How do you motivate yourself for early AM workouts?

kirdyq

I never seem in the mood to exercise at night, but struggle to wake up at 5am to get it done for 30 min before work. Any ideas to get myself out of that bed an moving? I just feel like maybe I need to do it in the morning - the whole "do it in the morning or it won't get done" mentality.

StarvingDiva

I've been slowly moving my workout time up. Typically I set my alarm for 5, turn on the light so I'm "AWAKE" and will kind of float around the house for a bit, usually not working out until 6, but every day I'm inching the workout closer to 5.

kirdyq

It is so darn hard. And if I don't start getting ready for work by 5:45 at the latest, then I'll be late for work. So I need to get up and get a move on, but I just hit the snooze again and don't do anything!

newmein2013

I get such a good feeling from working out and if I don't do it in the morning, more often than not, as you said, it won't get done. So that's my motivation - the awesome feeling exercise gives me and that carries me through my day. I go to sleep at night looking forward to that feeling when I wake up.

You might want to try giving yourself some type of treat or incentive. Just something really simple. I LOVE waking up & having my coffee so I kind of just jump out of bed to get my coffee & once I have it, I start thinking, "workout, feel good, start you day off right, etc." Or maybe something as silly as a planned breakfast or having to throw in a load of laundry before getting in the shower. It's all in the mind. You just have to find what works for you. Be creative with it & individualize it. Best of luck to you.

Laurie1267

Just posted this on another forum:

Just changed my exercise routine to mornings because of advice from my RD. She says that if you work out on an empty stomach in the morning, then the exercise burns fat because that's the only fuel readily available. If you workout during the day or evening, it will burn sugar for fuel. Do what's right for you.

kirdyq

Thanks, I am HOPING if I can ever drag my booty out of bed that I will eventually come to like exercising, and it will be something to look foward to, as you mention. I wonder how many weeks it takes to get to that point...I guess until then it is just sheer determination.

emileesgram

I hate the mornings I am a night owl but twice a week I drag myself out of bed to go to the gym before work. You learn to appreciate the mornings slowly...then it is so worth it to start the day with your workout done! I haven't missed a day in over 6 months there were many days I just wanted to stay in bed but you just have to do it, simple as that . Good luck

newmein2013

Thanks, I am HOPING if I can ever drag my booty out of bed that I will eventually come to like exercising, and it will be something to look foward to, as you mention. I wonder how many weeks it takes to get to that point...I guess until then it is just sheer determination.

I hope you soon come to enjoy it too. It is sheer determination in the beginning, even if you do enjoy it as much I always have. Creating, and sticking to new habits is never easy, especially if all our lives we've done the exact opposite. Stick with it and over time your body will feel so much better that you will notice the difference if you don't do it. It took me about 2-3 months at 60 mins 5 days a week. I really, really had to disipline myself. Now I'm at 60 mins 3 days a week and 90 mins 3 days a week with just 1 day off. And I love, love, love it.

suejonestx

Just focus on your goal, and do what you need to do to get there. If 5am is the only time you can consistently work out, then you HAVE to get up early! I switched from an after-work to a before-work routine, and it was definitely hard at first, but now I'm totally used to it. Good luck!

imanole

I never seem in the mood to exercise at night, but struggle to wake up at 5am to get it done for 30 min before work. Any ideas to get myself out of that bed an moving? I just feel like maybe I need to do it in the morning - the whole "do it in the morning or it won't get done" mentality.

I get up between 4-430 every morning.
Step 1: Don't stay up till 11pm! Get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Step 2: Get out of your bed. Sounds silly, but once I start moving I'm good to go.
Step 3: Get a great pre-workout shake or some form of caffeine.

Mine is a little different because I go to the gym and workout for 2 hours, but that should be a good start. Once you do it for a few days, your body will get accustomed to waking up early. And it will take the days when you sleep in as a "treat".

