Cardio in AM or PM

V

velmakelley

Member
Hello

I wanted to ask what time of the day is the best to do cardio. I try to do cardio and weight training a little each day. I have a hard time getting out of bed at 6 though to do weight training. I would rather do cardio. I am just concerned though that maybe I am not burning as much as if I were to do it in the evening. Is that right?

I am loving your IMAX 3 video! The only move that I have not gotten down yet is that reverse momba. It gets me everytime! : ) Also at times I do get tired with the cardio blasts. Is there something that you can suggest to keep my heart rate up instead of the blasts when it comes time for them?

Thanks so very much! Have a great week!
 
Hi! I'm not Cathe but I feel the same as you. I recently read a book (I'll have to get back with you on the author, it's totally slipped my mind) explaining that you should exercise on an empty stomach that you burn more fat that way. Now in the real world, that's hard for me because I already get up at 5:00am to get ready for work. I would have to get up at 4:00am:eek: Believe me, I thought I may try but I thought again LOL:) There's alot of posts as to which is best but I think it boils down to what is best for you. I workout in the evening, after supper, dishes and taking the dog for a walk - usually around 8:00pm every evening. I made that schedule for me because I was in the same delima as you. I "TRY" not to eat a heavy supper so it won't interfere with the quality of my workout.

I had trouble with the reverse mamba too, finally caught on after a few tries....I kept forgetting to step down on the floor!!!!:)

Have a great day!
 
I also work out in the evenings after dinner and my daughter is in bed. This usually mean around 9:30 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. to me. I always laugh to myself because in one of Cathe's workouts she says something like "This isn't too bad; well it depends on what hour you're doing it!".

I also try and eat light at dinnertime (because its better not to have all that food in your tummy all night long too) and I keep my house between 78 and 80 degrees, so I sweat up a storm even that late at night!

Keeping trying with the reverse mambo - it also took me a few goes before I wasn't facing the wrong way at the end!
 
Yes, I think the trick to the reverse mambo is to touch the floor in front of your step on count 3 lightly and then go BACKWARDS from the way you came! Ha! Think of it as going around 3/4 of a circle starting with facing your back towards the front of your room when you start the move. (If on count 1 you start with the right foot, the right foot also touches the floor on count 3, count 7 & 8 is your cha-cha or mambo.) Does that make sense?


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Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
I have read different opinions on it. The last thing that I read regarding the best time to do cardio said it is best to do it in the evening, because you give your metabolism one more boost before bedtime. I am thinking it was the SouthBeach Diet book that I read that, (but I will not swear to it ):+ But most of the time, I have read to do it in the morning so that you will burn the most fat (on an empty stomach)and because it "jumpstarts" your metabolism. So....I guess, whenever is best for each individual person??

I have been going around and around with the idea of switching to evening. I get up at 4:15 a.m. and do my workouts. But..I am getting so tired of getting up so early. I seem to feel much better during the day if I get my workout done before work. But I love to get rid of my pent up stress in the evenings - after a hard day at work - with a sweatfest of a good cardio workout.

Linda
 
That makes alot of sense! I worked and worked on it and I stepped up and decided to turn around (yep, while on the stepx( ) and watch because I thought my count wasn't coming out right and sure enough..I wasn't touching the floor! :7 It's such a great feeling once you "get it" isn't it?
 
Hi Linda,
I agree with what you said and I had also read that working out in the evening will cause you to burn fat while you sleep. I've been "toying" with the idea of getting up at 4:00am but before I do, I have a question for ya'! Can you tell if you're burning more fat by working out in the morning before you eat etc?
 
In a *perfect* world, it's better for me to do my cardio in the morning because I already have problems with insomnia as it is. If I try to work out too late at night, I can't sleep worth a darn as my blood is pumping and mind is whirling from the adrenaline rush. I have to allow at least 5-6 hours between my workout and my bed time. Which, in my world is not usually possible because I usually don't get home from work until around 8pm. So yeah, the mornings would be much better for me. But alas, here is the big problem...I am NOT a morning person. At all. I HATE getting up early. On the mornings I try to work out before work, I have to get up at 5am. That stinks. I usually manage to do it two days per week, if I am lucky. Then, I have Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday morning to get 3 more workouts in.

All that aside, I have read that cardio in the morning is supposed to be more effective, since you will reap the benefits of the metabolism boost all day.
 
My 2 cents, as well. I think the answer to your question of which is better for a workout: morning or evening (or even afternoon) is yes! Whatever is good for you is good for you. We are all so different and who knows better than the person, herself/himself, as to what works for them.:7
 
Tina, I have not really noticed a difference in the amount of fat that I burn. My weight, pretty much, stays the same. I notice that I eat less in the evening if I work out at night (but that is because I don't have time to eat ;) )

I agree...working out in the evening (especially now, since I am used to early morning) wires me up and makes it difficult for me to fall asleep :-( Back when I was ALWAYS working out in the evenings, it did not keep me awake, and it would actually relax and destress me from my day at work.

Linda
 
We sure sound alot alike! I've been working out in the PM for a very long time. When I get finished, I take a nice relaxing shower - may even have 1/2 grapefruit for a snack and wind down, then I just melt into the bed. I do believe it would be nice to work out in the AM just to have a little more time in the evening. But for now, this works for me. Have a wonderful day!
 
I work out in the PM. I have tried to get up in the AM, but I am absolutely worthless until I have had my shower. So, after I get home from work I go straight to it. I am new to this (only at it about a month on a regular basis) but am really enjoying it. Now that the kids are done with school, I can get in a good 5 to 6 days a week. The results are finally showing. I also owe a great thanks to you all. Reading your posts has really inspired me to keep moving.
 
Hello juststarting!!! If you're like me, you'll find Cathe's workouts addicting. I usually take one day a week and take a 5 mile walk - and in my mind I know what I'm missing....an awesome workout!!!}( I'd love to workout right when I get home which would be around 6:00. But, my dog is ready for a walk and my husband is ready for supper......x( You go girl on the 5 to 6 days a week. Keep up the good work!
 
I am finding that out about Cathe's workouts. I only have a couple of her videos but have already preordered her new set coming out and am looking to purchase a few more today. If I don't work out right when I get home I never will. I get too involved in other things. I have informed the kids that from 5:30 to 7:00 is my time then I will make dinner or whatever they need done. I figure it is about time I take care of myself.
 
There are a variety of opinions on this--personally I think it's better to do cardio in the morning b/c it gets your metabolism up at the start of the day & keeps it going longer, so you burn more fat throughout the day. If you do cardio in the evening, your metabolism drops when you go to sleep so it's less effective.

But the bottom line is you should do whatever works best for your schedule. The key to creating a good workout routine that you'll stick with and do consistently is convenience. If your routine makes you miserable or if it's difficult to fit it in w/your other daily activities you won't stick w/it, & that's the least effective of all!
 
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