Thoughts on NOT eating before a morning workout

Dvija
Dvija Posts: 11
in Food and Nutrition
Hey all, I work out five days a week. My workouts begin at 0545 and usually end around 0700. I tend to do timed (usually 30 min), high intensity cardio strength training followed by about 30 minutes of fight training (grappling, hand fighting, etc). I've been working out like this for about 8 months and so far, have never eaten before a workout. I'm concerned that if I eat, I'll end up throwing up. I haven't experienced any ill effects and am generally just really hungry when I get home. I was pondering, however, the possibility of eating something light around 2130. Might I be compromising my performance if I don't eat beforehand? Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?
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Replies

  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Might I be compromising my performance if I don't eat beforehand? Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

    The nice thing is, you can test this out by trying it for a few days or a week and see if your performance changes.

    I wouldn't worry about anything outside of gym performance and behavior (if not eating before the workout somehow makes the rest of your eating habits difficult, for example).

    If you try it and like it, go at it.

    I train fasted most of the time and I love it. Some people HATE it. You'll know after a few attempts.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Might I be compromising my performance if I don't eat beforehand? Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

    The nice thing is, you can test this out by trying it for a few days or a week and see if your performance changes.

    I wouldn't worry about anything outside of gym performance and behavior (if not eating before the workout somehow makes the rest of your eating habits difficult, for example).

    If you try it and like it, go at it.

    I train fasted most of the time and I love it. Some people HATE it. You'll know after a few attempts.

    Excellent post sir.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I can't eat before my morning workout. I know I will get sick. It is also the time of day I get the best workout in. Maybe try a few days eating first and see what happens. I know if I eat right after I wake up that it will all come back up.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I always train fasted. I like it better that way

    If it work for you don't change it
  • Dvija
    Dvija Posts: 11
    Good point! *laugh* I can just try it. I figure a few hard boiled egg whites and maybe a slice of cheese would be good. And if I end up throwing up, well, it won' t much ;-)
  • Dvija
    Dvija Posts: 11
    I absolutely get my best workout in the morning. It's my favorite time to be active :).
  • Dvija
    Dvija Posts: 11
    Thanks for the quick replies and good advice! I'll try a little something tomorrow morning and see what happens.
  • dougii
    dougii Posts: 679 Member
    I train 7 days a week between 4:45 and 6:15 a.m. and almost never eat before hand. Heavy cardio every other day, lifting and light cardio on the off days. If I am starving before hand the most I will have is a protien bar. I always eat within 30 minutes of finishing (protien shakes on lifting days, cereal and fruit on cardio days). Do what works best for you.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    I used to eat before crossfit at 6:15a. One egg and half an ounce of almonds or a tablespoon of almond butter. Now I've switched to training fasted and that's working for me as well. I never had a problem with feeling nauseous, but all of my classmates thought I was crazy. It's up to you.
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,716 Member
    I hit the gym at 5:45 too and never eat beforehand. But I only go until 6:30. There has been a time or two I felt weak after but I make sure to eat soon after my workout.

    So long as it's been working fine for you I don't think you need to change anything. But if you'd like to go ahead and see how it treats you.
  • ksz1104
    ksz1104 Posts: 260 Member
    I work out 3-5 mornings a week, sometimes 5 am, sometimes 6 am bootcamp. I always get up about an hour or so beforehand and eat something small, a piece of cheese, or a cup of almond milk, half a banana or something. I just hae to have something in my stomach before i work out, i feel like i have more energy. But whatever works best for you. I rarely ever feel sick. If you do eat something you just have to give your stomach time to settle and dont eat a huge meal. I go home and make a nice breakfast after my workout!
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    If I eat before I work out, I feel I'm not as effective.
    If I am exercising first thing in the morning, I feel like I'm not very effective.
    Put the two together and I'll be falling over and sleeping on the stationary bike.

    The only way I get through a morning workout is if I have a big *kitten* cup of coffee first.
  • Mom23djd
    Mom23djd Posts: 38 Member
    I eat an exercise bar 15-20 minutes before I start my 5:15 am workout. I didn't eat one yesterday because I woke up late and knew I didn't have time for it to settle before I started my workout. I seriously didn't think i was going to be able to finish. The first half (30ds) was OK, but then I went out on my walk and didn't know if I would make it back home!

    To all of you who are able to go without, kudos! I totally think it is an individual decision.
  • tammietifanie
    tammietifanie Posts: 1,496 Member
    Might I be compromising my performance if I don't eat beforehand? Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

    The nice thing is, you can test this out by trying it for a few days or a week and see if your performance changes.

    I wouldn't worry about anything outside of gym performance and behavior (if not eating before the workout somehow makes the rest of your eating habits difficult, for example).

