When I first started to get interested in exercise and fitness, I would always go to the gym in the evenings, after work. I would only go every now and then and would often find excuses as to why I would need to skip a workout. I was either too tired from work, or too hungry to exercise, traffic was bad, I had reports to read, etc. Eventually the list got so long that I found myself NOT going to the gym more often than actually going to the gym.
One day I decided to try going to a 5:45am class, just to see what it was like. I was not a morning person by nature and it took every last bit of energy to get out of my nice warm bed at that crazy hour. When I walked in though, I was shocked by the number of people that were there! The gym was actually crowded at 5:30 in the morning. My first thought “what is wrong with these people”?!!
It didn’t take long though for me to realize that going to the gym in the early morning was the best way for me to start my day. I left there feeling more energized and awake than any cup of coffee could do for me. I felt amazing all day long and it wasn’t long before I actually looked forward to getting out of bed in the morning. (yes, it’s true!) I was hooked and I became an official morning person!
Now that I have two small children, my early morning workouts have fallen to the wayside. I haven’t been successful at making myself get out of bed and thus my fitness level has decreased. My energy level is down and my spirits are generally down as well.
I miss my morning workouts!
I need my morning workouts!
Working out in the early mornings allows me to focus solely on myself because my brain has not been fully turned on yet. There are no small voices screaming in the background as I’m quickly trying to squeeze in a set of chest presses. The time is just for me, which is priceless.
The hard part however is balancing my lack of sleep with my desire to get up before everyone else and exercise. I would love to be out running at 6am but it is tough to do when I’ve only just gone to bed at 1am. (and been woken several times by a hungry newborn.) So my challenge this week is to commit to going to bed earlier and thus getting up earlier to exercise.
The early morning workout is what works best for me. It energizes me and allows me to exercise without distractions.
How about you? What is your favorite time for exercise and why?
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I have the same problem of trying to get to bed earlier. I would much rather work out very early in the morning but it’s tough because I am such a night owl.
I’m definitely a morning person. 2006 was THE year I was committed to losing weight and I was on track…until I got pregnant. I had a baby in may this year and haven’t been back to the gym since late last year. I MISS it so much! I loved going in the morning, but I’m not getting enough sleep at night and the baby is not sleeping through the night. I know if I just went, I’d feel better….but its dragging my butt up that very first time to go that’s the hardest.
I’m glad you wrote about this. I think the universe is sending me signs.
)
I am totally on the same page…Morning workouts seem so far away from my reality now with two babies. I suppose going to bed earlier would be a step in the right direction…
I love to go in the mornings around 6 or 6:30, although some days it’s so hard to get out of bed and just go. I always feel better throughout the day when I get my morning workout though!
I workout in the morning. I have lots of energy, I got hooked on morning workouts for the anxiety reducing neurotransmitters, and I don’t like having a workout looming over me at the end of a long day.
Also, like you, I found that when I had a normal job, when I would arrive at the gym with my workout clothes in a bag after work, it was too easy to turn around and go home after sitting in the parking lot for five minutes. In the morning, when I arrived wearing gym clothes with my work clothes in a bag, it was impossible to not enter the gym.
Here’s a trick I’ve been using to get up early for some time. I set my alarm for an hour before I want to get up and take a green tea extract pill, most of which have caffeine. You’ll wake up in an hour, if not because you’re buzzed, then because it has the same effect coffee does in the morn. it loosens things up, if’n you know what I mean
This is great! I, too, struggle with getting my workout in the morning. I usually don’t get to bed before midnight and I have to my older kids up by 6:00am. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one dealing with this.
By the way, I love your blog!
I never thought that I’d be a morning exerciser either, but for the past four months, ever since I started exercising regularly, I like going in the morning the best. The biggest reason? Less excuses. When the alarm goes off, I go. In the evening, there’s always a chance that something will be going on, or I’ll be too hungry, or tired.
Zandria, I agree–less excuses in the AM.
Seems like the morning works for a lot of people!
I guess I am odd man out.
I prefer to work out in the afternoon. Around 2, to be exact, is my favorite time. Many days, I have to push it to after school (so, about 4), and a few days you will see me walking at a nearby trail at 9 a.m. But those days are now few and far between. Give me my afternoon workout any day! lol I think it started when my daughter was still napping. That’s when I got into the best shape ever. I would use her naptime to work out at home.
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