Getting up early to work out

How do you do it?!? I want to work out in the morning, so it's out of the way and I have time for other things in the evening. But I just can't pull it off very often, and when I do I feel so slow and clumsy. Share your tips if you can do this successfully!
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Replies

  • Burghaus
    Burghaus Posts: 22 Member
    I do 5 minutes of light work on an elliptical. Kind of wakes me and gets the heart rate and adrenaline going. Then I run or lift. Allows me to stretch also with a body that is at least slightly warmed up.
  • nicola1141
    nicola1141 Posts: 613 Member
    I got into the habit because my baby was waking me up at 5:30 so, really, what the heck else was I going to do that early? But now she's started waking at 6:30 instead and that's not really enough time for me to get a decent workout in before getting ready for work, so I'm struggling with you. I haven't set an alarm really in 5 years (since I had my first daughter), but I've decided I just have to bite the bullet and set my alarm to go off at 6:00 tomorrow to work out properly.

    Once I actually get going with my morning workouts, it's awesome. I have so much mor eenergy throughout the day and I don't have to think about it at all for the rest of the day!
  • bugtaylor
    bugtaylor Posts: 77 Member
    SACRIFICE! SACRIFICE! SACRIFICE!
  • jgal86
    jgal86 Posts: 77
    I literally force myself out of bed - never EVER hit the snooze button; that usually means you aren't going to get out of bed and work out. I always have to have a cup of coffee before I workout - it helps me work out on an empty stomach and gives me a little boost.

    It is a matter of how willing you are to do it. Start making it a habit!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I don't. I'm an evening worker-outer.

    I get the advantages for getting it out of the way, and I admire those that do it, but there's something to be said for fitting your workouts in wherever they work most easily with your life. If it's a PITA to do, you might not do it long term.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    I set the alarm for 3:30 am so I can down a cup of coffee then get started. Love having my workout done by the time most people are rolling out of bed.

    If you want it you'll do it.
  • FitbitVanessa
    FitbitVanessa Posts: 37 Member
    The only workout that I will get out of bed at an ungodly hour for is running - and that's because I actually enjoy doing it.
  • gensteele1
    gensteele1 Posts: 60 Member
    It is without a doubt the best way to start the day. I'm in a good mood and ready to tackle everything head on. You put out your workout clothes before bed; shoes by your bed. That way, you don't have to work that hard to get moving and out of the house (or if you workout at home, maybe moving more is better).

    All I know is that by the time the day ends, the last thing I want to do is workout. Besides, if I do it in the morning, I don't miss any time with my son or my husband since they are still sleeping.
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    I workout at 6am and it's not always my favorite, but I would never change it. This morning I did a mile run outside to warm-up and then did my strength. It was much more refreshing than going straight to the gym to lift. It's just routine for me. Most nights I go to bed telling my husband how much I don't want to workout in the morning, but every morning I am up and out of the bed while he is sleeping.

    AM workouts fit my schedule, I don't have to worry about them if I work late or go to a happy hour. I don't think I could do AM workouts at home, I like the fresh air.
  • msjames1999
    msjames1999 Posts: 528 Member
    I am just a morning person. I get up at 4am to workout and exercise. It is a habit. However, I do go to bed early so I am well rested when I awake.
  • jjgirl76
    jjgirl76 Posts: 68 Member
    All about routine for me. Starting the habit was VERY difficult. Then I was out of it for several month after foot surgery... Then starting the habit again was VERY difficult. Here are some things that helped me get into it (and back into it).
    1. I didn't want to be a rude. The more times I hit the snooze, the more times I have to wake up my husband.
    2. Strangely enough (and smidge overshare)... it helped to drink a big glass of water before going to bed. When the alarm went off, my bladder would be equally demanding. By the time I turn on the bathroom light and do my business, I'm more awake.
    3. My clothes are already in the treadmill room and the TV/DVD player is set. I walk in the room turn on my show or movie and change there.
    4. I don't expect myself to have the same stamina right away. I work to build my morning routine to where I was in the evening. I remind myself that my races I would want to do are in the morning anyways, so best to have that routine then.

    Good luck!
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    as soon as your alarm goes off, roll out of bed, turn on a light, and go. i take supplements like NO boosters to help me through hardcore lifting sessions
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    2. Strangely enough (and smidge overshare)... it helped to drink a big glass of water before going to bed. When the alarm went off, my bladder would be equally demanding. By the time I turn on the bathroom light and do my business, I'm more awake.

    That's one of the most clever tricks I've read about on here. I'm def going to try this one out when I need to get up early! I like simple and effective.

    Thanks!
  • As much as I LOATHE getting up at 5:30am I do it because I'm realistic with myself these days - I KNOW that it's an empty promise to tell myself "I'll workout when I get home." I NEVER do, unless it's a "bonus" workout.

    I feel hard off the wagon over the past year and gained a whopping 17 lb., as did my BFF. Now I KNOW how important working out is and how it must be done, and how now I want to be trim more than I want that extra 1.5 hours of sleep. So she and I call each other every morning at 5:30 to workout. Since logistically we can't be together, we at least know we're doing it together - both miserable, but doing it nonetheless!

    It's a commitment and a dedication. I don't like working out - never did, never will. I like the feeling of accomplishment I have - especially when it's over, and I don't miss the never-ending daily guilt of not doing what I knew I was supposed to to be doing. Each day I at least feel accomplished and my mood is so much better, and in fact since getting back to AM workouts I have more energy than ever and seem to require less sleep that I did before as I never feel as tired/dragging as I did when I wasn't working out.

