When is the best time to exercise?

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1/3/12 3:03 P

Any time is a good time! just make time, even if it's only 5 minutes. we were not meant to sit at desks all day in meetings!

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1/3/12 3:01 P

I exercise in the morning usually after I feed my daughter breakfast. I like to get all sweaty from working out then take a shower afterwards..I don't like exercising in the afternoon or at night because I take my showers during the day. I make sure to exercise before going online or watching TV too or else it's very likely I'll get lazy and end up not working out.

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1/3/12 2:49 P

I work out at lunch or after work. I am NOT a morning person (no matter how hard I try). I need breakfast and a cup of coffee!! I don't feel like I lack metabolism by working out later in the day. Most articles here on SP (as a previous poster mentioned) seem to say there really isn't much of a difference!

To each his own. It's a lifestyle choice that YOU have to make for you! I admire you morning people!!

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1/3/12 2:16 P

I love to do it in the morning. Afternoons or evening-lack of energy especially if working all day.

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1/3/12 1:41 P

I've always heard that it's best to exercise in the morning because it keeps your metabolism up and you burn off calories faster...

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1/3/12 1:36 P

Until recently, I never understood how so many people could work out in the morning. I'm not a morning person, and I couldn't imagine that so many were. I found it a struggle to get up by 7:30 a.m. to be at work by 9 a.m.

However, over the past few months, I've really worked on getting my sleep schedule consistent and making sure I get eight hours of sleep, which I desperately need to be functional.

Usually I work out after work, heading straight to the gym from my office. But since I got a spinning bike for Christmas, I've started moving my bedtime (and, subsequently, my wake up time) to fit 45 minutes of exercise in before work--and it's easier than I would have thought.

While I try to work out both in the morning and afternoon, if something comes up in the evening, I don't feel so guilty about not going to the gym.

Good luck!

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1/3/12 10:45 A

For me its after work. The gym I joined is right on my way home so I have no excuse not to go for an hour after work. I have the most energy after work as well. I also do Just Dance at home after work.

I'm trying to motivate myself to get up at 5:00am to do a pilates class at my gym but that's REALLY early for me.

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1/3/12 10:19 A

For me it is after the kids are sent to school. Then I can shower and move on with the days activities. It is my time. I don't read or do my hobbies right now it is exercise and losing weight.

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1/3/12 6:07 A

Like Coach Nancy stated, it's gotta be the best time for you! I prefer to workout before I begin my day because I have more energy and make better food choices. Just depends on the day. Find what works for you and something you can stick to. You can do it!

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1/2/12 10:03 P

I'm with Coach Nancy on this one -- the best time is whenever is best for you!

A lot of people are insisting that morning is best -- and hey, it does have a lot in its favor (not least of which is that your workout is DONE before the day really starts).

But what about us non-morning people? Well, for anyone who may be thinking it's morning or nothing, I'm here to say there is hope for those who just can't get motivated until later in the day. Nearly every one of my workouts has been in the afternoon or evening -- and almost always after 8pm on weekdays. It's just when I'm able to do it, and do it well. It works for me. I've gone from barely being able to walk a mile (November 2010) to being able to run seven or more (and walk pretty much as far as I want, whenever I want!)

Do what works for you!

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1/2/12 9:26 P

In the morning

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1/2/12 6:17 P

Morning is best. Gets your metabolism revved up for the whole day. If you wait until afternoon, or worse for evening, you only get benefit for the rest of the day.

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1/2/12 6:17 P

You get the same benefits from working out at any time of day. About the only thing to watch is that some people find it difficult to get to sleep after working out late at night (others have no problem with this).

The best time of day to work out is whatever suits your schedule best, as this makes it more likely that you will keep working out in the longer term.

M@L

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1/2/12 6:13 P

whenever you can get it in!

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1/2/12 5:15 P

It all depends on when you want to exercise.
SP article I read said not to exercise on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Your body needs nutrition in order to function properly and then it needs protein after exercise.
Good luck.

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1/2/12 5:15 P

BEELALA93,

The best time to workout is the time that is most convenient for you. For many people working out first thing in the morning allows them to get their workout over with so that if anything comes up during the day, there will be no excuses.

GREAT JOB!

Coach Nancy

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1/2/12 4:27 P

I've been exercising on my Wii Fit about 30 mins after I wake up. It's good because it sets me for the day and wakes me up properly. But I'm just wondering if there's a better time to do it?