Making an exercise plan while working out to lose weight isn’t an easy task, and many often wonder if there’s an optimal time of day (or night) to train to burn faster. fats. That said, we reached out to licensed nutritionists, dietitians, personal trainers, and other health experts to learn more about how to burn fat and lose weight the healthy way, and what it might mean for you. timetable.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insights from Rachel MacPherson, ACE-CPT, Certified Personal Trainer at Garage Gym Reviews and Lisa Richards, Registered Nutritionist and Creator of The Candida Diet.
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So, is there a “best time” to lose weight?
While many fitness enthusiasts will prefer to train in the morning or evening, MacPherson tells us there’s no overwhelming evidence that proves one time is better than another for burning fat. To lose weight healthily (and effectively), she points out, it’s more important that you’re consistent with your workouts, no matter what time you choose to complete them each day.
“The best time of day to train is ultimately when you can stick to it,” she says, adding that “consistency, above all else,” is the most important factor in burning fat. fats and lose weight. “The best thing you can do to promote fat burning with your exercise is to be consistent and pick a time when you can put in the most effort,” she advises. Burning fat, she notes, not only happens with regular exercise, but also with a balanced diet, frequent hydration and a regular sleep schedule.
If you’re groggy and sluggish in the morning and can’t do an effective workout, it’s “not worth trying to force yourself to workout at that time,” she points out. Plus, MacPherson says to keep in mind that “sleep plays a huge role in fat loss, so if you sacrifice sleep to train, you’ll only be working against yourself.”
Why many choose to train in the morning to burn fat
You may have heard that working out in the morning is the best way to lose fat. Why do some think this? Richards says there are notable benefits to training after fasting (meaning not eating for 8 hours while you sleep). “Fasting cardio takes place when the digestive system is empty of food, which typically takes 6 to 8 hours,” she explains. This, says Richards, makes the ideal fasting period, for those who subscribe to this form of exercise, to be around 6 or 8 hours before exercise.
“For most people, that means hitting the gym on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, after a full night’s sleep,” she continues. Richards says the idea here is that “your body burns more fat because it’s deprived of as much glycogen, carbohydrate stores, to use for energy.” At this point, she points out that “studies show minimal difference between fasted and fasted exercise.”
However, she concludes that “many note that their performance and exercise quality are improved when fasting.” This, Richards notes, could be a benefit for weight loss because the body is “pushed harder and potentially for longer periods of time, resulting in more calories burned.” Ultimately, the time of day you choose to train, as the two experts say, is up to you, just be consistent and thorough to see faster results.