Early exercise will help you start the day with more energy, focus, and optimism. Plus, after a morning workout, you're more likely eat healthy and say active throughout the day. Despite these benefits, there isn't a “right” time to exercise. The best time is one that you can stick with long-term.
So - you guessed is - cardio is the way to go. "One of the best morning workouts would be going for a run, jog or brisk walk which will get your heart rate up and jumpstart your metabolism and calorie burning potential.
Exercising in a fasted state may burn some quick body fat, but it's not the best option for your body in the long-run. Eat a small snack or meal before and after your workout to ensure that you're properly fueled to perform your best in the gym and recover quickly when you get home.
In general, for healthy individuals looking to lose weight or get fitter – morning workouts are perfectly fine. In most cases, they are even a great choice (see next section).
It Should Be Short And Sweet
You don't want to overdo it and be tired for the remainder of the day, or worse, work out so hard that your gym performance suffers. As a general rule, your morning workout should be under 15 minutes and not loaded with reps.
"You want to give yourself about 10 minutes of dynamic exercises and stretches so your body can get ready for that activity," he says. "Because otherwise, you're basically going from zero to 100 and your body will just say no." He's right.
While the importance of eating before a workout may vary based on the situation, most scientists agree that it's beneficial to eat after exercise. Research shows that some nutrients, particularly protein and carbs, can help your body recover and adapt after exercise.
When you exercise on an empty stomach, you may burn valuable energy sources and have less stamina. Low blood sugar levels may also leave you feeling lightheaded, nauseous, or shaky. Another possibility is that your body will adjust to continually using fat reserves for energy, and start to store more fat than usual.
Traditionally, experts have recommended not exercising at night as part of good sleep hygiene. Now a new study, published Oct. 29, 2018, in Sports Medicine, suggests that you can exercise in the evening as long as you avoid vigorous activity for at least one hour before bedtime.
Waking up for a 5am workout can help you build routine. Having a set “appointment” will help prevent hitting the snooze button in the mornings. and begin to head to the gym to get in your workout for the day.
1: “Avoid pure protein right after the workout, because your body will just use it as energy again,” says Collingwood. Also, steer clear of foods that are mostly sugar (cookies, candy and the like) or mostly fat like a handful of nuts (without yogurt or fruit to balance the fat) or fried foods.
While it's usually unnecessary to wait until food is fully digested before exercising, it's best to give it some time to settle in your stomach. For most people, 1–2 hours is sufficient after a moderate-sized meal, while waiting at least 30 minutes after a snack is fine.
Water is important for performance. It's recommended to drink water and sodium-containing beverages before exercise to promote fluid balance and prevent excessive fluid loss.
The best time to have breakfast is within two hours of getting up. "The sooner you eat breakfast after you wake up, the better it is for your metabolism," says Larson. If you hit the gym in the AM, it's best to have a light meal like a banana or an avocado toast 20-30 minutes before workout.
When exactly is the best time to eat breakfast? Experts say that you should always have breakfast within two hours of waking up in the morning. So, if you are an early riser, you will have an early breakfast.
Many experts agree these short exercise sessions are powerful. One 2016 study revealed that a 10 minute workout with one minute of sprints could deliver health benefits similar to a 45 minute workout at a moderate pace. The secret here is high intensity interval training.
As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Reducing sitting time is important, too. The more hours you sit each day, the higher your risk of metabolic problems.