Tips for waking up early to exercise?

olivia3263

I just recently got an iphone and it has an alarm feature, which is good because I've always used my phone for an alarm. You can name each alarm you set and, just for labeling purposes, I named one "Get up and go running". When I got up, I had to look at my phone to slide the little switch thingy to turn it off and I saw the words, "Get up and go running." It was as if the phone was telling me, "Get up and go running." So I added a couple !!!! to it and then set one for 1 minute later and labeled it, "Don't be lazy. GET UP!!!" Not only did it work, it made me laugh and more energized for my workout. I'm sure it'll lose it's novelty, but I like the idea of someone or something - even if it's my phone - giving me that little extra push I need to not hit the snooze button. I'm thinking of changing it up every once in a while to keep things interesting. Maybe "Is the extra 45 minutes really worth the blubber?" or "Don't disappoint yourself - you'll be sorry!"

It only works if you have that type of phone or one with that option, but if you can name your alarms I highly recommend sending yourself some messages

lmarshel

I've been getting up @ 430 every weekday to exercise for a very long time now, and I still have to force myself sometimes. I don't enjoy it, but I feel so much better afterwards. Well worth it.

Kalrez

I set multiple alarms and put them not only around the room, but also right outside the bed room. They're set like 5 mins apart. Overkill, maybe, but it's effective. I'm a night owl, so mornings aren't really my thing. However, I've noticed that it's getting easier and easier to get up in the morning.

It also helps that my 15# cat jumps on my chest as soon as the first alarm goes off. He's an attention hog. If he knows that I'm awake, he's ALL about getting petted, and he's very insistent about it lol

epoint

Well, since I retired I don't even HAVE an alarm clock in my bedroom anymore, lol! But...I just wake up. I know if I were having to go to work I'd be hitting the snooze button, but since I don't have to go anywhere I can't seem to stay in the bed. So I get up about 5, drink a cup of coffee, and head out for my walk.

I will say that for about the last 10 years that I worked, I used a sunrise type alarm clock. No sound, just gradually increasing light. I loved it, and highly recommend it.

fbuschur

I sometimes sleep in my jogging clothes, with my shoes next to the bed. Don't hit snooze, you just have to get right up and out the door immediately.

Bluestar083

Dont think about it. Wake up, jump out of bed, put the gym clothes on and GO. By the time your fully awake your at the gym. I eat half a protein bar or banana on the way to the gym.
I also have my work bag packed from the night before so go straight from gym to work.

HMonsterX

It depends how important it is to you.

I find that when i wake up, i weigh up the pros and cons of getting up! If there are enough pros, like being on holiday, or something really good happening that day, its easy. If its just another day, just doesnt seem worth it! Ive always been a night person anyway though. I hate going to bed, as its like admitting the day is over, but i hate getting up, as it means another dull day is starting...

And lets face it..."Beds are always at their most comfortable when you have to get out of them"

Hmmm....

silvergurl518

i struggle with this too. my mind wants to get out of bed and get the day going...but my body wants sleep...and my hand keeps pressing the snooze button. INVOLUNTARILY!!!!!!!

kfitz10103

What's your motivation? Mine is either my "fat" picture or my "skinny" picture. I put the fat one by my alarm clock and the skinny one on the treadmill.

christine24t

- go to bed as early as you can, i like 8 hours of sleep
- wear your workout clothes to bed
- eat something before you work out

jfinnivan

I get up at 4:30. I already have my gym bag and work clothes in the car from the night before. All I have to do is get up, brush my teeth, slip on my workout shorts and T-shirt, grab my lunch (made the night before) from the fridge, and drive to the gym. Not much thought involved. It's a 45 minute drive, and I listen to an audio book. by the time I'm there, I'm wide awake and ready to rock.

tladame

It also helps that my 15# cat jumps on my chest as soon as the first alarm goes off. He's an attention hog. If he knows that I'm awake, he's ALL about getting petted, and he's very insistent about it lol

"alarm kitteh" :laugh: I used to have one of those, except he was broken...he would come in at 2:00am. :sick:

kikican82

I have added two weekly early AM workouts (doing a boot camp at my gym at the wretched hour of 5:30 AM). It's hard getting out of bed, yes, but its weird....once I get to work and move on with my day, I forget I even tortured myself for an hour. Today I logged in my lunch and didn't remember I had all of those extra exercise calories already to start the day. Maybe I'm still half asleep during my workouts

As the others already advised, being prepped the night before (have your bag packed etc) so it's as mindless as possible early AM.

Good luck!!!!

Blueberry09

At this time of year you're going to need that extra dose of motivation / will power just to get out of bed. When I changed my routine to early morning workouts I found it easier to do it in the spring when the sun is already up. By fall when it's dark at 5:30 I was so used to getting up it wasn't a problem.

bgredenbaugh

Hi, I am a NIGHT person, so I put an alarm of some kind - usually my phone - in another room so I have to get up to shut it off. That way, you can't just hit snooze without thinking about it.

I also lay out my workout clothes the night before, including socks and shoes, fill my water bottle, and am basically ready to go.

I'm probably out the door before I'm even properly awake!

ArroganceInStep

Just doing it. I wake up at 4AM daily now, and I used to have trouble getting up for my 1PM class in college. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Danahimself

Great thread I actually missed a workout this morning : (

The preparing workout clothes the night before and the distancing alarm clock are great suggestions!

Mommawarrior

Dont think about it, just do it.

That is the best advice ever.
We can make excuses all day long, but excuses never produce results.

curvykatie

I just recently got an iphone and it has an alarm feature, which is good because I've always used my phone for an alarm. You can name each alarm you set and, just for labeling purposes, I named one "Get up and go running". When I got up, I had to look at my phone to slide the little switch thingy to turn it off and I saw the words, "Get up and go running." It was as if the phone was telling me, "Get up and go running." So I added a couple !!!! to it and then set one for 1 minute later and labeled it, "Don't be lazy. GET UP!!!" Not only did it work, it made me laugh and more energized for my workout. I'm sure it'll lose it's novelty, but I like the idea of someone or something - even if it's my phone - giving me that little extra push I need to not hit the snooze button. I'm thinking of changing it up every once in a while to keep things interesting. Maybe "Is the extra 45 minutes really worth the blubber?" or "Don't disappoint yourself - you'll be sorry!"

It only works if you have that type of phone or one with that option, but if you can name your alarms I highly recommend sending yourself some messages

Love that! such a great idea, might have to do that with mine now