Research shows early-morning exercise can change our lives in astounding ways but if you are like most of us, you know the struggle of waking up early in the morning.
Working out at the beginning of the day not only improves your fitness, but it also encourages better nutrition, lifts your mood and makes you more productive in ways an evening workout can't.
Thats why I wanted to share with you this 10 life-changing benefits of morning workouts.
1. You'll experience better sleep
Say goodbye to tossing and turning. Waking up early for your workouts will make you more tired and ready for bed at the end of the day. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who work out in the mornings actually sleep longer and experience more restful sleep than people who work out at night. If you do start working out in the morning, make sure you're not continuing your night-owl habits. You still need at least seven hours of sleep to keep your body functioning at peak performance.
2. You'll start the day happier
We all know working out releases endorphins in the body that make us happier. Now imagine getting a dose of those feel-good endorphins before you've even had your morning coffee. If you want to spend your days feeling more content, then morning workouts are the way to go.
3. You'll build better muscle
Did you know that testosterone, the hormone in your body that encourages muscle growth, is actually at its peak first thing in the morning? Capitalize on your body's natural rhythms by moving your strength training to the morning hours so you can see even better gains.
4. You'll be more consistent
Are you an on-the-wagon, off-the-wagon kind of exerciser? Finally score some long-lasting consistency with morning exercise. Unlike the evenings, no work meeting or impromptu happy hour will derail your intentions to hit the gym. The mornings are for you and you only.
5. You'll eat healthier
When you work out first thing in the morning, you're more likely to make healthier eating decisions all day long. Unlike people who splurge throughout the day knowing they'll "make up" for it with an evening workout, you will instead be focused on not undoing all of your hard work. In other words, your early morning sweat will set the tone for the rest of the day.
6. You'll burn more calories
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC for short, is basically a fancy way of saying that the body continues to burn additional calories after exercise, especially if it was vigorous or intense exercise (think HIIT workouts). In other words, if you work out in the mornings, you will burn more calories simply sitting at your desk than you would have by just pressing snooze.
7. You'll work out more efficiently
Since there will likely be fewer texts to answer, snaps to send or breaking news to scroll through at the crack of dawn, you can be completely focused on the task at hand–getting a good workout in as efficiently as possible. And unlike evening workouts, which can drag if you let them, you have to be at work at a set time, which means you will be forced to get in and get out.
8. You'll handle stress better
Not only does regular physical activity make you happier, it also increases your ability to deal with stressful situations. Whether it's your morning commute or a looming deadline at work, you'll feel better equipped to handle the day's stressors after hitting up the gym.
9. You'll avoid the crowds
If you see the gym as your sanctuary, then you will definitely appreciate how much emptier it is in the morning compared to the post-work evening rush. You'll never have to try to squeeze into a busy yoga class, wait around for the benches to free up or change your routine at the last minute because all the machines are taken.
10. You'll be more productive at work
It's not your imagination, your brain really is firing on all cylinders after a workout. Exercise leads to increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which helps up perform better at work. Jolting your brain first thing in the morning will make you more productive all day long.
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Stay Strong💪.
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