| | I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?Page 1 of 2 (1, 2) | | ...or run on an empty stomach? I've heard that if you go for a run first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, that you will burn the most fat this way, because basically your stomach is empty and there is nothing else to burn besides the fat in your body. Any truth to this? Does anyone here run in the morning before work? What time are you up? I have to be at work at 8am, so if I start this, it is definitely going to take some discipline. | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 5:11:02 AM | I used to run regularly for about a year, before plantar fasciitis put an end to it. I would get up at 5:30 am to be able to run for an hour+ (treadmill in the basement). I find that it is very personal. I cannot eat anything before running. Other people find that must have a light snack of carbs. I would have to wait at least 30 minutes, even after a light snack, before I would be able to run ... it was hard enough to get up at 5:30 as it was.
So do what suits you best. | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 6:02:08 AM | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycogen
According to this, your body stores 2,000 kcal of glycogen so the idea of switching to 100% fat for fuel since you have an empty stomach doesnt make a lot sense....
I have lost weight doing workouts at all times of the day and currently have been doing it almost always in the afternoon/evening for the last year and half....doing it in the morning does offer motivation to get out of the way... | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 6:42:41 AM | | Two concepts you're already familiar with here: Aerobic and anaerobic. One requires glycogen and the other primarily doesn't. Guess where running falls under? When you're asking about eating before a run, think about the time it takes to digest that food. Then think if your body will actually use it during the run. Then ask yourself,"If my body is using resources to digest the food, can I still concentrate 100% into my run to make it meaningful?" Truth is, your body doesn't need carbs to run. You'd think you get tired faster, but that's mostly psychosomatic. But for weightlifting, food is essential. The best thing you can do is consume protein an hour before you run to spare your muscles from being catabolized as your body scrounges for something to burn. The amino acids will save the day, my friend. Except soy protein, that stuff doesn't have the complete amino acid profile and if you don't get all the amino acids, it'll throw away several components because one is missing during muscle synthesis. You need to go for 30+ minutes before the typical body uses up all the primary fuel and switches to fat burning mode. The interesting thing about running is it's cumulative. So unlike weightlifting, you can run for 10 minutes. Wait an hour, run for another 10 minutes. And it'll be as if you ran for 20 minutes, however the conditioning aspect is blunted but you still achieve the same health benefits. So wake up at 6am, pop some caffeine pills or a thermogenic and drink a scoop of protein powder, leave by 6:30am, run for however long you can and then walk for the rest of the hour, get home by 7:30am, pop another scoop of protein and get on with your day, then eat something in 2-3 hours. Find the strength I know is in you to do this 3 times a day and promise yourself you can do this without failure, because failure is not an option. | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 8:06:58 AM | I've heard that as well, that more fat is burned if you do cardio on an empty stomach and it makes sense. I've done morning cardio for many years. The idea of doing it later, after I've been eating and digesting all day, doesn't appeal to me at all.
Like someone said, it's a personal choice to work out with an empty stomach. I prefer mine empty (for cardio that is, not weight training) It all depends though. If I feel like I need just a little something, I have a banana or other fruit.
If you run on an empty stomach (or just a banana, lol) just make sure you eat something within an hour after your run. | |
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Edsta
| | Joined: 7/19/2008
Msg: 8 | |
| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 8:09:54 AM | Palifornia:
It depends partially on how late your dinner was, and if that dinner was heavy or light.
Personally I just drink about 16 oz of half-concentration Gatorade when I get up in the morning, get dressed, stretch, and be out the door 15-20 minutes later.
For a longer run (above 7 or 8 miles) I'd have a Clif Bar or a banana with a piece of toast maybe 30-45 minutes before.
Maddybeagle:
I think that "the wall" is somewhat exaggerated. Most runners who taper and carb load 1-2 weeks before a marathon, and who maintain their electrolytes during the race, don't really experience it.
On the other hand, the last 6 miles of a marathon are bloody painful for just about everybody, except for the most elite runners.  | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 8:21:19 AM |
...or run on an empty stomach? I've heard that if you go for a run first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, that you will burn the most fat this way, because basically your stomach is empty and there is nothing else to burn besides the fat in your body. Any truth to this? Does anyone here run in the morning before work? What time are you up? I have to be at work at 8am, so if I start this, it is definitely going to take some discipline.
It depends on how long are your runs and how many calories are you burning during your run.
If you are running at a pace that is below 50% of your max hr then you probably have enough stored fuel to take care of your needs.
