Is this a Myth????? Knowledgeble ppl needed.

[wel_99999]

Hey guys, I've been reaqding many stories of the great bodybuilders, mostly old school guys. In doing so I noticed that quite a few of them had this in common, they all hit the gym very early in the morning, I'm talking 5 am early.
A recent example was in the " Intensity or Insanity " story of when John DeFendis began training with my all time favority champ Steve Mechalik. John says that one day he entered the gym at 5:05 am and Steve was engrossed in an intense workout.
Now I'm not a nutritionist or anything but doesn't a bodybuilder who eats more calories, protein etc than an everage human needs a great amount of those which I just mentioned in their system at least 2 hours prior to working out? Wouldn't not doing so cause huge bodybuilders to actually force the body to feed off of it's own muscle? John also mentions that all he would eat in the morning was egg whites although he didn't say how many, before working out with Steve at 6 am or so.

I ask this because due to recent events I'll only be able to hit the gym at 5, 6 , or 7 am latest. Giving me one meal most before heading to the gym.
I'm a 5'10 - 210 pound guy - 15% bodyfat
So can it be possible for me to have one meal such as egg whites in the morning and then hit the gym and continue to grow as if I had eaten say 3 meals prior to going to the gym as I usually do? If so tell me specifically about how many egg whites, and other foods to make my first meal before engaging in an intense workout. Oh and of course I'll eat my other 5 or 6 meals or so thorughout the day no prob. So guys please help me out here, if it is indeed possible.

Thank you very much in advance.

[gbg]

Don't think there's anything wrong with working out at 5am been doing it for yrs on an empty stomach. Have some form of carbs or a shake pre, post wo nutrition is more important IMO.
Of course your diet has to be in check my last meal is at 8pm and is always some form of casein.

[HeloRugger]

Once again, this type of thing comes down to the old mantra of "Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you."
When I have been on early morning lift schedules, I have usually rolled out of the rack and grabbed a Myoplex shake or something similar. That has kept my stomach from dominating my thoughts while working out. I have had buddies who got cranking on an empty stomach and liked that.

I would recommend that you experiment over the course of a couple weeks. Try the shake concept (for me I had about 30 minutes of digestion while I was on my way to the gym) for a couple days. If that isn't enough to keep your intensity, try eating something a bit more substantial. Just remember that you might have to give your body time to adjust after eating.

In the end, the most critical piece will be to have a really good post workout meal plan with lots of complex carbs and a good serving of protein.

Good luck.

[bamaborn67]

Everyone always says it's the "rest" and the nutrition that the muscle receives that causes the growth. To this I agree to an extent, I also would like to add without the intense training the growth will not start. So, whether you workout at 5 am or 5 pm, you need intensity, nutrition and rest. Just be sure if you work out on an empty stomach to get some food in within an hour after workout.

[Chipman]

I don't think the time had anything to do with it, in my opinion the right time is when your mind tells you that it is ready for a grueling workout. As far as what they ate, nutrition wise it was okay for that time.

I think that bodybuilders can be as superstitious an anyone so if they perceive that they have found something that aids their progress they stick with it. This in turn makes them work harder and that means gains. Sort of like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[dbx]

Now I'm not a nutritionist or anything but doesn't a bodybuilder who eats more calories, protein etc than an everage human needs a great amount of those which I just mentioned in their system at least 2 hours prior to working out?

No, not a "huge" amount. The basic idea is to make sure you're not in a catabolic state, and that glycogen levels are replenished soon after waking. As we sleep, glycogen levels are depleted, so working out on an empty stomach would be counterproductive.

You also don't know the amount of dedication some of the pros have...like waking up at 1AM just to down some protein/casein, etc... But even if they didn't, they're not going to cause "feeding off the muscle" as long as they eat prior to lifting.

There's also another thing to be said for people who workout early morning; studies have shown that people who do this are exponentially more likely to stick with lifting than those who don't. But don't read too much into this, as it's simply a studied observation and not a rule to live by. Additionally, there can be a benefit to kick-starting your metabolism upon waking, but this "benefit" would also be dependent on your specific goal(s).

[IronIc]

Don't think there's anything wrong with working out at 5am been doing it for yrs on an empty stomach. Have some form of carbs or a shake pre, post wo nutrition is more important IMO.
Of course your diet has to be in check my last meal is at 8pm and is always some form of casein.
^^^ If you have worked out on an empty stomach, and look the way you do, then there is NOTHING wrong with it :)

I just can't drag myself out early enough, though :o Evenings work, too! The biggest thing is, is doing :)

[dbx]

^^^ If you have worked out on an empty stomach, and look the way you do, then there is NOTHING wrong with it :)

Yes, there is something wrong with it. In BBing, even if you do something the wrong way enough times....you'll still see results.

