Get Outside for Early Morning Workouts

Research has shown that people who exercise in the morning are more successful at weight loss than those who do not. The reasoning for this may be as simple as this: Those who exercise in the morning actually do it.

Even if you do not consider yourself a “morning person,” once you establish a new routine, you may be surprised at how good it feels to check “exercise” off your to-do list so easily. By scheduling your walk, run, or weight lifting in the morning, you are able to fit it into your day before the activities of the day take over. It allows you to be more consistent with your goal to exercise 3-5 days a week. Another bonus: only one shower needed.

Here are some quick tips to get you into a new routine:

~ Set your alarm. The first few times your alarm rings at 5:30 am will be tough, so do some things to make it easier. Have your clothes ready the night before so there is minimal effort going into getting dressed. Splash some cool water onto your face. As you slowly put your clothes on, trudge over to the sink and wash your face and rinse it with cool water.

~ Allow enough time to ‘wake-up.’ While it sounds like a better idea to jump out of bed five minutes before you leave the house, it is better to give your body a little time to stretch. Walk around the house, move a little, stretch, and you will feel better when you begin your warm up.

~ Find a friend. Meeting someone will help you stick with your goals. Whether you are driving to the gym or running to meet a friend at a halfway point, this strategy helps you stick with it. It makes it more fun too.

~ Start now. Summer is a great time to enjoy the morning. You will feel so accomplished the first day you complete your exercise routine before 7am!

Take advantage of daylight and get outdoors as much as possible. While the treadmill is a great rainy day alternative, studies show that people burn more calories walking or jogging outdoors, in natural terrain.


About the blogger:

Rust is a licensed, registered dietitian and nutrition coach who has a private practice in Meadville (http://www.rustnutrition.com/). She is a nutrition instructor for Penn State’s World Campus and a licensed provider for Real Living Nutrition Services®. For more information about her online weight loss counseling and nutrition coaching service, visit her Web page at http://www.rosannerust.com/ or contact her at Rosanne@rustnutrition.com.