The only time I can fit in exercise is in the evenings, around 6-8 at night. Anyone here lose and maintain successfully this way? The successful "losers" I've read about all workout either in the AM or right after work.
BTW, I have a treadmill (stuck on an incline!). No gym for me. Can I still be successful?
I exercise sometimes at night because other work is done. I must avoid the sun so we have an eliptical which I like. We only recenlty purchased it. I listen to stories or music and it is the first equipment that has enabled me to breath hard and sweat!!!!!
Heidi, I do all my exercise at night. I am definitely not a morning person. I had worked night shifts for many yrs. as a nurse. I still have an aversion to doing much of anything before at least 3PM. I do most all my cooking, housework, yardwork or anything late afternoon. If walking outside I leave at 7:45PM and get home at 8:30PM. Many nights I get on the treadmill as late as 11PM. I definitely think you can be successful with evening exercise.
I do not go to a gym. I have a treadmill, an elliptical, an exercise ball, a hula hoop, a jump rope and some handweights. This is all I ever use except a couple of old Richard Simmon's tapes. Walking is definitely my #1 form of exercise. Of course, in the summertime, I swim a lot.
The best time to exercise is when it works for you. Like Lily, I'm not a morning person. I manage to get up and get ready for work in the minimum amount of time. All my exercise is done after work in the evening (well, other times on weekends.)
I'm also not a morning person. I've lost 80 pounds over the last year and a half with almost all of my exercise at night. No sunblock needed, and it's quieter and cooler. I'm too tired right after work, so I eat dinner, relax a while, and then head out after dark with the dog for my walk. Luckily I'm in a good area for that.
It's worked better for me than the gym did. It's convenient, cheaper, less stressful, more interesting, and no commuting is required. As long as it gets done, it's not going to matter what time of day it is.
I don't think the time of the day matters (as long as it doesn't prevent you from sleeping or such, but 6-8 isn't a weird hour in itself). The fact that "exercise is more efficient in the morning" or whatever is said about that is way more because this way, it's done, and there's no risk of anything happening during the day and shooting down your hours of exercise, like family coming without warning, etc. But apart from that, evening exercise is just as efficient.
The only time I can work out is at night. I'm a nurse too and work night shifts only so, I'm usually asleep during the day. I have now been accustomed to stay up late on my days off too. I usually end up working out between 9-10pm. I think its great hardly anyone is there and you can choose whatever equipment you want without waiting too long.
I exercise whenever I can fit that in. Sometimes it's morning, sometimes right after work, sometimes in the evening. I don't think it matters when, as long as you do it!
I prefer to exercise in the morning, but within limits -- I can't make myself get up any earlier than 6:30am! When I was in school it wasn't a problem, I could work out at 6:45 and get to class at 9, since I had basically no commute. But since my current job hours start at 8:00 with a short commute I work out after work, usually around 5:30-6:15 depending when we leave from work.
When I started losing weight, I worked out mostly at night. Turned out I had no problems getting a good workout and then falling right to sleep so I never had to worry about winding down afterward.
I live on a graveyard schedule and usually work out around 1am. Clearly I don't go to the gym, but do step aerobics at home. I've lost 50 lbs since January, I don't think the night exercise is hampering my weight loss!
As far as weightloss goes no problem - all that matters is regular exercise.
I just dont sleep well if I work out in the pm. I run once a week at 5:30 with my relay team and usually cant get to sleep until 11 or so (my normal bed time is 9:30).
Even light exercise like yoga can mess me up.
The only reason why weightloss books recommend am workouts is for a lot of people by the time you get your day started it is too easy to find reasons, emergencies, conflicts and the workouts get pushed aside. (OK well, Bob Greene also says you get a metabolic boost in the a.m. but overall I am guessing the effect is minimal)
Are any of you night exercisers?
Can I still be successful?
Like Lily, I'm not a morning person. I manage to get up and get ready for work in the minimum amount of time. All my exercise is done after work in the evening (well, other times on weekends.)
