Comments on: Work It Out In The Morning, Or At Night? http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/ Culturally Sound Tools, Tips, and Advice Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:41:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tee http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-158881 Tee Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:32:27 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-158881 I love doing both.I work out at my lunch by walking 2 to 2.5 miles. I get an hour for lunch so this helps to boost my energy. Then After work I hit the weights with 20 minutes of cardio. This helps to end my day on a good note. Working out in the morning has been very challenging for me. Im just being lazy, lol want to sleep in. I love doing both.I work out at my lunch by walking 2 to 2.5 miles. I get an hour for lunch so this helps to boost my energy. Then After work I hit the weights with 20 minutes of cardio. This helps to end my day on a good note. Working out in the morning has been very challenging for me. Im just being lazy, lol want to sleep in.

]]> By: Lorrie http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-72208 Lorrie Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:25:40 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-72208 I workout between 5-7 days a week. The goal is always 7 but with 3 boys of which 2 are teenagers that doesnt always happen. I do strength training, swimming, I used to do step aerobics (not so much anymore), interval run & walk on the treadmill and elipticle machines. I take my boys with me to the gym, my oldest has his own membership (that I pay for because his health is worth my investment) and we workout for an hour or two. My youngest boy I have him focus on cardio but of course because he is a boy he wants to do weights but he is a bit young for that...lol. The oldest stays on that darn basketball court - he lives there, and my middle son loves to swim (and spends most of his time on his brand new birthday bicycle! It is a professional bike built for speed and made locally with environmentally friendly products - if thats even possible...lol, it sounds good though). So the gym offers many workout options I always change up my routine and utilize the on-site trainers when I feel my workout is becoming too easy. Right now, I have been told I need to lay off the cardio and focus more on strength training so for the last month or two I eased myself into a good weight strengthening routine. I was already strong so it didnt take long to hit a plateau. I was doing 5 reps of 10 slowly to feel the burn (but it stopped burning..lol) so starting today I am to begin doing 3 reps of 10 with heavier weight combined with lock holds. My goal is to graduate to the stair master machine AND to finally one day commit to spin class for one month (twice a week) straight just to see if I would get any results. The trainer said I also need to begin doing lunges! I am not quite mentally ready for that but my core strength is there now, so I have no excuse. When I was working late mornings I would workout in the morning and evening but now only evening - I am not a morning person, but my goal is to get up at 6am and workout for 20 minutes in morning before work. I also like the idea of walking the neighborhood after dinner. Unfortunately for me, I do not like the neighborhood we live in currently so we try to go the gym in the evenings after dinner most of the time....whoo, that was a mouth full. I workout between 5-7 days a week. The goal is always 7 but with 3 boys of which 2 are teenagers that doesnt always happen. I do strength training, swimming, I used to do step aerobics (not so much anymore), interval run & walk on the treadmill and elipticle machines. I take my boys with me to the gym, my oldest has his own membership (that I pay for because his health is worth my investment) and we workout for an hour or two. My youngest boy I have him focus on cardio but of course because he is a boy he wants to do weights but he is a bit young for that…lol. The oldest stays on that darn basketball court – he lives there, and my middle son loves to swim (and spends most of his time on his brand new birthday bicycle! It is a professional bike built for speed and made locally with environmentally friendly products – if thats even possible…lol, it sounds good though). So the gym offers many workout options I always change up my routine and utilize the on-site trainers when I feel my workout is becoming too easy. Right now, I have been told I need to lay off the cardio and focus more on strength training so for the last month or two I eased myself into a good weight strengthening routine. I was already strong so it didnt take long to hit a plateau. I was doing 5 reps of 10 slowly to feel the burn (but it stopped burning..lol) so starting today I am to begin doing 3 reps of 10 with heavier weight combined with lock holds. My goal is to graduate to the stair master machine AND to finally one day commit to spin class for one month (twice a week) straight just to see if I would get any results. The trainer said I also need to begin doing lunges! I am not quite mentally ready for that but my core strength is there now, so I have no excuse. When I was working late mornings I would workout in the morning and evening but now only evening – I am not a morning person, but my goal is to get up at 6am and workout for 20 minutes in morning before work. I also like the idea of walking the neighborhood after dinner. Unfortunately for me, I do not like the neighborhood we live in currently so we try to go the gym in the evenings after dinner most of the time….whoo, that was a mouth full.

