And the reason I chose the number 7…

As a woman of faith, It is essential that I pray before I do anything.  When I began thinking about why I like to work out in the Morning, I wanted to provide a substantial amount of reasons.  I know that in the Bible, the number 7 represents the number of completion.  As an advocate for healthy living, I’d like to feel “complete” in all I do each day.  Therefore, I chose to list 7 reasons it is so nice to work out in the morning.

1. Your work out is done for the day

Yes!  You did it, just like that, and now you don’t have to think about whether or not you will get in your daily workout.  When you get off of work, you can go ahead and focus on other things that you need to do or you can just relax.  If you have children, you can help with homework, take them to their activities, fix dinner, bath, etc. without having to feel as if you just “can’t make it to the gym” because of so many things that need to get done.  Even if you do not have children, there are always things that need to get done, homework, activities, fix dinner, bath, etc.  Now that you have done your work out, the possibilities of getting everything else done is even more achievable.

2. You have more energy throughout the day

Whenever I work out in the morning, I have more energy throughout the day!  According to Dr. Cedric X. Bryant, PhD Chief Exercise Physiologist of the American Council on Exercise, “You set the day’s pace.”  I don’t know about you, but for me, if I start my day off feeling good and full of energy, the rest of my day tends to go extremely better, even with daily setbacks, frustrations, or disappointments.  I notice that my energy level tends to stay up for much longer whenever I work out in the morning.

3. You can deal with daily stress much better

Just like having more energy throughout the day, whenever I work out in the morning, I am able to handle daily stress much better.  I’m not sure if it’s just the thought that I know that at least I accomplished one thing I set out to do that day, or if it’s the endorphins that have been released.  Either way, I just know that I can deal with so much more when I exercise in the morning.

4. You have a sense of accomplishment that stays with you

It feels good to know that you have accomplished something that you have set out to do.  When you work out in the morning, you have that “feel good” sense all day.  Right along with dealing with stress much better, having a sense of accomplishment does wonders for your work day and for your life in general.  Accomplishments lead to confidence.  If you are feeling confident in one area of your life, it tends to spill over to multiple areas.

5. Morning exercise improves sleep

Now, I will admit, I do love my evening workouts too, however, I do find it more difficult to settle down and fall asleep after a hardcore kickboxing class or dance party.  Dr. Bryant found in a research that “the evening exercisers had more trouble falling asleep.”  We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep.  There are also studies that show that lack of sleep can cause weight gain.

6. You tend to make healthier choices throughout the day

When I work out in the morning, I know that I need to fuel my body with healthy food, therefore I eat a healthy breakfast after I come from the gym.   I also tend to eat better in general on those days.  Perhaps knowing that I have started off on the right track, I want to stay on that track, more so than on days when I did not begin with a work out in the morning.

7. Working out in the morning enhances brain function

Exercise any time of the day Enhances Brain Function, however, doing it in the morning increases your ability to perform better with your daily activities. You ever notice how much more clearer things become and how well you perform in other areas of your life after you have exercised?  Well, just think of how much more you will accomplish if you get these juices flowing first thing in the morning.

In conclusion,  exercise is of course a vital part of healthy living and should be done on a regular basis to live better, be healthier, and improve your overall well-being.  Consider these 7 reasons to work out in the morning.  Your mind, body, and soul will thank you!