Eating before a morning workout?
 

I know we've probably covered this before, but I could use a refresher.

I workout first thing in the morning - just get up, have a quick cup of coffee w/milk, then hit the gym.

My current workouts are the Jillian Michaels' program - an hour of lifting/cardio circuits every morning.

In general I prefer to always workout on an empty stomach, but lately I've been feeling my energy diminish and/or slightly light-headed by the end of the workout or shortly thereafter. I was thinking it might be electrolyte related, due to the fact that I sweat a lot, but I realized that it could be that I need to fuel my body a bit to help get me through these intense workouts.

So, I'm wondering what suggestions you gals and guys might have for a very light, maximum energy, and quick (like I can eat in the car on the way to the gym) pre-workout snack?
Cindy

I agree that you should eat something. If it were just aerobic exercise, then fasted would be OK, but Jillian's circuit training is going to have you in the anaerobic zone much of the time if not the majority of the time, so get some complete protein and some fast acting carbs would be my recommendation. Something quick, easy, and portable would be a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder in water and a piece of your favorite fruit. Or you can mix in some gatorade powder with your protein shake. If you still suspect electrolytes are possibly contributing to your light-headedness, this might be a good option. Perhaps a "creamsicle shake" of Vanilla protein powder and orange gatorade. You might even want to drink half on the way to the gym and sip on the rest during your workout. You can play around with the percentages of gatorade to protein powder. Many feel that pre or post exercise a 2:1 carb to protein ratio is good, but I think this is too cookie-cutter and depends upon the intensity of the exercise, the ability you have to tolerate simple carbs, and, of course, the taste of the drink.

I eat one or two hard boiled egg whites stuffed with hummus. Provides protein, carbs, fat and is portable. My other pre-workout snack isn't portable, but I like it-- a little ff cottage cheese mixed with a bit of fruit and some chopped nuts on top.

Sheila, the eggs sound like a great idea, except that I can't stomach hard boiled eggs - can only eat them scrambled :(

I've found that some mornings this is a bigger deal than others for me. When it is, I either make a protein shake with water or eat some cottage cheese and peaches before hand. Some folks don't like cottage cheese that early in the AM (or at all), but I found it works pretty well for me.

I tried to do a weight workout last week on an empty stomach for the first time in MANY years. It was dreadful, and I only did shoulders, which is my easiest workout. My usual max weight for seated overhead db presses is 35 pds each, but I failed with 20 pound dumbbells :eek: Food makes a tremendous difference!

If you really need portable, I'd go with a shake. Of all your choices, it's the fastest way to get nutrients into your system. I'd generally advocate real food, but it takes longer to digest something like an apple and cottage cheese or even the egg and hummus if you could force yourself to swallow it.

Put a scoop of a MRP type shake into a shaker bottle at night, and a scoop of glutamine if you use it. Leave it on the counter and mix it up just before you go. Drive and slurp! :D

Mel