I have a question.
Do you guys eat before your morning workout? If so, what? And how much before??
This is a topic I've been struggling with for some time now and I still don't have a good answer. When I was huge and had just started moving, I didn't eat before working out. I did it first thing in the morning, still do, and basically just didn't have time to eat first. So I would work out and then eat after. I lost 75 lbs that way. I also wasn't exercising more than an hour at a time, usually it was 30-45 minutes.
As I got fitter and was working out more, I would be hungry when I woke up. I started eating 1/2 a banana as soon as I got up and then worked out. That seemed to work out well for a while. Then I started reading.
I got all caught up in the eat or don't eat debate. I read a lot of experts saying you have to eat before working out or you body won't burn fat. Others said if you worked out less than an hour it wasn't necessary to eat first, unless you were hungry. Still others said your body will go into starvation mode if you work out on an empty stomach and you'll actually burn muscle instead of fat. While still others said you should actually fast 1 or 2 days a week.
I started drinking a protein shake before I worked out, but that really didn't sit well in my stomach. I moved the shake to after I worked out but that wasn't so hot either. Recently I've just been paying attention to my body. If I'm hungry before I workout I eat a little something. If I'm not hungry I don't. It seems to be working okay, but I wonder what everyone else does. On the weekends, when I do long runs or rides, I always eat a regular breakfast before hand. Since those usually start later in the morning, I'm able to eat before I head out.
So you morning exercisers, what do you eat and when??? Thanks.
On to other things. I ran this morning. It seems like I haven't run in weeks and weeks. That's not true, but that's how it felt. It also felt really good. I did 40 minutes and about 3.8 miles (that's pretty good, huh??).
This is a topic I've been struggling with for some time now and I still don't have a good answer. When I was huge and had just started moving, I didn't eat before working out. I did it first thing in the morning, still do, and basically just didn't have time to eat first. So I would work out and then eat after. I lost 75 lbs that way. I also wasn't exercising more than an hour at a time, usually it was 30-45 minutes.
As I got fitter and was working out more, I would be hungry when I woke up. I started eating 1/2 a banana as soon as I got up and then worked out. That seemed to work out well for a while. Then I started reading.
I got all caught up in the eat or don't eat debate. I read a lot of experts saying you have to eat before working out or you body won't burn fat. Others said if you worked out less than an hour it wasn't necessary to eat first, unless you were hungry. Still others said your body will go into starvation mode if you work out on an empty stomach and you'll actually burn muscle instead of fat. While still others said you should actually fast 1 or 2 days a week.
I started drinking a protein shake before I worked out, but that really didn't sit well in my stomach. I moved the shake to after I worked out but that wasn't so hot either. Recently I've just been paying attention to my body. If I'm hungry before I workout I eat a little something. If I'm not hungry I don't. It seems to be working okay, but I wonder what everyone else does. On the weekends, when I do long runs or rides, I always eat a regular breakfast before hand. Since those usually start later in the morning, I'm able to eat before I head out.
So you morning exercisers, what do you eat and when??? Thanks.
On to other things. I ran this morning. It seems like I haven't run in weeks and weeks. That's not true, but that's how it felt. It also felt really good. I did 40 minutes and about 3.8 miles (that's pretty good, huh??).
Comments
Works for me...
each of us has about 2000 of stored energy, much more than is needed for an hour or so of moderate exercise. Make sure you eat well after though.
I definitely eat before longer bike rides...add a bagel with cream cheese to the above meal.
Of course I pig out when I get home...my problem is not diving into the salty chips after a long workout!
Good pace for your mileage!
P.S. Everyone is different, but yes, if you DON'T eat your metabolism just shuts off and doesn't burn cal.
Very small- like 5-10 raisins total. it's convenient because they never go bad.
On a long run morning, my pre-run intake consists of coffee (usually the canned, iced Starbucks variety....I'm addicted so I HAVE to drink it so I dont get a headache) and a packet of Gu, usually chocolate :) Sounds like the breakfast of champions, eh?
Well, for my two HM's I felt like I *should* eat something better - so I tried to choke down half a bagel, and it just didnt feel right.
So I guess I'm not much help, just giving you the lowdown on how I operate. I firmly believe that for a HM - for the length of time it takes me to finish - that my body needs more than just coffee and Gu....but at the same time, those items have done well for me for long runs of up to 11 miles.
I think it's all about experimentation and figuring out what works best for YOU.
I think you just have to see what works best for you. And that may change every once in awhile, as you've already seen.
I can't eat before running or swimming. Just coffee. For runs over 90 minutes, I bring Gu along.
If it's a bike ride, my breakfast is one piece of peanut butter toast.