EARLY-MORNING INSPIRATION: One More Reason to Work Out Before Work
On most weekday mornings, I’m up by 5 a.m. so I can squeeze my workout into my way-too-full workday (okay, sometimes I hit the snooze until 5:05 a.m., and then sometimes, if I feel really, really tired, I’ll hit it a second time until 5:08 a.m.— I’ll take any extra minute of pillow time I can get). I know, I picture all of you anti-morning people grimacing at the mere thought of such an early gym call—I get the same face from about three-quarters of the people who find out I’m up before the sun rises most months out of the year —and I understand their thoughts on why it sounds crazy.
It’s not easy to get up. I never, ever (very rarely, anyway), hop out of bed ready to go. I usually pad, bleary-eyed to the bathroom, brush my teeth, blindly search for some form of a t-shirt and workout pants, and usually waste a good five minutes trying to find a sports bra that’s not in my laundry basket already.
But it’s worth it. And this morning’s amazing sky that I tried to capture for you on my not-so-great BlackBerry camera made me want to tell you all again why forming the habit of early morning workouts is one of the best things you could ever do for yourself. Not only does it mean your evenings are free—whether your BFB propositions a spur-of-the-moment couch fest or dinner out, or you get stuck at work late, or your girlfriend calls to catch up, or you’re suddenly inspired to cook dinner, you can. Guilt-free. But it also means you get that amazing, can’t-beat feeling after you’re done and on your way to shower and get to work that no matter what else happens today, you’ve already done one of the most important things you could ever do for yourself. Even if you accomplish nothing else worthwhile today, you took care of yourself.
And sometimes, you even get to see a sky like this one. (Try to imagine it about 100 times more brilliant. Camera phones can only do so much.) I never would have seen it if I’d still been in bed! And tonight? Whatever I feel like.
FINAL WEIGH IN: The earlier you schedule your workout in the day, the better chance you have of not skipping it. Need some hope? It only takes about 21 days to form a new habit.
YOUR TAKE: Do you work out in the AM? If so, send me your AM workout photos that have inspired you, and maybe I’ll post them here! I’d love to see them! (And if you hate working out in the AM, how do you make sure not to skip out on your sweat sessions after a full day of work???)
WARNING: YOUR BOYFRIEND IS MAKING YOU FAT!
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
The past 7 weeks I’ve been getting up early (and I’m NOT a morning person!) to work out. I’m really enjoying it, and finding that I like getting up, having a light breakfast, and getting dressed, all while my BFB is still snoring ;) Also, it makes me feel sooo good during the day to think that I’ve already accomplished something great by working out before work! (And I love being able to have an excuse to veg out a little when I get home from work!) Honestly, it’s the best decision I’ve made in a long time!
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Olivia, that’s awesome! So happy for you! :) Finishing a workout is a great feeling no matter what time of day you squeeze it in, but knowing I don’t have to do one more thing after I get home from work is truly what keeps me committed to mine! Since you aren’t a morning person, was it hard to get used to them at first? How did you get yourself to stick with it??
October 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I agree 100% I’m with you - I hate the getting up but once I’m up and out, I’m fine. And once I’m done working out, I’m REALLY feeling good - love having it all done first thing in the morning. I try to walk at lunchtime and again after supper (can I call that the perfect Trifecta or something), but the main thing is the am workout. It also works well for me, when I’m still in bed feeling rotten to tell myself “Just go and walk on the treadmill and watch tv - that’s better than nothing.” By the time I’m there and warmed up, I’m ready to push myself a bit harder.
Oh - and I assemble all my gym clothes and work clothes, including clean sports bra, the night before. :-)
October 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
LOL, I wish I was more organized in my gym-prep, but I’m not! I also need to try and walk at lunch more than I do, I feel so much better by the time I go home and have more energy to do other things when I move for even 20 minutes during the afternoon and get some sun and fresh air. Good for you for getting out AFTER supper, too! :)