When I was interning in New York City this past summer, I followed a rock-solid morning workout schedule. By 7 a.m., I was either running alongside the Hudson River or hitting the small gym on the 13th floor of my apartment building for weight training. I worked out nearly every morning for a short half hour, but those 30 minutes offered endless advantages. Whether it’s 7 or 10 a.m., here are six reasons why you should start your day with exercise.
1. You’ll be in a better mood
Let’s cut to the chase — no one enjoys leaving a cozy bed (not even me). When you exercise, your body pumps out these hormones called endorphins, which make you instantly happier. So in case you’re wondering, yes, Elle Woods was right about that one in Legally Blonde.
2. Your metabolism will be on fire
Working out earlier means more calories burned throughout the day. It’s that simple.
3. You won’t put it off for later
When you tackle your workout first thing in the morning, other daily activities won’t interfere. It’s like when someone says, “Yeah, I’ll do that later.” And then “later” turns into “never.” So just do it right away!
4. You’re showered for the day
Is it just me, or is exercising a time-consuming process? I mean, you have to put on workout clothes, go actually work out, then shower, get dressed, fix your hair (and makeup), etc. For me, that’s an hour and a half that I don’t want to carve out in the middle of a busy afternoon. And if you shower in the morning anyways, what’s the difference, right?
5. You’ll probably make healthier choices
You could splurge on that mega blueberry muffin because you “earned it,” but then again, why undo all the hard work you just put in?
6. No awkward, sweaty run-ins with people you know
Whether it’s your crush or the person who always sits three seats away from you in class, you can avoid potential unwanted conversation. It’s seriously the best. And bonus — you won’t compete with a crowd for one treadmill.
Emily McIntyre is a senior studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Are you an early riser? Let her know by emailing her at em564912@ohio.edu.