I have a fitness question

[Desert Strawberry]

. Is it bad to do a workout before breakfast? Should I fuel up first?
If I do it before I leave my room in the morning, it's most likely to get done. I can take my time and really work it. 
After breakfast, my day has begun, and then I have to find somewhere to cram it in. 
But I'm having some trouble balancing my blood sugar and not feeling like a corpse. Am I setting myself up for instability?

[Ali in OR]

I do exactly what you describe (exercise before I leave my room) and it works great for me, but it's not like I'm running a marathon or anything and I don't have any blood sugar issues. I walk (4 mph) or jog (5 mph) for 30 min on my treadmill. I do some stretching exercises or light weights. I don't eat until maybe an hour after I'm done--no problems.

 

[VaKim]

I always work out before eating in the morning and have no problem with it. Now, if I try to go for a long walk or something in the afternoon without anything in my stomach, I get all dizzy and weak feeling. Just try it and see how your body takes it. If you get dizzy or weak or otherwise feel bad, maybe eat a few raisins, peanuts, or some little something like that first. 

[HelenNotOfTroy]

It depends what you are doing and how you are feeling. Since you are feeling bad, you may need to eat a little something. Can you keep something in your room?

[goldberry]

I do this, sometimes I just have a little orange juice or something before, just to get some sugar in my system.  Then eat shortly afterward.

[staceyobu]

I have trained for two marathons on mostly just a sip of water before heading out the door. If I'm doing more than about 2.5 hours of running, I try to eat half a sandwich or banana. I don't know if it ideal, but it hasn't killed me! I fix breakfast for everyone when I'm done running.

[KathyBC]

The yoga video I got from the library actually recommends participating on a less-than-full stomach due to the nature of some of the poses. I can attest that I should have listened! Probably something small and light to feel steady would be ideal.

[Joyofsixreboot]

I run most mornings fueled by coffee. Eating makes me feel gross and slows me down. Try both ways and see how you feel.

[Carol in Cal.]

I think that the best exercise is the one you will actually DO.

That means exercising before breakfast, for you.  The only thing I would suggest is drinking a glass of water first.  It's easy to get a bit dehydrated overnight, and it's also easy to keep water next to your bed.

[Rachel]

When I was younger I could work out on an empty stomach without a problem. Now I need a small breakfast. I think the intensity matters though. I could roll out of bed and go for a long walk or do a yoga video without breakfast. I could not go to an hour long spin class or run 6 miles without at least a banana and some water.

[Miss Peregrine]

I take a sip of water before heading out to my run. I couldn't run with food in my stomach.

 

Or you could be like a woman I see running at the same time I do. She runs while drinking a coffee!

[Arcadia]

I need my cup of coffee first and I just do stretches while my coffee maker is running.

 

Maybe have an apple or granola bar or a small ziploc bag of nuts/trail mix by your bed if you need to eat before leaving your room.

[kiana]

If your body doesn't feel well doing it, I'd take something like a fiber bar or small sandwich to your room the night before. Then in the morning, wake up, eat it, and get moving.

[milovany]

I love working out before breakfast.  It's my favorite time to do so.  For one thing, then my body using fat for fuel instead of whatever's in my stomach.  For another, it just gives me a head start on not eating too much the rest of the day.  If I've worked out, I feel better and so have a better attitude about food/eating the rest of the day.  Hopefully.  ;)

[wintermom]

But I'm having some trouble balancing my blood sugar and not feeling like a corpse. Am I setting myself up for instability?

 

Are you measuring your blood sugar, and have a medical condition where you need to keep things in control? If so, then I would suggest getting expert advice from a doctor and/or other health professional.

 

If you are feeling weak and/or dizzy, then you probably need more readily available "fuel" for your body before or during exercise. Quick fuel is usually sugar (fruit, sweet drink), starch (potatoe) or simple carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, crackers). Do not use sugar-free products as your body needs actual sugar.

 

Also, make sure you are hydrating and replenishing electrolytes (e.g. salt). Dehydration and low salt can also cause weakness, dizziness and cramps. 

[SemiSweet]

Depending on what my workout for the day is, I either have coffee first or nothing. It's never bothered me at all. When I have food in my stomach it makes me feel more sluggish.

[SKL]

It is fine as long as it isn't super intense.  Early morning is my best time for things like yoga.

[Slache]

It will slow down your metabolism. It's not good, but not going to kill you. I would buy some protein bars and eat one before your feet hit the floor so it's in your tummy a few minutes before you start.