My 2 cents.

kirdyq

Thanks so much everyone! It is motivating just to hear comments from others!!

sheila569

I never seem in the mood to exercise at night, but struggle to wake up at 5am to get it done for 30 min before work. Any ideas to get myself out of that bed an moving? I just feel like maybe I need to do it in the morning - the whole "do it in the morning or it won't get done" mentality.

I get up between 4-430 every morning.
Step 1: Don't stay up till 11pm! Get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Step 2: Get out of your bed. Sounds silly, but once I start moving I'm good to go.
Step 3: Get a great pre-workout shake or some form of caffeine.

Mine is a little different because I go to the gym and workout for 2 hours, but that should be a good start. Once you do it for a few days, your body will get accustomed to waking up early. And it will take the days when you sleep in as a "treat".

My 2 cents.

Adding my 2 cents to Imanole to make 4

At the gym at 4am for an hour an a half workout M/F and 7am (when the open) Sat & Sun. But like an old lady, I'm in bed at 9:30 weekdays and by mignight on the weekends. Hate working out after work but will occassional go at night with my daughter in addition to the morning (she'd rather go at night).

Bed early, a little caffine, clothes ready the night before... and that goal in your head. That will motivate you.

kirdyq

Haha! I'm glad I'm not the only "old lady!" I am usually going to bed right at 10. And I usually struggle to make it to 11 on weekends! I don't know how I ever used to stay up late! When I don't get enough sleep I usually end up getting sick.

piesbd

I am uber *****y if I do not work out in the morning.... so that is good motivation

lbetancourt

i have this mental picture of what i would like my body to look like & one that i dont want it to look like. either one gets my butt out of bed.

tidesong

My motivation is simply that I know if I don't do it when I get up, it's not going to get done, and that's not acceptable. That's it.

iron_jj

I get up at 4am, I set my alarm on my phone with an uber annoying ringtone and place it far away from my bed so I have to get up to turn it off... Well then all it takes it some willpower, workout clothes on and start working out before your brain catches up and tells you to crawl back to bed lol. Its so hard though. :laugh:

_beautiful_disaster_

bump

RunHardBeStrong

I never seem in the mood to exercise at night, but struggle to wake up at 5am to get it done for 30 min before work. Any ideas to get myself out of that bed an moving? I just feel like maybe I need to do it in the morning - the whole "do it in the morning or it won't get done" mentality.

I get up between 4-430 every morning.
Step 1: Don't stay up till 11pm! Get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Step 2: Get out of your bed. Sounds silly, but once I start moving I'm good to go.
Step 3: Get a great pre-workout shake or some form of caffeine.

Mine is a little different because I go to the gym and workout for 2 hours, but that should be a good start. Once you do it for a few days, your body will get accustomed to waking up early. And it will take the days when you sleep in as a "treat".

My 2 cents.

Adding my 2 cents to Imanole to make 4

At the gym at 4am for an hour an a half workout M/F and 7am (when the open) Sat & Sun. But like an old lady, I'm in bed at 9:30 weekdays and by mignight on the weekends. Hate working out after work but will occassional go at night with my daughter in addition to the morning (she'd rather go at night).

Bed early, a little caffine, clothes ready the night before... and that goal in your head. That will motivate you.

Agreed! I get up at 3 am to get 60-75 minutes in before I have to get ready for work. Yes, I have to go to bed at 9 but it's only 3-4 nights per week (I work out at whatever time on my days off to give me 5-6 days for the week) I just feel so much better getting it over with in the morning, knowing when I get home from work the only thing I have to do is serve dinner! (which I pre-make as much as I can so not much time spent on it) then the other 2 hrs I have for the evening can be spent with my kids or whatever I want to do.

Curvimami

I never seem in the mood to exercise at night, but struggle to wake up at 5am to get it done for 30 min before work. Any ideas to get myself out of that bed an moving? I just feel like maybe I need to do it in the morning - the whole "do it in the morning or it won't get done" mentality.

