TGIT – thank goodness it’s Tuesday!
I don’t know about you guys, but Monday just draaaaaaaged. I’m still not quite sure how I managed to make it through, but I’m pretty sure that the cookies I baked on Sunday night had something to do with it…
I was going back and forth between a few recipes, but ultimately decided to go with the same cookies that I baked last time. As much as I enjoy trying out new recipes, there are certain times where I like to stick to the tried and true, and these are definitely true – even Mom and Dad request their own batch at least once a week.
But enough cookie talk for now – it’s not even 8 AM and the cravings are starting to hit – and I already promised to cut down on all the breakfast talk, soooo instead let’s talk about what I managed to do before breakfast (which was delicious, by the way)…
Plain Greek yogurt – banana – blueberries – Kashi Cinnamon Harvest – Puffins – roasted almond butter.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist throwing one more shot in there 
Anywho, backtracking to before breakfast. Right. You’ll never believe what I did! I went to the gym and got my workout in. Yup! Okay… so “going to the gym” meant walking down a few flights of stairs to my apartment gym, and my “workout” was a pretty easy 30 minute walk on the treadmill, but still! I can’t even remember the last time that happened…
When it comes to getting my daily activity in, I don’t really follow any sort of set schedule… Sometimes I go before lunch, sometimes after. Sometimes I crave a nice evening walk, and sometimes I end up taking a nap instead (true story) – I just get up and move whenever it feels good. Today, apparently, it felt good to go before breakfast, so that’s what I did – but not before grabbing a little something first…
Waking up energized or not, there’s no way I can work out on an empty stomach – the few times I tried that left me feeling like I was going to pass out, and no one wants that. Speaking of which, no one wants this damn weather either…
Uhm… what?! Can I please stay home today?
. – . – . – .
When’s your favorite time to work out? Anyone regularly exercise before breakfast? Do you grab a snack first?
Do you tend to stick to a certain time/schedule, or just fit activity in whenever you can?
{ 67 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel like yesterday dragged on by as well! It was kind of brutal haha. Um I vote that you should stay home, oh my gosh that is SUPER chilly weather! I think the coldest we’ve ever gotten in Victoria is like minus 4. Let’s just say it sucked when I moved to Calgary;) Wasn’t used to that. Wahoo to getting in your workout before the rest of the day started. I tend to do best when I get my workout done with early in the morning otherwise I just won’t do it at all. It’s just such a habit now. I actually workout on an empty stomach for the most part, unless I’m starving then I’ll grab a banana or apple.
Lisa recently posted..Simplify
Minus 4 being the coldest?! Omigosh what I wouldn’t give for conditions like that! We consider -4 to be tee shirt weather in the winter
Oh my Gosh, and I thought it is winter here! Compared to your temperature we are close to summer
I always workout before breakfast. I just love how fresh I feel throughout the day when I go my workout in in the morning. I don’t eat before since I just can’t handle food at 5:30 in the morning. Different thing in weekends. I do my workout after having a long sleep, so my body is starving!! – banana, Quest bar, Amazeball, Protein cookie….all great preworkout snack I need and crave!!
Lucie recently posted..Tuesday Recipes! Savory sides…..
OMG SO COLD?! i can’t believe i ever complained about my weather when it was the same as yours only WITHOUT THE NEGATIVE SIGN. i’m sorry. but at least you do have access to that almond butter you use that looks so good and we don’t have that down here where it’s warm. so you win some i guess? way to get your workout in – i have to do that one morning this week and i just know it’s going to kill me.
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..putting the cereal in heart, sole & cereal
I guess almond butter is a small consolation for putting up with this ridiculous weather – although I’ve seen it down in Whole Foods in warmer parts so I’d much rather have good weather AND good almond butter
Good on you for getting in some activity early on in the day, Amanda. When I was working standard hours (10.30 – 6.30) I used to always work out first thing. I’d almost always grab an apple on my way to the gym otherwise I’d be ravenous all during my workout! Fortunately now that I’m working for myself, I can work out whenever…so lately I tend to go around noon. I won’t lie- I do love waking up and heading straight for breakfast
!
