Start Weight: 280.4 (March 3)
Goal Weight: 260.4
Today's Weigh In: 274.4
Days to Goal (April 16): 40 remaining
Total Pounds Lost: 6 out of 20
Slowly, but surely.
One thing I've been thinking about lately is how and when I do my workouts. I do mine in the AM - but I feel like perhaps I should start getting more exercise at night. Just a thought - what's everyone's opinion on this? Does it matter WHEN you work out?
I know the two trains of thought - one is what I tended to fall under, the other I've heard often. Working out in the morning gears you up for the day. Alternatively, workout out and night lets your body work at a higher rate while you sleep. I'm not sure if I buy that it makes a difference either way, but that's what has been on my mind lately. Also, I wonder if working out at night (say, after dinner) helps the food process through your body quicker, resulting in a higher level of digestion and helping weight loss.
So these are the things I'm thinking about. Next up is trying to FIND TIME to work out a bit more. I'm not going to change my morning routine, but perhaps I can find time to do more at night. Something has to give -and although the weight came down a bit today again, it seems to be hovering. I need to do something EXTRA.
Tomorrow's the first day of spring - it can't come soon enough.
6 comments:
I know this isn't a scientific answer by any means, but...
If I switched my workouts to the AM, the chances are I'd never get up to do it. This is why I work out in the evenings. It's become a habit, and it works well for me.
Will you still feel like working out at the end of your day?
Honestly, there's only been one good study in the literature that has studied this problem, and most of it came down to when calories were ingested around the time of the workout.
I will say that working out does not help food "move through" the system faster; it may slow it down if it's too close (if your workout is too soon after you eat, not the other way around) since blood flow is redirected from the GI tract to the working muscles (hence the "stitch" people get when working out too soon after eating).
I think to each his own when working out. Some prefer it in the morning, cause then it's done and out of the way, but others (like me) prefer it in the afternoon because it just feels better. Others (like Kristen) like evenings because it just works better in the schedule, or getting up is an issue. The point is just to do it.
As for working out twice a day, it's really only feasible for a week or two before your body starts to burn out. You'll notice more tiredness, being unable to increase your weights, or go as hard at HIIT training. That's the only drawback. However, doing like you are now with a workout in the morning and some type of recreational activity at night (like your volleyball or pick-up basketball game) won't produce the same effect, and it also burns cals.
I think Kristen's question is a good one. You're already running yourself pretty thin with student teaching, work, your other activities, etc. Will you really feel like working out at the end of the day? Or will you find yourself brushing it off "for various reasons"?
I agree with what has been said. As long as you are doing it thats what counts. Maybe try switching the intensity or duration a little for variety and to shock your body. If you are doing 30 min on the elliptical then maybe do 40. Or 20 at a higher intensity. As you know loosing weight is a calories in calories out ball game. Gaining muscle is a different ball game. From your blogs it sounds like your a very active guy. You do allot more than your average joe for sure. It just seems like its got to be your diet thats slowing you down.
I generally can work out harder/ better in the afternoon or evening. I know allot of people that suggest working out in the AM in a fasted state right after you get up but I have no energy and my workouts suck. Just keep getting them in when you can.
I'm like Kristen...I would struggle sticking to the plan if I worked out in the AM. I try to get atleast 1 AM workout in a week, usually Saturday morning if I can though.
I love working out in the evening though. It gives me all day long to visualize, prepare, and get pumped to do my workouts. Although sometimes if I'm having a hectic day...then I don't feel like it...so that is the only draw back for me.
I've read a lot about the body being able to handle sugary and starchy carbs better after a workout. So that is one advantage that I look at for working out in the evening before dinner. It gives me the opportunity to be a bit more open to what I can eat for dinner. Don't get me wrong though, I don't use it as an excuse to eat 3 baked potatoes and an ice cream cone for dinner.
But the whole carbs thing is dependent on your exact nutrition plan. I'm not eating low carb, but I try to save the non-fruit and veggie carbs until after a workout.
This thought popped up in my head the other day when reading how HIIT gets your fat burning motor revved up for the rest of the day.
Problem is, I usually do my cardio in the afternoons or late at night (10:00 or later).
I think it really depends on if your a morning person or night owl. I always wanted to try to do morning workouts but I can barely get up for work on time. I also like working out at night because it helps me destress.
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