working out first thing in the morning for weightloss,advice needed.

[morty666]

I'm planning on starting a pretty heavy regime but with my current schedule working out in the morning would be more convenient for me.(Although not absolutely necessary) I was wondering if working out in the morning on an empty stomach would be a decent option for someone with a lot of weight to lose who still want's to maximize strength gain. All cardio would be done in the morning as well. Any input/advice would be greatly accepted!

[Eileen]

Originally Posted by morty666

I'm planning on starting a pretty heavy regime but with my current schedule working out in the morning would be more convenient for me.(Although not absolutely necessary) I was wondering if working out in the morning on an empty stomach would be a decent option for someone with a lot of weight to lose who still want's to maximize strength gain. All cardio would be done in the morning as well. Any input/advice would be greatly accepted!

It's one of the eternal debates. The theory is that if you exercise on an empty stomach, you'll burn fat.

However, if you are in a calorie deficit, you'll burn fat anyway. And I personally think that lifting weights on an empty stomach means you are never going to be able to bring the right intensity to the job.

I would have a black coffee with coconut oil if you are doing keto, or a small protein shake first.

[morty666]

Thanks for replying Eileen.

No I won't be doing Keto, always made me feel like crap. I only planned on being for this routine for 2 months max to just jump start my weight loss. I agree about intensity but given my current goals/situation I feel it wouldn't be the worst idea. My plan was to just drink some water and then use a myoplex shake immediately after my workout which already has the correct carb/protein ratio's for my plan. Thank again!

[Arnoldfan]

I almost always workout in the mornings before I eat - mainly because I don't want to have to sit and wait for my breakfast to digest before I hit the gym. Otherwise, I'll get sick on my stomach after eating and have to cut my workout short (and I hate it when that happens - and it will). I've never experienced a lack of energy or strength doing it this way. Until I do, I say go for it. Just be sure and eat some protein as soon as you can after the gym.

Best wishes.

[morty666]

Yeah thats how I feel too....being able to to just get up and go to the gym is nice without having to play the waiting game after eating breakfast.
I'm def going to give it a try for a good 2 months due to my current schedule and the fact it will help me lose. Yup I know I need to eat right after as well
I'm naturally not a morning person and anytime I worked out in the morning I felt less strength but I'm hoping if I stuck with that routine for a couple weeks the difference wouldnt be as noticable. Like I said its only for 2 months anyway.....

[wlknier]

i always work out in the morning as well, but never on an empty stomach...it usually is at least an hour before i workout and eat though due to the commute to school etc....your body will pull nearly 50% of it's blood to maximize digestion, so working out immediately after a large meal wouldn't be the best...however, a moderate meal, 300-500 calories, shouldn't suck too much out of you....when you workout, the body will divert nearly 80% of it's blood to the muscles

i'd at least eat something....fasted cardio is also silly, the long run benefits aren't worth it

there is some anthropological theories as to working out on an empty stomach, as humans, we've evolved the past 200,000 years without a reliable food source, which meant we woke up, hunted, killed, and gorged ourselves on fatty meats. Some type of growth hormone is released when you're working out fasted, but in the long run, again, it's not worth it. I'd rather give myself a little bit of energy pre workout, feel and finish strong throughout my workout, and eat again.

[Cnstnce]

Doing cardio on an empty stomach is ideal for increased fat burn, but you should really try to lift after a few meals. I usually take a thermogenic before my cardio and then have 3 meals minimum before a lift, followed my more cardio. Its intensive but it works. Taper your carbs during your day to prevent fat storage, so have the bulk of your clean carbs like oats and brown rice during your first meals, and your last meals should not have carbs. A protein shake before bed will make sure your body continues to heal and burn fat while you sleep, just make sure its a carb free shake.

[morty666]

Would you recommend a protein shake before bed to someone who has significant weight to lose??? Also would a cottage cheese and yogurt as the last meal of the day be wise?

[Dominikm]

I lift first thing in the morning with a protein shake before and after and then about 30mins aftr the 2nd protein shake I eat breakfast. I'm still cutting from my original fat self and since i've started this i've actually seen my lifts go up

[Surfsanclem]

I would recommend not working out on an empty stomach. I IMHO you just can't bring your A game. If I am doing a morning workout I prefer a banana and peanut butter. But it is a 30 min drive to work/gym so it has some time to settle. Just let the increase in your metabolism from a morning workout take care of the weight loss.

[Eileen]

Originally Posted by morty666

Would you recommend a protein shake before bed to someone who has significant weight to lose??? Also would a cottage cheese and yogurt as the last meal of the day be wise?

Not a protein shake unless it is instead of something with a lot more calories. Cottage cheese makes a good supper, as it keeps you feeling fuller than other things with the same calories.

If you have a significant amount of weight to lose, don't force feed yourself. You don't have to go hungry, but don't try to eat X amount of calories because some calculator says you should.

[phoenixr2]

Originally Posted by Eileen

It's one of the eternal debates. The theory is that if you exercise on an empty stomach, you'll burn fat.

However, if you are in a calorie deficit, you'll burn fat anyway. And I personally think that lifting weights on an empty stomach means you are never going to be able to bring the right intensity to the job.

I would have a black coffee with coconut oil if you are doing keto, or a small protein shake first.

great post I would strongly agree with.

As many in this thread have said, you really can't give it your all if you are working empty, you will be completely dead if you make it through also.

[buckstar0814]

I think you will be fine with the morning workouts. You stated that this is to jumpstart your routine so does this mean you don't workout at all right now? If so then you should use weight that is light enough to control so you learn proper form so you will be fine on an empty stomach.

Just listen to your body, if you find yourself not making it through these workouts then you will need to change things up with your eating, but since you said this will only be for a couple of months your should be fine. I personaly wouldn't do this long term as I need as much energy as possible to "leave it all in the gym" and an empty stomach wouldn't allow me to get that feeling.

Good luck on whatever you choose to do, just don't spend to much time thinking about it, get started and adjust as needed!

[morty666]

I've worked out before but stopped for awhile so by "Jump Start" I meant use this morning workout time I have at the moment as a way to lose some of the excess weight I gained when I stopped working out.

so far so good I've been working out first thing and eating immediately after. Like I said it's not for the longterm. Thanks for all the input guys!

[SocratesTX]

In the end its all about calories in versus calories out over time. Working out in the morning with no food is not better than working out at night after dinner in terms of effecting the weight loss process.