What time do you work out?

sophieamhaley
sophieamhaley Posts: 85
in Fitness and Exercise
Are you an early bird? A night owl?

Just curious really as I'd like to start getting up earlier than usual and working out then but not sure if I will be able to drag myself out of bed!

Also if you work out early, do you eat before or after?

Replies

  • ratchet2
    ratchet2 Posts: 87 Member
    I get up at 4:30 am and do my workout. I find that if I do it first thing, I don't have to worry about life getting in the way and taking up my time. Of course, I do got to bed earlier. Lights out about 9:00 pm.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I get up around 4:45 and am usually working out around 5. I do this to insure I actually workout. Two days a week I run before dinner, if my schedule allows, but I do yoga those mornings. (I can't run in the morning because my treadmill broke, andI can't leave the house because 5 year old would freak if she woke up and her sister was the only one in the house! My husband hits the gym in the am.)

    Unless I am ravenous or feeling weak, I do not eat before my morning workout.
  • asdelmonte
    asdelmonte Posts: 171 Member
    I work out in the morning because it's the only time that's guaranteed to be uninterrupted. I am up by 4:45 and either go to the gym to lift or go a outside for a run or bike ride (it's been a brutal winter so it's been indoor cycling lately). I eat after i'm done. I can't run with food in my stomach and don't think about it on lifting days. So far it hasn't been an issue and i've been at it for 12 years or so.
  • liftingandlipstick
    liftingandlipstick Posts: 1,857 Member
    My favorite workouts are group classes at my local rec center, and they tend to be in the evenings, so . . . there is one class I take there that starts at 6:30 am, and I typically have a cereal bar before going.
    No way I could get up that early everyday to workout!
  • amybickmore
    amybickmore Posts: 8 Member
    I am not a morning person...I tried a number of times to get up early to exercise, realizing I was just setting myself up for failure. I wasn't able to do it long term and didn't enjoy it...only resented it. I now work out when the kids go to bed. At 8 pm I am on the treadmill for an hour. Yes, it can be tempting to skip it if I'm tired, but I force myself to do it.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    First thing in the morning! I have my clothes laid out and my workout plan planned out the night before so there is no thinking to do.

    Also I'll do a light workout or walk in the evenings sometimes as well.

    OP - I found my body adapted to my early AM workouts after a couple of weeks. Can't lie though some mornings I would love to stay in my warm, comfy bed , but it feels great knowing my workout is done for the day.

    Now I'm off to go workout...

    :)
  • aplhabetacheesecake
    aplhabetacheesecake Posts: 181 Member
    I go in clusters, I will run early am before work for a few months, then switch it up to after work, even after dinner in the summer when the evenings are still lighter out and cooler temps. My workout times mainly rely on- hubbys work schedule, my energy levels, what were makin for supper, what time i woke up at which also depends on how late i went to bed, and as a diabetic- what they heck my blood sugar is doing!
  • mkcmurphy
    mkcmurphy Posts: 438 Member
    When the kids are in school.
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    I work out in the mornings and then three nights at week at the gym
  • AHASRADA
    AHASRADA Posts: 88 Member
    I work out in the AM before everyone else wakes up. I get up any time between 5:30 and 6:30, use the rest room, fill up my water bottle, weigh myself (clothes off and back on again), sometimes throw in a load of laundry, get whatever equipment I need, so its' probably 30 minutes later by the time I actually start my workout, which lasts 60-70 min. I plan to be done by 8 am though, when I wake the kids up.

    I also walk on the treadmill after lunch and also after dinner.
  • animalldy
    animalldy Posts: 140 Member
    I workout around 6:30pm (after work) then make dinner and relax :) I don't like getting up early and I find that I don't have enough energy (ie. calories) to sustain my workouts, I burn out a lot faster.

    I know people say mornings are best to get your metabolism going, but as long as you're exercising you're on the right path!
  • bripow14
    bripow14 Posts: 7 Member
    M-F I get up at 3:30am and am at the gym and started at 3:50am and workout until 5:30am.
  • KristiRTT
    KristiRTT Posts: 346 Member
    I am a morning workout person! I know if I wait until after work there is a 50-50 chance I'll make an excuse not to go! That is unless I have my running partner waiting, then I will go but I prefer to have my workout done by 7 am! I don't eat until after I shower and get to work! I lay workout and work clothes and semi pack my lunch all the night before!
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    Half and half noon and evening. Occasionally mid-morning but only because I want to take a class that's offered then. I find I have the best performance after I've been up for a few hours.

