STRONG Idea: Top 5 Times to Exercise?
By Emily Stapleton on March 11, 2013 from Strong Ideas
A common question: When is the best time to exercise? When will I burn the most calories? While this answer may not seem very scientific, you will burn the most calories when you actually exercise. To explain further, I bring you:
The Top 5 Times to Exercise
5. Morning
Many people, myself included, swear by an early morning workout. People who exercise in the morning are very consistent. They get their sweat on long before any other events, activities, or responsibilities get in their way and they start their day off on a positive note. The main excuse for not exercising in the early morning is the inability to wake up early enough. If you give it a try, you might find that you actually like the way you feel with just a little less sleep time in the morning.
Many people, myself included, swear by an early morning workout. People who exercise in the morning are very consistent. They get their sweat on long before any other events, activities, or responsibilities get in their way and they start their day off on a positive note. The main excuse for not exercising in the early morning is the inability to wake up early enough. If you give it a try, you might find that you actually like the way you feel with just a little less sleep time in the morning.
4. Noon
A mid-day sweat can be an excellent break in the day’s activities. If your schedule permits, you might find some camaraderie with co-workers during a mid-day walk or jog. One excuse I hear for not exercising mid-day is that there is no time to take a shower before returning to work or picking up the kids. My response: Don’t sweat the shower. Don’t underestimate the power of some baby wipes, a little powder, and some deodorant. A consistently active lifestyle will do much more for your appearance than a quick shower.
A mid-day sweat can be an excellent break in the day’s activities. If your schedule permits, you might find some camaraderie with co-workers during a mid-day walk or jog. One excuse I hear for not exercising mid-day is that there is no time to take a shower before returning to work or picking up the kids. My response: Don’t sweat the shower. Don’t underestimate the power of some baby wipes, a little powder, and some deodorant. A consistently active lifestyle will do much more for your appearance than a quick shower.
3. Night
Many people in today’s world have a very busy workday and find that exercising in the evening works. A post-work sweat session can be an excellent way to clear your mind of the day’s stresses and prepare for the events and responsibilities of the evening. The excuse for not working out in the evening -- too many home responsibilities. As the mother of three kids, I hear this one loud and clear. My advice: Fit it in earlier in the day, because if your evening schedule is packed, you’re more likely to skip your late-in-the-day workout.
Many people in today’s world have a very busy workday and find that exercising in the evening works. A post-work sweat session can be an excellent way to clear your mind of the day’s stresses and prepare for the events and responsibilities of the evening. The excuse for not working out in the evening -- too many home responsibilities. As the mother of three kids, I hear this one loud and clear. My advice: Fit it in earlier in the day, because if your evening schedule is packed, you’re more likely to skip your late-in-the-day workout.
4. Anytime in Between
Can’t find 30+ minutes during the above options? How about finding a few smaller chunks of time throughout the day? A friend just told me about a workout she’s been doing while waiting for the shower water to warm up (more on that in a future blog). Body weight exercises (like push-ups, squats, and lunges) can be done anytime and only take a few minutes. A few 10-minute walks during the workday can add up over the course of the day. No excuses on this one, everybody can find a few minutes somewhere in their day.
Can’t find 30+ minutes during the above options? How about finding a few smaller chunks of time throughout the day? A friend just told me about a workout she’s been doing while waiting for the shower water to warm up (more on that in a future blog). Body weight exercises (like push-ups, squats, and lunges) can be done anytime and only take a few minutes. A few 10-minute walks during the workday can add up over the course of the day. No excuses on this one, everybody can find a few minutes somewhere in their day.
5. Your Time
I think you see where this is going. The answer to the question: When is the best time to exercise is anytime you will exercise. Look at your own schedule. Figure out which parts you control and which parts you don’t control. For example, you probably have control over what time you get up and what time you go to bed. You may not have control over what time you have to be at work or what time you have to pick your child up from school. If you’re not already exercising regularly, you’ll likely have to make some changes and sacrifices in your schedule to make time for exercise. Only you can make those changes and make it happen.
I think you see where this is going. The answer to the question: When is the best time to exercise is anytime you will exercise. Look at your own schedule. Figure out which parts you control and which parts you don’t control. For example, you probably have control over what time you get up and what time you go to bed. You may not have control over what time you have to be at work or what time you have to pick your child up from school. If you’re not already exercising regularly, you’ll likely have to make some changes and sacrifices in your schedule to make time for exercise. Only you can make those changes and make it happen.
Until next week,
Emily
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