Khushboo recently posted..A rice-off…and a really good salad
I tried eating an apple before a workout or even for a snack and it always makes me even hungrier! Whoever said that it’s good to eat an apple before a meal to quell hunger didn’t know what they were talking about, either that or my body is just all sorts of goofy… which is entirely possible
That’s freezingggggg!! Omg!!! I always workout before breakfast.. never grab anything to eat though… I figure I’ll just eat after
On the weekend I usually workout after breakfast though 
Rachel recently posted..Why the Flu was GOOD for me
I love morning workouts! I am the worst night exerciser ever! I just can’t do it!
Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness recently posted..Paleo Banana Cashew Butter Brownies
I’m a morning workout person 100%. I love the feeling of moving before my day has even started. I, too, always start my workouts with half a banana. The idea of walking around on an empty stomach makes me nauseous, so a little food is a must.
Liv @ Life As Liv recently posted..To Foam Roll, or Not to Foam Roll.
-27? Oh man, I am so sorry for you. I hate the cold. The snow finally melted a few days ago here and when I left the house in the morning I was actually pretty surprised how warm (and rainy) it was. Honestly, I never thought I could be that happy about rainy weather! (And that’s not just because it washed all the snowy dirt of my car…)
I hate the cold too, but the weather around here doesn’t take my preferences into account
And I could use a little rain too… my car is all sorts of shades of brown.
MOVE RIGHT NOW that temp is outrageous. I have a big studio calling your name. I mean it.
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Trade em Up: Silver Lining
You horrible temptress…
Ugh – I could not handle that weather. Here, it’s just insane – last week was snowing and -16, yesterday was freezing rain and ice everywhere, today is pouring rain and +7. I don’t even know what’s going on.
I usually workout around 10…I wake up, eat breakfast and lounge around for a while, workout, come home, have a good sized snack, eat a late lunch, class, dinner. It doesn’t work like that everyday, but it’s my favourite arrangement.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Thai Sweet Potato and Shrimp Soup.
Totally feel you about the cold weather. People complain about the 30 degrees but here we are suffering in the negatives. Rude. Happy you got to the gym and got some a nice workout in…that is always the best. I have been having to workout before work lately due to long hours and I seriously have no motivation afterwords.
Hollie recently posted..The Treadmill Post.
That is frickin’ COLD! No thank you! We are experiencing some sort of epic global warming here in the midwest, it’s 67F! My gym was so sticky this morning. I usually try to workout 1st thing in the morning before crazy distractions strike, if my stomach is rumbling I’ll grab something before, usually I just load up on breakfast when I get home. Nice job on the am workout!
Katie @ KatieEnPursuit recently posted..Monday Funday!
Negative 27! That’s a joke right? I really can’t complain about the single digits anymore…
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted..Banana Nut Pancakes
I wish it were a joke… but if it is then it’s a bad one because no one is laughing
The weather is crazy! It was freezing last week and today it is 60 degrees! Tomorrow it is supposed to snow! UGH! Indiana! Glad it is crazy somewhere else too!
PS. I tried to find the recipe for your cookies, but failed. (apparently not good at internet surfing!haha) Would you post it again?
Thanks so much!
The recipe for the oatmeal cookies in this post? I used this one: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/02/low-fat-chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal.html
Yes, this is what I as talking about.
Thank you!
I always wake up and exercise right away because my body does NOT do well with working out on a full stomach/anything in my tummy. I tried at one point to eat a banana or toast and my stomach was NOT having it. I burped up things the entire workout and it was NOT pleasant. Also, I like to do it in the morning just in case something happens throughout the day. I know I would cancel plans for a workout (horrible, I know) so I just get it done and done.
Lauren recently posted..Marvelous Monday!
I love working out early in the day. I don’t feel full and bloated from food and water and it starts out my day fresh. I think I need to make some cookies. I’ve been craving them in a big way lately. And I thought New England was cold… I’d turn into an ice cube with -27!! That would not make my runs enjoyable.
Sarah @PickyRunner recently posted..I’m bad at “firsts”
I pretty much workout when I can, which is usually in the evenings after work. I’m like you and I always have to have a snack or light meal about 20-30 mins before a workout. Wow…it sure is cold where you are. It’s 70 and rainy here in Texas today, which is unusually warm, even for Texas. Hope your Tuesday is a great day and doesn’t drag on like Monday did!
kim@hungryhealthygirl recently posted..A Sucker for Surveys
Rub it in, Kim… rub it in
Salt in the wound!