    When I lift, I never hit PR's (personal records) first thing in the morning.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    Coffee pot finishes brewing at 3 am, down a cup working out by 3:30 am, starts my day off perfectly
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Usually early afternoon, between 1pm-3pm.
  • AlysonG2
    AlysonG2 Posts: 713 Member
    4:45 or 5:45am, depending on whether I work that day.
  • lucyloutoo
    lucyloutoo Posts: 522 Member
    Coffee pot finishes brewing at 3 am, down a cup working out by 3:30 am, starts my day off perfectly

    I salute you jwhited 71...that's some dedication.:smile:
  • addictedtosweat
    addictedtosweat Posts: 68
    I work out daily but I'm very sporadic with my times :P Like today, I worked out at noon. I usually work out in the evenings like around 7 pm.
  • greypilgrimess
    greypilgrimess Posts: 353 Member
    My days are pretty open right now, I usually work out in the morning, starting about 8-9 ish. I tend to eat first as my workouts feel a lot harder on a completely empty stomach and I never accomplish as much.

    When I was working full time, I did my runs straight after work before eating. I'm a bit poor at the very early starts, but I have utmost respect for those that get up at 4:30am to get their exercise in!
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    Mon - Fri, I workout on my way home from work.
    Saturday, 8-9 am
    Sunday, after church
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    5 am. Kids generally stay asleep and I like to get it out of the way.
  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    Up at 4am, leisurely breakfast & coffee first then out the door for my run by 4:45ish. Weekends I sleep in until 5 or sometimes 6.
  • caseys29
    caseys29 Posts: 63 Member
    Always evening during the week. I'm just not able to wake up early enough to get a workout in. I get off work at 5:00, rush home, prep dinner, take the dogs out, either go for a run with the dog or go lift weights, get home around 7:30-8:00, cook dinner, eat, clean up, shower, get everything ready for the next day, and go to bed. Most days I don't really get to sit down and relax except while eating, but I've gotten used to it and it feels really weird on the occasional days that I don't work out and have lots of time in the evening.

    Saturdays vary, but I'll usually run before noon and Sundays I might run and then always lift weights mid afternoon.
  • Fatguy2Fitguy
    Fatguy2Fitguy Posts: 129 Member
    All depends on work. My preference is getting to the Gym at 5am, it's empty and i can get on with the it. I always feel more energetic throughout the day to.

    Evening training I find a pain to be honest gym is full (some working hard... some admiring their reflection). So tend to stick with a bit of cardio in the evenings.
  • tinyzombie
    tinyzombie Posts: 128 Member
    I work nights and my gym is directly behind my office, so I usually work out when I get off in the mornings, at 5:30 AM. On the weekends, I keep the same sleep schedule for convenience's sake, so I'll go whenever everyone else in the house is asleep and I'm bored - usually between 3 and 4 AM. I love night/super early morning workouts, because there's never anyone else there.
  • ruikoh
    ruikoh Posts: 10 Member
    I usually workout only on my rest days which is 3-4 days a week. I alternate my workouts between running, swimming and gym. On a running day, I'm already up and running at 7am. On a swim day, I am already in the pool once it opens at 8am. On a gym day, I can be as late at 9am. I find it better to workout in the morning as most of my engagements are usually in the evenings.

    As for the food, pre-workout food is very important. I also vary it depending on the intensity of the workout I plan to do on that day. On running days (I usually run 5miles), I just eat either a banana or some crackers before heading out. It gives me just enough energy to get my engine started without giving me a bad tummy. I make sure to eat something filling afterwards though. On swim and running days, I try to eat a better pre-workout meal - a balanced mix of carbs and protein. Usually, 2 slices of toasted whole wheat bread, 1 scrambled egg, tomato and some low-fat cheese slice. This is when I manage to get up wayyyyy earlier than my workout time as I need at least an hour to get it settled in my tummy. Else, it's default oatmeal and some fruit.

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