According to new American research, the time of day you exercise may impact weight loss goals. A study published in the journal Obesity found that individuals who exercise between 7am and 9am have a lower waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) compared to those who work out during midday or in the evening.
The study analyzed health and activity data from 5,285 participants who wore activity trackers for four to seven days. The findings showed that participants who exercised in the morning had a lower BMI and waist circumference compared to those who exercised later in the day.
This link between exercise timing and weight loss remained significant regardless of sex, ethnicity, education, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or sedentary behavior. Even among individuals who met the recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week, exercising in the morning was associated with the lowest BMI and waist size.
While the study couldn’t prove a direct causal relationship between morning exercise and weight loss, experts suggest that physiological and lifestyle factors may play a role. Morning exercisers may have more predictable schedules, which could positively affect weight through factors such as sleep length, quality, and stress levels. Additionally, morning people may have different biological profiles that make them more favorable for fat burning during exercise.
The study’s lead author plans to conduct further research to confirm these findings and explore the potential causal relationship between morning exercise and weight loss. In the meantime, if weight loss is your goal, consider incorporating morning aerobic exercises such as biking, running, or brisk walking into your routine.
Sources:
– Obesity journal
– Tongyu Ma, research assistant professor of rehabilitation sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
– Rebecca Krukowski, University of Virginia clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral weight management
