I had a fantastic question posed to me following my latest blog on summer weight loss. The question is a simple one, and it’s one that is recited ad nausea, as people try to plan an exercise routine that fits into their daily schedule. It’s a question you may have asked yourself or your trainer.
“When’s the best time to do cardio?”
There are plenty of arguments for doing cardio first thing in the morning. It sets the tone for your day, helps to raise your metabolism early, and leads to burning more calories overall. There are also arguments for cardio at the end of the day. Who wouldn’t want to finish their evening by taking time to focus through exercise and rid the mind and body of all the stress factors that built up during the day? The answer is really simpler than either of these choices.
The best time to do cardio is when you will actually do it.
Cardio, like any other part of an exercise program, has to be the result of motivation, dedication and desire. If you’re a morning person, by all means, get up, hit the bike, elliptical trainer, jogging trail or treadmill. If mornings make you ill, don’t let that be an excuse NOT to work out. Just find the time of day when you’ve got the desire to get it done. There are three major factors to cardio working for you.
First, the exercise itself: I can’t make a runner hop on a bicycle for ten miles, and I can’t make a yoga lover run a 10k. It doesn’t work. Exercise is just activity. An exercise regimen is just scheduled activity. Find what you love and pursue it. Here’s an easy example: Dr. Stacia Kelly, Ph.D., of Mind-Body-Spirit Works, loves to do intervals on the treadmill while watching her favorite shows on her iPhone. Some people consider treadmills torture. Dr. Kelly considers this workout her “me time.” I love time on my roller blades; it’s a throwback to my brief career playing hockey. The bottom line is you have to enjoy the exercise, or you will find reasons NOT to do it, instead of looking forward to the exercise. Paige Waehnar has a great article on different cardio options and benefits at her About.com site.
Second, the schedule is important. As I said earlier, maybe you’re a morning person. Maybe not. Find the time of day that works for you. However, exercise isn’t an event, it’s a lifestyle, so it’s important to find a time that works consistently. Cyclists in the D.C. area can benefit from the addition of a lot of trails, and even showers. Competitor Magazine has some great info on these expanded resources. If you’re a runner, maybe you need an event on the horizon to help you put together a training schedule. The staff at VA Runner will not only get you the right shoes for your run, but they’ll provide plenty of info on upcoming local races you can target as your goal. (By the way, there is a 5k Relay for Life this weekend at Pfitzner Stadium in Manassas, VA if you’re feeling ambitious!)
Third, the results: running, cycling, blading and yoga may feel great, but many of us are looking for results, in the mirror and on the scale. My recommendation is to journal what you’re doing, not only in your exercise routine but also in your diet. I have the privilege of working with Dr. Ray Strand, M.D., whose “Healthy for Life” program offers a quick and easy way to track foods, exercise and supplementation to address healthy lifestyle changes.
Many people have different approaches to their diet. In the past few years, Vegans have become bodybuilders and triathletes. You no longer have to eat a Michael Phelps diet to deliver the protein and carbs your body needs to be in top shape. Many people count carbs, or focus on Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) over fatty foods, or dishes drenched in sauces and MSG.
If you’re counting calories, you may look to a clean energy drink. I highly recommend Rev3 Surge packs from Usana Health Sciences. These ten-calorie packs are full of slow-burning caffiene from tea extract, stevia, calcium and Korean ginseng extract. Runners, cyclists, or other individuals interested in healthy energy can benefit from the energy provided by Rev3, without any detrimental side effects.
To quickly review, the key to cardio is doing what you love when it’s convenient. Forcing yourself to do anything isn’t convenient, and forcing yourself to do something you hate when it’s timely…well, that’s a losing proposition. Take the right approach to cardio. Find what you love, when it works for you, when you have the energy and tools to reach you goals, and go for it!
I’ll be at this weekend’s Relay for Life. Will I see you there? I hope so. Till then…
All the best,
nK
Great recap of getting cardio in and the right kind of cardio for you! It took me quite awhile to figure out how to make it work for me. I don’t do well with long sessions, my body responds to intervals. But, I’ve seen others who do far better with distance and time.
Good advice Nick! Cardio or any exercise is good when YOU do it. Everyone has their own way. As long as you’re getting it in, it just doesn’t matter.
Personally, I love a good run at the end of the day. Me, my iPod and nature. I can let the stress of the day go, think about things that are perlexing me and just be.