ISO: 5:00am workout advice

[RUSTYSMOM]

I am finally back on track with my morning workouts which I am really pleased about. I get up around 4:45 and begin working out shortly thereafter (exercize room at home). However my problem is that by 8:00pm I am completely exhausted. Do you all feel this way? Is it only because I am just a few weeks into this? I don't remember ever feeling so tired. I literally fall into bed. However in the am I am ready to go - waking up before my alarm. I welcome your wrods of wisdom! TIA.

[MaryH]

Oh yeah!!

I'm usually wiped out by 8:00 or 8:30 as well. But I find that with two litttle ones 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. is the only time in the day when I know I can get the workout in. And I will confess that if I do the gym 3-4 days in a row I usually have to take a day off because I can't usually crash at 8:00 p.m.

If I go, I too am good to go for the morning and most of the afternoon. But after that, watch out. I don't know if there's an answer - only that I wish there were more hours to sleep. But I would continue with it, maybe your body will adjust.

[m4star]

I don't have any children but it seems to me that after getting up at 4:45 in the morning you would need to get to bed by 8:30 or 9pm. I think that your body is just needing a good 8 hours of rest. I know it's not always possible but sometimes it's needed.

[This message has been edited by m4star (edited 03-01-2001).]

[ChefChris]

I just have to add how impressed I am that you get up in the am to do the workout. I am struggling to make that a habit myself. With two small kids, that is the only time guaranteed that I would get the workout in. As it is now, I set my alarm and then convince myself that I am too tired (bad night sleep, someone was awake that night etc.) and that I will find time later in the day and go back to sleep http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif As you all know, that time never comes in the day....
kudos to you early morning risers!
Chris

[McSix]

I get up at 4:15 (as much because my cat insists upon it as willpower) to exercise every morning. I feel great all day, and I usually fall asleep shortly after 8:00. That's okay with our schedule. I truly enjoy the mornings, once I'm up....

[Lizz13.1]

I have always been a morning person and got into the 5 AM workouts after reading Oprah's book about 4 years ago. I go to our local Y and have met some GREAT people. I am a teacher and my students laugh at the fact I am in bed at about 9 each night and sometimes 8! However, it feels great to be done with working out before I get to work! Keep it up!

[RUSTYSMOM]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. You have all inspired me to keep it up and just get used to going to bed by 8:30. This is only a problem when I beat my 3 1/2 yr old to bed... Thanks again. I will be thinking gof all of you early birds in the am.

[makedah]

Lizz -- I teach also (college students) and they look astonished when I tell them that I go to bed at 9:30 (up at 6 to exercise at 6:40).

[emilycat]

Okay, well, now that I have a job outside of my home, I'm learning what it's like to wake up at 5:30 in order to run before work. I love it, actually; running in the dawn before the sun comes up just exhilarates me; but like y'all have all said, I'm ready to drop by 10:00 or so! I'm trying to start getting to sleep by 9:30 or 10:00 so that I can get 71/2 or 8 hours of sleep, but I'm not quite adjusted yet, and I've been so tired this week from not getting to bed until my regular 11:30!

So how much help was this? I didn't really answer any questions, did I? I suppose I mean that it's just really important to let your body get as much rest as it needs, so if that means adjusting your schedule to do so, go for it!

Emily

[RUSTYSMOM]

Kek - we seem to be living very similar hectic lives! I also have two small children (16 months, 3 1/2), work full time and travel quite a bit for work. You have really motivated me - 3:45!!!! Wow. It is the best feeling to be done with the important task of exercizing before the family has even woken up! Keep up the great work.

[kek]

Rustysmom - thanks for your support! It is pretty tough to fit it all in - and it scares me to death that if I stop I won't get started again!

It does feel good knowing I am not the only one with such a crazy life! Take care!

