5-5:30am workouts

Work out at home! I do roughly 20 minutes and use Fitness Blender and free weights/body weight and, honestly, feel great and have seen excellent results!

kayte660 wrote: »

I’m not much into working out at home. I have a very small house so there’s not really space, plus 5 animals underfoot. I love the gym and the class, just need to get past the mental block of “OMG 5am is REALLY early”

I have a really small house, too. Before I changed my guest room to Zen room, I worked out in the living room. I had to push the coffee table back to the couch. I also have 4 dogs. They usually stay on the couch, but do like to come lick my face if I'm doing yoga or abs or something on the floor for some reason.
But it's up to you. Decide what you want. Once you get used to it, it becomes routine.

I don't think there's any quick fix but would advise just do it. I've been doing it for years started when I was 15 getting up to look after a horse) and as my children were all early risers I've never lost the habit.

It isn't easy when its dark and cold out but I make sure all my kit is laid out ready, don't hit the snooze button, head for the loo, clean teeth, drink two pints of water, get dressed (if its really chilly I will get dressed first!). Have trainers, gym card, gloves, coat etc by the front door then just go straight out. On the odd occasion I have been known to be halfway to the gym (I walk as its only half a mile away!) before I fully wake up! It helps that I train fasted so no need to be distracted in the kitchen but I do confess that sometimes, when I come home, the temptation to get back into bed is very strong :-)

Since you're prioritizing your goal of going to the gym at that time, you just need a checklist that works for you. Some I might suggest

Night before.
1. Set clothes out.
2. Make lunch if needed.
3. Take shower.
4. Go to bed earlier.

Morning of.
1. Drink coffee.
2. Kick butt.

Basically building new habits to hit your goal.

I'm sure people will not like this suggestion but this just what worked for me when I used to workout early. I'd set my alarm for 30 - 60 min before I needed to wake up, the alarm would go off and i'd drink half of a 5 hour energy and go back to sleep. When the second alarm went off, I was ready to go! I'd also sleep in my workout clothes and have everything set out so I'd only need to wake up and go.

kayte660 wrote: »

Hey everyone. I’ve been trying to move my workouts to the morning because I’m often too overwhelmed with things to do after work and end up skipping the gym. I joined a gym that’s only classes and penalizes you for not showing up to force accountability, and this week I’ve worked out at 7:30am everyday without a problem. However, I’m back to work tomorrow which means I can only hit the 5:30am class. I wake up most days around 6am so the wake up is only an hour earlier, but the thought of leaving my warm bed to go out into the 20 degree air just seems so awful (I hate the cold and this winter has been so dreary here that I’m struggling with motivation in general).

Any tips other super early workout people can give me? I’m setting out my clothes and water and everything tonight so it’s right there and I’m going to do my best to be in bed by 9:30, but any other advice is super appreciated!

I'm curious about what the penalty is...that does not ultimately seem to be a very good way to foster physical fitness to me.

As to the early morning thing, I'm no help there. I've tried early morning workouts and my physical performance sucks...I also usually get more cramping and stuff like that. The most I do in the early AM is walk my dog.

Also, curious as to what things you have to do after work that are overwhelming? Are these things that you can do on days off?

Maybe try working up to. It getting up five min earlier every few days. That's what I have to do to get in a workout before school

I am NOT a morning person at all!! I started a class about 15 months ago that got me up and going at 5:30. (A holiday boot camp) The class was over after 6 weeks. But there was a normal class that met at the same time. The teacher extended an invitation and they became my people. Without them, I wouldn't show up. Find a group or a person that helps you be accountable! I totally would stay in bed the extra hour if it wasn't for them. If I wouldn't find time in the morning there is no way after working all day that I would find time in the evenings. And what Cheiflrg said set your stuff out for the next day and have it ready. That helps me a ton. I now am at the gym Monday-Friday between 5:00-5:15, we have class on Tuesday and Thursday and meet for an outdoor run on Monday Wednesday and Fridays. Don't beat yourself up. It isn't easy getting up when you aren't a morning person! But don't give up.

Echoing the others, you just do it.

I get up early to run. I have all my gear laid out the night before, so when I get up I don't have to do anything. As for the alarm, I don't want to wake my hubby, so when it goes off I have to just get up.

After a while, it becomes habit. Now 730 feels like a sleep in for me!

I used to detest early mornings. And "early" used to be any time before 07:30.

Now, I really enjoy them, and will often wake up before my alarm on the days I actually allow myself to lie-in.

What works for me:
Have coffee prepped to be made the night before (I use a French Press).
Have gym clothes and gear (towel, water etc) laid out the night before. Sometimes I will even sleep in my running/gym shorts

Drink +- 1 cup of water before bed.

Put alarm in another room. In my case, the en-suite bathroom. This forces me to get up to switch it off.
Chances are, that cup of water you had before bed will mean you need to pee.
Do not go back to bed.
Have another cup of water.
Make coffee.

I find if I can resist the pull of my nice warm bed for the first 5-10 minutes after waking, I can generally get going with my day.

Stick with it. After a few days it will become a habit.

You got this!