While doing research for my article this month I decided to try something out of the ordinary for myself and begin early morning workouts. Know this is very unusual for me as I love my sleep and I hate waking up in the morning. But I decided to try this one on for size. After reading this article you may decide the same thing.
I can hear my mom now, "There is no way Kathie is getting up at 5am to workout. After all she slept in when she could have gotten up to see the sunrise at Niagara Falls." She's right, I would rather sleep than get out of bed at 5am. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the only hard thing is getting out of bed and that only lasts about 5 minutes. Funny thing each day I do this it gets easier and easier. The proof is in the research and here are some of things I learned about am workouts.
#1. Working out early in the morning "jump starts" your metabolism, keeping it elevated for hours sometimes for up to 24 hours! As a result, the early morning exerciser is burning more calories all day long!! I like that, how about you? There is more to like too. Read on....
#2. Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity. Mental acuity is keen insight and perception. And this benefit from exercise lasts 4 to 10 hours after your workout ends. I don't know about you but I can use all the help I can get in the 'mental acuity' department.
#3. Working out in the morning energizes you for the day. Not to mention the gratifying feeling of virtue you have knowing you've done something disciplined and good for you.
#4. When you exercise at or about the same time every morning, especially if you wake up regularly at about the same time, you are regulating your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms. Your body learns that you do the same thing just about every day and it begins to prepare for waking and exercise several hours before you actually open your eyes. That is beneficial because:
a.) Your body is not confused by wildly changing wake up times, which means waking up is much less painful. *Now I like that!
b.) Hormones prepare your body for exercise by regulating blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow to muscles, etc.
c.) Your metabolism, along with all the hormones involved in activity begin to elevate while you're sleeping. As a result, you'll feel more alert, energized and ready to exercise when you do wake up.
#5. Exercising first thing in the morning in the most foolproof way to ensure that other things don't take over your fitness commitment, particularly if you have a hectic family life. And who does not have one of those? It is so easy to wimp out in the evening, when we're tired or faced with such tasks as rustling up dinner or running the kids around town.
#6. Many people feel that morning exercise has a tendency to regulate their appetite for the rest of the day. Not only do they eat less (since activity causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also choose to eat healthier portions of healthier foods.
#7. *And I like this one. People who consistently exercise in the morning find, sometimes to their great surprise, that the appointed time every morning evolves into something they look forward to. Besides the satisfaction of taking care of themselves, they find it is a great time to plan their day, pray, and think more clearly - things most of us do not get to do otherwise.
#8. More than 90% of those who exercise consistently have a morning fitness routine. If you want to exercise on a regular basis, the odds are in your favor if you squeeze your workout into the am.
So, in conclusion I have found, not only in research but also by personal experience, that working out first thing in the morning is a fantastic way to jump start my day and improve my life! Why not take the challenge I offer today and try early morning workouts for a month. See if you notice all the differences listed above. I challenge you as I challenged myself. It really is not all that bad and the benefits outweigh the 5 minute grumbling (which wears off over time) of getting out of bed. Best of all, your workout for the day is done and over with and you can cover your day with a fast metabolism, a clear mind, and a healthy body. What more could you ask for? Start tomorrow!
Kathie Owen holds certifications with International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) as a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT), Specialist in Older Adult Fitness (SFOA), and Specialist in Sports Conditioning (SSC). Kathie's edge on the market has to do with stress and the fight or flight response we humans have instinctually. She applies interval fitness training to all her clients in support of stress reduction, calorie burn, and endurance building which we all need in order to improve quality of life. Mind, body, spirit are the core aspects of her training philosophy.
Currently Kathie trains one-on-one in Richmond, TX working with the YMCA & LA Fitness. Her website includes free fitness articles, tips and healthy recipes. www.abfitmbs.com
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