Eating Before Working Out in the Morning
After reading about time management in Easy Health Tip #5, Albert writes:
Do you have breakfast before [working out in the morning]?
What do you have to eat to have the energy?.Or you exercise on an empty stomach?.
Thanks for your help, this is important to me.
Congratulations for a nice blog,
Albert
Thanks for the kind words. When I go for a morning workout, the first thing I do after my alarm goes off is drink some water to kick start my metabolism and get some hydration after the night’s fast. Then my next mission is to get into my work out clothes before I’m totally awake. (So I’ll actually go, haha.) I usually eat half of a granola bar or a half-banana just so I’ve completely broken my fast, but don’t have anything heavy on my stomach. Especially for something jarring, like a run. I like it to be something carb-y or sugary for quick energy. After that I may stretch for a moment, then I have another drink and I’m out the door. This whole process takes about 10-15 minutes.
You should keep in mind that on the run I do, which is an out-and-back straight down one street,there is a water fountain at the turn-around point. I usually only run about 3 miles at a time during a morning workout, if that. Sometimes I’ll just go for 20 minutes or something to get my metabolism cranked up to start the day. The point is, I run short enough distances that this routine is fine for me. Runners doing 40+ minutes will probably want a source of water on them or on their route, along with some other source of sustenance.
Try things until you find what works for you. This routine certainly isn’t what I did the first time I ever worked out in the morning, but it is what I slowly found out worked for me.
So what works for you guys? Help Albert out in our comments section.
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6 opinions for Eating Before Working Out in the Morning
Albert
Nov 9, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Hello and thanks for the clarification.
I tried it the other day. It was tough.
I woke up after less than 7 hours sleep. I almost forgot to take the cold water you recommend, which is good advice. I see you don´t drink coffee, which is a habit for me. I took some coffee. So you eat something, that is what I wanted to know. The problem I have is that I have to take some medication and should not eat for half an hour (in theory and it is very difficult for me to comply with). So I put some sugar in my coffee, which I detest. I drank more water and went for the run. I think I run for 30-40 min. I did not carry water with me (and I don´t have the luck of a water source in the park) but as the day was not hot is was OK, I don´t think there is much need to drink during the run (for 30-40 min) if you are well hydrated before and it is not too hot. I ate something when I came back.
The result was that I felt tired all day! :-)
Maybe I exaggerated for the first day. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. I think I am more accustomed to exercise in the evening. Anyway, I will try again. I welcome any suggestion.
mam885
Nov 13, 2006 at 2:37 pm
I don’t eat in the morning if I’m running 6 miles or less. I’ll definately drink water before, but I won’t bring any if the run is 4 miles or less. And I was REALLY tired for the first couple weeks!
But it gets better and MAN does it feel nice to have it out of the way early and not have to worry (and try and talk yourself out of it) for the rest of the day.
nathanwauk
Dec 10, 2006 at 2:57 am
I eat a small amount before morning exercise too - works great for me. I read that if you don’t eat, your body is more likely to burn muscle than fat because it’s more readily available on short-notice like a “surprise” workout the minute after you wake up. I’ve found that it’s more enjoyable as well. I tend to have a small snack after the workout as well, which helps boost my energy a bit if I get the early morning post-exercise drowsiness. Thanks for the tips!
Wade
Dec 10, 2006 at 8:50 am
Yeah, I also try to have at least a small snack afterward. A little yogurt is my favorite.
lauraxox
Apr 5, 2007 at 10:30 am
I work out at 5:20am and my workout ends at 7:20am. In the morning I drink tap water (cold water takes longer to break down) with natural energy/ increase metabolism pills. I drink two glasses of water. I always have a night snack or a cup of cereal with 2% milk. I start my workout with one day of weight training for my legs/ lower bod and then the next day for the arms/ upper body. I run everyday for 25 minutes and walk for 15 minutes, immidiatly after that I do my ab workout for about 15-20 minutes. Always spend about 5 minutes stretching before and after. After the workout I drink two cups of water, then an hour after the workout I eat a banana, and every hour or two I eat a snack (apple, ganola bar etc.) then lunch at noon and after that continue with my snacks+ water. I have a small dinner w/ water then a night snack or cereal. I have a lot of energy through the day. I work 8hrs a day and go to school after work.
Alex
Jun 6, 2008 at 4:48 pm
people dont be dumb in not drinking fluids before a cardio workout. The key thing is to drink plenty of fluids the day and night before, if you dont you will be fatigue.. eat a sall snack or breakfast before working out, but when your done… you better replenish your body within the first hour. If you do drink coffee in the morning, than you better have some water with it.. you will dehydrate. Coffee is a good energy source and metabolism booster, but if you dont drink water with it, you are going to crash.
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