Many people believe that in order to get the most out of their morning workout, it has to be before breakfast. However, this common belief is actually a myth. You do not have to squeeze a morning exercise in before breakfast in order to burn fat.

In the morning, your body’s metabolism is at its lowest because you haven’t eaten for 8 hours or so. If you eat a well-balanced breakfast, you will be able to exercise longer, and your body’s metabolism will already be working. Therefore, the idea that you have to get a workout in before the first meal of the day is a myth.

It’s all about keeping up with a well-balanced diet. Pancakes and sugary cereal may not be the best thing to nourish your body before hitting the gym, but yogurt, eggs, fruit, or oatmeal is the answer. Foods high in nutritious ingredients help your body build muscle, and will ensure that your workout lasts for a longer period of time. Likewise, if you don’t want to eat before working out, try to eat some protein as soon as possible after for the best results.

Skipping breakfast isn’t good in any situation, but especially when a workout is part of the equation. Your metabolism works better when fueled up on healthy proteins and carbohydrates. Try to stay away from an excess amount of gluten-based foods, though, as this can contribute to burning less fat. Healthy breakfast foods or snack bars will do the trick in helping you to feel energetic and stay at the top of your fitness game.