Paddy Long winter mornings are enough to put you off an early start but if you want to take your training to the next level, it’s the perfect time to head out for a run – and here’s why.
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Kickstart your metabolism
If running is your way to weight loss, bounding out the door in the morning is your golden ticket. The beauty of heading out at the crack of dawn is that it kick-starts your metabolism for the day. When you sit down to breakfast immediately afterwards, and other meals later in the day, your run means everything will be broken down more efficiently.
Increase your efficiency
An important aspect of getting out and about in the morning is the way your body reacts to jumping from a sleep state to an active one. The quick switchover – coupled with an empty stomach – reduces the rate at which your body releases insulin. That, in turn, improves the blood flow to your muscles and increases the effectiveness of your exercise, making you stronger and healthier quicker.
Boost your mood
It is not just the physical benefits, but the mental advantages too. You may find yourself cursing the early alarm but once your run is done, everything will start looking up. A morning jog has been proven to boost your mood, with the release of endorphins creating a euphoric feeling that carries you through the day. It will leave you feeling more satisfied, relaxed and positive right up until bed time.
Don’t delay
And don’t forget the practical aspect of it all. Running in the morning gets your daily exercise sorted at the earliest opportunity. Life is full of complications – not to mention evening lethargy – and leaving it until after work is the best way to ensure you cut down the length of your run or scrap it altogether. Before you know it, you’ll slip into that old evening routine of lazing around on the couch and that’s no way to Achieve Your Awesome.
