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I love storytelling and always want my readers to have options. You can find my blogs on my YouTube channel and listen to them on the go.
The Best Time Of Day To Exercise...Mornings Or Evening?
When it comes to exercise, my philosophy is to do it early to get it out of the way. But is there a best time to exercise to maximize caloric burn? There are many thoughts on when one should exercise, so let's break down the pros and cons of the morning workout versus the evening workout.
Morning Workout
The primary benefit of working out in the morning, is not having the whole day to derail your exercise plans. Those who work out in the morning tend to be more consistent, and find they have more energy throughout the day.
Morning workouts are usually more intense, and energetic since you are fresh, and not sluggish from a long day.
The morning workout also tends to encourage healthier eating habits. After a morning workout, people tend to eat less and make healthier food choices throughout the day, as to not ruin their perceived progress. The morning workout will also leave you feeling less stressed, and more relaxed for the day.
Morning Workout Benefits
More Consistent
More Energetic
Encourages Healthy Eating
Likely To Eat Less
More Relaxed/Less Stressed
Better Sleep
Afternoon/Evening Workout
The primary benefit of afternoon or evening workouts is that if you are a night owl, or not a morning person, this is the time that works for you and your body. Morning workouts are not for everyone. You are not going to have a good workout if you are sluggish, or half asleep.
Another benefit is that your body and muscles are warmed up from moving all day. Also surprisingly your blood pressure and heart rate are lower in the afternoon, while strength and endurance are high.
The big benefit for later workouts is that it is easier to find a workout buddy for afternoon, and evening workouts. People who have workout partners tend to stay more motivated and committed, than those who do not have a partner.
Evening Benefits
Motivation
Workout Partner
Body Warmed Up
Low Blood Pressure/Low Heart Rate
High Strength and Endurance
If you are a morning person, and can get up every morning at 5 or 6am to hit the gym or go for a walk or run then you should do that. If you have no time in morning, but love your evening walks, then that is the plan.
There is no scientific evidence that proves that a morning or evening workout will give you a more caloric burn advantage. However, a morning workout is said to jump start your metabolism. The most important thing is to exercise , and be as healthy as you can.
When do you exercise? Are you are an early bird or a night owl?
What's Your Excuse? We All Have One...
I was talking to a friend recently about exercise, and the same old excuse reared its ugly head. Not enough time. He was actually the second friend of mine last month to make that statement. I get it. I am not judging because this is my go to "reason" when I am unable to find the time to work out. But we all know the reality of not doing something is usually more about convenience and motivation, and less to do with time.
Convenience and motivation apply to so many things we put off doing. If only I had the time to do the laundry, to pull those weeds, or to finish those home projects. The time is there, but the motivation is not. We all find the time to hang with friends, or go to the movies, or just veg out in front of the telly.
I have found that as I have gotten older I have become more disciplined, and better able to manage my time, but I can always find an excuse to not do the hard or the dreaded. Take for example the book I am writing. The book is basically finished except for one chapter. A chapter that is two-thirds into the book that I skipped over. I know what the chapter entails but I cannot write this chapter. I have literally procrastinated writing this chapter for about four months. I start at least once a week, but I can't do it.
It's an odd sort of writer's block. Complete mental block. I can usually write at the drop of a hat. Give me a topic and I can go. But for some reason I cannot move forward. Maybe because the chapter is supposed to be about love, and pain, and longing. Everything that I am currently experiencing. But I cannot do it. My heart and mind are clouded with so much emotion right now.
So that's my excuse. I cannot break free mentally, so my characters cannot have their happy ending. What's your excuse for not doing? We all have one, right? What to do? No seriously, words of wisdom are welcomed.