Janet's Fitness Blog

Lose Weight with Morning Exercise

Posted on May 15th, 2011

There’s no getting around it: To lose weight and keep it off, you need to be active but some days that hardly seems possible. Our days are overbooked already! Yet experts agree – exercise must become part of your overall daily lifestyle. And starting the morning with exercise is the best habit of all. There are plenty of benefits to physical activity first thing in the morning.

Morning Exercisers Stick with It. Over 90% of people who exercise “consistently”, exercise in the morning. Exercising first thing in the morning is really the only way to assure that something else won’t crowd exercise out of your schedule. This means you are more likely to exercise consistently.

Morning Exercisers Have More Energy. Although you may have to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, the energy you create by exercising in the morning will sustain you through the day. You will have more energy to go to work, take care of the kids, or do whatever it is you do all day. You also have more energy to exercise in the morning, than after a long day of work or childcare.

Morning Exercisers Sleep Better. Exercising in the morning will help you sleep better at night. Working out in the evening hours can create an adrenalin rush that may be hard to come down from sleeping.

Morning Exercisers Eat Better. When you wake up early to exercise, and spend an hour or more actually exercising before doing anything else, you will approach eating with a different mentality than if you exercise in the evening. It is easier to avoid temptation and to talk yourself out of eating unhealthily foods when you spend your time right after waking sweating away the pounds.

Morning Exercisers Are in a Better Mood. Exercise gets the endorphins flowing, so when you finish you are relaxed and in a good mood to start the rest of your day.

Morning Exercisers Think with more Clarity. Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity—a benefit that lasts four to ten hours after your workout ends. Harness that brainpower early in the day by exercising in the morning. Get up, get moving and get what you want out of your day.

One caveat: THE ABSOLUTE BEST TIME FOR YOU PERSONALLY TO EXERCISE IS ANYTIME YOU CAN. Yes, I’ve been talking about morning BUT THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR FAT LOSS IS THAT WE SIMPLY EXERCISE, PERIOD!!

Think of your morning exercise like a business appointment – one you can’t easily cancel. It takes discipline, but if you’re overweight, you’re at risk for a heart attack or other serious illness. If you don’t do something about your weight, it is indirect self-destructive behavior similar to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily. This has got to be the highest priority because it’s your health.

The keys to success are planning ahead and staying motivated. Here are some tips to help you establish a morning routine that you can stick with.

Plan Ahead

• Make exercise part of your daily routine and write it on your calendar.
• Decide when and where you will exercise.
• Set out your clothes the night before so you can get up and go!

Stay Motivated

• Find a work-out buddy, or hire personal trainer. Join an exercise group or class. You’re more likely to get up early if you know that someone is planning to meet you.
• Listen to music or an audio book, or watch television while you exercise.

As always, be sure to consult your health care professional before beginning any physical-activity program. With a little preparation, you’ll be on your way to a great start to your day and to even better health!

May 15th, 2011 by Janet Hern
Posted in Fitness |

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