Is it unhealthy to run first thing in the morning, (before you eat anything)?

Question

I read somewhere that since the body hasn't taken in any energy for over 10 hours,( I guess that would be fasting
), that it is bad to run right when you wake up on an empty stomach. Is it?

Answer 1

Yes and no...

It isn't unhealthy per say, it's just harder to run first thing the morning. One, your body hasn't really warmed up yet, so you are likely going to be a bit stiff and rusty feeling. Two, you haven't had anything to eat, so your glycogen / energy levels will rapidly depleat during your run.

On the plus side, at least theoretically, you are going to be burning more fat on your morning cardio is you haven't eaten. This is because your body will use the stored fat for energy when glycogen isn't around. (Your body will also use muscle tissue as well).

There's also some thought that stressing your heart that early in the morning without really warming up, could cause problems (hence the 45 year-old fit as a fiddle jogger who mysteriously dies of a heart attack on their run). This is unlikely though but should be considered if you have heart issues.

None the less, there really isn't anything really bad about running first thing. There are just some down sides that sort of come with the territory. I mix up my runs throughout the week -- some in the morning but most are in the early evening when I can train for performance.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, you shouldn't exercise on a full stomach either. ;) Personally, I'm hungry first thing in the morning so I might have a glass of juice and a piece of fruit or a granola bar-nothing too heavy.

I've never heard that it is *bad* for you to not eat breakfast before working out. Your metabolism just night be a little sluggish so you won't burn as many calories as you would if you ate a little to kick start it or ran later in the day. But, a lot of people start their day off with a run or an exercise class and eat a healthy breakfast afterwards without bad consequences so do whatever works for you.

Answer 3

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you run or exercises on an empty stomach your body stores extra fatty cells to what I call stock up for the winter. Sounds weird but the body thinks it is starving so it stocks up the extra fatty cells to avoid starvation. Where if you eat even a small breakfast then the body will let the fat go. Does that make sense.

Answer 4

in hassle-free terms drink a partial volume of protein shake formerly your workout habitual, then drink the rest after your workout habitual. Your muscle tissue won't pick as plenty for the period of your workout habitual, that is after while they ought to rebuild that they pick protein the main. a solid rule for protein intake in the experience that your development muscle is a million gram in keeping with pound of bodyweight, so in case you weigh 180lb, then take in 180g of protein an afternoon. additionally, stability it out throughout the time of your day, yet determine you a splash formerly a workout habitual out, and function a customary volume after your workout habitual. I many times have a banana and a few carbs interior the morning, like rice, pasta, etc. Have a solid meal. additionally, drink water!

Answer 5

No, but you wont burn as many calories as you would if you ate breakfast. When your body is fasting and you are exerting energy, your body is going to hold on to any fat and it will not burn it because it would be using it for fuel.
Basically your body would go into a starvation mode and hold on to whatever it has...until you feed it again.
At least eat a banana and oatmeal or something before you go.

Answer 6

I've also read that it speeds up your metabolism, and it wont affect you as long as you eat breakfast within 30 minutes after your run.

Answer 7

No just bring water.

Answer 8

No