Most people I talk with are astonished that I wake up so darn early to exercise.   The reasons I like to exercise early are numerous but I’m going to give you my top 4 silly reasons you should exercise in the morning.

It Sets The Tone

If you start your day out by moving your body and doing something healthy, you have set the intention for a healthy day.  Exercise begets healthier eating and a conscious effort at doing right by your body.   Look at it on the flip side.  Have you ever had a night out where you perhaps overindulged in the chardonnay or margaritas?  Remember how bad you felt the next day, how tired, how puffy?  When you were feeling like this I’m sure a healthy meal of yogurt and berries was the farthest from your mind.  More likely you craved Taco Bell or a hearty pancake breakfast with butter and syrup.   Same goes for exercise.

It’s Dark Outside

There is a certain comfort of exercising in the dark before the world is awake.  You don’t have to worry about what you look  like in your spandex, if your hair is combed or your teeth are brushed.  Even if you venture inside a gym for your workouts there’s only you and about 4 other sleep-deprived people in there and no one cares what you look like.  Heck, the times I hit the gym at 4:30am there front desk guy isn’t even at the front desk.   I figure he’s napping in the aerobics room.

Get ‘er Done

Studies have shown that early morning exercisers are more successful, long term, at maintaining an exercise program.  Why?  They get it out of the way early, before the ‘to do list’ or family needs of the day crowd it out.   If you doubt me on this one, try planning an after work exercise session.   How’s that working out for you?

It’s Nature’s Caffeine

Exercise is a natural pick-me-up!  Once you are up about your body will awaken, your mind will clear and you’ll be ready to face the day when you return from your run, the gym or the pool.   If you must have our coffee before you exercise (as I do) ready your coffee pot the night before and figure out the timer so that when your feet hit the carpet your joe is brewing!

So set your alarm an hour earlier and get your butt out of bed.   While it may take you a few weeks to get used to your new early schedule, I promise that you’ll get used to it.

Now go run!

Keli 🙂