To get up at 530 to exercise?

[orangejuicer]

This would be half an hour before DS gets up so not much difference. I don't find it easy to find time to exercise and I'm really struggling with the lockdown weight.

AIBU to think getting up at 530 to exercise is a good idea?

YABU - you are demented. Why even consider such a thing
YANBU - that's a great use of time!

Exercise in the evening is not recommended anyway.

@QuidditchQueen

Exercise in the evening is not recommended anyway.

It always left me buzzing for hours afterwards - I couldn't get to sleep at all. I'm naturally an extreme night owl and the only time that actually works and lets me go to sleep at night is to drag myself up around 5. Unfortunately, I now have to get up for work at 5.30am, so I'd have to be exercising by 4.30am, which is just that bit wayyyyyyyy too early.

If you wind back from your natural waking time by increments of 90 mins, you should get a time where you're naturally sleeping lighter and will be able to wake to an alarm without feeling like you're dying. It's worth a try at the very least.

I have a question for those who exercise early in the morning: Do you exercise on an empty stomach or do you eat something before? I am thinking about running at about 5:30 but am a bit worried about running on an empty stomach. But eating a muesli before running might be too much?

I did this in the 80s when my older DC were small. Def worth it!

I tried this but it depends on the exercise if home so as not to wake others so I have swapped back and do the housework in the morning before the others get up and exercise once home from work before cooking. Plenty of time then to relax before bed.

I used to do a gym class from 5:45 am to 6:30am and it always set me up for the day. Try it!

I do it most days and feel fine all day though I do go to bed early. I love exercise in the morning but hate waiting all day to get it done. Really works for me.

I'm going to try to do 30 minutes when I get up, before the school run madness.. My baby is waking early so I could get up and do it at 630, leaving enough time for my usual 7am getting the kids ready. My baby is happiest when she first wakes so it's the ideal time to quickly jump on the exercise bike before she gets tired again.
Worth trying it, even if you just do that 2 or 3 times a week

@Mia184

I have a question for those who exercise early in the morning: Do you exercise on an empty stomach or do you eat something before? I am thinking about running at about 5:30 but am a bit worried about running on an empty stomach. But eating a muesli before running might be too much?

I don't have anything before exercise in the morning. I won't keel over and die if I exercise on an empty stomach. A run makes me hungrier but if I'm doing weights I'll wait until lunch to eat. Lots of water though, I usually get through about 750ml per weights workout.

Definitely do it...you'll feel invigorated for the day!

I get up every day between 04:30 and 05:00 and go for a cycle for an hour or so...at this time of year the sky is now light by the time I get back, but there's still hardly anyone else about. If the weather is too grim I stay home and use the rowing machine instead. I still manage to get showered and dressed before anyone else is awake... best time of day by far...

I keep aiming to do this but I can never get to sleep in time to have enough sleep to wake up any earlier than I already do :( (on sleeping meds already)

It is dark at 05:30, what sort of exercise
In the home or outside

It's a great use of time. I remember reading a book called Miracle Mornings or similar (sorry if someone has already mentioned) which suggested getting up an hour earlier than normal to do various things like exercise, meditate etc. I must admit my willpower wasn't always strong enough but when I did it felt great

It works for me - out of bed at 5 for a 6am gym class. I’m not at all a morning person, so perversely have to get up earlier and have a cup of tea or there’s no way I could do it. Makes me feel great though, I love ticking off exercise before anything else, makes you feel like you have a head start on the day.

I’m starting again, until the clocks changed at the end of October I got up just before 6 and went for an hours walk set me up for the day. Starting again tomorrow as kids back to school, sets me up for the day and it will be getting light

I live in the countrside and in the late spring and summer months often get up at 5am toout for a run or bike ride at 05:30 when most other people are asleep. The peace and quiet is wonderful.

I voted YABU, but that’s only because I hate exercise and love sleep!

You do what you like OP

I wish I was a morning person and could get up early to exercise but I like my bed too much

I get up at 5:45 to exercise, I don’t like exercising in the morning but I can’t really do it at any other time. I do enjoy the peace and quiet of my morning runs.

@Mia184

I have a question for those who exercise early in the morning: Do you exercise on an empty stomach or do you eat something before? I am thinking about running at about 5:30 but am a bit worried about running on an empty stomach. But eating a muesli before running might be too much?

I have a cup of coffee, then row for 30 minutes. If it’s longer than 30 min I’ll have something, but it’s small a strip of beef jerky, granola bar, or a preworkout calorie gel thingy.

Then after I’m usually starving. I generally front load my calories at breakfast (between 6-700ish) and eat light for other two meals.

It works for me, but each person is different. Experiment and find your happy place.

I feel ill at the very thought of getting up at 5am...... But give it a try, if it works for you then it's the right choice.

@Mia184

I have a question for those who exercise early in the morning: Do you exercise on an empty stomach or do you eat something before? I am thinking about running at about 5:30 but am a bit worried about running on an empty stomach. But eating a muesli before running might be too much?

I take a glucose gel as I’m a type one diabetic, but I never eat in the two hours or so before exercise.

In the summer i often get up at 4:30-5am to go for a run or walk up the mountain see the sunrise.

In the winter not often but its a great idea.

Before Lockdown I got up 545 to exercise. Now I get up later at 645 as I'm working from home and do nursery drop off later than the usual time. I've kept at it and do 98% of my everyday exercise in the morning. The odd day I will do it at night.

I started exercise January 2020.

When marathon training i had to get up at 5 am and force myself to eat breakfast. It was horrible. But needs must as i needed a good hour to settle before running 15-22 miles.

Never again😂