Early morning workout people....

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ginnym1981
ginnym1981 Posts: 9 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This has probably been asked but how the heck do you do it?

How long until you felt GOOD about getting up to workout? (when did it become a habit?)

What do you eat/drink beforehand? (I tend to get light headed when I eat nothing before a workout)

What time do you go to bed in order to have an easy wake up? (if this exists haha)

I'm going to practice getting up tomorrow and Sunday at 4:45am because next week I'm challenging myself to get to the 5:30am workouts at my local gym (M-F)
They differ each day which I like and will consist of (not in this order) 1 Boot Camp, 2 cycling days, a Power Sculpt class (weights I think?) and a body pump class....so a great variety for overall fitness.

Then in the pm I plan on alternating an easy run (on weights days) or yoga/pilates(on the cycling days)

I'm in decent shape, it's just forming the habit that's hard for me and the weakness I feel in the mornings.....
(FYI I wake up around 6-6:30 am now during the week)


Any pointers?
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Replies

  • Section117_Zolos
    Section117_Zolos Posts: 71
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    I'm a morning person anyway, so it's not to hard for me to get up that early to exercise.

    Plus, with two small children and working full time, it's really the only time I can fit it in!
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
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    If you figure it out let me know.... I have to get up at 6:10 in the mornings, an that kills me. lol let alone 45-60 minutes earlier. lol
  • dmoses
    dmoses Posts: 786 Member
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    I've always been a morning person, too, so this wasn't a big stretch for me. I work out at home, so I get up at 4:30, drink a smoothy/shake, and am on my elliptical by 5. I tried eating just a little something - banana and some PB - but that made me sick. I have to stick with the liquids! It only took me a few days to get used to getting up a little earlier. I LOVE the way I feel afterwards, knowing I've done good for myself so early in the day. If I get another workout in, that's a bonus. Otherwise, I know I have it done for the day!

    Good luck!
  • DancinSMartiPants
    DancinSMartiPants Posts: 363
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    I'm already a morning person, so I can't help you with waking up.

    I usually only drink water before my workout, unless it's a "long" run (for me that's 4 or more miles) in which case I drink 4 oz of apple juice (the good stuff... unfiltered and not from concentrate).
  • MayhemModels
    MayhemModels Posts: 367 Member
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    I personally like to do my cardio while fasting but if you get dizzy maybe have a half cup of oats before hand, I eats egg whites and veggies about 15 minutes after cardio. I just got used to doing my cardio early in the morning and strength train in the afternoon
  • Leigh_b
    Leigh_b Posts: 555 Member
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    I HATE getting up early to work out... but it's the only time I have so I make myself get out of bed.

    Every night, when I turn on my alarm (for 5:15) I deliberately promise myself I will not push the snooze alarm more than once...

    Then, when it goes off that second time, I actually stand up to turn it off which is how I make myself get out of bed.

    It has never gotten easy for me. It is a struggle every day. Going to bed ealier makes it slightly easier... but only slightly.

