Hi everyone -

I'm new here. Just started the Beach this week. Feeling great on it so far. I signed up for an early morning boot camp style fitness program. It starts next week. 3 mornings a week at 6 am. I am NOT used to working out this early (heck, I'm not used to working out period, who am I kidding). But even when I did work out regularly years ago it was always in the evening.

So here is my question...Do you eat before a workout? Would drinking coffee before working out be bad? I usually don't eat anything for about 2 hours after I get up but I want to make sure I have enough energy since I know it is going to be tough.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/exercise/640-eat-before-early-morning-work-out.html

Any ideas for quick breakfasts that won't be too hard on my stomach? I was thinking a hard boiled egg or some yogurt since that won't involve cooking.

Thanks so much for your help. I am happy to have found these boards since the ones on South Beach on line really stink and I am going to need some serious support to reach my goal.

Thanks again
AL

:Welcome:

I have to say that's way too early for me! :Sleepy: I admire your initiative. I've looked for the official SBD answer to your question on their web site and couldn't find it. So, I'm going to give you my personal opinion.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=640

Definitely go with something light before you work out. I would switch around and eat my mid-morning snack before a work out and eat my breakfast later. The yogurt sounds like a good idea. And later, once you move to phase 2, I'd add some berries to the yogurt or some cold cereal to add some crunch to it. Perhaps even a few walnuts.

You could try drinking the coffee and see how it works for you. Personally, I wouldn't though. I'd be needing too many bathroom breaks while exercising and it would give me indigestion. Instead I'd suggest drinking water before, during and after your work outs. You can have the coffee when you eat your breakfast after your work outs.

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Join me at Gather!

I work out first thing in the morning (sometimes I get there when they open, 5AM) and I eat afterwards. I am not hungary when I wake up. I work out in the AM because I don't have to think about it. If I ate breakfast before, I would be more likely to second guess working out. Which is why I like doing it in the AM in the first place.....get it done and over with, then you have the rest of the day to do yo thing girl!!
Linda

My trainer would KILL me if I showed up NOT having breakfast. Something "light" of course like oatmeal and afterwards I have a nutritional shake. Good luck!!

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Your trainer would kill you?? Your actually expects you to have a full breakfast before you work out?? I think mine would kill me if I came to a weight training session shortly aftr having a full breakfast. I only work out in the mornings on the weekends, but before lunch during the workweek. I won't go on an empty stomach though. I try to have my mid-morning snack within' an hour of going to the gym, whether it's for cardio or for weight training. If workload is such that I have to go the the gym a little later, I'll have my lunch on the early side... then go an hour or 2 later.

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I roll out of bed and do my workout before breakfast. For what I've read its okay so long as you feel okay. You shouldn't if you get light headed or anything like that. Drink plenty of water before and during, I eat soon after so my body does get the protein it needs. I don't remember where but I read your body makes best use of the protein if you eat it 30 minutes before or after your workout.

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Female 25, 5'5"
1st Goal 187 (BMI 31) met 1/19/08 with Atkins
2nd Goal 174 (BMI 29)
3rd Goal 162 (BMI 27)
4th Goal 150 (BMI 25)
5th Goal 138 (BMI 23)
Summer Goal: 132 (BMI 22)

I also work out before breakfast...I do the same...roll out of bed and walk 3 miles...then I eat ....

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(Because I STAYED Determined!)

I haven't been running again yet since I started SBD, but I was training for a half marathon about a year and a half ago(had to stop because of injuries and haven't made it back yet because of injury after injury! Now I am trying to lose first so it is not so hard on my joints.). If I went out before eating, around mile 2 I got really nauseous. It would eventually pass, but it was too the point of really thinking I would throw up. I finally realized I was just too hungry or something, so I started eating a nutragrain bar before going and did not have any nausea. I tried again a couple of times with no food and the same thing happened every time. I know I would have to choose something different to eat now, but I will definitely have to find something when I finally do get back to early runs. But something light so it doesn't upset my stomach! Probably fruit with peanut butter would be good. Or the yogurt with berries.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=640

I don't do coffee first, but I have actually read that if you do drink coffee first it ramps up your fat burning....that may be untrue, but I read it in a runner's book. I think it would upset my stomach.