asking the age old questoin.... morning or evening workouts?

themrsbriggs

ok guys.... i am STUCK!!!! i am really trying to recommit myself to a healthier lifestyle and know that requires working out on a CONSISTENT basis (not just once a week) my trouble is getting myself up in the morning... my bf leaves the house at 5am for work and i'm up so i SHOULD just go to the gym when he leaves but what do i do?? yep, i go back under the covers for an hour until i HAVE to get out of bed to go to work (i'm a schoolteacher) and don't get home until 6:30ish. after dinner and some qt, it's bed time (around 10) help!!!!! :explode:


yes, i just realized i misspelled question opps!!

when was your a-ha moment to change your lifestyle????

hbrittingham

You have to do what works for you. I used to get up early in the mornings, I don't do that anymore. I get to work at 7:15 AM so I can leave at 4:15 and hit the gym on the way home. But whatever works is what you need to do.

jram70

No ah ha moment. I workout in the evening because I know myself and that getting up to work out earlier will never be on a consistent basis. Pick whatever time you think you most likely will consistently do.

Debbe2

Find the time each day that you can just get it done. Times may vary and that's ok. For me I can't think too much about it, I just need to get dressed to work out and go do it, then think afterwards "hey, that felt great!".

mrsvatitagain

I have a long commute and have a part time job some nights, so it depends on the weeks schedule. I do both morning and evening works out, but mostly evening and yes sometimes at 10P I am working out and my day starts between 430A-515A....you have to start with finding something you like to do so that it doesn't feel like exercise. I discovered a love for Zumba! I am faithful to go in the evenings and it doesnt feel like exercise because its so much fun for me, I look forward to it. I don't gyms because they are not fun and I wont go, bottom line. Find something you like! I also like the Leslis Sansone walk at home DVDs. People debate this am or pm workot and I dont think it matters long as you are consistently moving! Good luck!

2nicewitit

I find where you workout is sometimes half the battle. Personally i do not like gyms. I do not like the publich setting and crowds much. Just my thing. Over the years i developed a pretty nice little gym in the basement. Though you do not need much equipement. Sometimes just keeping it simple works.


When i first started i use to just do what i call the Dungeon work out. Running back and forth, approx 10 metres for 1/2 an hour or so.

I still work out in the morning. Go straight from my bed, put on the sneakers and hop on the treadmill/bike/jump rope!!!

Hope this helps!

kyrstensmom

for me its early in the morning because then I don't have all day to talk myself out of it...and no excuses. My husband is happy to kick me out of bed if I try to climb back in after I turn off the alarm, so it has been working for me.

ninerbuff

There is no "right" time to work out. The right time is when you can and WILL do it.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

lauraOOOO

I am a firm believer that weight loss is 90% diet and 10% exercise. yes, burning more calories will get you there faster....but learning how to feed yourself nutritious, healthy meals will keep you on the right track in the long run.

Focus on preparing good dinners/lunches, and try to get in some extra walks etc in the evening. stay within your calorie limit and you will start to see progress.

good luck!!

cierra215

With what your post is reading, the morning would be best for you. While watching the winter olympics one of the athletes stated that still to this day she has to make herself get out of bed everymorning for her workout...tells herself "just make it to the toilet" sounds crude but a woman who is actually at the olympics uses that motto, so now I have adopted it. I HATE getting up, but I also HATE the guilt I feel all day for not doing it. Feels so much better after its done and I'm a nicer person to everyone else. Good luck.

onmywaytoskinny155

Burn calories in the morning evening or night it doesn't really matter as long as you burn them.

Alderaic

I will do a workout in the morning to catch up, but I'm an evening person. At best I will do some treadmill on the morning, but not a workout.

I do it in the evening when I know everything I had to take care of is finished, the kids in bed and dishes done!

summersk

I have found that what works the best for me is to get up and work out at home. I have two school aged children and I have to get up with them around 6:30 every morning anyway, so I started getting up 30 minutes earlier so I can get my workout in before I wake them up. I am currently a stay at home mom, so I can take my shower after they get on the bus; however I do substitute teach at times and when I know that I am going to be teaching that day I just make myself get up earlier than I need and get my workout and my shower in before I have to leave. I have found that when I workout in the mornings I have more energy throughout the day and it is easier for me to wake up if I start the day by exercising; I think is something to do with getting the blood pumping first thing.

You do have to do what works out best for you and your schedule though, but I would recommend getting a workout video of some type and try your hand at working out in your living room instead of having to go to a gym; it helps me get up and do it every morning!

Good Luck!

themrsbriggs

this is why i LOVE MFP!!! you guys are such an inspiration to me and i couldn't love you more!!!!

Maidei

I think morning would also be best for you. I love it that way because then I just get it out of the way; and as others are saying, I have no way of talking myself out of it later then have to feel guilty about it. I am also not a morning person but I came to realize that I have to want my weight loss more than my sleep. I know myself and I would honestly be too lazy to do it later if I don't get it out of the way first thing in the morning. So I hit the gym everyday at 5am. And honestly, your body will adjust to waking up early. You just have to commit to doing it for a while. But if you always give in, nothing is going to change. It really is Mind over Matter.

kate2004rock

I actually go at different times of the day--- I just have to think about it the night (or even sometimes days) before---oh I have an early meeting, better go after work. Long day at the office? I'll have more energy if I've worked out in the morning! If you have to mix it up that's ok--to me it's mostly just about making sure to PLAN when I'm going to go and made room in my schedule that day, no matter what time to do it.

Besides that (and this may just be me fooling myself) I'm hoping it confuses my body a little bit to go at different times and I don't get caught in a rut!

robinogue

Not many options my way.. I have to be to work early in the morning so I'm thinking getting up at 3am to workout is insane. But I get off at 3pm so I workout right after work.

NovemberJune

Sounds like you have lots of options. Personally, I do it in the evenings after my kids go to sleep. At home. I work first shift and my husband works second shift. I can't do mornings because one of my sons gets up at 5:00 and DH needs to sleep since he works late.

If I had your schedule I know I'd do morning, but sounds like you can do morning or evening. GL!

All4Tris

Evenings work best for me because I'm not a morning person and I usually go to bed really late so waking up early is almost impossible. I have busy evenings as well. I usually can't workout until my son is in bed and I have to cut my ringer off so that I don't get distracted by people calling me while I'm working out. You just have to make exercising a priority and adjust your schedule!

RedRage00

I tried working out in the mornings but I just could not get out of bed....so I go after work. I'd rather get a workout in after work than none at all

KCharron20

I work out in the mornings. I was not a morning person either. Hubby started having to go to work early and I started getting up with him and heading to the gym. Once he stopped working early, he started coming with me. It just kind of stuck. Now if I miss going in the morning, I just feel sluggish all day.