Why Morning Exercise is Best

It's true if you burn 300 calories in the evening, it's the same as if you worked them off in the morning. So what's the big deal about making your exercise routine a morning activity? Well, experts say there are real physical and psychological benefits to exercising in the a.m. Here's why you should do it:

You're twice as likely to exercise early. As the day moves along, we usually find there's something else to do that's more important than working out. If you want to exercise on a regular basis, the odds are in your favor if you squeeze your workout in the early morning hours. In fact, more than 90% of those who exercise consistently have a morning fitness routine.

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It boosts your metabolism. Some exercise experts say that when you exercise in the morning you jump-start your metabolism and it can stay on the upswing for the rest of the day. With a metabolism on the move, you burn more calories throughout the day, even when you're off the treadmill.

It gets your mojo on. A morning workout energizes you for the rest of your day. And you'll get a psychological boost knowing you've already accomplished something that's good for you.

Your brain power gets pumped up. Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental sharpness. Exercising in the a.m. means you start your day without mental fogginess.

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It reduces your appetite.  Morning exercisers report that exercising in the a.m. helps them to keep their appetite on a even keel for the rest of the day -- they tend to snack, even binge, less. Not only do they eat less (since activity causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also choose healthier portions of healthier foods.

You'll sleep better.  Even though you may have to wake up earlier to fit in thirty minutes of routine exercise you'll sleep better that night, since exercise has been shown to help improve slumber. Plus, you're regulating your body clock by awakening the same time each morning.

You'll want to do it. Folks who stick to an a.m. exercise routine find they eventually look forward to waking up in the morning, so they can get to their workout!