    If you try it and like it, go at it.


    ^^^ This^^^
    I train fasted most of the time and I love it. Some people HATE it. You'll know after a few attempts.
  • cspong
    cspong Posts: 260 Member
    I do just because I do a lot of cardio and feel lightheaded if I don't. I think if I did more focus on weights, then I probably wouldn't eat beforehand.
  • CdnPgnMom
    CdnPgnMom Posts: 172 Member
    I eat no less than 2 hours before my workout. I find if I do it any closer, that my performance is sluggish.
  • maru84
    maru84 Posts: 128
    I wake up so hungry that I HAVE to eat something or I feel like I'll fall over. On the opposite end, my hubby feels sick if he DOES eat breakfast. It's all about what your body tells you it needs.
  • Mercenary1914
    Mercenary1914 Posts: 1,087 Member
    When workig out in the AM...I prefer to work out on an emptty stomach...especially if I am trying to cut or lose weight...In the morning when you wake up your glycogen levels are high...and you will burn stored fat!

    btw...Most trainers will tell you not to eat anything anywhere from 1 to 3 hours before intense training
  • amys07115
    amys07115 Posts: 10
    It could actually be a good thing to not eat before morning cardio. If you do cardio on an empty stomach , first thing in the morning, your body will be burning more fat, since you have metabolized your food through sleeping. Fitness competitors always do morning cardio on an empty stomach to lean out.
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    I drink a mug of hot water and have a small fruit before heading out to work-out. I prefer to work out on an empty stomach, and this gives me what I need without filling me up. I have a big oatmeal breakfast afterwards.
  • TODJ06
    TODJ06 Posts: 85
    I absolutely get my best workout in the morning. It's my favorite time to be active :).

    Hey!
    I train in the morning too. Not the miniute I spring/fall out of bed, but I train after I have sent the kids to school etc...
    I usually have a protein shake before leaving home.

    I workout/exercise better after having something, than just going on empty.
    I personally find I can last longer at gym/walk/run/cycle etc...

    I think, like someone else said, try it both ways for a couple of weeks and see what works best for you.

    Good luck. :smile:

    Add me if you would like. :)
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    I found this article pretty interesting and it recommends exercising before breakfast:

    http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2011/01/04/the-benefits-of-exercising-before-breakfast.aspx
  • darrcn5
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    I would just try it and see what works better for you. DH says it makes him feel sick if he eats before working out first thing in the morning, but I am the exact opposite. I wake up starving, so I have a little something.
  • moochachip
    moochachip Posts: 237 Member
    I've found that I need to eat something before working out in the gym or running - And usually give my stomach 30 minutes to an hour to digest. Otherwise I have no energy to use.
  • DeckerDoll
    DeckerDoll Posts: 201
    I usually workout really early in the morning (like 4-5am) and if I eat that early I'm just setting myself up for crawling back in bed.
  • SizeHealthy2
    SizeHealthy2 Posts: 13
    It is best to eat something before you workout. I eat a tangerine or banana before I workout and I do pretty intense cardio to include the elliptical, cross fit and running. You don't want to have your body in starvation mode because it has not had anything to eat while in its resting stage. A small snack will not hurt you and may improve your input.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I've experimented with eating and NOT eating before morning workouts and I find that I usually do best with a small snack (usually some fruit, like half an apple or a small plum or a few grapes) plus a coffee before I run.

    If I'm going for a long run I'll eat more - toast or an english muffin with peanut butter usually.

    I can exercise without anything to eat, but I seem to have a little bit more stamina if I do.

    Try it out and see what works for your body.
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Might I be compromising my performance if I don't eat beforehand? Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

    The nice thing is, you can test this out by trying it for a few days or a week and see if your performance changes.

    I wouldn't worry about anything outside of gym performance and behavior (if not eating before the workout somehow makes the rest of your eating habits difficult, for example).

    If you try it and like it, go at it.

    I train fasted most of the time and I love it. Some people HATE it. You'll know after a few attempts.

    I never eat before a workout, feels yuck to me.
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    It is best to eat something before you workout. I eat a tangerine or banana before I workout and I do pretty intense cardio to include the elliptical, cross fit and running. You don't want to have your body in starvation mode because it has not had anything to eat while in its resting stage. A small snack will not hurt you and may improve your input.

    Your body doesn't go into starvation mode "just like that". Your metabolism won't show ANY sign of decreasing up to several days after you stop eating. You'll be okay.
  • MrsUnderwood
    MrsUnderwood Posts: 114
    My trainer got mad at me once for not eating before my morning workout. He says it is really important to fuel your body before a morning workout, I have done so ever since - more energy!

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