Gbg, you know I'm not slamming you here. But I think you'd see better results by working out first thing in the morning with glycogen levels repleted. Just sayin'..........

[blkbelt42]

I always work out at 5am and always
on an empty stomach and wouldn't do it
any other way.

[dbx]

I always work out at 5am and always
on an empty stomach and wouldn't do it
any other way.

Well, at 8' tall and 99lbs, this would make sense :D

[blkbelt42]

Well, at 8' tall and 99lbs, this would make sense :D

hehe. :)

5'8 223

[dbx]

hehe. :)

5'8 223

Fix the stats shown under your avatar ;)

[SP1966]

There's also another thing to be said for people who workout early morning; studies have shown that people who do this are exponentially more likely to stick with lifting than those who don't. But don't read too much into this, as it's simply a studied observation and not a rule to live by. Additionally, there can be a benefit to kick-starting your metabolism upon waking, but this "benefit" would also be dependent on your specific goal(s).

Working out the the morning before work is the ONLY way I can do it. For me the level of determination needed to get out of bed at 5am is much less than I need to get to the gym after work when I am mentally drained.

It does not matter when you do it, just that you do it consistently!

[OutOfStep]

I've always found that I have more strength later in the day after I've had a couple of meals. I tried morning workouts on an empty stomach and didn't really feel it was advantageous. I do my cardio on an empty stomach (empty as in full of black coffee) however. I think the whole losing muscle if you don't eat thing is totally overblown. I routinely go 10 to 12 hours between my last meal and breakfast and I hold onto muscle just fine. I work the 2nd shift so I wake up and have a good carb and protein rich breakfast and train about 3-4 hours later after my classes. I take in all my carbs for the day at breakfast and post workout. This works well for keeping my muscles full and my performance optimal, while allowing me to shed bodyfat.

[dbx]

Working out the the morning before work is the ONLY way I can do it. For me the level of determination needed to get out of bed at 5am is much less than I need to get to the gym after work when I am mentally drained.

It does not matter when you do it, just that you do it consistently!

For some reason...I thought you were smarter than this :p


It has nothing to do with what TIME you work out. The OP's premise was based on "nutrition vs time" kinda deal. I already covered the virtues of the "time" part of the equation.

[SP1966]

For some reason...I thought you were smarter than this :p

Like they say, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... :D



It has nothing to do with what TIME you work out. The OP's premise was based on "nutrition vs time" kinda deal. I already covered the virtues of the "time" part of the equation.

So the nutrition angle may have slipped past me here... LOL

[dbx]

Like they say, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... :D



So the nutrition angle may have slipped past me here... LOL

Meh, don't feel too bad, almost every thread here degrades due to morons not catching the drift of the OP :p :D

[SP1966]

Meh, don't feel too bad, almost every thread here degrades due to morons not catching the drift of the OP :p :D
Why thank you for noticing!! LOL

[Fifty+]

I think Mr. Bill Pearl owns the record for early workouts. He is famous for his 4 am workouts.

[wel_99999]

Thanks guys. I should have said that my main goal here is to build muscle BE HUGE.
So since I will be going to the gym at 5am from now on what do you guys suggest that I eat in my first meal of the day before working out to absolutely NOT go to the gym in a catabolic state, thus making me work against my goal losing my muscle everytime I workout.
One thing to note, I really enjoy eatng eggwhites in the morning so my first meal must iclude them, anything else to supplement them is absolutely ok. Make sure to also state how many of something I must eat. Again I'm 5'10, 210 pounds, so please help me.
Thanks

[oldsuperman]

Gbg, you know I'm not slamming you here. But I think you'd see better results by working out first thing in the morning with glycogen levels repleted. Just sayin'..........

DANG! Listen sweetheart, dbx is right on this one. I hate it when he makes sense! ;)

[dbx]

DANG! Listen sweetheart, dbx is right on this one. I hate it when he makes sense! ;)

Then rep me, biatch! :)

Have you got it in ya? :D

[wel_99999]

Thanks guys. I should have said that my main goal here is to build muscle BE HUGE.
So since I will be going to the gym at 5am from now on what do you guys suggest that I eat in my first meal of the day before working out to absolutely NOT go to the gym in a catabolic state, thus making me work against my goal losing my muscle everytime I workout.
One thing to note, I really enjoy eatng eggwhites in the morning so my first meal must iclude them, anything else to supplement them is absolutely ok. Make sure to also state how many of something I must eat. Again I'm 5'10, 210 pounds, so please help me.
Thanks

[blw_redone]

Personally I don't think they worked at 5am because of science, rather, necessity. Nobody was sponsoring them so all of them had full time jobs and possibly even families. So they did their workouts in the morning before going to their jobs and working all day. Rather than trying to workout in the evenings after work which would take away from family time they felt mornings were the ideal time. Been there done that. I don't know what I just said as fact but it just made sense to me.

