General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Eat before or after a morning workout? Rss Feed  
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2006-01-11 11:02 AM

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Veteran
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Kalamazoo, MI
Subject: Eat before or after a morning workout?
Out of curiosity...

I'm getting up around 5:30am to do morning workouts, but I'm unsure if I should eat before or after the workout. What seems to work best for everyone? I'm doing low HR base training right now, so no anaerobic high intensity workouts, FYI.

Looking forward to your input!


2006-01-11 11:07 AM
in reply to: #321517

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Science Nerd
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Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
There have been a lot of discussions about this, but most of it is going to come down to personal preference.  Some people (myself included) can't eat very much before they train because it makes them sick.  Other people do just fine.

Whether or not you eat before, you'll want to eat something when you are done.  Your body needs energy to replace what you just burned and you don't want to be hungry all morning.
2006-01-11 1:01 PM
in reply to: #321517

Expert
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Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I can do either without a problem but time constraints prevent me from eating before morning workouts. I did a 14 mile run on monday morning without eating and was fine. I just brought a few gels and made sure I ate right after the run was over.

Mark
2006-01-11 1:37 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Regular
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Kitchener, Ontario
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?

For me, it depends on the workout.  Swims I find I need something in the belly before heading into the workout.  Usually a bagel is just fine or even a Cliff Bar.  A LSD run - a cup of cuffe to get things moving and either a bar or something light.  lots of gel on the run.  Shorter distances / speed.  Coffe and some fruit.Bike.  Just about anything and I am fine. 

Overall, I tend to go for the bagels and PB or if there is about 45 minutes between wake and workout, a bowl of oatmeal / fruit mix.  Then a small portion of protien and carbs within 30 minutes post workout.

Jay

2006-01-11 11:28 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Elite
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?

I have al ot of days that I roll out of bed and into my running or biking shoes and I just can't eat that soon, so I exercise on an empty stomach.  I run out of gas more quickly though.

I prefer to eat if I have time.

2006-01-12 10:11 AM
in reply to: #321517

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Regular
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Houston, TX
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
Sometimes I just like to have about 6oz or so of half Gatorade/half water so that I have something to give me energy for my early morning workouts.  I usually can't eat that early.  Especially if it is warm outside--which happens at 6:00 in Dallas sometimes!


2006-01-12 6:30 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Elite
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Texas
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
If I am up more than an hour before the workout, I'll eat something light like a bowl of oatmeal or a Zone Bar. If not, I have a Hammer Gel and water. I have a recovery drink right after and then try to eat within the hour. Lot's of trial and error before I found what worked for me. Good luck.
2006-01-26 1:59 PM
in reply to: #322391

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Elite
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?

emilyindallas - 2006-01-12 10:11 AM Sometimes I just like to have about 6oz or so of half Gatorade/half water so that I have something to give me energy for my early morning workouts.  I usually can't eat that early.  Especially if it is warm outside--which happens at 6:00 in Dallas sometimes!

I've done this and I like it in the summer, but in the winter cold my body absolutely does not want  ANYTHING cold that soon after waking up ANd warm Gatorade is pretty horrible.



Edited by CindyK 2006-01-26 1:59 PM
2006-01-26 2:04 PM
in reply to: #321517

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molto veloce mama
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Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
when i was getting up really early to bike to the pool, i would bonk if i went with an empty stomach. eating a whole breakfast also didn't work, since i was hoping on my bike within 20 minutes of waking up. not much time to cook, eat, and digest a bowl of oatmeal. so, i would usually eat half an energy bar (zone perfect, clif, luna, power bar, whatever i can find on sale) and drink some water, and eat the rest as soon as i got home. then i would have my regular breakfast.
2006-01-26 9:12 PM
in reply to: #332588

Elite
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Laurium, MI
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
you really need something in your stomach. My usualy routine is to eat a packet of Gel right as I'm about to start working out and drink a few ounces of water. Once I'm doin working out I drink a recovery shake and eat breakfast withing the next hour.

