Is it bad to exercise in the morning?

GreatVibe
GreatVibe Posts: 87
edited December 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I hear it is bad because people tend to eat more since they burn off all their breakfast. But I eat what I normally would in the day. I hear working out in the morning doesn't help you with weight loss- it just helps maintain your weigh. I asked my nutritionist and my trainer (he's not really a trainer but he picks out my workout routines etc) and they said it's not bad at all it is the same as working out any other time!
But since i am so busy with school and everything else that is going on atm, i do not have any other time to work out, other than in the morning.
What do you guys think/suggest?
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Replies

  • amyliz0226
    amyliz0226 Posts: 37
    I hope it isn't bad because that is the only time I have myself! At 5:30 am:( I must admit, my body doesn't go like it does in the afternoon or evening, but I feel like it is better than nothing.
  • GreatVibe
    GreatVibe Posts: 87
    I agree, my body feels way better if i work out in the evenings!
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    I've read that the optimal time for exercise is in the late afternoon because of various physical processes, but the best time is whenever you'll actually do it. People who exercise in the morning are said to be more consistent.

    Exercise at any time is good. I have never heard that exercising first thing in the morning was a problematic, unless you're not fully awake and prone to injury. There was a time when late night exercise was warned against because of sleep problems, but I've never experienced that.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I would schedule your workout time based on personal preference. There's no difference outside of how it effects mood/behavior etc.

    Now since you did mention that it makes people eat more, I would just keep an eye on this. Since you're presumably tracking your food intake, it should be easy to see if this is the case.
  • GreatVibe
    GreatVibe Posts: 87
    thank you so much , made me feel better!
    i hope i wasn't wasting my time for the past few months by exercising in the morning!
  • tenunderfour
    tenunderfour Posts: 429 Member
    I don't think it matters much when you exercise. Whenever you can fit it in works...... Either way you're not sitting on the couch all day and that's what counts!
  • crazy8ts
    crazy8ts Posts: 360
    It's a preference...

    Some believe that working out on an empty stomach is beneficial... others believe they feel stronger when working out in the middle of the day... or even in the middle of the night.

    I work out in the morning before I go to work... I know myself well enough to know that if I waited until I got home, then it would rarely, if ever, get done. It gives me energy for the day, and I don't tend to eat more than I normally would -- rarely do I end up eating back all of my 'workout calories'...

    As long as you feel good doing it, the time of the day is of no consequence...
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    I was told that if you eat something really high in protien 30 min before you work out then you will continue to burn calories after your workout is done and it helps to keep your metab. up. I enjoy working out twice a day, but I'm sure it's okay and you do what works for you
  • xRagster
    xRagster Posts: 27
    Make sure you eat before your workout and allow a few minutes for it to be absorbed (30 mins at least). Also low fiber is better so its quickly absorbed and liquid stuff would be even better like milk, or a shake!

    The reason is because your body wont perform well without everything being restored nutrient wise. Thus burning less calories, fatiguing quicker, metabolism dropping etc.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Make sure you eat before your workout and allow a few minutes for it to be absorbed (30 mins at least). Also low fiber is better so its quickly absorbed and liquid stuff would be even better like milk, or a shake!

    The reason is because your body wont perform well without everything being restored nutrient wise. Thus burning less calories, fatiguing quicker, metabolism dropping etc.

    This is something else that is going to be based on preference. Some handle a workout better having eaten first, some perform better fasted. I do my long runs on Sunday mornings at around 7:00. I don't eat until noon. So far I can go over nine miles with no problems.

    See what works best for you.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Training fasted vs fed is also largely preferential.
  • wftiger
    wftiger Posts: 1,283 Member
    I have found contradictory information. One site says to exercise before eating because you burn more fat, others say the opposite.

    For me it works great to do in the AM before breakfast but I am lazy and only do it on Sat & Sun. But my loss was slower before I started to do that weekly and has picked up since so I'm chalking it up to burning more fat in the AM.
  • Rowena02148
    Rowena02148 Posts: 32 Member
    I wish I can work out in the morning but with kids and my youngest is only 2yrs old, I have to wait until everyone is asleep then I get to go to the gym. That is usually 9pm-12midnight and I can only do this Monday-Thursday.

    I keep this schedule so I don't take away quality time from my kids and so I don't feel guilty. It's hard to keep it up specially when it's cold weather.

    I say anytime of the day is good as long as you exercise.
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    I don't know about the calorie burning aspects of it, but I do remember reading something about your spine within the first hour or so of waking up. I don't remember the exact details, but it was something like fluid that builds up in your spine overnight causes more pressure / stress on your back than normal, but the fluid is mostly gone about an hour after you get up.
  • Jordant107
    Jordant107 Posts: 218 Member
    Training fasted vs fed is also largely preferential.
    I agree- you don't feel bloated and full if you exercise in the morning before eating. You also burn fat quicker- since you've been asleep/ fasting for hours, your body hasn't any energy stores that it can use before it burns fat. I personally can't hack exercising at night- I always feel tired and lethargic, and i can't train to my full potential!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I have found contradictory information. One site says to exercise before eating because you burn more fat, others say the opposite.

