Fit Tip: The Alarm Clock

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:30pm by FitSugar

6,427 Views - 15 comments

For those of you who work full time, it may be difficult to get away during the day to exercise. After work could be an option, but you're generally too exhausted to do anything more than make and eat dinner. You've got to exercise though, so before work is the choice you've made.

Here's a tip for getting yourself up in the morning. It may sound like a cruel trick someone would do to you in exercise boot camp, but it is really effective.

Place your alarm clock across the room, far away from your hand's reach. Place your sneakers and workout gear right next to your set alarm clock before you go to bed. This way, your alarm clock forces you out of bed and onto your feet in order to turn off that annoying sound. You'll see your sneakers and sports bra, and they will remind you why you set that stupid alarm in the first place. These visual reminders will help you resist the urge to climb back into bed. (I am not alone here, my pal DearSugar also says not to push the snooze button.)

If working out in the AM is important to you, then waking up and getting out of bed is the hardest part. After you do a couple of weeks of morning exercise, your body and mind will get into the routine and getting up will become easier (really!)

Fit's Tips: If you are a before-work exerciser, make sure to get to bed early every night. Exercise is good for your heart, but so is getting enough sleep. If you share your bedroom with another person, you better get up when that alarm clock goes off because you will have to answer to him too!

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15 comments

lintacious

unfortunately this does not work for me at all. i gave up trying to get up early to exercise. what is working for me is finding a running buddy after work - but on my way home from work.

then i never have that "ugh i dont want to go back out" feeling and i could never call and cancel on her just because "i dont feel like it". that motivation alone really helps. plus even if i am feeling tired after a days work, it's nice to talk to someone about my day to de-stress a little. if i'm feeling especially exhausted we'll just run slower or run/walk.

44 weeks 3 days ago

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timberlake_box_lover

Thanks Fit. I've been doing this the past few days..It is hard..But I think I would rather do it in the morning..since I get out of work at 6pm and don't get home until 7pm.. Sad However, this means I've started getting up at about 530am instead of 6:20 but I need to get back in shape

erinees4b

This is the only way I exercise 5 days a week. I think what works for me is that I can't fall back to sleep once I'm awake. So even if I don't feel like going to the gym, it's a waste to just lay there for an hour! I also love that by 7:00 am, I've already done more than a lot of people!

gigglesss

haha i do the alarm across the room thing..but i want to start excersising in the morning but i already have to wake up every morning at 5:30..sooo im not so sure..lol

krEnElk

i put my alarm clock in the bathroom and i still find myself hitting the snooze and crawling back to my room, particularly when its cold out. i need to have more will power Sad

Allytta

i used to do that to my sister, because she was always late to school because of thr stupid snoose option Smiling but placing alarm clock on the wardrobe was a good trick for her to wake up.

mtzudiker

I always feel so much better if I work out in the morning 1. get it out of the way 2. puffy eyes disappear 3. feel better 4. did I mention feel better?
But its SO hard. The hardest part is when the alarm goes off (cellphone) and I go to turn it off and I stand there contimplating going back to bed. It's literally the hardest urge to fight. But if I can get my running pants on quickly the rest falls into place. But man. It's hard.

AucuneRancune

This is such a good trick! (although I say that without having tried it yet!) I've really been wanting to start exercising in the morning precisely for the reasons you listed above. But the hell if I ever get out of bed at the time I set that alarm for. I kid you not, EVERY morning I set my alarm for 7:20 and hit the snooze button until 8:20, so I can make it to work at 9. But tomorrow, I'm trying this out!!

CUskyy

I used to be a PM work-outer (or whenever I got around to it during the day while in college) but now that I have a full time job, I want to start working out in the mornings. Problem is, I HATE eating breakfast (I know, most important meal of the day, blah blah, but seriously, I really don't like eating right after I wake up). I also know it's important to eat before you work out so you don't get lightheaded. SO--anyone have a good, light, easy, early morning pre-workout meal idea?? Smiling

cravinsugar

Thanks for the reminder Fit....my job just got kicked into high gear, and I am working until after 7 every night which does not allow me to work out after work (I normally hit gym at 6...If I go after 7 I can't sleep at night) and i had set the alarm for 5:30 this morning...but that didn't happen. I snoozed forever. I need to set my alarm across the room and just deal.

klandrach

I used to sleep in my workout clothes so I would have no excuse to skip my morning workouts. Sounds silly but you get used to it and out the door super quick. A good morning pre-workout snack is half an energy bar. Like a Luna Bar, Balance, whatever you like or a piece of small toast (the light ones are good) with a teaspoon of natural PB.

42 weeks 21 hours ago