Advice for becoming more of a morning person?

BetseaPea
BetseaPea Posts: 2
in Motivation and Support
Good morning!

This is my first post ever on myfitnesspal and I'm hoping it'll be a good one :-) I'm looking for advice regarding how to become more of a morning person to better utilize the time I have before work for workouts, making a healthy breakfast, etc. I have been a chronic snoozer all my life and struggle to get out of bed every morning. I go to bed at a decent hour and it seems like no matter how long I sleep I just can't seem to get going in the morning, which means I end up rushing around and making unhealthy choices. Any suggestions for changing this behavior? Have you (or someone you know) struggled with this issue and made a successful change?

Thanks in advance!
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Replies

  • Carissa145
    Carissa145 Posts: 604 Member
    Good post! I'm curious too.
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Don't do it..........a lay in is too good to give up

    However if there really is a formula for this then I would be interested as well
  • LuLuChick78
    LuLuChick78 Posts: 439 Member
    Sleep until noon...that should help :laugh:
  • QuincyChick
    QuincyChick Posts: 269 Member
    I wish I had better advice than this, but this is what works for me.

    I have the alarm on the other side of the room, so I have to physically get up to turn it off. I then immediately go into the bathroom, turn the light on, and splash water in my face. Then I'm ready to go. I hear you thought- the first 2 minutes of being awake is the worst!
  • livingfortheone
    livingfortheone Posts: 273 Member
    Have you thought about going to the University of Houston and having a sleep study done? My wife did and found that she had sleep apnea which was keeping her from getting up and going well in the morning.
    The other thought was ADD or ADHD that also has an affect on deep sleep patterns.
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    Just force yourself to get out of bed when the alarm goes off. Once you've got your feet on the floor then you just start moving and get on with the day.

    Organise your breakfast and lunch the night before so that's one less thing to worry about in the morning. Also get your exercise gear ready the night before so you can just get dressed and go.

    Once you've done it a few times and realise how fantastic morning exercise makes you feel you'll be positively springing out of bed!
  • sarahertzberger
    sarahertzberger Posts: 534 Member
    HAVE KIDS LOL, that's what made me a morning person, but really, just start setting your alarm about 30 minutes earlier and make yourself get out of bed and do that every day until you reach the time you want to be awake, after getting up at your set time for a weeks, you will start to get used to it, and eventually you will enjoy it, just make sure you do get to bed at a decent hour so you are getting enough sleep.
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
    I've never been a morning person but did get better at it. Basically I had to just force myself out of bed for about a month, and eventually it became a habit.
  • fullersun50
    fullersun50 Posts: 11
    I've gone to bed in my workout clothes before. It helped to get me out of bed, knowing I was already dressed and ready to go.
  • MrsB123111
    MrsB123111 Posts: 535 Member
    I workout 2 days a week in the early am... I force myself to go to bed at 9:00, whether I'm tired or not. I set 2 alarms; one at 5:00, one at 5:15. The 5:00 is my warning alarm, the 5:15 is my "ok, it's now or never" alarm! I also have all my clothes set out the night before. Not to mention, knowing you got your workout out of the way and you can go on about your day is priceless to me!
  • PJ_73
    PJ_73 Posts: 331 Member
    I train in the mornings before work, so arrive at the gym anytime between 6.30am and 8am - dependent on what time I have to be in the office.

    The earliest I get up is around 5.15am as I am a horrible morning person and need to wake myself up before I get to the gym - otherwise I would likely get banned for being evil!

    I have not always been a morning person but I was surprised at how easily I managed to get into a routine and now I can't imagine training at any other time of day.

    To maintain this I have to be in bed before 10pm - which isn't always possible - but I do try!

    I get up, pop the coffee machine on, catch up on the morning's news, get my gym stuff on, drink the caffeine and then jump in the car. I rarely eat before I go, however, this is personal choice as I find that training after eating at that time of the day makes me feel nauseous. I tend to eat when I get home, or to work.

    This all works for me and like I said, I couldn't bear the thought of training after work, as my gym tends to get very crowded at this time of day.

    Hope you work out what works for you!
  • Barbonica
    Barbonica Posts: 337 Member
    I don't think you can "become" a morning person if you are not, but you can improve your morning performance. I have a standard routine that includes what I have for breakfast, the order in which I get ready for the day, etc. If I have to make any decisions, I make them the night before so all I have to do is remember them. For example, if you decide that you want to work out in the morning, decide the night before exactly what you will do and for how long.

