Hi there im new to the times health club and i am just starting a new overdue fitness regime.

I was wondering if it was best time to exercise before breakfast as between work and family this is the only time i get to myself.

If it's the only time you get to yourself, and you're happy to exercise, then yes it's the best time!

I couldn't manage anything before brekkie (as I get up early so I can beat rush hour on the M62) but I don't think I have the motivation... I much prefer to exercise in the evenings whilst watching tv!

I think there's one thing you just have to remember - Some is better than None!

Good luck!

Becky

Matt Roberts has written an article on fitting exercise into daily life and I'm sure I've read another one by him on whether the time of day matters, but I can't find it on this site.

Becky's advice is spot on - some is better than none.

Hi Christopher,

It is tough to find this time spot and do something for yourself but I wonder if you analyse your day, and also think of what you are doing not as 'selfish' as me time sounds but something to benefit your family (after all we assume they want you around fit and healthy for as long as possible!) could you find a better time.

I am no expert but in a sporting/active family have tried to find out what we should eat when around increased activity.

I say that because if you think about the body's needs, before breakfast it has been starved (fasted) for maybe up to 12 hours depending on your eating/sleeping/waking habits.

And also depending on what you are doing in your fitness regime, but likely you are calling on your muscles to produce output. They need carbohydrates to do that.

So, cut a long post short.

If it really is the only time, can you try splitting your breakfast, having a small carb (banana/bread roll/porridge) and juice/water 20 mins before your regime, then small portion of protein (cheese, egg, cooked meat) immediately after

You muscles will try and burn lean body tissue withou a carb feed and this could be counter productive.

If you follow your programme at or from home, try 3 x 20 minutes sessions. run/walk/cycle/

Don't know if this helps.

Good luck

Hi Carol,

I like your idea about splitting the breakfast into two small meals. I normally have porridge and then wait for an hour before I climb onto the exercise bike or I exercise first thing and then eat breakfast - I have never been quite happy with either.

Thanks for the info - will try it out tomorrow.


Jan

Hi Jan,

I think so long as you DO exercise it doesn't matter so much when -- perhaps try a few different times of day and see what feels best for you?

I've tried pre-breakfast exercise in the past and it always makes me incredibly sleepy around 11am. Not good when I was a student and had lectures, and not good now I'm working in tech support either!

Good luck, and whenever you choose to exercise, make it a regular habit.

Ali

Bit weird this - I didn't start this thread. Seems like a little bugette...

Ah, I see there are two of us!

Exercising before breakfast burns more fat, but without eating you (perhaps) lack the same amount of energy so might not work as hard or as long, meaning overall you will burn less calories.

Try and eat something small and light beforehand if you can (diluted fruit juice, handful of raisins etc). Be guided by how you feel - some people need to eat first, some don't. I've got very used to running before eating but it doesn't suit everyone.

Hello everyone! I swim for 45 minutes every weekday morning and never eat beforehand. I have tried it, but felt quite squeamish. I do go straight from the pool to have some toast and tea then have a walk - yes, I am retired now! I do know people who eat before excercising, so I expect it depends on the individual.
Jeannie

I am with Jeannie, I love early morning exercise but if I eat first I am usually sick.

I love the early morning peace and quiet before the kids get up and when there are less people around to see me puffing panting and looking extremely red in the face

Decided to drag myself out of a nice warm bed a bit earlier than normal, and go for a swim before going to work. Once I was up, finished phaffing around and got their I quite enjoyed it. I enjoyed it that much I'm thinking of starting to go a couple of times a week. It's just the thought of getting up early and going that takes the effort.

Believe me, it's a lot easier this time of year

It's lovely first thing in the morning in spring and summer - and you'll get the opportunity to get used to it before the cold dark and frosty mornings return:!!

And you need to defrost the car, I wouldn't fancy walkinf the 8 miles on a dark unlit country road. Even if it is a main road, it can be bad enough at the best of times.

The earlier in the day you exercise - usually the better. But remember the only thing you need to take notice of is that:

So long as you exercise it doesnt really matter when (so long as it is not tomorrow!!!)

