To see if any seasoned early morning exercisers are about?

Can I ask, what time do you early risers go to bed? If you haven't slept well would you still get up that early?

I work out fasted; I do have a protein shake afterwards but I don't eat food until 2-3 hours later. Once upon a time I would have sworn I couldn't possibly, but I got used to it very quickly.

do you eat before early classes? I’m looking at 615 classes twice a week. I eat before 8am class that I do once a week, not sure I could go without food 🤔

It’s really hard to believe it when you are still in the sleep trenches but it’s true. Hope baby is better soon. Maybe you can get out for a brisk walk by yourself later if you have someone to watch them.

Thanks for replying. I start work at 8.30 and the gym is 40 minutes from work so I don't think it's realistically possible😥.

This is my routine Mon-Fri.

Saturday I do an 8:30 yoga class which means I get a lie-in and get up at 7!

Sunday is even better because I do a 12:30 HIIT class so I get the mornings to do whatever I like, which is usually a coffee at my favourite coffee shop (actually sitting in for a change) and a leisurely trip to the farmers' market. 🙂

@Sallysoup

The classes are either 50 minutes or 60 minutes long.

My routine:

05:30: wake up, get ready, faff
06:15: out the door
06:45: arrive at the gym/studio (have to give myself a buffer as they don't allow latecomers into class!)
07:00: class
08:00: shower, get ready
09:00: at my desk (latest)

I never purposely miss a class because, for one thing, they're bloody expensive and you don't get your money back if you don't show up.

How long do you work out for?

I do 30 minute run, 30 minute swim usually and from door to door it's around 2hr 15 mins including hair wash. That doesn't include drying and styling so 2 hr 45. I'd have to leave the house around 4.45am to make it work after. Eeek.

Ah. I couldn't go to work with sweaty hair or after swimming without washing it.

I shower at work - fortunately they have very good changing rooms with showers, hairdryers, straighteners, lockers etc. I know I'm fortunate in that regard. They're big on supporting "active commuting" to keep parking issues down.

I wash my hair in the evening, every two days.
I wear a shower cap in my morning shower- shower and dress takes no more than 6 or 7 minutes.

I have to say, much as I love my morning exercise during the week, I am also loving that it’s Saturday, which means I don’t have to earn my breakfast 😀

Would either of them fancy joining you for a run or brisk walk?

@Icanttakethisanymore it definitely comes back!
I remember this feeling and for a few years prioritised sleep over early morning exercise as my body just needed it more.
now youngest is 5 and I have had a bit of a ‘lie in’ and am heading out now as the rest of the house is fast asleep (late night last night!)

Tips from me:
Have everything laid out the night before so you just roll out of bed and straight into clothes

One strong cup of tea and a focus then out!

I don’t wash my hair in the mornings - quick blast with the hot brush to restyle after a quick shower and off to work/kids’ breakfast etc

Just the best start to the day, especially in winter. And smug points, too 😂

Admire you guys. Before kids had this routine. Up at 5 am and off for a walk. Now just can't motivate myself...think it's a combination of kids and peri menopause (I am 45)

I wake at 5am and am out of the house by 5:10am walking or running my dog for about 1hr. I love this time of year, fresh but not too cold. I have a very bright head torch as I walk/run down private roads with no streetlights or houses. Usually the only thing I spot are deer and another lady exercising her dog

I am part of an early morning running club (Early Bird Running Crew) and there are groups that do 5k every weekday morning at 6 and 6.30. I have made a group of friends there and we message to check that we'll all be there on certain days. It definitely helps to have a time to aim for and (as a woman) company in the dark.

I'll be going out just before 07.00, a bit late by this thread's standards!

Most of my brisk walk is in the park and I don't like being there in the pitch black, particularly on a Saturday when there are few commuters or cyclists around.

I love the early morning - am awake anyway so might as well get up

My wise PT tells me the best time of day to exercise is the time you will stick to. I know in my heart that I wouldn’t stick to early mornings. I am by nature not that organised. I actually altered my hours slightly at work so I can workout 9.30-10.30am twice a week, straight after the school run. Drastic but it helped me!! I’ve stuck with it consistently for over 18 months and feel great.

Thank you for saying this. I know it’s true but it’s hard to keep it in mind sometimes. Especially when I’ve been awake since 3am with a sick baby (he’s got HFM and a bad cold) 🥴

I get up at 5 to be out the door by half 5 for a run. I set out all my clothes in the hallway the night before, Lumie light in the kitchen by the kettle to wake me up while I drink my coffee. I don’t jump out of bed full of energy and joy when my alarm goes off but I have my phone at the end of the bed and have to swing my legs out of bed to turn it off quickly before it wakes my husband. That gets me up. I think the key to being able to get up that early is early to bed (which is quite easy when you’ve got up so early that day). I read somewhere than each hour before midnight is worth two hours of after midnight sleep. I have no idea if there is any truth to that

I shower and get ready at the gym/studio then head to work. Except on Fridays when I head home then shower (WFH day).

Do you all get home, shower, wash and dry your hair before work?? I love the idea of a morning workout but I'd need to start at a ridiculous hour to get to work on time.

DH sorts them out and does dropoff on the days I'm in the office/exercising. I otherwise work out at home or coordinate with DH at weekends.

Unfortunately I think the answer to this is go really really early. Be back for when they get up. It's what I should do but struggle