    You'll also find sites where people think grains brought disease to civilization and corn causes *kitten* cancer. Not saying this to make fun of you in the least, just to be clear. I honestly don't think there's a lot of reliable sites with up to date information.

    Some that I would consider great would be:

    alanaragon.com
    weightology.net
    body-improvements.com
    bodyrecomposition.com
    leangains.com

    Regarding fasted vs fed cardio, there's some anecdotal evidence suggesting that in already lean individuals, fasted cardio can help with fatty acid mobilization. In overweight people mobilization tends to not be an issue at all, so for the vast majority, it won't matter and you should let personal preference dictate whether you train fed or fasted.

    Here's what I consider to be a good resource on this:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/fasted-cardio-and-fat-loss-qa.html
  • irisheyez718
    irisheyez718 Posts: 677 Member
    I work out in the morning. I do eat more because I use my exercise calories. I'm losing fine.
  • Jacole18
    Jacole18 Posts: 716 Member
    NO way......any exercise is good for you. I only work out in the mornings...it's a good way to start my day and if I wait until the afternoon or evening, I won't do it. Just find a time that works best for you :)
  • quill16
    quill16 Posts: 373 Member
    I lost 177 lbs working out every morning for 2 hours for the past 18 months. I hope this is not bad for me LOL. I keep to 1200 calories every day and geeeee I FEEL GREAT. I keep hydrated and the day just wouldn't start out for me unless I exercise and get it done. Then I'm set for the day to do anything else I guess it really depends on your schedule and if you are a morning person or night owl.
  • EternalJourney
    EternalJourney Posts: 138
    I like to exercise first thing in the morning. I have one sip of water and do my cardio. I will start drinking alot during weight training. I prefer mornings over any other time of the day. I then go home and eat breakfast ! :)
  • michelechavez
    michelechavez Posts: 56
    If I waited until evening to exercise, I wouldn't do it. I'm a morning person.
  • Starla_
    Starla_ Posts: 349
    Exercising in the morning before breakfast is my favourite time of the day. It wakes me up and I feel fantastic. It's the best time of day for me to exercise.

    I dont know who told you that working in the morning is bad, because it isnt at all... listen to your trainer and nutritionist they have given you good advice.

    If working out in the morning works for you then stick with it :)
  • iuew
    iuew Posts: 624 Member
    i do a portion of my exercise before breakfast each morning.
  • bear_28
    bear_28 Posts: 59 Member
    I do my exercise at 4 am in the morning. If I feel hungry, I eat half a banana before working out.

    I used to work-out in the evenings, but I have a problem with sleeping, its like my body is still wide awake 0_0.

    I guess it does depend on each person.

    I found that I can consistently exercise if I do it in the am. Consistency is important for me.

    I take a protein shake after my workout and eat a sandwich after 3 hours. Don't notice much difference in terms of eating, since I log everything here.

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • oliviachandler
    oliviachandler Posts: 11
    I work out in the morning, usually a half hour or so after I wake up, around 9. For the record, it is absolutely NOT bad at all to work out in the morning. First of all, it gives you a great kick start to your morning and to your metabolism, which ends up burning more calories throughout the day. You feel more awake, your blood is flowing, and you actually work out, because good chance after your long day at work your not as inclined to do it.

    I also remember watching a show of Dr Oz, and he went to explain why it's better. Think of it as layers, if you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, you have three layers and all those calories to burn through before you actually get the juicy fat that you want to lose for weight loss. So, if you work out in the morning before breakfast, you immediately get straight to burning off more the fat!!
  • AprilRenewed
    AprilRenewed Posts: 691 Member
    It's up to you, your body, and your schedule. Everyone is different. Some people can blast it at 3pm and some at 5am. I altered my workout schedule according to my life schedule, and it works for me .Granted, I don't need to lose weight. But I"m gaining muscle and definition, and I'm noticing a huge difference in my abilities.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Bah. If I don't workout in the morning, it generally doesn't happen at all. So far I've lost 16 pounds. It's just another of those diet myths out there.
  • myfitnessval
    myfitnessval Posts: 687 Member
    i usually exercise before dinner so i'm less tempted to pig out (why sweat in vain). I tried a morning workout and I felt so dizzy because I hadnt hydrated in my usual all day style nor had i eaten in almost 12 hours by that time. it was all bad lol
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    When I first started working out I would do it around 7-8 in the morning because it was easier. I never experienced increased hunger, the worst I get is increased thirst because of how much I sweated. If you can manage that timeframe with no consequences that eventually null your efforts, keep at it.
  • rcclcruiser
    rcclcruiser Posts: 98 Member
    The morning is usually the only time I exercise because I have so much energy and feel great in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, I have less energy, so I don't get as good of a workout.
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