Need Motivation to Get up Early!
angf0679
Posts: 1,120 Member
I need motivation to get up and run BEFORE work! Yes, that means leaving by 5:30 AM to get my run in. I struggle. Mostly because I get on my phone as soon as I wake up. It charges by my bed as I use it as a secondary alarm clock. I need to motivate myself to STOP playing on my phone and getting up to run. I was on it for just over an hour this morning before putting it down to get ready for work. I'm to addicted to my phone in the morning. I need to stop!
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What is your reason or motivation to run? I ask because maybe that might not be stronger than the motivation or desire to play on the phone.3
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Because I love to run. Getting it done in the morning, means I don't need to try to get it in when I get home. I'm training for a half-marathon. My runs are starting to get to long to do on my lunch break at work.
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I used to be an alarm-clock kind of guy to wake up at 5:30 every day. That was my routine to get to work, and after a few years it wasn't much of a thing to get up then. Then 3 years ago, we got a Labrador retriever who sleeps on the floor right next to the bed. I swear that dog can tell time, cuz at 5:20 every day, she's sitting by the bed staring at me. Sometimes she'll put a paw on the bed just hard enough that I can feel it, and that gets me up. But whatever, she's waiting for me before the alarm clock goes off to be fed and let outside. This has gone on long-enough that I don't need my alarm clock anymore, and knowing she "really" needs to be let out is plenty of motivation to get up and get going. It's gotten so bad that I can't sleep past 5:30 even when I traveling or camping or otherwise not at home...I'm getting up at 5:20 and that's that. Haven't used an alarm clock since we got the dog. So, my suggestion is to get a dog that can tell time...that'll get you going!
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I used to feel terribly guilty for spending time on my phone when I first got up (I mean basically every "wellness" resource out there claims this is bad for you) and then one day I just realized that I LIKE having that 30-40 minutes in bed, coffee in hand, browsing my feeds, checking the news, and slowly waking up my brain. So instead of fighting it every day I built it into my schedule: I get up a bit earlier and have 45 minutes dedicated to coffee and phone time, and then I get up and go run. Instead of feeling like I "should" be doing something else (aka getting out and running--which I also love) because I've scheduled both things into my morning I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in that moment, which somehow makes it easier to pop on my shoes and get out the door as soon as my coffee is done or the 45 minutes are up, whichever comes first.5
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YellowD0gs wrote: »I used to be an alarm-clock kind of guy to wake up at 5:30 every day. That was my routine to get to work, and after a few years it wasn't much of a thing to get up then. Then 3 years ago, we got a Labrador retriever who sleeps on the floor right next to the bed. I swear that dog can tell time, cuz at 5:20 every day, she's sitting by the bed staring at me. Sometimes she'll put a paw on the bed just hard enough that I can feel it, and that gets me up. But whatever, she's waiting for me before the alarm clock goes off to be fed and let outside. This has gone on long-enough that I don't need my alarm clock anymore, and knowing she "really" needs to be let out is plenty of motivation to get up and get going. It's gotten so bad that I can't sleep past 5:30 even when I traveling or camping or otherwise not at home...I'm getting up at 5:20 and that's that. Haven't used an alarm clock since we got the dog. So, my suggestion is to get a dog that can tell time...that'll get you going!
I had a cat that was good at that. (I'm not a dog person.) However, where I live I'm not allowed either.0 -
I used to feel terribly guilty for spending time on my phone when I first got up (I mean basically every "wellness" resource out there claims this is bad for you) and then one day I just realized that I LIKE having that 30-40 minutes in bed, coffee in hand, browsing my feeds, checking the news, and slowly waking up my brain. So instead of fighting it every day I built it into my schedule: I get up a bit earlier and have 45 minutes dedicated to coffee and phone time, and then I get up and go run. Instead of feeling like I "should" be doing something else (aka getting out and running--which I also love) because I've scheduled both things into my morning I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in that moment, which somehow makes it easier to pop on my shoes and get out the door as soon as my coffee is done or the 45 minutes are up, whichever comes first.
It already goes off at 4:30 (and every 5 minutes between 4:30 and 5:00) I need to have my Bible study time before my run. Depending on the length I need to do, I need to leave between 5:45-6:00. I need to be home to get ready for work by 6:30, as I leave for my bus at 7:10.
