The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Ever felt like saying, “I can’t wake up early, so I can’t exercise”? Or maybe, “Work was so busy, I didn’t have time to work out.” I know I’ve used those excuses. When I first started exercising, I’d convince myself not to do it by making excuses. Yep, excuses! We all do it, saying we don’t have enough time. We easily tell ourselves that we skipped the workout because the timing wasn’t perfect. Growing up, I heard lots of people—parents, teachers, coaches—telling me to study or exercise in the morning. Let’s take a closer look at this idea.
Exercising in the morning is really good. I’ve noticed that all the professionals, like bodybuilders and athletes, wake up before 5 am to start their workouts super early. This is a smart habit. Your body has rested for a solid 8 hours of sleep. Plus, you can do outdoor activities like running, cycling, or sports before the sun rises. You’re also feeling fresh in the morning, and you can use that energy to burn calories. But, can everyone wake up at 5 am?
First, to wake up at 5 am, you’d need to be in bed by 9 pm to get 8 hours of sleep. That means you’d have to finish dinner by around 6:30-7:00 pm. Second, some of us have jobs that require us to work late at night. We have deadlines to meet, and we can’t do it every day. So, should we just give up on exercise altogether?
Nope! The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a 30-minute workout every day, but they don’t say you have to do it at a specific time. If you ask trainers or professionals, they’ll tell you that the most important thing is to exercise. If you can pick a time, great! But if you can’t, don’t use that as an excuse.
Most of us have preferences based on our work schedules or habits. Some of us are early birds, while others feel more energetic in the evenings. When I started exercising five years ago, I realized that early mornings are great for running or cycling. You’re fresh, rested, and the sun isn’t up yet. Outdoor activities work well in the early morning. Later on, I started going to the gym. During the pandemic, I avoided crowds by going to the gym at odd times, like an hour before or after lunch. This way, when there were fewer people, I could focus on my workout. On really tiring days, I’d do half an hour of yoga or stretching in the evenings, or maybe go for a relaxed walk. I chose based on what was convenient for me.
The bottom line is, working out is important! Articles online and advice from fitness trainers might say that morning workouts are best, and they’re right. But if we think about it, practically speaking, exercising at any time of the day is better than not exercising at all. Just remember to leave about an hour between eating and working out (before or after).
So, the next time your brain tries to convince you that the timing isn’t perfect, tell your brain to hush and get moving! The right time is now!
Stay Fit! Stay Healthy!
My Fitness Notion 