Dear morning workout people

0somuchbetter0

I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks (I used to run after work and lift weights on weekends, but life circumstances changed and I can't do that anymore), but I'm getting up at 5 to work out and strangely enough it's not awful. I'm done by 5:45 and I have a smug little feeling all day that it's done and over with and I can just "be lazy" when I get home from work. Of course I'm falling asleep by 9 and I'm no fun at parties anymore. lol

0somuchbetter0

Old_Man_McGucket wrote: »

My trick is sleeping with a nightlight. Although it takes some getting used to, it makes getting up when the alarm goes off much easier.

This is funny

jacksonpt

jillmarie125 wrote: »

civilizedworm wrote: »

jillmarie125 wrote: »

civilizedworm wrote: »

Mindarin wrote: »

Dear morning workout people,

I think you're awesomely hard-core amazing. And I hate you.

In all seriousness though, I really admire you for wanting to workout in the mornings. But are you a morning person?

I am a morning person (because I can only sleep 5 to 6 hours if I am lucky), but was never a morning person enough to workout. The first few months were difficult. Body cold. Weather cold. Either ate too big of a snack, or too small. But I kept with it and figured out a way to optimize the experience and get it down to a routine where I don't have to think about it.

Now, I can't wait to go to bed to wake up and train.

I agree. It took me a few weeks. Now it's the best part of my day. I love getting up early to workout. Even on the weekends when I dont need to get up that early, I still do it.

I live in Wisconsin. I got up Sunday at 430, got in the car at 530am. There was a frost/snow mixture on my car window and cold rain on the ground. (How does that happen?) Here I am in my shorts, carrying my water bottle and scraping the windows so I could get to my gym 15 minutes early and get some extra work in that morning because I wanted to.

You feel extra special-badass.

that is badass. i am in Buffalo, and yeah we get a lot of snow too. But I just have to walk down my stairs....

I do the same... I got the basics in my basement, so I don't really have any excuses.

Guns_N_Buns

Old_Man_McGucket wrote: »

My trick is sleeping with a nightlight. Although it takes some getting used to, it makes getting up when the alarm goes off much easier.

Scaredy cat. That excuse won't fool me.

husseycd

Sleep in workout clothes and have everything else ready to go. I'm not by nature a morning workout person. I did it once this summer because I wanted to work out before going on vacation. Loved it so much, I now incorporate morning workouts several times a week.

civilizedworm

jacksonpt wrote: »

jillmarie125 wrote: »

civilizedworm wrote: »

jillmarie125 wrote: »

civilizedworm wrote: »

Mindarin wrote: »

Dear morning workout people,

I think you're awesomely hard-core amazing. And I hate you.

In all seriousness though, I really admire you for wanting to workout in the mornings. But are you a morning person?

I am a morning person (because I can only sleep 5 to 6 hours if I am lucky), but was never a morning person enough to workout. The first few months were difficult. Body cold. Weather cold. Either ate too big of a snack, or too small. But I kept with it and figured out a way to optimize the experience and get it down to a routine where I don't have to think about it.

Now, I can't wait to go to bed to wake up and train.

I agree. It took me a few weeks. Now it's the best part of my day. I love getting up early to workout. Even on the weekends when I dont need to get up that early, I still do it.

I live in Wisconsin. I got up Sunday at 430, got in the car at 530am. There was a frost/snow mixture on my car window and cold rain on the ground. (How does that happen?) Here I am in my shorts, carrying my water bottle and scraping the windows so I could get to my gym 15 minutes early and get some extra work in that morning because I wanted to.

You feel extra special-badass.

that is badass. i am in Buffalo, and yeah we get a lot of snow too. But I just have to walk down my stairs....

I do the same... I got the basics in my basement, so I don't really have any excuses.

I'm in my early forties and have had taken too much time off in the past. This gives me extra incentive to not miss workouts. I have slept-in enough.

karinschoultz

Ive been getting up at 415 am for the past three years Monday -Thursday for bootcamp. It has changed my life in many ways. One of which is that I have to go to bed really early every night in order to wake up that early! Your body gets used to it and on the days I dont work out I have a really hard time getting my day started. I feel so sluggish! I LOVE WORKING OUT IN THE MORNING!

higgins8283801

I go to the gym around 5am and get home around 630. Shower. And I am instantly awake and refreshed. Granted I'm in bed by 8.
Haven't gone this week due to a nasty cold but hope to get there by the weekend.

DrWhoIsYerDad

I make sure my gym bag is packed the night before, my lunch is made and the coffee pot is set up to start brewing at 5:30. I work out before work Monday through Friday, and that's just how it's gonna be !

LadyLots2Lose

prepare as much as you can the night before. Have your work out gear near your bed if that helps. I started in winter last year and it was pretty tough to get out of bed some days but, I persevered with it. The rewards have been worth the effort so, when your enthusiasm is waning consider your goals.

