B-52, every time you post about how you work out early in the morning, with no Breakfast I shake my head in wonder.
Now, I've mentioned before there's no morning workout for me, schedule doesn't permit. But I do aim for 30-40 mins of aerobic exercise 4 weekdays, plus a longer maybe 90 min run and usually 3-5 hours of hiking/snowshoeing on the weekend. Plus I teach nursing, on my feet about 75% of my work day, I run a skills lab and pretty much am anything but sedentary.
There is no humanly possible way I could workout with out anything to eat before. Now, not a meal, but I eat light all day, I'm up to about 600 cals before I hit the gym at 6pm, and I usually have a Protein shake (low carb ) before and come out famished, shaking , stomach growling and overall wiped out when I'm done. I'm thinking about borrowing a glucometer from the lab to see where my sugars fall before and after.
I just would love to pull out those fat reserves (I have about 45lbs of them) instantly when I'm working out, but it just doesn't happen. On long, endurance hikes (with a pack, elevation, etc) or runs greater than about 4-5 miles, I totally "bonk" if I don't fuel up.
But my hubby doesn't start nomming gummies until he hits 10 miles. Of course he runs marathons and I only do 1/2s.
Maybe my tolerance for low blood sugar is less? I always run low anyhow. Maybe my glycogen stores suck and my body is too effective at storing fat and preparing for hibernation? I wonder what a bear's BMR is? You don't see them running marathons ! I haven't met any yet in the woods, but I've see the signs , the love some bugs in trees ( scratched up bark).
Anyhow, I think it's awesome this is working for you. Every one of us is different and unique human machines and we must all share our stories so people can try and experiment to find what works. I'll think I'll track blood sugars. Curious to see the readings when I feel " hungry".