Should You Exercise On An Empty Stomach

I have to have something fueling my workouts. That is the exact reason I have been reluctant to workout first thing in the morning before eating, which is what some people say is more effective in weight loss. I get dizzy if I don't have enough food or water in my system... Pam
 
I work out in the morning mostly so I eat a light breakfast then exercise. I use to have a protein shake afterword but I realized I was breaking out. So I stopped, havent broke out since. Now I'm looking for a different kind of shake, anyone have any suggestions? I was drinking GNC 100% whey protein.
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Pam,

i have been both routes and see that neither is more effective. the only thing that is effective is proper form and doing it strong. and if you can't do it strong without food then whats the point? i say heck with naysayers. like i said i only do yoga with an empty stomach b/c if i eat anything,even an hour and half before, it hinders my practice. but something that will take some exertion i need food. nothing much like a glass of o.j. and maybe a slice of wheat toast.

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
I work out every morning ( 4:45 am) on an empty stomach, which I am used to. Even on the weekends, I only have coffee before working out. It doesn't bother me at all, but everyone is different.
 
It's individual, IMO. Personally, if I work out within an hour after I wake up, I'll do it on an empty stomach. Any time more than that and I have to eat something or my energy level won't allow it.
Just Do It! :)
 
I can do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, but not weights. If I take the early morning/empty stomach cardio route, I shorten the workout to less than an hour. This is another one of those things that you have to experiment with and see if it works for you.

Pinky
 
I always exercise on an empty stomach and have for years. I always feel sick if I eat first, even after waiting for an hour. It's up to what feels best for each individual. Do what works best for you.

Diana
 
I prefer not to exercise first thing in the morning, because I think my form and concentration are somewhat lacking. That said, some mornings I have to get up and exercise, or I won't be able to fit it in. On those days, I don't eat first. I did a hi/lo workout yesterday morning and noticed my stomach growling ferociously. I did IMAX3 this morning and didn't have any problems. I agree, it's an individual preference.
 
I can't eat before I do cardio. But I have to eat before I lift. If I'm doing both I won't eat b/c it'll cramp me up & weigh me down.
 
It depends on how intense or how long the workout is. I started out on a 10 mile training run once without eating breakfast. I almost didn't make it. The first 4 or so miles were OK but my glycogen stores must have been depleted after that. That wasn't such a great feeling so now I always eat a little something first and take an energy gel with me, just in case. I can do Cathe's cardio without eating but my energy level isn't as good as it is when I've eaten beforehand. I've never done a weight workout without having a snack consisting of a carb/protein mix a little bit beforehand.
 
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