What is the best time to run and lose weight

Asking yourself about the best times to go running is a way to optimize the time you spend exercising. If you have a definite goal and the firm intention to achieve it, any information you obtain and action you take will be useful to you.

Of course, before asking yourself what time it is advisable to exercise, you should evaluate yourself: have you really implemented the habit? It's the main thing. If until now you led a sedentary or not very active life, the first achievement is to dedicate at least half an hour a day to exercise. When you are sure you have achieved it, you can make changes to optimize.

What are the best times to go running? What time is it recommended to exercise, in general? We take a look at what science says to answer these and other questions.

Is it better to run in the morning or in the afternoon?

The questions of when to exercise in a way that maximizes its benefits have been studied on several occasions. Researchers from the University of California say that the best time is in the morning, after getting up. Not only does metabolism accelerate, but it also has positive effects on mood and stress reduction due to dopamine, serotonin and endorphins that are generated in sports.

Not good news for those who struggle with mornings. However, from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, scientists assure that doing sports at dusk and the first hours of darkness also has benefits: less oxygen is consumed, strength and resistance are greater and body temperature is higher. All this favors caloric expenditure.

What is the best time to run and lose weight

If your goal is to lose weight, science has also highlighted the benefits of training on an empty stomach. First thing in the morning, after many without eating any food, glycogen stores are low. To face the activity, the body will draw on stored fat reserves and not on energy from carbohydrates, which will be more effective for your weight loss goal.

Now, with the subject of running on an empty stomach, there is a bit of misinformation for several reasons. Going out for a run on an empty stomach and doing a short comfortable morning shoot is not the same as doing a more intense session. Yes, it is true that when we do physical exercise on an empty stomach, if the intensity is low, the oxidation of fatty acids is accelerated in some way and yes, it is interesting for an athlete to increase their lipolytic capacity, that is, to use fatty acids as an energy source. primary.

However, running on an empty stomach has certain disadvantages. If the intensity is higher than it should be (because fatty acids obviously can give energy up to a certain rate), when the intensity is higher, other metabolic pathways have to be used. If we are fasting and we have not taken any type of carbohydrate in the last hours and the intensity is high because we have done some strength circuits or because we have introduced a small fartlek, it is likely that the energy comes from alanine and that directly implies muscle destruction.

Obviously nobody wants to go out to train with the aim of seeking muscle destruction, so if fasted running is done at a very comfortable intensity, a kind of recovery, it is not metabolically an aberration, but if we do it at high intensity we probably will not achieve the goal we are looking for.

So to implement this habit, you need to listen to your body. Training on an empty stomach can lead to fatigue, headaches, or even dizziness, which can be dangerous if you go out alone. If you are not used to it, the first days it is better to opt for a lighter breakfast than usual. Gradually reduce the amount and pay attention to your sensations during the activity to know to what extent you can introduce changes.

Training on an empty stomach seems to be a growing trend, but it is convenient not to get carried away by fads without more. The ideal is that you receive personalized advice, weigh the advantages and disadvantages well and do not push your body to the limit.

What is the best time to run and lose weight

What is the best time to exercise

According to the studies mentioned, there is no best time to exercise, or one that is definitive. Training in the morning or in the evening has benefits.

Doing it in the morning helps establish a routine. If you train first thing in the morning, you can put the green tick to the task of exercising as soon as you start the day. The more you procrastinate, the more likely it is that lack of time or tiredness will become an excuse.

Running in the morning can also improve your sleep cycle, especially if you wake up early, and promote energy and concentration to face the rest of the day in a productive way.

If you opt for the afternoon, the physical performance is better. Some studies show that it takes longer for the body to reach the point of exhaustion. In addition, it will be easier to reach the training rhythm because the body has been “warming up” all day.

It also favors a healthy routine, because instead of going to the bar or lying on the sofa after work you will exercise. And, in addition, it helps to release all the tensions accumulated during the day.

Physical activity has other benefits that you will notice in any case, whether you practice it day or night: it helps us feel good, promotes good cardiovascular health, tones, etc.

Is it better to exercise in the morning or at night to lose weight?

So, if both training in the morning and at night has benefits and helps to lose weight, what time is it better to exercise? It depends on each person.

There are people who manage to sleep early and wake up with enough energy to face a moderate to intense workout. Others, on the other hand, need time to work at full capacity.

Work hours and other responsibilities will determine the window in which to exercise. If you have total flexibility, it will depend on your preferences: there are those who notice the benefits of the activity more if they train in the morning, those who prefer to take advantage of the central hours of the day and those who choose to unload stress in the late afternoon.

Many people find it difficult to find their ideal routine, but it is about trying. Organize your day accordingly, listen to your body and implement what feels best for you. Remember that the important thing is to have the habit.

Is it good to exercise at night?

As seen so far, yes, exercising at night is beneficial. But keep in mind that, although physical activity is recommended to promote rest, it should not be done too late.

When you exercise, your heart rate rises and your adrenaline levels increase, which makes your body activate. This overactivation can cause problems when it comes to falling asleep, and sleep is one of the fundamental pillars of a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusions

The studies are not consistent when pointing out the ideal time for exercise, even when pursuing specific goals such as losing weight. Running in the morning on an empty stomach promotes fat loss because glycogen stores are low, but running at night increases caloric expenditure. Each time slot has its own benefits.

The best time to run to lose weight will therefore be the one that best suits your routine and the one that makes you feel the best. Running on an empty stomach is not for everyone, nor is running late in the afternoon. Adapt your schedule, listen to your body and, if necessary, seek professional advice.