Can't get out of bed to exercise?

The only exercise I do in the morning is the part of my commute to work that is a walk. No way am I going to get up early to do any additional cardio.

And then as the day progresses, I do more exercise.

Why not go for a jog during your lunch break.

This sounds normal. Just add cardio to your workout in the evenings.

I usually workout in the gym, but when I don't feel like being around people, I head to the park or exercise in the house. As long as you're doing something, pat yourself on the back is what I say.

I think a lot of people have a really hard time doing this, including me, so don't beat yourself up. My experience is that in order to stick to working out I have to do it when I am consistently willing. For me this is either on my lunch break or after work (after a short nap). I alternate days...cardio one, lift the next or I do things that integrate both.

That being said, if you really want to keep trying, I have found a meditation app on the IPhone called "mindfi"; I use it for insomnia and its been a huge help; I think they have a sleep module for waking up early. Or if waking up early isn't your problem (which it sounds like it might not be), I think they have other modules that may include motivation to exercise. Maybe use the mantra "action before motivation." We are very much creatures of habit; if we wait until we want to, or are motivated to do something, even if we know it is *very* good for us we will probably wait a long time, but if we overcome our own "bad" habits, even for a short period, and instead create positive habits that are rewarding in and of themselves, over time we might actually want to do what we feel we should do. I am talking to myself as much as anyone here because heaven knows I have bad habits (for example I am up because I decided to drink wine on a schoolnight and it keeps me from sleeping well)!

Also consider changing your language, because ultimately you are truly capable of getting out of bed and doing almost anything you want. So perhaps change it to "won't" get out of bed to exercise. I know that might feel self-defeating but it might help too. I guess it just depends on your propensity to beat yourself up in a negative way.

Finally, there is enormous strength in helping others. Start a thread here called "I'm waking up early to work out, who is doing it with me." or whatever.

One other thing to consider if you want perhaps a positive thought to help you: it only takes a minute to get into exercise and then you're doing it. you're in motion. Its not like, say, not eating chocolate cake if that is something that taxes your willpower, where you have to say no to that internal demon over and over again.

I don't do mornings. If I didn't have to work, I wouldn't get out of bed til at least 10.

I do my workouts in the evenings since that fits best for me. I alternate my big cardio and strength (weights) workouts. But I usually add some cardio into my weights anyway, either through warm up or after my weights and stretching is done.

You aren't a lost cause. You're just trying to do something you're really not interested in doing. Workout timing has very little to do with success, so why not do your cardio before lunch? Or after lifting (which has been said to be the most efficient time, in terms of getting the most out of your lifting). Why make yourself do something you really don't want to do?

I'm a life long night owl (literally since a child) & have struggled with getting up in the morning my whole life, regardless of hours slept, etc. Like you, I can't think or even speak in the morning, don't like noise of any kind (a TV / radio with am news makes me feel insane) & I even chew breakfast in slow motion. If I don't do everything Re: getting ready in the same order, I forget what I'm doing & waste 5-min retracing steps. The sound of morning birds only reminds me I need to eat roasted chicken soon. So... I learned to just accept that we're not all the same & normally work out at night.

I'm currently visiting family cross country & strangely have been waking up in the wee hours & walk outdoors at 6am. Fine... if that's what my body wants now, I'll just comply. Once I return home to SoCal, I imagine I'll return to my normal working out time... evenings, after work.

If you don't want / like to get up early, don't. You seem to fit in some exercise later in the day & there's nothing wrong in that. It is what it is. We don't all have to have the same schedule.

OP what is your goal?

I seemed to remember that you were looking into bulking (coming off a large deficit) have you implemented a calorie surplus?

i think the solution is knowing what works for you. I am the ultimate morning person-I am at my best and most productive between 4-11 am, but the idea of doing any kind of workout after work makes me want to vomit. My husband (and you) are exactly the opposite-he hits his stride at 4 pm and would rather run before going to bed. Don't beat yourself up over not working out in the morning-find a way to make it happen in the afternoon/evening.

I feel you. I use to do my cardio and lifting in the evenings in one session from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. That was my peak time and I would have all the energy and focus until I get home. But it would just eat up my whole night, I would end up eating late and the pre-wo drinks still in the system, I wouldnt be able to sleep until 3am ( i mean WIDE AWAKE) workout late-eat late-sleep late-wake up late so it was like a vicious cycle. I finally killed the habit but it wasnt easy it took me weeks to return to a normal person's daily routine. The trick that works for me now is "dont think" i know this sounds lame but "just do it" . If you think whether you should go workout or not, you will come up with many excuses and some will be yes, legit too. but dont let your brain fail you. get your clothes, your music, and pre workout drink (if you are taking any) ready the night before right by your bed. set your favorite song as your alarm. That will pump you up. Grab your energy drink chug it up meanwhile get dressed. I even skip brushing my teeth or washing my face. I know, gross but I do whatever gets me to the door faster. Nobody likes going to work in the mornings, but they do anyway. Yes they get paid in the end so thats some sort of motivation, but dont forget you have goals too. weight lifting is amazing. I dont know if you do bulk and cut sessions but If you do cut, you need to do some sort of cardio. it will only get you to your goals faster. I dont let my mind and laziness get on my way, I hate cardio but i just do it anyway.

Also another thing that really helps me is (which I think is extremely stupid ) I find and download the songs that I really like, I say cool song, im gonna run to this tomorrow. and that motivates me. For example my favorite song lately is “You know you like it - DJ Snake/AlunaGeorge” I feel like my form instantly changes and I look cool and hardcore while running when it plays and I play it over and over I lip sync and move my arms, sometimes rap (just like in apple video where Taylor Swift raps on treadmill) Sometimes pant a little more than necessary like I just finished a marathon.
I know this doesnt make much sense but it does work for me. so maybe it’d for you too.

dave_in_ni wrote: »

StealthHealth wrote: »

OP what is your goal?

I seemed to remember that you were looking into bulking (coming off a large deficit) have you implemented a calorie surplus?

No I haven't, decided to give it another month as I'm not happy with my weight, I thought some cardio might help shift it.

If I'm honest I hate cardio which is probably why the motivation isn't there, its something I feel I probably should do rather than something I want to do, I look forward to doing my weights in the evening, I could never say that about cardio I just do not enjoy it.

Here in lies the problem. You trying to do something you hate therefore it just ain't gonna happen. You have two options, find something you enjoy for any cardio, find the proper time to do it and just do it, or just punt on the idea.

I do not have the power to put will power into someone's mind therefore you deem it important or necessary enough to do it or not.

I can jump out of bed at 6.15am on lifting days, no problem! I love it and can't wait to get started.

I can not jump out of bed for cardio. Ever. I also need way more to fuel me for cardio than I do lifting, so I lift in the morning and do cardio after work when I've eaten well during the day and my stamina is much higher.

It's just finding what works for you!

Find a cardio exercise that you really enjoy, there's plenty of choice out there! I started getting up early last year to exercise and for the first few weeks found it difficult but I kept going and now love a morning workout. I had peace and quiet and, as I was doing exercise DVDs it meant that I wasn't hogging the TV in the evening when everyone else wanted to watch it.