Morning Exercise Habit
 

Hey there,
I find that I really do well with am exercise but not so well with the actual getting out of bed to get it done. I was wondering if anyone else might be game for a challenge thread around building a morning exercise practice. I commute on T/W but would love to get my workout done in the morning on M, TH, F. I need some accountability though to make it happen.

Peg

I cant seem to get out of bed lately. I set my alarm for 4:45, snooze till 5, then up and at it. But lately I just cant do it! I would be interested if anybody else is..................

Maybe I will start to do it on a regular basis.Even though I still hate it:barf:
OK I'm in too!

Yeah! I'm so glad you guys want to join me.

Here's what I am thinking. I am just going to tell myself I have to get out of bed. I don't have to exercise, I just have to get up. My guess is I will either start to get used to getting up which would be a good start or I will go ahead and do something since I won't have anything else to do. We'll see but for now, just going to tell myself I only have to get up and come downstairs. I will report back to you guys on Thursday about my success. I am going to move my alarm clock. I've been feeling like that is being "mean" to myself but I think I need to just banish that thought and look at it as a tool to meet my goals. The snooze button is just way too much of a friend.

What's your plan ladies?

Peg

I don't know what my plan is yet.I am on vacation right now. I do want to start getting up early,and going for a walk outside. Right now,I am doing 10 min .on my elliptical.And I hate it:barf:I hate any form of exercise.Hate,hate,hate!But, I know I have to do it.Maybe I will make myself get up earlier,and go on my elliptical for longer time. :dunno:I guess I am just lazy!I would rather go to, the dentist,doctor,or even get a pap done,rather than exercise. The 10min on the elliptical are like -ellfor me!

Tracy,
Don't know if you listen to podcasts or not but this podcast has a 5 part series on Exercise Motivation. http://personallifemedia.com/podcast...ut-weight-loss You might find some nuggets in there. I don't really hate exercise but I often am not able to get out of the gate, especially later in the day, and thus my desire to get it over with in the morning. Other strategies that have worked for me:

I used to have a walking buddy and that took all the pain out of it for me. I enjoyed our walks and I would never stand her up so I got my butt outta bed. I moved and haven't identified a new buddy but would love to. I keep my eye out but it's not always easy to find someone. Even if you scheduled something a day or 2 a week would be worth it.

I wore a pedometer for a number of months. I tried to increase my steps by 10% each week until I got to an avg of 10k steps per day. I really liked this because it allowed absolutely everything I did outside of a chair to count. I did all sorts of things like park further away and use further bathrooms to get steps.

My very first foray back into the world of exercise after years away was via this book: 90 Day Fitness Walking Program. It's out of print but readily available in the used market for a couple of bucks.

One final tidbit that helped me out. The realization (yes, I did sleep through some science class somewhere:dizzy:) that the # of calories burned is the same no matter how long it takes you to cover the distance. So if I walked a mile, it was the same as if I'd run that same mile. HUGE mental leap for me. I have always exercised for calorie burn vs. cardio (although I know cardio fitness is important, it just doesn't get me off the couch) so that realization made it so much easier to get myself going.

Peg

Ok, tomorrow is day 1. I will get up at 5:45am. I will log in here to report that I am vertical. I'm in the Mountain time zone. Someone bust my chops if I don't appear at the appropriate hour. ;)

:)

Peg

ETA: I thought I had killed my alarm clock last night when I spilled a bunch of water all over it. You think it was Freudian??? LOLOL

Peg,
I did exercise in the am today. I actually did 20 min. instead of 10!:woohoo:
I plan on doing it tomorrow too.I know won't be here that early.Y so early?:goodvibes:

I've been doing the morning exercise since January. I found inspiration from a Sue Grafton novel (can't say which letter in her alphabet run). Her character lead would tell herself that she wasn't going to go do her usual run but just walk, then drag herself out of bed and pull on her Saucony's (which I didn't even know what those were). Once walking, she'd say I'll just run a bit then stop when I don't want to anymore. By the time she'd be going, she'd just finish. I've used that one very successfully all year. And, there's a Saucony outlet near my house where I bought my shoes--which I really like. My little treat to myself once I get to my goal is new Saucony's in September.

I need to get on board with this too. Several times I have set my alarm for 5AM and snoozed until 6:30!!! That is really bad. I too hate exercise, so that does not help.

Yeah Tracy! I have to start working at 7:30am and ideally I'd like to have a shower (although not vital because I work at home). Also, that's the very latest I can get up on my commute days so I really think it would be smarter to just get up the same time every day (or so the experts say. :))

Peg

PS) You can bust my chops whenever...no one needs to meet me here but knowing someone will be able to tell when I was up will help me immensely!

I wear Saucony shoes too! I had no idea they had outlets. This strategy is exactly what the podcasts I mentioned above talked about so my first baby step is I just have to get up. We'll see what comes from that.

Thanks for sharing!

Peg

Be glad to have you! Congrats on your loss so far! You are doing great!

Peg

I'm up.

Peg

Here I am!Later than I would of liked,but I couldn't get up for some reason. Well,thanks to my dog who knew it was time,woke me up.I t is still AM.I'll let you know later how I did.

Peg,
I just finished 26 min.on my elliptical.:woohoo:I can't believe it!I didn't want to do it at all.But,I said ok, I will just do 10 min. Since that is my goal for this week.Then I coaxed myself into 20,since that is what I did yesterday.Then I said I could do it a little more.I don't know if that will happen again tomorrow.But,so what I did it today,and I know that I am getting stronger!:D

Wonderful news Tracy! Good job!

I didn't exercise this morning but still intend to take a walk this evening. Glad I got up though...hopefully I'll get on a roll.

Peg

Ok, going to get up again tomorrow. I didn't walk this afternoon...bad girl. I need to get it done in the morning so I'm going to try and get myself out there tomorrow morning.

Peg

Where are you Peg,
I want you to know ,I pushed myself up to 30 min.on my elliptical!:woops:I thought I would :faint:.Not,because I was tired, but because I did it! I don't know if I'll do it tomorrow,but that is ok. Because I did it today. My new philosophy isNo Pressure!I know it is because you started this Morning Exercise Habit. Which to be honest,I was not to excited about this challenge in the beginnning:rolleyes:.I also remember a long time ago,I read or someone told me it is better to exercise in the morning because all day long you will be burning more calories.Even if you are just sitting!Thanks Peg, I guess friends are in are life for a reason. Even, if it is cyber friends!;) :angel:
P.S.I have to watch The View. George Lopez is on,and I love him!

:carrot::carrot::carrot: Yeah Tracy!!!!! You rock! I totally agree that taking the pressure off ourselves makes a huge difference and I'm so glad to see you succeeding with the challenge.

I myself must get back on the horse tomorrow. :( I turned off the alarm clock, got out of bed to turn off the tv that I was using as my across the room alarm clock, turned immediately around and crawled back in bed. I don't even think I really woke up. I made the mistake of telling myself I HAD to exercise this morning (because I really don't have any other time today) and that was not the plan. Why do I try to change the plan on day 2????!!! :?:

I will get this figured out. I know I will....

Peg

I just noticed your ticker changed! 6 lbs this week!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!!

Peg

Ok, off to bed and will be back bright and early tomorrow. I have a 5 mile hike planned so want to get a decent early start and get this wake-up time going.

I'll post when I'm vertical!

Peg

I'm up. ;)

I have alot of things to do today.Not feeling like exercising.Big difference from yesterday.But,I will. I'll let you know how I did.This thread is keeping me motivated
to do it,even wnen I am down in the dumps.

Well, I did 30 min. on my elliptical again today!I did not want to ,but once I got on I felt better. And, it is true exercising is a great stress reliever.

Good job Tracy!

I did my 5 mile hike! Yeah for me! It was a very pleasant stroll but I do now remember how important more consistent exercise is to making the whole thing a lot more pleasant. I do much better when my fitness level is just a bit better.

Peg

WOW!5 miles
That is great!:dance::dance:How long does it take to walk 5 ml.?

I was on the trail for almost exactly 3 hours but I think I was walking a little over 2 of them. I took a pretty long lunch break and one other break on the way up. I walked straight through the way back (downhill mostly). Depending on the elevation gain and my fitness level, I hike anywhere from about 1.5 mph to 2.5 mph.

Peg

I wanna join in!!
 

I would totally love to join this group!! Something needs to get me out of bed in the morning, and I think having to report on here to everybody would totally make me do that.. :carrot:

I have a treadmill upstairs in my spare bedroom, which has been collecting dust for the past few months, and a great morning exercise on there would be amazing.. I just need to get outta bed and do it!

I love all the support 3FC has to offer, and you ladies are amazing!!! :grouphug:

Welcome aboard Carrie! We'll be glad to be your accountability check. I'm headed off to bed now but am planning to be up bright and early again tomorrow. I'm going to get this habit going!

Peg

I'm up

eta: I took my 45 min walk at the ponds (cuuuuute ducklings and goslings to watch, nice breeze) and did my 20 min yoga routine. I feel great! And it's done!

Good Morning Peg and Carrie,
I really am not in the mood for exercise today,but maybe I will.
Be back later!

Well,I just did 33min on elliptical!Thanks,Pegfor this thread. It i s helping me to get moving in AM. Heck, I wasn't moving at all b4.:dance::dance::dance:

Wow, Tracy great job! How many days in a row is that now? You increased all week. You are doing so well...I hope you give yourself a big 'ole pat on the back. Are you back to work tomorrow? I'm off tomorrow but still going to get up at 5:45. I think it was a little easier today. :)

Peg

I'm up but didn't get up until about 6:35. Blah....this is hard...off for my morning activities but will plan to exercise later today. Will come and report back.

Peg

Peg,
I am still on vacation. I am not going anywhere. But that's ok. Being home is good enough!I am not sure I think I started exercising last Mon.June15.
WOW! A whole week I can't believe it myself!AS usual I don't feel like exercsing! But here I go!

I did 40 min. on elliptical.However,it wasn't as fast,but I was still moving.I have energy now,I hope I still do when I go back to work.Hopefully,it will just be 2nd nature to get up & exercise. I will have to be getting up earlier too.Being,on vacation gave me a good start.

Oh, my gosh, look at the pounds fall off! You are doing so wonderful. It will be good to have a nice foundation before you head back to work.

I haven't gotten exercise done yet. I'm going to make dinner and hope it cools off a bit for a later walk.

Peg

ETA: I didn't get out after dinner. Darn couch vortex...I knew I shouldn't have sat there. Anyway, also wanted to say I commute the next 2 days so I will definitely be up but won't check in here because I'm usually scurrying around trying to get out the door. I will check in and see how you all are doing later in the day though.

Peg,
40 min. on elliptical. It is getting easier to exercise!:)

Great Job
 

Ladies, I would like to applaud you on getting the job done. :cp:I have been trying to get myself into a morning routine for the past few weeks. I usually manage to get it done by 11:30. Not too early, huh…Well anyways, Great job on your success girls! Keep it up and thanks for the motivation!:dance: