What is the secret?

Stac5097

I really really want to be early riser to get my workouts out of the way and possibly be able to incorporate periodically working out 2x a day.

What is your secret to a 5am out of the house gym workout? How did you get in the habit?

echmain3

Secret?

Set your alarm for 5am.

Stac5097

Well that was helpful. Not everyone is a morning person. But thanks for the reply.

BrianSharpe

Part of it is going to bed earlier. I don't use an alarm clock but I usually roll out of bed between 4:30 and 5:00, have my coffee and either go for a run or whatever my workout is that day. I don't go to a gym though, everything I need is at the house.

Having said that, if you're not a morning person could you hit the gym at lunch or after work? We all have our own internal clocks.

snowflake954

In my opinion, there are morning people and night people. I am a morning person. I'm at my best in the morning, have more energy, and can get a lot done. By evening, I'm dragging my tail. My husband is just the opposite. You can set your alarm to go off early and try to reset your habits, but if you find that you're out of sorts after a month, I'd just give in and try to exercise when you feel your best. Your workouts will be more fruitful.

hesn92

There is no secret for me. I just have to get through the suck and then after a few days I realize that it's not that bad and becomes my new normal. obviously there is the regular advice, like get your clothes and stuff put together and ready to go, get your coffee maker set to auto-brew, etc. but really you just have to force yourself out of bed and go do it.

quiksylver296

I prep everything the night before. Gym clothes laid out, work clothes, shower items, and food packed and ready to go. And then I just do it.

ETA: Oh, and I also go to bed early. I need sleep. In bed by 7:45, up at 3:15.

smoofinator

hesn92 wrote: »

There is no secret for me. I just have to get through the suck and then after a few days I realize that it's not that bad and becomes my new normal. obviously there is the regular advice, like get your clothes and stuff put together and ready to go, get your coffee maker set to auto-brew, etc. but really you just have to force yourself out of bed and go do it.

Yep.

tcunbeliever

I had an alarm clock with a helicopter on it, so I had to physically get up and find the stupid helicopter and put it back on the alarm to make it shut off. I could easily sleep through the noise/snooze of most alarms, but not that one, it was hateful but effective.

garystrickland357

I can manage to get in an early workout a couple of times a week. Any more than that and I get grumpy - I don't like the early workouts. That said, it's worth it a couple of times a week so that life doesn't get in the way later in the day. How do I manage? Well, just CHOOSE to get up. Getting up and dressed is the hard part. You'll never regret the workout.
I feel your pain. we all have to find that balance and the trade offs that allow us to reach our goals. It's not always butterflies and unicorns and rainbows for sure. Sometimes it's a stanky 4:45 wake up.

ChrisCatMama

I’ve been a morning person since before I could remember. But for those who aren’t, I think gradually setting your alarm earlier (say by 15 minutes first day) and doing the same with going to bed earlier so you’re not a zombie in the morning.
I’m up at 3:30 to workout by 4; most times a little earlier. It’s not always easy but it’s the best time I can do it.

VioletRojo

I'm not a morning person, but I still manage to get up and 4:50am so that I can run before work. I make sure to set out everything I'm going to need the night before. I run at work and shower there, so that means that the night before I'm setting out running clothes, work clothes, shower essentials, and my lunch. After a while you get used to the early hour and it becomes second nature.

Stac5097

BrianSharpe wrote: »

Part of it is going to bed earlier. I don't use an alarm clock but I usually roll out of bed between 4:30 and 5:00, have my coffee and either go for a run or whatever my workout is that day. I don't go to a gym though, everything I need is at the house.

Having said that, if you're not a morning person could you hit the gym at lunch or after work? We all have our own internal clocks.

I do go at lunch or at night. Just was really hoping to wake up early and go. My internal clock is set at 6:30am, but that’s about an hour too late.

echmain3

Set your alarm earlier and earlier but gradually over some weeks, maybe months.

No one is inherently a “morning person” or whatever. It’s a matter of routine.

kimny72

I know this isn't what you asked for, but just to give you a different perspective...

I am 46 years old, and for like 45 years I have been told that it's no good being a night owl and I just have to train myself to get to bed early and get up early. I have managed to make all kinds of dramatic changes in my life, conquered all sorts of disciplines. But damned if my internal clock is still set to be awake from 8AM to 1AM. I manage to take a brisk 15 minute walk in the morning. I work out 2 times a week after work, and both days on the weekend.

Not to discourage you - it's always worth trying to rearrange your life the way you want! But don't feel bad if it never becomes easy, some of us just aren't built that way I hope you get a schedule that works best for you settled soon.

OGingerBeardMan

The secret of getting up early is going to bed early. It really is as simple as that.

MelanieCN77

OnFireWithin wrote: »

The secret of getting up early is going to bed early. It really is as simple as that.

This. Getting enough sleep so the getting up is easy and you don't feel like you trashed your whole day. Being light on sleep leads to extra hunger for me, too. Turn your attention to your night time routine, also. Around 7.30pm I better be thinking about getting all my "go to bed" things done - clean up the kitchen, set the coffee pot, check the cats food and water, shower if I need/want to, change, lay out workout clothes and etc etc and leave time for reading in bed. Popping out of a Netflix and Candy Crush binge at 9.30 unprepared isn't going to help.

TrishSeren

Sleep in your gym clothes, prep everything the night before and go to bed earlier.

The hardest part is the getting up, once you're up the battle is pretty much won.

jnomadica

TrishSeren wrote: »

Sleep in your gym clothes, prep everything the night before and go to bed earlier.

The hardest part is the getting up, once you're up the battle is pretty much won.

I totally agree with sleeping in your workout clothes. Then all you need to do is force yourself out of the bed, and you are off. This works for me.
Anyone that will workout with you that early? Having a friend really motivates me for early workouts.

Stac5097

jnomadica wrote: »

TrishSeren wrote: »

Sleep in your gym clothes, prep everything the night before and go to bed earlier.

The hardest part is the getting up, once you're up the battle is pretty much won.

I totally agree with sleeping in your workout clothes. Then all you need to do is force yourself out of the bed, and you are off. This works for me.
Anyone that will workout with you that early? Having a friend really motivates me for early workouts.

No, not really and I actually like working out alone because I talk too much 😂🤦🏼‍♀️. I like the sleeping in the clothes idea.

Chieflrg

I've left the house 3-4:30 am for nearly forty years. Get coffee and protein shake set night before, gear packed early, with clothes laid out.

Go to bed early.

It's a priority to me. I want to train so I do everything possible for adherence.