[gbg]

^^^ If you have worked out on an empty stomach, and look the way you do, then there is NOTHING wrong with it :)

I just can't drag myself out early enough, though :o Evenings work, too! The biggest thing is, is doing :)

Thanks! that made my day......perfect timing!! XX :)

[dbx]

Thanks! that made my day......perfect timing!! XX :)

Nice denial :D

[gbg]

Yes, there is something wrong with it. In BBing, even if you do something the wrong way enough times....you'll still see results.

Gbg, you know I'm not slamming you here. But I think you'd see better results by working out first thing in the morning with glycogen levels repleted. Just sayin'..........

Thanks for your opinion and you might be correct but I have always trained this way and I'm pretty happy with the results ;) plus there's no way I could eat anything at 4am

[gbg]

Nice denial :D

what am I denying???

[dbx]

Thanks for your opinion and you might be correct but I have always trained this way and I'm pretty happy with the results ;) plus there's no way I could eat anything at 4am

My dear, it is much more than my opinion on this matter. I know you like to do research......please do so ;)


what am I denying???

Proven science.

[gbg]

My dear, it is much more than my opinion on this matter. I know you like to do research......please do so ;)



Proven science.

The eye is my proven science

[dbx]

The eye is my proven science

Strong answer :rolleyes:

I have always drank possum piss, eat 3g of protein per day, all carbs come from candy, and all fat comes from possums. I've worked out 5 days per week for the last 20yrs, and I have big muscles. Must be the possum piss and diet, right? ;)

I have faith that you'll actually come around to figuring that out :)

[gbg]

Strong answer :rolleyes:

I have always drank possum piss, eat 3g of protein per day, all carbs come from candy, and all fat comes from possums. I've worked out 5 days per week for the last 20yrs, and I have big muscles. Must be the possum piss and diet, right? ;)

I have faith that you'll actually come around to figuring that out :)

Thanks for having faith in me :D maybe I'll give the possum piss a try :eek:

[SP1966]

Damn, is the OV35 mating dance or something? The courting rituals of the OV35 confuse me to say the least, almost makes me happy to be married! :eek:

[oldsuperman]

Then rep me, biatch! :)

Have you got it in ya? :D


Can't! I have to spread some around first.... BIATCH! LOL! :D

[wel_99999]

Enough of this internet mating. Can someone just answer my question.

[EMISGOD]

Thanks guys. I should have said that my main goal here is to build muscle BE HUGE.
So since I will be going to the gym at 5am from now on what do you guys suggest that I eat in my first meal of the day before working out to absolutely NOT go to the gym in a catabolic state, thus making me work against my goal losing my muscle everytime I workout.
One thing to note, I really enjoy eatng eggwhites in the morning so my first meal must iclude them, anything else to supplement them is absolutely ok. Make sure to also state how many of something I must eat. Again I'm 5'10, 210 pounds, so please help me.
Thanks


Thanks guys. I should have said that my main goal here is to build muscle BE HUGE.
So since I will be going to the gym at 5am from now on what do you guys suggest that I eat in my first meal of the day before working out to absolutely NOT go to the gym in a catabolic state, thus making me work against my goal losing my muscle everytime I workout.
One thing to note, I really enjoy eatng eggwhites in the morning so my first meal must iclude them, anything else to supplement them is absolutely ok. Make sure to also state how many of something I must eat. Again I'm 5'10, 210 pounds, so please help me.
Thanks


Enough of this internet mating. Can someone just answer my question.

I totally will if you will just post the exact same post just a few more times...

[Fifty+]

So can it be possible for me to have one meal such as egg whites in the morning and then hit the gym and continue to grow as if I had eaten say 3 meals prior to going to the gym as I usually do?

Thank you very much in advance.


In reality the preworkout meal has very little to do with growing. It has one basic purpose and that's to fuel your workout. IMO if you haven't used the calories in your pre-w/o meal during the w/o then you either ate to much or didn't work hard enough. You don't grow in the gym. You break down muscle fiber in the gym. I would be more concerned with the post w/o drink and post w/o meal....

oldfart

[SR800]

Enough of this internet mating. Can someone just answer my question.

Food