter & banana, orange, greek yogurt, cream of wheat, PB toast, etc. :) Protein shakes make for a GREAT breakfast...so filling for so long, but I'd add a little more. something light will do. :)
  • AsaraFuriosa
    AsaraFuriosa Posts: 293 Member
    I use to not eat anything before my workout. However now to increase my calorie count as well as my metabolism, Im now eating a low fat cereal bar before my workout then a make my own real fruit smoothie for after my workout to replace nutrients I lost.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Ugh I wish I could function well enough to work out in the AM. Lol.
  • DawnShoe0726
    DawnShoe0726 Posts: 14
    I just bought neurocore but I was wondering if it is ok to take it with cymbalta?
  • donnareadman7
    donnareadman7 Posts: 56 Member
    Hi I'm just starting out and wondered if anyone could tell me if having a coffee protein shake, consisting of: ice, cup of black coffee, tbsp unsweetened cocoa, 50g protein powder and half cup of coconut milk or full fat milk would be good to have before my 6am workout??? Anyhn suggestions would be greatly appreciated.x:wink:
  • MissBernie73
    MissBernie73 Posts: 115 Member
    I am at the gym at 6am. I have a coffee when I get home while I'm getting ready for work and then I take a protein shake to work with me. It consists of protein powder, coffee, skinny milk, flax seed, fat free Greek yogurt and ice. That keeps me full until morning tea which is normally a piece of fruit and green tea.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Usually a serving of Multi-Grain Cherrios with fresh fruit on top or slice Light Whole Wheat toast with reduced fat peanut butter.
  • sprintto50
    sprintto50 Posts: 410 Member
    I have a cup of coffee and a glass of water before I work out, then my regular breakfast afterwards. I make sure it contains protein and carbs and that I get lots of water post work out.
  • RooBug88
    RooBug88 Posts: 55 Member
    I work out in the mornings, but I work a full shift from 10pm-7am before I go to the gym, so I guess that sort of makes my workout an "end of the day" workout. I try to eat 200-300 calories of fruit or protein about an hour or two before I workout to keep my blood sugar from crashing mid-workout, then I eat another small meal (200-400 cal) when I get home. Just make sure you eat enough to power you through your entire workout, if you feel faint or weak at any point, you might need to up the calories or protein intake to keep from getting ill or injured mid-workout. Good luck!
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    I have a black coffee at 6:30am on a gym day before my 7am spin class.

    When I get home I shower and get ready for work (I start at 10am) and eat breakfast when I get there.

    I quite like functioning on an empty stomach for a few hours.
  • angdpowers
    angdpowers Posts: 311 Member
    I do either or...not both :P don't u love mixed reviews?? I really think it depends on ur hunger level. Shakes fill me up, but I prefer a real meal usually. I like to use a shake as a filler. Some will agree that some shakes replace proteins and nutrients to the muscles etc faster bc with the shakes it's typically more broken down. Just wage ur time and hunger and ull do fine
  • Angelikajohnston
    Angelikajohnston Posts: 39
    I use protein shake before i workout & proteins are best workout supplements associated with enhance speed and energy.
  • fldillon
    fldillon Posts: 22 Member
    It really depends on you and how you feel on a given morning. If you are feeling like you do not have enough energy to get through your workout, eat! Make sure it's a snack, not a big breakfast, and try to stay away from sugar (low sugar meal replacement shakes work great). If you don't eat, you do want to at least drink 8oz of water prior to exercising to get your metabolism started. Something with around 100mg of caffeine is even better as caffeine in the right quantities can really enhance your workout (a cup of green tea is great).

    It's more important that you eat within 2 hours following your morning exercise (even if you ate before) in order to send your metabolism into high gear. Again, try to stick to low sugar / low glycemic foods as you want to avoid an insulin rush which can counterbalance the energy you should get from your morning exercise.

    Good luck!

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