Exercise - Morning or Evening?

Julesbait

During the week, I prefer to do it in the morning. It makes me feel better through the day, and when I get home from work, I just want to chill. My alarm is set for 3:15. If I don't hit snooze, I can get in an hour. But that usually doesn't happen. lol! I usually roll out of bed 3:45 or so, and I can get in a half hour. If I don't drag myself up at all, I will force myself to do it in the evening. But I don't feel like I get as much out of it.

On weekends, I just do it when I can. Preferably when the 2 year old is napping.

DebLoverude

I exercise in the evenings during the week. I like to get up, get ready for work and go in as early as possible. I usually excerise 30 minutes each night running about 4 mph w/ a 40% incline. On the weekends, I usually work out in the morning plus busting my *kitten* cleaning my house and doing laundry. The only problem I've noticed with exercising at night is I have a harder time relaxing when it is time for bed.

Wendall8

I go to bed around 9:30ish and get up @ 3:30 to get a 4 am start. I don't eat, that is what my body is use to, ( it doesn't even sound good that early in the day). Working out in the am rev's me up to work a 10 hour day. In the past, I tried the after work thing but it was was too crowded and my feet were tired...I just didnt have the energy!. Since I only have an hour in the am, I usually do 3/20's...20 min. of weights, 20 of eliptical and run 2 miles. ( I do change it out every os often).

JLArispe

There is actually no difference when you workout in the day, what is important is consistency. If you are an evening person with your workouts, then you should stick with that and the same with the mornings. I am a morning person, so would rather get my workout in then and done. And to answer your question about eating, YES!!!! it is important to eat something small before you workout, like a piece of fruit, half a bagel something. Your body needs that boost to keep you going during your workout. A lot of people think that its best to workout with no food, but its actually worse for you. Your body will actually be starved during the workout and will fatigue out and store the unwanted fats/calories in your body just to nurish your muscles. But also remember that after a workout you need to eat again within 45 minutes of ending your workout. You need to replenish your muscles and help them to recover. There are tons of websites you can google about eating before/after workouts. Jillian Michaels, Runners World, or even Womens Health.

Good luck!

lucyinthesky2007

Evenings most definitely! Not a morning person at all Lol! I live 5 mins from work...hafta be there at 8 and have been known to roll out of bed as late as 7:30. This girl likes her sleep. Evenings just work way better for me. I get home about 5:15 and the hubby doesn't get off work till 5:30 with an hour commute. So I usually start supper and go for a run with the dog (or do some HIIT video on youtube)...finishing just as hubby gets home. That still leaves me ample time to chill with the hubby. Its really all in what works best for you. No right or wrong. Although I think waking up before 7a.m. is a sin Lol!

jgcurry3

Resistance training(weights) in the AM. Cardio alternate days in the PM.

bluebear_74

While I like the idea of getting it out of the way in the AM because I'm so tired in the PM afterwork (I often end up taking a.nap before working out). However I start work at 7AM so have to be out of the house by 6:30, which means I'd have to be up before 5AM and I am NOT a morning person.

Crucifry

Morning. Barely awake and pre - coffee. I need to get it over with before my brain knows what my body is doing.

fishgutzy

Both. Sometimes morning, mid-day and late afternoon/evening on Saturday (swim, weights, swim). :bigsmile:

sassylady2424

Hi Im just getting started. So im going to try nights for a week or so. Then try mornings to see which works better. I just want to make sure I exercise. Getting started is hard.

dirtyd89

I work out in the morning or afternoon.
Don't like to work out in the evening because there's lots of traffic.
:P

JustMQ

Mornings. Has to be. 6am.

I drink beer in the evenings, so... that wouldn't really work.

:laugh: :drinker:

Whenever I can fit it in. I'm a shift worker, so sometimes my mornings are your evenings and my evenings are your mornings. Sometimes, when I'm feeling really crazy, I work out in the afternoon!

montana_girl

I get up 5:30 and start exercising as soon as I'm in my workout clothes. If I think about it, then I talk myself out of it.

I like to do it first thing in the morning so I get it done and don't have to make time to do it after work. Plus, I tend to come up with a million excuses to not workout when I get home. Also, I've noticed when I work out the morning, I'm more likely to eat better during the day becuase I don't want to screw up my "good" day.

I don't eat breakfast before I work out except on Sundays whe I do a long run (between 6 to 11 miles). Then I eat a piece of toast with PB and half a banana an hour before my run.

paintlisapurple

I just make sure to fit it in on a daily basis. Busy busy busy!

LBBeowulf

I work the night shift get off work at 4:30am I'm in the GYM by 5:00am.
On my days off I'm in the Gym at the same time.
I drink a Protein shake upon waking up.

nornyb

Whenever it fits into my schedule. I work 12 hour nightshifts 3 times a week, I go to the gym before I go home. On my off days I go whenever it works into my schedule for the day. I prefer mornings 'cause it is less busy at the gym, but if my daughter has softball practice in the afternoon I do cardio in the foothills while she practices. Sometimes I have to fit 2-3 separate sessions into the day so that I get everything done that I want to. As long as I do something physical everyday I am happy.

linsey0689

I love the idea of morning because I wouldn't tell myself oh I had a long day maybe tomorrow. But truly it is not for me, I love sleep and have a hard time falling asleep but once I get to sleep I am good so I would not want to wake up any earlier. I guess it is just whatever works for you

Debbe2

Anytime I can get to the gym or get a general workout or exercise done is fine by me :-)

kabutler08

So true

kiwigal41

it really doesn't matter when.....each time during the day offers different benefits....i got this from a magazine....

early morning - get it done before work/friends/family/life gets in the way

midmorning - sets you up for a healthy lunch, exercise curbs the body's production of the hunger-stoking hormone, ghrelin

lunchtime - exercise pumps extra blood to the brain and stimulates production of chemicals and hormones that improve concentration and reasoning skills

afternoon - may help to optimize circadian rhythms, helping you sleep more soundly at night

evening - body temperature is highest in late afternoon, making muscles more flexible - exercise starts to feel easier, testosterone peaks at this time of day, boosting strength training results

late night - intense workout can make it tough to fall asleep but yoga will lower cortisol levels which will reduce anxiety and make it easier to drift off to sleep

cappri

evening - body temperature is highest in late afternoon, making muscles more flexible - exercise starts to feel easier, testosterone peaks at this time of day, boosting strength training results

This explains why I find my evening yoga class easier than my morning one.

jillybean0123

I usually excercise at about 8 in the morning. Right before bed for me. I actually feel better when I do my workout before I start my day but I'm much more likely to skip it, especially when I'm already sleep-deprived so I excercise after I get off work.

Night shifts make everything weirder.

delyn356

I like to workout in the mornings that way I can get it over with. I find that in the evenings I have a lot less willpower & more excuses to keep me from exercising. Plus, morning workouts help me to feel more energized throughout the day--it helps me to get my day started.

However, I did notice that is is a lot easier for me to go for a run in the evenings since my muscles are more warmed up compared to the AM.

aprmay

Middle of the day preferably before lunch.

clarkeje1

my schedule changes so i have worked out all hours of the day. for me afternoon is the best but if i have to i get my workout in at 4am or midnight. as long as i do it, i don't care what time it is.

mailaliz

I love morning!!!!!!

janebshaw

I try and do all my heavy exercise classes in the morning. Evening is OK for something light, like maybe yoga. But if I do a heavy exercise class at night, I have a hard time going to sleep.

fishgutzy

Both. Basically whatever fits your schedule. :bigsmile: