Eating before morning workouts?

[katiasasha]

I'm wondering what others do with regards to eating before workouts? I used to workout (anywhere from 45 min. - 1 hour workouts) about 7 or 8am without eating beforehand (although sometimes a cup of coffee) and would just eat a normal breakfast afterwards. I read something in Shape magazine about that not being good for you, as you don't have any fuel in your body. I've done some searching online, and am seeming to find conflicting information--some say it's fine so long as it's not longer than an hour or super intense and that you should let your body/how you feel guide you, and others say you should definitely have a snack, specifically carbs, beforehand or you're just burning muscle and not fat.

Does anyone know what's right? What do you all do? TIA!

[dressage queen]

Aimee,

I have found that eating (lightly) before working out is good for me because my body has the fuel to burn. I went running one morning, without eating, for an hour and quickly realized that that was a BIG mistake. I recovered, but overate when I did eat. So, lesson learned there for me.

If you are going to be doing any heavy duty weight lifting and/or a prolonged workout, I would suggest eating something light.

Just My Opinion.

[allison130]

I ususally grab a banana or a breakfast bar. If I don't, I have less energy.......

[Amanda1021]

I always eat a banana or at least have some OJ and a handful of cheerios before working out in the morning...otherwise I get exhausted quickly.

[SCMusicMom]

Since I work out before 5AM, I don't have time to eat before I workout. I do The Firm and have never had any problems not eating before hand.

[PadreC]

when you sleep your body is catabolic (not burning food well) and if you just start working out without getting the metabolism going how do you expect to have any energy.

You will workout much harder and therefore burn more calories if you eat 60-90 minutes before you workout. If you don't have that kind of time then drink protein shakes or something like that.

-Padre

[channyne]

I too was wondering this... thanks for posting.

My first few months on WW I started out having a protein shake (including fresh fruits) then working out about an hour later - this was great. Then I started incorporating other types of breakfast meals (eggs, charizo, oatmeal) and found that I was not as pumped to workout. I went back to my shake yesterday and it was the first time I've worked out in a while... and it felt good.

P-shake or fruits work great to get you moving. As far as what's right/wrong - if we're feeling lathargic that can't be a good thing so I'm sticking with a shake 60-90 before as Padre suggests. For me it was not just about when I was eating but what I eating.

Something in your system before working out def. has my vote.

[Judy43]

If I do not eat breckfast before exercising I become weak, tired and often dizzy. I always eat before excercising usually a protein smoothie but sometimes other foods but I always have a carb with a protein.

[PadreC]

Just know what kind of protein your drinking. If you're drinking whey protein it's going to burn fast and might be already used by the time you start working out. If you use casein protein then it will last a little longer.

Just pick good foods to eat for breakfast like yoghurt, eggs, cottage cheese and stuff like that. I can't imagine heavy foods make you feel too good before a workout.

-Padre