When to eat breakfast?

[LittleArm]

I am a runner who FINALLY has started hitting weights on a regular basis. When I would do my morning runs, I would eat a light breakfast to get some quick carbs in me for energy. But with weightlifting, I think you want the food AFTER the workout, to help repair the muscle.

From a practical standpoint, if I work out in the morning should I eat before or after I eat? My breakfast is going to be small either way, like a bagel. I'm not going for a lot of mass.

[Minotaur]

Have a snack before you work out. If you don't, you may crash and burn before you finish your workout, especially early in the morning. Don't forget, you've gone all night without eating and your blood sugar may be low. Have another snack after you finish.

[LittleArm]

Part II of the question would be what about late night workouts? If you lift at 9:00, should you eat afterwards to promote muscle repair? Or does it not make much of a difference? I hate eating before dinner, but there are times when I can hit the weights until late in the evening, hours after dinner.

[brent]

I'm glad you're finally hitting the weights! I need protein before, and after each workout. So I'll have a light breakfast before a morning workout, i.e.. an egg, a yogurt, and a small protein shake. Then I usually work on a protein bar through-out my work out. After the workout you need protein too, so I'll have some tuna, and maybe another shake. You need to consume lots of protein & nutrients to gain weight. However, don't consume too much before a heavy workout (especially legs) as you'll puke.