Getting Up Early to Work Out
jennajava
Posts: 2,176 Member
I was about to post this on a thread earlier, but so many people were being rude, it got pulled.
We were discussing being too busy to get a workout in.
I have such a busy day, oftentimes I only have time to squeeze in 20 min. of walking or something. I tried getting up early to go to the gym, but my entire immune system seems to revolt on me every time I get less than 8 hours of sleep.
Is there something that would help with this, so I could actually get up early and go to the gym on my busy days?
We were discussing being too busy to get a workout in.
I have such a busy day, oftentimes I only have time to squeeze in 20 min. of walking or something. I tried getting up early to go to the gym, but my entire immune system seems to revolt on me every time I get less than 8 hours of sleep.
Is there something that would help with this, so I could actually get up early and go to the gym on my busy days?
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Replies
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*bump* I want to as well! I started to work out in the a.m. and LOVED it but I can't seem to get up now. It DOES make you feel GREAT throughout the day; I just need to GET UP!0
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The only thing that helps is getting your butt out of bed when that alarm clock goes off early. I wake up much, much (MUCH) earlier than I would like, but before work is the only time for me to squeeze in exercise on some days. Like everything, we can make all of the excuses we want of why we aren't doing what we are supposed to (work, kids, spouse, blah, blah, blah), but it all comes down to priorities. I made exercise the priority over an extra 45 minutes of sleep. Believe me, that was a VERY difficult decision for me to make!0
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I have disciplined myself to be in bed by 9 or 10 and I am up at 5 or 6 respectively...best decision I have ever made...its do able...sometimes rough...but once you get up and going you feel GREAT!0
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I found that if you gradually build up to the getting up early it really helps. I started by setting my alarm 5 minutes early and did some yoga stretches in that 5 minutes then a few weeks later I changed to 10 minutes earlier and so on. Your body does get used to it and I find the gradual changes are much easier to maintain. Perhaps try to set yourself a time that you really want to be in bed the night before and have a wind down routine as well and it means getting up with more energy the next day so much more rewarding. Also I try to set aside at least 20mins of my lunch break at work for a walk which justs gives me that little extra exercise and keeps me energised for the afternoon.
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Could you go to sleep earlier? Or just work out in the evenings and skip the morning workout? Maybe grab a quick walk at lunch time too?0
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I agree, I have the same problem. The only solution I have found is to go to bed around 8 or 9 so i can get up at 5. i NEED 8 hours of sleep, i have no idea how but i will sleep through anything until i hit 8 hours. Move your alarm clock so you actually have to get out of bed to turn it off and discipline yourself to not get back into the bed. after a while it will be routine!
good luck!0 -
I'm not a morning person so I can't help you with this one
It may be crazy, but I prefer to work out once the kids are in bed. Yes, I'm exhausted, but I seem to sleep better those nights...the reward of a nice hot shower is a bonus lol0 -
I love working out first thing in the morning. It makes me feel good and I feel like I have already accomplished one of my goals for the day before I hit the shower.
I actually get up at 4:45am every M-F and go to the gym. I am done by 6am and head home, shower, etc so I can get logged into work around 6:30am. The main reason I started doing this was because I have a 4 year old and my wife works swing shift so I can't get away in the afternoon/evening. Before work is the only time I can get a workout in. I have just made it a part of my day.
The downside is sleep. I normally try to get to bed by 9:30, but that is still barely 7 hours. I don't even make that 1/2 the time. I just sleep a little extra on weekends.0 -
I think my question wasn't clear:I tried getting up early to go to the gym, but my entire immune system seems to revolt on me every time I get less than 8 hours of sleep.
I literally get sick when I'm not getting enough sleep. Is there something I could do about this, so that I can get up early? I don't mind the actual, physical, getting up early. In fact, I am very much a morning person.