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Because I love to run. Getting it done in the morning, means I don't need to try to get it in when I get home. I'm training for a half-marathon. My runs are starting to get to long to do on my lunch break at work.
A couple questions come to mind. 1) Are you training for a specific half marathon on a specific date in the near future or are you training to do an unspecified half marathon sometime later this year? 2) what is your reason for not wanting to run after work?
Please know that I am not being critical of you; just trying to find a way to help you find the motivation you are looking for.1 -
I need motivation to get up and run BEFORE work! Yes, that means leaving by 5:30 AM to get my run in. I struggle. Mostly because I get on my phone as soon as I wake up. It charges by my bed as I use it as a secondary alarm clock. I need to motivate myself to STOP playing on my phone and getting up to run. I was on it for just over an hour this morning before putting it down to get ready for work. I'm to addicted to my phone in the morning. I need to stop!
Do you end up running later in the day then or skip it?
Just comes down to what is more important. We all have 24 hours in a day. The hour on the phone in the morning may be taking away from something more beneficial.0 -
You don't need motivation you need a little discipline and you need to avoid temptation. Do your Bible study with an actual Bible and from now on you are not allowed to engage with your phone until after you run.
I wouldn't even keep it by the bed until the habit takes hold.5 -
Because I love to run. Getting it done in the morning, means I don't need to try to get it in when I get home. I'm training for a half-marathon. My runs are starting to get to long to do on my lunch break at work.
A couple questions come to mind. 1) Are you training for a specific half marathon on a specific date in the near future or are you training to do an unspecified half marathon sometime later this year? 2) what is your reason for not wanting to run after work?
Please know that I am not being critical of you; just trying to find a way to help you find the motivation you are looking for.
1) I'm training for half on April 18. I'm not registered for it yet, as I still need the money to. However, I'm not starting my training after I register, as it would only be 1-2 months way at that point!!!
2) I just find it hard sometimes to get back out the door. It's easier if I pack a snack to eat around 4pm, so I'm not so hungry when I get home. Running after work usually means it's past 8pm before supper.0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »I need motivation to get up and run BEFORE work! Yes, that means leaving by 5:30 AM to get my run in. I struggle. Mostly because I get on my phone as soon as I wake up. It charges by my bed as I use it as a secondary alarm clock. I need to motivate myself to STOP playing on my phone and getting up to run. I was on it for just over an hour this morning before putting it down to get ready for work. I'm to addicted to my phone in the morning. I need to stop!
Do you end up running later in the day then or skip it?
Just comes down to what is more important. We all have 24 hours in a day. The hour on the phone in the morning may be taking away from something more beneficial.
Mixture of both. Tuesday I didn't get up on time but did get myself out the door later. Last night I couldn't make myself get out for my 6k run. It was to long for a lunch run (I need 10 minutes before and after the run for changing) and the wind was so bitterly cold last night, I couldn't bring up the courage to go!0 -
You don't need motivation you need a little discipline and you need to avoid temptation. Do your Bible study with an actual Bible and from now on you are not allowed to engage with your phone until after you run.
I wouldn't even keep it by the bed until the habit takes hold.
I actually do use my actual Bible. I have a Bible app, but I rarely use it.1 -
I do not think you have a motivation issue, I really believe motivation is one of the most overused words around.
I noticed you have a number of items you say YOU NEED TO DO. But is that really true? Are you sure it is a NEED VS a WANT?
If the phone is an issue, move it away from the bed, buy a real alarm clock, and make a new habit get out of bed when it goes off. Do not get in habit of playing the snooze button game.
Is it a need or want that Bible Study must be done at beginning of day?
Maybe changing some of your priorities and when you actually do them during the day will help you get them all done during the day.3 -
Know what made me more of a morning person? Not getting jolted out of bed by an alarm. I got a "dawn simulator" that wakes you up with gradually increasing amounts of light, and then if you sleep through that, it starts in with soft nature sounds that progressively get louder. It's rechargeable so you don't have to buy batteries and cost me about twenty bucks. I really like the temple bell setting, it's so relaxing, but at the same time wakes me up. You can have loons or water sounds too. Because of this I get up around 5 every morning and don't mind and I used to be one of those who felt bad if they got up before 10.
