Working out is a vital part to success in any weight loss or weight management program. In our current society, life is busy-job or school, family, kids, sports, church and hobbies can consume daily life and make it hard to fit in a workout session. So whatever time of day it is, fitting in a workout is a good thing. If you are trying to figure out the best time of day and have some flexibility, working out in the morning can offer some benefits. Here are a few reasons working out in the morning can benefit you:
Regular exercise has been shown to increase endorphins in the body. Endorphins are otherwise known as “feel good” hormones. By working out in the morning and releasing these endorphins first thing, you set the day off on the right track. The feeling of accomplishing a great workout will carry you through the whole day.
As we mentioned before, life is busy. Often, as the day progresses, so does our “to-do” list and sometimes even unexpected things arise causing a later workout to be tougher to fit in. By working out first thing in the morning before the work emails or phone calls start flooding in, you will ensure that you can not only fit in a workout but that it will be an adequate length of time needed for your health and weight loss goals.
Exercise is not only great for a calorie burn during your workout, but exercising at a high enough intensity during your morning workout creates a “post workout” elevation in heart rate and overall energy. This can also lead to more daily activity, as increased energy and awareness will help you want to move more throughout your daily activities.
Exercise at any time helps improve sleep quality, but those who exercise in the evenings risk the possibility of that increased energy we mentioned in #3 affecting their ability to fall asleep. People who workout in the evenings report that they feel increased energy after their workouts and have a harder time falling asleep at an early enough hour.
Exercise has been proven to improve mental focus and clarity-any time of the day you do it. But by getting your sweat on early in the morning, you could help with some of that clarity throughout your work day. If you find yourself having trouble with focus and concentrating, try an early morning workout to help boost your brain. You might find that it’s just what you need for a mental start!
When considering early morning or first thing in the morning workouts, another thing to consider is whether or not to eat before your workout. The topic of fasted cardio is one that is highly debated and experts have differing thoughts on the concept. Our article Pros and Cons of Fasted Cardio in Weight Loss gives a look into more about what fasted cardio is and whether it will work for you.
Even though getting any workout at all is better than no workout, there can definitely be some benefits to getting up before sunrise and starting your day off on the right foot. If you’re finding it difficult to get up in the morning or you hit the snooze button too much, try and set your alarm for the same time each morning. Consistency in your sleep patterns will make it much easier for you to get up for that workout. And who couldn’t benefit from a little more time in the morning to get extra things accomplished on those non-workout days? No matter when you choose to work out, be sure you are using your SureFiz scale and app to help you track your goals and stay on track with your weight loss program.