Haha…you can get me back in the heat of the Summer!
kim@hungryhealthygirl recently posted..A Sucker for Surveys
I used to workout without eating breakfast and I have no idea how I used to do it! My workouts are always so much better when I’ve eaten so I have energy to really put into it! Must have coffee too. That’s a must.
I think that I pretty equally split up my calories in the day. I have tried to convince myself to eat a bigger breakfast so it keep me full longer but I eat my breakfast at 4:30 am, and I really can’t take to much then. I always have a snack around 8:30 to help with that:-)
Laura @ RunningJunkie123 recently posted..Ice Baths = Torture
OMG that weather is NOT cool! Hooray for a walk in the morning. I love that when the weather is warm… When it is cold I stick to crunches and a shower kind of morning before breakfast. My appetite hits pretty darn quick so I need food ASAP
Shannon recently posted..Week One DONE on to week two!
Nicely done!! I really wish that I could workout in the morning more so that I could just get it done early, but generally speaking I do not have the motivation to wake up early!
So instead, the majority of my workouts happen after work. I go straight to the gym from work because otherwise I would probably never go!
Oh, and p.s. that banana looks awesome. I know most people would say that it is “too brown,” but it looks perfect to me!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted..Omaha Eats: Sinful Burger
Too brown?! Not brown enough!
Haha!! So, so true!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted..Roasted Part 6: Dijon Broccoli and Cauliflower
Its 60 degrees here today! Im loving it, back to 30s tomorrow! I made a revised version of your blueberry muffin breakfast bake…It turned out great and I added protein powder. Ill post it tomorrow and you let me know how I did lol!
Sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..Push Up Challenge: Day 1
-27???!!! What! I thought it was cold here when it hit 0. Gross!
I like to workout before work, or first thing in the morning. But lately I’ve been dragging my boyfriend, and he is a night owl, so that’s when we go. Which is kind of messing up my sleep schedule, so I’m too tired in the morning to go even if I wanted to. It depends on how I’m feeling if I eat or not, but I never really wait to digest before I go to the gym at any time, and I never get cramps. Heck, I’ve eaten while walking on a treadmill before (you know to warm up my muscles and my belly).
Cassie @RedLetterDaye recently posted..Currently Marvelous
Morning morning morning, 100% as soon as I wake up I need to do it, or it will NOT get done. I don’t eat anything, but if I’m going for a long run (longer than 6 miles), I’ll have a scoop of peanut butter and then I’ll go for a run. I always drink at least a glass of water though, dehydration is the worst. I have to absolutely stick to a schedule because like I said, I’ll find other things to do and not work out. Then I’m a grump and no one’s happy because they’re all trying to get out of my way.
p.s. my next shopping trip, Puffins will be purchased. maybe it’s just your pictures, but they look seriously delicious.
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom recently posted..On an Avocado Kick
They are seriously delicious!
I especially recommend trying the cinnamon ones.
I used to never eat before workouts, I just couldn’t stomach it, but since I discovered blending coffee with coconut oil and whatnot that works really well for getting energy into me first thing. When I used to run, I loved dates for fuelling up!
I do somewhat regularly work out before breakfast..Lately with winter weather and blahs I’ve been picking tea over the gym when it’s dark, cold, and early, but I try to keep up something! I’m 50/50 on eating first.. I do if I’m hungry, don’t if I’m not
usually either a handful of cereal or piece of toast. It was like minus 20 last week, and is rainy and 7 today.. very weird.. I live northeast of Toronto, but was born/half my fam is in in Winnipeg… so I know about those minus 27 temps!! Brrrrrr
I’m not a morning exerciser except when swimming. Running is a mahosive no, no for me in the morning as I just feel horrid. Swimming is fine though. Toast, coffee, wait 30 minutes and I’m good to go. For running, I’m not a fan of food before, makes me feel queasy.
you dont have to answer this if you dont want to but im just curious..
