Exercise is the first habit that you should adopt if you want to get better at anything else.
This article is not going to list you the benefits of exercise, but rather, it will explain the domino effect of exercise, especially the morning one.
When you start your day right, you create a momentum. This leads to a more positive and productive day.
Morning exercise wakes you up from the sleepy state. You become more alert as your blood starts pumping.
And here are what you will notice once you make morning exercise a habit.
1. You are hungry all the time and you can eat food without guilt.
Morning exercise boosts your metabolism and burns fats.
You will be able to enjoy food without guilt because your body needs more energy and nutrition from the food.
To get more obvious result, eat a banana before the morning workout to get your digestive system working early.
It will make you hungry all day but that’s good, because your body can burn more calories.
2. You will want to eat clean
When you push yourself in the gym, you’re more likely are going to want to see the result, for example, seeing those abs and muscle or being able to push your strength and stamina further. Half of the work is done at the gym and the other half is done in the kitchen.
To be able to keep pushing yourself at the gym, you need good nutrition for the body to repair and build muscle to get you ready for the next workout. You’ll want to eat clean and you will less likely to crave junk food because it only makes you feel like shit.
3. You will sleep better
Because your body has been alert and productive all day since 5 am, you will be crawling to bed at the end of the day and looking forward to tomorrow’s workout session.
4. You will love yourself more and gain the confidence
As you keep doing these healthy habits, you will love yourself more. You will feel proud of yourself for taking good care of your body. You exercise regularly, you eat clean and you sleep well.
It increases your self-esteem because you know you are disciplined. You have been smashing those workouts the first thing in the morning so you are ready for any challenges that may come in your day.
5. More life satisfaction
You will feel the dopamine rush that you get after the sweaty workout. It will leave you wanting more.
As you’re happier, you’re more likely to spread that happiness instead of looking for a short-term pleasure or instant gratification.
You will have no problem getting out of bed in the morning because you know that you have goals. And the first goal you can achieve is to get off the bed and sweat it out. After that, you will be ready to accomplish any goals in your day.
Tips on how to get out of bed
- Get up as soon as the alarm rings. Use the 5-second rule where you have to do it within the first 5 seconds, otherwise, you are more likely to fall back and give up.
- Turn on the bright light as soon as the alarm rings. This will wake you up and make sure that you can’t go back to sleep.
- Lastly, splash some cold water into your face. It’s refreshing.
When you start off for the first time, it doesn’t matter how much work out you do, it matters that you show up consistently to make it a habit. Then, you will feel like pushing yourself even further.
Personal note
This is based on my own experience. Some people enjoy working out at other times and that’s okay. Research found that exercise at different times gives different benefits.
In summary, you are more likely to burn fat working out in the morning but you are more likely to have more energy working out at the end of the day.
For me, intense morning exercise uses a lot of energy, hence, it’s easier to get it done first thing in the morning rather than in the evening, when you might be tired and come up with excuses.
Do you exercise regularly and when do you find it work best for you?