    I don't eat before I workout - I think I"m sometimes still 1/2 asleep when I step onto the treadmill so I have no advice for you there.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
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    I have been thinking about this as well. I only get to see my son for a couple hours a day when I get home from work so I hate to take time in the evening to workout. My only issue is that I am naseous in the AM and I have terrible back pain for about 30 mins in the morning from my bed..
  • sculptandtone
    sculptandtone Posts: 300 Member
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    I'm a night owl. I often work until 9, 10 or even later at night. Previously, if I didn't get a evening or during the day workout in, it didn't get done because I can't sleep if i work out at night. BUT, to complete the 30 Day Shred and a half hour or so of extra cardio, I had to get up at 6 or 630. I have decided to start a second round of 30 Day Shred and then either Ripped in 30 or No More Trouble Zones after that. I'm waking up at 6 or 630 every day, having a couple cups of coffee while I read the news and then working out. When there's a schedule that MUST be completed, it seems to help. I am also experimenting with empty stomach workouts (which i'm still not sold on...). 2 months ago, i would have called you crazy if you told me I'd be up at 6 to work out. Maybe it really IS about changing lifestyles.
  • cafeaulait
    cafeaulait Posts: 2
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    I am NOT a morning person at all, so I understand completey. But for the past month I have been getting to personal training by 5AM twice a week and to my gym to work out a few other days by 6 AM. I set both my alarm clock and the alarm on my cell phone (15 mintues apart), in case I shut one off and fall back to sleep. I also have a "work out buddy" who will sometimes call in the morning to encourage me to get my butt up!! I do find it necessary to go to sleep by like 10 pm to be able to function by 5 AM, and acutally I would like to get to bed even a little bit earlier. The biggest thing though, is that once you get into this routine, it will come easier and easier to you. GOOD LUCK!
  • yoghurtand
    yoghurtand Posts: 119
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    I don't think I will EVER feel good about it. I have to set my alarm for 30mins early so that I have time to psyche myself up for getting dressed. Make sure that you realise that the alarm going off is getting up time. Procrastinating out of bed is not ideal but fine, but in a bed is a no-no.

    I never eat beforehand, so I can't help there. Drinking beforehand gives me a stitch, so I avoid that too. Just make sure you had a decent meal and drink the night before. I make sure that I have a solid 8 hours of sleep - anything less and I just want to die.

    I'm awful with habits - just keep forcing yourself to do it and maybe one day it'll click!
  • rmsrws
    rmsrws Posts: 639 Member
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    I use to think that I didn't have time in the a.m. to get my butt up and around and work out.

    I go to bed about 10 ish. I get up about 5 ish, use the bathroom weigh myself, throw on what ever grab my water bottle and just do it!

    It feels good knowing I have a decent workout in the a.m. before my day begins. I work 9 hours days 6 days a week. I am a also a mom. I think the key is you want to want it, and no excuses.

    The first few mornings I felt foolish, thinking I am nuts I could be sleeping!!!.....But then I soon realized how much better I felt. It gave a great boost to my mornings!!!

    Best wishes!
  • ginnym1981
    ginnym1981 Posts: 9 Member
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    Seems like liquids may be the way to go! I like room temp water so maybe I'll just set a bottled water next to my bed to drink right when I wake up, then maybe a small smoothie with milk and fruit. Thanks!

    I'm just worried about that boot camp and sculpting class....I can just seem myself having to do burpees and such (fast up and down movements) and feeling like I'm going to upchuck my water or whatever else I eat...I'm also anemic so I tend to black out/feel dizzy if I'm not hydrated or have an empty tummy.
  • Queen_Mom
    Queen_Mom Posts: 6 Member
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    I have been getting up at 4:15am on week days to work out for the past three months. Some days are easier than others. It really depends on what time I get to bed the night before, I try to be in bed by 9:00 pm at the latest but prefer 8:00-8:30. I will say that I find I have more energy now than before. It is starting to become routine because I find myself waking up before the alarm goes off and earlier on the weekends or days that I don't work. Not at 4:15 but earlier than before. I have also found I like working out better in the morning. As for eating, I usually stick with a slice of whole grain toast and a little peanut butter or almond butter. I am not a morning person and it killed me the first few weeks but I slowly and I mean really slowly, adapted.
  • ckncj
    ckncj Posts: 183 Member
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    It is so hard to pull yourself out of bed, but morning workouts are the best. You capitalize on the best time to burn fat. Food fuels the body, so if you get up and work out, what is your body burning? FAT! Wait maybe 45 minutes before eating, so that you can continue to burn fat. Your hormone levels are at their highest in the mornings, so all around - it's the best time to work out and get results.

    AND - once you get it out of the way, you leave no room for excuses later in the day when time can easily escape you!
  • Goal4Good
    Goal4Good Posts: 115
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    I get up at 5:00am each day and walk the golf course with my husband. I do this because its really the only time he has to exercise and that's before work. After he leaves, then I hit the pavement or the gym for a harder workout for myself. Its this way for me......if it doesn't happen in the mornings.......it doesn't happen at all! Therefore, I guess I have become a morning person.
    Now I'm sleepy in the mornings but I knock back 1 cup of black coffee and get out there and go. I've been doing it so long that if I don't, the day feels all wrong.

