Yeah, so who has two thumbs and actually dragged herself out of bed at 4:45 A.M. to run before work this morning? Yep...you guessed it....THIS GIRL!
I love working out first thing in the morning. During the summer there is no better way to get my day started than with an early-morning run to watch the world waking up while beating the insufferable heat here in the South. I love the feeling of accomplishment of doing something just for me, first thing in the morning.....and what's more....I love the energy and enthusiasm I have as I tackle my schedule for the remainder of the day. Whether that schedule includes yard work or just sitting around all day watching Golden Girls, it's summer so it matters not!
However, when it comes to getting my workout in first thing during the school year, I struggle. And I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one. It doesn't really seem to matter if I go to bed earlier, if I eat better, or even if I have a great night's sleep. When that alarm goes off I begin to remember every reason I have to sleep an extra half-hour. And that reasoning most generally wins out. And it IS only a half-hour. In the entire scheme of things, it's not genuinely going to make a bit of difference in my level of fatigue for the remainder of the day. But....BUT....that sleep is such an amazing temptress and usually wins out. My will-power, most generally, only goes so far. Even common-sense reasoning is no match for a few extra minutes of sleep.
Most of us know that exercising in the morning has benefits that will affect the rest of our day. Getting your sweat on first thing will enable you to make more room for a busy schedule or tap into a higher level of energy throughout your day so that you can maximize your potential to kick booty at work and home. However, the benefits of that predawn workout can affect your body in other ways, too. Did you know that exercising in the morning, first thing, before breakfast (this is technically called a "fasting state") can affect the chemical mumbo-jumbo going on in your body so that your lean-mean-running-machine will absorb less fat throughout the course of the day? Yeah....read it here....check it out: Training In Fasted State -- NIH. I'd count that as an absolute bonus! Another benefit of that early morning sweat-fest is your ability to perform at a higher level throughout the remainder of the day. Increased energy is one thing, but studies have also shown that, "...exercising in the morning enhances other aspects of your life, for example your mental awareness and alertness," according to Assistant Professor Kym Guelfi, and exercise physiologist at the University of Western Australia.
Even if I can't get myself to kick the covers off and roll out of the bed and into my running shoes every day, I simply LOVE the days on which I do. I feel like the best me in all aspects of my life, and that's really not a lie or exaggeration. So, for today, I'm gonna harness the power and hope I can wake up and do it all again tomorrow!
| On a Beach....That Would Rock Even More! |
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