Wakiing Up to Work Out - How do you do it???

[MarciaTJ]

I truly try to keep fitness and healthy eating a key focus in the rest of my life - yet like most of you the struggles of life can at times impede my ability to fit in a good workout after work. How do you inspire, incent, or simply drag yourselves out of bed to workout in the am - (I typically leave my house for work 7:45am)??

Thanks
M

[Natasha]

Hi Marcia,

It s definitely hard to get yourself out of bed to work out sometimes, especially in the winter. I was able to do it when I knew that that was the only way I d be sure to be able to get it in (when I was working longer hours). I knew how much better and less stressed I felt all day if I d worked out, and missing it was just not an option. It might well get easier for you in time, once it becomes a habit. In fact, I sometimes really enjoyed my morning workouts because they were a great way to relax and ease into the day by doing something wonderful for yourself.

(But these days, I hardly ever work out first thing in the morning (Sunday morning long runs is the closest I get.). The bed is just so warm and cozy, it s cool outside, and I m just soooo lazy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif )

Good luck......

[hhcowgirl]

It makes things so much easier if you put your workout clothes beside the bed, complete with shoes and socks. Then it becomes almost like a reflex. I have one friend who even sleeps in her workout gear!

[Karen from VA]

Call me vain, and this may not be as obvious to you younger women, but all I need to do is to compare my appearance in the mirror before and after I've exercised. When I get up my eyes look tired and puffy and a shower and makeup help very little. BUT, a good walk or run completely transforms my appearance. It replaces the puffiness and tired look into a glowing, alive look, not to mention the obvious emotional high it produces. At 62, I continually get compliments on how healthy, fit and alive I look. That alone is enough of an inspiration to get up and MOVE. Once you've made it a habit, your body will tell you it's time to get it going. I'm so thankful for Nike's motto "Just Do It." It has been very helpful to me in other areas of my life as well. Don't THINK about it, just DO it.

[Laura]

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. If you are getting to bed after 10 and trying to wake up at 5:30 I think anybody's body would rebel. Because of my sporadic work schedule, I have been working out after I drop my kids off. I have recently gone back part-time with one firm so now I will have to start exercising in the am again. My advice? Lights out by 10 at the latest.

[SusanD]

Here's my solution...although I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Get a dog - preferably a very large one - who gets up at 5:30 am like clockwork (regardless of what day it is) and jumps up on your bed wanting to play. I guarantee there's no better way to ensure early-morning exercise, because you will have no choice but to get up and take him for a long walk! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Robin C]

I work out at 5:30 am mon-fri. it gets tough some times but i try to think of why i'm doing it. putting you clothes out the night before is a good tip.

[Pat58]

I lay out all my clothes and make sure gym bag is ready to grab and go, including water, towel, etc., the night before. As I'm falling asleep (early!) I psyche myself into remembering I plan to workout the next morning, and how the effort of getting up that early will be rewarded tenfold. I admit, in winter it is very hard for me to do this, but in spring-fall when there is a little light in the sky and birds are chirping, it's a little easier.

[SusieO]

If you're a morning person at all, you'll eventually get used to getting up a little earlier. Do make sure, as someone mentioned, to get enough sleep. Also, having your clothes laid out and your gym bag packed helps a lot. I've even been known to put my gym bag and work clothes in the car the night before so I don't forget anything. (Nothing worse than completing a workout only to discover your skirt is hanging on a chair in your kitchen!)

[djoygirl]

Marcia,
One thing that really helps me get out and exercise is putting on my workout clothes FIRST thing, even before teeth-brushing, grabbing a bite to eat, etc. Get dressed before you do anything else. I find that if I'm already dressd to exercise, I'm more likely to actually do it.

[MarciaTJ]

Thanks so much for your advice - I've already laid out my clothes for tomorrow - I haven't worked out in a couple of days and I have to work late tomorrow, so I am truly focused on waking up by 6am for a good FIRM tape workout.
Wish me luck!
M

[MarciaTJ]

Thanks so much for your advice - I've already laid out my clothes for tomorrow - I haven't worked out in a couple of days and I have to work late tomorrow, so I am truly focused on waking up by 6am for a good FIRM tape workout.
Wish me luck!
M

[MPHenderson]

This probably won't be the most helpful advice in the world...about 18 months ago I switched jobs and my commute went from 2 hours (one way!) to about 45 minutes. I used to get up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a 6:20 train. Now I get up at 4:30 and do NordicTrak (or run when we don't have two feet of snow) for an hour five mornings a week (on Saturdays I sleep in 'til 6). It has made a WORLD of difference in my life.

Now, I know that not everyone will face this same circumstance...but I guess the advice would be to 1) try to latch it on to another habit or facet of your life and 2) turn the exercise into a habit. When I'm feeling really unmotivated, I just remember that this is my daily renewal...that even if I accomplish NOTHING else all day, I've accomplished this...etc, etc, etc.

Hope this helps...


PS...And I lay my exercise clothes out EVERY NIGHT!

[This message has been edited by MPHenderson (edited 01-22-2001).]

[MaryH]

I too agree with the sleep comment. I have a 9 month old. If she sleeps through the night I have no problem getting up at 4:45 to get to a 5:30 class - but I'm also usually in bed no later than 10:00. If she's not sleeping though, I usually can't make it because by 4:30 a.m. I am just way too tired. Knowing that I have a full work day also makes me go because I know there will be no other time.

If I can get myself up, then I'm usually o.k.

I had an instructor once who said that if you can do 3 minutes of exercise, then you will want to do more. So (especially if you exercise at home) just tell yourself you only need to do 3 minutes and then you can get back in bed. I'll bet that once the three minutes is up, you'll be more awake and will complete the workout.