Working out in the AM

iceicebaby1012
iceicebaby1012 Posts: 10
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Has anybody noticed a difference when working out in the early morning vs in the afternoon or evening? I love sleep but I also want to lose 15 lbs and if it would help I could give it a try (although its going to be hard to get out of bed at 5 AM). I would be working out at home since my gym is in another city and I can't get to my gym before work because I have to get the kids off to school. I have a Nordic Track Elliptical.

TIA!

Christine

Replies

  • BlisterLamb
    BlisterLamb Posts: 396 Member
    It works best for me for a couple of reasons. First because the endorphins help me get moving in the morning. Second, by the time my day has pretty much taken in all out of me, I'm in no mood to go work out. I feel like I don't have a lot left to give in the evening and its hard to motivate myself to do it.
  • mariposa224
    mariposa224 Posts: 1,241 Member
    Working out in the AM gave me the structure I needed. When I was trying to do it later in the day, it was very easy for things to come up that kept me from working out. I'm not one who LOVES to exercise, so that was very important to me. Now I've even found myself throwing an additional evening workout in from time to time. It's helped me get into a routine that's easy for me to follow so that I've been able to lose the weight I wanted to lose and begin getting in shape.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    I wanted that extra 45 minutes of sleep this morning so bad but once I started working out I was fully awake. It's now 3pm and I don't feel tired at all.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    It works best for me for a couple of reasons. First because the endorphins help me get moving in the morning. Second, by the time my day has pretty much taken in all out of me, I'm in no mood to go work out. I feel like I don't have a lot left to give in the evening and its hard to motivate myself to do it.

    Exactly.

    When I get off work I'm not in the mood to do a workout IN ADDITION to packing lunches, making diner, doing grocery shopping, etc.

    I feel better throughout the day and have more energy when I work out before work. Plus it frees up your afternoon.
  • jsj024519
    jsj024519 Posts: 400 Member
    I work out in the evening. I don't really think there is a difference to be honest. I view it as a calorie burned is a calorie burned.

    I suggest you do what best works for you. Try working out in the AM and then in the PM on another day. Test the water and see what works best with you.
  • ChunkiChica
    ChunkiChica Posts: 150
    I did personal weight training a couple years ago, and I typically worked out in the evening. A couple times we tried in the morning. Sadly, during my morning sessions I could only bench about a THIRD of what I could in the afternoons. My trainer was surprised by my lack of ability in the mornings. I don't know if it was because I was overweight, or if my muscles just take awhile to warm up. But I'm also a horrible morning person. My family doesn't call me the "Morning Velociraptor" for nothing!

    On the other hand, I don't mind doing cardio in the morning - I just have to get my grumpy butt out of bed!
  • iceicebaby1012
    iceicebaby1012 Posts: 10
    So it sounds like it's worth a try! I will set the alarm for tomorrow at 5 AM. Thanks for the feedback and motivation!
  • jonilynn70
    jonilynn70 Posts: 145 Member
    I posted this same question on my wall last night. Looking for advice on how to get motivated for AM exercise vs. PM. I will come back here to read your replies!!! Thank you for posting!!
  • Captain_Spatchcock
    Captain_Spatchcock Posts: 136
    What is the question?
  • carolg225
    carolg225 Posts: 29
    I started riding my bike every morning when school was out for the summer. I'm a teacher and now that schools back in session I havent been able to get motivated to get up early and ride. I can really tell a difference. So.....I bought an exercise bike yesterday and will use it in the morning and ride my bike in the evening!!! I'm starting to see and feel the results and I LIKE it!!!!!
  • kcragg
    kcragg Posts: 239 Member
    You do get into getting up early. I get up at 5:30 am (I have a lie-in on a rest day) - sometimes I really don't feel like it , but once I get going I am glad I did. It does wake you up and puts a spring in your step - ready to face the day. Also, your workout it over and done with for the day. I would not have time after work and certainly wouldn't feel like it.
  • myth4ever
    myth4ever Posts: 372
    It works for me....I do cardio on an empty stomach 1st thing in the morning and i hit the gym in the afternoon for some weight training.
  • russ1220
    russ1220 Posts: 58
    Just started this recently and I just love the feeling I have afterwards. It's a great start to the day. It also works better for me, do it and if I can't workout in the evening at least I got the early morning in.

    I love it!
  • ephilip5
    ephilip5 Posts: 1
    I know everyone's experience is different, but I learned in a "Dealing with Stress in Law Enforcement" seminar that working out AFTER working all day is one of the best ways to reduce stress. It provides a positive and healthy barrier between the stress of work and the comfort of home, so you are less likely to "bring your problems home with you". Something about the crossover from the dominance of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system. The problem is that, as someone else pointed out here, it is harder to motivate yourself when you are mentally (or physically) exhausted from work, but I always think of how happy and relaxed I will feel after my workout for the rest of the night.
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