Morning Cardio on empty Stomache???

[izzadawn]

The Nutrition consult at my gym has made me swear to eat breakfast with in 45 min of getting up in the morning.....yet a few days ago one of the trainers was doing cardio next to me and he suggested I do Cardio on an Empty Stomache for greater fatloss won't that screw up my metabolism???? Who should I be listening to????

[star4822]

You should be listening to the nutrition consultant. It's a myth that you'll be burning fat if you workout on an empty stomach. If anything, you'll lack energy, because you haven't eaten in 8+ hours and you're trying to muster up the energy to do a streneous(sp?) activity. Eat something, even if it's small. You'll probably be able to work harder with something in your body anyway.

[izzadawn]

Appreciate the confirmation, goes to show there are contradictions out there. Even between the pros???

[Aries80]

I agree, get something in that belly...You will be much more energized and have a much more effective workout. I find that if I don't eat and push myself with cardio, I literally feel nauseous.

[sparky141978]

I used to do cardio (when I did cardio) on an empty stomach first thing, but only did 15-20 minutes. It forced me to get it done and then I ate right afterwards. If I didn't do it first thing I got to hungry. It is recommended by some and not by others so I think it's up to the person. If you see a difference do it, otherwise I would do it after lifting or on non-lifting days.

[twinnett]

Honestly, a lot of the pros that do tons of fasted cardio and retain all that muscle are taking something to "help" if you know what I mean...

[izzadawn]

Thanks All My goals are not just for weight loss, I'm looking for overall health so I will Keep eating. I am a recovering meal skipper and am fully aware, by the size of my hips, the damage that can be done by starving ones self.

[lorabeann]

I honestly believe it depends on the person doing the cardio. In your case, it sounds like eating something before you exercises will work best, give you the most energy etc.

We talked about fasted cardio in my exercise physiology class and it takes a very stressful situation for the body to use muscle as energy. The energy it takes to convert muscle tissue into useable energy for the body is a lot. I think some people may be more prone to it, but for the most part- it doesn't happen in one cardio session.

[Molly229]

I don't like to eat before my morning cardio. I run at 6:30 in the morning. I get up at 5:45. That isn't enough time to digest what I eat.

Does it matter what you eat? If I eat like for saltine crackers then I'm ok, or drink a v8, but anything more than that and I feel sick and get stomach pains.

[power44]

If the human body lost muscle from a running in the morning, we would have never survived as a species. The body is designed to hunt many hours for animals to get protein.

[ohtm27]

cardio on a fasted state is supposed to help deplete the fat stores (using the fat as energy) vs. Eating then doing cardio your using the food you just consumed for energy verses depleting the fat store. It's advised to weight train first if your going to eat in the am then do cardio afterwards for better results. Now unfortunately there are a lot of myths in the bodybuilding world:(

[egoatdoor]

Have a protein shake before the early morning cardio. The protein will help prevent muscle catabolism during the cardio( especially since you haven't eaten since before bed the night before) and the fact that you have not had carbs for hours will help with fat burning.

Some people, like myself, still "crash" within 20-25 minutes, so I do have a piece of whole wheat bread( slow burning carbs) with the shake so I can get through the cardio, but that is an individual decision.

Each person is different, so see what works for you ( carbs or no carbs).

[OraOcon]

Where the contradiction comes is for what results you are looking for. What happens when you do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is help increase your natural release of HGH (human growth hormone) for longer periods of time.

It is the same when you also do HIIT and then wait about 45-60 mins before eating directly after.

For more info you can research more on how to naturally increase your HGH.

[jp8207]

On the mornings i do am cardio I eat a mini whole weat bagel, with some peanutbutter

[MattP1]

You can even do just a quick little energy gel just to get some carbs in your stomach. This is good for people who can't really store or cook food. (i.e. military living in barracks)

[doindbt]

I've never eaten before my workouts in the morning but spending time reading posts around here is starting to make me realize I should be. So, yesterday am and this am I had a protein drink and 1/2 cup of whole grain cereal about a half hour before I started. I did so much worse the past two days than usual that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just weird. For some reason it was harder for me.