    I don't think I could ever exercise at night. Because I get up so early, and exercise so hard, I'm ready to crawl in the bed at 8:00 half the time!

    There is one perk to getting up early and going to bed early. I'm a night time snacker. If I stay up, I'm gonna EAT!
  • ginnym1981
    ginnym1981 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thanks everyone!
    Even if you aren't able to post suggestions-I'm gaining motivation listening to the reasons WHY you do it and how you feel afterwards!
  • ltf304
    ltf304 Posts: 132 Member
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    How long until you felt GOOD about getting up to workout? (when did it become a habit?) -It didn't take me long to get used to. I was making excuses in the afternoon so I needed to get it done in the morning and get it over with. I changed one single thing. I went to bed earlier so I could get up earlier. I am not a morning person and I still am not a morning person, but I get up and do it and have not missed a workout (other then vacation or taking a week off) in about 8 months.

    What do you eat/drink beforehand? (I tend to get light headed when I eat nothing before a workout) I eat a bowl of oatmeal with a tbsp of pb and fruit mixed in.

    What time do you go to bed in order to have an easy wake up? (if this exists haha)- It depends on what time I am planning to get up the next day. Usually I go to bed about 9:45 and get up about 6:15. If I have to get up earlier then I will go to bed earlier. I aim for 8 hours of sleep a night and that is usually what I get.

    Are you going to be doing double workouts? I wouldn't recommend that....you will get burned out REALLY fast. I work out in the morning and watch what I eat, there is no reason to workout more then once in a day unless you are doing a short amount each time, which it sounds like you aren't. You can get things done in an hour or less, 5 days a week and get in great shape, but the diet is going to have to be important also.

    Morning workouts changed my life and I will never go back. Who wants to work out after working a full work day? I sure don't! Good luck!
  • JujiBean
    JujiBean Posts: 187
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    Up at 5:30. Black coffee (with Splenda) with the husband until we leave for the gym around 7:00am

    1 hour at the gym. Run errands on the way home (groceries, gas, bank, etc.)

    Home around 9:00am. That's when I have a couple more coffees and breakfast.

    Works for me. :)

    (Crash early, around 10:00pm, but it's worth it.)
  • Mike523
    Mike523 Posts: 393 Member
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    I've NEVER been a morning person, at any point in my life (I'm 41). But earlier this year I forced myself to start getting up at 5:45am to workout. I was waking up at 7:00 prior to the change, and staying up until 1am or even later. It was HARD to get up in the beginning. I had to force myself out of bed. I used methods like putting the alarm clock across the room, setting the timer on the coffee pot, laying out my workout clothes and HRM the night before, etc. I would be yawning through the workouts on some days...

    But over the course of about a month or two, my body started getting used to it. I started going to bed earlier which helped a lot. Over the past several months, my workouts have gotten longer, and I've had to adjust my wake up time from 5:45 to 5:30, and now to 5:15. Bedtime is now about 10pm on weeknights. But it's like second nature to me now to get out of bed at 5:15. I even wake up a few minutes before the alarm sometimes.

    The routine now is wake at 5:15, immediately eat a banana, drink 16oz of water, sip a cup of coffee, use the rest room, and then workout starting between 5:45 and 6:00.
  • nowic
    nowic Posts: 171 Member
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    I am not a morning person either!! In fact I love to stay up late. However, mornings is when I can fit in my workout.
    Honestly the only reason I keep getting up in the morning is accountability. I have 2 friends who are my workout buddies. I have never had this before, and I got to say it has made a HUGE impact. The days I hurt or was just so tired from staying up too late I know that they are counting on me to be there. I look forward to seeing them, and knowing your friends are "hurting" with you helps :) So for the past 2 weeks I have gone to the gym 5 days a week. Before I had this accountability it was maybe 1 day a week.

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