That way I'm getting the fuel I need to work out without causing stomach distress and using the breakfast meal for recovery. The recovery shake gives me a longer window in which I have to actually find something to eat.
2006-01-26 10:12 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Extreme Veteran
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Northwest Ohio
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
Stuff I've read by Bill Phillips (the Body for Life/EAS guru) and Steve Born (of Hammer Gel) recommend working out on an empty stomach and then eating within one hour after the workout ends---preferably something containing both carbs and protein.

2 weeks ago, I ran the Houston Half Marathon on an empty stomach (and a head cold) and had one of my best times ever.

Based on the posts here, I think it comes down to personal preference---what works for you. Most books on nutrition will advise you to experiment with fueling while training so that you don't have any unpleasant suprises on race day.

Good luck.


2006-01-26 11:46 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Master
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Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I eat very lite first thing in the am to get the blood sugar up a bit. Usually a packet of oatmeal and some juice. If I dont I have a BAD workout.
2006-01-27 2:19 PM
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Pro
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Woodstock,GA
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I started as a "I can't eat before I train at all" guy and now as my body has changed I can eat before swims and bikes but not before runs. I always cramp when I eat before I run.
2006-01-27 2:30 PM
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Veteran
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South Jersey
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I would eat a 1/2 of a banana and drink some water...but that is all, i've always been that way even when i doing a long workout, i'm sure i should be eating alittle more then that before a long workout, or even use those gels...but i just don't like those gels at all!
my workouts would probably be alittle more productive if i did get more nutrition in my body.
After my workout i would eat a yogurt or make a smoothie...

Edited by dare2trimom 2006-01-27 2:36 PM
2006-01-27 3:29 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I've only just started triathlon training and am experimenting with what food and drinks work for me before and after training.

I know that if I dont have a protein and carb shake or some easily digestable food afterwards my recovery is slow. It can take me a day or two to get back in the game.

For ealy morning sessions I have experimented with a piece of fruit, just coffee, nothing and even a protein and carb shake. Nothing doesnt work for me, a piece of fruit makes my stomach cramp, coffee with sugar works but not just plain coffee, and the shake ensures a killer workout.

So, as everyone on this thread has said - experiment. I keep a log of training, nutrition and how I felt on a scale of 1-10.

Train hard and make it a good day.
2006-01-28 8:12 PM
in reply to: #321517

Veteran
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columbia, md
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
I usually have to eat before I start my day. I get up at 5:10 AM put on the kettle and have a nice bowl of cereal with fruit and a coffee. It kick starts your metabolism. I then either drive to work and then run their or hit the pool. Either way you usually have a around 15 - 20 minutes before you start your workout.



2006-01-28 9:01 PM
in reply to: #321517

Regular
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Missoula, MT
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?

I do early morning spin classes and found that if I don't eat I have terrible workouts and nearly fall off my bike from getting dizzy.  I eat a small 4oz cup of soy yogurt right when I get up.  It is very balanced nutritionally, and because it isn't dairy it doesn't upset my stomach.  Usually something more substanial before swims like almond butter and jam and very little before runs, a gel holds me several miles.

And like everyone else has said, experiment.  I just started using gels as my workouts have gotten longer and the first one I tried (clif shot chocolate) made me feel ill for over an hour and I was nearly doubled over trying to run and not throw up.  Now I stick with hammergel.

Good luck!

2006-01-28 9:47 PM
in reply to: #321517

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Elite
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Eat before or after a morning workout?
Usually a small bagel or a small bowl of cereal if I've got the time - problem is getting that "space" in between eating and then actually doing anything - if I'm going to the gym it's perfect, if I'm going to just go out and run, I usually try to wait about 30 minutes before heading out to lessen the risk of hurling...
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Eat before or after a morning workout? Rss Feed