[nockowt1]

The military specializes in fasted cardio. I've known quite a few Marines that ran everyday before breakfast and suffered no ill effects. If anything they retained muscle and kept off the fat.

[Lou19]

I sprinted/jogged 30-40 minutes on a empty stomach in the mornings 4-5 times a week and I was losing 2 pounds every 2 weeks. I drank coffee with sweetener for energy and if I really tired I would drink two.

[Fitbrit]

In Navy bootcamp we got up, put on our sweats and ran to this awefull lot that was like a broken up parking lot and excersized before the sun came up. Sit ups, push ups, calisthenics. Then we went to breakfast. When it got too cold, we ran to the drill hall and we excersized there, in the morning before the sun came up. Then we went to breakfast. By the end of 9 weeks of doing this, I was running my 1.5 miles in 10:45. Which is at least a low outstanding for a 23 year old female (my age at the time.) I was healthy and strong in the end. I never got sick or passed out for eating after working out instead of before. And I'm sure that the vast majority of bootcampers that have followed a similar routine for the past century or so have done just fine. If you can do it, and it works for you so be it. I can't even eat much in the morning. A good work out works up a good appetite and I will eat healthier than I would if I didn't work out.

[Beefcake Girl]

Honestly, a lot of the pros that do tons of fasted cardio and retain all that muscle are taking something to "help" if you know what I mean...

I disagree with this comment. I do fasted cardio, take NOTHING, and retain muscle. I do not feel sluggish either. There are many published reports that cardio on an empty stomach is not harmful and beneficial for fat loss. You tap into fat stores and not the food that you just ate.

And I don't eat much before lifting either....I lift hard and heavy but you do not need to eat a ton beforehand. In fact, it can make me nauseous. It is suggested that you eat a bit of protein or maybe something like a grapefruit for energy but not a huge meal of carbs and such as previously thought.

I have to say, I wish all the nonsense about pros taking stuff would stop. If you don't know for sure, don't even mention it. I know many pros and they are NOT enhanced. You can get a pro level physique but you have to work REALLY hard. Don't perpetuate this gossip if you don't know...

[Bronwyn]

I have reccomended morning cardio before the breakfast as well as evening cardio AFTER all meals. It is because I have really slow and efficient metabolism.
But I do a low intensity cardio. Walking or stationary bike....
Immediatelly after morning cardio I take BCAA amino acids and MCT oil and in the evening only MCT oil.
And I am satisfied with this - and I still have my muscles on :)

[MattP1]

The military specializes in fasted cardio. I've known quite a few Marines that ran everyday before breakfast and suffered no ill effects. If anything they retained muscle and kept off the fat.

IF you wanted to eat before running. I personally don't eat before any cardio and I think its better. I've never had any bad effects from it.

[egoatdoor]

I have to say, I wish all the nonsense about pros taking stuff would stop. If you don't know for sure, don't even mention it. I know many pros and they are NOT enhanced. You can get a pro level physique but you have to work REALLY hard. Don't perpetuate this gossip if you don't know...

Figure is not bodybuilding.

There are no natural bodybuilders who are pros, male or female, and if there are any in Fitness who do not use SOMETHING, it is a large exception to the rule.

[pirouette]

I used to do cardio first thing in the morning and it really helped jump start my appetite in the am. I get up at 6am and I used to not be hungry till 10 or so. It helped me re-set my body to where I need it to be (hungry in the morning)

[pwn5tar]

doesnt it feel werid when your running with no food in your somatch. It hurts mines, try eating a small snack

[BeccaBaby]

I get up 4:30am to do one hour of cardio. First of all, I am never hungry when i get up but i do need energy. So i will drink a protein shake and have a spoonfull of natural pb. It has worked fabulously for my morning cardio.

[dvsness]

During prep I do fasted AM cardio on wekends, though I do take a small amount of bcaa's first. Ohtm and BG are on the money. Mikeschick - 1/2 hour is not long enough for many people to seperate between eating and training; try 2 hours.

