Workout Soon After Waking: The research shows that the optimal time to exercise for athletic performance is when our body temperature is at its highest, which, for most people is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The body temperature is at its lowest just before waking; however, for fat loss, one of the goals is exercise consistency. Morning exercisers are more likely to stick to a program than other exercisers.
The goal is to get as much physical activity as possible, and by starting your morning with physical activity, you set the day’s pace. When you then eat within an hour after your workout, you have a win-win and an optimal lifestyle for health, wellness and fat loss.
According to Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, Chief Exercise Physiologist of the American Council on Exercise, “By doing the bulk of exercise first thing in the morning, you get your exercise in before other distractions can intrude. We can all relate to that — because once the day gets going, it’s hard to get off the treadmill called life.”
Many ask me why most of my exercise programs are in the mornings. My #1 objective is RESULTS. Results come with work and consistency. It is much easier to be successful with a morning routine, especially if you are a parent. Most of my clients are very busy silicon valley parents that work hard and play hard. They get their workouts done before their kids wake up to reduce obstacles to their exercise programs.
The later the day gets, the more obstacles present themselves. Here are some of my favorite obstacles: deadlines at work, traffic, gotta pick up the kids, dinner plans, birthday parties, events at work, hunger, phone calls and more.
If you work out in the mornings there are less obstacles and you will more than likely achieve your results, but you have to get out of that warm bed. The hardest part is showing up.
One last case for morning exercise routines… a recent study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that people who exercise in the morning, improve the quality of their sleep. The article was published by EmaxHealth. Sleep in itself can reduce fat, so another win-win.
Regardless of the research and what I have witnessed over the last 21 years, whatever time you work out is fine as long as you are consistent, achieving your goals and you are not having adverse symptoms. One common adverse symptom to exercising later in the day is sleep difficulties. If your body fat is low and you sleep well throughout the night, your physiology has adapted well to your program.
Brien Shamp brings you 22 years of experience as a Body Transformation Expert, Personal Trainer, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, Massage Therapist, Strength Coach for College & Pro Athletes and Reiki Practitioner. In 2011 he was nominated one of the top ten trainers in the country. Brien has a degree in Biomechanics from UC Davis and extensive graduate studies in Exercise Physiology from SF State. Brien won first place in the Met-Rx World’s Best Personal Trainer Contest in 1999 and was nominated Best in the Bay by KRON 4 for Weight Loss in 2009. He is an active author in Parenting on the Peninsula, Ms. Fitness Magazine and his FREE Blog with thousands of subscribers at www.BrienShamp.com
