We know that the morning struggle to be a normal functioning human is real, but did you know this is actually the best time to exercise?
We’re big fans of staying wrapped up in the duvet until the last minute, but a study found that 90% of people who exercise consistently, do so by making it part of their wake-up routine.
We round up some of the benefits of kick-starting your day with a workout. We promise you, it’s not as bad as it sounds…
Start the day the healthy way…
We all know that when you start out your day with good intentions, a sneaky treat from a co-worker, or the temptation of a take-away dinner can make your exercise plans pale in the background.
If you start your day with a workout (even a solid thirty minutes), you’ll be less tempted to bite into that chocolate and ruin all the efforts of your morning rise. Step away from the cookie jar.
Kick-start Metabolism…
When you exercise early in the morning, it “jump starts” your metabolism and keeps it elevated for hours, sometimes even for a full day at a time! This means for that short spell on the treadmill, you’re burning more calories all day long just because you exercised in the morning!
(It suddenly doesn’t seem like the worst idea, does it?)
Avoid The Queues…
There’s no pet peeve greater than turning up at the gym to find yourself on stand-by, waiting to use a machine. After a long-day in work, it seems the masses want to wind down on an exercise bike and suddenly spin class is a war for the last place.
Do yourself a favour and beat the throngs (and the bulge) by nabbing an hour in the morning. You’ll be power-walking home and straight to the kitchen for a bite of dinner rather than sloping into the gym to stand by the water-fountain. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
Focus…
Treat yourself to a diversion free work-out. How many times have you been running on the treadmill, or working on weights when your phone goes off. Between tweets, texts and calls, your day is chockerblock with reminders that the world happens to think you’re fabulous and wants a few minutes of your time.
The earlier you rise, the less likely you’ll find your phone hopping for attention. Chances are the sender is still in bed, while you’re off to the shower after sculpting perfectly toned arms… (Ok, we can dream)
Speaking of a Social Life…
It’s very easy to forget that with friends comes invites for coffees, catch-ups and Friday night pints. We’re all for celebrating the end of a working day, but this usually means we bump the exercise for a chow down or chatter.
Stop exercising excuses for why you need to meet your friend and just pop into the gym on your way to work. Best of both worlds, and the cocktails won’t wreak havoc on your waistline.
Just please don’t be that friend who asks “do you know how many calories are in this?” Trust us, WE DON’T CARE.
Regulate Your Appetite
For most gym-goers, exercising in a morning routine has the domino effect of eating a well-balanced diet. Between stocking up on porridge for slow-releasing energy, and working to keep up “your good habits”, you’ll be more likely to pick out the fruit and veg for snacks then ruin your hard work with a stash of chocolate.
Sleeping Success
The National Sleep Foundation has found that those who miss out on eight hours of beauty sleep are more likely to battle the bulge. Between eating more sugary foods to stay alert, or snacking late into the night, getting a good eight hours beauty sleep will help more than the bags under your eyes. We’re looking at you midnight fridge-pickers. Sometimes, a girl just needs the reality check…
If you plan on hitting the gym in the morning, you’ll need to start hitting the hay at a decent hour. So treat yourself to some fresh jammies, and set the alarm clock for your jaunt to the gym.
Don’t Sweat It
Don’t sweat it if high intensity workouts aren’t your thing. We’re not all made like Jane Fonda. Check in with your local gym or community centre for classes in meditation, yoga or pilates. Each one have their own merits in helping you de-stress or tone-up.
Remember it’s about overall health. And knowing how to stretch properly is one of life’s handiest little tips.
Note – No, sideways running does not count…
Feel Great
Yes, we all know exercise is an endorphin. It’s the fact that those fitness junkies love to tout to those who struggle to sit on a bike for 15 minutes. Now imagine how you’ll feel if you know you’ve started your day the right way, then showered and set off to work all before their cup of coffee.
Feel free to look smug while you make your morning cuppa.
After five days of early starts, take some time off. You’ve totally earned it!
