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A.M. Exercise Challlenge: Was it a Success?
Check ‘em out!
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As many of you know, in December, I decided to become a morning exerciser. For the past 7 years, I’ve been an exercise-after-work/school kind of gal. Mainly because I detest waking up in the early morning.
I chose to change my exercise schedule so that I could better manage my time. My afternoon workouts were cutting into time that I wanted to spend cooking, baking, blogging, or relaxing.
I decided upon my new plan of action on a whim, and I have stuck to it ever since. Uhh…minus during my holiday break from internship.
I must admit that getting started was hard. Waking up to dark and cold mornings just goes against my biological clock.
But it can be done, and now that I’m in the groove, waking up at the crack of dawn seems natural. Trust me, I never thought those words would leave my mouth!
For all those who fear the hour of 5 a.m., you can learn to love accept it. I present you with…
Tips on How to Get Your Booty out of Bed in the Morning:
1) Plan Ahead!-This is my number one tip! The more you prepare the night before, the longer you get to sleep in the morning.
Lay out work clothes- Yes, every single night before I go to bed, I decide on the next day’s outfit. I also set aside my jewelry, socks, and shoes!
Prepare gym bag and gym clothes- I get it all ready the night before, and I never forget to set aside warm stuff to wear on top of my workout attire – it can be rather cold in the early morning! I typically wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants on top of my exercise garb. Trendy, I know, but I could care less about what it is that I’m wearing, I feel no urge to be fashionable at 5 a.m.
Prepare the next day’s breakfast and lunch- Every evening I make a Green Monster and leave it in my refrigerator overnight. In the morning, I re-blend it for about 30 seconds, pour it in a glass, and drink it during my gym commute.
I also pack a lunch each night.
Aggregate things I needed for work- Stuff that I need for work is placed by my door, so that there is no chance of anything being forgotten in the morning. Vera Bradley tote containing work files..check. Purse…check. Laptop…check!
2) Trick Your Body and Mind!-Convince yourself that you like a.m. exercise, and eventually you will. [Kind of like when I was a kid and I scoffed at what my mom was making for dinner. She’d always tell me, “but you liked stuffed green peppers the last time you had them.” She tricked my brain into thinking I liked the dish, and it always worked like a charm.]
I tell myself:
“I’m part of an elite club.” There are a lot less people at my gym in the mornings, and this is because we are a special group of people: we have the mental fortitude to drag ourselves out of bed at a time that most people consider the middle of the night! (exaggerated, yes, but a surprisingly helpful line to feed myself.)
“Working out feels great, and I can’t wait to do it!” I truly do enjoy working out, so there is some truth to this one. When I first wake up am I convinced that I want to do it right that second? Doubtful.
“I want to start the day out on the right foot.” This is a total truth. Working out in the morning surely does put an extra kick in my step, and it makes me feel more energized throughout the day.
Try putting quotes like these on your nightstand, so that you see them when your alarm clock goes off.
3) Just Do It!-Getting out of bed is the hardest part. Once you remove yourself from the covers and put on your clothes, the rest is a piece of cake 
Here’s my best tip for getting yourself out from underneath the sheets.
Set two alarm clocks. I set my phone and my clock radio. Once I’ve finished pressing snooze on my phone and put my head back on the pillow, the clock radio begins beeping. Trust me, this is really annoying, and it works wonders for waking me up!
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Hope you enjoyed! It’s bedtime for me. Have a great night.
P.S. Check out the Whittle My Middle page! I’m participating in Angela’s challenge, and keeping track of my workouts on the site.
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What are your exercise goals for the month? Is anyone else doing Whittle My Middle II?
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This post was really great! I thought about doing morning workouts, but I’m not there yet. I think I may start in the spring once the sun comes up with me, and not an hour or 2 after me! I know, excuses, excuses! So long as I get the workouts in after work, I won’t be too hard on myself. I love that quote about being in an “elite” club, and you’re right…it’s so true! Thanks for this, I think I’ll be referring back for motivation if and when I give mornings a go! : ) Thanks, girl!
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed reading it!
I love an A.M. workout after the fact but it really is hard to actually get to the gym. I love your tips! Especially the one about pre-making green smoothies at night and the “elite club”!
Attempt #1 at morning workouts this morning FAILED! Shall try again next week. Do you get ready at the gym or do you return home to shower, etc.?
Hello
This is a nice post.You have given nice suggestions for regular exercise.Sometimes its very difficult for me to wake up early in the morning.I will try to follow your tricks.Thank you..
Hi there!
I’m new to your blog, and I love this post. I remember that you commented on Rose’s blog that my cat reminds you of yours, so I wanted to let you know she’s featured in my post this morning (for being bad, of course).
Ashley, I can’t wait to read about your cat! Beatrice, my cat, is featured on here quite often
Anne-I get ready at my home simply because of the location of my gym and my job. The gym is in the opposite direction of my work, so it just makes sense to swing by home and get myself freshened up.
I love your AM workout tips…and I love your lunch tote!!
I love doing yoga in the morning! However, it’s definitely hard for me to get myself up before 9 or 10 for a run…I just feel so sluggish. But when I do, I always feel great afterwards, and then I feel relaxed for the rest of the day that lies ahead of me.
If I could get my butt out of bed in the morning to workout I would be so happy and proud of myself. Every time I’ve tried I’ve failed. I think it’s interesting that you’ve been able to make the transition to morning exercise from being an afternoon exerciser- it gives me hope! I am going to put your tips to use in the future. Thanks for posting!
Great tips! I set my alarm and make myself get up, even if I want to go back to sleep. I’m always so glad I did
I love your workout ensemble. I wear a ratty tee and ratty shorts..and look…ratty…
I’ve been meaning to make kale chips forever…Need to do this!
Just found your blog! I love it and can’t wait to keep reading! I would love it if you could check out mine
Jenna
I love this line about being part of the “elite club” — I use that *all the time*!!
Hi there,
I saw your link on Oh She Glows. This is a great post, very helpful! I love that you posted pics to accompany each step. You’re so organized!
Do you have any tips for falling asleep early at night? A lot of times my mind keeps racing after I go to bed, and I don’t get my full hours if I try to get up early. I thought about journaling to get those thoughts out and on paper, but was wondering what you’ve done in your experience.
Thanks!
Ellen, I wish that I had some wonderful advice for you. Unfortunately, I share the same problem! Honestly, the best trick for me has been to try to convince myself that it doesn’t matter when I fall asleep. I try to think, “even if I stay up all night, I’ll deal with it, and I’ll be ok.” This kind of takes the pressure off falling asleep, and I do think that it helps.
I love this post!!! Now I am a Noon or Afternoon workouter! But come summer time I am going to have a full time schedule, and going to have to be ready to leave for work at 9! My gym opens at 5:30 so this post will really help when Im going to have to move my workouts to then!
thanks for posting!
[...] Soooo…remember when I said I was going to participate in the Whittle My Middle II challenge? [...]
Great post! I think I just need to suck it up and be willing to plan ahead like you do!
Great tips! Thanks for the blog… I’m not an excerciser at all. But hopefully I can start a good habit and join the elite club.
Just happened upon this forum and love it! Looking for inspiration to drag myself out of bed in the mornings and get to the gym…preparing for the next day is definitely key