For those of you who exercise in the mornings….

[Youngatheart00]

How do you get it done?!

I’ve never been a morning person but nearing two years WFH has meant I often roll out of bed at the last minute as it takes me forever just to ‘come to’ and be alert and feel good.

Despite doing dry january so off the booze a week now, I’m still waking up feeling hungover, headache, fuzzy head and just so tired. Once I’m up and about (eventually) I’m ok but I’ve been trying to exercise 3 times a week ans the most logical time to do this would be in the mornings, pre work (no caring responsibilities)

But I just don’t seem to be able to do it!!! Morning people - any tricks??!

I'm going to give an alternative view which is what I do.

I have a Teasmaid . It goes off and stirs me every morning about 6.15 then I snooze until 6.30 alarm goes and tea brews nicely. Then I sit in the dark in my bed sipping my delicious hot tea and thinking about my day. Sometimes I do something approaching meditation.

By 7am I've finished my cuppa, am awake and raring to go!

Then I get running gear on and go.

I'm a big fan of working with your body rather than against it - so if you hate mornings why not exercise later in the day??

I do it in the morning BECAUSE I hate it. Get it over and done with. I also don’t want to shower twice.

It does energise me as well. I also make a plan of what I’m going to do the night before so then if I don’t I feel bad/like someone will tell me off.

I did a half marathon in October and for about 2 months before, did my Saturday and Sunday runs at 6 am. It was much easier then though as it was warmer and brighter. Trying hard to motivate myself to do that now (or run at all more than twice a week!) as I have foolishly signed up for two more....
Definitely having everything ready and telling yourself you are going to do it. Get straight up, coffee, water and go!

I took early retirement 7 years ago and was determined to lose weight and get fit following a diagnosis of an under active thyroid and finally being prescribed Levothyroxine after many years of struggle.

Started following the 16.8 eating regime and found an online range of exercises which suited me. I exercise in the morning immediately after getting out of bed and before showering and then do the same programme in the evening before taking a bath. (I have a mini gym at home.)

Each session is only 15 minutes duration but I am healthier, fitter and leaner than I have been for over 20 years.
I certainly feel no older than I did at 40.

Definitely a good habit to get into and especially as you get older IMO.

I do a 630 class every Friday, I put my kit out the night before, alarm goes at 615 and I roll in there. I'm lucky my studio is just around the corner.

I pay a monthly membership but if I don't turn up I have to pay for the class - £10 - so that's an incentive!

I went sober last year and it the first couple of weeks are really hard. I would wait until you feel better to start exercising first thing. I'm 10 months sober now and wake up rested and 'as fresh as a daisy'

Main tip for exercising early is having everything ready to go - clothes by bed, snack to eat on the way e.g. banana. I tried Les Mills for a while (at home) but its too easy for me to sack off and not do it!

Thanks all and especially @yoshiblue, I was drinking way way over guidance (think 40 units per week) so know it’s going to take me some time to recover. Am on the dry january threads. The early morning exercise designed to establish healthy habits but I just don’t know if I’m ever going to be a morning person. Whoever mentions showering twice - spot on - whilst I WFH I am expected to be presentable as on camera a lot so that rules out a midday workout and I’m always too mentally drained / shattered come the evening (that’s usually when I’d reach for the wine)

Thanks all for the tips…sleeping in the gym kit slightly unconventional but might just work (presume you don’t sleep in sports bra though?!!)

I'm not a morning person and OH definitely knows not to try and chatter before my exercise session!

I go first thing because if I leave it any latter I can think myself out of it and don't go.

I too prepare the night before, get up, drink coffee and just go.

I make sure it is the sort of exercise I most enjoy (swimming and fast walks while listening to audio books).
Good luck

I can only manage it twice a week, but I go to bed earlier the night before on those days, I set out my mat/weights etc the night before as I know I couldn't face the shame of putting them away again unused, I also get all clothes out and set out next to the bed so it is minimal effort. I always feel better and more awake afterwards.

I do three earlies a week, starting at 6.15 am.

I put clothes out the night before and ensure water bottle, keys and trainers are all accounted for!

I set my alarm for 5.30 so I can get up, have a coffee and make lunch for my eldest on ore school days.

I have a just turned three year old and a 17 mo the old, so it's my "me time". Husband gets them dressed. If I am particularly organised and motivated, I make porridge fingers and get their milk ready before I go!

As with anything, it gets easier when you've formed the habit!

@Youngatheart00

Thanks all and especially *@yoshiblue*, I was drinking way way over guidance (think 40 units per week) so know it’s going to take me some time to recover. Am on the dry january threads. The early morning exercise designed to establish healthy habits but I just don’t know if I’m ever going to be a morning person. Whoever mentions showering twice - spot on - whilst I WFH I am expected to be presentable as on camera a lot so that rules out a midday workout and I’m always too mentally drained / shattered come the evening (that’s usually when I’d reach for the wine)

Thanks all for the tips…sleeping in the gym kit slightly unconventional but might just work (presume you don’t sleep in sports bra though?!!)

@Youngatheart00 I was drinking a similar amount to you prior to stopping; 3-4 bottles of wine a week. I had crippling anxiety, chronic back pain and felt bloated and sluggish.

I went AF on 1st March and since then am now a regular in the gym 3 times per week, eat so much healthier and feel so much better in myself. Anxiety has dropped to zero too! I feel happy and peaceful, so I think that's not bad!

Would highly recommend looking up Sober Dave and William Porter (Alcohol Explained author). There is an interview of them together on Sober Dave's Instagram channel from a couple of days ago, really helpful.

Might opening your bedroom window a crack be worth a go?

I used to roll out of bed straight into a run or a short dvd. If I stopped to even eat a banana i wouldn’t do it.