I NEED to start working out in the AM before work. Help!

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Replies

  • notsuchaskinnybitch
    notsuchaskinnybitch Posts: 203
    The apps to get you to wake up! http://lifehacker.com/5979811/the-most-sadistic-apps-that-force-you-to-get-stuff-done
  • lLionMindl
    lLionMindl Posts: 76 Member
    squirrelzzrule22 wrote: »
    I really need to start working out before work. I have full access to a gym as well as spin classes in the AM twice a week. I don't need to be in to work until about 8:45. I have NO excuse not to just DO IT. But instead I'll set the alarm, get up, and then immediately think OH HELL NO and sleep for another hour!

    I know once I am in the habit it will be so much easier, but I just can't seem to get there yet. Anyone have success going from so-not-a-morning person to hopping out of bed and hitting the pavement???? Tips? Tricks?

    I'm trying to ween myself off caffeine, which doesn't help :/

    Thanks!


    If you use your phone as an alarm try changing the tones to something that makes you want to get up (either irritating.. or motivational)

    Set more than 1 alarm

    Put your alarm far away from you forcing you to get up and move rather than just roll over & shut it off.

    Think about going to the bathroom

    I know someone said "just get up" but its true.. you have the ability to roll over so easy you also have the ability to get up quickly.. Just dont think about it. Just get up & go lol.

    Go to bed earlier. This helps me tremendously even though Its not common for me to do it lol.


    Hope these help. I am up at 3am to go to the gym before I work a 12hr shift so try to think of that next time you think its 'early' lol maybe it will help...
  • audsLDN
    audsLDN Posts: 22 Member
    I have an app called Life Time Alarm Clock and you can choose from different puzzles to turn your alarm off.

    Wakes up the brain a little but apart from that, just like a lot of people said.. You just have to do it!
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    I have always been a "hit snooze 5 times" kind of person and I have been getting up at 4:30 AM to workout since about April. I don't have any real good advice to get yourself into it, you just have to do it. Set the alarm, have the clothes ready to go, no excuses. Once you get into the habit it gets easier.
  • DarbiB
    DarbiB Posts: 88 Member
    I sleep in my gym clothes, and pack my work clothes at night. That way I literally just walk out the door with everything I need, no "morning routine".

    Also, my wake up tone is Lets Dance by David Bowie, which I find to be a fun and inspiring way to wake up. :smiley:
  • cherrybombzero
    cherrybombzero Posts: 1 Member
    Well I'm in the same boat as you! Maybe we should try a "Morning Workout Challenge & Check-In" :)
  • TossaBeanBag
    TossaBeanBag Posts: 458 Member
    Blast "Ride of the Valkyries" by Wagner as your alarm. That's how we used to get up every frick'n morning on the ranch to through hay bales when we were exhausted from the day before.
  • luciasprogress
    luciasprogress Posts: 8 Member
    Same! I NEED to do this! I need to make everything as easy as possible--breakfast ready the night before (overnight oats mm), buy more socks and workout clothes so that laundry isn't an excuse, set my alarm, and get up!

    If anyone wants to make group or something, or just accountability message friend, add me, I'm down.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Alarm goes off, get out of bed.

    This plus go to bed earlier.

    Just do it once. Only once. Anyone can do it once.

  • ACJP2014
    ACJP2014 Posts: 53 Member
    Oh I so needed this thread I'm just like you. I need to change my evening work out to the morning, otherwise after the work out I just can't get to sleep in time to get up on time for work. Major hassle, but the prospect of waking at 3:45 to go to the gym just doesn't appeal to me. At this stage though my motivation is that I want to go the the gym and can't go at night, so no alternative I'm just going to have to do it.

    P.S. I did try earlier in the week for 2 days, but I just like sleep so much.
  • lvbor
    lvbor Posts: 50 Member
    Another extreme night owl here. I've made big gains in the overall activity stakes in the last couple of months (yay) but mornings are still very much my Achilles heel, which I'd like to do something about.
    A few people already mentioned joining/creating a group for support & challenges from co-am-sufferers. I couldn't find an existing one along these lines, so I just set one up: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100764-night-owls-getting-more-out-of-mornings

    Everyone very welcome.
  • squirrelzzrule22
    squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    squirrelzzrule22 wrote: »
    thanks for the replies and messages! all great advice. I know its something that I just need to DO and once I'm in the habit it will get easier but it will be a big shift from night owl behaviors!

    uncluttering my bedroom is a really great idea- I always feel more relaxed when it is clean.

    I'm going to start slow with 9:30AM yoga tomorrow (not really early :P ) and then try and go one whole entire work week, M-F with SOME gym time in the morning, even if its just a ten minute run. Anyone who wants to join me in this endeavor shoot me a message!!

    you dont have to be at work till 8.45 so you're going to do yoga at 9.30...?

    The following day was a sunday! I work M-F.

    It has been a while and I just came back to this thread- great suggestions all around. So far I have been able to get up and run 2 miles in the mornings and I LOVE the feeling when I do. I am still not doing it EVERY morning though, and I need to up my mileage oson as a train for a half marathon. So that is the new goal. Morning runners out there feel free to chime in!

  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    The fact that you have to train for a specific event is probably going to help, you know. I know for my own part, getting my lazy butt up at 5am to hit the pool happens because I am doing a couple of open water swims next summer, and I do not want to embarrass myself by being pulled from the event.
  • squirrelzzrule22
    squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
    NoelFigart1 wrote: »
    The fact that you have to train for a specific event is probably going to help, you know. I know for my own part, getting my lazy butt up at 5am to hit the pool happens because I am doing a couple of open water swims next summer, and I do not want to embarrass myself by being pulled from the event.

