"morning person" envy...

I have never been a morning person and am EXTREMELY jealous of those who are able to 'spring' out of bed every morning. Any suggestions for building energy in the morning so that an am workout isnt completely terrifying?!

(please no comments on eating a full breakfast or getting a full nights sleep...been there, done that...)

Mon. Oct 1, 4:13pm

sorry, but when you write "been there, done that..." do you mean that neither of the suggestions worked for you? did you get a good night's sleep AND also eat a good breakfast, or just try one at a time? if together the suggestions don't do it, maybe your circadian rhythym is not set for morning activity?

Monday, October 1, 2007, 4:20 PM

My idea is kind of "out there", but I find that my ability to be an early or late person gets shaken up from a good bout of jetlag. When I get back from wherever, be it a 3-hour time difference or a 13-hour one, my natural waking time changes - and it often lasts until the next time I travel. How's that for an excuse to book an exotic vacation!

Monday, October 1, 2007, 4:21 PM

Some people's clocks are just different and it doesn't matter what they do they'll never be morning people. My husband is and always will be a night owl, his day ideally starts around 9:30-10am. He isn't and will never be energetic early in the morning. He likes to work out around 1pm, which is my worst time to work out. Being a morning person, I'm best between 5-9:30am.

I say don't fight it! Unless your schedule is all over the place, you're not getting to bed at the same time every night, you drink caffeine or alcohol at night which impedes a good night's rest, etc. - maybe it's just you!

Monday, October 1, 2007, 5:27 PM

I think there's a difference between being a 'morning person' who just loves the early morning and does their best work then, and just having energy in the morning. I'll never be a 'morning person' EVER, but I know that when I'm well rested I find it easier to get out of bed and work out.

However, because I'm not a morning person (I do my best work after 11 pm!) I tend to be the most consistent with my workouts when I do them after my work day is over. When I have to drag my butt out of bed, I give up eventually, but when I work out after work, I tend to stick with it.

Monday, October 1, 2007, 7:29 PM

Ready for a crazy idea?

I'm naturally a morning person. I get up for work around 3:30am, and as hard as I try to get to bed early, I often end up going to bed at 11:00pm. Still I wake up in a cheerful mood. My sister, however is NOT a morning person. When we used to live together I would make her sing "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins really loud with me first thing in the morning. Boy, was she annoyed!...at first. But soon she would start having fun and feel more energetic. Try doing something silly first thing in the morning.

Another idea: Have something to be excited about in the morning. Maybe plan for a favorite breakfast or a favorite tea. Sometimes I set out my favorite mug with a good tea bag in it the night before. Then when I wake up I have a reason to want to get out of bed.

Monday, October 1, 2007, 7:51 PM

7:51
Are you mary poppins?

Monday, October 1, 2007, 9:42 PM

i really think she is mary poppins!

Monday, October 1, 2007, 10:32 PM

I do agree with the point that you can do your best work in the morning and be your most energetic without being a morning person.

I'm soooo not a morning person, but I love to get to work at 6:30 am - I get to leave at 3:30 and it's so nice and quiet that I get a ton done before everone else shows up and randomizes the rest of my day. I used to try working out at 6:30 and getting to work at 8. That didn't go over - I just couldn't drag myself out of bed to get to the gym, but I can do it to get out of work earlier. I'm on the machines by 4 and on my way home at 4:45, just in time to beat the real rush. I live just a few minutes away so I shower at home and then pack my bag for the next day and make dinner. Working out in the afternoon and then making dinner really helps me be good during my 'bad' times (afternoon and evening) and it's such a better fit for me and my schedule than mornings ever were.

Don't feel obligated to be something you're not unless it happens to work out well for you - instead accept yourself as you are and work with hours that feel right for you. If mornings are truly the only practical time to work out, then the challenge will be to make it a natural part of your day - not some dreaded obligation. I don't have any tips for that though - I simply accepted that I would never be able to wholeheartedly commit to working out in the early morning and found a job where my schedule works with my needs. Best wishes!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 12:56 AM

What are you eating on a regular basis? If you're eating primarily refined carbs, sugars and dairy, you'll have less energy throughout the day and even in the morning when you want to wake up.

Try cutting out the excess, stick to fruits, veggies and a little meat and see what happens.

I get up early in the morning to work out because I know I won' t get it done at any other time during the day. You also have to be motivated enough to want to workout - why are you wanting to get fit/stay healthy/lose weight? For me, I feel miserable when I gain weight and don't take care of myself. My motivation is feeling good about myself. What's yours?

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 3:03 PM

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