What time do you exercise?

[Ruthie]

Greetings, All!
I have been trying to work exercise into my days more often and want to know what works for others. For me - if I don't do it early, early a.m., it seems I just don't do it. Any motivational tips for getting up that hour earlier to exercise?

[MrsReber]

Ruthie, I get up at 5:20am just to get to work! I am only able to work out at night. I admit it is sometimes very difficult to get motivated to drive out to the gym, which is only 5 minutes down the road. If it were any further, I wouldn't go! Part of my motivation recently is that I sign up for group excercises (trekking/spinning) so that I feel obliged to go. Then I go a little earlier and get some weight training in as well. Good luck! I don't think I could get out of bed any earlier! Especially now that it's been dark out when I get up!

[LauraEllen]

Like MrsReber I could not fit it into my morning - not because I get up at 5:20, though. I am just not very bright and shiny in the morning. I work out in the evening after work. I live about 15 miles from my office and the gym is in between, so I would have to go by it to get home. If I had to drive even a mile out of the way I would probably talk myself out of it. Also, my gym has personal trainers and I meet with one weekly. I can't let her down, so I would never skip a workout with her.

[greta]

i feel very lucky--i belong to a gym at work. i work out every day at lunch. unfortunately, i only get an hour for lunch, so i usually do 30 minutes of cardio or lifting. then, i try to do something active after work. either lift, rollerblade in the park, etc.

on the weekends, i much rather workout in the morning. it's a nice way to get the day started.

[BethH]

I get up at 5:40 to make 6 am step/weight training classes (gym is very close).

I agree that is very difficult to actually get up out of bed! Once I can do that, I'm always glad I forced myself to go. Something that works for me is to pack my bag and lay all my clothes for work out the night before. If its all right by the door and ready for me, it helps.

I just know that if I don't go in the am, I won't go at all and that thought will usually get me there about 3 times a week (although I'd like to go more!)

[sage]

Hey all-

I'm another "early morning" workout person. Not tooooo bad as I'm much more of a morning person than a night owl. One thing that helps me is that I go every morning - if I even skip one day that seems to turn into two then three then a year. Also, after I've been getting up at the same time each day, it gets easier as I automatically seem to start waking up at the same time. I do have to go to bed early - I try to be in bed by 10-10:30 pm or so.

I also try to pack my lunch and get my gym stuff together and lay out my clothes so that I just have to roll out of bed, brush my teeth/wash face, grab the bags and hit the door.

Another thing that has made it easier, is that once I started seeing results that has been a pretty good motivator for me. I vividly remember what I look like when I slack off DON'T get up and go work out for a year (or two). And no matter how the rest of my day goes - I can feel like I accomplished something and it was even good for me.

For me, staying in shape will always be a battle - my body just seems to attract fat (or maybe I just like to eat too much http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif). I figure I better just get in the habit of trying to exercise regularly or I'm sunk.

I think getting up the morning will get easier - it may never become natural - especially if you are a night person - but with some schedule adjustments (maybe going to bed a little earlier?) and maybe some planning the night before so everything is ready to go, I think those early mornings might just become bearable. Good luck,

S. Sage.

[andi]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by greta:
[B]i feel very lucky--i belong to a gym at work. i work out every day at lunch. unfortunately, i only get an hour for lunch, so i usually do 30 minutes of cardio or lifting.

Do you shower then after your workout? I'm tempted to use exercise equipment over my lunch hour but wonder how you get through the afternoon without a shower!
I'm planning to wake up my oldest here in a minute and go for a bike ride before the rest of the house gets moving. One advantage of early am stuff is watching the sun come up!

[Missi]

I'm also one who gets up in the AM for workouts. I use all the tips already mentioned---- packing up everything the night before, but especially getting up the same time every morning.

I've found that getting up early and getting my workout done for the day is a great way to ward off stress. I am relaxed by the time I get to work, and the feeling of accomplishment lasts the whole day. If I put it off until the end of the day, I usually think of a million and one reasons not to go.

[Natasha]

Hi Ruthie!

