I’ve been staying up too late watching the Olympics, which means I’ve really been struggling to get up in the morning. Between that and starting to face the reality of my soon-to-be-empty nest, I was slipping in to a funk last week.
When my alarm went off on Thursday, I really did not want to get up. I asked my husband to take our dog out for her walk so I could snooze for a bit longer, but as I lay in bed, I knew I had to get up for my workout.
As an early morning exerciser, I’ve done the snooze-versus-sweat debate too many morngings to count. What I have finally realized is that I usually will feel better–and have more energy–if I get up for my workout than if I steal another 45 minutes of sleep. Of course there are days when sleep is the right option, but usually I end up regretting staying in bed and wishing I’d gotten my sweat on.
Last week I talked myself out of bed with the thought of doing one of the programs on my Rodney Yee AM Yoga For Your Week DVD, but by the time I was pulling workout clothes out of my dresser, I decided to hit the treadmill.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Got2Run4Me/status/230962099227070465]
I set the treadmill for 45 minutes of the ”random” program at level 3 (my usual training level). I opted for a long warm-up: 5 minutes walking, 5 minutes running at 5.7 mph and 5 min running at 6.0 mph. Then I settled in for 30 min at 6.3-6.5 mph (depending on the incline). I cooled down with 1 minute running at 5.7 mph and 4 minutes walking at 3.7 mph.
When I finished I was sweaty–but happy.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Got2Run4Me/status/230992186664161280]
My morning workouts wake up my muscles, get my heart pumping, and get those endorphins flowing. No amount of coffee–even a pot of my beloved Starbucks Komodo Dragon–can wake me up like a good workout.
Do you workout in the morning?
How do you talk yourself out of bed when you’re tired?
good gosh Im a misfit.
I do leap out of bed in the morning as if I dont snag that time—-it may NOT come around again till the next morning.
I need the night time tips pleaseandthankyou
yes, I do, i will set up my outfit by the bed so that is the first thing i see when i wake up in the morning to psyche myself!
That's a great idea. I do try to set out my clothes the night before too, but that doesn't keep me from hitting snooze!
I wish I could drag myself out of bed in the a.m., but I hate the way I feel during early morning runs! Maybe I would get used to it, but I really prefer running in the late afternoon/evening. I often think it would be so nice to get my run in first thing so I don't have to worry about fitting it in later!
It is nice to get it done, but I've also seen articles saying that your muscles are more warmed up later in the day, so you may be onto something!
If PETA hears you've been consuming slain Komodo Dragons, you might find yourself in a bit of hot waters. Just looking out for you, my friend.
morning exercise… YESSSS!!!! I look forward to it.
Noooo! Don't call PETA on me! I swear my Komodo Dragon is vegetarian ….
Oy it is so hard for me to work out in the morning. SO HARD. I know you have more time. I know it's cooler. I know. I know. I KNOW.
But I always need a nap halfway during the day. Maybe when the Olympics are over and I don't work night shift I'll try again.
My energy level stays high until after dinner – then I'm DONE. You could always join me at Starbucks.
9 times out of 10 I hit snooze and do it after work
Haha… whenever I'm done with my treadmill actually feel like sleeping… for a few weeks!