I'm thinking about working out in the morning before work. I have to be at work by 9:30. I don't know what it is maybe the sun setting so early but I have literally been dragging myself to the gym. I think that my best option right now is to work out in the morning. Any tips to start? I like to sleep. I don't get out of bed until the last possible second. lol! I know it will be tough to start with but well worth it.

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Night vs Morning Exercise

Set multiple alarms if necessary, one in a different room so you have to get up to turn it off. I even have a light in my bedroom that is on a timer and turns on 5 minutes before the alarm to help me wake up,

Get all your gear (excerise clothes, shower stuff, clothes for work) prepared the night before.

I have a checklist written out so I don't forget anything. If you are going straight from the gym to work, remember, you have to pack it all. No last minute switching tops because this one does not look quite right with these pants.

Having to get ready for the whole day at the gym is the hard part for me.

Feel free to laugh but EVERY SINGLE MORNING I have a 5 minute argument with myself (while the snooze bar is running) about whether or not I'll get up and go to the gym or whether I'll put it off to the end of the day. EVERY SINGLE MORNING!!! I don't know why but I always do. It's weird . . . So - should you choose to have the same arguments - here are the pros and cons:

Pros:
1) Great way to start the day - get the juices flowing - get a good appetite going on for a fully loaded breakfast
2) I know how many calories I have to eat for the day before my full day starts - that way I'm not trying to cram them all in at the end of the day or burn up any extras I may have packed on at lunch
3) The gym is practically empty!!! No waiting for any weights or machines or cardio equipment! (this is one of my favourites)
4) I usually end up drinking a full litre of water at the gym - that's 1/2 of my dreaded 8 glasses (which usually end up being closer to 10 anyways because I suck back so much in the morning)

Cons:
1) I'm tired and I want to sleep
2) I'm really tired and I want to sleep
3) I'm really tired and I really want to sleep
4) Did I mention that I'm REALLY tired and I REALLY just want to sleep?

So - needless to say - the Pros win (okay 99.9% of the time) and I get out of bed at 5:00 a.m. and am at the gym by 5:20 and then I get to feel all virtuous for the rest of the day . . .

As the previous poster said, I always have everything ready before I go to bed - right down to my bottle of water, filled and packed - bag by the door.

Good luck!

I am usually a morning person but sometimes I slack...so when I am starting this process I start reeeaaaal slow. I simply get up early and do housework that way I am building one habit at a time. THat of getting up early. Then after a week or so then I start going to the gym.

one thing that i found is that it is important to pay special attention to make sure i drink lots of water before a morning workout.

I've been getting up at 5 every morning to go to the gym for almost 2 years. It took some time, but I can now really say that I miss it when I don't go - my whole day feels off on the rare days I sleep in. My biggest tip is that I now sleep in my (clean) gym clothes - it's just one less step to worry about in the morning. Also, remember it takes 21 days to build a habit - so really, it's just about getting through the first month (if you go 5 days per week) and then it's SO much easier.

All in all, it's fully worth it - helps to start the day full of energy, and keeps your evenings free for other stuff. Enjoy!

oh man, working out in the morning is so much more rewarding than at night b/c you get it out of the way and feel so accomplished for doing so.

anyway, i like to bribe myself with say a fun class, new music or maybe a video game, e.g. wii fit, DDR, etc. also, i would highly recommend going to bed earlier so that you feel refreshed when you get up vs resentful that you are missing sleep.

just do it. get up with enough time to do your work-out and shower. put your alarm clock or what you use as an alarm far enough from your head that you have to get up to turn it off and just don't go back to the bed. I never said it is or would be easy but if I can do it you can too.

There is a DARE under INSPIRATIONS

Wake up early
1,294 Members

Wake up early to make the most of your day and spend the extra time planning, relaxing or meditating. Waking up early can be a healthy habit that can give you some extra hours to take care of tasks, eat breakfast and enjoy a peaceful morning.


Maybe there are people there that could give you ideas

If you feel the need to get up early but can't, get a Pug. My boy insists on waking me at 4am everyday. There is no sleep once he decides it is time to get up!

Or a CAT!!!!!!!!!

lol! I have a pekengese and he is very loud once he's up(and while he sleeps). I think it is a good idea to get up with him since he's ready to go out first thing in the morning and he snorts in my ears.

I was going to suggest getting 19 greyhounds, but a pug or peke is probably a lot easier LOL Seriously, there is no snooze button on a big pack of dogs!

My biggest problem working out in the morning is figuring out the timing for eating, exercising and coffee....