Morning Workouts

[SynCity]

Does anyone work out before work?

If so what motivates you to get out of the bed and do it?

I work a 8-5 Mon-Fri weekends off desk job. I find it really hard to get out of the bed and just do it. I'm typically in bed no later than 9:30 and I still have a hard time waking up in the morning to workout 

Any useful tips? Or Suggestions?

[Corney]

When I was working with a family I always ran in the morning because I didn't want to take time away from them plus after work there was always an excuse not to exercise, too tired, meetings, friends coming over.  I loved running in the morning when the air was fresh, less auto exhaust, less traffic on the roads I would run, plus early in the morning there always seemed to be less wind.  Even today, while I'm retired. I still exercise in the morning, though not quite so early.  What motivates me, the same thing that always motivated me, the run/exercise itself.  It's the best legal high in the world.

[SynCity]

Thanks @Corney good advise. 

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@Corney wrote:

When I was working with a family I always ran in the morning because I didn't want to take time away from them plus after work there was always an excuse not to exercise, too tired, meetings, friends coming over.  I loved running in the morning when the air was fresh, less auto exhaust, less traffic on the roads I would run, plus early in the morning there always seemed to be less wind.  Even today, while I'm retired. I still exercise in the morning, though not quite so early.  What motivates me, the same thing that always motivated me, the run/exercise itself.  It's the best legal high in the world.

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[josephz2va]

Generally if I have free time in the morning, I do at home workouts AMs and PMs. Weekends I do as many at home sessions as I can tolerate. It's 300 calories average and I do modified versions like tap out jacks versus jumping jacks. Because it's less tolerance, Fitbit records 250 to 260 calories each session, so that's 250 to 1000 calories burned if I do 1-4 sessions a day off.

If I have other free time, I hit a gym and do the elliptical machine for as long as I can tolerate. The elliptical machine is easier for my legs as it does resistance versus elevation and counts steps faster while holding onto the moving handle bars.

[Cheri0830]

SnyCity, I also work a desk job, I do try to get in about 30 min before work I get up and do my treadmill and my max m5 by bowflex, I'm not going to say i'm 100% at it everyday, but most days I get up and do it even if its only 20 min then I try to get steps in throughout the day, I feel great if I at least get my 10,000 in a day. 

If I don't get in at least 30 in the a.m. I walk on the treadmill and do the max in the evening.

One other trick I do is I bought a small peddler I have under my desk and peddle it throughout the day, ( I do have to put my fit bit arm resting on my leg so it counts the steps) I have to type with one hand. 

So get up and try to start moving in the a.m. 

Cheri

[SynCity]

@Cheri0830 I think I may just invest in one of those steppers, do you remember where you got yours from? I live near a gym so I try to go when everyone is still sleeping in the morning, I just have the worst time getting up in the morning. I feel great after I workout...it's just the rolling out of bed at 4:45 that kills me! lol 

[SynCity]

@josephz2va ok that sounds good thank you 

[bac609]

Wow, 4:45 is early - maybe you are trying to do too much at the gym this early?  If so, you could try scaling back a bit - a half hour is better than nothing, right?  I try to set myself up for success, get my clothes together the night before, water in the bottle, breakfast ready to go (I need to eat before early morning exercise).  As well, I get my work stuff (lunch, clothes, etc) ready to buy more time in the mornng. If I'm not feeling it in the morning I think of all the prep I did the night before and how much time I wasted if I don't even bother getting up.  If it's really bad I tell myself to hop on the treadmill for 10 mins and if I still don't want to be there I can get off - that has never happened yet.

[josephz2va]

I used to go to the gym but truthfully I had to quit. I couldn't get up early anymore as it was affecting my job with only 4 hours of sleep and I had a personal trainer who was an ass. If I really wanted to do personal training again it would cost $36,500 a year to be uberly fit ($100 a session times 365 days a year). But now I do that at my house Instead for $60 per 6 months on fitstar.

[SynCity]

@bac609 I get up at 4:45 because it takes me about 10 mins to get ready in the morning and 5 mins to get to the gym, I stretch for about 7-10 mins, I do about 20-35 mins for cardio,30-45 mins of strenght training and about 5-15 mins in the sauna.

[bac609]

I'm exhausted just reading that, lol. No way I'd want to get up to do all that.

[SynCity]

@bac609 I forgot to mention when I get home I have to get my daughter ready for school, then get myself ready for work which is why I have to wake up so early. 

[Corney]

When I ran, I worked from 8:00 am til 5:pm also. I would get up at 4:30, run 6-7 miles, ate breakfast, and in the spring, summer and fall ride my bike to work 6 miles because it took about the same amount of time to drive, given the traffic. Luckily I worked in a hospital that had a locker room where I was able to shower before work. 

[Tave]

I used to wake up at 4:45am so I could get an hour in in the gym in my building from 5 to 6am.  I eventually had to stop as it was wearing me out.  I am not naturally a morning person.  I still wake up early though, and walk to work (I also walk back home).  I figure 45 to 50 minutes each way plus the stairs I have to take along the way to cross the streets is enough for the week.  I now get my gym time in on the weekends.

[emili]

the only days I go that early is if I know I won't get to go at night because of an event or school function. Otherwise, this lazy butt stays in bed till 630. The weekends I am up around 7 and head to the gym - but that's because the day is full and the nights are busy too. To be honest, as long as you go- it doesn't matter when. and I am super jealous about the sauna.

[SynCity]

@Tave I'm not a morning person myself  but it's the best time for me to go since the rest of my day is so hectic. I miss begin able to walk everywhere! I'm orginally from Brooklyn but I now live in Georgia so everywhere I go is by car. 

[SynCity]

@emili the struggle is soo real! I try to sleep in late on the weekends since it's the only time I get to do so lol. I'm unable to go to the gym at night due to child care issues so the only time I'm able to work out is the morning...I just HATE waking up out my bed sooo early! And the sauna is a nice finish to my workout lol 

[divedragon]

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@SynCity wrote:

@Cheri0830 I think I may just invest in one of those steppers, do you remember where you got yours from? I live near a gym so I try to go when everyone is still sleeping in the morning, I just have the worst time getting up in the morning. I feel great after I workout...it's just the rolling out of bed at 4:45 that kills me! lol 

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I get up at 4:50 am to be in the gym at 5 when they open.  I travel for work and my current project has me in a hotel directly across the street from a gym.  Up until Christmas break, I preferred to run the streets, but since starting back, it's been a LOT colder, so I do it on the treadmill.

Different things motivate me.  I'm invovled in multiple step challenges and there are a couple of people with really high step counts.  Given my competitive spirit, I try to stay up with them, but its difficult as I have a desk job and they don't, so my morning jogs are essential as I try to start the day with 10k.  I'm also motivated to get fit and in shape.  I lost 50 lbs in the last year and have about 10 more to go and I really want to reach my goal weight, so that motivates me.  And, as you've observed, it feels great afterwards and gives a feeling of accomplishment to kick the day off right.

[Corney]

I have always been an early riser, so it was not that difficult to get up an hour early, plus I just loved that early morning run, I used it to plan my day, work off any stress related to work/and or family.  Since retirement I still get up early to let my dogs out and exercise.  I have two personal trainers, Corney and Bandit (2 Shih Tzu's ) who let me know it's time to exercise by going to the top of my basement stairs, because they love to nap in their crate while I exercise.

[LuV2Train]

SynCity-I have a desk job as well.  I get up at 3:45am have a protein shake before heading to the gym.  I arrive at the gym by 4:15am get a 45min workout in w/weights, then 20-30 min of cardio in afterwards.  Head home at 5:30am to wake my daughter up for school.  I then take her to school (since we live out of the school district), have a 45min commute to work and walk as much as I possibly can throughout the day.  I know if I don't get my workouts in before my day starts I'll regret it.  My nights are cooking dinner, preparing meals for the next day..etc plus the gym is super busy in the evenings and I enjoy going when there's not many there.

Just have your gym clothes, water..etc ready to go for the next morning and start your day off positive.