If you aim to look slim, you can follow a diet plan for weight loss. And now, you can consult even the best dietitian online from wherever you are. Along with a diet plan, exercising regularly is also crucial. But the question is, when is the best time to exercise?

Obesity, a research journal, recently published stating that exercising early morning, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. can help manage your weight better. In addition, exercising during this time in the morning is more effective in reducing your waist size and body mass index than exercising in the midday or evening.

Tongyu Ma, a research assistant professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University says, “If we choose to exercise in the early morning before we eat, we can potentially lose more weight compared to exercise at other times of the day.”

Tongyu Ma made the above statement when he and his team used two years of data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that recorded the lifestyle, eating, and exercise habits of over 5,200 individuals (aged 20 years old and above) from 2003 to 2006. The participants of the study wore accelerometers to track their activities.

The data revealed that people who exercised moderately or vigorously in the morning had an average BMI of 27.5 compared to those who exercised in the afternoon or evening had an average 28.31 BMI. In tandem with a healthy diet and optimum calorie intake, the waist sizes were 37.7 inches, 38.5 inches, and 38.4 inches, for those who exercised in the morning, midday, and evening, respectively.

These results were true for every individual, irrespective of gender, alcohol intake, tobacco usage, education, or ethnicity.

Why Morning is Considered to be the Best Time for Exercise?

There have been several studies that explored the ideal time of the day for exercising. Various reasons explain why exercising in the morning is most beneficial and these are:

While exercising in the morning has physiological benefits, there’s a psychological reason too. When you’re busy, it is very convenient to compromise on your self-care routine. “I’ll skip exercising today because I have lots on my plate” is your first and last thought. But if exercising is the first thing you do in the morning, you will continue to do it everyday, consistently.

Exercising in the morning generally implies doing it before eating anything. If this is the case, it can also help reduce your body weight. When you’re asleep at night, your body is fasting. Hence, exercising before breakfast can help burn fat more effectively. The best part is that the effects of morning exercise also stay for a longer time.

Exercising in the morning means you can work out under the sun. This can have a significant impact on your circadian rhythm, regulating your sleep-wake cycle properly. Moreover, you can also receive a healthy dose of vitamin D, keeping your bones strong in the long run.

Morning workouts can be more convenient as you can complete your exercise routine before other daily commitments arise. As a result, you can better manage your time and avoid conflicts in your schedule.

Regular morning exercises also contribute to a high energy level, keeping you alert and energetic throughout the day.

To lose weight, exercising in the morning is not the only thing you need to do. You must also follow a proper weight loss diet plan for which you can consult the best dietitian online. You will receive a comprehensive diet chart that comprises the food items, calorie intake, and portion sizes you need to adhere to for effective weight management.

The whole idea behind losing weight is modifying your lifestyle habits. By combining the right weight loss plan with exercise, you can achieve the ideal body weight and maintain good health.

If morning exercise is not your cup of tea, don’t panic. Ross Andersen, a professor of medicine, nutrition, and exercise physiology at McGill University in Montreal, says “The best time of day for people who are exercising is the time of the day they like to do it. I wouldn’t dictate that people exercise in the morning if they really don’t like exercising in the morning, but if they are indifferent, I would recommend the morning so they get it in.”

Exercising in the morning is an effective way to control your weight. Researchers have also noted that morning exercisers have a comparatively lower calorie intake and continue to expend more energy even when they’re resting. The reason behind this is that exercising in the morning on an empty stomach implies your body will be using stored fat for energy instead of stored glucose from food. Consequently, morning exercisers experience more fat oxidation and burning during exercise and even post-workout. Furthermore, it becomes easier to manage your weight when you follow a healthy diet plan.

Need help in maintaining a healthy body weight? Connect with the best dietitians online at Food & Wellness. We specialize in clinical nutrition and dietetics and offer specialized weight loss programs catering to every individual’s unique needs. From the most appropriate exercises to lifestyle modifications, our online diet consultation for weight loss encompasses all the crucial details to help improve your condition. Book an appointment!