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It’s interesting to see people’s reactions when I tell them I work out at 5 a.m. I’ve found it’s generally one of the following:
(a) Utter shock/confusion: “Wait, you work out at 5 a.m.?”
(b) Skepticism/sanity-questioning: “Whoa. Are you completely insane?”
(c) Awe: “How do you do it?!”
I only became an early morning exerciser once I became a mom. After awhile, I realized that if I had any hopes of finally losing the baby weight and getting in some sort of daily exercise that waiting until Buddy went to bed was soooo not the right approach.
I’d be exhausted from working all day, then would want to soak up as much time as I could with him before he went to sleep. By the time that happened, I’d be so burnt out that I’d routinely blow off the treadmill for the couch.
Then an Anytime Fitness opened up near me — like a three-minute drive away — and began offering 5 a.m. Les Mills Body Pump and RPM (or spin) classes. So I started going. Or, more accurately, I forced myself to go.
I’m not gonna lie. It was rough at first. My body rebelled when that alarm went off at 4:40 a.m. Every morning I had to fight the strong urge to say “Screw it,” hit the snooze, and go back to sleep. I never leaped of bed, all “Yippee, I get to work out now!”
I still don’t.
Even now, 5+ years later, some mornings are a battle and there are occasions when I let my inner sleepyhead win.
And don’t get me started on those cold winter mornings, when your bed is all warm and cozy.
But there is something invigorating and reassuring about walking back in the door at 6:05 a.m., knowing my workout for the day is complete. It’s not hanging over my head all evening as I try to spend time with my family.
I also find I make healthier food choices during day, almost as if my morning workout has put me on a healthy path. (And don’t forget: you continue to burn calories after the workout is done.)
And let’s not forget the research that has shown morning exercisers are more likely to stick with their routines and reach their goals, and are more likely to work out harder and longer than afternoon or evening exercisers.
Sure, the downside is that I am in bed most nights by 9:30-10 p.m. I was never a night owl to begin with, but now that I’m getting up so early 4-5 mornings a week, it’s reaaalllly tough for me to stay up past 10:30 p.m., even on a weekend night. But it’s definitely a worthwhile trade-off (although I’m not sure Dr. G. would agree).
If you’re struggling for ways to squeeze in daily exercise, consider the early morning — whether it’s going to the gym, a walk around the block, a workout DVD, or a basement treadmill. Here are some tips on how to get started:
1. Prep ahead of time. Lay out all your gear — workout clothes, shoes, car keys, water bottle — the night before, so it’s just a grab-and-go. I’ll admit that for the first few weeks that I would sleep in my exercise clothes. It’s hard to rationalize skipping the gym when you’re already dressed to go. And don’t forget to have food or coffee ready if you need some fuel before your workout.
2. Find a buddy. Our 5 a.m. gym crew — mostly other moms in town, like me — has grown tight over the years, and I’ve gotten to know all my instructors. As a result, there are a lot of laughs in the gym, turning these early morning workout sessions into a social event. On the other hand, I have some friends who meet a running buddy in the morning or who take their dogs for early morning walks. Either way, knowing that someone else is relying on you makes it harder to hit that snooze button.
3. Get a good night’s sleep. This one’s a no-brainer. There’s no way you’re going to wake up refreshed and ready to go without a sufficient amount of zzzzzs the night before. So you may need to turn down that late afternoon cup of coffee.
4. Listen to your body. There are some mornings when it’s just not gonna happen. Particularly if I’ve had a bout of insomnia or if I’m not feeling well. Because while regular exercise is incredibly important to me, I also need to be productive (and alert!) at work. The trick here is to be honest with yourself and not use “listen to your body” as an excuse.
5. Plan it. I’ll note on paper (or sometimes here on the blog) what workouts I’ll be doing each week. I feel like once I’ve committed it to paper (or the blogosphere) that I can’t back out.
6. Be realistic. Personally, it’s hard for me to wake up super early five weekdays in a row. Unless it’s a week when Dr. G. has been traveling and my routine has been thrown off, I usually need one morning — usually Wednesdays — when I can “sleep in.” So I’ll either make that my rest day or I’ll do a quick 5-10 min ab/core workout or I’ll try and sneak in a lunch time workout.
