lifting on empty?

C

Calee

Cathlete
Does anyone lift weights first thing in the morning without eating breakfast first? If so, are you able to lift as much without tiring too quickly?
I am trying to rearrange my schedule and fit everything in, but I am so busy in the evenings anymore that I find myself skipping weight days.
I'm just wondering if this is a bad idea or if it is ok to get up early before work and do it or if I should still try and wait until later in the evening.
As always, thank you for the comments and advice!
Calee
 
It is really a personal choice, I agree. If I'm not hungry in the morning (which is rare these days) I can usually do my routine, but I think there is a difference with a little something in my stomach. Some would disagree though. I agree with Catherine to just monitor how you do and go from there.


Debbie


*(Calvin): People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world. (Hobbes): Isn't your pants' zipper supposed to be in the front?
 
I agree with everyone - try it to see if it works for you. I can lift without eating with no problem, as long as it's early in the morning (I can't eat before 7:00 for some reason). But I have friends who simply cannot.
 
The weights feel very heavy for me in the am. It is easier for me to lift later in the day...say, after 11am because I have had 3 meals by then and I tend to feel more hyper later as oppose to when I wake up, and so I feel like I can do so much better if I lift later in the day. Just my own personal experience. Music gets my adrenaline pumped too...that also helps, at least for me.

Charlotte~~
 
I work out at 6 a.m. on an empty stomach and have no problem lifting heavy. I eat immediately afterwards. If I'm really hungry before I start, I might have a banana or a yogurt.

Marcy
 
If you lift on an empty stomach, make sure it's the day after you had sufficient carbs in your diet (since your body will be running on the glycogen that it has in storage).

If you are hungry before working out, a glass of chocolate milk (soy, rice or any kind) is a possible option. It won't weight heavily on your stomach, and I just learned that chocolat is a good vasodialator, so it may be good for helping bring more nutrients to the muscle as well as clearing out metabolic waste products (the last is my theory, the vasodialator stuff is why bodybuilders scarf chocolate before going on stage).
 
I lift in the morning on an empty stomach with no problems. However, if I'm feeling especially tired or weak, I will drink a protein shake along with my water and that helps. I do all my cardio on an empty stomach....its what works best for me.

I would give it a try in the morning and see how it goes. If you feel that you can't lift as much try eating something small like natural PB on WW toast.

Good luck.

JJ
 
Ok, so it looks like it goes both ways depending on the person individually. For those that do lift in the mornings before breakfast, can you tell a difference, or is everything the same for you as if you were to lift after dinner?
 
There is a lot of info out there that says it is actually good to lift weights on an empty stomach...I don't know if it's true, but what I've read says that you burn more fat and build more muscle by lifting on an empty tummy:) Who knows??? But something to keep in mind...

I don't seem to have a problem doing weight work with no sustenance as long as I drink water during my workout. I do have problems finishing a cardio workout with nothing to eat..so maybe there is something to the myth?:p ?

As long as you feel well...and can lift the amount you want..go for it!!

Good luck:)
Debra
 
>There is a lot of info out there that says it is actually
>good to lift weights on an empty stomach...I don't know if
>it's true, but what I've read says that you burn more fat and
>build more muscle by lifting on an empty tummy:) Who
>knows??? But something to keep in mind...

??
I've never heard any claims that one will build more muscle working out on an empty stomach, but some folks say that doing cardio on an empty stomach helps the body burn through its glycogen stores so that it starts burning fat sooner. This would not really be an advantage in weight lifting.

Even so, if not eating leaves you with less energy, so your workout is less intense, then you might burn fewer overall calories.
 
I do weight work both in the morning and in the evening, depending on the day of the week. I haven't noticed any difference between a.m. and p.m. workouts when it comes to how much I can lift.
 
Thank you catwoman. I know I will be able to do the workouts, but I just wondered if it would be different in terms of amount of weight I lift, so that is good to hear that it's not different for you.
Calee
 
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