If you wake up super early (5-6AM) to go to the gym

[Anonymous]

Try to go to bed by 10pm. If I workout at 5am two days in a row I usually falls sleep very early on that second night, like 9.

How to get started... just do it. Really. it gets easier once you get into the habit. I do OTF these days and signing up for a 5am class motivates me to get up because if I miss it I lose the class and they aren't cheap.

[Anonymous]

I agree with going to bed early. Start heading that way around 9, and aim to be asleep by 9:45/10 at the latest. It kind of sucks going to bed that early once you have kids, because then you lose precious alone time/wind down time after they are in bed, but it's not every day.

Back when I started getting up that early to work out, before kids, I was able to go to a 5:30 am boot camp class, which kept me on track.

[Anonymous]

I go to bed at 10PM and am usually asleep by 10:30. I have my phone on my bedside table, but I don't play on it before bed. I also don't watch TV before bed. My husband will sometimes have it on, but I just turn over and ignore it. I've found the key is having that complete downtime right before bed with zero brain stimulation, or at least for me. I can't read before bed because I love reading and get too invested in every book. Next thing you know, it's 2AM and I've been saying 'just one more chapter' for hours.

I'm up at 5-5:18 (if I snooze twice on those cold mornings) and at the gym by 5:30-5:45.

[Anonymous]

What time do you go to bed? 1o pm

How did you start the habit? I started going to bed at 9 when my second child was born, and gradually moved it back to 10 when y kids were a little bit older

Any tips/tricks to get up that early? I get 7.5 hours of sleep, no snooze button required. No caffeine after noon. Never have been a TV watcher. Just do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, i get up at 5am and its 10 and im still awake. Id rather suffer through an early wake up than be fat. I get fat fast when i don't exercise.

Long ago when I used to get up early, this was my thinking. I couldn't stand to be fat.

[Anonymous]

I am usually in bed by 10, asleep by 11. I will naturally wake up by six but we have big open windows with no curtains that let the sunrise come in. It gets pretty bright and does the trick. Once you start working out in the morning, it gets easier.
I second the having everything ready too...everything.

[Anonymous]

Now I see why I'm fat.

[Anonymous]

I just get into work later - like 10 or 1030. I'm reduced hours but a lawyer so that translates to leaving around 6 or 630. I've never been an early riser so I've just accepted that about myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am usually in bed by 10, asleep by 11. I will naturally wake up by six but we have big open windows with no curtains that let the sunrise come in. It gets pretty bright and does the trick. Once you start working out in the morning, it gets easier.
I second the having everything ready too...everything.

Absolutly. My alarm goes off at 5am. I am out the door at 510 with coffee in hand and am walking into the fitness studio at 525. I often sleep with my workout pants and socks in and just throw in my bra and tank top. I have my coffee just about ready and have my water bottle made the night before. Biggest problem is sometimes i have to poop and that is really aggrevating and slows me down unless i go at thr studio real quick.

I then leave class 5min early at 625 and am at home waking the kids up at 640 to breakfast i assembled the night before and clothes i set out. I'm in the shower by 6:55 and we all walk out for school/work at 730.

I do ALL my prep the night before....which is why it's 10 and i just laid down.

[Anonymous]

Agree with what others have said:

- Lay out clothes (or sleep in them) the night before
- Have what you need for work ready to go so that you can make a quick transition if you come back home in between
- Schedule a class (less likely to cancel that than not go to gym time) for early, preferably with friends you won't bail on
- Build in time for moving around during the day. If I'm busy at work, I don't notice if I'm tired. If I'm sitting in meetings or doing work at my desk all day, I'll get tired. If I'm kept moving (either by need or by making myself get up and walk around) I do much better.

Also as others have mentioned, I've come to really appreciate the afternoon time I save, feel proud of myself for getting the most out of my days, and like -- and take time to notice! -- when my clothes fit well and I feel good in my skin.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone able to do this who has to leave for work by 7 or start work at 7:30? It seems like most of the respondents here must be starting work around 8-9 a.m. That's too late for my job, so I don't think this would be possible for me to attempt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone able to do this who has to leave for work by 7 or start work at 7:30? It seems like most of the respondents here must be starting work around 8-9 a.m. That's too late for my job, so I don't think this would be possible for me to attempt.

I responded earlier in the thread but not to your question.

I have to be at work by 0700 and sometimes 0600 so I no longer workout in the morning. It was just too much rushing for me so I workout after work now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just get into work later - like 10 or 1030. I'm reduced hours but a lawyer so that translates to leaving around 6 or 630. I've never been an early riser so I've just accepted that about myself.

So the nanny feeds the kids dinner? I don't have the luxury of working late because I am the first parent home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone able to do this who has to leave for work by 7 or start work at 7:30? It seems like most of the respondents here must be starting work around 8-9 a.m. That's too late for my job, so I don't think this would be possible for me to attempt.

if you start work at 7, aren't you done by 3 and couldn't you work out immediately after work before kid pickup?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just get into work later - like 10 or 1030. I'm reduced hours but a lawyer so that translates to leaving around 6 or 630. I've never been an early riser so I've just accepted that about myself.

So the nanny feeds the kids dinner? I don't have the luxury of working late because I am the first parent home.

Or maybe the PP's spouse is the first parent home, just like you are? Unnecessarily passive aggressive.