7. Reward yourself. In the beginning, I treated myself to new workout gear periodically as a reward after keeping with my 5 a.m. workouts.
8. Make sure it’s exercise you enjoy. Someone who detests running is not going to feel motivated to get up at 5 a.m. to pound the pavement. So whether it’s Zumba, yoga, strength training, or walking, make sure it’s physical activity that you truly enjoy.
Lisa deck says
Great post! I want to become an early morning exerciser but haven’t committed yet. Maybe this will be my starting point!
Jessica says
It’s tough but I’m so glad I started doing it … I honestly don’t know when I’d work out otherwise!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
i used to LOVE working out in the morning! now, with a baby, and trying to get us both ready for the day and out of the house it’s just not realistic. but i used to treat my morning workouts like any other obligation – i wouldn’t just up and cancel on! plus, i had tons more energy!
Jessica says
I know, it really does require lots of advanced planning! When I come back, I have to race around getting everyone squared away, so making sure lunches are packed, backpacks are all set, etc. is also key to not totally stressing out about it. (PS I’m totally going to check out your quinoa egg muffins recipe :>)
Ginger says
I love this! I am trying to get back in the swing of things and completely agree, it feels SO much better to workout in the mornings! I love some of your pointers and will have to try them this week!
Jessica says
Thank you, that’s so nice to hear! I’m happy the weather is slowly warming up here in New England … definitely makes getting out of bed at 4:40am a little more bearable 🙂
Kimberly says
I would really like to get my workouts done early in the morning, but I always feel so stiff. How do you get past that? Also, is there something you eat or drink before hand for energy?
Jessica says
Great question! I find that I really require a warm-up before working out in the AM, whether it’s a class or I’m running — probably more than I’d need if I’m working out at a “normal” time 😉 Fuel is a funny thing, too. When I run in the AM, I NEED a cup of coffee first. Always. That jolt gets me going. But I can take my Body Pump, spin, boot camp classes at 5am on an empty stomach. Yet I think I’m the exception not the norm. A lot of my early AM friends need a 1/2 a banana or something before class.
Sandra Laflamme says
Such great tips for working out early in the morning. I used tow work out in the morning all the time when I was a rower but for some reason I have the hardest time making myself get up super early anymore!
Jessica says
It’s hard. The worst is when I wake up naturally at, like, 4:20pm when my alarm is going to go off 15 minutes later. Grrrrr. That and the fact that I can’t “sleep in” anymore. Sacrifice worth making, though 🙂
Kristen says
Ugh. I want to do this so bad, but I’m just a hot mess in the morning until like 9:00 am after I’ve had my coffee and been at work for an hour! Today I ran in the morning for like the second time ever in my life, and while it wasn’t that bad I do just feel more productive in the afternoons when I’ve had food and a chance to wake up. I also hated feeling like I had to rush off to work. But I’ll probably try it every few weeks, and I’ll use these tips if I do!
Jessica says
Definitely keep giving it a go, especially now that the weather is getting nicer (although it’s still pitch black when I get up and return back from the gym!). I guess I have a slight advantage in that I’ve always been a morning person 🙂
Tamara says
Wow, you have been doing it for 5 years? I think that is amazing. I’ve never been a morning person and with my daughter getting older and going to bed later and later (we are up to 9pm now), “my time” to work on my blog, read or watch TV has gotten pushed back and I find myself going to bed later and later (like close to 1 am for the last couple of weeks). That makes getting up at 6-6:30 so hard. I think finding a buddy and prioritizing exercise would make a big difference. I know I need to make some changes!
Jenny Rapson says
Wow! I would have reacted with a, b, and c! I already get up at 5:45 to get dressed and ready before the kids wake up…I guess another 20-30 minutes earlier wouldn’t kill me but honestly I’ve never considered it before now. These are great tips. 🙂
Jodi @ Mom's Favorite Stuff says
Great tips! I know I should be a morning exerciser, but it’s hard to get motivated. I don’t do anything at 5am (except maybe go to the airport) but I could be persuaded to work out at 6:30am.
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
Oddly, I was really good at doing this when I was in college….now, I’m not so good at it at all! It’s a vicious cycle that I need to get to bed earlier to be able to do it! Great tips!