Categories: regular

Confessions of a Morning Exerciser Gone Astray

Mug shot or Snapchat? Unclear.

Once upon a time, the idea of waking up before 8 was foreign to me.

But over time, I grew to become a morning exerciser. I saw the light — it’s nice knowing whatever happens during the work day, at least I did something for myself in the morning; it frees up my nights (OK, fine, that’s probably the main reason I started working out in the morning); and it makes me a much nicer, happier person at work.

Lately, though…I’ve had such a hard time waking up in the morning for various reasons, and it’s frustrating. The only thing I can do, though, is just keep trying and not let perfect be the enemy of good. (And also not skip workouts two days in a row — that sets up a pattern I don’t like.)

I’ll be honest that I still can’t bring myself to do a long run on the weekends…yup, Brooklyn is going to suck. My goal is to do 8 this weekend, though, and 10 next weekend. Who’s around? 🙂

Monday:  Did a little baby tempo — 1 mile warm-up, 2 mile tempo, 1 mile cool-down.

Tuesday: Row House, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite ClassPass classes. It’s usually a pretty good calorie burn AND a sweatfest.

Wednesday: Miraculously, I did a two-a-day despite having …a few cocktails…to celebrate some good news at work. Late afternoon: run with coworkers // Night: Liz’s class at Uplift because I can’t resist going to a friend’s class when I’m free

Thursday: took a rest day since I’d two-a-dayed the day before

Friday: Jordan and I went to Nike Run Club. The run wasn’t easy…but I <3 running with my buddy Jordan AND getting in a good run before work.

Saturday: Meg has a class at the Brooklyn Heights Equinox that she loves — Cardio Sculpt. She’s been asking me to take it with her for a while, and I had a free Saturday morning, so I headed out to BK to try it with her. GOOD GOD. So, the first twenty minutes of the class is old-school step, and this girl has two thumbs and ZERO coordination, and I wondered what I’d gotten myself into. The next 25-30 minutes segued from high-rep, low-weight strength training to slightly heavier weights by the end. We had plans to go to the Scoop sample sale after (HELLO $19 Rag & Bone jeans), and I’d asked if she was planning on going sweaty. After class, I understand why she basically just laughed at me.

Sunday: Still didn’t want to long run, swam instead

Monday: rest day

Today (Tuesday):  3-mile treadmill run — I ran some hills/sprints a la Mile High to keep it interesting

Wednesday: Am on the waitlist for Uplift tomorrow morning; if I don’t get in, I’m going to commit to doing one of our Daily Burn strength workouts at home

Thursday: AM: Row House with Ashley // PM: Want to also get in a quick run

Friday: ??

Saturday: long run

Sunday: ??

Morning or night exerciser? What’s on your schedule this week? 

 

Theodora Blanchfield

View Comments

  • Fitness what's that? I lost all motivation a month ago and it hasn't come back. No good, Tracy.

    I want to stick with 1-2 mile walk/runs in the am. Have to work hard to hold myself accountable.

    Also may start yoga if I get hired as receptionist at studio. Something part time for now!

    Will be cheering at Brooklyn. Hope to spot you and scream and cheer for you!

  • I hear you. I've always loved morning workouts because it's nice to have it out of the way for the day. But for some reason it's been hard lately. On Monday I downloaded Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's new app, The Rock Clock. It's a hysterical wake up /motivational message and has helped me get out of bed for the past two days. "There's no snooze button on greatness!"

  • If you want to join, I'm doing my Saturday run with Lululemon in Brooklyn. It's right off the Bergen Street F stop and is a 4-5 mile run with a fun group and gorgeous views. Due to the hamstring fun my goal this week is to do 6 miles.

  • morning! whats annoying is i think i perform better after work, im stiff in the am. but i need to get the workout out of the way so i dont stress about leaving work!

  • Last summer I committed to becoming a full time morning exerciser, there are way too many excuses to skip a PM workout. Here's what works for me:
    1. Get up at the same time every day (or close to it - on weekdays).
    2. Commit to going to bed earlier (I don't really need any extra hour of DVR/Netflix/HGTV).
    3. Do not give yourself enough time to snooze (I don't have an extra minute in the morning).
    4. Book your workouts in advance (it's way easier to justify not scheduling a workout than canceling one).
    5. Take a rest day when you need it (I book myself 6 days a week, but regularly take a day off if I'm feeling especially worn out - 5 workouts a week is nothing to sneeze at).

    • PS - it took me a couple of months to get used to the schedule - way longer than I thought. But now I'm way more grumpy on days I sleep till 7 than days I get up at 5:30 to workout. @Megan:

  • I'm an evening exerciser. Always have been, since I started working out. I am awful in the mornings, can't get going at all. To be able to work out I would have to get up an hour or so before it to have some food and water, and I know I'm just going to ignore a 5am alarm... I struggle a lot with parkrun, even though I don't have to get up so early for that and I love it once I'm there. One a week is enough morning workouts for me!
    Going in the evening means I feel mentally ready for it. I usually spend the day looking forward to it - for me it's a way of de-stressing after work and not just lounging with a book or a film and wine.

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Theodora Blanchfield

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