Morning exercise produces effects that ripple through the day in ways that afternoon or evening exercise doesn't match. Six months of practice produces:

• Sharper cognition through the morning. Exercise spikes BDNF; you think better for 3-4 hours after.
• Better sleep. Morning exertion anchors circadian rhythm.
• Discipline that generalises. If you win the morning, afternoon decisions come easier.
• Less afternoon energy crash. Body is more resilient with established movement.
• Identity shift. You start thinking of yourself as someone who exercises.

Start small — 15 minutes. Build to 30-45 after a few weeks. The compounding is what makes it worth the early alarm.