Waitress & I don't get up early enough to go to the gym...

Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help me find a way to motivate myself to either go to the gym before work or workout at home. I typically work nights from 4 until about 12 sometimes 2:30am and will stay awake until about 3-5am. I want to wake up, workout or go to the gym and then be able to go home, shower, and get to work on time but I love sleep.

I have tried the sleep in my workout clothes, set multiple alarms, and go to bed as soon as I get home.
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Replies

  • jackjb2
    jackjb2 Posts: 83 Member
    If you really want it and it is important to you--you will find a way to do it
    :wink:
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Workout after work?
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    There is no magic pill or answer for that matter that makes it any easier, you just have to want it bad enough to go do it.. If your up to 5 a.m. some days, why not find a 24 hour fitness gym and go there straight after work or pack your bag and head to the gym at 2 before you go into work, get your workout in then. Alot of the 24 hour places have nice locker rooms where you can shower and get ready to go into work... You just have to make a choice of what your goals are and start working towards them.... Best of Luck
  • combatbunny
    combatbunny Posts: 42 Member
    just switch to a 24 hour gym and go after work! :)
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Why do you go to work every day?

    Why do you brush your teeth every day?

    Why do you put gas in your car?


    We are motivated to do a ton of things every day. When working out has a reason strong enough - you will make it a priority and you will do it.
  • All4Me2014xx
    All4Me2014xx Posts: 155 Member
    As the others have said, it's up to you to find the time in your schedule. But looking at just what you posted, you go to sleep somewhere around 5 am and don't have to be at work until 4 pm. That's 11 hours. Do you sleep that whole 11 hours? If not, then take an hour or so during that time and get yourself to the gym or get a workout in at home.
  • tremroy1
    tremroy1 Posts: 90 Member
    Do an intense ten minute program at home. Go to the Gym when you can. Good Luck.
  • Derp_Diggler
    Derp_Diggler Posts: 1,456 Member
    Why do you go to work every day?

    Why do you brush your teeth every day?

    Why do you put gas in your car?


    We are motivated to do a ton of things every day. When working out has a reason strong enough - you will make it a priority and you will do it.

    The gypsy is wise.
  • Cryptonomnomicon
    Cryptonomnomicon Posts: 848 Member
    Why do you go to work every day?

    Why do you brush your teeth every day?

    Why do you put gas in your car?


    We are motivated to do a ton of things every day. When working out has a reason strong enough - you will make it a priority and you will do it.

    The gypsy is wise.
    Agreed...and sexy too!
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Why do you go to work every day?

    Why do you brush your teeth every day?

    Why do you put gas in your car?


    We are motivated to do a ton of things every day. When working out has a reason strong enough - you will make it a priority and you will do it.

    The gypsy is wise.
    Agreed...and sexy too!

    I believe you two just made my week. :heart: :blushing:

    tumblr_ljbcgkPROS1qixleeo1_500.gif
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    just switch to a 24 hour gym and go after work! :)

    +1. An important part of the process is figuring out what works for you, rather than trying to make yourself do everything a certain way.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Excuses, excuses…….just do it!!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    This...
    If you really want it and it is important to you--you will find a way to do it
    :wink:

    And this...
    There is no magic pill or answer for that matter that makes it any easier, you just have to want it bad enough to go do it.. If your up to 5 a.m. some days, why not find a 24 hour fitness gym and go there straight after work or pack your bag and head to the gym at 2 before you go into work, get your workout in then. Alot of the 24 hour places have nice locker rooms where you can shower and get ready to go into work... You just have to make a choice of what your goals are and start working towards them.... Best of Luck

    and definitely this...
    Why do you go to work every day?

    Why do you brush your teeth every day?

    Why do you put gas in your car?


    We are motivated to do a ton of things every day. When working out has a reason strong enough - you will make it a priority and you will do it.

    I gotta second the excuses part too...not being mean, but because I did the same thing as you are doing. I had the hardest time getting up even after 7 hours of sleep. I'd lay in bed finding tons of reasons (#1 being I love to sleep) to not go workout.

    So it's up to you. It's a choice. You decide to do it. You make that decision every.single.time. Time will pass either way.
  • kbolton322
    kbolton322 Posts: 358 Member
    work out after work... it you are staying up a few hours after work after every shift then there is your answer,...
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I'm not seeing the time issue here. You say most nights you're home by midnight, which is only an 8-hour work day. Or if you get home at 2:30 that is a 10.5 hour work day. That leaves a remaining 16 hours in the day to workout whenever. You can't possibly be sleeping 16 hours???
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    If you go to bed at 5am, when are you typically waking up? What else needs to be done during the day?

    If you go to bed at 5am, then 7 hours of sleep has you up at noon. You could fit in an hour workout on the way to the gym, no?
  • jasonmh630
    jasonmh630 Posts: 2,850 Member
    Workout after work?

    If you have a 24hr gym in your town, I like this ^^^ idea.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Find a way that works for you.

    Personally, I've found that if I work out RIGHT when I get home from work, I stick to the plan a lot better than if I wait an hour or two, or try to wake up early to do it.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    I find the more I workout and the more fit I am, the less sleep I need. I am not sure if that is the same with everyone, but turn it into a routine and it will get easier with time. Just find a time that you can stick with.
    I only get 4-5hrs a night (of broken up sleep due to caring for a baby) but I was up at 6am this morning to workout.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I love my sleep too. I still make time to go to the gym though.

    OP is just not ready yet.
  • cheripugh1
    cheripugh1 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help me find a way to motivate myself to either go to the gym before work or workout at home. I typically work nights from 4 until about 12 sometimes 2:30am and will stay awake until about 3-5am. I want to wake up, workout or go to the gym and then be able to go home, shower, and get to work on time but I love sleep.

