I can’t exercise in the morning!

veraviva2018

So I’m NOT a morning person, and anyone who can get up early to workout before work.... baffles me. I have fibromyalgia and I work usually at 8am or 9am each morning and I literally can wake up 15 minutes before each shift. I just CANT get up in the mornings! (Plus my body pain is at peak first thing)

Usually I exercise about an hour before bedtime, but I’m a night owl with diagnosed insomnia so sometimes that’s like 10pm at night. Other times, it’s 2pm when I start directly after work.

Is there any direct benefit to working out at night or is it bad to do? I know “first thing in the morning” is what is recclmended but ugh!

I should also mention I never eat breakfast either. I don’t usually eat until after work at 2pm or 3pm.

TavistockToad

no idea where you got the idea that exercising first thing in the morning was best... I've never heard of that, and never workout in the morning on week days either! do it whenever is best for you.

also doesn't matter when you eat, as long as you hit your calorie goal.

AnnPT77

Timing is irrelevant to how much you benefit, unless it affects exercise intensity. Some people have difficulty sleeping if they exercise close to bedtime, but if that's not a problem for you, no need to worry. I exercised at night for years.

yirara

Don't exercise in the morning then. No need to do so.

I unfortunately overslept this morning and had to rush out to my GP for a blood test before breakfast. This 2x25 minute walk left me completely sweaty, and my legs felt like wading through custard. I need a breakfast first, and preferably a lunch and dinner to be fit for working out. Or a little walk. My blood pressure is just too low, and I'm a night person anyway.

mazdauk

I have a cup of tea then do a short workout, if its hot like now I might do a slightly longer one as I probably won't exercise in the evening. Otherwise I do a longer workout in the evening - 30-45 mins, except when I have my double class (45 mins each Zumba and Clubbercise) - then I don't work out the next day.
There is no rule about what time it is best ton exercise, just as there is no rule what time it is best to eat and what to eat at what time- its what works for you. But whether exercising or not I could not wait that long to eat, I would feel rubbish and be very grumpy!

bpotts44

I've always thought its a little better to workout in the afternoon as you are a little more warmed up.

However, I think you need to examine your sleep. Lack of sleep will hurt you long term. There is tons of good advice out there, but shutting off screens, darkening the room and removing electronics is a start.

Scottgriesser

veraviva2018 wrote: »

So I’m NOT a morning person, and anyone who can get up early to workout before work.... baffles me. I have fibromyalgia and I work usually at 8am or 9am each morning and I literally can wake up 15 minutes before each shift. I just CANT get up in the mornings! (Plus my body pain is at peak first thing)

Usually I exercise about an hour before bedtime, but I’m a night owl with diagnosed insomnia so sometimes that’s like 10pm at night. Other times, it’s 2pm when I start directly after work.

Is there any direct benefit to working out at night or is it bad to do? I know “first thing in the morning” is what is recclmended but ugh!

I should also mention I never eat breakfast either. I don’t usually eat until after work at 2pm or 3pm.

There is no reason to force a workout in the morning if it doesn't work for you. You don't get an extra bonus burn because you got the sweat in before 7. Working out at night is just fine, but as mentioned already, it could negatively impact your sleep cycle depending on how close to bed time.

Purely my suggestion here (no scientific reasoning) would be to try to do your 2-3pm lunch, then go for your workout a little after that, and shoot for relax time for at least an hour before bed. I too hate mornings, so my routine for months has been work 7-4, exercise 4-5, dinner 5-6, relax/house stuff until bed at 1030ish.

ccrdragon

Some people recommend working out in the morning because it gets it out of the way and leaves the day free for other things. I personally work out in the morning because life always gets in the way of me working out later in the day. But with that said, it all boils down to personal preference - exercise when it fits your schedule and you can consistently do it.

BrianSharpe

The correct answer is to exercise when it suits your schedule and temperament. I'm a morning person, getting out for a run at the crack of dawn is bliss for me but it's not for everyone (good thing or the running trails would be crowded). If afternoon or evening is what suits you then that's the best time for you.

GOT_Obsessed

I cannot workout in the evening. The shower afterwards plus the workout itself perks me up. It's too hard to wind down and get to sleep. I have worked out at various times of the day due to shift work and for me personally first thing in the morning before I come up with excuses has worked the best.

mbaker566

i exercise at night. i did a 3mi run last night at 930.
i have hypersomnia and other stuff so i would rather run later so i can go to bed. because sometimes exercising triggers the hypersomnia. when i do yoga classes on saturday, i need a nap after. need, not want.

you do not need to exercise in the morning. however, some people wake up with exercise. but if it works for you do it

veraviva2018

Thank you everyone!! I guess what I heard about morning workouts restarting your metabolism and burning more calories and fat was wrong. I fee much better now.

janejellyroll

veraviva2018 wrote: »

Thank you everyone!! I guess what I heard about morning workouts restarting your metabolism and burning more calories and fat was wrong. I fee much better now.

Your metabolism is running constantly due to the fact that you're alive. You will never need to restart it.

If working out at night works best for your preferences or schedule, you should do that! You get the benefits of exercise whenever you do it.

IHaveMyActTogether

veraviva2018 wrote: »

So I’m NOT a morning person, and anyone who can get up early to workout before work.... baffles me. I have fibromyalgia and I work usually at 8am or 9am each morning and I literally can wake up 15 minutes before each shift. I just CANT get up in the mornings! (Plus my body pain is at peak first thing)

Usually I exercise about an hour before bedtime, but I’m a night owl with diagnosed insomnia so sometimes that’s like 10pm at night. Other times, it’s 2pm when I start directly after work.

Is there any direct benefit to working out at night or is it bad to do? I know “first thing in the morning” is what is recclmended but ugh!

I should also mention I never eat breakfast either. I don’t usually eat until after work at 2pm or 3pm.

So workout at 2pm. Do what works for you. You can't get up, so morning workouts are out, and you have insomnia so night workouts are out.

Seems pretty obvious to me. No need to fight your daily rhythyms and make it harder than it already is. Do what works for you.