13/05: Holiday Tip

11/05: Yea! to morning exercise.

It's tough to get in shape... especially if you've been lazy for a long while. Making a schedule and following through can be tough. The biggest decision you have to make is whether to exercise in the morning or in the afternoon.

After doing some web research, I think morning is the best time. It's a lot easier to get into the habit of waking up early and going to the gym no matter how chaotic your schedule might get. This also gives you a good reason to sleep early and get a goodnight sleep. Below are some point form Pros and Cons for morning exercise.

Pros:

• Raises your heart rate and metabolism to burn more calories earlier in the day.
• Gives a feeling of physical energy for hours.
• Improves your mental acuity for hours.
• Cooler temperatures in summer.
• The majority of people who exercise consistently do so early in the day.
• It is easier to form the exercise habit through morning exercise.
• Fewer distractions and schedule interruptions.
• Can make time for exercise by getting up a bit earlier.
• Air pollution is lowest in the morning.

Cons:

• Body temperature is at its lowest 1-3 hours before awakening, making morning a time of naturally lower energy and blood flow.
• Cold, stiff muscles may be more prone to injury. You have to make sure you warm up well before doing more intense exercises, and do gentle stretching.
• If you are not a morning person, you might not be able to build a habit of waking up early.
• Because body temperature and hormones are higher in late afternoon, you probably get the same or better calorie-burning effects later in the day.