Working out first thing in the morning!

Should you eat breakfast first? Does it matter?
Anyone else do this?

:)

Depends on a person and work out. Some people can do short or medium work outs on empty stomach, some need to eat something. See what works for you.

UD

Not sure if you "should" or not.  I'd be interested in finding out the answer, myself.  I do 4 miles on the elliptical at an 18/10 incline and a 10 resistance nearly every day on an empty stomach.  At about 5am.

PS, is that considered moderately active?

generally, when I do some activity for about 30 min or less, I don't need anythign to get me going.  However, when I work out longer than that, I generally need something like a granola bar, but a lot of times, if I eat my whole breakfast beforehand, I'm either hungry afterwards, or my stomach hurts during the workout.

Find what works for you :-)

I have to eat before I work out. I tend to wake up n the need for food...ok so maybe not the need but if I went without eating my workouts would not be as good because my body would be lacking some of the energy it needs to produce the results.

I workout 6 days a week...3 days are weight training with a 5 mile cardio and 3 days are 8 mile cardio only.  Prior to each workout I lightly snack on a handfull of grapes and generally a cup of coffee....thats it.  After my workouts I eat a good breakfast.  I read that just prior to and after protein intake is a great idea and I have done it...I just didnt feel any different either way.

I think that the protein is meant for recovery in the long run.  Like, if your muscles are consistently sore and having a hard time recovering for your next workout, adding in protein (mixed with carbs) is a good idea.

Original Post by tyrdrop:

I think that the protein is meant for recovery in the long run.  Like, if your muscles are consistently sore and having a hard time recovering for your next workout, adding in protein (mixed with carbs) is a good idea.

 Correct - the protein is for the recovery of the muscles...carbs are for my fuel...I personally dont like to eat a lot prior unless I am running a 10k (usually they start in mid morning)...then I eat a full breakfast prior...I just need something to get my body cranked up.

personally i would recommend not. have a protein shake or something at least. Cardio itself is catabolic enough as it is, doing it on an fasted state is just counter productive, specially if you are trying to hang onto lean body mass (MUSCLE)

i personally find that the whole fasted cardio thing is a myth, its better to run about 1.5 hours to 2 hours after youve eaten, when your insulin levels are declining and when your stomach is empty, that way when your glycogen supplies are low the body can make a smooth transaction towards using Free Fatty Acids for energy, while keeping the muscles well fed and avoiding catabolism.

personally i always have a whey protein shake mixed with orange juice or with a banana, anything high in GI really, to make sureit digest quickly (usually in under 15 mins)  and that I have enough energy to go though an intense exercise session.  

Well the thing is, I have to leave for work at 9 in the morning and it takes me a good hour to get ready. So I've been getting up at 7:15 for some stretches and a jog. Then I have my shower, get ready, eat, leave.

I could eat breakfast first, but then I would have to jog RIGHT after eating and I don't think that would make me feel very good.

Someone said that jogging first thing would be conter productive? I hope not! It's really only when I have the time/motivation to do it! :S

Original Post by blackout:

Well the thing is, I have to leave for work at 9 in the morning and it takes me a good hour to get ready. So I've been getting up at 7:15 for some stretches and a jog. Then I have my shower, get ready, eat, leave.

I could eat breakfast first, but then I would have to jog RIGHT after eating and I don't think that would make me feel very good.

Someone said that jogging first thing would be conter productive? I hope not! It's really only when I have the time/motivation to do it! :S

If you feel fine while jogging, then don't worry about it.

UD

Small carbohydrate-rich snack before, larger breakfast-type, protein-rich meal afterwards. Ex: before... PB on whole wheat toast. After: protein shake, eggs/egg whites.

But it all depends on you. Some people get sick if they eat before an early workout.

I say that it depends on the type of workout that you are doing. If you are just doing regular cardio, have a small carbohydrate rich snack before hand. If you are doing weight training or HIIT, you should get a good portion of complex carbs and protein 60-90 minutes before hand. Then within 30 minutes of finishing, get some protein and simple carbs. Post workout is the only time you want simple carbs and you need them because they help the protein be absorbed faster.

I wake up earlier than I need to so I can 'eat' -protein shake with berries, bananas,etc] usually around 4 AM..workout about 45-60 mins later [weights]. Then I eat a breakfast afterwards [eggs, etc] I always have some type of carb - sometimes it may just be a banana and a scoop of PB- before cardio only days.

Nutrition is key to all goals of working out..whether you are trying to bulk, cut, lose 100 lbs or gain 20 lbs, etc..imo, not eating before a workout of any kind is counterproductive. I see too many people starving themselves and working out like crazy that have hit plateau's, have injuries, get sick more often, and never truly reaching whatever goal they have in mind

Original Post by fitnessgirll:
I see too many people starving themselves and working out like crazy that have hit plateau's, have injuries, get sick more often, and never truly reaching whatever goal they have in mind

I think one of the biggest culprits is The Biggest Loser. People watch that show and try to emulate what they see on TV. The show has the contestants only eating 1200 calories a day and burning 6000. When people see this, they think the best way is to take on a huge deficit and try to burn as many calories as possible.

The Biggest Loser has put people in the mentality that they need to starve themselves in order to be successful. The show is fine for entertainment purposes, however too many people try to follow the methods they see and end up doing more harm than good.

Hmmm...I've seen it way before the BL came around, that's for sure. People that need to lose 15 lbs have to stop comparing themselves to people that have 250 lbs to lose. Also, the myth of the 1200 cal diet that the contestant's are on is just that...some have been - during some points of their time on the show...some haven't.... the diet they are on is the basic 4-3-2-1 - four servings of fruits and veggies.. three of lean protein.. two of whole grains.. and one"extra". The average DC is not 1,200 but 1,800..not to mention they are all dr prescribed and supervised, daily!! At least from what I've heard....

But, yah, Vyperman,  much of what is shown on the TV is for entertainment value...the heart of it happens when the camera's aren't rolling. So, it  is wise for people to become informed and educated...from multiple sources, not just a TV show, imo. 

Yeah it was definitely around before TBL. I was just saying that when you have that popular of a show (10 plus million viewers a week) promoting the concept of losing weight as fast as you can, it has made things even worse.

Original Post by fitnessgirll:

.... the diet they are on is the basic 4-3-2-1 - four servings of fruits and veggies.. three of lean protein.. two of whole grains.. and one"extra"...

This makes me sad. 

Original Post by vyperman7:

Yeah it was definitely around before TBL. I was just saying that when you have that popular of a show (10 plus million viewers a week) promoting the concept of losing weight as fast as you can, it has made things even worse.

 I agree. The message should be clearer instead of some very, very fast auctioneer type voice explaining things as the credits are rolling. I also hear Jillian and Bob wanted a season that did not have morbidly obese contestants..just out of shape, couch potatoes that needed to lose no more than 30 lbs. But, apparently, they have a lot less to do with the show than people - and probably them, at least initially - thought. 

I have heard of it being inspiring to many obese individuals let alone the regular joe-schmoe..haven't heard of people following it on their own and dying. Although the popularity of the show has inspired hundreds if not thousands of gyms to hold 'BL Bootcamps', etc...getting people that normally would never do such a thing on the fitness wagon. So...