eat before early morning workout?

[doitright]

I have been reading articles on here trying to find the answer to this but I can't find one on my specific situation. I get up at 3:45am and get to the gym at 4:00am. I have read many conflicting posts about what to and not to eat before hitting the gym. I have been getting up making a cup of coffee to go and then hit the weights. I feel great but I am worried that I am burning up muscle since I have not eaten yet. Would someone get me on the right track here?

oh and a side note: my goal currently is to gain lean mass in case that helps.

Thanks.

 

[drob29]

I do the same thing, I am at the gym by 4 AM on work out days.

I would say you need to be awake more than 15 min before you start working out. I dont know why, but I could never work out 15 min after I wake up.

I always have a medium size bowl of PLAIN oatmeal and a cup of coffee. I find the oatmeal gives me energy, and without coffee I am useless anyway

The plain oatmeal is kind of gross but it grows on you.

hope this helped

 

[Dshiznit00]

i use to do the wholegrain oatmeal with a scoop or protein powder and some blueberries and it would make it taste alot better

 

[doitright]

I tried doing 50grams protein in skim milk the other day and I felt like crap the whole time I was working out. I know it is said that when you first wake up you are in a catabolic state and you need to get food in you to stop it. I feel awesome when I just drink some coffee and hit the gym. I am just worried that I am going to lose muscle that way.


oh well guess I will do what makes me feel best.

Thanks!

 

[JK_5]

Dude, you've GOT to get some type of protein intake in before a weightlifting session! Whether it be liquid aminos, protein shake, or a handful of amino tabs, your body NEEDS it's protein otherwise you'll just be breaking down muscle tissue while lifting. You're body won't have an outside source of amino acids to use, so it is going to break down muscle tissue from the muscle groups you aren't training that day in order to repair the muscles you are using. Me myself, I could not train that early in the morning, especially after only being awake for 30 minutes, but everyone is different as to when they feel their strongest, so if it feels right, then by all means, do it. However, you definitely need some source of protein intake before hitting the weights or you're just not going to make gains. Coffee is great, but try throwing down at least 20 grams of protein along with it. You said you tried 50 grams and that felt like too much, so then lower the amount but at least go with 20 grams. If you are looking to put on mass, then go with some low glycemic carbs as well. Nothing too filling, but something to provide your muscles with glycogen stores they can use during your lift, and I guarantee you will push more weight. Also, I would try waiting at least 45-60 minutes after waking to lift. Maybe this will help as well. Hope this helps you out, good luck.

 

[doitright]

i am getting some LBA's from the man so I plan to suck some down to stop the canabalism, lol. I wish I could wait a bit longer after waking to hit the gym but unfortunately my schedule wont allow it.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[*B*]

Eating a banana will put some carbs in your liver and that will keep you from burning the protein for energy instead of it going to the muscles.

 

[Deepsea]

I take this protein/mass builder call Mass XXX. You can get a huge tub at GNC for around $65.00. It's great for pre or post work out.

 

[maxititer]

morning is the time, when our body in catabolic state you have to load a lot of proteins before workout, and some fast absorbing proteins like Nectar are best. Otherwise, your muscles proteins will be used as energy source. Not the best time to train in general, especially if your objective is to build some mass.

 

[doitright]

I have been eating about a cup of oatmeal and taking a big gulp of LBA's before hitting the gym. That seems to be working well. Someone else posted that they actually take the LBA's with them to the gym and swig on it like a 5th of rum between sets. I think i am gonna give that a try.

 

[doitright]

any of you ever tried the Quaker weight control oatmeal? It has 7grams protein and only 1grm of sugar. I really like it and I can't really see anything bad about it. Anything bad that i am missing here?

 

[maxititer]

any of you ever tried the Quaker weight control oatmeal? It has 7grams protein and only 1grm of sugar. I really like it and I can't really see anything bad about it. Anything bad that i am missing here?

it is good food with low glycemic index and it will help you to maintain blood glucose level for long time, but because time between your food and gym too short you should take some fast absorbing protein shake first.