From Start to Fitness
By ANDREA RENEE WYATT, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

Q: Is one time of day better than another to exercise? I've heard that to burn more calories it is better to exercise in the morning than in the afternoon or evening. Is this correct? Does it really matter what time of day I exercise?

A: The easy answer to this question is that your calorie expenditure has more to do with the level of your heart rate throughout the time you exercise, rather than the time of the day you exercise.

If you complete 45 minutes on the treadmill at 7 a.m. and keep your heart rate at around 150 beats per minute and burn 300 calories, you will burn the same amount of calories completing the exact same workout at 7 p.m.

The popular fitness myth that it's better to excerise in the morning came about because of the notion that you can burn more fat in the morning than in the evening. The argument goes that doing cardiovascular exercise the first thing in the morning without eating and after a full night's sleep will enable you to utilize a higher percentage of fat as a source of fuel.

Although this may happen to some extent, I would not base my workout schedule or routine on this idea. I would focus more on completing an exercise program and maintaining an intensity that will give you the most efficient calorie expenditure.

One of the first questions I have to ask is if you currently exercise at ALL? If not, then the first priority is to develop a well-balanced, safe, realistic and effective exercise routine that you can complete consistently. If you ARE currently participating in a workout routine, then you must determine when during the day you have the time and energy to exercise.

Some people enjoy exercising the first thing in the morning or before work because they can get it "out of the way," while others prefer to exercise once their day is complete as a means to relax and possibly socialize. The best time of the day to exercise is truly when you commit to it.

Try exercising at different times of day, and find a time when you feel comfortable, have the energy to complete your workout and can still function throughout the remainder of your day or night. Everyone is different, so find the best time for YOU, and commit to consistently completing your exercise program.

Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S., is a certified personal trainer with an extensive background in strength and conditioning as well as therapeutic recreation. If you have a fitness or training question, write to Andrea in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.

(c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.