Trying to find the TIME!

Leigh29 · 02-18-2009, 05:52 AM

Hi everyone. I am currently struggling like many of you as to WHEN to workout. I work an 8:30 to 5 p.m. day. I have a very rambunctious puppy and then with preparing meals etc, I'm at a loss as to when to workout. I would like to workout in the mornings, say 5:30 a.m. BUT I don't have quite the same energy level as I do at 7:00 at night. I find that working out at night though becomes your ENTIRE life. Any tips or advice would be great. I know people do it with kids and a family etc so I know I can. I just need to find the right time that works for me that I can maintain. Thanks.

kimm4 · 02-18-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh29

Hi everyone. I am currently struggling like many of you as to WHEN to workout. I work an 8:30 to 5 p.m. day. I have a very rambunctious puppy and then with preparing meals etc, I'm at a loss as to when to workout. I would like to workout in the mornings, say 5:30 a.m. BUT I don't have quite the same energy level as I do at 7:00 at night. I find that working out at night though becomes your ENTIRE life. Any tips or advice would be great. I know people do it with kids and a family etc so I know I can. I just need to find the right time that works for me that I can maintain. Thanks.

I would imagine you get a couple days off from work correct? There's 2 days, now pick 2 more. How can training for hr become your entire life...it's only an hr? If you want it then you make it part of your routine.

nunu713 · 02-18-2009, 06:46 AM

Here's a few tips for working out in the morning:

1) Go to bed at a time that allows you to get a full night's sleep by 5AM. When I first started working out in the mornings, I went to bed around 9:30. You have to be ready to wake up when your alarm goes off, otherwise, you'll never make it out of bed. Now that I'm used to it, I'm back to my 10:30 - 11:00 bedtime

2) What workout are you doing at 5AM? If it's just cardio, well, you don't really need your mind to be awake for that (unless it's HIIT). If you're doing weight training, I sometimes find that popping half a caffeine pill (Vivarin, No Doze, etc) wakes me up just enough to be focused and concentrate on my workouts. No jitters, no sugar highs, just alert.

3) Lay your workout clothes out the night before. At 5AM, the most trivial problems can make you want to ditch your workout. I've seriously contemplated not going to the gym after spending 10 minutes looking for a sports bra to wear.

Hope that helps!

Deborah_Lyn · 02-18-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunu713

3) Lay your workout clothes out the night before. At 5AM, the most trivial problems can make you want to ditch your workout. I've seriously contemplated not going to the gym after spending 10 minutes looking for a sports bra to wear.

Exactly! I prep for the next day as soon as I get home from work - that includes vitamins, getting my almonds or whatever nuts measured for the next day, work out clothes, etc. That's even before I let my 2 rottweilers out to go to the bathroom!

If you want to work out, you'll make the time. If you still aren't getting up to go, then examine why.

Good luck!

_Bethany_ · 02-18-2009, 07:20 AM

Why does working out at night become your entire night? Schedule it in just like work, puppy, food prep, etc. Block out 1 hour and get it done!

I'm up at 4:30AM,commute 1.5 hours to work, work until 3PM, commute 1.5 hours home, cook dinner, clean up dinner, pick up house, workout everyday around6-7PM, spend time with the BF and I have two active Pit Bulls who require lots of attention. Scheduling is key!!

clmgirl · 02-18-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh29

Hi everyone. I am currently struggling like many of you as to WHEN to workout. I work an 8:30 to 5 p.m. day. I have a very rambunctious puppy and then with preparing meals etc, I'm at a loss as to when to workout. I would like to workout in the mornings, say 5:30 a.m. BUT I don't have quite the same energy level as I do at 7:00 at night. I find that working out at night though becomes your ENTIRE life. Any tips or advice would be great. I know people do it with kids and a family etc so I know I can. I just need to find the right time that works for me that I can maintain. Thanks.

I hear you on this one. I also find it very difficult to work out in the morning, you are right I don't think I have the same energy. My trainer is so busy that he only has time for me on Fridays at 6am and Saturdays at 7am. Right now I am on my fourth week from starting. I have just told myself that I want to lose weight so much, that I drag my lazy 8$$ out of bed. I have three young children, work, and have house chores. I find also that being prepared is the key. I prepare all of my food on Sunday night, this even includes my oatmeal for breakfast. I make a huge pot and refridgerate it.

So far, I have lost 10lbs........ YOU GOTTA WANT IT BAD ENOUGH!!!!

Emoore · 02-18-2009, 08:54 PM

As Kimm said, work out whatever days you're off (I'm assuming 2), and then pick 1 or 2 more days. Try working out those 2 days in the morning for a couple of weeks, then try the evenings and decide what works better for your schedule.

I agree with everyone else that preparedness is absolutely key to whenever you decide to work out.

dvsness · 02-19-2009, 02:45 PM

Maybe I can help by showing you my day.

6:50 - wake, shower, eat
7:55 - leave, bus, subway
9:20 - work
11:00 - eat
2:00 - eat
5:00 - eat
5:30 - leave, subway, bus
6:45 - home, pre-wo supps, change clothes
7:00 - drive to gym
7:10 - train
8:30 - shake, drive home
8:40 - shower
10:30 - eat
11:00 - sleep

I wake up earlier closer to contest to do AM cardio, but this is generally my plan on my training weekdays. I doubt your commute is as long as mine, and you certainly don't need to do this all 5 weekdays - I don't! I have down time when I get home as well as on my off days. I may be a competitor, but I like to watch Nip/Tuck, lol. It isn't all consuming.

Fitness-Chic · 02-19-2009, 04:27 PM

The way I look at is if you want it bad enough then there is always time in your day for it.
I find that working out in the mornings wakes me up and gives me the energy to make it through the day. If you do it in the mornings then by the end of the day you dont talk yourself out of going or there is always something that comes up and you put it off.

It maybe hard to get used to at first but then your body adjust to it. I am so used to getting up at 3-3:30am that most of the time I will wake up on my own now. But I love it. Thats just me thou....every one is different.

Tiffany_P · 02-20-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimm4

If you want it then you make it part of your routine.

Exactly. The key word here is "make." It's impossible to "find" time to do things. You have to "make" time for things. Morning workouts are definitely an option. Take a stimulent beforehand if you don't have enough energy. Honestly though, you get off work at 5:00. Many people work much longer hours and have no problem finding the time to work out. There are plenty of training schedules that call for only 3 days a week. How about Sat/Mon/Wed?

Leigh29 · 02-21-2009, 05:58 AM

would only three days a week give me the results I want, which is to gain muscle and lose the goo on me...?

_Bethany_ · 02-21-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh29

would only three days a week give me the results I want, which is to gain muscle and lose the goo on me...?

If you diligent about sticking to it and keep your diet spot on 3 days of weights would do the trick most likely, if you make a point to be more active on other days (more walking around, less sitting, or even a 15-30 min walk). I did a full body workout 3x a week for a quite a while and saw great results.