I have the same exact problem!! it is ridiculous. Not a morning person and too tired in the evenings with kids and cooking and whatnot. Mornings are my best bet, but cant seem to manage them. But like all these posters have said YOu HAVE to get it done. Im hoping sometime in the near future morning workouts will be routine for me and I will finally see my goal weight in arms reach. Good Luck OP with AM workouts!! You can do it

rmhand

I'm a morning person and I love sleep, so I go to bed early to guarantee 8 hours (or more).

ggcat

I get up at 4am M-F and get to the gym no later than 415-430...workout and home by 6, get ready for work at 8!

It was super hard at first, but now when my alarm goes off I just get my butt out of bed! Once I am out I am good!

How to get out? I know that I will not go after work, I also know I can eat more with my workout! I feel alive and energized throughout the day as well!

Good Luck! It gets easier every day!

zbmb30

I try and get up at 2:30 a.m. to go to the gym before work. I have to be at work at 5:30. Once my alarm goes off, it's basically useless to go back to bed because I am already awake, and by the time I actually fall back to sleep, it's time for me to go ahead and get up. Plus, I tell myself that if I can go ahead and get it done, I don't have to worry about it the rest of the day. Plus. . .the gym is basically empty at the time, so I get it pretty much all to myself

aschlum1

So happy to come across this post. I am trying to wake up for AM workouts and this were great tips and motivation!

brimarie95

Bumping this becuase I will need to read over these several times over the next few weeks. I have been unemployed during my weight loss journey thus far and I just got a new job. I am determined to get up early to do my workouts, since I am also starting online college courses tomorrow and need my evenings for my studies.

classycouture

1. I put the alarm clock across the room so I have to physically get out of bed to shut it off (this doesn't always keep me from jumping back in though haha)

2. I wear my workout clothes to bed, so all I have to do is literally wake up and put my sneakers on!

Jesstruhan

I started my AM workouts three weeks ago. I think about how GOOD I feel all day after my workout and that I'm always On time for work instead of late. I actually don't mind being at work because I've been up for a bit already.

Just think about that great feeling and how you'll be missing out on it and it might help.

It doesn't make getting up any easier, but provides the reason for staying awake after the alarm goes off. Eventually you'll just say to yourself "well, you're already awake, let's get a move on!"

ChristyRunStarr

I LOVE morning workouts (I push myself a lot more in the morning than night) so I get up before my alarm clock is set to go off at 4:45am lol The feeling I get after I work out is amazing so it makes it even easier for me. If you want to work out in the morning then make yourself get up. Try going to bed telling yourself when your alarm goes off, you'll get up and work out no questions asked.

KNarrainen

I have to get up around 5.40 to do my workout for an hour or so, then be leaving the house by 7.30.

I'm not really a fan of it, but it's the only time I can do it, I try to think about how annoyed i get if I miss a workout, and about how good the results will be if I am consistent with always getting up and doing my workouts.

Try not to got to bed too late, and be determind, it's gets a bit easier after you have been doing it for a while.

Four_Leaf_Clover

I honestly don't have any other choice but mornings during the week. I get up at 6 - do my workout - then off to work.

Gotta get sleep the night before.
The better I eat the day before (good nutrition overall) - the easier it is to get up and work out.
I lay out all my gear the night before - clothes, shoes, HRM, etc. so I just throw it on and go!

I feel more revved up for the day and feel like I have stoked the proverbial furnace of my metabolism (I have no idea if that is actually true) - plus I have something checked off the to do list before I get to work!

cvance3

Any way to have or find a workout buddy? I'm working on training for a marathon, and it has made a WORLD of a difference to have my running buddy meet me at the gym each morning...it gives us a chance to chat, burn calories, and motivate each other! The days that she teleworks, I feel a HUGE difference...I usually don't push myself as much!

Oh...and the alarm goes of at 4:15am and I'm a nightowl by nature, so it can be done! :happy: