CommunityBrowse groupsBlogEtiquetteInvite Your friendsSuccess Stories

Lounge
Community 


WAKE UP!!

Hey Everyone!!
I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions that help you wake up a little earlier in the morning to exercise. I know the obvious "go to bed earlier" one, but anything else? I have this awful habit of turning off my alarm, then not waking up 'til I have just enough time to get ready and go to school. I've even put the alarm on the other side of the room and it still gets turned off--if I didn't know better, I'd swear I have a "go-go gadget" arm!!
Any new ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!


Thu. Sep 14, 11:52am

Add comment  
put your alarm on the other side of the room, so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:08 PM

Add comment
Drink a lot of water before bedtime so you have to pee really bad in the morning! (But not so much that you have to get up in the middle of the night)

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:10 PM

Add comment
Maybe if you reward yourself with something if you get up in the morning to workout several times in a week. Like a new workout DVD, hand weights, new workout outfit. Something workout related so you know what you're doing and why you're doing it. Also, making a workout "date" with a friend will force you to be up and out at a certain time.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:23 PM

Add comment
I give myself permission to sleep in only 1 morning a week. I don't plan it ahead of time I just wait to see how I feel in the morning. If I use my 'free pass" on Tuesday then that means I have to get up Wednesday-Friday. Some how knowing that I get a free day gives me the motivation to get up other days. Also, food motivates me. So the night before I'll plan out my breakfast and may even prepare it ahead of time. Getting to eat it gets me out of bed!

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:28 PM

Add comment
Good luck to you - I simply cannot do it either so I work out in the afternoon after work. I don't really care if working out in the morning is supposed to be better - it's not better if I sleep through it, so I don't. I used to try setting an obnoxious alarm, wearing exercise clothes to bed, keeping my bag packed and in my car, going with someone else and they all failed because I am grouchy, tired and don't wanna be there and therefor my workouts were pathetic compared to the effort I'll put in later.

Lots of people do workout in the morning though and say they really enjoy it, so if you can become one of them more power to you. I did list some of the strategies I used and maybe if my heart had been in it one of them would have worked as a long-term early morning solution.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:33 PM

Add comment
Are you exercising at home? If I were you I'd set a timer on your bedroom TV (assuming you have one), set to a news channel or talk show - I find it easier to get up physically if I'm already awake mentally. Then maybe start out with some ab work or side-lying leg work that you don't even have to get out of bed for.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 12:33 PM

Add comment
I an now a fairly habitual 5:45 riser in order to get in my morning work out. This was a tough routine to start but i can honestly say I dint have too many relapses and such. once I did it the first time, I was in the routine. Not getting up once usually breaks me for almost a week.. i am thrown off track and give myself excuses and such. So... I just don't give myself the option to not go.

How did I start though? I got a workout buddy!! AND, we both knew that unless we had some sort of responsibility we would probably not show often so she picks me up in the morning. She gets up because she knows I am waiting for my ride and I get up because I know she is coming. It's a great system! Now I can do it on my own when she is out of town and such... but that was the best way for me!

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 1:03 PM

Add comment
wear your workout clothes to bed-and leave your sneakers next to the bed. that way you are ready to go anyhow when that alarm goes off! it's really hard to keep sleeping when you realize you will wake up in a sports bra!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 1:09 PM

Add comment
what's your number and what time do you want me to call you! LOL I bet you'd get a lot of people willing to talk you out of bed on this website. but seriously, Having your clothes laid out and putting them ON YOUR CLOCK lets you not ignore them (that is, if you hate sleeping in them)

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 2:00 PM

Add comment
Put some ready to drink coffee on your nightstand before you go to bed. When the alarm goes off, chug it!
(just kidding...okay, not really.)
lol


Thursday, September 14, 2006, 2:51 PM

Add comment
put a picture of someone larger than you on your alarm clock. maybe seeing this every morning will motivate you to stay up and exercise instead of crawling back into bed...

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 3:01 PM

Add comment
What a bunch of funny - and good - suggestions! I still like the idea of a PEERtrainer-logo alarm clock! : )


Thursday, September 14, 2006, 3:28 PM

Add comment
I'm with 12:33. I just let go of the fantasy that I would work out in the morning. The few times that I've been able to drag mysefl out to exercise before work, I've always felt great and thought I would for sure do it the next morning, but never do. I'm an afternoon exerciser--always have been, most likely always will be. Sometimes, it's best to take the path of least resistance.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 4:06 PM

Add comment
I'm also having difficulty with this & am glad the OP asked this question. Thanks for your ideas!

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 4:29 PM

Add comment
As someone stated before, prep everything (workout clothes, work clothes for later, pack your lunch, etc) the night before so you can just wake up and go!

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 6:12 PM

Add comment
Is your bedroom really dark? Try to leave the shades open so the light will naturally wake you. There are also devices you can get that will actually gradually turn up the light in your room, creating an artificial sunrise that will help your body adjust to morning better.

Friday, September 15, 2006, 5:30 AM

Add comment
Are you getting everything your body needs to work right?

Nutrition is the key. I had the same problem. Then I started taking 2 supplements for other reasons and it also ended up helping me with this problem as well. First of all you need to get to bed early so that you can allow yourself at lest 8 hours of sleep and drink lots of water during the day and a glass before bed. Even if you are taking supplements now they may not be providing you with what your body needs. Now when its time to get up its so easy I don’t have that feeling of “I just need a few more mins” feeling anymore. I just get up and go!! I take a liquid sea vegetable and aloe vera supplement, and also I take another liquid formula that has chromium picolinate, L-Phenylanlanine and Melatonin to help with my weight loss and it helps me sleep at night. I sleep so well now days. These two products have helped me so much. And my supplements are all natural and non- habit forming.
The link below will show you what I take.


Link

Friday, September 15, 2006, 9:03 AM

Add comment
I have been getting up EARLY in the AM to workout since May. I started with 1-3 times a week and now I am up to 6 days a week. I haven't used an alarm clock in years...I think your body will just get used to a routine and schedule and wake up on its own. I actually justart starting getting up about an hour earlier - about 5:30am. Only because I know I won't get the workout in after work. I will be too tired or have other "life" stuff to fit in. So, this works best for me....because everyone is still sleeping, so it is like "my time".

I suggest making sure you go to sleep early enough to get 7 hours of sleep.

Friday, September 15, 2006, 10:00 AM

Add comment
I have the same problem-- always have (I don't hear my alarm, I talk to people in my sleep, I "sleep walk" to the alarm, I'm always late for work or school). Nothing works- nothing will work unless you decide you need to just wake up- also- don't use snooze, snooze is evil. Sorry.

Now it could be an actual sleeping issue... if you don't feel rested or feel tired through out the day it may be worth your while to talk to your doctor or even do a sleep study.

As far as the "going to bed earlier option" sometimes it's the only thing you can do. And I can not stress consistancy enough! Go to bed at the same time and wake-up at the same time... try not to create exceptions to this rule.

How do I wake up? My boyfriend and I have a morning routine- I'm pretty good about waking up by #2 at this point, but it took a while
1. the alarm
2. having a conversation
3. being told to let the dog outside
4. having covers removed and/or spritzed with cold water from a spray bottle. 5. Pushed out of bed

All these methods rely on someone else and that's not always possible (or fair to your "wake up" partner). As I said before, YOU have to decide to wake up by yourself. If you physically can't wake up- go to the doctor.

Friday, September 15, 2006, 1:55 PM

Add comment
The whole idea of putting the alarm on the otherside of the room does not work for me. I get up and hit snooze and lay back down. I just have the mindset to get up and workout. I know if I don't, then my ass will remain as big as it is now.

Friday, September 15, 2006, 2:15 PM

Add comment
how about a large mirror right by your clock? or, when you get out of bed to shut off the alarm, before walking to the other side of the room, make your bed real quick. and tuck in the sheets...just an idea.

Friday, September 15, 2006, 2:20 PM

Add comment








Related Content:

How To Lose Weight- The Basics
Weight Watchers Points System
The Fat Smash Diet
The Eat To Live Diet
The Beck Diet Solution
How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight

 

How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer

How To Burn Fat
Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works
Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight?
Tips On Using PEERtrainer
Visit The PEERtrainer Community
Diet and Fitness Resources

Fitness

Weight Watchers Meetings
Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are
Writing Down Your Daily Workouts
Spending Money On A Personal Trainer?
How I Became A Marathon Runner

 

Preventive Health

How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout
Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot?
Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer?
Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy
Reversing Disease Through Nutrition

New Diet and Fitness Articles:

Weight Watchers Points Plus
How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise
New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program
New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive
Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program
 

Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne:

Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough
How To Delay Short Term Gratification
How To Stay Motivated
How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule

Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions

Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight?
Are Protein Drinks Safe?
Nutrition As Medicine?
 

Everyday Weight Loss Tips

How To Eat Healthy At A Party
How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight
The Three Bite Rule
Tips On How To Stop A Binge