Tips for waking up early to exercise?

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I'll be starting night classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and will only have time to eat dinner between work and class. I won't be getting home until 10 or 10:30 PM. Any tips to help with getting up early to exercise? Usually not a morning person, but going to have to become one with this schedule.

Thanks!
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Replies

  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
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    Dont think about it, just do it.
  • Kassie37
    Kassie37 Posts: 16 Member
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    Yes, I'd be interesting in hearing some tips on this topic as well. I just can't seem to get out of bed before 7!!
  • lmbame905
    lmbame905 Posts: 84 Member
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    Just do it! It seems so hard at first, but if you stick with it for about 2 weeks, or a month (even on weekends) it'll become second nature!
  • cpegasus01
    cpegasus01 Posts: 400 Member
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    Like he said, just get up and do it!
  • grouch201
    grouch201 Posts: 404 Member
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    Put your alarm clock somewhere out of reach so you have to get out of bed to shut it off. Have a good breakfast planned to eat after working out.
  • bjbixler
    bjbixler Posts: 258 Member
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    1) you just have to stick with it. the more you do it, the easier it becomes

    2) I pack my gym bag and set out my workout clothes the night before, it makes you feel really guilty to see all that preparation go to waste if you hit snooze one too many times.
  • lambeas
    lambeas Posts: 229 Member
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    Just like the others have said...just get up when you hear you alarm, set your coffee pot so you just have to press on and let that be your reward for finishing.....the best quote I have heard that makes me get up at 5:30am to excercise.. is " You will never regret finishing your workout, but you will regret not starting"..
  • curvykatie
    curvykatie Posts: 870 Member
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    Put your alarm clock somewhere out of reach so you have to get out of bed to shut it off. Have a good breakfast planned to eat after working out.

    Make your bed before you switch the alarm off too, this will stop you getting back in
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
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    I was gonna say go to bed early.....but since you have class till after 10pm forget that idea. I can get up at 5am no problem but I have to still get in my sleep so I am often asleep well before 10pm. Set the alarm clock across the room and set more than one so you have to get up to get them.
  • sadlazarus
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    I drink a lot of water before bed. Took a while to suss out the volume/ timing, but now I tend to have to answer the call at about 6, 6:30. It's what the Native Americans used to do on the eve of battle, I'm told.
  • dobrien1969
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    I started going to the gym in May...set my alarm for 445a and at the gym by 500a. There really is no trick...it takes about 30 days to create the habit and it does get easier. Take a day off during the week...go later on the weekends. So for instance, my schedule: 5a M-Th...no workout on F...and finally 7a or 8a on S and Sun. Get a routine going and you will be fine. Good luck.
  • KimertRuns13_1
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    Sleep in your workout clothes. Set the alarm. Get up. Just do it.

    Or lay out your clothes, set the alarm, get up and just do it. :)

    No excuses!
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
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    Yup just have to stick with it. If you want it bad enough you will do it :flowerforyou:
  • JDRBT
    JDRBT Posts: 264 Member
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    I gotta agree with everyone else. Your brain will try to talk you out of it, but just do it. Sometimes it helps me to drink a tall glass of water first thing in the AM. It helps me clear my head and start the day off making a smart choice. I don't suggest coffee before a work out, but I have some crystal light that has a touch of caffine in it and that helps me clear the blues too.

    Another tip -
    Put your work out gear within easy reach of the bed. If you don't have to think about finding it, you'll be better off. :) Once you get moving, you'll be hooked on it! I usually go to bed around 10:30am, but am up before 6 every morning.

    Oh yeah - find ways to take a power nap during the days. Once you're working out regularly., you'll probably find sleep to be more restful.
  • lauren0804
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    I am not much of a morning person either but I work out in the morning because A) I get it out of the way and B) usually busy at night.

    I would also suggest pack your bag the night before, even put it in your car! Also pack your lunch (if you bring lunch to work). I

    It's hard at first but once you get on a schedule you won't have a problem. Oh and make sure you go to bed a a reasonable hour because if you have to get up early for the gym and you stay up late you will probably not be going to the gym or might not work out to your full potential.

    Good Luck!
  • lclarkjr
    lclarkjr Posts: 359 Member
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    Get out of bed when the alarm goes off, go to the kitchen and drink a tall glass of cold water. This will not only help hydrate you before your workout, but it will also help wake you up. It's hard at first, but it gets easier. It also helps to have a workout routine you enjoy doing. It makes it that much easier to get out of bed early.

    And for what it's worth, for the past 4 months I've been waking up at 3am three times a week to get my workouts in. I always feel refreshed afterward, rather than tired or exhausted. Coffee helps too.
  • crozierb
    crozierb Posts: 61 Member
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    When you get home, don't take much time to "unwind", just go to bed instead so you'll get enough sleep.... easier said than done I know!
    When I was in the habit of morning runs, I always reminded myself that you will NEVER regret getting up to work out, but you will regret sleeping instead.
  • hcn74
    hcn74 Posts: 214
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    I do it a couple times a week. I am never one to jump out of bed, so I always have to ask myself, which will I regret more, getting out of bed or missing my spin class? Never fails.
  • wjkirby
    wjkirby Posts: 120
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    I get up at 5:30am M-F and a lot of times on Saturday too. When the alarm goes off I sit up, turn the alarm off, put on my glasses and stand-up. I have 2 boxers that sleep in the bed with us and the male is usually waiting on me to get out of his spot. lol. That helps too.
  • crozierb
    crozierb Posts: 61 Member
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    Ha, I just read this after posting nearly the same thing....
    Just like the others have said...just get up when you hear you alarm, set your coffee pot so you just have to press on and let that be your reward for finishing.....the best quote I have heard that makes me get up at 5:30am to excercise.. is " You will never regret finishing your workout, but you will regret not starting"..