]]> By: Morgan B http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-69321 Morgan B Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:46:13 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-69321 Right now I'm in grad school and I have a part time job as a cashier. During the week and on Saturdays, I like to get my workout in first thing in the morning before work and school because after class in the evening I just want to come home and unwind (though I am finding I need to pull myself away from the TV more when coming home, but that's another story)..Fridays and Sundays I usually go in the evening to the gym..really its about just getting in for me! Right now I’m in grad school and I have a part time job as a cashier. During the week and on Saturdays, I like to get my workout in first thing in the morning before work and school because after class in the evening I just want to come home and unwind (though I am finding I need to pull myself away from the TV more when coming home, but that’s another story)..Fridays and Sundays I usually go in the evening to the gym..really its about just getting in for me!

]]> By: Erika http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-10085 Erika Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:04:17 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-10085 It sure can - think in terms of "first thing" and "last thing." :) It sure can – think in terms of “first thing” and “last thing.” :)

]]> By: Causticstorm http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-10023 Causticstorm Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:16:40 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-10023 What about those of us who wake up at like..4pm, because we went to bed around 8-9am? (I work third shift). Does it matter if you do it when you wake up? Can 4pm be my 'morning'? What about those of us who wake up at like..4pm, because we went to bed around 8-9am? (I work third shift). Does it matter if you do it when you wake up? Can 4pm be my ‘morning’?

]]> By: Erika http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-9653 Erika Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:27:30 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-9653 I don't know.. I think it depends on one's day. What works best for me won't always work best for the next person, you know? As for this "losing muscle mass/activate your fat cells" business, I'm inclined to call that a myth. Not only does it sound impractical in comparison to how the body is built to function (being active causes you to <em>lose</em> the stuff that makes activity easier?), but the idea that fat cells need to be "activated" in order to do their jobs (which is serve as an energy source) sounds a bit far-fetched to me. I, personally, do cardio after my weights but that has more to do with the fact that I don't want to be cardio-sweaty all on the weight machines. I prefer to leave cardio and head straight for a shower. LOL You'll find lots of differing opinions on the topic, but as far as using "how the body works" as the foundation for such? I'd prefer that we keep it as accurate as possible. That just doesn't look accurate to me. I'm pasting a couple of different resources below to take a look at, but as far as your body needing "activation" to do its job.. I'd need to see some other solid information before I embraced that. Be sure to pay special attention to this: <em>"You start using protein (perhaps from muscle, as well as other amino-acid-containing components in the body) for energy under extreme conditions such as starvation and at the tail end of long, hard endurance events where carb stores are in short supply. The average person who works out does not need to worry about this."</em> - [<a href="http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100138677" rel="nofollow">source</a>] Resources: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/satter2.htm http://weighttraining.about.com/od/techniquesandstrategies/a/cardio_weights.htm http://weighttraining.about.com/od/fatlossweighttraining/a/fat_burn.htm http://www.creators.com/health/joe-weider/mixing-cardio-and-weightlifting.html http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100138677 I don’t know.. I think it depends on one’s day. What works best for me won’t always work best for the next person, you know?

As for this “losing muscle mass/activate your fat cells” business, I’m inclined to call that a myth. Not only does it sound impractical in comparison to how the body is built to function (being active causes you to lose the stuff that makes activity easier?), but the idea that fat cells need to be “activated” in order to do their jobs (which is serve as an energy source) sounds a bit far-fetched to me.

I, personally, do cardio after my weights but that has more to do with the fact that I don’t want to be cardio-sweaty all on the weight machines. I prefer to leave cardio and head straight for a shower. LOL

You’ll find lots of differing opinions on the topic, but as far as using “how the body works” as the foundation for such? I’d prefer that we keep it as accurate as possible. That just doesn’t look accurate to me. I’m pasting a couple of different resources below to take a look at, but as far as your body needing “activation” to do its job.. I’d need to see some other solid information before I embraced that. Be sure to pay special attention to this:

“You start using protein (perhaps from muscle, as well as other amino-acid-containing components in the body) for energy under extreme conditions such as starvation and at the tail end of long, hard endurance events where carb stores are in short supply. The average person who works out does not need to worry about this.” – [source]

Resources:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/satter2.htm
http://weighttraining.about.com/od/techniquesandstrategies/a/cardio_weights.htm
http://weighttraining.about.com/od/fatlossweighttraining/a/fat_burn.htm
http://www.creators.com/health/joe-weider/mixing-cardio-and-weightlifting.html
http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100138677

