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traineo Community / Motivation Tips / Motivation, whatever time of day
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Just Jess
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 93
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 17:23


I have a problem that may sound stupid to alot of people. I am a perfectionist! Everything I do has to be done "just so", and the right way. I have heard that working out in the morning is the best time, but for me the morning's don't work for me, but evenings do. I have a hard time sticking with it because I feel like if I can't "do it the right way" by working out in the mornings, then I don't want to work out at all. I know that anytime is better than not at all, but I have a hard time getting around this mental block of being a perfectionist. I have recently started going to a counselor not only for this but for a few other things as well, but I was wondering if any of you out there had any advice.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 17:37


The only reason morning is considered better is because your blood sugar is supposedly lower and you will burn more fat.

As much as I understand the entire scientific arguement for this at a very deep level (BSc / Hons graduate in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry), ultimately I don't personally buy it. Doesn't matter really, a bit like the don't eat late at night theory. It isn't actually as clever as it initially sounds.

Don't matter what time of day you drive your car, or what time of day you visit the fuel station. At the end of the day it will gone the same distance and have the same amount of fuel left. To a certain extent timing matters, but not at a recreational athlete level it doesn't. Just make sure you have a good brekkie if you don't train in the morning and fit it in later. You won't be dissappointed with your efforts.
Pam Carpenter
traineo Newbie
Posts: 4
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 18:17


Yes they do say that, but mornings doesn't work for me either because I am just not awake. So I believe that you should workout when you are at your strongest so you can get an awesome workout.

For me the best time to work out is right in the middle of the day right before lunch, it breaks up my day and I feel good. Mornings would never work for me because I wouldn't train at my peak.

So forget what they say, and know that the bottom line is that regardless of what time your are working out you are getting out there! So get off your butt and burn some calories!
Jeff West
Fitness Guru
Posts: 237
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 18:19


I've worked out at both times, before work and after. Both had advantages I throughly enjoyed. Working out in the morning is a great way to start the day, however, there is no better way to burn the stress of yhe workday off then by going to the gym after work!

Cheers!
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 18:26


Good point, Jeff! I've worked out at both times as well, and enjoyed aspects of both... If you can get to work around 9/930 then morning workouts are great. The biggest benefit is in cardio - you can stay in the "fat burning zone" and you will be able to burn more fat b/c you haven't eaten anything (or very little) since the night before. The absolute best program I had was doing my cardio in the AM before breakfast and lifting in the late afternoon. Of course this was when I owned my own company and made my own hours so travelling to the gym/gymming/showering for close to 3.5hrs/day was feasible. Not to mention the extra laundry I was doing each week. Now I go to work early and if you ask me to get up before 6am to fit in a workout I'm likely to kick you in the shin Working out after work has the extra benefit of reducing the amount of idle time I have (time I might spend grabbing a beer, snacking, etc)... I feel great when I get home and don't have that nervous energy to distract me from relaxing.

Most importantly - work out when you can and you will feel good from it!
Cardio King
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1784
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 # Posted: 5 Nov 2007 18:27


I agree with Jeff. There's nothing better than going to the gym and taking out your anger and frustration on the machines in the gym after a long, stressful day at work or school. In fact, I'm going today!
Matt D
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 103
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 # Posted: 6 Nov 2007 00:02


Instead of working out in the morning, I work out in the afternoon, usually 2-3 hours after I eat lunch so that my body has processed the food I already ate. Also, this is perfect because I get really hungry after my work out just in time for dinner.
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
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 # Posted: 6 Nov 2007 00:54


just jess-do what fits your lifestyle b/c you will be more likely to maintain it. just like they say the best exercise is the one you will do. if you keep comparing yourself to what "they say" you will never be able to meet your expectations b/c they will be too high. there will be someone out there who will always have a better or different way. no way is wrong if it works for you. moving is better than not moving at all. so try it and report back to us.
Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733
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 # Posted: 6 Nov 2007 01:42


I have never been able to stick to a morning program. The perfectionist in me often got in the way of doing things, because I couldn't do them "right." I started thinking in terms of grades. In school, there were plenty of times I didn't feel confident about a test, but I never chose not to take the test and fail just because I didn't think I would get an A. It's better to get a B, C, or even a D over an F! And really, the difference between working out in the morning over any other time of day is like getting an A+ instead of an A. It's your effort and intensity that scores the letter grade, not the time on the clock.
TL Stegall
traineo Newbie
Posts: 21
Post History
 # Posted: 6 Nov 2007 17:59


I know what you mean regarding the morning workouts...as much as I'd like to, I just can't push myself to get up early. I have never been a morning person, I'm a night owl, it's just the way I'm wired. So, I usually take care my exercising in the evening.. Sometimes, I will force myself out of bed early on Friday mornings because I know, things tend to get planned for Friday evenings/nights. About the only good thing I can say about getting up early and accomplishing my workout is just that, it is accomplished for the day. It's done, over with.
It really doesn't matter when you do it as long as you do it.
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