Fitness Enhances Productivity
- At September 04, 2013
- By Susan Burlingame
- In Fitness
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Fitness enhances productivity. A common attribute of successful people is that they start their day with exercise. These people understand that exercise enhances their productivity and energy levels.
Years ago, I joined a group of executives who attended a 5:30AM spin class located near my home. Initially, it was a rude awakening to hear my alarm clock ring at 4:30AM. Over the course of time, early-morning fitness became part of my regular routine. The people who were spinning along with me were productive, successful executives. They showed up for class as bleary-eyed as I was, but by the end of the class, we were motivated to take on the day. It felt great to get up, get out, and get going! Fast forward several years, and I still keep a morning exercise routine in my home gym with DVD-based workouts. Wherever you choose to work out, morning fitness enhances productivity.
We’ve all been given the same 24 hours in a day. To make the most productive use of time, create the habit of starting the day with exercise. By doing so, you won’t experience a nagging pressure to exercise later in the day. You’ll feel good about yourself for making your health a priority. The number-one way to improve your productivity, physical energy, mental stamina, work performance, and ability to cope with stress is exercise.
Whether it’s 5:00AM or 8:00AM, the hour at which your day officially begins is the time for you to exercise. You’ll experience higher mid-day energy, and you will honor your priorities to get important things done in your day. You have nothing to lose (except, perhaps, a few pounds) and you have everything to gain.
What’s your best time of the day for fitness? I’d love to know your answer in the comments section.
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Barbara
Thanks Susan for a refreshing reminder. I am an early morning yoga fanatic. It sets my my mind and body for the day, and even gives me a big boost to go onto another favorite exercise during the day!
Susan Burlingame
Yoga is an excellent way to start the day, Barbara! Yoga also includes the health benefits of strength, flexibility and improved core strength.
Mashal
I wish I had your level of discipline and endurance for physical activity. I am not very physically active by nature. The only way I’ve been able to maintain good weight, I think, is because I was a dancer for many years, which I really enjoy and it doesn’t feel like exercise. I could go on and on for hours, just dancing.
I like your idea of getting the exercise out of the way. Sometimes it takes me a while to get into rhythm in the morning, in this instance, I wait till my energy is at its peak and tend to exercise in the early evenings. I also read somewhere that you tend to have more accidents, strains, sprains and the like when you exercise in the morning just out of bed
Susan Burlingame
Whatever time works best for you is the best time to exercise, and dancing is fun! Mashal, you bring up a very good point regarding the possibility of injury with morning workouts. It’s wise to ease into a morning workout with some light and careful stretching.