We know… it’s not always easy to get out of bed in the morning, let alone to get up and pull on your workout gear and trainers. But there are plenty of reasons to set that alarm clock for early morning exercise.
Making Exercise A Habit
By starting your morning with physical activity, you set the day’s pace. Studies have shown that around 90% of people who exercise in the mornings will consistently exercise all or most days as they get it over and done with before other distractions, like work, can intrude. 90%? That’s huge! So if you’re looking to make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle (which you should be!), mornings are your best bet.
Better Sleep
Morning exercise also greatly improves sleep. This is crucial because having a great night’s sleep contributes to controlling the hormonal balance that keeps appetite in check. Win! Also, working out at night can create an adrenalin rush that might make it harder for you to get to sleep.
Weight Loss
When you work out in the morning, it gets your metabolism rolling and keeps it elevated for hours, even up to 24 hours. That means you’ll be burning off calories all day long just because you exercised in the early hours. Incredible! You’ll feel more energized and ready to take on the rest of your day.
A Healthier Diet
A huge part of exercise is having the right mindset and setting yourself up for that first thing in the morning is the perfect strategy. You’re more likely not to skip breakfast, as you’ll have just worked out. You’re also likely to make better food choices throughout the rest of the day, as you’ll have regulated your appetite – this means no bingeing.
So though it might be tough to do at first, the evidence is clear – morning exercise rocks! So pull on your joggers and kick start your day with some healthy activity and you’ll be sure to reap the rewards.
Need more incentive? Here’s a recipe for a delicious brekkie smoothie to reward yourself after your workout!
Banana Berry Smoothie
In a blender, combine one banana, half a cup of fresh blueberries and half a cup of fresh strawberries. Add two cups of low fat plain or vanilla yoghurt and one cup of skim milk. Add a spoon of organic honey if you wish to sweeten further. Puree until smooth. Serves 2.
