Early AM Work Out

I've always said I'd love to be one of those super human beings that goes to the gym at the crack of dawn before work.  I'm a little bit envious of that iron will determination that draws them out of their warm cozy beds and off to the gym to sweat it out so early.  I like the idea of it but it's something I've emphatically claimed that I would never in a million years ever do.  I tend to take a long time getting to sleep and then have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.  I love my sleep way more then I love the gym so even though I hate how long going to the gym after work makes my day feel I've never once considered weekday mornings an option.  I just didn't think I could do it.  Not even once.  Mj decides he wants to give AM workouts a try and that he would really love my support to help him kick start this effort.  I sighed, smirked, rolled my eyes upwards, told him NO WAY....and then reluctantly agreed.  Just this once with the disclaimer that he better not ever expect it to happen again.  If he wants to continue after this he's on his own.  So this morning I drag myself out of bed at 5:10am so we can arrive at the gym by 5:30am where there are several other nut jobs already huffing and puffing away.  Oh goodness.  What am I doing here?  Time is of the essence so I head straight to the Elliptical to get started on my hour so we can get back home and get ready for work.  As I'm working out the wake up alarm on my i phone goes off.  It's 6:22am (not that I ever actually get out of bed at that time). 

I got about 1 hr and 35 minutes less sleep then usual.  Might not seem like a lot but every minute counts when I'm hitting that snooze button.  Walking into work I feel accomplished.  It's only 8:00 am and I've already burned 500 calories when normally I've just barely gotten out of bed.  As I sit at my desk I'm trying to gauge if I'm more, less or equally tired then I usually am.  I conclude that I'm equally tired as I normally would be and actually a little bit worse off.  My eyes feel glazed over and I'm waiting for all those endorphins that everyone talks about to kick in and energize my day but it never happens.  So was it as awful as I expected it to be?  Not really.  Getting up early sucks for me no matter what the time and I'm pretty much tired all the time during the work week these days anyways.  I do like it that I got it over with in the morning instead of having to tag it on to the end of a work day.  In fact, I got a work out in that I otherwise might not have gotten in at all.   I haven't quite made up my mind yet if it's worth the loss of sleep or if I'll ever do it again.  I may not have it in me to become one of those super human early AM gym goers myself but I'm at least glad I finally gave it a shot.

9 comments

  1. I like early morning workouts, not at the crack of dawn but maybe around 8am - as I did this morning. I believe you have to try it for a little longer because you get the habit and then you will never go back.

    Go on, I am sure you are going to enjoy it!

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  2. Good for you! Wow, I'm always amazed by people who can do that. I know I could never make that part of my morning routine. Plus, I enjoy the "quiet/me time" of my evening workout.

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  3. i love morning workouts ... i love the feeling of just being done when i get out of work ... unfortunately, i have been doing evening workouts lately ... can't wait when i can do morning workouts again!

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  4. Funny you should post about this. The last 2 weeks I've been trying (sometimes successfully and sometimes not) to get up before work and workout. And I am NOT a morning person. AT ALL.

    However, when I have been able to drag my sorry @ss out of bed at 6:00AM, I have to say- I love it. Once I'm down at the ocean and running with the pooch, I really do feel great. And the biggest bonus is not having to do it after work- esp. since it's getting darker out earlier now.

    I'd say stick with it for a few weeks and then see how you feel. If you still don't really like it, drop it. But give it a good chance before you make up your mind :)

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  5. Keep up the good work. I really need to get on the ball and start my morning workouts again. I just can not get my butt out of the bed.

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  6. Before I had kids I would get up at 4:40am every day to work out and then get ready for work. It was HARD. But it was so much better than in the evenings when I was too tired or I'd find an excuse not to go.

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  7. Early morning workouts are the only way to ensure that I get in some exercise. If I waited until the end of the day I'm sure I'd have some legitimate excuse of Maya/homework/dinner/work/laziness and just end up sitting on the couch. But this way I feel so accomplished!

    Give it some time...I think it takes a while to find the energy that early in the morning!

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  8. Oh man! I *cannot* go to the gym that early. I'd just rather not go. Hahaha. =P

    But, Yay YOU for going!!

    Yasi

    www.yasicatsmeow.blogspot.com

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  9. Good for you girl!! I always tell myself that one day I am going to be one of those people that works out at 6a.m., but I just don't know if it will ever happen for me, lol. Maybe one day. xox

    I just became your newest follower! I would love for you to check out my blog & follow back if you'd like :)

    Blessings,
    Kat
    www.maryanddyer.blogspot.com

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