To see if any seasoned early morning exercisers are about?

I find it easiest if I 1) wake up before everyone else and 2) skip coffee and any routine and DO NOT SIT DOWN. If I sit down for a coffee, I'm not making it out the house 😂

I run three times a week and two of those involve a 5am start, out by about 5.30. In the summer it’s absolutely gorgeous.

In the winter it takes a bit of self discipline but I always always feel incredible afterwards. It sets you up for the day like nothing else. And it does become a habit. The first winter I did it my OH had to shove me out of bed. Now it just seems second nature.

I go to bed early enough that I still get a decent sleep.

I’m useless after 3pm so there’s no chance of any exercise then and I’m falling asleep in front of the TV by 8.30 9pm

Genuine question. Why is early morning exercise better than later exercise after a longer sleep. I have the problem that I wake up too early and am often tired throughout the day so seems weird to try to do it rather than get a good night's sleep.

I exercise four mornings a week and leave for the gym at 5:50. These are the days I work
from home so it is doable.
I am definitely struggling atm because of the dark mornings but I am still persevering.
I love the fact that I don’t have to exercise later on in the day.

❤️ing hearing other posters early morning exercise examples too

Well done OP a fantastic start and the sunrise was gorgeous this am so it always feels special to see that.

I'm a half in early day exerciser ... I run once a week (would love more but my knees can't cope anymore) and Friday is my day.

Up until the last few weeks I've been struggling massively with shit sleep thanks to peri menopause and DH snoring. He has been trying those nose strips and I've started taking magnesium before bed and having a cup or valerian tea in the evenings. Also using a silk eye mask which seems to help me get back off more quickly when I do wake.

Well.

I'm currently on Day 6 of almost uninterrupted sleep (apart from pee x 2). I haven't had this much quality sleep in the same time period for years. Bloody years. I can't believe how much better I feel. Actually I also feel a bit cross DH didn't take ownership and do his bit before. But hey ho

But the real proof? Today's run was the first I've really enjoyed in forever. Got into a rhythm almost immediately. Hardly any rest stops except for traffic lights. And genuinely enjoyed every minute. Felt actually exhilarated. Now enjoining porridge and proper coffee from my stove pot.

There's something magical about being out early on a beautiful crisp chilly morning, seeing other runners and walkers, fussing dogs, seeing mad squirrels.

Welcome to the club OP

It's not hanging around for me though- it is moving through start of day in a mindful easy way.

I have a busy and often stressful life, having this calm easy wake up helps me cope with life.

Oh that’s inspiring… I feel like I need some yoga or something for more flexibility but I’m struggling with a rotator cuff injury at the moment so I’m a bit limited, hence the walking everywhere instead lol

I can’t hang around like that drinking coffee or I wouldn’t go out, I’m up, straight into gym clothes, everything except stuff in the fridge is packed the night before, grab breakfast and lunch out of the fridge and out of the door in about 20minutes.

I do a 1 hour weights class at 645am Thursday to Sunday and then I do a 5 mile walk on Mondays and Tuesdays with weighted vest. I also do about an hours dog walk each day on Mon to Weds.

I get up at 530am as a terrible sleeper so I empty dishwasher and put washing load on so when I get back, it can be hung up. I have a shower then there's not .I have else to do on my days off so I sometimes pop into work or meet friends

Morning everyone! I get up at 6 every weekday to exercise, alternating between running and weights and having Friday as an easy day with just a long yoga practice. Welcome to the club, OP! I find that the secret is to get up and out before you’re awake enough to think too much about whether you want to. And whether you enjoy it or not in the moment, it’s over quickly, and you never regret having done it later.

This thread is very inspiring although I am still in bed drinking coffee while reading it. There's always tomorrow though and I might try some shower fizzers. Any recommendations?

Yes to the day feeling unspoiled! Evening exercise just doesn't work for me, too easy to get detailed by work emergencies or childcare dramas, worn down by the stresses of the day or having eaten too heavy a lunch.

I love first thing exercise, I don't usually have a drink, I get up, dressed and straight to the gym with my water bottle only, I'm 52 now, but started this in my early 20's with swimming, then in my 30's I used to do classes like body pump, and would try to swim too. I loved swimming in the outside pool at my gym in winter, beautiful when it's raining or better still when it's snowing, dark outside and in a warm pool alone - amazing!

Not able to do much at the moment as knee problems and I miss it a lot

Enjoy!

Class done!

I've got a quiet morning at work so I'm going to do another class (barre) in a couple of hours.

Exercise is addictive 😅

Me too 😊 I allow myself to rot in bed for half an hour with a coffee then either bike or run before work.
i work in a stressful job and find it is the only thing that calms stress and my temper. I used to be so tightly wound but now I can shrug off something stressful within 20mins and carry on with my day.

You'll love it once you get used to it and your body will adjust to an early wake. It's a great feeling to have achieved something that makes you feel good before most are out of bed or before reaching work. I used to be at the gym or running every morning by 6.30 (baby put a stop to that). I always thought the mornings felt unspoiled at that time before everyone else wakes up and it gets busy.

I usually do a Tarot or Oracle card pull too- or even some journalling too- but that is usually done at the twilight end of the day.

It's like a bath bomb, but for a shower. Throw one in at your feet, it dissolves as you wash sending up fragrance. There are lots on etsy. I use essential oil ( on a cloth) too.

I get up at 5.15 everyday to exercise Mon to Friday I however work out at home as my kids are too young to be left and I'm a single parent.

It's just habit now and I really enjoy the peace and knowing I don't have to do this after work as I don't get in til six.

I enjoy the peace and quiet too no instructions from kids and by the time they are up at half six I've sorted my head out for the day and my body too.

What’s a shower fizzer?

I'm positively a sluggard compared to some of you 😎 Three days a week I get up at 0630, put on exercise kit, cycle to the office and hit the gym there at 0700. Overall I love it. I've managed to get hooked on exercise endorphins and I feel crappy if I don't exercise. And when I finish my workday it's a great feeling knowing that I've already knocked out the workout and the only thing left to do is tend the DC. But I think the secret is also a) being completely prepped the night before, with kit laid out I can just step into and my bag packed, b) I never let myself question if I "want" to go. When I'm tired and it's dark and raining, no I don't want to, but I've committed to it and made it just What I Do. So I go. Discipline beats motivation any day of the week.

Good luck!