Hello everyone. I've been reading this blog for almost two months now, but this is my first time posting. I started insanity a month or so ago, but only got the first two weeks in. I found the second week to be really hard to get through the workouts. I had no energy at all. For me, it is better to do my workout in the morning before I go to work. I usually don't eat anything before because it will give me cramps. Even when I do general exercise, I cannot eat anything right before. I've tried working out in the evenings before, however I'm more apt to skip it. By the time I get supper ready, do some household chores, I do not have the energy to workout. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was getting up at 5:30/6:00 to do the workouts. I will have to get up even earlier if I make it to the second month. I'm starting over next week.
Sorry for this long post. I've tried searching for early morning nutrition tips but could not locate anything. Everyone here is so inspirational. Thanks for your time.-
leecrys
Insanity Workout Forum » Insanity Nutrition
Early Morning Nutrition
(7 posts)-
leecrys
MemberPosted 2 years ago # -
sara
MemberThat's tough, because you don't have the time to get up, eat, and allow an hour before exercise. You should be commended for even considering getting up at 5:30 am to do this, and I think you can work with this. Is it possible for you to *drink* something shortly before that has some food value, such as coffee with a little milk and perhaps a spoonful of sugar? This is of course with the understanding that you would eat breakfast shortly after finishing your workout.
The other thing you could do is blend up a fruit smoothie and just drink half a cup of it or so before working out -- just enough to get you going -- and then finish it afterward. You would not want to make it a protein shake, however, as a high-protein pre-workout snack won't help power you through (that comes afterward). You might use some fruit juice or water (or half milk, half juice), frozen fruit, a dab of honey or stevia/other substitute. Banana is also great for energy. Nothing heavy. You could even get it ready the night before and just hit "blend" in the morning after throwing in a couple of ice cubes if the fruit isn't frozen.
Here's a link to a page of low-cal smoothie recipes. I've made almost all of them and they're delicious and easy. I have a Magic Bullet and I swear I use that thing three times a day, every single day.
http://www.juicing-for-health.com/smoothies-for-weight-watchers.htmlFinally, you didn't mention it, but if you're getting up that early, hopefully you're going to bed by 9:30 or 10. If you're not getting enough sleep, that could be the culprit and not the food. Good luck to you!
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Insanity grad: 4/10!Posted 2 years ago # -
JohnA.
MemberI used to eat carbs the night before a morning exercise. I know they say it doesn't work correctly that way but I would have a Italian food(spaghetti mostly) the night before a game or exercise and it totally helped me bigtime. I would try that if I were you and if not you could drink you R&R formula as you exercise to give you something. I'm no expert on this subject and my eating habits until I started Insanity were about as bad as possible and even now it's only marginal.. GOOD LUCK and listen to people like Sara she knows her stuff.
Posted 2 years ago # -
leecrys
MemberThanks Sara and John for the advise/info. Yes I do get ready for bed between 9:30 and 10, most night I'm asleep by 10:30. Once in a while, like last night, I didn't get to sleep until 12, but that is not very often. Another reason I don't want to workout at night is because I'm so hyped up, I have a hard time getting to sleep. I do like the idea of a smoothie. (I also have the Magic Bullet-it's the best). What if I had a carby snack, just before I went to bed, like a Kashi granola bar, then sip a smoothie just before the workout and continue to sip during the workout along with water of course. What do you think?
Posted 2 years ago # -
sara
MemberI honestly don't think the carby snack before bed is a good idea in theory, but you'd have to try it and see if it works for you. If it works for John, maybe it's worth trying. I would think you would fully digest it long before waking up, so it wouldn't help you -- plus, going to bed with that in your stomach would disrupt your sleep.
Posted 2 years ago # -
srg
MemberWhile not ideal sometimes the early morning is the only time that fits.
During Month One I did the workouts at 5:30 and Month Two at 5:00. I did not eat prework out but I did drink coffee to get "pepped up" for Insanity. Month Two I drank some of the recovery drink towards the end of the workout to help push thru. Post workout I had a potein smoothie. And I ate something every couple of hours to keep the energy up. I tried to get in the bed before 10pm at the latest. This worked for me. I hope you find a way to make it work.The first two weeks of this schedule are the hardest. Then I got used to it. Now I actually like working out early. I like the feeling of getting the workouts done & having my whole day ahead of me. BTW a 20min catnap after lunch does wonders on this schedule.
Best of luck to you. If you find a better way - something besides coffee- to get thru these workouts early morning - please let me know.Posted 2 years ago # -
leecrys
MemberHi Guys,
I think I've found a solution. I started from stratch this week and so far so good. I'm not following the nutrition plan that came with the program. I following a plan that is around Atlantic Canada and Alberta call Simply for Life. They gave me a smoothie receipe that includes, skim milk, berries, banana, egg whites,yogurt and flaxseed powder. I find that it's light enough that I don't get cramps during my workout and it give me the energy to go as strong as I can.
Even though its been a month since I stoppped insanity, I am doing better at the workouts than previously.Just thought I would give you an update. I even did better on my fit test than prevously.
Thanks. :-)
Posted 2 years ago #
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