[doindbt]

During prep I do fasted AM cardio on wekends, though I do take a small amount of bcaa's first. Ohtm and BG are on the money. Mikeschick - 1/2 hour is not long enough for many people to seperate between eating and training; try 2 hours.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that next time.

[terracotta]

Ok, as much as I don't like the idea of fasted cardio..

if you are going to do it, take BCAA's first. Scivation Xtend is a good choice.

[Hardness23]

I recently started doing fasted cardio in the morning. No joke I ran 6 miles in the morning, felt great and ate a good breakfast afterwards. Then I continued doing my strength training at night. Strangely, after a week, I gained a pound! I weighted myself at the same time on the same scale one week later! I didn't feel like I lost any weight! I had caused a 6,000 calorie deficit for the week so should have lost 2 lbs. My diet stayed about the same (already clean), just cut down on carbs a little and moved them to only pre-workout and breakfast. Now I'm just confused on what to do to lower my bf%.

[egoatdoor]

I recently started doing fasted cardio in the morning. No joke I ran 6 miles in the morning, felt great and ate a good breakfast afterwards. Then I continued doing my strength training at night. Strangely, after a week, I gained a pound! I weighted myself at the same time on the same scale one week later! I didn't feel like I lost any weight! I had caused a 6,000 calorie deficit for the week so should have lost 2 lbs. My diet stayed about the same (already clean), just cut down on carbs a little and moved them to only pre-workout and breakfast. Now I'm just confused on what to do to lower my bf%.

Couple of things to think about.

1) In some people, running can be a less effective fat burning method than brisk walking. I'm a guy and brisk walks on a treadmill do a much better job in burning fat for me than running, which also places more strain on the joints.
2) I've read that you should not ingest carbs for 60-90 minutes after cardio. Otherwise, it can promote an insulin spike, which will counteract the fat burning you may have done during the cardio. If the "breakfast" was eaten right after cardio and had carbs, that could be a problem.
3) Are you confusing losing weight with losing bodyfat? You could have gained muscle and lost fat and thus the scale weight may be a bad indicator by itself.

[Beefcake Girl]

There are definetly 2 schools of thought on this but no you won't wreck your metabolism and yes it does help you drop fat. I am a natural athlete and I do fasted state cardio to jump start my contest prep and it works VERY well. I do not lose muscle, I don't get sick and actually my metabolism is fast so I have not suffered any ill effects.

I do think you should do what feels best for you...I have lots of energy and strength without eating first but I know people who feel a liitle woozy...I think different people have different tolerances but don't be afraid to try it if you want. I have had nutritionists and doctors affirm the fact that it is not damaging...

And I always eat a solid breakfast of carbs and protein after doing AM cardio...you should to prevent muscle loss, get the metabolism going and begin your day with some solid food energy...maybe you are holding water? Sometimes I retain water if I do too much activity...my legs swell a bit too! Make sure you are getting adequate rest and not over doing it :)

[egoatdoor]

There are definetly 2 schools of thought on this but no you won't wreck your metabolism and yes it does help you drop fat. I am a natural athlete and I do fasted state cardio to jump start my contest prep and it works VERY well. I do not lose muscle, I don't get sick and actually my metabolism is fast so I have not suffered any ill effects.

I do think you should do what feels best for you...I have lots of energy and strength without eating first but I know people who feel a liitle woozy...I think different people have different tolerances but don't be afraid to try it if you want. I have had nutritionists and doctors affirm the fact that it is not damaging...

And I always eat a solid breakfast of carbs and protein after doing AM cardio...you should to prevent muscle loss, get the metabolism going and begin your day with some solid food energy...maybe you are holding water? Sometimes I retain water if I do too much activity...my legs swell a bit too! Make sure you are getting adequate rest and not over doing it :)

Really good points here.

A clarification on my statement in #2 above: I do have a whey protein shake with no carbs right afterwards to prevent muscle catabolism, a small meal of protein(food) and fats about a half hour later and then at the 90 minute mark, have a meal of protein and lots of carbs.