morning workout?

2

Replies

  • Iwillrunagain
    Iwillrunagain Posts: 16
    Since becoming a mom 10 years ago the only time I have to workout is in the morning, not that I could not in the evening, but I have that parent guilt for not being home. It took me a long time to get into the routine but some things that helped were:

    1. Not working out at home....in your house all you want to do in the morning is sleep
    2. Meeting a friend at the gym....accountability
    3. Getting ready for work at the gym....I rent a locker and keep all of my makeup and hair stuff there...if I don't go I will look bad all day.
    4. Get up that early even on the weekends you need to get your body in a routine and if you sleep in two days a week you will never get in a routine.


    Anyway, I have been a morning workout person now for ten years, once you are out of bed and moving you forget you were tired and are ready for the rest of your day. Don't have to dread going to the gym and showering again at night.
  • melinda200208
    melinda200208 Posts: 525 Member
    I love working out in the mornings. I know I wouldn't work out half as much if I did it in the evenings. There are mornings where I dont feel like working out, but I do anyway. I feel so much better when I am done. And I am done for the rest of the day! Its a great way to start out the day!! Try to go to bed early so you get your 8 hours of sleep. Eventually it will get easier and easier and become routine. Good Luck!!!
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    No gimmicks - either you want it, or you don't.
  • BigMech
    BigMech Posts: 472 Member
    I wasn't a morning person before I started working out. The key for me, is getting to bed on time. It is almost impossible to workout in the morning if you are not getting enough sleep before hand. Once you adjust your bed time, getting up is easy. I run on about 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep most days.

    I also agree with getting early on days you don't workout. Sleeping in one day can mess your schedule up, because then it's hard to go to bed early that night.
  • marianneread
    marianneread Posts: 21 Member
    Everyone has given great advice. I lay out my clothes the night before and plan my workout so there are no decisions to be made in the morning, just get up and go. I have one friend who even sleeps in her gym clothes so she's already dressed.
  • SkinnyForMinnie
    SkinnyForMinnie Posts: 68 Member
    Bump. Interesting!
  • cheerforsteelers
    cheerforsteelers Posts: 686 Member
    I used to either have to work out in the mornings or I would never do it. I hate getting up earlier to workout so I quit doing that, got a trainer, and meet him after work for an hour. The appointment keeps me accountable and I make time for it. If this is important to you, try to make time for it at night (since getting up super early sucks). I do make dinner later than I would normally eat it, but it has not affected my results.
  • Tennolina
    Tennolina Posts: 2,413
    Sleep in your workout clothes. That way all you have to do is throw your shoes on and you're ready to go! :) It really helps.
  • KirstenTheFamilyCoach
    KirstenTheFamilyCoach Posts: 327 Member
    There are some great apps out there that'll let you sent your own voice as your alarm clock on your smart phone. You can record yourself saying that you want to get up and work out because you know it important.

    Are you making sure to get to bed early enough? Sleep is important too!
  • LaurenOliver
    LaurenOliver Posts: 48
    I am most definitely not a morning person, either, but I get up at 5 a.m. to work out. I have to - while I love the idea of working out in the afternoons, I will simply procrastinate until I run out of time. For me, getting it out of the way first thing is the best option.

    I am also a "hit snooze as long as possible" person. I put my alarm clock all the way across the room, so it is less tempting to just get back into bed. At first, I had to set it a half hour earlier, just so when I kept hitting snooze, I would eventually get sick of it and get up in enough time to exercise.

    I get my clothes out the night before. That way I don't have to stumble around and wake up my dogs or little girl. lol I do the Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred, which is a 20-25-minute workout. I have to repeat to myself a lot, "It is only 25 minutes, you can do it," or, "Remember you wanted to see results..." or "You are hating this right now, but you will be so glad you did once it's over!"

    Sometimes I am REALLY not feeling it, and I remember a blog I read once. The guy said, "You don't need motivation, you just need to start." He said break it into really, really small steps - for example "I just need to get out of bed," then "I just need to get my clothes on," then "I just need to do the first jumping jack..." Before you know it, you are into the workout, your blood is flowing, and by then, you're already going so you might as well finish. lol :)

    Feel free to add me (any of you!)... I can always use some extra motivation and am happy to return the favor! Good luck!!

