When's the best time to exercise??

Gigi_licious
Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a beginner....like 1 week old infant kind of beginner. I want to start introducing exercise into the routine, but the great debate in my head is "before dinner, or after dinner". I know alot of people say the very best time is first thing in the morning, but for the sake of my co-workers and anyone else who has to deal with me during the day, it's best that I don't wake up an hr earlier than usual! I live on the 3rd floor and it's 100 degrees outside, so when I get home I'm hot, tired and hungry. The problem is, I know once I sit down I won't want to get back up, but if I do it after dinner will I get sick to my stomach??? Any suggestions anyone?

Replies

  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    I like to eat after I work out. It makes me sick to eat before.
  • natskedat
    natskedat Posts: 570 Member
    The best time to work out is the time that works best for you. Some people work out in the morning and some people work out at night. Whatever feels most comfortable for you, do it!
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    The best time to exercise is whatever works best for YOU! Whenever it fits into your schedule!
  • olag00
    olag00 Posts: 222
    When I was an afternoon exerciser, I was a before dinner person about 2.5 hours after my afternoon snack, then had my post workout drink, then about 30mins later, ate supper.
  • GrampsWooha
    GrampsWooha Posts: 184
    now! go go go!
  • MsCandyLynn
    MsCandyLynn Posts: 123
    i exercise all day long whenever I can..when i say all day long I mean I don't have a wake up or after dinner set routine..I am stay at home mom with a 3 year old and whenever i find 10 20 or 30 minutes i exercise even if its 10 minutes here or 15 there in the end it all adds up the important thing is to just get moving...you could always buy a pedometer and start with counting steps until you feel comfortable with your routine good luck..Candy
  • Dahlface13
    Dahlface13 Posts: 65 Member
    I'm definitely a before dinner person. That way I don't feel icky during the workout, I get it done before relaxing and blowing it off, and it keeps me in a healthy frame of mind to help avoid excess eating or late snacking.
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    From a fat loss / weight loss stance the best time is 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You've been fasting all night and have little stored energy build up. You'll burn thru that is 20-30 minutes then you'll burn stored fat. That's not bad I'd say. It's what worked for me anyway.

    Other will say the best time is any time you can committ to and stick with. That is also a great answer. Ultimately whatever works for you is best.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Honestly. the best time is a time you can regularly work out. It really doesn't matter if it's early, on your lunch break or later in the day.

    Morning exercisers tend to be the most consistent, simply because fewer excuses have popped up at 6 AM than have by 5PM.

    Just pick a time you can commit to 3-5 times a week.

    ETA: forgot the second part of your question:

    I can lift weights or get on the elliptical immediately after eating with no problems. If I'm going to be bouncing around--running, aerobics, etc.--I have to wait at least an hour after eating to not be nauseated.

    If you're going to work out after dinner (or at least after work), I'd have a good snack -something like 200 calories--about an hour to to hours before you plan to exercise. Then have another 200 calorie snack, roughy 4 parts carb to 1 part protein, immediately after your workout.
  • lou693
    lou693 Posts: 17
    hello we all have this prob well i did when i frist started and you will fine it will change last year i use to do it at nite like 8pm at nite straight after work but now my lifes changed i have time to do it in the moring . i think working out befor dinner is better only bec when i would work out after dinner u burn all ur dinner off so you feel hungry and you feel more like wanting food to fill it you could be different to me but iknow when i worked out befor dinner i ate less and it was more healthy bec your on this buzz from working out . we are all different like sme diets work for sme and others it dose not work . or sme burn more fat running were sme burn more walking . fine smthing that works for you and stick with it xoxox
  • gatedialer
    gatedialer Posts: 149 Member
    I was a strictly afternoon person but ever since I got promoted at my work I have to wake up at the crack of dawn (I am NOT a morning person) workout for an hour and then get ready for work. I am home by 16:00 and will workout for another hour or two and then collapse from fatigue. I'm kidding, after those workouts and a full day of work I am pretty tired. It all depends on you and what you prefer. There is really no best time, in my opinion.
  • jamielise2
    jamielise2 Posts: 432 Member
    Honestly you have to do what works best for you. I workout during the day some days, and in the evening some days. The important thing is to never workout on a completely empty body, or you won't have fuel for hte workout, but don't eat a big meal. I usually have a small snack about 1-1 1/2 hours before my workout, then eat dinner after when I work out in the evenings. What I did learn about myself is that if I go home first I will not work out, so I have to go straight to the gym from work. Right now I have the luxury of working out when I feel like it for the most part, but that's not always the case.
  • pattiannjoy
    pattiannjoy Posts: 1
    I exercise when I have time. the hardest part was motivating myself when I was sitting down to actually get up and do it. so I started with baby steps, ok, ten minutes, then I sit back down. it got easier to do longer and longer routines, walk further, or just move more. little things like not leaning on the cart while grocery shopping, parking further out in the parking lot instead of looking for a close spot, taking the steps are small goals, but also big accomplishments to someone who depends on the quickest, easiest and closest ways to get things done. changing habits is a hard thing to do. and motivation is my biggest adversary.
  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    Thanks everyone!
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