Why Mornings Are the Best Time to Exercise

There is no bad time to exercise. Exercising at any time is great. It is your choice, but studies have shown that the chances of exercising consistently over a period of time are increased by 90% when you exercise in the morning. By exercising in the morning, we are stacking the odds in our favor that we will keep it up. This is because there are so many benefits to be gained.

When we exercise early in the morning, we give our metabolism an initial boost and this can remain at a higher level than normal, for hours, sometimes for up to 24 hours depending on the intensity, duration and type of exercise. This means that we are burning calories all day long, just because we exercised in the morning. Many also find that morning exercise raises their energy levels for the rest of the day.

Additionally, research has shown that our mental abilities are enhanced, after exercise, for 4 to 10 hours. So is it not a great idea to take advantage of these huge benefits rather than waste it by sleeping?

Lots of people also find that their appetites are dulled by exercise. They find that they aren't as hungry as they might otherwise have been and as a result better food choices are made. They are also less likely to snack when they are not supposed to and they tend to eat more healthily.

It is also a good idea to try and exercise at the same times each day. Once again, these benefits are best seen if we exercise early in the morning. If we exercise each morning at the same time and ideally wake up at the same time, over a period of time, our bodies' endocrine system and circadian rhythm alter to fall into step with our routine of waking and exercising.

As our bodies adjust, certain things occur. Firstly, our bodies begin to prepare in advance for waking and then for exercise because that what it expects. It is adjusting to this new routine.

Our metabolism begins to increase and all our hormones involved in exercise elevate while we sleep. The hormones prepare our bodies for exercise by regulating blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow to muscles etc. The result is that we awake more easily and are energized in readiness for exercise. In other words, we tend not to have that tired feeling when we wake.

By making this same time for exercise, we are less likely to miss it. One,because we look forward to it, as our special time and two, nothing can get in its way. Our busy days can no longer takeover our exercise time.

We can make this time in the morning more easily than other times in the day. We can get up earlier to make the time and if necessary we can go to bed earlier. It's worth the effort!