Question:
does it make a difference what time you exercise?

I've got an interesting question for ya'll that has yet to be asked. I understand that when exercising in the morning, your body releases endorphins to help with your mood and it raises your metabolism for the day as well as your overall energy for the day. Does it have the same effect if you exercise in the evening? Example: I work 3rd shift, so I get to the gym at about 630am. Well, when I get home at 8am I'm almost always asleep by 9am. Since your asleep, everything your body does slows way down. Was my workout pointless? Will it still keep my metabolism up even after I wake up again? I guess I'm wondering if it has the same benefits as working out first thing in the morning. Thanks for your help!!! oh! i'm 7 months out from open RNY and down 123#'s.    — Christie N. (posted on April 4, 2003)

April 4, 2003
Check out the Oprah.com website, I think it's the "mind, Body" section. Her personal trainer answers a whole bunch of questions like that. Basically, he says that the best time to exercise is just after you wake up (mornings for most people).
   — lizinPA

April 4, 2003
Good question! Boy, I'd never work out if it had to be in the morning, though -- I am not a "morning person" and just training myself to eat a healthy breakfast has been enough of a post-op lifestyle change, for me, as far as morning goes! I always work out in the evenings after dinner, which isn't optimal, but it's what I *can* do on my schedule. I am convinced steady workouts (and protein shakes) have vastly improved my health and kept my metabolism humming (along with eating several small meals during the day, instead of "three squares"). There may be a good argument for working out in the mornings, but I don't think it'd be "pointless" to exercise even if evenings are a better time for you!
   — Suzy C.

April 4, 2003
Christie, I attended the Duke Diet and Fitness Center last year, and I asked this same question during one of our lectures. The teacher explained that the time of day you exercise is not a major focus. The emphasis is on increasing your activity level at small intervals as you gain more stamina (i.e., it's good to constantly push yourself to the next level). For instance, if you start out walking just 15 minutes a day, slowly increase your walking to 20 minutes, then 25 minutes. If you start out using 5 lb. weights, then at some point increase to 8 lbs and/or increase the number of sets. Also, aerobic exercise will burn fat/calories only when you are engaged in the activity. Strength training is the acitvity that affects your metabolism. Strength training builds muscle, and muscle burns fat, even when one is at rest. That's why so many personal trainers recommend an exercise routine that includes both aerobic and strength training activities.
   — Leni M.

April 4, 2003
Good question and I'm interested in the responses. I personally don't believe it makes any difference what time of the day you work out as long as you work out consistently. I'm like Suzy C, I do my exercise after work, and its all I can do to get motivated in the mornings and eat that egg every day, and get to work on time. I don't believe your workout is pointless at all, your body fat is being converted to muscle as you sleep because of those workouts, which as we know, muscle burns those calories at a faster and more efficient rate. I think the reason many suggest morning exercise is best, is because your more energetic after your workout and it helps you stay that way thru the day, and not because it effects your metabolism better.
   — Cindy R.

April 4, 2003
I've actually been doing some research on this same subject and of course there are a bunch of different view points. I'm a water exercise instructor at our local Y so I get LOTS of exercise but I wanted to know when it would be MOST effective for ME. I've found more info telling me that working out in the beginning of your day does increase your metabolism which in turn burns more calories and gives you more energy throughout your day(our personal trainer agrees)BUT no workout is POINTLESS!!!! What I would be doing in your case is focusing on weight training routine for your main workout. Just because after you lift you MUST rest your muscles to let them repair and what better way to let them repair?!?!?! Then you could get some walking in on your lunch break, use the stairs etc. It all counts just GRADUALLY increase your weights, reps and distances. Oh and the SLOWER you do the reps the more effective they are!!! And by the way you are doing terrific!!!!! Best wishes and BIG HUGS!!!
   — Deanna_K