runredlights Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I have been quite the fanatic about exercising ever since high school. The thing is that I just graduated from college and am starting a job that will have me on an 8-5 M-F type schedule. Obviously my awesome new career comes first, but this shouldn't mean I have to sacrifice working out completely. Since graduation I had been basically been spending the bulk of my time plugging away on job sites (and LS), and spoiling myself by working out 6 days a week to pass the time. I am considering condensing my routine to 5 days and doing it all in the morning so I will have free time later after work. Has anyone else had success with early morning routines? Link to post Share on other sites
EasyHeart Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Lots of people work out before work. That's why gyms are packed at 6-8 am. Link to post Share on other sites
newmoon Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 i have a 8-6 job. i used to work out in the mornings, every single day for years and years, but i always felt rushed in the mornings and switched to pm for mainly that reason. i have found that pm workouts offer stress relief after a full workday, too. statistics indicate that people who work out in the am tend to stick with exercise longer than people who exercise afternoon/late pm, but if you're already a consistent exerciser i don't think a switch will matter. if you can't do a full workout in the am, at least try for a short walk or some stretches. just try exercising at various times and see what routine works best for you with the new job. it's more important to do it every day than to worry over the actual time it gets done, right? Link to post Share on other sites
hotgurl Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I prefer pm workouts as well. Partially because I am not a morning person and I don't want to shower at the gym. But I know plenty of people who workout in the morning. I just really depends on what works best for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Author runredlights Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 i have a 8-6 job. i used to work out in the mornings, every single day for years and years, but i always felt rushed in the mornings and switched to pm for mainly that reason. i have found that pm workouts offer stress relief after a full workday, too. statistics indicate that people who work out in the am tend to stick with exercise longer than people who exercise afternoon/late pm, but if you're already a consistent exerciser i don't think a switch will matter. if you can't do a full workout in the am, at least try for a short walk or some stretches. just try exercising at various times and see what routine works best for you with the new job. it's more important to do it every day than to worry over the actual time it gets done, right? I don't think I could do every single day. I admire your persistence though. I am also worried about getting out of shape. I used to play club hockey for my college. I am definitely in the best shape of my life right now and I enjoy having a buff, fit body as an early 20's young man. I had to make lots of sacrifices for my sport while I was in school so I can certainly do that when I start working full time. The AM thing does sound a little intimidating, but perhaps i'll give it a try. Link to post Share on other sites
seekingpeaceinlove Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I used to workout at 5-6am every morning a few years ago. It felt INCREDIBLE and I had the best workouts. Now, I cannot drag myself out of the bed for the life of me earlier than 6:30am so I work out at night and I tend to find myself with little to no energy at the end of the day. The one positive of working out at night is that I am able to de-stress from the day by lifting heavy. I go home feeling much more relaxed and am able to sleep better. Link to post Share on other sites
dichotomy Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Working out in the AM was the solution for me. At first it was a gym, then I got stuff for my home and it was fantastic to work out at home in the early morning. "Me time" while my family slept. It got off track when I started doing some MMA training at nights - which is causing me to fall asleep later and I struggle in the mornings. Link to post Share on other sites
CrystalShine2011 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I actually love alternating my workout schedule. One week I do it before work, and the next I go right after. I like to switch it up and keep my body guessing. Link to post Share on other sites
Author runredlights Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Interesting. Maybe i'll try the morning thing. Thanks guys. Link to post Share on other sites
Mizz Layta Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I use work out dvds before work. I have a gym membership card but when I work evening shift , i will do a work out dvd the first thing when I get up in the morning.Then I will take a shower right after and make something to eat. Its just easier than driving to gym and have to drive back home then get ready for work. Link to post Share on other sites
Gloria25 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 When I used to work days I didn't get up early to exercise...but then again, I was getting off at 3ish and would be home by 4PM. So, whatever works for you... Also, if you make good use of your workout, maybe you'd only have to do it like 3 times a week. I do cardio 3X a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) for like 40 min and push-ups/sit ups twice a week (Tues, Thurs) for like 30 min...I just spread it out cuz I usually have other stuff going on but have days I consider just mixing them together and just do Mon, Wed, Fri combo of cardio and pushups/situps. Saturdays I used to bike for hours, but that's when I had more time on my hands and considered biking more for pleasure than working out. I also swim one day a week, but I consider swimming more pleasurable than a workout. Link to post Share on other sites
SolG Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) I do morning workouts six days a week. Up at 5, have first breakfast (usually a home made veggie juice), then exercise (I have gym equipment at home - routine varies but usually some cardio and strength), shower, second breakfast (something more substantial like eggs, mushrooms and avocado) with a coffee, then get ready for work and get there by 8.30 am. On Saturdays, it's usually later and just a leisurely stroll at the beach then coffee or brunch and papers. I really love my morning routines. I find that it focusses me and gets me ready for a really positive and productive start to the day. And it also helps me sleep better at night. It's not unusual for me to work 10 to 12 hour days. And I make sure I've got lots of food with me to make it through the day; without regular food I start to feel sick and tired. And I drink water constantly. I think some people feel washed out from morning exercise because they don't eat or drink water enough. Edited February 20, 2015 by SolG Link to post Share on other sites
hotgurl Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 you could try a week of am workouts followed by a week of pm workouts and see which one is a better fit. I can't wait for nicer weather as I prefer to exercise outside. I still snowshoe or ski on the weekends but in the summer there is biking, hiking and swimming, jogging outside, yoga on the deck. Link to post Share on other sites
Imported Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I do like workingout in the mornings. My commute is fairly short, but if I timed it to be there when work starts, I'm in heavy traffic. I was in the habit for a while of waking up at 4am (it's just too cold for now), having a nice peaceful enjoyable drive to a gym near my work, do my workout and then go to work. I still always tried to workout after work as well and usually do. Link to post Share on other sites
robaday Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I much prefer mornings...live in quite a hot climate so after 6.30 am is too hot in summer to run (at least not as pleasant!). Theres something beautiful about the city at 5am, quiet streets, not many people around, cool breeze on your face, watching the sun come up over the city....amazing!! Its also a nice feeling that the exercise is "out of the way" for the day particularly if Im not motivated. Bounce into work high on endorphins! I do two days of bodyweight exercises in apartment in the morning and two days of running in the morning. And then attend three gym classes in evening per week (boxing) Evenings Im more unpredictable, if I have a busier than usual day and have to stay late my motivation isnt great to go workout....but everyones body clock is different!! some people hate early mornings! so do what suits you best Link to post Share on other sites
lamar_84 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I've been wanting to hit the gym first thing in the morning. My biggest problem is waking up the couple of extra hours early, and also trying to find the motivations. Any tips? Link to post Share on other sites
SomeDude16 Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Once in a routine AM workouts aren't bad but at first it sucks cause your energy is drained before your day gets started. Link to post Share on other sites
Starship Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 In the winter months I run in the evenings...Spring and Summer in the mornings. Done this for over 30 years. I go to the gym about two afternoons a week unless we are doing something physical like dance lessons or a hike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
gaius Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 The morning is nice because there's nobody else around usually so you don't have to waste time socializing. On days I go out I'm up at 3 and out the door by 3:30. Gives me time to grab some breakfast and run an errand or two after. Link to post Share on other sites
LifeNomad Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 early morning routines are awesome the hard part is getting out of bed. I would sometimes get out to run at 5 or 530am and its just beautiful when its dark and quiet and the sky looks amazingly clear. just consider it part of your "must do" things for the day...you must shower, you must eat, you must brush your teeth, you must exercise Link to post Share on other sites
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