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Working out in the mornings??

theboowahs Posts: 21 Joined: 2001/08/02	2001/07/24, 11:37 AM From what I have read here and in other magazines - you should have a good supply of carbs before you workout. My question is - Is it OK to workout on an empty stomach at 5AM?? This is my best time to workout. I have read that doing aerobics on an empty stomach burned more fat. Is the same true for weightlifting on an empty stomach??
jbennett Posts: 1,558 Joined: 2001/02/28	2001/07/24, 12:17 PM Working out on an empty stomach in the morning burns up to 300% more fat calories than working out after a meal. If you eat prior to a workout, the calories burned are mostly from the food, whereas working out on an empty stomach burns the "stored" calories in your body - aka fat. I've read many articles on this topic and I even did a report and presentation on this topic in college. Although I'm training for mass, I workout early in the morning on an empty stomach. My "love handles" have disappeared, I now have good definition in my obliques, and I actually have veins showing on my lower abs - all without much cardio at all. Although your body-type may be different from mine, you will notice a nice reduction in stored fat after a couple months of weight training.
theboowahs Posts: 21 Joined: 2001/08/02	2001/07/24, 09:30 PM JBennett - Thanks for your response. Your answer will make it that much easier waking up at 5AM.
coolness Posts: 338 Joined: 2001/05/23	2001/07/24, 09:59 PM I work out in the morning mainly because no one is in the gym and I would be too tired later in the day. Water is my only intake that early. It gets me pumped for the rest of the day!!
merlinhog Posts: 213 Joined: 2001/04/23	2001/07/25, 11:09 AM I also work out at about 6 am. I've also heard that muscle fibers are more responsive to training the earlier you work out. It is nice to have the gym seemingly to yourself. It gets too crowded at night.
ChrisYi Posts: 126 Joined: 2001/05/05	2001/07/25, 12:41 PM Wow. I feel bad because I don't workout as early as you guys. Since I don't work until mid-afternoon, I don't workout until about 9:30 am or 10:00 am. But I'll start picking up my butt and working out a little earlier.
tootieb Posts: 25 Joined: 2001/06/29	2001/07/25, 04:53 PM Can somebody give me a wake up call?! I try so hard to get up in the morning and do cardio. But after hearing you guys talk about your gains (or losses of lovehandles) I might have to get my lazy #$% up. thanks