For the longest time, I would only exercise first thing in the morning. That all seemed to change when a) my life became busier and b) the classes I wanted to go to at the gym were offered during the afternoon or evening hours. Over time I got used to exercising later in the day. In fact, for the past couple of months that’s when the majority of my workouts took place.
But after today’s workout, I completely remember why I prefer early morning exercise. It’s barely 10am, but I already feel so accomplished! My workout was:
- 25 minutes strength/circuit training (no rest between moves)
- 20 minutes treadmill (4mph at 3% incline)
- 5 minutes stretching
There’s nothing like getting a good SSS in before the day even begins, don’t you think? 
I packed breakfast to bring to the office since I was running a bit behind schedule. I refueled with a big bowl of oats.
This has got to be one of my creamiest batches of oats ever. YUM! It included:
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup regular oats
- 1/4 cup oat bran
- 1/2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 ripe banana
- cinnamon
- toppings: Cacao Bliss and chopped hazelnuts
I also sipped on some iced green tea with lemon.
Green tea always makes me feel clean and refreshed after a day of splurging. I guess you could say that’s my idea of a “cleanse”…?
Gotta get to work! Enjoy your Monday, lovebugs! xoxo G
- Do you always exercise at the same time, or does it vary depending on your schedule?
- What makes you feel “cleansed?”
I try to exercise in the mornings - it’s a great energizing way to start the day! Also, I take a lot of group fitness classes, and the ones I like are in the mornings, so it works out!
I have always been a morning gal. It just gives me more energy throughout the day. I have always been an early riser, so that helps too.
I very rarely end up working out in the morning - I am NOT a morning person! I find that I do my best workouts in the afternoon hours. I wish I could get up early and start my day off in such a positive way!
I would always always exercise first thing in the morning. It sets the tone for the day and gives you such energy!
I love working out in the mornings but do a couple evening sessions too depending on classes that I want to take and classes I have to teach.
Kombucha makes me feel clean. Love it!
I spent about a month living vegan this spring, and though I missed dairy tremendously, when I need to feel clean again I return to eating vegan for a few days.
That oatmeal really does look divine! I love exercising in the morning when I have time, especially in the summer when it is the coolest part of the day! And then I feel so fit for the rest of the day!
I exercise in the morning on tues and thurs since those r my days off, but usually I exercise at 1 which is when I get home from work. I much prefer morning workouts tho, they get me so pumped for my day!!
I am a morning workout gal, all the way. If I don’t knock it out firs thing chances are my afternoon will eat up my schedule.
Good for you. And that’s the kind of cleanse I can get behind:)
I do like to workout in the morning but don’t often get to, due to my work schedule. I just fit it in when I can!
When I’ve been indulging (like I did yesterday- too much, actually!), I like to get back to the foods that cause me to feel the healthiest- beans, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and some sprouted grains.
I’m definitely a fan of the morning workout! When I leave work, all I want to do is cook and relax.
Your bowl of oatmeal looks so good. I have not had a bowl of oats in forever. I think I know what I will be making tomorrow for breakfast:)
I wish I was a morning workout person but I have a problem with waking up for work in the mornings. So, workouts have to happen in the evening for me.
Your oatmeal looks wonderful! I need to get back into oats some mornings! I am not a morning person but try to go in the morning maybe twice a week just because it feels so good.
Those oats look AMAZING!! I usually try to workout in the mornings, but if I miss it I will try to make it up at another time in the day. xoxo
It always changes depending on my schedule, but I always feel so much better working out in the morning! It sets such a great tone for the day.
Bikram is so cathartic and cleansing!
I love morning workouts, but ever since I started working earlier it’s just impossible. I’d have to get up at 4:30 a.m. and it’s not really worth the lack of sleep.
A day chock full of fruit and veggie action makes me feel cleansed. And lots of water. And a good run
I love morning workouts too! Ironically, exercise gives me energy
My cleansing agent would be broccoli. I just picture the stalks scrubbing my insides (haha, lovely sight)!
I actually worked out this morning…
But I remembered WHY I DONT! Just not my thing, I guess. I wish it was, though
I love working out in the morning, I actually get up at 5:30 and fit in a work out before I have to get ready, eat breakfast and head to work. I agree with feeling like I have accomplished so much with just getting up early and working out!
Hubby and I like to hit the gym at night when he comes home from work, but I WAAY prefer the morning workout. It helps that I usually don’t have to leave the house until 9 and he has to get going around 7….
I prefer morning work puts as well. I don’t mind working out at night, infact I usually exercise twice a day, one somewhat intense and the other is more relaxed. The oats look terrific, by the way!
Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to work out in the morning, but it’s almost always better for me. I don’t like a workout looming over my head the whole day! I enjoy getting my sweat on, but I seem to forget that before I workout. As for cleansing, tons of water makes me feel better, and defintely green tea!
I LOVE the oats and oat bran combination!! That would be so good.
I am not a morning person at all. I’ve tried working out early before (and by that I mean 10am) and it just doesnt work for me. It takes a long time for me to wake up, sometimes Im not fully awake and functioning until I’ve been at work for an hour.
I wish I could work out in the morning… I admire people who can, but I’m not one of them. I tried it for about a month last year, and it just made me angry during the workout itself and more tired later in the day. I am not a morning person at all though! I find that I don’t push myself in the morning. I’m groggy and don’t want to be awake so I end up with a half-hearted workout.
On the other hand, when I workout in the afternoon/evening it lets me get out any frustrations or stress that built up during the workday and helps me clear my mind. Then I can come home and really enjoy the evening with my husband and get a good night’s sleep without dwelling on work nonsense all night.
hey mama!! I totally agree with you! LOVE WORKIN OUT EARLY! makes me feel sooo good!!! refreshes me for the day!!
Morning workouts are my favorite. It definitely sucks sometimes waking up so early, but I never regret it on my way out…
i loooove exercising in the morning!!! its the best to know its done and over with!!
that oatmeal looks delicious, girl I’d love you to cook me up a bowl!
Green tea totally makes me feel CLEAN! mmm!
I usually exercise in the mornings so that I can have that same lovely feeling of accomplishment that you mentioned. However, if I have a reason to exercise later on I will (ie. recently joined a running group that meets in the evenings - so I have a good excuse now). Its kind of nice not to have to get up early every morning sometimes.