I have three young children and would love to workout in the morning. It would then allow me to spend time with the older kids in the afternoon when the little one is napping. I could also plan dinner and finally accomplish anything/something. It sounds great in theory but it is beyond brutal at 5 am. My limbs feel like lead and I can barely lift any weight at all. It almost seems like a waste of a workout because I cannot push myself physically like I would later in the day - plus I am exhausted the rest of the day. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Working out in the morning
- Thread starter lora-kate
- Start date
Aquajock
Cathlete
Laudable as your goals are, I think your body is telling you something - that THAT early in the a.m. is not your time to work out.
Do what you can to reschedule your workouts for more optimum times per day - challenging, I know, but from what you've described you're doing yourself no good at all.
A-Jock
Do what you can to reschedule your workouts for more optimum times per day - challenging, I know, but from what you've described you're doing yourself no good at all.
A-Jock
Well -- give yourself a good week.
Get in bed early -- even if you don't fall asleep right away. Plan to read a book for 30 mins or so.
Get all your clothes set out and your workout selected.
When the alarm goes off, just get up. Do not let yourself think. Function in autopilot.
It usually takes me 10 mins into whatever workout before I stop yawning and wake up.
Also, after not getting up - it takes about a week for my body to readjust to the new clock/schedule.
If after that you are still not feeling up to par .. then listen to your body
Get in bed early -- even if you don't fall asleep right away. Plan to read a book for 30 mins or so.
Get all your clothes set out and your workout selected.
When the alarm goes off, just get up. Do not let yourself think. Function in autopilot.
It usually takes me 10 mins into whatever workout before I stop yawning and wake up.
Also, after not getting up - it takes about a week for my body to readjust to the new clock/schedule.
If after that you are still not feeling up to par .. then listen to your body
pwmatt
Cathlete
I also have 3 kids and working out in the early AM is the only time I have to myself! After work, I'm too busy ferrying them around ro participating in their activities. It took a few weeks for me to adjust to the morning workout. I'm up at 430 and exercising by 5. As difficult as it sometimes is, I am soo happy when I'm done and still have the day left! It has changed my life's schedule. I'm generally in bed by 10. You need to be organinzed, buy that's the name ofthe game when you have kids! Good Luck, I'm sure you'll succeed if this is truly what you want! Phyllis
I have tried and tried and tried to work out in the a.m. Especially when I was doing the Body for Life. BUT, like you said, it is almost like a waste of time if you are not able to give 100%...EVER! I have never had a good early a.m. workout and I also have two kids, a husband and two jobs as a nurse.
I would love to be able to have ANY energy at all, but I have learned through the years that I just don't have "it" before noon. My lunch hour! Ha!!!! I can never be sure that I get a lunch break at all, I am happy for a potty break! So that time is out also.
On the weekends or a day off, I can exercise late morning, but for the most part I am nailed to late evening workouts!
Everyone's body clock is different. I feel that I could easily injure myself in the a.m. by either lifting improperly or missing my step!;(
So, it just isn't worth it to me.
I would love to be able to have ANY energy at all, but I have learned through the years that I just don't have "it" before noon. My lunch hour! Ha!!!! I can never be sure that I get a lunch break at all, I am happy for a potty break! So that time is out also.
On the weekends or a day off, I can exercise late morning, but for the most part I am nailed to late evening workouts!
Everyone's body clock is different. I feel that I could easily injure myself in the a.m. by either lifting improperly or missing my step!;(
So, it just isn't worth it to me.
well, I am going into my 6th straight month of working out at 5 am and I can say... now, finally... that I love it...
now, that said... I don't have kids... but, my days and evenings are so busy anyway, that I had no choice but to work out in mornings.
Plus, honestly... I will find any excuse in the world not to work out in the evenings... there is absolutely nothing in the world like that feeling of having your workout out of the way for the day.
It is hard... very hard to get that routine going... I struggled and struggled to get out of the bed..it took a good two months of consistancy before I could say that I was just starting to get used to it. It is still not easy, but I am so programed to do it, now.. that i just do it..
I find the first few minutes of the workout are critical.... I have to have a good slow starting warm up and then I am fine. If I am doing a workout that has a fast warmup.. then I walk and march in place and move around quite a bit before I start... The warmup is what is very critical to me... If I start too hard and fast... I don't have stamina for the workout.
I am in the bed between 9 and 9:30 each night. I am usually asleep by 10....
If you can find a way to make it work for you... once you get used to it... you will love it... I do now... but, it was a hard road.
The motivation was my determination to finally get in shape ( I have lost 35 pounds with about 40 to go)... and I work with a nearly 60 year old man who is up everyday at 5 a.m. to run 7 miles.... I would get my butt out of the bed by telling myself "Fred...is up running... I can get my butt up too." and I did.
now, that said... I don't have kids... but, my days and evenings are so busy anyway, that I had no choice but to work out in mornings.
Plus, honestly... I will find any excuse in the world not to work out in the evenings... there is absolutely nothing in the world like that feeling of having your workout out of the way for the day.
It is hard... very hard to get that routine going... I struggled and struggled to get out of the bed..it took a good two months of consistancy before I could say that I was just starting to get used to it. It is still not easy, but I am so programed to do it, now.. that i just do it..
