Morning Exercise

[bananagrama]

I need a bit of help with pushing myself to exercise more. I’m active and like exercise, but I’m a bit random with it.

I’d just like to know, especially for those who are motivated to start their day with early morning exercise, what actually goes through your head in order to do it?

Is it - for example - “I really need to do this so that I feel good all day” or “I really don’t want to but I have to” or “I’m training for x event so need to do it” or is it just automatic and you don’t even think about it?

What about when you feel tired. Do you push yourself anyway or not stress about having a day off? I’m pretty sure I underestimate my capability, and often when I’m tired, if I do push myself, it’s usually fine, I get into it and can do it anyway (even if not full energy).

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).

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

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!!

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

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 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 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 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 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