For most people the best time is 5-7 p.m.

Reserve your exercise for the late afternoon/early evening, and never engage in anything physical without first eating. A pre-exercise meal/snack is critical, followed by an immediate post-exercise consumption of carbs & some protein. In terms of cortisol response, studies have shown that this late afternoon exercise time is least stressful on your body. Don't even think about exercising without eating first, and within 30 minutes of completion. Depending upon duration and intensity, you may need to eat during your fast walk. Tweet