I really want to work out in the mornings

I am NOT a morning person, so.... I have no idea. Maybe sleep in your workout clothes so all you have to do is roll out and tie your shoes?

I just started on a new workout plan where I run at 5 am twice a week. I lay out my clothes the night before, so it's easier to get ready, and I've found that I really do enjoy a morning run. It's so peaceful and gives me energy for the day.

I am in no way a morning person myself - just a year or so ago I was struggling to make it to work at 8! Good luck to you - I believe that if it's important enough to you, you can make it happen. Just give it a try and see if you like it. Who knows, maybe it won't be for you.

I just set my alarm 30 minutes before I'm to start working out. 15 minutes to get ready and 15 minutes to get to the gym. I get up, get dressed and put my hair up and I go. I think of it as an appointment. If I miss work, I get points that could lead to disciplinary action. If I miss my work out, I get FAT that doesn't get burned off.

I guess I really just need to make it something I have to do, like take a shower. It really is only a half hour since I'm trying to do the shred in the morn. If I can do this I might be able to justify a gym membership since I can go there, workout, and shower before work.

I know its all a mindset.

Problem is I know when the absolute latest I can get up is...I hit snooze until then, sometimes up to an hour and a half from the first time the alarm goes off. Sounds kinda dumb to think about it since there is no way that sleep is good sleep.

Thanks for the input people! I'll give it a whirl. I hope it works.

Good luck! I know this is going to sound silly, but - just do it! I know if I think about something too much I will psych myself out of it.

I am a morning person, but don't sleep well, so when the alarm goes off at 5:00, I never jump right up, as I am tired, so I hear what you are saying. Once I am up (around 5:30), I make a cup of coffee and a wasa cracker or banana with peanut butter, sit at the computer and read my emails. When I am done, usually by 6:00, I am ready to workout! I would definitely try to build in a bit of time to put something in your stomach, if you find you need to in order to have the energy to workout. I have tried it both ways and know that my workout is much better when I have a cup of coffee and a light snack. I workout for 45-60 minutes, since I don't have to get in the shower untl 7:00. Someone suggested sleeping in your workout clothes. I often do this, except for my sports bra, socks and shoes (of course). This seems like a little thing, but really helps, especially in the winter, when it is even tougher to get out of that warm bed! Good luck with your goal! I love working out in the am and knowing I can go about the rest of my day and not worry about it. I

I generally have a hard time waking up as well. I'm one of those habitually tardy folks at work because I apparently think 10 extra minutes of sleep is worth more than getting to work on time. :embarassed:

But I exercise in the morning. I started with just getting up 30 minutes early 3-4 days a week and doing something for 30 minutes at home. That has now turned into to getting up at 5.30am and going to the gym for 60-90 minutes several mornings each week (I work out at night 1-2 days because I'm already on that side of town ). Now, if I had to be at work at 6am, I wouldn't be able to get up at 5.30am to save my soul. But I LOVE the gym... so I get up a lot easier. Unfortunately, I still run 10 minutes late for work many mornings because now I stay at the gym 10 minutes too long. :laugh:

I still have a hard time getting to bed before midnight any night of the week regardless of what time I woke up that morning though.

In college (ie, 6 months ago), I would intentionally set my alarm an hour or two early, b/c I know that I'll hit snooze for that long. The problem with that habit was that (1) I KNEW I could snooze that long with no negative consequences and (2) I wasn't getting good sleep during that time. I still tended to miss my 8am class.
When I got my job in Feb, I was terrified of being late, so I set my regular alarm, and then got a cheap alarm that HAS NO SNOOZE and set it across the room by the door. The cheap alarm was set at the ABSOLUTE LATEST that I could get up, and I think my regular alarm was only 30-60min earlier. After only a few nights, I was turning off the extra alarm before it even went off. I now get out of bed at the first alarm at 5; I've snoozed a few times in the last several months, but never for more than once. However, I also make myself go to bed at a normal bedtime (9pm) most nights, just like when I was a kid in school. It's all about routine for me.
As for working out, I used to do a short 10 min dance DVD, but lately I've been really dragging my butt in the mornings, even tho I get right up, so I haven't been doing it lately. Been doing Shred in the evening instead.

I look at it this way. I woke up this morning and was blessed to see another day so I have no reason to continue to stay in bed when I have so much ahead of me for the day. This really motivates me to get up and exercise because there are so many people who wish to do so and can't. It works for me. It also motivates me because I'm doing this for me and no else. :happy: