Kenneth Gardner

Dear Mr. Gardner:

Just read your article on exercise. Thanks for the information. However, my question is when to exercise - in the morning or evening, before meals or after meals, when is the best time to eat after exercise, when is the best time to exercise after eating, etc. I would be most thankful if you could respond to this.

- P. Dixon

Dear Reader:

The time that is best for us to exercise depends on numerous factors, such as our individual differences, schedules, and lifestyles. Convenience is probably the most important factor. Environmental factors are also quite significant especially the temperature, traffic, social support and pollution. Our safety and having exercise partners are also very important, especially if we run or jog in certain communities.

The intensity of our exercise routine will also influence when it is best for us to exercise. A very intense exercise session may not be ideal for the morning hours especially if a hard day's work lie ahead. This could make us quite tired or exhausted long before our day's work is done. A very intense exercise session is more appropriate for the afternoon or evening session when we will be able to get a good night's sleep. Thus, if you have to exercise in the morning before work, a lighter exercise routine is the best way to get your energy levels up.

Temperature

In the morning and afternoon/evening the temperature is more tolerable especially for those who exercise outdoors. Some of us are morning persons who take pleasure in starting the day early with an exercise session. We need to choose that which works best for us. Other persons who exercise after work find it an excellent way to unwind, release stress and rejuvenate themselves. There are still other persons who exercise during their lunch time because that is the best time they can fit in their exercise session.

The best time for us to exercise also depends on the results that we are able to achieve. All things being equal, the more conducive the environment, the more likely that we will put much effort into the event and inevitably enjoy more benefits.

Exercising before or after meals is also dependent on our personal biases. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. How well we perform however depends on the amount of energy we have in our system and most certainly how eager and highly motivated we are. The major problem in exercising after meals is the need to allow some degree of digestion to occur before we commence exercising. The more complex the meal as well as the larger the amount eaten the greater influence it has on how long we should wait after eating before we exercise. Ideally, two hours after the average heavy lunch or dinner is safe enough to commence your exercise session. Meals that are mainly carbohydrates will attract less wait time. Likewise, in time, we all find our comfort zone and make the necessary adjustments comfortably.

Eating after exercising

Many of us do not have much appetite to eat soon after we exercise. However, we do experience an urgent need for fluid especially if the exercise was intense, so we do need to drink some fluid after we exercise. The best time to eat after we exercise is as soon as possible after we experience the hunger drive.

When we exercise after we eat this can help us to monitor more carefully how hard we need to exercise based on how much we consumed. If we commence exercising too soon after we have eaten we will experience some degree of discomfort such as an upset stomach; abdominal cramps are also possible. These will alert us to the need for longer rest periods.