Morning workouts - what to eat??

I'm starting to really seriously exercise and started at my new gym this morning (at 5:15am to be exact). As tired as I was, it feels great to know I'm done with it for the day.

BUT, I'm starting with a trainer on Wednesday at 6am and I know I'm going to need to eat something substantial before this and I'm one of the first bite syndrome peeps who has a tough time eating anything in the morning. This morning I had a Special K protein shake because it was easy and I could take it with me. I ate again at about 9am (oatmeal) and it's noon and I'm finding myself quite hungry. I can usually go longer without eating and it may just be because I worked out this AM.

Because I'm new to this exercise thing, I'm wondering what you morning exercisers eat both before and after your workouts. I was thinking greek yogurt because I think that would go down okay but other than that, I'm kind of stumped. Any ideas would be appreciated!!

I go to the gym at 5 a.m. as well and actually am training for a 5K in May. I grab a quick handful of Cheerios and run out the door. They are a simple carb that you can burn off quick but it gives you that little bit of energy without the feeling of it sitting in your pouch. I have also just grabbed a spoonful of peanut butter as well.

i have to have some carbs before a run or workout.

either ww toast w/pb & half banana or 1/2c of grape nuts & fruit w/2% milk - sometimes oatmeal & fruit, but i'm not a fan of it.....but does the trick.

i eat about 30minutes beforehand & i'm good for 90mins....i know when i haven't eaten properly.

ETA - post workout i'll have a protein drink / greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

If I have time and my band is cooperating, I prefer steel cut oatmeal with 1/2 of an apple chopped into it and 1 tbspn walnuts, 1tbspn f/f half/half,  cinnamon & splenda.

If it's a tight morning (timewise or bandwise) I drink a small (8.5 oz) Muscle Milk LIGHT.  

I really prefer to do the oatmeal.. it lasts longer.

When I get home, I drink 16oz of powerade zero with a scoop of syntrax nectar & a few ice cubes all blended together.

2 hours after that I have lunch.

Yes, I'm hungrier sooner when I workout.  I think that's pretty normal.

I workout between 4:30am and 5am most mornings and I must confess I very rarely eat prior to working out and if I do, it is a protein shake because I'm too tight that earlier in the morning prior to having any fluids. I do also drink a vitaminwater zero while I am exercising to make sure I'm keeping my electrolyte balance in check.


Most trainers will tell you that you have to eat a full hour to hour and a half prior to your workout.And having greek yogurt is a great option. It has both protein & carbs that will fuel your workout. Just remember to each a significant period of time prior to the workout or you risk it coming back up if you are doing high intensity.

I can also tell you that I am ravenously hungry on the days I workout in the morning. I drink a protein shake when I return home for recovery, I usually snack on something in the car on the way to work and then at about 9:15 I have breakfast and I am sooooo very ready when lunch rolls around it isn't funny.

Good Luck on your workouts!

My advice is that Greek Yogurt sounds like a good idea.

I don't have 'first bite' syndrome, but there is no way that I would be able to eat at 6am --- I would probably have water on my way to the gym, and a protein shake afterwards.

As far as being hungry between the oatmeal and your lunch, maybe a piece of low-fat string cheese in the mid-morning would help.

Also - make sure your are drinking plenty of fluids after the oatmeal and before lunch.

good work --- I am soooooo not a morning person!!!

Thanks for the great info! I'm super excited to go back tomorrow and I've NEVER been excited about exercise. I hope to jumpstart my stall with this as well!

I don't workout in the morning but I find I still need to eat a little something before I workout.  I eat 4 wheat crackers with peanut butter.  I find it to be a perfect mix of complex carbs and protein