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.0 -
I feel the SAME way!!!! Some days its really tough for me to get 25 minutes in for a dvd and then a walk (somedays I just get the dvd done), but since my hubby leaves at 5 A.M, I have to be home from the gym by then because we have a 2 yr old princess asleep. I used to get up at 3:30 A.M , go to the gym from a little before 4 until about 5. But I was trying really hard not to fall asleep by 2 in the afternoon at work. It stressed me out SO much the night before I'd go because I knew I wouldn't get many hours of sleep since there is no way I can be in bed before 9 at the earliest. I'd get SO uptight about it when I was trying to get things done around the house so I could go to bed. SO I decided the stress wasn't worth it. Plus I was getting sick easier and major grumpy at home. So I guess you just do what you can do and some days you have more time then others and life goes on. Don't be too hard on yourself! You do what you can do, that's the way it is. Work out a little harder when you do have time to get a workout it. 0
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I found that if you gradually build up to the getting up early it really helps. I started by setting my alarm 5 minutes early and did some yoga stretches in that 5 minutes then a few weeks later I changed to 10 minutes earlier and so on. Your body does get used to it and I find the gradual changes are much easier to maintain. Perhaps try to set yourself a time that you really want to be in bed the night before and have a wind down routine as well and it means getting up with more energy the next day so much more rewarding. Also I try to set aside at least 20mins of my lunch break at work for a walk which justs gives me that little extra exercise and keeps me energised for the afternoon.
this sounds like a good idea. I'll have to try it. thanks for the suggestion0 -
I get up at 5:15am every morning and I don't take a lunch Tues, Wed and Thurs to fit in my workouts......It's my ME time!0
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It's hard for me to get up earlier than I need to. I have to be at work at 5:45, so there is no way I will be up before 4, if I can help it. When I get home, between 3:00 and 4:00 most days, it is VERY hard to work out. I slack big time. I use my days off to exercise or while I'm watching my tv program [NCIS], I use my mini trampoline, do crunches, dips, and the such. It's not the best, but it's what I can fit into my day. I'm usually in bed by 9 pm.0
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*bump* I want to as well! I started to work out in the a.m. and LOVED it but I can't seem to get up now. It DOES make you feel GREAT throughout the day; I just need to GET UP!
I could of written this myself. I will be watching. 0 -
The only thing I can think of is going to bed earlier the night before so you can be up earlier the next day and still get your 8 hours in.0
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I literally get sick when I'm not getting enough sleep. Is there something I could do about this, so that I can get up early? I don't mind the actual, physical, getting up early. In fact, I am very much a morning person.
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
Just my opinion, but have you looked into Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome - there is a good book on the subject by Dr. Wilson, you can find it online. If you are getting sick from shortened hours of sleep, it sounds IMO like your immune system is not working correctly. This could be hormonal, stress related, or several other factors. Try Yoga too, as well as some possible supplements to assist in adrenal support. Also, have your thyroid checked. Do it by your AM basal temp if your blood testing come back normally. I also like the works of Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman in regards to these issues.0 -
Do you take any type of multi vitiman?0
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I think my question wasn't clear:I tried getting up early to go to the gym, but my entire immune system seems to revolt on me every time I get less than 8 hours of sleep.
I literally get sick when I'm not getting enough sleep. Is there something I could do about this, so that I can get up early? I don't mind the actual, physical, getting up early. In fact, I am very much a morning person.
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
I don't know any remedies, so just sleep. Get your 8 hours of sleep and just find some time to add in some movement.0 -
I think my question wasn't clear:I tried getting up early to go to the gym, but my entire immune system seems to revolt on me every time I get less than 8 hours of sleep.
I literally get sick when I'm not getting enough sleep. Is there something I could do about this, so that I can get up early? I don't mind the actual, physical, getting up early. In fact, I am very much a morning person.
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
I get sick easier with lack of sleep also. I feel for ya babe.0 -
I try to be in bed no later than 10pm and I only go early three days a week (I go to Spin class at 6 am M-W-F). I tried getting up early every day, but I was dragging by the end of the week. I'm also lucky that the gym I go to is less than a mile from my house so I get up at 5:45 and throw on clothes, brush my teeth, and am at the gym and ready to go with a couple minutes to spare.0
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It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
There is nothing you can do in the evenings to streamline your routine to shave off an hour and get to bed early? I know for me, planning is essential. After I eat dinner I get work and workout clothes ready for the next day, get my lunch together, etc. Again, it comes down to priorities. Most of us are not busy from the second we get home from work to the minute our head hits the pillow. For me, I would many times watch TV for an hour in the evening to relax and unwind. I shifted priorities and now forgo TV watching in order to get other stuff done so I can get the sleep I need.
We all lead busy lives but it really comes down to prioritizing. If X task you do in the evening is more important to you than exercise, you won't be able to make the time to get to bed early. You have to ask yourself where exercise falls on your priority list.0 -
I literally get sick when I'm not getting enough sleep. Is there something I could do about this, so that I can get up early? I don't mind the actual, physical, getting up early. In fact, I am very much a morning person.
