What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?

Lately I have had a few people ask me how I am able to get up at 4:15 am every morning to complete my workout(s).  I realize getting up early is difficult for most people and I would agree…it can be very difficult if you don’t plan accordingly.  I would pose a similar question to those that are not early risers…How can you possibly stay up until 10 pm???  😉

Because I get up at 4:15 am, I am always in bed no later than 9 pm; however, staying up that late is a very rare instance.  I typically go to bed at about 8 pm, read for a few minutes and shut out the light.  Going to bed early enough to get a good night’s sleep is critical if you want to be an early riser.  I make sure that I get 7 hours of sleep minimum, but most nights it is much closer to a solid 8 hours.

What motivates me to get up in the morning and get my workout done before most people even consider getting out of bed?

1. I prefer to get out of bed in the morning and complete my workouts before my brain can kick in and tell my body to procrastinate.  I feel so much better throughout the day knowing my workout (or at least one of them) is done.
2. Exercising in the morning is a great way to boost my energy and mood going into the day ahead.  I am more focused and alert throughout the day and generally much happier. 🙂
3. I am motivated by my goal of having a much better race at IMWI 2014 than I had in 2011.   
4. I have other people coming to our house to ride bikes 3 mornings a week…I have to get up and moving when others are “counting” on me.
5. When my alarm clock lights up (instead of an annoying buzzing noise or a radio) I immediately put my feet to the floor.  Once my feet are on the floor, I start moving and don’t let my head fall back to the pillow.
6. I think about what I want most, instead of what I want now. 🙂
7. The Iron Hippie keeps the same schedule, so it is easier to get out of bed early when your spouse is too.
8. I have a Training Peaks account and I HATE to see my workout show up as red…not completed.
9. If I complete my scheduled workout, I earn a $1…that is motivation to complete all my workouts 😉
10. I commit to a morning workout the night before, set out my workout attire, get all of my hydration ready the night before, so there are no excuses in the morning.

Getting into the habit of waking up early is a bit challenging, but after the first week, my body settled in and decided this was the new normal.  To make waking up early a habit, you need to make a decision that this IS what you want to do, make adjustments to your schedule so you can get the necessary sleep and then force yourself to put your feet on the floor and get moving when the alarm clock goes off.  It will get easier…you just have to be stronger than the person telling you to hit the snooze button.  Waking up at 4:15 am has officially become a habit in our household.  Even on the weekends I find myself waking up on my own (without the alarm clock) at about 4 am.

When do you prefer to complete your workouts?

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Week #6 (Base Training) Totals:

Swim: 5100 yards

Bike: 67.3 miles

Run: 16.7 miles

Strength Training: 2 hours & 15 minutes

Hot Yoga: 2 hours & 30 minutes

Week #6 in the green 😉