Working out in the morning can set you up for a better day by creating a positive and healthy tone right at the start. Exercise in general can help you feel better about yourself, and morning workouts will help you deal better with obstacles that present themselves during the rest of your day.
Positivity breeds positivity, so if you’re in a rut, trying to lose weight, or just need a lifestyle change, try exercising in the morning.
Weight Loss
There is a huge connection between sleep and weight loss because quality of sleep affects the hormones that control appetite. Those who exercise late at night tend to have more trouble falling asleep because exercise energizes the body making it more difficult to relax and fall into a peaceful sleep.
Exercising in the morning jump-starts your metabolism and can keep it up throughout the day. People also tend to find that morning exercise helps them make better food choices and regulate their appetites.
Mental Focus
Exercise stimulates the brain and increases mental acuity. So exercising before work can help you think more clearly and perform better at work.
If you have a busy schedule and have trouble making time to work out, getting up 30 to 60 minutes earlier to exercise will make you more likely to do your workout. If you wait until the end of day, schedule conflicts or tiredness are more likely to interfere.
It does take discipline to get up earlier than “necessary,” but over time, your body will adjust to waking at an earlier hour, especially if you are consistent.
It’s worth going to bed an hour earlier to help you wake up. Plus the more sleep you get before midnight, the better since our biological clocks, which respond to light in our environments, are set for us to go to bed between 8 and 10 p.m.
The Workout
Try these full-body moves to energize your day.
Vinyasa Warm-Up
1. Stand tall with your feet together. Take a deep breath as you sweep your arms out and up overhead until the palms touch.