I find the first few minutes of the workout are critical.... I have to have a good slow starting warm up and then I am fine. If I am doing a workout that has a fast warmup.. then I walk and march in place and move around quite a bit before I start... The warmup is what is very critical to me... If I start too hard and fast... I don't have stamina for the workout.
I am in the bed between 9 and 9:30 each night. I am usually asleep by 10....
If you can find a way to make it work for you... once you get used to it... you will love it... I do now... but, it was a hard road.
The motivation was my determination to finally get in shape ( I have lost 35 pounds with about 40 to go)... and I work with a nearly 60 year old man who is up everyday at 5 a.m. to run 7 miles.... I would get my butt out of the bed by telling myself "Fred...is up running... I can get my butt up too." and I did.
Connie1
Cathlete
It was brutal for me at first too. It took me a good 4 weeks to complete the transition. The first week I did it only 2 days. The workouts I did were ten and fifteen minute ones, like Quick Fix Abs. I kept a few evening workouts. Riding bike to work took care of one, now and then.
The second week I did a.m. three days. One of the days I did Crunch Boot Camp (half hour!)
I backslid the third week, doing it only twice... this is from memory so may not be exact. One day I did the Firm Volume 1!! I was so proud thart day. Finally worked up to Cathe.
It took a long time to establish the habit, but it was very very worthwhile. I *can* still work out later in the day, with more energy! But I usually wake up at 4:17, eat a little and have coffee, change into workout gear and work out from about 5 to 6. Then it's shower, get ready for work (sometimes cook breakfast for my family) and have a second breakfast when I arrive at the office! Hope this helps you!
The second week I did a.m. three days. One of the days I did Crunch Boot Camp (half hour!)
I backslid the third week, doing it only twice... this is from memory so may not be exact. One day I did the Firm Volume 1!! I was so proud thart day. Finally worked up to Cathe.
It took a long time to establish the habit, but it was very very worthwhile. I *can* still work out later in the day, with more energy! But I usually wake up at 4:17, eat a little and have coffee, change into workout gear and work out from about 5 to 6. Then it's shower, get ready for work (sometimes cook breakfast for my family) and have a second breakfast when I arrive at the office!
Hope this helps you!
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
My best advice is if this is something you're committed to doing, stick with it!! I started a new job 7 weeks ago in corporate America, after working 18 years nights and evenings in hospital nursing. It's taken me this long to get used to working out at 4:30 or 5:00 AM, but it's been worth it! Give yourself time to adjust, and give yourself permission not to perform at your best some mornings. It DOES get easier if you stick with it and keep pushing. Just a little more each day. I was able to workout 90 minutes some days when I did it during the day, and I was shocked that I couldn't do the same before the birds woke up - LOL!! Now, it's much easier, and I'm almost back to the point where I was before I changed jobs. Hang in there and best of luck to you!
Carol
Carol
JAFitMama
Cathlete
When my kids were samller I had to do the early workout routine. It was something I justm made myself do. If you can have 10 minutes to wake up say with a cup of coffee that might help. Perhaps you have a preset coffee maker that you can program for 4:55 to be ready at 5:00?
I sit for a few minutes with my coffee and then hop downstairs to our workout area to get started.
FYI now that my kids are older and it is summer, I can't hop in bed at 9:30 to get that good nights sleep. They need supervision at night and/or a ride sometimes LOL! I am in the "taxi-driving-suburban-Mom-mode" ( Even though I already have two teenage drivers) It was in many ways easier when they were tiny; getting up early to workout was a relativly easy challenge!
....So we learn to modify our routines as our families grow and change.
I sit for a few minutes with my coffee and then hop downstairs to our workout area to get started.
FYI now that my kids are older and it is summer, I can't hop in bed at 9:30 to get that good nights sleep. They need supervision at night and/or a ride sometimes LOL! I am in the "taxi-driving-suburban-Mom-mode" ( Even though I already have two teenage drivers) It was in many ways easier when they were tiny; getting up early to workout was a relativly easy challenge!
....So we learn to modify our routines as our families grow and change.
Bobbi
Cathlete
If you are going to take a shot at it, this is definitely the time of year to do it. I think it's much harder to rise very early when it's dark. Trev's mom's suggestion about getting to bed early is key, I think. I have to get 7 of sleep most nights to feel human. On the bright side, when I do get less, working out usually helps keep over-tiredness at bay and getting alot done in the morning opens up the rest of the day for other things. I get up early enough to have half an hour for coffee, playing the computer and wrapping my brain around the idea of working out. I also lay my workout clothes out the night before and know exactly what I am going to do. Since my teenagers activities usually involve a group, we parents take turns being the drop off or the pick up parent. I will bw delighted when my daughter has her licence although we have to see how that goes since I absolutely don't want other teens driving her, in particular her boyfriend, who's driving skills are horrfying. Did I say skills? He has none! LOL! Good luck!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
Did I say skills? He has none! LOL! Good luck! Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
gypsygirl64
Active Member
Maybe you need to try something else in the morning. I am not a morning person - even the treadmill was a chore in the morning. I started doing Pilates in the morning and continued on doing my normal workouts at night. It feels so good, my body is actually humming when I get in the shower. I always say to myself as I am getting up - that extra hour of sleep doesn't make me feel near as good as pilates. I hate to say this but the most important thing this has given me is CONTROL. If something comes up during the day and I have to miss my evening workout - I am satisfied I was able to do something for myself - even if it is low-impact. Also, doing pilates and Cathe's Ab Hits at night have really made my 40 year old belly look the best it ever has....
