It can be challenging to make the time to exercise. But exercising in the morning is a wonderful way to create a positive routine and provides many added benefits beyond just keeping you fit.
1. Burn FAT instead of calories
Get up, get a glass of water, and workout. No breakfast, no small bite beforehand. Do not take in a single calorie until you do cardio first. The reasoning behind this is when you exercise without eating, your body needs to tap into something for energy. Your body's first source of energy is glycogen but since this was depleted overnight your body must burn unwanted FAT to get you through your workout.
2. Better long-term results
Over 90% of people who exercise *consistently*, exercise in the morning. Our bodies love routine. If you force yourself to get up when your alarm goes off, your body will thank you and pay you back.
Extra perk: People who exercise regularly earn 9% more income than people who don't.
3. Fewer scheduling conflicts
How many times have you planned on working out after work when something better comes along or you get too tired and just go home? By getting up early, you are less likely to miss out on any fun activities later in the day or get distracted at home or work. Instead of scrambling to finish your "to do" list and missing another workout, plan to do it first thing so you are sure to fit it in! Anyone can get up 60 minutes earlier to exercise (if it's a priority in your life). If necessary, go to sleep a little earlier.
4. Improved productivity & mental clarity
Research has demonstrated that exercising increases your productivity, mental clarity and gets your endorphins going. In fact, working out increases your mental clarity for four to 10 hours post-exercise.No sense in wasting that brain power while you're sleeping!
5. Boosted metabolism
The benefits of exercise linger throughout the day. You continue to burn calories AFTER the workout is done. In fact, research has shown that AFTER a morning workout, people burned 37% more calories over the next 14 hours than people who did not work out. By keeping your metabolism elevated, you will be burning more calories all day long. Use this benefit during the day when you are eating instead of when you are sleeping!
Studies have shown that people who wake up early for regular exercise sleep better than those who routinely exercise in the evening. Since exercise stimulates your body, when you exercise at night, it becomes more difficult to fully relax and drift into peaceful sleep. Research has also shown that those who regularly exercise have a higher quality of sleep, thus you don't need as much sleep.
7. Better diet
Morning exercisers claim to be less hungry throughout the day and make better food choices. By knocking out your exercise first thing, you will approach your food differently throughout the day. You will be proud of yourself for getting up and burning some calories, so why sabotage it with an unhealthy lunch? Instead, you will want to continue your positive choices by eating foods that make you feel fresh and energized.
8. More energized
When you exercise in the morning you'll be *energized* for the day! You'll notice how different you will feel all day on days you have exercised in the morning.
9. Easier to wake-up
If you exercise at about the same time every morning, and ideally wake-up at about the same time on a regular basis, your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms adjust to that. Physiologically, some wonderful things begin to happen; A couple of hours *before* you awaken, your body begins to prepare for waking and exercise because it "knows" it's about to happen. Why? Because it "knows" you do the same thing just about everyday. You benefit from that in several ways...
a) It's MUCH easier to wake-up. When you wake-up at different times everyday, it confuses your body and thus it's never really "prepared" to awaken.
b) Your metabolism and all the hormones involved in activity and exercise begin to elevate while you're sleeping. Thus, you feel more alert, energized, and ready to exercise when you do wake-up.
c) Hormones prepare your body for exercise by regulating blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow to muscles, etc.
So while it may feel harder to wake up earlier initially, it will get MUCH easier! Stick with it until you get over that hump and establish your NEW pattern!
10. You'll feel GREAT!
For many people, that appointed time every morning becomes something they look forward to. It's time they've set aside to do something good for themselves - to take care of their body, mind, and soul. Many find that it's a great time to think clearly, pray, plan their day, or just relax mentally. You start your day off right with a sense of accomplishment. Do it! :)
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