    I have tried the sleep in my workout clothes, set multiple alarms, and go to bed as soon as I get home.

    Well since you like to stay up until 3-5am find a 24 hr. gym and go after work since you know you won't get up early to go before work. To work out at home, there are plenty of different youtubes out there OR very inexpensive workout tapes/DVD's you can buy, just go to like Walmart and look in the fitness area (back by the bikes) and buy one or two that look good to you.

    If YOU want to do it, YOU will find a way, otherwise it's just excuses to avoid exercise and that's your choice.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help me find a way to motivate myself to either go to the gym before work or workout at home. I typically work nights from 4 until about 12 sometimes 2:30am and will stay awake until about 3-5am. I want to wake up, workout or go to the gym and then be able to go home, shower, and get to work on time but I love sleep.

    I have tried the sleep in my workout clothes, set multiple alarms, and go to bed as soon as I get home.

    I love to run, therefore I do it. And sometimes I have to be up at 4am for a race, but it gets done. When you decide to love working out, you'll find your answer.
  • Catter_05
    Catter_05 Posts: 155 Member
    Even the library here has workout videos. You could check a couple out from a local library to see if you like them. Go to a used book/movie store. Do you already belong to a gym? It's not like you need a lot of time to do them. Generally, i was procrastinating much longer than the actual workout. Now I just do it and the time crunch is much better. The mind can really make it seem like a lot of things are impossible that it finds unpleasant.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    What they all said. You have until 4pm so you just have to get into the discipline.
    the 24hr gym was a good one, but frankly most gyms are open during the daylight hours. and your home is open 24hrs.

    Try the exercise first thing or within 1hr of getting up or go immediately before you go to work. You arent saying what sort of workout you want. Walking or cycling to work is cool or alternatively just find some classes that are fun and you enjoy. Go swimming or Zumba anything to get you and keep you moving.

    Again what everyone else said you have to make a choice, do it or don't do it.

    Four things that motivate me and by no means all.

    1. Gym closeby.
    2. Know your routine.
    3. Seeing the benefits, losing weight or changes in appearance/ progress.
    4. Understanding the health risks of being overweight.

    The hardest bit I find is getting your backside in the gym.
  • Fsunami
    Fsunami Posts: 241 Member
    Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help me find a way to motivate myself to either go to the gym before work or workout at home. I typically work nights from 4 until about 12 sometimes 2:30am and will stay awake until about 3-5am. I want to wake up, workout or go to the gym and then be able to go home, shower, and get to work on time but I love sleep.

    I have tried the sleep in my workout clothes, set multiple alarms, and go to bed as soon as I get home.

    I want you to be successful at this.

    The drive comes from within.

    When you find it, you will have the solution youre looking for

    FR if youd like

    Fsunami
  • Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help me find a way to motivate myself to either go to the gym before work or workout at home. I typically work nights from 4 until about 12 sometimes 2:30am and will stay awake until about 3-5am. I want to wake up, workout or go to the gym and then be able to go home, shower, and get to work on time but I love sleep.

    I have tried the sleep in my workout clothes, set multiple alarms, and go to bed as soon as I get home.

    It is hard when you work late to have the motivation to do anything. Specially when you have a job like yours , on your feet all the time!
    You got to remember your body gets use to all that moving around so it won't help exercise wise and you're going to have to do something to get into gear.

    I work out after work I find this the easiest time for me . Of course I work out soon as I get home for an hour then after dinner for another 30+ minutes . But it works for me. Just to try and apply effort is one step closer. And asking for questions and advice means your really serious or you'd not ask.

    All you have to do now is put your mind set to I will do this , I will succeed.
  • Lesleycali
    Lesleycali Posts: 236 Member
    I used to work very similar hours when I was in my early 20s. My advice would be to try to get to bed a little earlier, so if your shift ends at midnight be in bed by 2. If it ends at 2:30 be in bed by 4. Then you can be awake by 10 or 11. Go for a run, bike ride, or do a video (that way you don't waste time driving to the gym.)

    Start small, a few miles, or a 20 minute video, but do it consistently! At least a few times a week. As you get used to the new routine you will be feeling good and can find a way to increase the time to work out.

    I did it with the same schedule and I was a bonafide sleep-a-holic! Start small and be consistent. Good Luck!
  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    Just how many hours are you sleeping? If you're in bed by 5 am at the latest, and don't work again until 4 pm, surely there's an hour in there to exercise.

    You can try telling yourself that working out is part of your job and your shift starts at 2 rather than 4... and then report daily to the gym for the first part of your "shift", if that makes it easier for you to actually do it. :indifferent:
  • KameHameHaaaa
    KameHameHaaaa Posts: 837 Member
    I had the exact same schedule as you for eight years. I was always the pm closing server/bartender!

    What worked for me was either going to the gym after work (I'm a planet fitness member, 24/7 access)
    When I had a bike I would bike to and from work. This one is iffy depending on how safe the area you live in is. I always carried a weapon though.

    Going to the gym right after work worked out for me because sure I was tired but I was still pumped. Being at work was basically my warm up and I was able to get in some HIIT work on the elliptical afterwards.

    I feel ya though with not wanting to get up during the morning/afternoon! It was impossible to drag myself anywhere in the afternoon before work unless It was something I absolutely had to get done.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    since you are staying up so late after getting off of work anyways, why not work out when you get off? sitting on the couch in front of the tube isn't going to get you close to your goal. when you really want something you will find a way without cutting into your sleep time. (I am a waitress too) go for a walk, do a video, do yoga, join a 24 hour gym, etc