Anyway, keeping that by your bed and your phone somewhere away from your bed may help. Also keeping everything you need to run close at hand is nice - like running shoes by the door, that kind of thing. That way you can get your dopamine hit by running instead of the phone. All the best to you!1 -
Because I love to run. Getting it done in the morning, means I don't need to try to get it in when I get home. I'm training for a half-marathon. My runs are starting to get to long to do on my lunch break at work.
A couple questions come to mind. 1) Are you training for a specific half marathon on a specific date in the near future or are you training to do an unspecified half marathon sometime later this year? 2) what is your reason for not wanting to run after work?
Please know that I am not being critical of you; just trying to find a way to help you find the motivation you are looking for.
1) I'm training for half on April 18. I'm not registered for it yet, as I still need the money to. However, I'm not starting my training after I register, as it would only be 1-2 months way at that point!!!
2) I just find it hard sometimes to get back out the door. It's easier if I pack a snack to eat around 4pm, so I'm not so hungry when I get home. Running after work usually means it's past 8pm before supper.
The bolded is not a problem unless you are hungrier than you would be normally and you eat more than you need.0 -
Ugh, I'm going to apologise in advance if this sounds harsh, I do have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about phones.
They are a phenomenal waste of time, if it is a positive relaxing activity then that's great. If it's preventing you from doing something you want to, that is a choice - one you can own and change.
Why not just wait until you're on the bus?2 -
maureenkhilde wrote: »
Is it a need or want that Bible Study must be done at beginning of day?
That is very much a need.4 -
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I'm not a runner and definitely not good with more intensive exercise in the AM as I am generally not a morning person, but I was a get up and get on my phone first thing guy. I would grab my phone and my coffee and head out to the patio and sit and go through social media or the news or whatever and watch the sunrise. I would sit there and do that for 30-45 minutes before I'd go start getting ready for work.
I'm kind of a morning fog, groggy riser, so that's how I woke myself up but it always felt like such a waste of productive time. I decided that I and my dog would be better served to go for a walk in the morning. I have a desk job so I don't get a whole lot of movement throughout the day outside of deliberate exercise after work and thought that would be a good way to just add a bit more activity.
I used to use my phone as an alarm as well so the phone was the first thing in front of me in the morning and just hard to put down. I bought myself a sunrise alarm clock and started leaving my phone in the kitchen overnight. I was surprised at how much easier I woke up with the new alarm clock and felt better than just being jolted awake by the alarm. Then I just made it a point to put my clothes on and get my coffee in a travel mug and get my dogs stuff and go out. The first week or two was actually kind of hard because it was such a habit to grab my phone...but it got way easier after that and it's just a phenomenal way to get my day started.2 -
I agree with others, put your phone somewhere else. Leave it downstairs in the kitchen (or wherever). use a real alarm clock. To me it's not a matter of motivation. You just have to make a choice. Do you want to form new habits? How bad do you want to? Yes getting out of bed early in the morning is hard. It takes me a few tries, but once you actually do it that first time, it gets easier from there. The more you do it, the more it will become part of your daily routine and won't seem like anything out of the ordinary.
I have a planner this year with a goals feature built in. There is a spot for my annual goals, monthly goals, and weekly goals. There is a spot on each weekly spread for daily habits, so I get to check mark each day that I complete each habit that I'm trying to adopt. I am a lot more likely to actually do those habits that I put on there because I love getting to check them off as complete. May sound stupid, but it works for me. I love working towards goals and writing them down in my planner makes them more concrete and then I am more likely to actually complete them.2 -
I used to be the same where I would spend 30/40 mins on my phone whilst laying in bed. I found an app that means I can block certain apps until a certain time. So I set that so if I was getting up at 7:30 for example, I would set the app time to 8:00/8:15 so it means I would get of bed as I was awake and might as well get up and about.0
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Because I love to run. Getting it done in the morning, means I don't need to try to get it in when I get home. I'm training for a half-marathon. My runs are starting to get to long to do on my lunch break at work.
A couple questions come to mind. 1) Are you training for a specific half marathon on a specific date in the near future or are you training to do an unspecified half marathon sometime later this year? 2) what is your reason for not wanting to run after work?
Please know that I am not being critical of you; just trying to find a way to help you find the motivation you are looking for.
