Does it really matter WHEN I exercise?

In terms of 1st thing int he morning or after work?  I know the "stock answer" is that exercise anytime is good and that if I tell myself I don't feel like doing it in the morning and will do it later that I am less likely to do it at all.  But, I am wondering if it is reall true that it's better to exercise in the morning to raise your metabolism for the entire day?  If we assume that I am going to work out no matter what anyway, is it really more beneficial to do it in the morning?

It really doesn't matter.

For one thing, exercing raises your metabolism while it's going on and to some extent after it's done but not for the whole day. Building muscles is what raises your metabolism permanently.

Also, even if you workout right before bed, your metabolism is stil raised -- even if you go to sleep, it's still higher than if you went to sleep without exercise.

Keep in mind that every body is different. Everyone has different times of the day when they are more alert than others or when their body is more receptive to certan types of stimulus. So the time of day that is "best" to workout is different for everybody.

Finally, even if you find the absolutely perfect time for your body to exercise to get the max benefit from it, we are talking very minute differences that may not even be measurable. After all, if you burn 10 extra calories when you do Zumba at 1pm compared to 5pm all you need to do is work slightly harder at 5pm or have the instructor give slightly longer breaks in the 1pm class to wipe out that difference.

There's one way to find out...

I agree with MacMadame - do what works for you. I've found that exercising first thing in the morning works for me because its DONE and I am more likely to do it and be productive the rest of the day...it gives me an endorphin boost going into work and I am very ambitious throughout lunch and up until 2 p.m. Takes me a little longer to get "warmed up" when I get to the gym, but eventually I hit my stride.

There are a multitude of "studies" and "urban legentds" about this. 

Personally, I think ANYTIME is the right time if it is a time when you'll actually do it. 

Find activities you really enjoy and do them when you can.  Now, that being said, for me-it is easier to do my exercise the same time M-F...........sorta like a "job".........I just know I have to do it.  Weekends I'm more flexible because I tend to do more outside stuff and my husband works out with me, so we have to work around weather and other stuff.........but we do make it a priority.