4 Reasons to Start the Day with a Workout

While there isn’t one size fits all, working out in the morning has some benefits. Let’s look at the advantages of a morning workout.

1. Morning exercise helps you avoid distractions

Morning workouts help reduce the possibility of obstacles presenting themselves like you’re less likely to get phone calls, text messages, and emails. Basically, you’re still unplugged from the world. There is also less opportunity to make excuses and you’re more likely to follow through with your workout be it at the gym or outside in the park.

2. Morning exercise will boost your mental health

Exercise has many mental health benefits, and working out first thing in the morning helps you experience those benefits right away. Exercise in the morning jump-starts your day and leads to the secretion of neurotransmitters that help manage automatic responses such as breathing and heart rate, promote mental clarity, and have an improved attention span. It also sets the tone for the day and leaves you physically and mentally ready to handle whatever comes your way.

Along with a sense of accomplishment, you'll also feel refreshed and refueled.

3. Morning exercise can help make healthier choices

Exercising in the morning is the most effective way to burn stored fat, making it ideal for weight loss. The reason for this is that the body’s hormonal composition in the morning is set up to support this objective. Since cortisol and growth hormones, which are both involved in metabolism, are naturally higher in the morning, you'll use more of your energy from your fat stores, which also encourages weight loss. 

The sense of success you get in the morning might also contribute to healthy food choices throughout the day. Getting up and exercising helps you develop a healthier mindset, which makes you more aware of your eating habits throughout the day. So, instead of munching on junk foods, you might want to make a switch to salads and more.

4. You’ll sleep better if you exercise in the morning

Exercise in general helps create a hormonal balance which in turn will promote deeper, better sleep and will help you fall asleep faster and easier and also helps you get into a routine. Exercise and sleep go hand in hand because obtaining enough sleep is also connected to weight loss.

Exercise wears you out and the more active you are during the day, the more your body pushes you to sleep early at night. In effect, activity increases your sleep drive, and getting a deep, peaceful sleep will leave you feeling revitalized and energized in the morning ready to step out and get exercising again!

How to Become a Morning Exerciser

If you want to become a morning exerciser, we offer the following tips:

• Give it time. Adjusting to a morning workout routine can take three to four weeks.
• Don’t burn both ends of the candle. You’ll need to develop an earlier bedtime if you start waking up earlier to exercise. If you don’t get enough sleep, making the adjustment may be tough.
• Fuel up. It’s best to have some source of food as your fuel, but it varies from person to person. You might have to try out various foods to get your ideal pre-workout nourishment because some people have more sensitive stomachs.

Despite being aware of all the advantages of working out first thing in the morning, do you still snooze your alarm? It's time to STOP, get up and perform some exercise. Remember that any physical activity is better than none at all. So, stick with the routine that gives you the best results.