How to Become a Morning Exercise Person
"Prepare to start getting up earlier.
Almost every cell in the body functions on a daily rhythm that lasts approximately 24 hours. This cycle determines not just when we fall asleep and wake up, but also our body temperature, our hunger pangs, our hormones and more.
To wake up earlier and start a morning exercise routine, “what we’re trying to do is not just shift your bedtime, but actually shift your entire circadian clock to be earlier,” said Kimberly Fenn, a cognitive neuroscientist who studies sleep and learning at Michigan State University. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
Shine a little light.
In the summer, your best bet for feeling energized might be to step into the morning sunshine right away, but in the winter, you will probably be rising before the sun. In that case, you’ll need some bright artificial light to wake your body up. Bright light tells your body to stop making melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy.
“Having access to bright light in the morning is the best way to help train your circadian cycle,” said Dr. Fenn, who has spent many dark mornings running on New York streets training for marathons.
Work backward. Make your plan.
First, you need to figure out how exercise will fit into your mornings. Think about your morning deadline, or the time of your earliest immovable obligation, such as driving your kids to school or arriving at the office, and work backward.
Avoid distractions that can slow you down, like checking your email right when you wake up. Try laying your exercise clothes out the night before to save time.
Make it a habit.
If you stick with it, exercising will become less of a decision and more “just what you do,” Dr. Friel said, but don’t be discouraged if it takes a long time to get to that point. It can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a habit to become automatic"
Read the full article on The New York Times
✨Takeaway: Exercise experts recommend gradually shifting your circadian clock to wake up earlier instead of suddenly switching your alarm clock from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. Additionally, exercising in the morning or early afternoon and exposing oneself to bright light can help the body adjust to a new schedule.
✨Reflection: Do you usually exercise in the morning or evening?
#Exercise #Morning #Health #Workout #Routine #Habits #Wellness
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@innateJoy9602
I've been a Fitness Instructor for the past almost 12 years... and have Always taught my classes during the late afternoon. (430-5:30 timeframe).
I am by far NOT a morning person by ANY means! I tend to like my workouts after Noon-time. And would for the most part workout in any class that I could find that was between the hours of 12noon-5:30pm........I found that anything before those hours was way too early, and anything after for me was just too late and ran into dinner time.
Now that I no longer work full-time, and have my mornings open, the classes that I like to attend are in the early mornings. Its definitely not by choice or preference that I attend during the mornings. However these are when the classes are offered. So I find that I force myself to get up and attend.
One thing I do like is that once I'm up, there and done with the classes, that I'm glad that I went and got it over and done with. But, my body has to adjust for that early "get-up" and I find that I have to nap a few hours later because I start to feel sluggish.
@PoliteOcean
It can definitely be challenging to make the transition to being a morning person, it sounds like you're making progress though!
It's totally normal to feel sluggish after waking up early, especially if you're not used to it. But, I think it's great you're putting in that effort to do so.
I find that naps can be little power boosters. :)💜
