New and a Question re HR

[suezilla]

Hello all, I have been lurking for several months and I would like to say how much I appreciate the knowledge, sharing of experiences, humor (dry humor especially), and overall positive attitude and support expressed by the members. I have learned and laughed much! I found Cathe in January and through 5-6 days/week of cardio &/or weights have lost 13 pounds. Still have another 13 to go but for this 44, short, pear-shaped woman every pound is so slowwwwww to come off...Of course maybe the fluctuating hormone levels are to blame (hence the name "Suezilla" which my SO says appears several times a month)! Here's my question, I'm in the car for work by 4:30 AM during the week so I generally workout in the late afternoon when I get home. On the weekends though I prefer to workout in the mornings, about an hour after I have had a wheat english muffin and banana. I have been wearing a HR monitor for about a month and have noticed that my heart rate is noticeably higher in the morning. Is this normal? Sometimes in the morning it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest about half way through a step workout. Thanks in advance for any input, Sue