    This is me too!! I have to do it for me and once I get started I am okay....it is the end result that motivates me to get started:-)

    This seems the most accurate for me too. It definitely helps to break it down to small steps and remind myself that Jillian's video is short. Days I go to the gym, I remind myself that I enjoy it almost every time once I get started. Treadmill work is actually kind of fun with the right playlist in my ears. Just don't get carried away and trip or knock your ipod to the floor, which I have done. My friend and I will use the same kind of method we do for going out to a club...start the motivating/let's dance/let's do this!! music going a prior to leaving.
  • naomitatum10
    naomitatum10 Posts: 1
    Have everything ready to go in the morning. For me, since I work out at home, I need to have my clothes laid out, the dvd in the player, everything. If I have to look for anything I will think about that when I wake up and I will get demotivated. I also don't hit snooze at all because if I do then I'm donefore and will keep doing it. You just have to want things to change bad enough. I used to be the same way but now I want so badly to be healthier and look better and that really motivates me.
  • alienrite
    alienrite Posts: 314 Member
    Just finished my 32 week of working out everyday before work (since July 2) and I have to be in my car for work by 6:30AM every morning and sometimes earlier. I started by simply making myself wake up at 5AM every morning and workout for at least 15 minutes. It hurt at first but you just have to do it. It won't feel great but then again waking up for work doesn't feel good but we do it. What I found was that I got a rush of energy from my workouts and very rapidly wanted to keep doing them just because I felt great throughout my morning and found myself much more productive. My workouts have naturally grown to 35 to 60 minutes long depending on my schedule.

    It sucks and hurts when you start but if you keep at it and don't give in just because it feels bad, they you will get to a point where it doesn't hurt quite so bad (6 to 8 weeks) and finally to a point where it is just what you do (12 to 14 weeks). I cannot control all that happens during my day and cannot guaranty that I will have the time or energy to workout after work. I now pay my health first and workout first. I have the whole rest of the day to workout how to make up for the lost time (about 15 minutes) which I do quite easily by simply being more productive.
  • melinda200208
    melinda200208 Posts: 525 Member
    I workout right next to my work as well. The building is in the same parking lot. Then I go to my work, shower there ,put on their scrubs and I am good for the day :)
    Been working out in the morning for nearly three years now. I do it five days a week. I don't have children so it makes it easy for me but I wouldn't have it any other way. I work out at my place of business and then shower there as well. I feel so much better knowing I have accomplished this in the morning and then I don't have to worry about it in the afternoon when I don't feel like it. Good luck, you can do it!!!!!
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    Are you going to be going to a gym in the morning or just working out at home?

    Because for me, I go to a gym, and then head straight to work after. I've found one of the most helpful things is that I have to pack all of my stuff (clothes, make up, hair dryer etc) the night before. it actually takes a bit of time, so if I end up not going the next morning, I feel bad about wasting all that time getting my stuff together for no reason! Kind of silly, but it really works for me!

    Most likely I will just be running. That is my workout of choice at the moment... or a video.
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    This seems the most accurate for me too. It definitely helps to break it down to small steps and remind myself that Jillian's video is short. Days I go to the gym, I remind myself that I enjoy it almost every time once I get started. Treadmill work is actually kind of fun with the right playlist in my ears. Just don't get carried away and trip or knock your ipod to the floor, which I have done. My friend and I will use the same kind of method we do for going out to a club...start the motivating/let's dance/let's do this!! music going a prior to leaving.
    That is too funny! I have knocked my phone to the floor from the elliptical/treadmill to many times!! haha!
  • jensweighingin
    jensweighingin Posts: 168 Member
    I pack everything the night before. I have my gym bag and clothes ready to go, my food packed for the day. I also put what I can in the car so I don't have to think about it. My food is prepacked in containers and ready to grab and I make a list of what I need to bring, so I don't forget anything. Nothing derails a good workout like forgetting your yummy homemade low cal snacks and having to hit the vending machine. I also meet a friend 3 days a week, so that helps me. It becomes a habit. I will not work out after my shower, but I will do it before.
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    Sleep in your workout clothes. That way all you have to do is throw your shoes on and you're ready to go! :) It really helps.

    someone else mentioned this too... I think that might work, at least in the winter... summer gets hot even with AC.

    I really liked all the suggestions from everyone!!! thank you so much for responding. I will start with having my workout stuff ready to rock and roll in the morning and (if it is ok) I will tell myself that I can't have wasted the time of everyone on MFP who responded. haha! :wink:
    I just know I really need to do SOMETHING as my weight is creeping back up, even though I haven't been eating over my net cal goal. i really think it is because of my schedule change and inability to work out. I really want to just get it done and out of the way so I don't have to stress over it in the afternoon/evening.
    I need to look up the app someone mentioned that you can record your own voice to wake myself up with a motivating "alarm". That sounds like fun (and I am so into gimics, it's sad really...) :tongue:
    Again, thank you all, I feel more motivated already... :drinker:
  • disneygallagirl
    disneygallagirl Posts: 515 Member
    I can relate - I am the queen of the alarm clock snooze button.... I hate getting up early. But, just this week I realized the best time for me to workout is early morning- before my days starts - kids up and to school, me for work. Soooooo, I got up early, and it was HARD, even though I hit snooze once, and it took a bit to actually wake myself up but once I was awake and working out, I was really HAPPY. Then I wished, I got up earlier so I could have more time. I think if you can actually try it a few times, getting up will be easier because you will want to, because you are getting up for you! hope that helps motivate you.
  • jrompola
    jrompola Posts: 153 Member
    I am so busy with school, family and work that I really need to workout in the morning or it won't happen often enough... I need something to motivate me to get my butt out of bed.... I HATE early morning... I am the person who hits snooze up till the last minute. I have even stood up next to my bed to go workout and talked myself into getting back into bed again. I have to leave for work by 6:40 am.

