Setting that early alarm
Who will get the strongest muscles? The early bird or the after-work fitness buffs? Research has shown that you'll get your best workout between 4 and 6pm. It has also been shown that the people most likely to stick with their fitness program are those who get it done first thing in the morning.
So, the take home message would be that if you can discipline yourself (and your family!) to go for your training walk or strength workout after work and before dinner, you'll see the best results in terms of cardio improvement and strength increases. Realistically, many people find this time of day lends itself to too many diversions and derailments to their commitment.
That's why I'm setting my alarm (and possibly some back-up alarms) right now for 5am so that I can have fun with those bold enough (and possibly stunned enough!) to join our early morning walking strength and balance class.
We may not be operating on all cylinders compared to those people who are doing their push ups, squats, and other tortuous activities after work, but we may be more likely to see results because we're more likely to stick with the program.
I can state, categorically, that at 5am when the alarm goes off, the thought of people waiting for me for the 6am workout is possibly the only reason I get out of bed. At 7am, when the workout is over, I am grateful for that.
Let us know what time works best for your walks and strength workouts.
Labels: Race review
posted by Wow Power Walking Founder @ 8:40 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Mornings are tricky for some of us. I love the early morning walks but a 7:30 walk for me requires getting out of bed at 5:30. Oh, how I envy the people who can roll out of bed into their fitness gear, grab a snack and head out the door.
For many of us (I've done an informal survey), even with a small breakfast, we need time to get the digestive system moving at home instead of out on the open road.
Now this may seem like a delicate topic for an open forum but I would love to know if there are people who have found ways to deal with these issues.
Yes, Vera, good point. I have to plan for these workouts. For the early morning strength workouts that are no longer than an hour, I make sure I eat well the night before the class and I eat and drink nothing in the morning before that class. Usually, I find if I'm awake 45 minutes before the start of that class, my "system" (!) is awake and cleared out (triple !!!)for the class. For the long walks in the early morning, it is more challenging and I do need more than 45 mminutes, although not usually more than 75 minutes. I always plan the route so that there is a bathroom within the first 30 to 60 minutes -just in case.
And, I always try to eat lots of fruits and veggies...they help!
I have been an early morning walker for years now. There are a lot of mornings as I roll out of bed - I wonder why I do this? But, when I get back I remember... it is invigorating and makes me feel very good. As for what Vera said, I do not eat or drink anything before going out (except for on Sundays - my long walk day) and some mornings I do what we call the "bathroom route" which means there is a quick access home if needed. I love my early morning walks!
I have scheduled weight training right after work so that I am bound to it.
The only way I have found to deal with it is to eat 2 hours before going out OR not at all and just rolling out of bed with a quick shot of o.j. Bathroom stops just dont cut it for me. It is all or nothing!
I think this post is going to top the banana holder conversation as the one with most input! It's what we're all thinking but afraid to say, that seems to generate the most interest....by the way, am I the only one who swears by a good strong cup of coffee to get everything moving and shaking????
Ah yes, how could I forget...caffeine the last legal drug. That one cup is essential!
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