Question for you AM exercisers

K

KimDW

Cathlete
When you first started doing the AM workouts, how long did it take before you had enough energy (and motivation) to do a whole workout? Or even get up to do it? I got up at 5am to do Imax2 (one of my favorites)and did 1 thru 5 and skipped 2 blasts. The whole time I was resenting the fact that I "had" to get up and exercise and lost out on about 45 mins of sleep. So I only did about 30 mins (if that) and my butt has been dragging all day. I've been in a funk for quite awhile - not eating great or exercising - and in the process have gained about 10 pounds. So along with the 10 I had wanted to lose last year, now I have 20. I have been having a hard time exercising after work (especially in the cold months) because I'm tired and just want to do other things. So I decided I'm going to try the AM workout (again) and see how things go. Will this get better? Should I take it slow and not expect to be able to do a full 60 mins? Will I get into a groove?

Thanks,
Kimbra
 
Kimbra,

The jolt of strong caffeine I drink before my workouts really helps me get going!
 
It may take a little time to adjust to getting up earlier, but if you continue with it, it will become second nature. Before I had my daughter I used to work out at night and I hated it because I spent the whole day dreading the fact I'd have to go home and workout. I'd sit and think up excuses as to why I couldn't do it that day. Anyway, once DD was born I was already getting up at all hours of the night, so it actually made getting up earlier not seem like such a big deal. However, when I decided to start doing longer workouts I made a decision to start getting up even earlier. I was getting up at 5:00 and now I get up at 4:30. At first I would only do it a couple times a week, but then as it got easier and I realized that on shorter workout days I had so much extra time I just started getting up at 4:30 every morning. Sometimes I even get up at 4:15.
It will get easier. Just stick with it and DON'T hit snooze when the alarm goes off. I always struggle a little still during the warm up sections because my body is not awake yet, but usually after the first 10 minutes or so I'm fine. Just don't talk yourself out of doing it. The energy will come. By the time I get near the end of a workout I can't believe how easily I'm jumping around.
Something that has helped me in the past is to tell myself that I'll at least do like the first 3 intervals of an IMAX and then I'll stop. Once I get the end of the 3rd one I'll say "okay, I'll just go to the end of the 5th interval and then I'll stop", and so on and so on until the entire workout is done. It has worked for me on days when the energy just doesn't seem to be there.

Good luck, you can do it!!!

Katie
 
First, how long have you been attempting the morning workouts? If this is only the first couple, give yourself a little break to get back into it. I do think a lot of the motivation is just discipline in itself. That has to come over time. I can bet you there are a ton of us who may be dragging at times but ultimately feel better once into the w/o and after. Look, some people are morning exercisers and some evening. You gotta be one of the two,I'm guessing, b/c of work ;) If morning is more palatable than evening, just give yourself a chance.

"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"


Debbie
 
I switched to early morning exercise six years ago. The first week I thought I was going to vomit every morning...never did though. The second week, I still felt icky, but it wasn't as bad as the week before. It took about six weeks for me to feel fine getting up that early, but now I can't imagine NOT getting up and doing my workout.

Take it easy and be patient. It is a difficult adjustment, but well worth the effort if it helps you accomplish your goals. :)
 
Hi Kimbra,

I'm in the midst of also trying to become an AM exerciser. My first two weeks started out pretty well until I came down with a bear of a head cold (but that's another story). I'm going to try to get back into it tomorrow morning.

Anyway, here's the tactic that started working for me - I decided I would just commit to getting up at 5:00 AM and doing a yoga workout. It was easier for me to get out of bed and start with that, than to jump right in with something high intensity. By the third day, I felt motivated to try "regular" workouts and after that it wasn't a problem...until I got that !@#$%^ cold.

Maybe just focus on getting up earlier to start with, and then add the workouts.
 
Kimbra I was actually going to post a question similar to this today. Glad I didn't. I tried to exercise this morning as well. Got up at 4:00 and thought I do something easy so I chose "Low Impact Step" and I only did 1/2 of it. I was so hot (since I had to use the living room when I normally use the bedroom), not fully awake and thought the heck with this. But I am going to try again tomorrow.

Good luck!
 
I guess everyone's different because I adjusted immediately. That's why I swear by the caffeine.
 
I've tried the AM routine in the past. So today was the first day this time. I'm going to keep going. I've got to do something because this weight isn't going to just disappear on it's own. Thanks for all the advice.
Kimbra
 
I switched to morning workouts because too many things interferred with workouts after work but it was an adjustment and still don't feel I have the energy I have later in the day or after being awake for a little while. But it is the best I can do and happy if I get up and do anything. I do something most mornings and feel better all day when I do get up and work out. And not having the pressure to try to workout at night is nice but I often feel so good that I am adding a workout then. Maybe eventually you will resent and be upset the days you miss your morning workout!
 
Kimbra,

I will have to say that although I'm an am exerciser and have been for YEARS and YEARS, I still don't enjoy getting up that early to work out. I think I hate it every morning, but I know that if I don't do it in the morning, it won't get done. Also, I hate thinking about having to do it when I get home from work (on those rare days when I save it). So, the only thing that motivates me is knowing that I absolutely want to get my workout in each day to be fit and I won't do it any other way than by getting my tush out of bed. And I must say it is an AWESOME feeling coming to work with my workout behind me. I LOVE that!

Sounds like maybe I should try some caffeine!

Susan

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Kimbra, These things help motivate me:

1- I don't have to take two showers in one day.
2- I eat better because I feel like I don't want to waste the calories after having burned them off.
3- I don't waste time with my family, I can do fun things in the evenings with them.
4- I have complete silence and concentration, the kids are sleeping and my husband is working!
5- BFFM said that exercising after fasting all night causes more fat to burn (don't know if it's true but I use it for motivation.)

In order to get going in the am (I am not a morning person) I just get right out of bed when the alarm goes off, I don't think about what time it actually is. I just know that I have an appt with my workout. I keep putting one foot in front of the other and before I know it, I am done. I also put my step or weights out and get my clothes and shoes ready. It feels great to get it done first thing. It makes my whole day! Good Luck keep trying.
 
Vicky said it VERY well! You do need to get into the right mindset! How bad do you want to get rid of those 20 pounds?? Her 5 motivators are awesome! You get to live the entire day knowing you did your workout already...get the monkey off your back!

Something I do...I drink a ton of water 1st thing in the a.m.. Often, before I even get out of bed. By a ton, I mean about 36 ounces. Your body went the entire night without rehydration..that will make you feel like crap. Once I am done with my water (takes 5 minutes or so), I treat myself to a cup of coffee and a nice workout!

It does help to have your clothes and equipment waiting for you. I do that, too!
 
I also get all my workout equipment and clothes out every night before I go to bed. Then if the alarm goes off and I don't feel like working out I think to myself that I'm going to feel like crap putting all that equipment away again when I didn't do the workout it was intended for.

Katie
 
Getting equipment out the night before is a great idea. Also, be sure you get to bed early the night before. I get up a little before 5 and am sure that I am in bed by 9. My kids make fun of me, but, so what?!:) And I love that by the end of my work day, I don't have "anything" to do , so to speak. BTW check out this site: our Secry of State and her exercise routine:
http://www.nbc4.com/health/7570624/detail.html
 
It's been a long time since I started, maybe 4-5 years ago but I do remember it took me at LEAST a month of getting up early to get used to it. After a while it actually became an addiction of sorts, I feel strange when I DON'T get up at 5 am. I usually get up 4-5 mornings a week to exercise.
Paula
 
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