If you are above 50% of your max hr then you should be taking in food prior to exercising.
Fueling the Energy Systems
Nutrients get converted to ATP based upon the intensity and duration of activity, with carbohydrate as the main nutrient fueling exercise of a moderate to high intensity, and fat providing energy during exercise that occurs at a lower intensity. Fat is a great fuel for endurance events, but it is simply not adequate for high intensity exercise such as sprints or intervals. If exercising at a low intensity (or below 50 percent of max heart rate), you have enough stored fat to fuel activity for hours or even days as long as there is sufficient oxygen to allow fat metabolism to occur.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutrition/a/Energy_Pathways.htm | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 9:13:34 AM | | if u go running first thing in the morn... u r going to feel tired.no carbs in the body means a tired one.i would eat a bannana and say fruit drink poss energy drink.give your self time to come round.and u could go out say half hour after.i use to cycle to work and had no probs,running is different.and if u go far can u recover to day a days work? | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 10:28:39 AM | | I don't know whether or not it is good or bad to eat before you run, but I do know that my metabolism is highest in the morning and I take advantage of that, I speedwalk though because I heard that jogging is not as effective. Either way, you are doing something vigorous in the AM while most people are chowing down on high calorie breakfasts and sugar laden coffee, so you have one-up on most people already. | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/3/2009 9:13:07 PM | | its really up to you and your body ...i dont like running with a full stomach mind for a long time i would wake up have a coffee or a protein shake if i felt i needed some reinforcements ...mind other days running on an empty stomach feels amazing making sure to have a supply of water on hand.best thing to do is try both out and see what works for you when do you run faster longer and feel more energized ... | |
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Edsta
| | Joined: 7/19/2008
Msg: 15 | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/4/2009 12:16:01 PM | It really depends on you I sometimes eat a small amount of breakfast before I run I did this while I was training for a marathon and all the half marathon's I've completed. You want to make sure you don't eat to much fiber or better still nome at all.
I have a bit of protein and a little bit of carbs and while i'm running i'll have a few gels along the way..
If I don't eat i feel sick and feel like I'm going to spew.
It's all in the training try different things while your training and see what works for you it took me a little working out but it's worth it in the end and your body will thank you for it when you find out what suits yourself stick to that all the way up until race day.
After a massive run I eat shit loads of healthy foods carbs, Protein and some good fats I always feel recharged again it depends on you
good luck it's all part of the training | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/4/2009 2:49:39 PM | I don't think that running on an empty stomach will burn the most fat....so if you like to eat after sleeping you'll prolly be OK to do so.
On the other hand...I've found that eatting a heavy meal close to bedtime is a surefire way to gain weight. So much for milk and cookies in bed :(
If you're interested in the quickest fat burning results, look into interval training (ie. short sprints alternating with rest/walking). Google "anaerobic respiration" to read up on the science behind this.
If you're interested in burning as much fat as possible (without plateau-ing), try mixing up your running schedule. For instance, if you usually do shorter, sprinting intervals you could try switching to endurance runs for a couple of weeks...or you could run on an incline. You'll prolly get the best fat burn results if you mix-up the intensity and type of running.
I hope this helps...good luck with your fitness goals!! | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/10/2009 5:13:54 PM |
interval training (ie. short sprints alternating with rest/walking)
After a good warm up (10-15 mins gradually increasing walking/jogging pace), try doing 30 sec sprints with 90 sec jog recovery, then do 4 more. This'll really help burn off cals. It's also a great way to boost overall heart n lung function.  And best of all, you'll still be frying off those cals for hours afterwards, even when sitting down.
Now, Back to O.P.
I'd recommend getting something in, but nothing huge. if you've got a blender, try throwing in an apple, a banana, a glass of half o.j. half water n a few berries if you've got em handy. Drink half before ya go, (add a sprinkle of salt to go all isotonic - don't forget to mix it), then when ya get back in, whizz up the rest with some peanut butter for a protein shake - if you're allergic, don't try this bit at home :)
it is very much an individual thing tho, see which method works best for you n let us know.. | |
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| I want to start running first thing in the morning.....should I eat something before running?
Posted: 8/14/2009 8:42:19 AM | | From what I have been reading, Orange Juice is very good to drink before a workout. It has plenty of sugars and carbs to fuel your workout. However I agree that you should limit your caloric intake if you are trying to loose weight. Conversely you are also trying to build muscle so it's a bit of give and take. Of course your stomach doesn't necessarily need to be empty and you can and should drink plenty of water before you run. | |
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