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
Just my opinion, but have you looked into Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome - there is a good book on the subject by Dr. Wilson, you can find it online. If you are getting sick from shortened hours of sleep, it sounds IMO like your immune system is not working correctly. This could be hormonal, stress related, or several other factors. Try Yoga too, as well as some possible supplements to assist in adrenal support. Also, have your thyroid checked. Do it by your AM basal temp if your blood testing come back normally. I also like the works of Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman in regards to these issues.
Thank you, thank you!!! I am going to check into this.0 -
It's just not possible for me to go to bed any earlier than I do, so if I got up early, I would be missing sleep, and I would inevitably get sick, because that's how my body reacts.
There is nothing you can do in the evenings to streamline your routine to shave off an hour and get to bed early? I know for me, planning is essential. After I eat dinner I get work and workout clothes ready for the next day, get my lunch together, etc. Again, it comes down to priorities. Most of us are not busy from the second we get home from work to the minute our head hits the pillow. For me, I would many times watch TV for an hour in the evening to relax and unwind. I shifted priorities and now forgo TV watching in order to get other stuff done so I can get the sleep I need.
We all lead busy lives but it really comes down to prioritizing. If X task you do in the evening is more important to you than exercise, you won't be able to make the time to get to bed early. You have to ask yourself where exercise falls on your priority list.
mel...this is just with me doing the bare minimum to keep my household going
I am however, about to hire a maid. Hubby is very helpful, but even with his help, I just can't do it all. Hopefully this will help. 0 -
Do you take any type of multi vitiman?
I take Women's One-a-Day. Is there something better I could take?0 -
I have a very busy schedule myself. With two kids and a husband who works 60 hours a week, my life is full from the time I get up until the time I crash in bed with running kids here and there, all the household chores and volunteering in kids' classrooms. I usually go to bed around 8-9 and wake up arond 4:30. This is "MY TIME" no hubby or kids to deal with. This is the only time in the day to do my exercises. I have two other girls that I run with in the early morning, usually between 5:15 and 5:45. We always make plans the night before. This makes it harder to hit the snooze button since you have someone counting on you. Point is...try using the buddy system, if you can, make yourself accountable. Also try to get to bed early so you get your full nights rest. I LOVE working out in the morning. It sets the mood for the rest of my day. Good luck to you, and remember you deserve this time to work out. YOU need it!0
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I try to be in bed no later than 10pm and I only go early three days a week (I go to Spin class at 6 am M-W-F). I tried getting up early every day, but I was dragging by the end of the week. I'm also lucky that the gym I go to is less than a mile from my house so I get up at 5:45 and throw on clothes, brush my teeth, and am at the gym and ready to go with a couple minutes to spare.
i do the exact same thing-- three days a week is all i can do or i get tooooo tired all week, but it is important to set out your gym clothes the night before, if you are going early to the gym, it makes it easier and it is an intentional decision, which makes me, at least, more likely to get up.0 -
I hear you loud and clear! so challenging! I need at least 8 hours too or I feel just terrible.
The only additional tip I have is this:
This past weekend, Saturday night no less, I prepared/planned my lunches and dinners for the whole week. This has saved me some major AM and PM time...my routine was to prep the next day's lunch in the evening after cooking dinner and it was taking a lot of time and was stressful. This saved me about 30-45 minutes per night. I made a big pot of chili which has provided several meals as it keeps so well.
I guess this only applies if you are the cook.
I think we just have to do the best we can with the time we are given
I also walk during lunch breaks at work, which helps me.0 -
I go to bed in my workout clothes so I drop my youngest son off at school and go straight to the garage where my elliptical and treadmil are. I do work nights so its a little easier for me. I never get eight hours but after exercising I feel like I did!0
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I have a very busy schedule myself. With two kids and a husband who works 60 hours a week, my life is full from the time I get up until the time I crash in bed with running kids here and there, all the household chores and volunteering in kids' classrooms. I usually go to bed around 8-9 and wake up arond 4:30. This is "MY TIME" no hubby or kids to deal with. This is the only time in the day to do my exercises. I have two other girls that I run with in the early morning, usually between 5:15 and 5:45. We always make plans the night before. This makes it harder to hit the snooze button since you have someone counting on you. Point is...try using the buddy system, if you can, make yourself accountable. Also try to get to bed early so you get your full nights rest. I LOVE working out in the morning. It sets the mood for the rest of my day. Good luck to you, and remember you deserve this time to work out. YOU need it!
Thank you! Sounds like we have very similar lives!!!0 -
Go to the doctor and explain what is going on with you. You may have a medical condition.0
This discussion has been closed.
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