Some of us are early birds, and some of us want to shoot the early birds for being so chipper in the morning. When it comes to exercising, it’s important to be aware of your body’s natural clock. Pick the time when you feel the strongest and most energized to exercise. You will be more likely to stick to your fitness goals. There are pros and cons to working out at certain times of day. Working out in the morning seems to be the norm for many people because it doesn’t require carving time out of one’s daily schedule. Simply set the alarm a few minutes earlier; plus, you avoid the distractions of the day. There are health benefits to working out in the morning – it increases your energy throughout the day as well as mental acuity. However, body temperature is at its lowest 1-3 hours before waking up, so morning is a time when blood flows more slowly and the body has less energy. The lunch hour might be a good time for you to work out – it blows off morning steam, regulates your lunchtime appetite and keeps you sharper in the afternoon. But your time may be limited to just that hour, preventing you from getting a full workout. The early evening hours seem to be an ideal time physiologically for people. It helps reduce the stress of the day; regulates dinnertime appetite; muscles tend to be warmer and more flexible; and research shows that lung function is best during this time. But it’s important to remember: Exercise, regardless of what time works best for you, is integral to good health and longevity. So lace up and get out there – no matter what the clock says!