    I found that I cannot get a good workout in the morning - it just isn't me. So I rearranged some other things that require less focus for the mornings, leaving me more time in the evening for working out. I can wash dishes in the morning, but if I try to run, I will hurt myself (and maybe others as well). Good luck!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    JUST DO IT!
    I start at 4am,, get it done, and out of the way!
    BEST WAY TO DO IT!
  • cuinboston2014
    cuinboston2014 Posts: 848 Member
    There is no magic formula and something different works for everyone.

    When I used to say i'd get up and work out before work, my family laughed at me. I had gym equipment downstairs so I could work out before my daughter woke up or after she went to bed if I needed to. I dreaded getting up.

    Then as my life changed and my work changed, etc I now have a husband, daughter, school, and a regular 9-5 job. If I don't work out in the morning it's hard to work out in the evening. It's so easy to skip that - and a lot of times we are busy in the evening.

    So
    1) Mentally prepare yourself the night before. Say I AM getting out of bed at X time and am going to run 4 miles, or bike for 30 minutes, etc. Whatever it is lay out an EXACT plan!
    2) Some people wear their clothes to bed. I don't but I do have them laid out in a spare bedroom for me to grab in the morning. I like the 2 minutes between getting up and leaving to kind of wake up
    3) You can ease your way into it if you want - try to set your alarm 10 minutes earlier for a week and do pushups, sit-ups,s quats, calisthenics or whatever at home. Each week make it 5 minutes earlier until you are comfortable with a full fledge workout in the morning.

    Morning is all mind over matter. The bed feels good. It sounds good. It's tough to get up especially if it's dark and cold where youa re. But set you rmind to it and force yourself to do it. I absolutely LOVE having my workout done in the morning. I hate getting out of bed but it feels so good to be done with that when half the world is still sleeping :)

    Good luck! Just remember how bad you want it!
  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
    HAVE KIDS LOL, that's what made me a morning person,

    That's what did it for me!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Going to bed early would be the easiest start.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • mikemckinlay
    mikemckinlay Posts: 22 Member
    I’m not a morning person but as I have gotten older I have found it easier to get up earlier. When I was in my 20s I could happily sleep in until mid-day (even later depending on how wild the party was!) They key to changing this is getting into a habit. They say it takes 3 weeks to develop habit / banish old habits - so here are my top tips:

    • Plan your morning workouts at the beginning of the week and write them down, put on a notice board / next to your bed / in your diary

    • Before you go to bed visualise what your morning workout will be and how good you will feel afterwards and mentally commit to it

    • Arrange to meet a friend / colleague / partner at a specific time to work out together. You are less likely to press the snooze button if you think you will let someone down by not turning up

    • Don’t underestimate the power of espresso – it always works for me and I find I get a better workout (whether it is cardio / resistance)

    I am very lucky as my partner is a morning person and this is an excellent motivator for me to drag my sorry carcass out of bed and down to the gym. However it’s also important to know when you need rest and when a nice lie in is the order of the day.

    Good luck
  • Firefighter4ever
    Firefighter4ever Posts: 110
    I think you aren't a morning person to begin with, it's got to be an enormous challenge to overcome.

    Unfortunately, I wake up on my own around 4:30 am everyday; regardless of the time I go to bed. Believe me, it's a terrible habit because I've never been able to sleep in. If I make to 6am without waking up, it's a miracle. Another draw back is if I have to go on calls or if I wake up during the middle of the night, I'm wide awake until morning. I keep myself in bed it I'm still wide eyed.

    I'd rather be the snoozer myself.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I started by having my clothes right near the bed so it is the first thing I see. Start slow with a 10 to 15 minute stretch warm up. Then build up. I didn't think I was a morning person until I started doing it and realized how great I felt. I have tons more morning energy now.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    The issue could be quality of sleep. First you need to observe good sleep hygiene (this is usually recommended for combating insomnia, but they can also improve the quality of sleep):

    - make your room as dark as possible
    - try to block out sounds as much as possible, don't sleep with the TV, radio or music on (if you're in the habit of this you can break the habit
    - try to have a bedtime routine which includes doing something quiet and relaxing before bed, e.g. reading, bath, (NOT screen activities e.g. computer, phone, TV, the light from the screens can interfere with natural sleep/wake patterns, which are based on exposure to light) - the book should be something relaxing, not really heavy, depressing topics
    - avoid caffeine after 7pm
    - avoid exercising late in the evening, exercise can make you feel more alert. Morning is a good time for it (although for people who don't have issues with insomnia or sleep quality, it doesn't matter one way or another, and from a calorie point of view it makes no difference)
    - get enough sunlight during the day, e.g. take a walk outside at lunchtime (again, this helps the body establish a good sleep/wake pattern, as this come from exposure to sunlight and darkness at appropriate times) - sunlight first thing in the morning is great both for waking yourself up and for establishing this pattern
    - an alarm clock that mimics the sunrise, i.e. slowly lights up the room for 30 mins before going off, can also really help in establishing a good sleep/wake pattern
    - get enough exercise during the day
    - if you're stressed, find ways to relieve stress, especially exercise and also try to find ways to not think about stressful stuff in the hours before going to bed.