[aggie94]

Can I ask what types of workouts you guys are doing at 3:45-5:45 in the morning? Do you belong to gyms that are open 24 hours? I commute an hour and a half to work everyday, which requires me to leave home at 6:10a. I get home at about 6:30 p, and I usually go to the gym (kickboxing class or cardio/weights) for about an hour and a half to two hours at night (usually between 7:30 and 9:30ish). Problem is the combination of working out that late at night and taking my asthma medication that late at night (so that I can workout) leaves me wide awake and I always have trouble getting to sleep. I don't usually get to bed anyway until after 11, so I'm feeling pretty crappy when the alarm goes off at 5:15.

I've considered working out in the morning before I go to work, even though it would require me to get up at an hour when no human should be awake, but my gym isn't open. (Please don't suggest switching gyms, because I only pay $75 a year for where I'm going now and it's an awesome facility -- my husband is a student and this is the university's rec center -- I can't justify spending that a month to go elsewhere). I'm also wary of running or cycling outside at that time of the morning by myself (and no, it's not an option to drag my husband with me!). Any ideas? I'm so impressed that you guys are able to maintain schedules like that. More power to you, and keep it up!

[beccathebaker]

I am also an early riser/exerciser. In order to be at the bakery early I rise around 4:15 and get to the gym by 5. I swim or spin or do something for a bit and then go off to work. I must admit that I fall into bed around 8:30 but I have never been a night owl and i absolutely love the quiet peace of morning. To see the sunrise over the ocean is just breathtaking and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm so glad to know that there are others who enjoy this time as well. -Becca

[MaryH]

Rustysmom & Kek,

My little ones are 3 1/2 (almost 4) and 10 months. And although early morning workouts are the goal (and sometimes I stick with it for a good 3-4 weeks) I just wanted to say that if you find you can't make it some mornings, please don't worry excessively about it. I have had a pretty hectic week (about 40 hours of work the last 4 days with travel to and from as well as the 10 month old with a viral infection) and I say this as much for you as to convince myself, that sometimes you just have to let the workout go, and know that you'll pick it up later.

[kek]

I get up at 3:45 to run 4 days a week, then by 6 am on the weekends to either take an exercise class or run. I have 2 small children, work full time, and travel for my job weekly! I just can't fit working out in any other time.

I try to have my light off between 9:30 - 10:00 pm - for the most part I don't get too tired during the day although my 40 minute commute to work can be tough sometimes!

Once I got used to my schedule - I have been on this regime for about 4-5 months - I love how it feels to accomplish a 5 mile run by 5:15 am! It keeps me going for the day.

In response to the inital posting, I don't think going to bed early is a bad thing! We need to listen to our bodies and if we crash at 8 pm that's not so bad! I believe wholehartedly in exercise and feel it is worth the sacrifices.

[kek]

In answer to the question above about where I workout so early in the morning - I have a treadmill at home where I am safe running in the dead of night!

MaryH - Sounds like you are ready for the weekend! I hope next week is better! If I had a week like yours I don't think exercising would be such a priority. I make it essential to my day - but if I can't workout - I don't! I often take 6 am flights to business meetings, leaving my house at 4:30 am and honestly - workingout is impossible!

I do try to keep it in perspective, but worry more about injuring myself and not being able to workout for a period of time. The older I get the more it concerns me! (I am 42).

Hope the baby gets better!

[McSix]

I also work out at home. I work with weights 3 days a week and ride my stationary bike just about everyday. It works for me. By the way, I am also a teacher. I wonder if most teachers are morning people?

[RUSTYSMOM]

MaryH - so sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope she is feeling better soon. You are absolutely right - we have to prioritize. This am workout is the only hour to two I have a day that is all mine (unlesss my 3 1/2 year old hears me get up and decides to join me...). However there are days that reality prevails and I just can't do - whether it be due to travel or just plain exhaustion. It is not easy being a working mom (however I love both - Mom part the most).

Aggie - I have a few machines at home - an elliptical trainer, nordic track, treadmill, exercize ball and LOTS of videos. I am really into my videos these days - I guess I enjoy the company at 5:00am....