What time of day do you work out?

[Jean Louise Finch]

I wish I could motivate to get out of bed half an hour early and do some time on the elliptical or some yoga. I am going to start trying harder tomorrow morning. Otherwise I usually work out in the evenings, after dinner, which is just asking to get blown off. I have a job that doesn't allow me to take time at lunch for a workout, so it's got to be pre or post-office hours, and I fully admit that post is just hard to do. I think if I could get into a morning routine it might really energize my whole day.

When do you work out? How do you fit it in to your daily grind?

Jean Louise

[MemphisTiger]

1. I usually work out at lunch or just after work

I'm lucky to have a job that allows me to walk to the gym. If I don't do that I have another gym close to the house that I work out at after work.

I wish I could get up early on the weekends and get my workouts in early, but I'm not a morning person. I always wake up so stiff and groggy. It would take an extra 30 minutes to loosen up to workout. I also like working out late evening when the gym is dead.

[GardeningGal]

2. I usually work out sometime between 3 and 6 in the afternoon.

I'd also like to get out of bed early and go before work. I haven't been able to get that done so far.

[semillama]

3. I get out of bed at 7 and work out first thing

I force myself to do it, and it's great. I get it out of the way, I have more energy through out the day, and because it's the first thing I do every day (except saturday, my free day), it's nearly impossible to skip it.

I say go for the morning workout if you can - it's really worth it.

[Jean Louise Finch]

4. You are indeed an inspiration

I really need to just bite the bullet and go for it. I think you're right -- once it becomes routine it's natural. Might just be the first week that's a killer. 7am is also what I'm shooting for, which really doesn't seem too impossible. What kind of workout do you do? Do you have some warm up stretches to get you going? I reckon a few sun salutations would get the blood going and then I could hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes and be good to go.

Thanks!

[semillama]

5. Thanks!

I'm following the Body for Life plan. I'm on day 47, I've pretty much gained a pound of muscle for nearly every pound of fat lost, and I've lost 2 1/2 inches off my belly. I'm more muscular now than I have ever been.

Today was upper body, which I finished in 43 minutes, from 7:20 to 8:03. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday are my cardio days, which I go to the local gym to use the elliptical machine. Monday, Weds, and Friday are my weight lifting days. I go to the gym when I hit my legs, but use a Bowflex at home for the upper body. The meal plan is simple to follow too and not a pain in the ass like other plans.

I recommend this plan very highly. Go check it out if you haven't already. I find that along with the book, the workout journal you can buy is actually a huge help in keeping you on track and honest.

I don't stretch to warm up - the first couple of exercises for each body part act as warm ups.

Good luck with your work outs, try the first thing in the morning for a week and see how that works for you.

[MemphisTiger]

7. Body for Life is a good plan...

The exercising is very effective especially for a person new to lifting and cardio. The meal plan can be a pain with the 6 times a day but it's very effective. I dropped 30 pounds when I started on BFL. The Eating-for-Life is a good book for the recipes on the plan.

I agree on the two warm up sets. As long as I do that I'm okay and stretch in between sets.

[soleft]

6. I do some things in the am but do the gym after work

My gym is on the way home from work, so I get off the bus at 5:30 and get back on when I'm finished. Some days I really have to push myself to get off the bus - especially now that it's dark and getting colder. But I did it last year so I don't see any reason why I can't do it this year.

Sometimes in the am I go across the street to the park and hit tennis balls are practice pitching or fielding. There's also a pool so in the summer I got up and occasionally went for a swim.

I can only do stuff in the am if it's something fun and more sports related than just exercise. Like biking too.

[swimboy]

8. For two weeks I've always been going to work out tomorrow.

x( but I normally work out first thing in the morning between 5:30am and 7:00am.

[some guy]

9. I like to get up about the crack of noon

shuffle around the house for about an hour, so my brain is more-or-less fully awake, and then work out. I have been going swimming after the lunch-rush.

My work day starts about the time "normal" people are ending theirs, and ends after midnight.

[GOPisEvil]

10. You make all the arguments. Work out first thing in the am.

It feels as though you put yourself on a day-long roll.

I get up at 5:55 on weekdays. I'm in the gym by around 6:15 (I live pretty close), and I'm back home by 7:00. In the office at 8.

Since I have to get up anyway, adding a few minutes isn't really that big of a deal. I've just learned to make myself a morning person, but I refuse to be perky. ;)

[Jean Louise Finch]

11. You're totally right

I even started today (Sunday of all days) though I didn't have to get up til about 8:30. I'm going to give it a real shot this week -- you are doubly impressive, as I have an elliptical trainer at home so have really no excuse, other than my horrifying attitude in the morning. I hope it works this week, I reckon it's just a matter of starting out and getting in the groove.

Thanks!
Jean Louise

[GOPisEvil]

12. That's the thing. Having to leave the house somehow makes me more committed.

If I had the trainer here in the house, I'd somehow manage to forget it was there. Or at least that's my fear. :)

Good for you getting going early this morning!

[Jean Louise Finch]

13. I have begun!

You will all be delighted to know that when the alarm went off this morning at 7, I groaned and moaned but then shot out of bed thinking of the excuses I would have to come up with to explain away my slacking on here. So, thanks for providing a little accountability!

Monday morning is the real test and I managed to do it on auto-pilot. It wasn't so bad once I just got out of bed. I've got a great book of short stories and it kept me going for the full 30 minutes I was aiming for. I now feel energized and reckon it's a good start to the week. I will keep updating so I know someone's paying attention!

Jean Louise

[GOPisEvil]

14. Congratulations!

10 hours for me. :)

[cwydro]

15. I get up early

so I can run before work. Usually a 35 to 45 minute run. I am TOTALLY a mess if I miss it.

[Jean Louise Finch]

16. I managed again!

Even though I was up late making a pumpkin pie I got up early and hopped on the trainer. I was pretty amazed by how much energy I had yesterday after my morning work out and really think this is something I can keep up.

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, all!

Jean Louise