And forgot to add:
I eat breakfast at work (protein shake) and I have coffee at work too.

My tips (I get up at 5:30, and I'm at the gym by 6am):
Lay out work-out clothes the night before and make sure work clothes are in the gym bag (I keep shower stuff at the gym, shower there, and then go to work from there).

Keep a post-it on my bathroom mirror of what I have to do in the morning because I am foggy brained when I first wake up (e.g., brush teeth, take pills, feed cats, get water bottle, go).

I do makeup in the car on the way to work.

Hardest part is getting out of bed, after that it is easier. And forcing myself to get to bed at a decent hour to get 8 hrs sleep is huge.

Anonymous wrote:When I run in the mornings I start the coffee so it's ready when I get back. Most of the run I fantasize about that cup of coffee. It keeps me motivated during the run. Now if only I could get my butt outta bed

Yes, coffee is a big motivator. I also trained myself to get up earlier by working out firstbthing on weekends, eve when I sleep in late. Then I just picked a weekday to get up 25 minutes earlier so I could get a 20 minute workout in. Been doing this now for 3 months, 1 weekday and 2 weekend morning workouts. The other 2 are after dinner.

I'm not a morning person, but I really have no choice for cardio (I do weights twice a week during my lunch hour). The fact that I can "sleep in" until 6:30 twice a week, helps get me out of bed at 5:45 the other 3. On the hardest days, I tell myself I just have to go for 10 minutes and can turn back. In my mind, only having to commit to 10 minutes, helps get me out of bed. I don't recall ever turning back after 10 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:

Also, I keep my shower stuff for the gym IN MY CAR - which includes the hair dryer. So if I don't work out, then I need a shower, thus requiring me to go out to the car first. At which point I may as well keep going.

This is brilliant, although I never bother to dry my hair. But if I could move the coffee maker to the gym without DH murdering me, I might actually get in some early morning workouts.

PP here. I must have coffee too, and am too cheap to buy it every AM not to mention I'm out of time after gym/shower.
Get a Contigo travel mug, an old insulated bag from a grocery, and one of those hand warmer rice packs that are all over pinterest.
Heat water to boiling, fill mug, let it sit 5 mins or so.
Dump water, brew coffee. Zap milk in the microwave just to take chill off, add to coffee.
Lid on, add hot hand warmer thing on top, cover with a big piece of the insulated bag . I keep everything in place with a (clean) old sock.
I make coffee at 430 and it's still piping hot at 630. I do bring it in the gym and leave it in my locker, esp the temps we've been having!

Also, I keep my shower stuff for the gym IN MY CAR - which includes the hair dryer. So if I don't work out, then I need a shower, thus requiring me to go out to the car first. At which point I may as well keep going.

This is brilliant, although I never bother to dry my hair. But if I could move the coffee maker to the gym without DH murdering me, I might actually get in some early morning workouts.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have advice on how to exercise in the morning while breastfeeding?

When I was breastfeeding, i would get up and pump (so there was then milk to feed the baby if she needed to be fed when I was at the gym), then went right to the gym.

When our second started waking at 6:00 we got up even earlier for exercise and other stuff. Meant we went to bed about 9:00pm but those months were the most relaxed and rested months in recent years. No wasted time watching dumb tv late at night or snacking and we felt so refreshed every day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if your baby wakes up at 6-6:30am?!?

Get up at 5. No, I'm not kidding, and yes, I've done that for years.

I always love when people think they can't exercise. Even if it means sacrificing sleep, it makes me a happier, healthier person. Plus it's good to role model healthy exercise habits to your kids. Thankfully I have a husband that is willing to help in the morning when I exercise to feed the baby what I pumped. If baby still is asleep I breastfeed when I get back. It works. And no exercise doesn't tank my supply. Eat healthy and drink more water!

Anonymous wrote:What if your baby wakes up at 6-6:30am?!?

Are you a single parent?

Anonymous wrote:What if your baby wakes up at 6-6:30am?!?

Get up at 5. No, I'm not kidding, and yes, I've done that for years.

What if your baby wakes up at 6-6:30am?!?

Like others I often sleep in my workout clothes.

Anyone have advice on how to exercise in the morning while breastfeeding?

Thanks everyone, this is very helpful!