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No Time for Morning Exercise?

 

empty nest


No time for morning exercise right? Or at least that used to be the case. As the kids have gone, so have my excuses. No lunches to pack, no one to drive to school, no “making sure that everyone gets out the door on time”….but there is still the reliable excuse of needing more sleep! No matter where you are in life, that doesn’t seem to change. I’ve learned that there are definite advantages to staying on the same morning schedule that used to be my norm when the kids were home, and using that time for morning physical activity. The reality, however, is that it can be easy to talk myself out of it. I need someone waiting for me, or relying on me to get up, just as the kids once did.

 

I’ve had the most success recently inviting my husband to walk with me first thing in the morning. (He’s not always a “yes”, so that can be risky.) It is so easy for us to set the alarm to get up together, and walk out the door for an easy couple of miles. As the weather gets colder, I realize it may take even more convincing to get out and brave the cold morning air for an early morning walk. Don’t you agree though, that if you can just get past the front door, it’s a great feeling to accomplish at least a short work-out before beginning the day? And let’s face it – the “after work” hours are just as cold and dark – so that’s not always an easy alternative!
With a new routine in place, my primary morning excuses have moved out, and I’m realizing my morning time is the perfect exercise time.

So what’s your excuse for avoiding the morning exercise routine, and what gets you out the door?

 

 

 

by AJDiet on 01/12/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, motivation, exercise, planning, mood, strategies, kids, mommy blog

About the Author

Anne Jones

Anne came to HMR as a health educator in 1990. Since that time Anne has worked with the development team for the HMR at Home Program and provides support to HMR programs as an account manager and trainer. Anne is an avid walker and also loves to explore low calorie cooking.

Comments (5) Post a comment
Anne, I think your morning starts earlier than mine, but I do know you have a dog...I walk my dogs first thing, and then I often use either Leslie Sansone or The Biggest Loser walking DVD's. You can do a mile in 15 min with Leslie, or TBL claims you're doing a mile in 10 minutes: both very doable.
by NancyRNfit on 01/24/2012
My excuse is I'm too tired or it's too cold! What gets me to do it is coffee and a new playlist!
by sailGirl on 01/16/2012
Ooooh, that elusive sleep. That is my #1 excuse to skip morning exercise...I am TOO TIRED! I have found, however, that the hardest part of morning exercise is actually taking that first step to get out of bed! I have the ongoing internal debate with empty promises "I will just do it later. I will do it before I go to bed." NOT. So I set two alarms, turn off the internal dialogue, and ALWAYS find that once I make that first step to get out of bed I am fine. And I am more refreshed and energized than an extra 30 minute snooze would have affored me! So worth it :)
by NatalieIdzik on 01/13/2012
What a great idea! A nice hot cup of coffee is the perfect reward.
by AJDiet on 01/12/2012
Anne, I completely agree! It can be soooo tempting to stay under the covers in the morning. But I get out the door by rewarding myself with a great cup of coffee when the exercise is done!
by HealthyinKy on 01/12/2012