1) I'm training for half on April 18. I'm not registered for it yet, as I still need the money to. However, I'm not starting my training after I register, as it would only be 1-2 months way at that point!!!
2) I just find it hard sometimes to get back out the door. It's easier if I pack a snack to eat around 4pm, so I'm not so hungry when I get home. Running after work usually means it's past 8pm before supper.
I don't know how much registration is for running events. The cycling events I do can be as low as $20 as an early bird price on the Bike MS events I do. The other rides I signed up for range from $40-$75. I register at the earliest possible time which creates a sense of committment. The Bike MS events are basically 150 miles over 2 days. I have two of those scheduled this year. The others are century rides, 100 miles in one day(10 to 12 hours); 4 of those this year. The first century ride this year is April 18th like your event. All of this takes phyical and mental training or I fail; thus training is a priority.
I also have signed up for a Rugged Maniac event to do with some of my children and grandchildren, which adds to the sense of commitment.
Is your half marathon event for a cause/charity? If so, is it one that is truly important to you? Is it important enough to you to put the phone down and train for your goal?
Are you hoping to just finish the event even as the last finisher of the day; happened to me twice. Or are you wanting to finish in the middle of the pack or higher?
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Mitch239 - I should look for that
jbruced - This race has no "early bird" pricing. It's just one fee. I wish I could register early. I just got caught up on being behind on bills. Stupid me once again didn't save for Christmas (or December as I call it as I have three immediate family birthdays in December) and I haven't had the money to spare until now. Next pay I'm registering for this race! (or the one in June I want to do that's over 40% sold right now) My goal time is to get closer to 2:30 finish time. I shocked myself in September when I ran my half took 4 minutes and 20 seconds off my PB. I'd like to see if I can take some more time off it! My current is 2:36:04
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Probably not the advice you’re looking for but to be blunt — just do it.
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I say it starts with breaking your habit. Get up once, and go for your run. Try to do it again the next day. Half the battle is starting. I struggled just to work out, but once I start it's hard to quit. Save my phone for afterwards.0
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I'm with the others here - Leave your phone elsewhere in the house. Get a different alarm clock. Don't pick up the phone 'til you're walking out the door for that run.
That said, for me, running at 5 in the morning is never going to be the solution I need. Have you looked at other solutions? Lunch hour runs (go in early, leave late if needed)? Run-commute to or from work?
A different training plan where your weekday runs are shorter and your weekend run is the long run?0 -
Get unlimited data. I have 90 minutes of commute, streaming stuff all the time.0 -
kdbulger - To run commute to work would mean going over a highway (which where I live is illegal to walk/run/bike along side a highway) and over 20km.
Theoldbuy1 - I wish I could afford unlimited data!
I'm looking into options for a different alarm clock. Maybe one that screams at me! 0 -
Some thoughts, as someone who gets up at 5 a.m. seven days a week unless there's sickness involved:
For me, ability to get up early in the morning begins the night before. I'm not sure if your goal is to be up at 4:30 or 5-- whatever time you're aiming for, are you going to bed early enough for that to be reasonable? And are you setting your body clock by going to bed/getting up at the same time every day, whether it's the weekend or not?
Second thing is that it's important for me to have as much of the morning prepped in advance as possible. Are there things that you could ready the night before so that your morning clicks faster and you don't have other calls on that time? Since it sounds like bible study is something that can take you 30-60 min (?), could you do the main work the night before, do a 5-min standing up refresh on what you did once you get up, and then think about it while you're running? Are there things in your post-run/work readiness time that could be done in advance, shortened, or eliminated?
Third thing is probably the hardest: I get out of bed when the alarm goes off, no matter what. I don't use the snooze button and I don't spend time being awake but still in bed. Once I'm physically up, it's a lot easier to go with everything I've already prepped. I'm up--I might as well get going. I usually don't sit down at all until after my workout is done.
Fourth, for me, anyhow, is that I've come to regard the time between 5-6:30 a.m. as the only time I can count on that's mine, for me. It's too valuable to give to the internet or starting work early or any of the other things I might do with that time. The things I do on a phone, I can find corners for in other parts of the day. I think changing the way you think about that time and valuing it more highly might help you keep it focused on what matters to you.0
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