JENNIFER

For sure, Jennifer, tomorrow never comes!

I find before breakfast works best for me. I have to leave it a good 1.5 hours after if I don't want a repeating taste (if you get my drift).

It also works for me if I schedule in my diary, like an appointment. I reckoned that I wouldn't skip a meeting/lunch etc, so why would I do it for exercise.

I really do believe, overall, it's what works for you in terms of the lifestyle you have....

Have to admit I prefer exercising in the morning as it just gets it out of the way, and it is very easy to make an excuse in the evening as to why I shouldn't go to the gym.

Matt Roberts wrote a feature for Body&Soul on What's the best time of day to exercise? - If you click on the Times Health Club Library button, you will find the article under the Matt Roberts heading.

Hope it helps,

Emma

Chris D - would be great to hear how you are getting on - give us an update we'd love to know.

JENNIFER

And - just for the record - I train all over the place sometime before work - some late evening. Depends when I can fit it in.

I know this is an old thread but I thought I'd add my £0.02

As someone who has one of the slowest metabolisms in the world ever I find doing a workout before breakfast yields fantastic results. It gets the metabolism going in a big way. The problems are being bothered to get up early enough to do it and being really wired all day afterwards.

If I could drag myself to the gym for 7 am each time I think I'd have lost a stone more than I have.

If I hit a plateau in weight loss it's the first thing I try.


J

I know exactly what you mean Julian. I have found the same to be true.
My problem though is I always wake early. (only need 4-5hrs sleep) but find it hard to get out of bed when dark which leaves little time before work to exercise.
Just think I awake around 4-5am. I could be running 5 miles every morning if I could only get my bum out of bed.

Carol

You should try morning exercise Carol just once and you will probably be converted. I have done a lot of runs early am about 7 when there is no traffic no dogs or people and you then have that virtuous feeling! I am a morning person and when I run in the afternoon the effect is never as good.

hello all,
I have been hearing a lot on this topic lately; most say mornings are good for exercise. They say it kick starts the metabolism and gives the brain a good start as well.

I know what you mean about getting up early enough for it, I keep trying to fit it in. Does anyone experience being very tired after dinner? Does this mean I am eating the wrong foods or something? I just started back to work full time, rather than part time; it is taking its toll in being tired!

live a clean life....air cleaner

Hi Lara
It sounds as if you might have a lot on your plate with working full time. So get used to the new arrangement may be fit exercise in at the weekends? I am not surprised that you are tired after dinner. At this time of the year I feel like hibernating at night!

Me too Pippa - I definitely evolved from something that hibernates - hence the ease with which I gain weight as well - it's the winter fuel store.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Had 9 teenagers here overnight on Friday and when I got up on Sat am there was no milk, bread or anything for breakfasts so I walked the 2 miles to the shop with a rucksack on my back for milk, eggs, bacon etc. Felt very good and the morning was beautiful. That set the tone for the rest of the day!

You are very disciplined - that would have tempted most of us to get the car out, I'm sure!

That's for sure Teresa! I have a Tesco express over the road from me so am not faced with this dilemma though in Sue's situation I think I would have dragged one of said teenagers out of bed and made them go.

On second thoughts it's probably less tiring walking two miles than trying to get a teenager out of bed.

Too true - and I would not have entered their room without a gas mask!

Not an option, as to get to the shop, you have to cross a footbridge over the River South Tyne! To drive is the long way round and would actually take longer! It's actually a beautiful walk, past fields and then over the most peaceful river - you can sometimes see kingfishers and otters. So a walk to the shop is actually quite pleasant, at just a nice distance to feel you've had a walk, without taking up too much time.

That sounds lovely and I suppose if you're walking and therefore carrying shopping home it discourages you from making those heavy (and expensive) impulse purchases.

I read an article on when is the best time to exercise and apparently lung capacity is at its maximum at 4pm and therefore this is the optimum time to exercise. I a definitely agree that any exercise at any time is definitely better than no exercise and i have never found that a problem with exercising whatever time i want to whether in the morning or evening it still, for me, has the same effect. Hope this helps.