Any tips for morning workouts?

Can't get up before 8am? Here's a magic trick: act like an adult, set your alarm clock, and get up and handle your business.

Wow, is there any need for the snark? I'm not a child - please don't speak to me like one.

I go to bed around 10.30pm (I usually don't get home from work until about 7.30). I am aware that it sounds strange but it is the honest truth - it doesn't really matter how much sleep I get, getting up before that time in the morning makes me nauseous and headachy for the rest of the day.

That's not me being snarky. That's me being dead serious. Getting up at 8am or earlier is not a hardship. I'm not going to hold your hand and pretend it is. Anyone in the military, or with a 9-5 job, or with kids in school can tell you the same.

Figure out what's important to you and commit to it.

I know, and of course you are right, but I'm really not trying to be a whinge. I work 10 hour days, 7 days a week, I'm always tired and sick, I hate it, and I just wanted to know if anyone had experienced anything vaguely similar and pushed past it because I really want some of my evenings back. Lots of good ideas here, maybe it is a case of JUST DO IT.

its really weird but once you start exercsing you will feel much better for it. i hate hate it, but i like how its shaping me up and i do feel good. just start of simple and slowly. maybe the thought of spending hours at the gym is putting you off but it doesnt have to be like that.

You may want to bring this up with your primary care doctor and get a referral to an ENT or pulmonologist for a sleep study. Do you feel tired a lot of the time? Do you snore? Has a partner ever mentioned that you stop breathing in your sleep or sound weird? (I used to make gurgling noises.) Do you sleepwalk? Waking up still feeling groggy and headachey is a symptom. I understand that some people have different circadian rhythms and can't go to sleep until later/wake up later but that seems like a lot of poor quality sleep.

I don't think I 'sleepwalk' as such but I think I get up in the middle of the night and don't remember it, always finding glasses of water or the tv on or something else that I don't remember doing.

I was also wondering if you're legitimately sick whether you might have a health issue. That's not a normal thing as far as I know. Although in elementary school I hated track so much that I would make myself nauseous every Friday afternoon, so I guess it could be something like that. I have chronic fatigue syndrome and I'm familiar with waking up just as tired as I go to bed, but it doesn't make me nauseous.

Personally I'm an early riser so when I recently had to switch to doing some workouts in the evening I was not thrilled. I start to lose momentum around 3 pm and by the time I was getting off work at 5 I just wanted to curl up somewhere and nap. But I just didn't give myself that option. I want the results that come from exercise, so it's not a choice. You may just have to adopt the same mentality. It's not optional.


ETA: about the elementary school thing-- when it started my mom would come get me because I was "sick," and I'd just keep doing it. Once she figured out what was going on she refused to come get me from school and told them to send me anyway. I didn't start liking track, but I did stop getting sick.

I know, and of course you are right, but I'm really not trying to be a whinge. I work 10 hour days, 7 days a week, I'm always tired and sick, I hate it, and I just wanted to know if anyone had experienced anything vaguely similar and pushed past it because I really want some of my evenings back. Lots of good ideas here, maybe it is a case of JUST DO IT.

A lot of folks work crappy jobs and make the time to do get up and do their workouts whenever they can. Just do it, or don't. Your choice.

A positive attitude about the whole situation will make things a lot easier too, even if you don't feel like it.

Remember, walking can get it done! Find time for a minimum of thirty minutes of walking daily. It has worked for me. Regards, ****

Go to bed earlier, wake up and handle your business. Set your priorities. A number on a clock cannot have a physical effect on you. It's either psychosomatic, learned behavior or a medical condition. See a medical professional if it's the third issue. An internet forum isn't a good place for medical advice. If it's either of the first two, that's where your priorities come into place. Good luck, you're not going to find much sympathy here.

Last year, I had good intentions. For almost the entire year, I had my alarm set for 6am, but snoozed for an hour. I did my workouts in the evening as an alternative, with varying levels of commitment.

This year, I just did it. I've been waking up every weekday morning before 6, with very few exceptions. I just decided to do it. However, in order to wake up that early, I also committed to going to bed at 9:30. No more stretching out bedtime to 10:30, 11, midnight, etc.

I feel better, my workouts are better, I've been more consistent and, best of all, I have my entire evening free.

It really is just a matter of deciding you're going to do it, and doing it.

Good luck!

In for the whining

I'm finding I have less and less time to work out in the evenings due to my workload increasing - and frankly I'm getting sick of eating my dinner at 9pm. I was thinking maybe try to split my workouts in half and do some in the morning...

HOWEVER - I am SO not a morning person. Getting up before 8am makes me feel physically sick for the rest of the day, and even when I drag myself out of bed I am such a zombie that I can't even walk effectively, let alone work out.

Is anyone else like this? If I just suck it up and suffer will it go away? Anyone got any magic tricks?