You feel like youre going to pass out when you go for a walk on an empty stomach? that seems a bit alarming to me :S
Picky Nicky recently posted..Part-Time Vegan
Hehe no. Back in the day when I used to work out first thing in the morning, my workouts were a lot more intense so doing them on an empty stomach was a little rough. Passing out may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I was definitely dragging if I didn’t have a little something first.
Wow, and I thought we had it bad in the Northeast (USA) when it got down into the single digits. To answer your question, I work out first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Then I eat as soon as I am done. Morning workouts give me that kick to start the day right.
Dani recently posted..Pumpkin Scones using Flaxseeds as an Egg Substitute
I literally can’t imagine -27. The high was 80 in Houston today!
Elizabeth@myneonrunningshoes recently posted..Slaughter luck and delicious pizza
*plugs ears* Not listening! La la la la
I am definitely a morning workout girl…preferably before breakfast so that it’s done. Plus if I wait till after work, it won’t happen because I’m way too tired haha. I always have a snack before I head out or hit the yoga mat however, since empty stomach is no good in my book. Sometimes, for longer runs, I’ll wait till late morning/early afternoon, but it’s just easier for me to get it done before breakfast
Caitlin recently posted..Tuesday Thoughts
I used to never do early morning workouts, but then when school got really busy last semester I started going at 6 am and I actually really liked that time – especially since it left me the rest of the day to be productive. I usually had Greek yogurt or a banana + soy nut butter before going, but some days I went on an empty stomach and surprisingly I felt fine! Now since I’m only taking one course and I’m not as stressed, I just go to the gym after work at 4, which I’ve been really liking.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin recently posted..Home for the weekend
-27?!?!?!?! EWWW!!! yah I’d be walking on the treadmill for that too, ugh. I always feel my best when I get my workout in before my day starts, but I love how you just “move whenever it feels good” – I think everyone, myself included, could do to incorporate even a liiiiittle of that free-spiritedness into their daily lives
omg your breakfast always looks to die for! If I could (I could though, most of the time lol) I would workout an hour after breakfast. That’s when I find I am at my highest energy level and such. Or I can also do like an hour or so before dinner is good.
Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet recently posted..Two Week Tune Up!
Hey Amanda, you should have told them about the -42c windchill, with the 30k per hour winds!:). Oh and to the Americans….it is in Celsius not Fahrenheit so it’s cold….but not as cold as you may think. Still frexing cold though…and we will be above freezing on the weekend, so at least it’s not a long deep freeze! Joys of living in Edmonton’s continental climate.
I think I mentally tried to block the windchill from my conscious awareness, but ohhhhh boy was I feeling it. Thank goodness there’s some relief around the corner, but yeah… I’m so ready for Spring.
Your breakfasts always look out of the world! I always snap pics of my yogurt bowls before mixing it into one giant mess haha.
Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition recently posted..Tuesday Thoughts
holy cow im sorry for the cold! i wont complain anymore about my weather lol i been pretty much going to the gym whenever i feel like it too but when i work out first thing in the am its the best! and oatmeal cookies are my fav and these look soooo good, just might have to make them tomorrow!
kaity @ kaityscooking recently posted..Weekend Musings
I definitely recommend them! They’re healthy enough but not TOO healthy, if you know what I mean
I go back and forth between exercising mid-morning or early afternoon, depending on my energy level. My favorite time to do yoga however is in the evening
Alex @ Raw Recovery recently posted..Keeping Up With Resolutions & Goals
That is soooo cold!! Stay warm!!
Jess recently posted..How to make a Curious George Cake and Weekend things
Man, you are so brave for putting up with those temps! I thought it was bad here being in the 30s (Fahrenheit) after being in the 50s for weeks. I still can’t wait for spring though!
Because of school, I fit in my workouts whenever I can and usually split them up into small chunks throughout the day. And I’ve never had any issues with exercising right after eating, or exercising without eating beforehand so I guess I’m lucky that way. But I haven’t tried doing a morning workout pre-breakfast. I just don’t think I’d be able to concentrate without something to eat beforehand!
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie recently posted..The “O” Word
Before moving to Kuwait, I would workout everyday (sundays were rest days), at 5am. So yup, no breakfast until afterwards. If i had a long run scheduled I’d usually have a slice of toast, but if it was just a short 30-45ish workout I’d just bring some gum (maybe even starbursts
) along with me instead.
Jessie recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday & Workout Buddy
I did breakfast today your style! Too bad it’s much harder to get that kind of stuff here…
Greek yogurt (almost a dollar for 120gr! and only 7% fat available), Strawberries (also expensive), homemade granola, tahini (instead of almond butter which is extremely expensive here- around 15 dollars a jar!), and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.
With a side of loose-leaf green tea (I usually love cinnamon tea on the cold days too, as you once wrote, but I just ran out).
It was delicious! Now I can dig my head back in the books and continue studying like there is no outer world.
Have you ever tried tahini btw? I could live on it.
Oh, and I wanted to comment about your last post- the quote you wrote (eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince etc.) is by Rabbi Mosheh Ben Maimon, a medieval Jewish philosopher, Torah scholars and physicians. I love that saying too, and live by it every day.
Gee, what a long comment. Sorry about that
Your breakfast sounds amazing! And good luck with your studies
I’ve tried tahini a few times but the taste definitely takes some getting used to. I heard it tastes amazing when paired with something sweet, but I’ve only tried it in savory dishes.
Wow, impressed you managed to workout before breakfast, I never manage that, I think I’ve done it about 3 times… ever! haha I just can’t find any energy in the morning if I haven’t eaten yet.
I like your attitude to exercise though, just being active when you feel like it during the day is such a healthy way of looking at it, that’s how I want to do all of my exercise
Sophie @ Love Live & Learn recently posted..In Which Sophie Reads.
Working out before breakfast is something that almost never happens to me, either! I was just feeling particularly energetic that morning so I decided to take advantage of it
That weather is out of control! I love to work out in the mornings, but right now my robe is just so warm and welcoming. I am having trouble finding the motivation!
Kate @ Quarter Century Southern Living recently posted..Favorites
Oh my goodness, that weather! We’ve been having the strangest weather here lately- snowstorm a 3 days ago, yesterday was 60 degrees, today it is thunderstorming and it is supposed to snow five inches tomorrow. Mother nature is all over the place lately! I prefer to workout in the mornings, but I don’t mind working out right after work, either! Have a great day!
Alisha @ Alisha’s Appetite recently posted..MIMM: Kickin’ Cowboy Pizza
I can’t workout on an empty stomach either! If I don’t eat something I feel like I have no energy.
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling recently posted..WIAW: Number 66
I am a total fan of getting some movement in first thing in the am. I get my butt in gear before I have a chance to give it a second thought, it “officially” wakes me up, and then it’s outta the way. I just don’t have the mental stamina after a day at work to hit the gym, so unless it’s a nice walk or bike ride when it’s warm I’m ready to chillax.
As I’ve gotten more used to getting out first thing, I find that most mornings I’m not super hungry. But if I am you better believe I grab a quick snack because that passing out thing is no bueno.
And kudos to you for even FUNCTIONING when it’s that cold out. I am a firm believer that 0 is neither a size nor a temperature, so when you add a negative sign in front of the number…what in the what.
Hahaha omggggg that temperature!! EWWWWW!! I thought it was bad where I live, but I am no where near the negatives. That is ROUGH!! Those cookies sorta kinda make up for it though!! Great job on getting your fineeee booty to da gym!! YAHOO!
Brittany recently posted..The Three Month Project
I actually prefer to workout on an empty stomach. If I DO get a little hungry beforehand, I have to stick with something super small…like a date or a little snack bar…otherwise halfway through my workout, I feel like I’m going to be sick! :-/ I used to ALWAYS get up and get my workout done right away, but over the last few weeks, I’ve been playing around with different times. It’s tricky since I usually get up around 2-3pm and have to start getting ready for work no later than 6:15pm, but I’m liking the fact that I can eat “breakfast” and enjoy a little bit of daylight before having to shut myself behind concrete walls for ten very lonnnnnnnnnng hours.
Negative 27?!?! Oh man, that makes my bones hurt!! I think the lowest it’s gotten here is around 22F which is around -5 and I seriously thought I was dying! Come ON spring!!!!
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