]]> By: Felicia http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-9650 Felicia Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:24:31 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-9650 I enjoy working out in the evening. I agree that both options, morning or night are good, but if you trying to lose weight, I think in the evening is better. I stretch first, hit the weights (increasing resistance weekly), then do up to 500 calories of cardio. I had to work my way up to burning 500 calories but if you are just joining the gym 200 calories is fine. People ask me why I do weights first then cardio and does it matter. My answer is yes it does matter. Our muscles have fat stored in and around them. Fat cells need to be activated and the only way they are activated is if your muscles tell them to. Once your fat cells are activated, then your body is able to burn fat utilizing weight lifting and cardio. So if you do cardio first, you wont burn any fat, you will actually be losing muscle mass. I enjoy working out in the evening. I agree that both options, morning or night are good, but if you trying to lose weight, I think in the evening is better. I stretch first, hit the weights (increasing resistance weekly), then do up to 500 calories of cardio. I had to work my way up to burning 500 calories but if you are just joining the gym 200 calories is fine. People ask me why I do weights first then cardio and does it matter. My answer is yes it does matter. Our muscles have fat stored in and around them. Fat cells need to be activated and the only way they are activated is if your muscles tell them to. Once your fat cells are activated, then your body is able to burn fat utilizing weight lifting and cardio. So if you do cardio first, you wont burn any fat, you will actually be losing muscle mass.

]]> By: colette http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-3499 colette Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:56:44 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-3499 I am a early bird. I've done the kickboxing and such but always had a reason not to go to class. Well I've hit 200 lbs and don't like it so I got me a personal one on one trainer. We meet twice a week at 6:30am and do a 45 minutes workout; I've gone organic on a few choices and am working my way up to better eating; and I am trying (really hard) to go to the gym the other days. My goal is for September to shed many of these pounds and inches...but I'm already stronger and can see it when I am planking and such! Tks I am a early bird. I’ve done the kickboxing and such but always had a reason not to go to class. Well I’ve hit 200 lbs and don’t like it so I got me a personal one on one trainer. We meet twice a week at 6:30am and do a 45 minutes workout; I’ve gone organic on a few choices and am working my way up to better eating; and I am trying (really hard) to go to the gym the other days. My goal is for September to shed many of these pounds and inches…but I’m already stronger and can see it when I am planking and such! Tks

]]> By: PixelFish http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-1107 PixelFish Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:36:48 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-1107 Working out when you can is good when you first get started. After a while you start noticing the tangible benefits. I know not everybody's body chemistry is the same, and I may be one of the lucky ones who does feel the elusive "runner's high"....it helped me to work out mid-day when I was battling depression, since I knew that once a day, I was going to be feeling completely awesome. Mid-day workouts also can help recharge the creative juices at a job. I'd workout during lunch and grab a protein drink and some fruit afterwards. Working out when you can is good when you first get started. After a while you start noticing the tangible benefits.

I know not everybody’s body chemistry is the same, and I may be one of the lucky ones who does feel the elusive “runner’s high”….it helped me to work out mid-day when I was battling depression, since I knew that once a day, I was going to be feeling completely awesome. Mid-day workouts also can help recharge the creative juices at a job. I’d workout during lunch and grab a protein drink and some fruit afterwards.

]]> By: Tonda http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-824 Tonda Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:28:09 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-824 I work out in the am, it's the least busy time of day however if I've had a poor nights sleep I will try to get it in in the evenings. I work out in the am, it’s the least busy time of day however if I’ve had a poor nights sleep I will try to get it in in the evenings.

]]> By: Lisa http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-799 Lisa Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:25:19 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-799 I much prefer to work out in the evenings, but with school, I am going to have to reconfigure my life. Right now I'm very busy so I've had to focus much harder on my diet, but I am dedicating myself back to the gym and a regular course of working out when this semester is over. I much prefer to work out in the evenings, but with school, I am going to have to reconfigure my life. Right now I’m very busy so I’ve had to focus much harder on my diet, but I am dedicating myself back to the gym and a regular course of working out when this semester is over.

]]> By: Frankie1882 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-766 Frankie1882 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:23:06 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-766 I'm not a morning person. I pretty much wake up with just enough time to get ready for work, then I'm out. I used to work overnight, and I already had a hard time sleeping during the day, so I didn't get much sleep. But if I wake up 2 or 3 hours before I have to actually be at work, I'm sleepy again by the time it's time for me to get ready for work. So I like to work off the stress of the day at the end. But my question is, is it better to do cardio first, or strength-training/weights first? I've seen arguments for both sides. I’m not a morning person. I pretty much wake up with just enough time to get ready for work, then I’m out. I used to work overnight, and I already had a hard time sleeping during the day, so I didn’t get much sleep. But if I wake up 2 or 3 hours before I have to actually be at work, I’m sleepy again by the time it’s time for me to get ready for work.

So I like to work off the stress of the day at the end.

But my question is, is it better to do cardio first, or strength-training/weights first? I’ve seen arguments for both sides.

]]> By: BAnjeeB http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-759 BAnjeeB Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:55:29 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-759 I like to workout in the morning. I'm an early riser by nature, and I like the early morning crowd more than the evening crew. I have a mental block when it comes to doing a workouts in the evening. However, I have recently incorporated yoga into my routine and that class is in the evening. I find it easier to go to a class than do my own workout after work. I like to workout in the morning. I’m an early riser by nature, and I like the early morning crowd more than the evening crew. I have a mental block when it comes to doing a workouts in the evening. However, I have recently incorporated yoga into my routine and that class is in the evening. I find it easier to go to a class than do my own workout after work.

]]> By: Andrea (AJ) Plaid http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-757 Andrea (AJ) Plaid Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:56:57 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-757 See, I'm the opposite: I love working out after work. It allows me to recenter myself after a day in the office, where I deal with fools all day. I burn off that energy by doing hatha-based yoga for 30 minutes when I get home or taking tango/milonga lessons after work. Been doing that--along with watching what and how much I eat--since January. To date, I've lost 10 lbs. and am in 6 lbs. of my weight goal! See, I’m the opposite: I love working out after work. It allows me to recenter myself after a day in the office, where I deal with fools all day. I burn off that energy by doing hatha-based yoga for 30 minutes when I get home or taking tango/milonga lessons after work. Been doing that–along with watching what and how much I eat–since January. To date, I’ve lost 10 lbs. and am in 6 lbs. of my weight goal!

]]> By: ChellBellz http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-756 ChellBellz Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:55:57 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-756 I'm training myself to wake up @ 5...I get the clock to go off, but now I'm starting to nap until 5:30...I really need to get to bed at a decent time. I’m training myself to wake up @ 5…I get the clock to go off, but now I’m starting to nap until 5:30…I really need to get to bed at a decent time.

]]> By: cici http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-755 cici Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:45:57 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-755 It just depends. Some times I love waking up early and working out because it fuels me for the rest of my day. Sometimes I just like to take a walk in the morning because it helps my creativity. Then other times I enjoy the evening work outs because they are great stress relievers. The walk after a long day is great for reflections. I love doing two-a-days when I have the time. Working out is the easiest, best 'high' that we can give our bodies. It just depends. Some times I love waking up early and working out because it fuels me for the rest of my day. Sometimes I just like to take a walk in the morning because it helps my creativity. Then other times I enjoy the evening work outs because they are great stress relievers. The walk after a long day is great for reflections. I love doing two-a-days when I have the time. Working out is the easiest, best ‘high’ that we can give our bodies.

]]> By: DazzlingRayn http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-754 DazzlingRayn Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:32:56 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-754 PhluffyPrincess, that's exactly why I like going first thing in the morning. Nothing will get in my way! I would love to have the time to go twice in a day. Maybe this summer? What a novel idea to try to schedule your day around your workouts and not the other way around... PhluffyPrincess, that’s exactly why I like going first thing in the morning. Nothing will get in my way! I would love to have the time to go twice in a day. Maybe this summer? What a novel idea to try to schedule your day around your workouts and not the other way around…

]]> By: Randi http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-753 Randi Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:28 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-753 I used to work out at night all the time mainly because it was so hard to wake up. A few weeks ago I switched to working out in the mornings twice a week just to get a feel for it. Well guess what? I love it. I feel like I have my whole day ahead of me and my night routine of helping my kids with their homework & cooking is less hectic. The only thing is 3 days of waking up by 6 is more than enough. More than that and my body just can;t function. So I am in agreement they both have their benefits and it's all what works for you. I used to work out at night all the time mainly because it was so hard to wake up. A few weeks ago I switched to working out in the mornings twice a week just to get a feel for it. Well guess what? I love it. I feel like I have my whole day ahead of me and my night routine of helping my kids with their homework & cooking is less hectic.

The only thing is 3 days of waking up by 6 is more than enough. More than that and my body just can;t function.

So I am in agreement they both have their benefits and it’s all what works for you.

]]> By: PhluffyPrincess http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/work-it-out-in-the-morning-or-at-night/#comment-751 PhluffyPrincess Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:59:43 +0000 http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/?p=787#comment-751 I've finally gotten past my "i hate mornings" mindset and began to work out in the mornings. i love getting it out of the way and not risking being "too busy, tired, hungry, lazy" later. i keep telling myself i can always do another session in the evenings as bonus but i haven't gotten there yet! lol. I’ve finally gotten past my “i hate mornings” mindset and began to work out in the mornings. i love getting it out of the way and not risking being “too busy, tired, hungry, lazy” later. i keep telling myself i can always do another session in the evenings as bonus but i haven’t gotten there yet! lol.

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