Moments of the Day to Exercise

Health and Wellness - Exercise

By: Thorgrym 06-Mar-2011

Introduction:

There are many studies, reports, anecdotes, and beliefs that claim that it is best to exercise at a given time of day. All of them can't be right, can they?
First, let me say that 'supposedly' scientific studies can be flawed. They can be - and often are - manipulated to produce the results that the 'sponsor' of the study is trying to prove. I am not saying that this is always the case, but it does illustrate the fact that...wait for it...you can't always believe what you read.

The following list details the benefits of exercising at various times of the day.

Exercise Upon Waking

Exercising first thing in the morning, prior to eating, will influence your body to burn more fat. It is far easier for your body to burn the fuel that you recently consumed than to burn the stored fuel in your body fat. If you haven't eaten since dinner the previous day, your body has little choice but to attack the body fat for fuel.
Another benefit is that you will get it out of the way. Things that get put off 'until later' have a funny way of never getting done. The normal rigors of your day will demand your time and, as the day goes on, there will always be something that takes precedence over exercise. Before you know it, you are too tired or it is too late to exercise.

If you start your day with a shower, why not break a sweat first?

Exercise During the Afternoon

"But didn't you just say that I should exercise in the morning?" Well, I did, yes. There are, however, benefits to exercising in the afternoon, as well.
This will give your body a metabolism boost later in the day. Also, an afternoon workout will burn off some of the calories that you have been eating all day. If you burn them off, they won't get stored as fat.

Exercise Before Every Meal

I am not saying that you need to put in a full 20-30 minute workout prior to eating every meal of the day. What I am talking about is doing something to boost your metabolism, though. Doing ANYTHING is better than doing nothing. Take 5-10 minutes before every meal to move. If your options are limited - at work, for instance - doing something as simple as a couple of sets of jumping jacks can be beneficial. Find a staircase to climb, do some push ups, run in place, jump rope, do anything that gets your heart rate up.
Eating a meal boosts your metabolism by itself. Exercising before eating a meal will maximize that boost and prep the body to digest and utilize the incoming food better.

Exercise on the 'Pay to Play' Plan

When you cut your finger, you put a bandage on it, right? The best thing to do is to not cut your finger in the first place but taking steps to minimize the chance of infection is the next best thing. This 'Pay to Play' is more of a bandage than an ideal.
Similar to #3 above, the idea with this is to exercise - pay - prior to eating a high calorie snack - play. Lessen the damage of the sugary sweets, baked goods, or other tempting foods by working off the calories before you consume them.
Studies show that the body is better able to deal with calories - no matter the source - when they are consumed after exercise. Reminder: This is NOT a rationalization for eating crappy 'food.' It is a bandage and nothing more. Minimize the harm done by empty calorie snacks buy paying for them PRIOR to eating them. If you can't buy your candy, you can't eat it.

Exercise Throughout the Day

Do what you normally do every day - only do more of it! Increase your overall calorie burn by simply increasing your activity level.

* If you are going grocery shopping, park farther away from the store rather than choosing a parking spot nearby.
* Skip the elevator/escalator and take the stairs. In fact, take an additional trip up and down the stairs just for good measure.
* Standing up from a seated position? Sit back down and repeat the process a second - or third! - time.
* Get out of your chair every 30 minutes and take a 5 minute walk around the office.

There are many ways that you can increase your daily calorie burn and they don't all involve breaking a sweat.
If you are looking for a place to start, this would be it. You don't need to devote a specific time of day to exercise to gain the benefits.

Keep in mind that, while this will help you to burn more calories, it won't do too much for overall fitness levels. What this will do is, over time, you will begin to feel better about yourself. You will feel your muscles being used in ways that you are not used to. You will be inspired to take it to the next level.

Rather than sitting on your butt or complaining that you don't have the time or energy to exercise, do this.

Supporting Links

Nutrient Timing System

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Comments

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sparkybates 3/8/2011
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With all these options, I guess my all too frequent excuses that I don't have time to fit exercise into my schedule won't cut it :) ... this is a great list!
AlyBlogs 3/8/2011
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So...what you are saying is that exercise at any time is better than no exercise. I agree with that!
workhomeunion 3/8/2011
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I definitely prefer the morning workout, helps to get the day started right.
JennyHeart 3/8/2011
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Fantastic list!
bestmommy 3/8/2011
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Good points made on when to exercise.
AkbarTheTentmaker 3/7/2011
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Good points!
SherriThornhill 3/7/2011
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I mostly get my workouts done in the morning, but I switch it up ever so often..
clewand550 3/6/2011
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Nice list of times to exercise. I wish I was that aggressive with exercising.
goodselfme 3/6/2011
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Good list of moments of the day to exercise. Healthful and workout details to get the workout done.h5
snowfence 3/6/2011
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Absolutely! Awesome list of moments of the day to exercise! H5