Timing Exercise To Burn More Fat

With more than two-thirds of Americans being overweight, exercise is a good thing.  It would be great to choose a time to exercise that burns more fat.

In a study conducted by the University of Birmingham which results were published in April 2010, in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, exercisers who cycled 3 days a week followed by an intense session an hour later without eating beforehand burned a higher proportion of fat to carbohydrates than the other group of exercisers who did the same routine with the exception of eating beforehand.  However, the non-eating group performed worse in the intensive training.  Since exercise performance is diminished, an individual who skips breakfast may want to work out less intensely a few times a week.  On the other days, the individual would eat and train harder to bolster overall athletic performance.

This study jives with the cycles of nature.  Ayurveda recommends exercising in the morning which is kapha time.  Kapha is sluggish and slow moving.  Digestion is actually weaker at this time, so light, small amounts of food are recommended.  The largest meal of the day should be taken midday which is pitta time and characterized by the strongest digestion.  It does not matter whether it is a study or the Ayurvedic lifestyle which motivates an individual.  Simply try to exercise a couple of times a week before breakfast and see your body become healthy and more fit.

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa