On The Go and Morning Workouts
| September 23, 2011 | Posted by Sweet Tooth Runner under Reader Request, Topic Posts |
Happy FRIDAY friends (or happy weekend, if you’re reading this then!!)
First up, since I know you’re all DYING to know, the answer to my Three Lies and a Truth yesterday! And I don’t think ANYONE got the right answer!!
The answer was number THREE!! I still have and wear this Disney nightgown sported by my seven-year-old self:
Ok, so it’s no longer a ‘nightdress’ but more of a shirt really, but it still fits and I still wear it sometimes! I’ll take a photo for you at some point to prove it 
But to be fair, they were all based on truth (except the cake one cos I’ve always loved cake! 
), because when I was little I DID used to talk in my sleep, and to be fair I have gone a week without washing my hair recently…dry shampoo is a total lifesaver by the way!! ESPECIALLY when you’re strapped for time, like I’ve been recently!
I’ve been having most of my meals on the go, or just a quick fix:
Snack: microwave protein oats with (homemade!) cinnamon raisin PB. Eaten in 2 mins, and then out the door again!
Lunches on the go, courtesy of Subway:
Veggie delite (no cheese, with EVERYTHING and honey mustard sauce) in a wrap. I didn’t know they did wraps, so I tried it out and liked it a lot!
TONS of bars!
I LOVE the Clif bar flavours from the US! They are SO much better than the ones we get here!! This was one of my faves, along with Blueberry Crisp
But of course, there’s always time for dessert 
Mama Pea’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls! These are amazing. MAKE THEM NOW!!
Today, I started my Friday in the PERFECT way- with an early morning spin class! 
Early morning=still asleep!
This spin instructor is SO TOUGH!! His classes are the hardest by a long way! He is ex-military and an ultra-marathoner, so he pushes us the whole time! We also did core and upper body work in some of the tracks which was fun! I had such a SPINNING HIGH afterwards!
A LOT of you have asked me, since I started early morning workouts again after a summer off, how I manage it! So here are my tips on…
How To: Early Morning Workouts
1. Work out your timings, and stick to it. There’s no point heading to the gym early, only to end up being late for work/classes/etc, or missing breakfast or something! Make sure you know your timing EXACTLY! For example, I know I have to leave the gym by 8am at the very latest, so I make sure I know what time I need to hit the showers and stuff!
2. Commit if you can! If I know I’m going to have trouble getting up, I book my class ahead (I get fined then if I don’t show!), or if I’m going to the gym, I might arrange to meet someone there so I know I have to go. Having some form of commitment means that I CAN’T skip the workout even if I try to talk myself out of it in the morning!
3. Do whatever it takes to get yourself up. I know some people have no problem getting up at the crack of dawn, but I’m not one of them! My trick is that I sleep in my workout clothes, which means that I wake up and feel like I have no excuse for not going! I know people who set their alarm and put it across the other side of the room so they HAVE to get up anyway to turn it off! Whatever works for you!
4. Get enough sleep. Ok, guilty as charged here of getting too little sleep at the moment, and trust me it does make it SO MUCH HARDER to get up for early workouts! Make it easier on yourself by getting enough shuteye, and I promise I’ll try harder to do the same!
5. Get organised! You don’t want to be stumbling around at 5.30am looking for your gym shorts, so pack your bag the night before and get everything ready. I also pack breakfast, which is usually overnight oats. My fave is Katie’s recipe (photo below belongs to CCK!)
I actually love this oatmeal unsweetened and just with nut butter, which is weird for me, since y’all know I have a crazy sweet tooth!!
6. Know how much better you will feel afterwards! I LOVE morning workouts, because they genuinely make my whole day better! Getting that endorphin hit first thing is awesome! And knowing that I don’t have to squeeze in a workout somewhere later in the day is pretty great too! I tell myself when I wake up that I am “just one workout away from an awesome day”, and it works
7. ENJOY!! If you just plain don’t enjoy morning workouts (they aren’t for everyone), then don’t force it! Work out at whatever time suits YOU! Also try to do workouts that you enjoy. Dragging yourself out of bed to do something you don’t like isn’t easy, but if you are looking forward to it, it’ll be that much better!
I tope these tips help! They get my butt out of bed to sweat it out, so I hope it will help you too!
And finally, for your amusement…
…guess who persuaded her friends to get matching monkey onesies? And guess who went shopping today in them? Yup, we went there
What is your fave on-the-go snack? I have to go with bars here! Expensive, but they are SO yummy and so quick to grab and go!
Are you a morning, afternoon or evening workout person? Honestly, I don’t mind any of these! My running team train in the evenings, so I’ve gotten used to that too, but mornings are my favourite!
What gets you out of bed in the morning? The one thing that gets me out of bed promptly every single morning is because I need to pee so bad. I drink WAY too much water!
Have an AMAZING weekend friends!! <3
P.S. My second Running Chat post is coming at ya tomorrow! I am leaving the topic up to YOU, so you can vote on my Facebook poll as to which topic: Running and Weight, Common Running Myths, or How to Start Running. Click here to vote!
LOL oh my word I cant believe you actually wrote that part about needing to pee. You are too funny!
And the old photo is so super-cute.
I’m a morning runner… probably because it’s just way too hot to run any other time of the day over here!
You are so hilarious! But these tips are super helpful
I would totally workout first thing in the morning, but college definitely does not let me get enough sleep for that. So I usually sneak in my workouts when I have a 2-3 hour break between classes.
Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! recently posted..Love and Light
Happy weekend Beauty<3
Thats actually a great idea!!
And thank you for sharing these great tips about morning workouts! Haha, I really like that you go to sleep with your workout clothes on
I love morning workouts SO much more than evening workouts! I have so much more energy early on, and I can fill my evening with other stuff! Lately Ive had a hard time working out in the moring though. I have too much on my mind, so I dont really sleep too good!
Fave-snack: a wrapped up raw brownie, or trail mix of nuts, dried figs nad chocolate! Simple, and gooood!!
You were such a pretty child Emma!! Seems like somethings never changes <3
Hugs
Ragnhild recently posted..23.09: Happy Weekend
I love early morning workouts. I do some workouts not in the morning but I prefer the early ones!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey recently posted..fun facts friday
The clif bars in the uk are different??? Weird! I’m in love with Luna bars and Lara bars.
I work out in the AM. Having to pee gets me out of bed.
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee recently posted..Let’s Go on a Journey…
Organizing things at night really gets me out of bed. If my things aren’t organized I am 99% not likely to wake up. Unless it’s for swim practice when I’m going to get my butt handed to me for not showing up.
Hollie @lolzthatswim(andrun) recently posted..Thoughts on Swimming
I cant believe that is the truth lol! I dont fit into anything from last year let alone from when I was little LOL! I love those tips for working out in the morning! I usually dont but I’d love to try before school…it would save me so much time!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! recently posted..The Wonders of the Weekend
I love your tips – they’re exactly how I plan my early morning workouts, with either a really quick run on the treadmill or yoga
and the onesies! are awesome!
OMG, three monkeys?! Way too cool, you rock girl
Thanks for clearing it up with those truths and lies, I was really curious about that
ANd your meals still look tasty, even when they are “on-the-go”.
I love morning workouts, I somehow always feel much more motivated than later the day.
Lenna recently posted..Shhh! I´ve got a secret!
Hahah I hope you guys took one of those ‘hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil’ pics! The bathroom definitely gets me outta bed every morning without fail (both 1 &2 haah sorry for tmi)! I am a morning exercise person..it really is the best start to my day and luckily my body has settled into the routine of waking up in time and with enough energy to get ‘errr done!
Khushboo recently posted..Pestocado
i don’t really on-the-go snacks as i normally have enough time for a quick sit down luckily. don’t really mind when i work out these days, more depends on when the classes are on & if i can make them, so generally morning or evening rather than the afternoon. I’m a group Ex girl all the way, although i need to do a heck of a lot more running given i’m due to do the Brighton marathon in april 2012 (2011 was my 1st one!) starting with a 4 mile fun run starting from my gym tomorrow. But it’s the girls from my group ex classes who have put a team together so group exercise classes have provided my motivation again in a way! And i get out of bed becasue i can’t stand laying away – normally between half six & 7.
Which dry shampoo do you use? i tried one but it just didn’t seem to work for me, my hair just looked greasy still, wasn’t sure if it was because it was too long.
And if you like upper body & core during your spinning classes see if you can try an X-biking class (using the trixter bikes) personally its my least favourite class. I’m a les mills girl (pump, step, attack, combat & a bit of balance) plus LBT & zumba aqua.
have a good weekend!
Haha! I guessed it wrong!
My favorite go to snacks are snack bars, yogurt with fruit and anything thats quick and easy to make!
It depends, I can workout early in the morning or in the afternoon. I prefer working out in the morning. Im not a fan of working out at night…Im always to tired!
Thinking about breakfast gets me outta bed in the morning!!
Shannon recently posted..Lately
Great tips! I love early morning workouts but being organised is definitely the key. I really need to try Clif bars, can’t believe I’ve never had one despite reading on a lot of blogs how amazing they are. x
LilyLipstick recently posted..What A Way To Make A Living
See, if I hadn’t known that three were lies, I would have guessed that all of them were truths!
I HAVE to run first thing, prefarbaly at 5am, otherwise I am very, very cranky. Unless it’s a race, I find it very difficult to run at any other time of the day because a) the longer the day drags on without running the more depressed I get and b)my tummy troubles mean that running+food=pain. Any other form of exercise I can do at any time of the day – I love evening Body Pump classes
xxx
~Jessica~ recently posted..Race Recap: Bupa Great North Run 2011
I’m not surprised you still own that nightgown – I definitely want to see a pic!
I love morning workouts, but I can’t fit them in usually since I have school and practice is afterwards. Though today we don’t have a race so we’re practicing early which is nice! We’re actually going to the course to run the awful hills to prepare us for next weeks race.
Tara recently posted..Race Recap: Shootout 2011
Haha,you’re so cool! I love you in a monkey-onesies,it looks awesome!
Morning workouts definitely are my FAVORITE!!!! For me,they’re the perfect way to start the day & I hate it when I can’t work out in the morning…! On top of that,they’re waking me up better than anything else
Kat @ a dash of fairydust recently posted..Falling Down. Standing up.
Shopping outfit = fantastic idea!
I’m definitely a morning workout person, but sometimes with conflicting schedules I have to do afternoons or evenings.
The only reason I wake up so early is because I have a weak bladder!
Isabelle recently posted..Apple & Cinnamon Muffins
I have always fancied morning workouts. I’m just not organised enough! Just getting to work is difficult enough for me! i think the idea of having breakfast ready would totally help me though! x
alisonds recently posted..What’s In My Gym Bag?
hey!!
I love morning workouts and can’t wait until im back into them!!
LOVE YOUR BLOG BY THE WAY. NUFF SAID
Mariel recently posted..FRIDAY’S FORECAST–
Happy Weekend!!
These are fantastic tips for morning workouts! I can’t agree more on the getting enough sleep part – lack of sleep not only = tough to wake up, but it makes for a pretty crappy workout too – no one enjoys that!
Morning is my favorite time of day to work out – I can’t stand afternoon workouts, idk my body just hates them….and I hate running any other time of day, but I love evening bike rides and pre-dinner lifting sessions! I’d actually rather do my lifting in the evening.
I totally agree with you about the bars! clif bars rock, and Luna bars are my all time favorite
Kate @ Chasing It recently posted..Let’s Talk Performance Nutrition: Part 2
You are sooo cute! I am really jealous of your monkey onesie. I really want one. I would so walk around in it too. I love your fantastic workout tips. I def try to go to bed early, so I can wake up before class to go to the gym! If I don’t workout in the morning it’s hard for me to do it later.
Lindsay recently posted..Five Things this Friday
Since I’ve been waking up a little before 5 for about a month now, I’m used to it. I actually have trouble sleeping in on the weekends
Breakfast gets me out of bed very quickly though. I wish I had time to workout in the morning, but I’m honestly not able to wake up at 3 to get everything ready. So it’s afternoon workout sessions for me. My fave on-the-go snack are bars too! The Clif white chocolate one is so good! I tried the cool mint one the other day and it’s pretty nice as well. Especially because it has some caffeine in it 
This time I didn’t fall asleep in class haha.
Paulina (One Smile Ahead) recently posted..Not My Birthday
Haha – I love those matching shopping outfits!
I like Clif bars, but I would love to try the ones that they sell in the US.
I’m a morning person, so I don’t find it too difficult to get out of bed, but if I don’t have enough sleep it’s so much more difficult, so getting a good night’s sleep would be my number one tip.
Sarah (everydaysapicnic) recently posted..The Gloves Are On
I’m definitely a morning workout person, I find that I get that much more done that way. I love bars for on go the snacks too…yum!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..Friday Feature: Three words
I just started a giveaway for white choc and maca nut bars on my site…I love those flavors and that Clif bar too!
And your dough balls turned out great…yum!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga recently posted..Weekend Plans & Brown
hahahahah oh my gosh. Those monkey onesies are HILARIOUS!!!
And these are great tips! I’m really really trying to make myself into an (occasional) morning workout-er!
Liz @ iheartvegetables recently posted..Let Us Break [Garlic] Bread Together
I love my morning workouts. What gets me out of the bed most mornings is knowing how much better I will feel post-workout. I never regret going, but almost always regret not going.
Thanks for the post and for visiting my Blog!
Sara @my less serious life recently posted..Barcelona eats: bebidas, cena y postre
I’ve been considering moving to morning work outs for awhile, ust because at the moment it takes up pretty much my whole evening! I am sooo not a morning person though! And with mornings getting darker getting up early gets harder and harder! I shall think about it! How do you get to the gym in the morning? Walking? I don’t know how I’d feel about being outside that early! If I do end up attempting to get up early, I will totally be sleeping in my workout clothes! I used to sleep in my school uniform if I had to get up earlier for school!
Ffion @ Chocolate and Raspberries recently posted..WIAW
Yup my gym is quite close so I walk there
When it gets darker, it is DEFINITELY harder, but trust me you do get more used to it and it gets less painful! 
I saw Paula Radcliffe running the Berlin marathon today!! so exciting. Just thought I’d share.
I am so so jealous. SO jealous. SO SO SO jealous!! You are so lucky!!! I’m planning on watching the Olympic Marathon here next year, so hopefully I’ll be able to see her running it then