Early morning work out - what to eat?

jimbling

hey guys, I've starting doing a home work out first thing in the morning. At the moment it's very very simple, just stretches and some push-ups/sit-ups. (started the 100 push-ups/200 sit ups program).

I'm going to expand into doing skipping and some jogging next week. After about a month I'll expand into further muscle work and develop a full routine.


Anyway, point is, I do this pretty much immediately after getting up in the morning, before going to work. At the moment I'm doing it without food, but can already feel myself getting tired quickly as the routine picks up.

So, what should I eat in the morning to give me enough energy to do the workout? Also, would I need to leave some time lapse after eating and prior to the routine?
All advice welcome.

AARRRGH

When I go to the gym in the morning I have an omelette for breakfast (french style, takes about 60 seconds to make). Afterwards I have a large bowl of porridge and a protein shake.

This works for me.

siochain

takes me about 20 minutes to get to the gym in the morning. I either have a banana or milk shake or both.

Depends on how I'm feeling, how long I plan to be there and what work out I'm planning.

connundrum

1/2 an hour pre workout I'd have a pint or so of water and 1/2 a banana.

Straight after workout I'd have the other half banana and protein shake.

Within half an hour of that I'd have either 2 x boiled egss with wholemeal toast or 1 bowl muesli, granola, flaxseed, honey. Both with water.

jimbling

Cheers for the responses guys.

Okay, so in all those cases there's a gap between eating and the workout... Obviously you need to leave your body digest the food to produce the energy, your travel to the gym gives you that time.

In my situation, I literally get up, pour water on the face and go downstairs and do the quick work out. This obviously isn't ideal, but I dont want to be sitting around for half an hour doing nothing.... I don't like unproductive time in the mornings
So, I was more thinking of just a quick snack, something that gives you a burst of energy very quickly... then get the breakfast in afterwards.

siochain

at that time your system will be empty and banana's will get into your system quickly.

What works for others may not work for you, try a few of the suggestions and see how you get on.

Good luck and have fun.

connundrum

I personally need to be awake for a good 1/2 hour before I do anything hence my routine. The 1/2 hour allows for the banana to be processed a bit and allows for the water to settle.

AARRRGH

jimbling wrote: »

Okay, so in all those cases there's a gap between eating and the workout...

I eat about 15 minutes before workout and about 30 minutes after workout.

I don't do any cardio though.

jimbling

Okay, much better today.

I don't like bananas so didn't want to go down that route.... but I did find something that suits.

Handful of grapes 10 minutes beforehand. And a few jellybeans* during the work out. Worked an absolute treat.... I think... Maybe I was just feeling good today after all the sun over the weekend

Anyway, I'll try that for the week and see how it goes.



*Friend of mine who's big into sport/fitness advised me on this. Supposedly they're great for a quick boost of energy that's easy on the stomach. He said they used to hand them out at half time in rugby matches etc.

siochain

both very high GL, suger levels will take a sharp drop either during or after. This may be an issue when you move onto your muscle work in time.