    Any ideas, thoughts on early morning motivation?

    What time do you typically go to bed at night? Try going to bed 45 minutes earlier and getting up 45 minutes earlier to work out. I used to get up to workout only to watch the DVD on TV and I'd sit there and play on the laptop, but I was going to bed at 1130 and trying to get up at 6am. Now I go to bed at 9:30 and get up at 5:35. I'm not missing much between 9:30 and 11:30, but I'm gaining so much more in the morning when I workout
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    I'm sure some will say that 5-Hour Energy isn't the best thing for you, which I would have to agree. However, they way I see it, the benefits of forcing me to get up and workout outweigh any negatives 5-Hour Energy might create.

    Actually they aren't as bad as you might think.. they have less caffeine than a cup of coffee, and most of the energy comes from the proprietary blend of vitamins that are in the drink. :) I may have to try this, too! :)
  • cole_ashleyy
    cole_ashleyy Posts: 104 Member
    I saw someone saying they set 3 alarms... I actually do the same even though I get up right away just in case :)
    But really, just make yourself do it... eventually it'll become more like habit so it won't feel so difficult... it'll probably just be the first few weeks or so that the whole getting out of bed part is gonna be rough.
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member

    Once you do it for a while, the habit of getting up will get stronger. I still want to stay in bed, but I get up all on my own now. ; )

    eventually it'll become more like habit so it won't feel so difficult...

    This seems to be theme... :) and is my hope... :) Thanks!
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    YAY!!! I may have a morning workout partner!!! I am so excited! thanks again for all the advice. I don't think I would have asked this person without your motivation! :)
  • Crystaleyed
    Crystaleyed Posts: 229 Member
    I have an audition in the morning so I have to go to bed early and can't really look at everyone's comments, but it would be good to see what everyone's tips are since I will be going to Uni. in September and could do with some advice on doing workouts before lectures {I don't do any now because the gyms not open in time and my area is not safe}.
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    I have an audition in the morning so I have to go to bed early and can't really look at everyone's comments, but it would be good to see what everyone's tips are since I will be going to Uni. in September and could do with some advice on doing workouts before lectures {I don't do any now because the gyms not open in time and my area is not safe}.

    Does your university have a weight room? will they let you use it when class is not in? I just run, but if you are not in a safe area... another option would be crossfit or tabata training. more workout, less time. :)
  • NVREST
    NVREST Posts: 94
    ... go to bed early enough to have sufficient sleep...
    .. have your workout clothes or whatever you use ready to go
    ... have your clothing for work ready to go as well when you are back
    ... get your alarm ready and make it happen at least once to get there...
    ... have an idea about your workout plan in advance so you know what you want to accomplish that day..

    IT IS NOT EASY.... but it will get easier to overcome little by little...
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    ... go to bed early enough to have sufficient sleep...
    .. have your workout clothes or whatever you use ready to go
    ... have your clothing for work ready to go as well when you are back
    ... get your alarm ready and make it happen at least once to get there...
    ... have an idea about your workout plan in advance so you know what you want to accomplish that day..

    IT IS NOT EASY.... but it will get easier to overcome little by little...

    I have started with a personal trainer who is working out with me every morning at 5AM!! uggg! but is has been really good, and I don't feel toooo tired. He has my workout planned and I have my stuff set out the night before. so far so good.. 2 days in a row! haha!
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    Ok, so made 4 out of 5 days so far. Wednesday my trainer "called in sick" and we didn't have a workout planned out ahead of time, so I went back to bed. (we managed to get a workout in in the evening though.) so now we will have something ready I can do if that happens again, so I don't have to try to think about it. :) (thinking at 5am just is NOT an option! haha!)

    Thanks again for all your support!
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    Ok, so made 4 out of 5 days so far. Wednesday my trainer "called in sick" and we didn't have a workout planned out ahead of time, so I went back to bed. (we managed to get a workout in in the evening though.) so now we will have something ready I can do if that happens again, so I don't have to try to think about it. :) (thinking at 5am just is NOT an option! haha!)

    Thanks again for all your support!

    Yay!!! That's great!
  • GodzillaR35
    GodzillaR35 Posts: 73 Member
    ... go to bed early enough to have sufficient sleep...
    .. have your workout clothes or whatever you use ready to go
    ... have your clothing for work ready to go as well when you are back
    ... get your alarm ready and make it happen at least once to get there...
    ... have an idea about your workout plan in advance so you know what you want to accomplish that day..

    IT IS NOT EASY.... but it will get easier to overcome little by little...


    this

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