Morning Exercise

I remind myself that I don't have to like it, I just have to bloody do it! And you never regret exercise, and always feel better afterwards, especially if you're tired. I have a deal with myself that I have to move every day unless I'm unwell, so I just get it done. I think it's the case for a lot of us - very few gym bunnies are cartwheeling out of bed at 6am raring to go! You don't want to do it, but you do it anyway, and it's so worth it

I have to have a race goal in to run and weight train consistently. Once I have a training plan with a goal, I will execute, otherwise I really won't go at all!

Cycling I actually really only cycle a lot when I'm cycle-commuting. The transport is it's own motivation.

I do have to get my stuff ready the night before - both workout clothes and work clothes to change into. Bags all packed, smoothie made and in the fridge waiting. If I had to put any kind of thought into getting ready in the morning, it wouldn't happen.

I just do it also. It's part of my routine. Also I am doing exercise that I enjoy currently - I'm not sure I'd have the same motivation to go swimming for example.

I also don't have the same motivation later on in the day. So today, for example, although I changed into my gym kit, I couldn't bring myself to actually go to my class at lunchtime.

I just make it part of my morning routine so I just get on with it, 5 days a week. It just becomes normal after a certain point.
Although on the very rare occasions I really dont want to I will blow it off (it doesnt happen often so if my brain wants a day off I go with it!).

I was never a morning person, grumbled if I had to get get before 7 and basically cursed every minute before midday.

But I realised that getting up early to exercise was really the only time I had. I tried self motivation eg: getting up to go for a run, but that did not work, which is why I joined an early morning strength class. For the first 6 months I was late about half the time. I hated the getting up, but I loved the class. The getting up got better in time. 3 years later I am still going and actually enjoy having a bit mire time in the mornings. But when the trainer is on holiday, I stay in bed!

I am terrible at motivation but I do like the exercise. What works for me is accountability and classes. Book yourself into a gym class then you have to go and do it. I’m currently doing an 8 week course with a trainer and have to weigh in and do all my measurements every week and we chat in the app. This makes me stick to the workouts and diet better

For me it's because without morning exercise my brain struggles to function- and I find making decisions about patients at work more difficult. So I get up and do it- if I have a stressful day I will do some more after work!!

Morning exercise is part of my routine so it’s just what I do. No great thought required. Plus I enjoy it

Wahoo I get to train. This is my favourite thing. And off I go. I didn’t used to be like this, but I found the exercise I love (which for me is lifting).

If I'm feeling low or really tired, I tell myself "well you already feel like shit, it won't make you feel worse and there's a chance it will make you feel better."
If I'm feeling ok then I remind myself that I've never got to the end of a workout and wished I had spent the hour in bed! I always push to achieve something new, and I record my weights/reps, so I can see how each workout is a stepping stone. It helps me see each single session as important.

I guess I basically talk to myself as if I am my late no-nonsense grandmother!

I have a personal trainer. So on the two days I train with him, I am mentally prepared to get up on time. No excuses because that would mean losing money too.

I see it as an appointment that I have to keep.

I get everything ready the night before and so I’m ready to go when I get up. Sometimes I don’t feel like it but I go anyway because I feel better for it afterwards.

I always remember my friend telling me "You never regret exercising".

You never get home from the gym or pool and think 'I wish I'd stayed at home and sat on the couch eating crisps and drinking wine'.

When that alarm goes off in the morning, you've got 30 seconds to make a decision. Snooze it or jump out of bed 🙃

Like most others have said, autopilot.

I also have a strict routine. So Monday is weights day, Tuesday is my circuits with press ups n sandbag lunges, Wednesday is my shorter run etc.

I think the variety helps, as if you have say a 10km run or a 45min swim every day, it's easier to think "ah missing just one won't hurt".

My workouts all fit together/ complement each other, but they are all a bit different, so if I miss my Thurs workout or my Sat long run, I've missed it for the week. I'm also less likely to get bored.

But mostly yeah, lay everything out/ pack bags night before, roll out of bed at 0540, roll into kit, coffee and roll out door.

Before my brsin can register I'm about to make my body do mountain climbers 😆

This is absolutely true - if you are not a natural early riser and you find it difficult to get up at 5 or 6am then I think you will struggle to keep it going. Play to your strengths 😊

I exercise a few mornings during the week before work. I’m naturally quite lazy and don’t really enjoy going, I’d rather have a lie in.
What helps me -
Signing in to classes. I need that accountability.
My gym is expensive which means there’s zero chance of me not bothering going and still
paying for it - again, accountability.
Get to bed/ sleep early so I’m not over tired when my alarm goes off at 5.30.
Pack my work and gym bag the night before - the less I have to think in the morning, the better.

Agree with this! Make it as easy as possible to go - clothes prepped, gym bag packed etc the night before…. And then it’s about forming a habit.

I go to small group PT sessions, 6am, M, W, F in a small gym. There is no alternative if I don’t go. I have a deal with myself that I will always go unless I am ill, injured or away. I just don’t think about it anymore. I just get up and go. By 7am, it’s done!

I wake up naturally. Chuck gym clothes on and go out the door. I don’t give my brain chance to think of excuses and by the time I’ve woken up I’m already at the gym so may as well get on with it.

I dont exercise super early as I prioritise sleep. So forcing myself to do early exercise would be setting myself up to fail. Considering that consistency is the absolute key, find the x2 or x3 slots per week that you are most likely to be able to fulfil. Diarise them. Ideally make them something that is 3rd party organised (e.g. a set class or something you do with a friend). For me I never actively WANT to exercise, I actively override feelings of tiredness or lack of enthusiasm. I get changed into kit and get it done. My overall motivator is knowing for sure that I'm someone who is keeping fit. I like that part of myself, I like how it makes me feel and I know I am healthier and stronger for it. That's my motivation, it is a mindset.

At 5am my brain is fairly unengaged so I just…don’t think about it. I lay out my workout clothes the night before, roll out of bed straight into them. Drink one coffee (nothing is happening without that) then crack on. By the time I’ve hit play and done the first 5 minutes, I’m more awake and think I might as well finish. I HAVE to do it first thing because I am entirely unable to motivate myself later in the day.

I don’t think about it. Just as much a part of my routine as brushing my teeth or getting dressed.

I'm a runner. I work mornings, get home at 1.30 and have to leave at 2.30 to collect DS. If I don't go at 6.30am I know I'll either have to stress about fitting it into that hour or go at 5/6pm when it's been too hot at that time for weeks.

This morning's motivation was Parkrun but I went at 8am on my own last Saturday. If I'm honest I enjoy it so I get up feeling quite happy to go out.

I tell myself future me will be better off for it. Like a pp said - if I’m ill or haven’t slept well then it doesn’t happen. I’m trying to be better at actually scheduling rest days too.

I can only do so much without breakfast so it has to be fairly short then home for overnight oats and coffee before starting the day.

kit needs to be out the night before too.

I book it into my diary for the week. If it’s an appointment, I’m more likely to go.
Exercise is now a habit for me - three times a week. I even go to the gym on holiday now!
Even if I don’t feel like it, that discipline kicks in. I’m always fine once I’m there and I feel amazing afterwards.