Is the Morning the Best Time to Exercise for Weight Loss?

September 4, 2019 Tim Aging & Health Comments Off on Is the Morning the Best Time to Exercise for Weight Loss?
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A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity seems to show that those who exercise in the morning lose more weight than those who exercise after 3pm.[1]

The researchers involved in this study wanted to evaluate the impact of exercise timing on weight loss, as well as energy balance.

Exercising early in the morning appears to lead to more weight loss as compared to exercising late in the day.
Exercising early in the morning appears to lead to more weight loss as compared to exercising late in the day.

The study involved many participants who completed a 10-month supervised exercise program.

The participants were split up into multiple groups – with some working out early, and others later in the day.

At the end, those who exercised before noon had lost significantly more weight, as compared to those that exercised later in the day.

The researchers official conclusion was:

“This study, combined with the results of previous studies, supports the hypothesis that engaging in morning exercise may result in more weight loss compared to engaging in a similar amount of exercise later in the day.”

Why is working out in the morning better for weight loss?

The researchers noted that those who worked out earlier seemed to be more active throughout the day – but they did not attempt to pinpoint an exact cause.

The early exercisers seemed to eat less too.

(And certainly that is the correct formula for weight loss.)

Based on this, if you are attempting to lose weight – we would recommend you work out as early in the morning as possible, on a regular basis.

But, exercise later in the day will certainly be more productive than not exercising at all!

References

1. Erik A. Willis, Seth A. Creasy, Jeffery J. Honas, Edward L. Melanson & Joseph E. Donnelly The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of energy balance: midwest exercise trial 2 International Journal of Obesity. 2019 Jul 09. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0409-x.

A personal trainer works with a client in the early morning - possibly the best time to exercise for weight loss.
A personal trainer works with a client in the early morning – possibly the best time to exercise for weight loss.

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