These don t necessarily apply to other workouts I do, but here are a few things that motivate me to cross-train at the gym (which can get kind of boring otherwise):

1. This is just about the only time I see TV (I usually take advantage of it to see sports.). And for the next two weeks, I have the Olympics to hold my attention as I train. What could be more inspiring and motivating? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
2. I get to read magazines to which the gym subscribes.
3. Sometimes I bring headphones and whatever music motivates me, and that guarantees a good, brisk workout. I have fun, too - I get really into the music. People sometimes can t understand how I can have so much fun at the gym!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
4. I keep tabs on my progress on various machines and challenge myself to keep improving. It s great to see the progress.

As for when I exercise, this is all over the map, depending on a variety of factors, including: what else is on tap for the day, what exercise I m doing, my goals for a particular workout, whether I m running with others, and so on.

I manage to train early in the morning if I know I m going to have a hectic day and that s the only time that works, or if I m going for a long run or something. I just tell myself that I have to get out of bed - or else!! I know that if I train in the morning I feel better and more focused all day long. (Though sometimes it is just TOO hard to get out of bed and I manage to justify working out later in the day... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif .)

This being said, I really enjoy training in the evening, often more so than other times. So, in short, I find that a variety of times and activities works best for me - it seems to prevent physical and mental ruts.

Good luck!


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 09-16-2000).]

[Pat58]

I, too, rise early to work out at my local gym. I aim for two aerobics classes which start at 6:00 a.m. on Wed. and Fri., and try to get in two weight training sessions on alternate days. On Saturdays and Sundays I get there at 8:00 or 9:00, depending on how chipper I feel. It is hard to get out of bed that early, especially now that cool weather is returning and it feels so cozy under the blankets. But the benefits are so much worth it. I have less stress all day at work, and I feel smarter and more efficient. The down side is that my gym seems to offer lots of interesting classes for the "after work" crowd.

[BevP]

If I don't workout before the day's shower, I don't workout. So I'm definately an AM person. I work at home, so I can procrastinate until 9 am. I prefer to have the morning coffee and light breakfast first.

[Laura]

If I didn't have kids and didn't work I ideally would work out around 8 am. I will run at that time on the weekends. When I lived in Jackson Hole I was able to lift on my lunch hour because the gym was only 5 minutes away and I worked at a very informal place (meaning coming back like you just finished a workout was usually viewed as a plus not a negative) Now I have to do the early morning thing. I HATE getting up at 5:45 but I always feel better after my work out. Too many things always get in the way if I leave it until the end of the day.

[cookgirl]

Boy. I can't help you there. I don't like to get up and exercise unless I have plenty of time to bum around afterward..which is not usually the case. I tend to exercise at night on the days I work it's a good way for me to wind down after a crazy day, and my husband agrees it makes me more human. Although I've noticed on the days that I've gone into work later, and worked out before hand, I'm not as anxious to leave, because I've already gotten my daily dose of exercise. I'm just a varied workout kind of person. As long as I get it done, I don't care when I do it.

[MarciaTJ]

I typically (when I'm on a roll, and exercising regularly), tend to excercise in the evening at home during the week In the morning I am just too tired to give 100%, then I'll exercise in the AM on the weekends.

[JennyR]

I am an evening exerciser. I find it is one of the most enjoyable ways to unwind after a hectic day. It's either that or some very unhealthy choices of munchies and or drinks. Plus I am definitely NOT a morning person. On the weekends, I will exercise 8 or 9 ish simply because if I postpone it to the evening it simply wouldn't get done.

[richbanks1]

I've been told by my wife that I'm "sick," you know, abnormal, i'm such regular morning exercser. I wake up about 5am. and run. I get such thrill out of it, though, it's really a no-brainer to do the exercise. My motivation to do it early is that if don't exercse then, it would be a choice b/t exercising and spending time with my famiy in the evening. It seems I get such little time with them, especially my son, that I just can't miss any more for something such as exercise. My advice is start out with just a short run, walk, or whatever choice of exercise--a small commitment in terms of time. You'll probably find that you really like the results. You will eventually wake up much easier and may even want to get up earlier and devote more time.

Good luck