Kenda2427

I set my alarm for 4:50 am so I can hit the snooze once. Get up at 5:00 and do a 20 min DVD, then shower and go to work. Key is to have everything ready the night before. Before my commute got much longer I used to get up at 4:30 be at the gym for 5 workout for 45 mins go home, shower and then go to work. As much as I hate getting up that early it's far better for me than working out exhausted at the end of day.

sarahharas5

higgins8283801 wrote: »

I go to the gym around 5am and get home around 630. Shower. And I am instantly awake and refreshed. Granted I'm in bed by 8.
Haven't gone this week due to a nasty cold but hope to get there by the weekend.

I get so much crap from people for my early bed time!! Glad I'm not the only one who goes to bed so early. If I make past 9p--I consider it a late night But when you get up before 5am you need to get some sleep!

ythannah

Mindarin wrote: »

But are you a morning person?

Nope, I am sooooo not a morning person! But it's the time when I am least likely to get sidetracked and skip working out so it's the best time for me.

I get everything ready the night before... no thought required (which is a good thing!), no mad wardrobe scrambles... just follow the routine.

yoovie

I have a night time ritual.

I lay out my clothes and all so there is no scrambling and that makes a big difference for when your brain aint awake. I also grab my crayola markers and make my workout plan in my journal, all big giant loopy letters and fun doodles with all my weights and exercises written out nice and colorful. It gets me pumped for the morning.


Also - my alarm clock is obnoxious. It says things like - 'put your money where your mouth is' or 'your muscles are shrinking right now' or 'dont forget your boyfriend is way hotter than you' or 'Are you full of crap?'.

joneallen

I'm up at about 4:30, breakfast around 5am, and gym at 5:30. Every day. I just don't like working out after work, because I'm drained by 5pm. Bed by 9:30-10pm. Repeat.

I've gotten used to it, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

HealthyIrishLass

thatswhatshesaiddd wrote: »

Prepare your things the night before. Prep everything you need to get through the day, thus eliminating excuses to NOT complete your workout. When you're tired in the morning, you will tell yourself anything to convince yourself to not work out....at least I do. And just remember how great it will feel to have your workout done when you get home from work.

It also helps me to allow an extra 30 minutes for coffee before my workout. The caffeine makes alot of difference in the quality of my exercise.

^^^ this exactly.

yoovie

there's nothing quite so satisfying as waiting outside the gym for the employee with the keys to get there at 5:30.

lovetowrite73

My alarm goes off at 4:15 and I'm at the gym when the doors open at 5 three days a week. My motivation is wanting to be stronger and healthier. That's it. That's what gets me out of bed. I don't eat or drink anything prior either.

MelanieRBrace

What really helps me is having everything prepared, making time for coffee and remembering a couple mantras - ie) don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're done.

sofaking6

I used to set the coffeemaker to turn on at 4:30 so I would have incentive to get out of bed. I'd have a cup, then work out. But for whatever reason I have stopped needing that cup so now I literally roll out of bed and into my workout clothes.

jdhcm2006

Old_Man_McGucket wrote: »

My trick is sleeping with a nightlight. Although it takes some getting used to, it makes getting up when the alarm goes off much easier.

This is the best thing ever!

I get up around 6-6:30am depending on how long it takes me to lay there and talk myself out of the excuses I have for getting up at such an early hour.

I agree with those who said prep the day before - have your workout gear laid out, the dvd in the dvd player, etc., try to go to bed earlier than usual, and ignore whatever voice in your head is saying it's so early, you can workout tonight because chances are you are not going to workout in the evening.

I used to get up early, so I could get the shower before my roommates, now I get up so I can run while there is light outside (and to get the shower first).

I find that I end up having a better day/mood when I do morning workouts.

Good luck!

JenSD6

Old_Man_McGucket wrote: »

My trick is sleeping with a nightlight. Although it takes some getting used to, it makes getting up when the alarm goes off much easier.

I use a sunrise simulator lamp. By the time the alarm goes off, the room is gently lit and I'm already mostly awake.

yoovie

JoRocka

lol I have math problems- and find the XX on the board- and then one that requires you to shake it for at least 30-40 seconds in order to shut it off.

it still doesn't work. I am an epic failure at getting up early.

Getting to bed early is the best bet for a guaranteed alarm "fix"

Elsie_Brownraisin

I just can't bring myself to get up before 6am and my gym doesn't open til 6.30 anyway. As someone else has said, I set out my workout clothes the night before. I go straight from the gym to work, so I also make my breakfast and lunch (both to be eaten at work) and pack my gym bag with work clothes the night before. I roll out of bed, forgo the shower and wake up half way through my walk to the gym.

My husband gets up early though and is pretty good at booting me out of bed, better than a strict alarm clock!

I don't have much time to workout after work and I find I'm in a better mood and can concentrate better at work if I exercise in the morning.

yoovie

me too. My boss can be a nightmare, but if i was already a badass before he woke up, it's harder to shake me up mentally.