    Just having it done and over with before my day even starts is the best motivation for me to get out of bed each morning.
  • kenyainez
    kenyainez Posts: 222 Member
    I like to get it in in the am also. I wake up at about 5am, listen to Steve Harvey's motivational segment; then get my workout in. Like someone mentioned earlier, I don't have to stress over it if I have things I have to do after hours. For me, its an uninhibited time of day and the stress and weariness of the day has not yet set in on me.
  • biggjenn
    biggjenn Posts: 58 Member
    I get up at 5:15am to work out. I am not a morning person and I drag myself kicking and screaming to workout. BUT I feel so much better all day, and I tend to make better food choices when I workout in the morning. I think the key is - GO TO BED EARLIER if you can. It might take a few weeks to get used to, but it's def doable. Good luck!
  • HacheraTsarine
    HacheraTsarine Posts: 278 Member
    I run outside. Being self conscious, I know there will likely be less people to see me sweat my *kitten* off on the pavement, so it's motivation to get out of bed early.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    Because I KNOW that if I don't do it first thing in the morning, I won't get it done at all. It's easier to work out while my kids are all sleeping vs waiting for me to come home in the evening.
  • I get out of bed and go to the gym with my husband. Which means up at 4:30. Having someone to get me out of bed someone that to keep me liable for my workout helps a lot. Finding that person to go with you to do your workout in the morning is what does it for me.
  • How do you do it?!? I want to work out in the morning, so it's out of the way and I have time for other things in the evening. But I just can't pull it off very often, and when I do I feel so slow and clumsy. Share your tips if you can do this successfully!
    I know what you mean. I set my alarm but that damn snooze button is just so easy to press
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I get up at 5am. I used to get up at 4:45 but the class I started taking a couple weeks ago starts later so I get to sleep in - woo hoo! I'm not a morning person but I have a pretty reliable internal clock so I wake up without an alarm about 95% of the time. I usually experience a moment of WTF?! and wanting to cry but then I just get up and go. It helps that I either have a scheduled class to go to or that I'm meeting a friend at the gym.
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    5am M-F and 6am on the weekends or when on vacation.

    I am a horrendous wench until my daily workout is complete...hate having it looming over my head all day until it gets done. It's best for everyone if I do it early. :blushing:
  • lisalu20
    lisalu20 Posts: 46 Member
    I set my alarm for 6.30. Get up almost immediately - and yes it is an effort! Then put my gym gear on, have a little cholesterol lowering drink, feed the cat and go out to our garden shed where I have a treadmill and do 20 minutes of fast walking while listening to music and reading my kindle. The combination of exercise, music and reading wakes everything up and I feel ready to tackle the day. Fruit for breakfast always gives more energy than cereal. For me it's the only time to do it in the summer as it's too hot once the Sun comes up.
  • Juniper3411
    Juniper3411 Posts: 167 Member
    Just started morning workouts again and yes it is HARD. I used to be a competitive figure skater and sometimes my practices started at 5:45 am (and with travel time and gearing up I usually had to be out of the house by 4:45, so up even earlier than that).

    As others have mentioned, set everything up the night before (workout bag with workout clothes, clothes for work etc.) I've been setting two alarms one regular alarm clock and the alarm on my phone. I put the phone alarm well out of my reach so I have to get up to get it. As long as I can convince myself not to grab my phone, hit snooze and hop back into bed I'm golden.

    And I've been going to bed at 10:30 instead of almost 12:30 like I was doing before. Which sucks cause I get less "me" time after the kids are in bed, but it's worth. I also like getting the workout over in the morning becasue I don't miss time with the kids since they are most definitely not awake yet!

    Hopefully I can keep it going, it's only been 2 weeks LOL
  • cadaverousbones
    cadaverousbones Posts: 421 Member
    Tomorrow I am going to set my alarm for 6 am and try and do some yoga! I am always too tired when I get home from work to do any exercise.. I am hoping if I start getting up early and doing a little something in the morning then I will actually get my exercise in and have more energy throughout the day. The problem is that darn snooze button!!!
  • Jenny775
    Jenny775 Posts: 108 Member
    It's definately a hard habit to get started with but once you force yourself it does get easier!
  • appygirl84
    appygirl84 Posts: 105 Member
    When I start working out in the mornings I have trouble. After I have done it for a few days I enjoy it.

    The same thing with cooking breakfast.... I was to tired. Then I cooked breakfast before bed for a week. I got used to waking up and eating a hot breakfast... so the day I woke up after not preparing breakfast the night before, I got up and cooked breakfast.

    Just make it a habit!
  • Alisha28
    Alisha28 Posts: 406 Member
    I have 5 kids so if I do not get up at 5 am I will not fit it in. I set my alarm and have a neighbor meet me to run, if I know someone is waiting for me I gotta make it out there :)
  • happyindian
    happyindian Posts: 89 Member
    I work out early in the morning and am done and over with it. U never know what turn ur day might take and chances are the first thing sabotaged is ur workout. Why risk that. I just get out of the bed as soon as the alarm hits, no snooze. tht's it. Once u workout in the mornings , the feeling of hvng accomplished something stays with u thru the day and tht make sthe day all the more better.