    It really does help! I did the same thing two years ago, although I was able to train in the afternoons then. Hopefully now I can stick with morning runs!! its just so nice not to have to worry about it later in the day!
  • ktcrain
    ktcrain Posts: 1
    Write yourself a note and leave it by your alarm clock. If nighttime you is super psyched about getting up to work out, and morning you isn't, then have nighttime you say something like, "Hi morning me, get your *kitten* out of bed and go run you slacker. You'll feel better, I promise." It sounds crazy, but it really does work.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    MalineVD wrote: »
    I have a song that makes me happy, as an alarm.

    At the moment, it's Circle Of Life, from The Lion King!

    Waking up with "Aaaaaaazebenejaaaaamanimissinamaaaaa" is awesome!

    that sounds pretty good.

    I actually like having a nice ring to get me up- but I really don't get up in the morning- but this is kind of awesome. LOL
  • court_alacarte
    court_alacarte Posts: 219 Member
    squirrelzzrule22 wrote: »
    fearlessleader104 wrote: »
    You can also go to the gym in the evenings

    haha true! but the issue for me is by the time I get home after a long day I often lack the energy/ motivation for it, and I am more likely to go if I get into the habit of going in the morning. Also, my ultimate goal is working out in the morning and yoga after work. That has been my regime in the past and it felt great in terms of energy and weight loss. Trying to get back to that now.

    girl i know that feeling all too well. i'm definitely in the same boat as you: not morning person enough to get up early and then too tired/lazy after work. my first day wanting to get up at 5:45 AM, i had an angel and devil on my shoulders:

    "ugh i'm so tired. what if i just slept in and then worked out after work...?"
    "the gym will probably be too full in the evenings."
    "yeah but what if it's not?"
    "well you know you'll be too lazy to go anyway."
    "what if it's packed in the morning, huh?"
    "uh, seriously? is that a serious question?"
    "but what if i-"
    "OMGJUSTGO!!"

    and up i went :) it's gotten easier ever since.
  • squirrelzzrule22
    squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
    Hah! thanks for all the continued responses, guys!

    I have to get up around 6am EST tomorrow to get a three mile run in before work. If you want to motivate each other add me as a friend!!
  • jenmovies
    jenmovies Posts: 346 Member
    I am a night owl. Some people are genetically predisposed this way and you have to FIGHT to get over it. This sounds a bit gross but I used to pack a bag the night before, sleep in my gym clothes, not think and just get up and go in the AM. In the bag was towel, makeup, shower stuff, hair dryer and work clothes. That was the ONLY way I could do it and it was only twice a week. I am never giving up my weekend sleep-ins!
  • jenmovies
    jenmovies Posts: 346 Member
    DarbiB wrote: »
    I sleep in my gym clothes, and pack my work clothes at night. That way I literally just walk out the door with everything I need, no "morning routine".

    Also, my wake up tone is Lets Dance by David Bowie, which I find to be a fun and inspiring way to wake up. :smiley:

    This is awesome!!!

  • squirrelzzrule22
    squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
    Made it to the gym before sunrise! Ran my 3 miles. Now I feel like GARBAGE but I'm hoping I perk up soon. Waiting a little bit and then making breakfast. Wooooo early morning workouts.....I'm sure it will get easier if I keep it up!
  • cwlsr
    cwlsr Posts: 71 Member
    I will keep it short! Two suggestions: 1 Stop consuming caffeine if it is keeping you awake at night. 2. Reset your body clock (most important). There is plenty of information on Dr. Google in how to reset your body clock. If a 72 year old man can roll out of bed to go to the gym at 5 a. m. to walk a couple miles before breakfast surely a young person can do it if it is important to them. The best to you because You Can DO IT.
    Note: Proper exercise will enhance your sleep pattern which helps to restore your energy level.
  • Twinkie2530
    Twinkie2530 Posts: 47 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Alarm goes off, get out of bed.

    Ta da!

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Twinkie2530 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Alarm goes off, get out of bed.

    Ta da!

    if only it were that easy. :/
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    edited December 2014
    Twinkie2530 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Alarm goes off, get out of bed.

    Ta da!

    Easier said than done. My alarm isn't near the bed and yet I manage to get up, smack snooze and then crawl right back into bed. I have toyed with putting the clock farther away but then I won't be able to see it when I wake up lol. When I get in the habit of getting up early though it is easier.

    I actually might start setting my phone alarm and putting that across the room near the bathroom so I'm forced to actually get up and walk far to shut it off.

    ETA: Also, setting your clock ahead like 10 minutes helps you to get up earlier than you normally would.
  • 40andFindingFitness
    40andFindingFitness Posts: 497 Member
    squirrelzzrule22 wrote: »
    I really need to start working out before work. I have NO excuse not to just DO IT. But instead I'll set the alarm, get up, and then immediately think OH HELL NO and sleep for another hour!

    Welcome to my life. I find that I am a complete zombie in the morning and I physically feel sick if I try to do too much when I first wake up. However, I can stay up with the crickets all night so that's why I do my workouts in the evenings. The only time I can get up and workout early is on weekends. No idea what that's about.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    What if you sleep in your workout clothes and just have to put on shoes, grab your pre-packed bag and leave? Then maybe you'll be out of the front door before your "OH HELL NO" instinct kicks in and by then it's too late?
  • 3shirts
    3shirts Posts: 294 Member
    Eat apples as you quit the caffeine. It is a natural stimulant.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    This might sound goofy, but one of the things that has helped me in the past is to use a dawn simulator (especially during winter months). Essentially it's an alarm clock that gradually brightens a lamp so that it's full bright when the alarm goes off.
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