    If these kinds of measures don't improve sleep quality, it could be a medical or neurological issue so seek advice from a doctor who specialises in sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a very common condition that greatly affects quality of sleep. Obesity puts you at greater risk of it, and many cases are solved by losing weight.
  • kshengst
    kshengst Posts: 10 Member
    I keep a cup of coffee or a 5hr by the bed. I set my first alarm for 10 to 15 minutes earlier than I want to be up. As soon as the first alarm goes off, I slam the coffee or have a sip (only a sip!) of the 5hr. One five hour will last a few days. I keep a bottle of water by the bed as well and drink 10 swallows of it. Start stretching, tightening and relaxing your muscles while still in bed. The second alarm is across the room so I do actually have to get up just to turn it off.

    I have a set bedtime and a set time to get up no matter what. On weekends, I only let myself sleep an hour or so later to stay in the routine...even if I was up to watch the sun rise.

    It took a few weeks for this schedule to become routine. Most of the time now I don't need the coffee until I'm up and about and the 5hr will sit unopened usually until the end of the week.

    Good luck!
  • IhScoutII
    IhScoutII Posts: 162 Member
    I never was a morning person..but I am now..
    1st go to bed a little earlier than normal.
    2nd your going to have to make yourself get up and stick with it!
    3rd Stick with it!
    4th it will take time....
    Eventually your body will get used to it physically and mentally and you won't be able to sleep in any more:drinker:
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Not a morning person, never have been, and never will be. However, what works the best is consistency. You do not put your alarm anywhere close you can hit the snooze button, and fight fight the sleepy brain. If you can get someone to help you get up that always helps. Get at least 6hrs of sleep if not more.

    My poor fiance has to push on me multiple times for me to move.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    HAVE KIDS LOL, that's what made me a morning person,

    That's what did it for me!

    Same for me. But why would you want to be a morning person? Mornings suck. Unless you're in a Folgers commercial, and bacon also happens to be sizzling in the frying pan.
  • JustAnotherGirlSuzanne
    JustAnotherGirlSuzanne Posts: 932 Member
    I am not a morning person, and I've sort of given up on the thought that I ever might be.

    As for making healthy choices on the run though... that I have found a solution. Make your breakfast and your lunch before you go to bed at night so when you wake up and have 15 minutes to run out the door all you have to do is eat, get ready, grab your lunch, and go.
  • 2sexilexi
    2sexilexi Posts: 2
    I need help with this too. It feels so good when you get a lot accomplished by noon. Cold, cloudy days like today don't help.
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    Since daylight savings is this weekend, just keep getting up at the same time and it'll be an hour earlier on the clock.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    HAVE KIDS LOL, that's what made me a morning person,

    That's what did it for me!

    Yup...that's really the only tried and true formula....

    In all seriousness OP, I think you either are or aren't...most of us I think do it out of necessity. Honestly, I hate the actual act of getting up...but once I'm up then I'm up and it's all good...and I do enjoy a good sunrise.
  • Cre8veLifeR
    Cre8veLifeR Posts: 1,062 Member
    Learn to LOVE the mornings! I am a total morning person - I get up at 4:30 - 5 everyday. I love the quiet of morning, the sunrise, coffee...before I rush out to the gym (that makes mornings hard for me) I have coffee, plan my day, peruse the interwebs...

    Eventually it will turn into a habit. But some people ARE NOT morning people - I have friends who get tons of crap done at night and stay up until 11 - I am LONG asleep by then. Unless you think not getting up early is damaging to you, I would say if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Just make your breakfast the night before so you can grab and go in the morning. :)
  • queezle_sister
    queezle_sister Posts: 33 Member
    Go to bed at 9:30, and use one of those alarms that times your wake-up to coincide with a particular point in your sleep cycle. The first time I used this, I couldn't believe how great I felt, despite a short sleep time. You can download a free app that will do it for most smart phones.

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