Morning Exercise May Prevent Snack Attacks

Fitness News Flash

-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer

SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free! A good workout in the morning could prevent snacking later in the day, according to data from Loughborough University in England. Exercisers who ran for 60 minutes at about 70 percent of their top effort (70% Max Heart Rate or 7 on the RPE scale of 1-10) before breakfast reported less hunger for two hours after eating, compared with those who did not exercise before the same meal. Their conclusion is that intense training may suppress an appetite-fueling hormone, so you're less tempted to munch in between meals. Action Sparked: Many people find that morning exercise helps them regulate their appetites for the rest of the day. Not only do they eat less (since activity causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also choose smaller portions of healthier foods. Although SparkPeople recommends eating something before a morning workout, many people wait to have breakfast until after exercise is done. Regardless of when you eat it (before or after exercise), breakfast helps speed up your metabolism and can aid in weight loss. Enjoying foods high in protein, complex carbs and healthy fats will help you avoid the temptation of the vending machine before lunch. Article created on:  10/10/2006

I wish I could get in a walk in the morning but as it is I'm already getting up at o'dark 30..... I can agree that walking cuts down the appetite because walking twice a day just that 15 minutes during my break time helps.  Thanks for the clip - verify informative. Take care Pat

Great picture cropping....good job.... I knew you could do it....you can do anything.... YOU BELIEVE.....  love ya

HA!  Not for me.  This is a concept that is touted by Bob Greene as well, but I found that for me, when I exercised first thing in the morning, I wanted to snack more during the day.

I know for me , I do my protein , vitamins .. then start my work outs .. when I do this ..my motabolism is on fire .. and when I eat breakfast .. It fuels it even more.. and I feel fuller throughout the day .  I do know it depends too what I eat . If I eat light ..  just yogurt and fruit .. I am not as satisfied . But if I add some fiber such as a good low gluten cereal .. I do well ..  Nat