Gypsygirl >^..^<
Gypsygirl >^..^<
MRSchultz
Cathlete
BOY - I'm now inspired to try working out in the a.m., too.
I think all of the suggestions that you got here are great. I especially think, for me, I will try getting up at 4:30am and have a few cups of coffee and get started by 5am.
AND, Connie's suggestion of trying only a short workout to get used to the idea and get the body moving.
Let us know how things go for you and if you found any other ideas that work.
Have a great week!
Marcia.
I think all of the suggestions that you got here are great. I especially think, for me, I will try getting up at 4:30am and have a few cups of coffee and get started by 5am.
AND, Connie's suggestion of trying only a short workout to get used to the idea and get the body moving.
Let us know how things go for you and if you found any other ideas that work.
Have a great week!
Marcia.
You have to do what feels right for you. I finally got myself up to workout around 4:15 a.m. What an accomplishment I always felt. I would feel so good after my shower. I found that I had more energy during the day and slept better at night. After getting up that early, it feels like I am in a coma, once my head hits the pillow. I started graduate school on-line. And it is tough. I am now getting up earlier to get on-line and complete assignments. Tomorrow I am going to NY for a few days. But I promised myself, once I get back to GA, I am doing my early morning workout. School is tough, but exercise will give me that extra edge.
DebbieH
Cathlete
Connie!
Just curious WHY you wake up at 4:17??? Why not 4:15 or 4:20. Nosey, aren't I? ;-) (Or, do you wake up at 4:17 and lay there til 4:20? :7)
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
Just curious WHY you wake up at 4:17??? Why not 4:15 or 4:20. Nosey, aren't I? ;-) (Or, do you wake up at 4:17 and lay there til 4:20? :7)
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
gogigi
Cathlete
I'm a special education teacher and depending on the school year I change my workout schedule around. One year the emotional stress and physcial demands of the job required that I get up at 4:30 and workout or I did not have the mental or physical energy to workout after school. Last year I was able to workout after school. It takes a good month to month and a half for your mind and body to get used to a change...at least it takes me that long to adjust. I've heard that habits change after 30 days of continuing or discontinuing whatever activity. So keep at it at least for 30 days and see if it gets better. I do have to say that when I workout that early I am so energized until about 11 or 12....I hit a big slump...but nothing a good ol'diet cola can't fix(but don't start that habit if you can help it!):7
Angela
P.S. I don't know why that frowny face is up in place of the "x." I didn't put it there and it does not show up in the preview?!
Angela
P.S. I don't know why that frowny face is up in place of the "x." I didn't put it there and it does not show up in the preview?!
DebbieH
Cathlete
A "X'" with a "(" next to it will produce a x( If you leave a space between "but nothing a good ol'diet cola can't fix (space right here)(but don't start that habit if you can help it!
it should not produce a frowning smiley. Let's see! How confused are you now???? YIKES!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
it should not produce a frowning smiley. Let's see! How confused are you now???? YIKES!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
Connie1
Cathlete
RE: Connie!
Good question! I guess it's 3 minutes to get over that difficult period where I feel like I'm being cruelly and unusually punished. Then 5 minutes to get my bearings. Then it's 4:30 and I'm already putting the coffee in the filter. I guess that's not much of an answer but it's the best I can think of right now!
Good question! I guess it's 3 minutes to get over that difficult period where I feel like I'm being cruelly and unusually punished. Then 5 minutes to get my bearings. Then it's 4:30 and I'm already putting the coffee in the filter.
I guess that's not much of an answer but it's the best I can think of right now!
DebbieH
Cathlete
RE: Connie!
I think it IS punishment to get up at that HOUR! I think that is the hour I sleep the BEST! ;-) Also, you really need to get a coffee pot with an automatic timer. I love mine as much as I love my Cathe tapes!(Well...maybe not as MUCH, but almost!) http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/ernaehrung/food-smiley-010.gif[/img]
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
I think it IS punishment to get up at that HOUR! I think that is the hour I sleep the BEST! ;-) Also, you really need to get a coffee pot with an automatic timer. I love mine as much as I love my Cathe tapes!(Well...maybe not as MUCH, but almost!) http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/ernaehrung/food-smiley-010.gif[/img]
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
gypsygirl64
Active Member
My Husband is a saint. We eat after I work out, so sometimes we are not even preparing dinner until 8:00 and we go to bed at 11:00 and I get up at 4:30. It is the best way for me right now - except for the lack of rest. By Friday, I am nodding off at 10:30. The key for me is to keep snacks (healthy) so Chad can munch while he is waiting for me!
Gypsygirl >^..^<
Gypsygirl >^..^<