When's the Best Time to Exercise?
by Rachel Keller
The way we wake up and begin the morning can make
an enormous difference to how we feel and react during the course
of the day. So it is worth starting in a positive way.
Robert Thé
When to run is going to come down to when works
best for you on a regular basis. Make it easiest for fitting it in
with everything else you have to do.
Bill Rodgers
When is the best time to exercise? Early morning when
you first wake up? Later morning after you've started your day? During
your lunch break at work? Sometime in the early or late afternoon
after a long day at work, or perhaps in the evening a couple hours
before retiring? Ask several different people, and you will probably
get several different responses as to when you should exercise for
optimal results.
Every individual is unique, and as such, each person's body chemistry
and inner clock is different. What works best for me, may not work
for you. In fact, what works best for you today, may change in a couple
years.
You will perform best when your energy level is high. So if you
are a morning person, early morning may work best for you. But just
because you're a night owl doesn't mean, you shouldn't exercise in
the morning. In fact, you may find that exercising early may change
you to a morning person.
Over the years, I have experimented with different exercise times
and routines. When I was pregnant with my oldest son, I was substitute
teaching. During that time of my life, I would take a relaxing walk
at the end of my day. After having my second son, I walked/jogged
early mornings and on alternate days chose to do some afternoon aerobics
while my sons napped.
I've tried other times of the day for exercising, and I always feel
great after finishing a routine, but I have found that the best time
for me is first thing in the morning. Though not naturally an early
bird, I enjoy running under the morning sunrise, and I have found
that since implementing my daily morning routine, I have become a
morning person. Starting my day with physical activity also gives
me the boost I need to make it through a hectic day with three young
sons.
Not everyone, however, can bound out of bed first thing in the morning
to exercise. Maybe you already get up early to go to work. You must
either make the effort to get up a little earlier or find time during
a long work break or at the end of the day to squeeze in some physical
activity (even if it is only 20 minutes). You may find, though, that
the more time that passes, the harder it is to exercise. You're tired
and have so much to do and just don't feel like taking some time for
fitness.
Some enjoy exercising in the early evening, since exercise helps
them relieve the stresses of the day and relax for the night. For
others, exercising vigorously at night may keep them awake longer.
(I do enjoy a few relaxing stretches before bed, but I avoid aerobic
activity in the evening for that reason.)
So when is the best time to exercise? Any time that you can do it.
I recommend trying an early morning routine first if you can. lt starts
your day on a positive note and other responsibilities won't prevent
you from exercising. Researchers have found that those who exercise
in the morning are more likely to stick with an exercise routine than
those who put it off until later in the day.
If early morning does not work for you and you are disciplined and
committed to exercising another time, then by all means, do it then.
The best time for you is the time when you will do it and remain committed.
It's not always easy getting started, but if you stay with it for
some time, you will like what you see, and will be more motivated
to continue.
©Rachel Keller - All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission
About the author: The mother of three young
sons, Rachel Keller enjoys running, cycling, aerobics, strength training,
and flexibility exercises. She races regularly, placing in her age
group in nearly all her races. She has both a bachelor of science
and a master's degree in education and has been published numerous
times. For more of Rachel's work, please visit her sites Rachel's
Writings and Kozy
Kitchen Korner.
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