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I have asthsma so I'm thinking going for a jog around the neighborhood would be better if I did it earlier on. I'm usually exhausted when I get home from school/work. It's so easy to just lay around once I get home and I want to start a regular workout schedule. Any tips?

3/12/2006 5:45:24 PM

Don't actually go home from wherever you are. If you get used to going to the gym or going for a run, then you don't have a chance to sit down and lose motivation.

If it is a matter of just energy and you feel drained then you need to work on your sleep and diet first.

3/12/2006 5:56:30 PM

I recommend it...but it's hard to do. I use to be able to do it when I didn't have class until 10 or 11 am.

But if I have work or class at 9 am or earlier, I just can't do it. I value relaxing in the morning with coffee, Sportscenter, and getting ready for class.

3/12/2006 6:08:31 PM

Quote :

"If it is a matter of just energy and you feel drained then you need to work on your sleep and diet first."

Well, I think getting up early will also force me to go to bed earlier as well. I have a normal diet. I eat healthy so I'm just looking to get back into shape with 30 minutes a day.

Thanks for the help Any other suggestions? Should I drink water before I run or after?

3/12/2006 6:44:11 PM

have a piece of fruit and some water, then go for your jog and have a real breakfast when you get back...the hardest part will be waking up and if you have that covered then there should be no problems

3/12/2006 6:54:46 PM

Cardio is the morning is really good for you and will leave you feeling great the rest of the day-- The nice weather and earlier sunrises should be a big motivator too!

3/12/2006 7:02:37 PM

the biggest thing for me, is making sure that when i wake i immediately stand up. if i lay in bed, or just sit up im more likely to lay down for just a second, and that is enough to fall back asleep.

the first 2-5 minutes are the hardest for me. get up and get moving and hopefully youll be fine after that.

3/12/2006 7:14:01 PM

Just because you say you have a healthy diet doesn't mean you actually do. There are hidden calories everywhere so you may want to double check and write down your food intake for a week.

3/12/2006 8:14:58 PM

- Have your running/workout/whatever clothes right next your bed and easy to put on.
- Have a bottle of water already in the fridge ready to grab.
- Get moving within 5 minutes of alarm going off.

Mornings work best for me for the gym. Lunches and evenings are too unpredictable with my job, as I can't guarantee on any given day I'll have either/both available to me. I'm not going to the gym if I get off work at 7 or 8pm ... I'm going to get something to eat.

3/12/2006 8:42:53 PM

I also think it will help me because I won't have any excuse to not do my homework the night before because then not only am I slacking off on work but also on exercising. My little jog this afternoon was really nice and being outside makes me feel good. Thanks for the tips

3/12/2006 9:39:46 PM

i need to give running in the morning a try, i've been doing a 5k run about 4-5 times a week and love it, nice route too

3/12/2006 10:45:55 PM

Smoothies for breakfast.

3/13/2006 10:07:32 AM

I had been told once that it was bad to exercise right when you wake up...something about your heart rate being really slow and making it elevate so quickly. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I don't work out in the mornings anyway, I'm just curious about this...

3/13/2006 12:22:05 PM

no

3/13/2006 12:25:22 PM

I'm planning to start tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.

3/13/2006 3:44:21 PM

Good luck!! I've been thinking about doing the same... but the snooze button is instant gratification

3/13/2006 5:31:55 PM

It's a good start to the day. Plus as we move into summer, you'll actually find it more preferable, as you won't want to start exercising in the afternoon when it's hotter. I find that when I run and eat/have my coffee afterwards, I feel much more prepared for the day.

3/13/2006 5:43:01 PM

When working out in the morning you may notice that you're hungrier during the day. Just make sure to eat the right foods instead of whatever snack is laying around.

3/13/2006 8:58:44 PM

^ yo homey why don't you talk to me on AIM anymore?

3/13/2006 9:02:59 PM

^^Good advice. I'm going to the grocery store tomorrow. Anyone have some meal suggestions?

3/13/2006 10:05:51 PM

good thread pawprint! i've been meaning to ask this myself too. i have VERY low motivation and usually low energy.

question for the thread: does regular exercise beget more energy or is the energy mostly from a healthy diet? i've been trying to eat healthier (stuff like Heathly Choice frozen meals instead of a hotdog or a Wendy's Carolina Classic....mmmmmmm.....ok i digress) but i still have low energy.

3/14/2006 2:21:40 AM

^Horray It's likely due to those frozen meals. They are loaded with salt and salt dehydrates you and being dehydrated makes you less energetic! I still have meals like that for rushed days and when I go into my internship on M and W but I would like to find a quick, easy, healthy alternative(that doesn't cost an arm and leg) for those days.

^^Granted, it's like 11 am, I'm about to head out for a jog. I got to sleep in today.

3/14/2006 11:07:29 AM

Regular exercise does promote higher energy levels throughout the day.

3/14/2006 11:22:58 AM

I drink before I exercise in the morning, but I don't eat. Eating makes me feel like I'm going to die when I run.

You could do exercise that lets you do leisure stuff at the same time. I like riding bike machines because I can read at the same time. That way you don't feel like you're missing so much of your relaxing time.

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 1:05 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 1:03:46 PM

My wife and i get up early every morning to workout. She uses the elliptical machine at our house and i go to work (Duke) to workout. We get up b/t 4:30 and 5 everyday to do this. She usually goes to sleep at 8 and i go around 10. This was a problem doing for about a week or so that is until we moved the alarm clock so she had to get out of bed. Then the dogs got up so staying up wasn't a big deal. Now we have been doing this for almost 2 years and don't find it bad anymore. I used to try and workout at home after work but i was tired, lazy, hungry so i didn't get to much workingout done. During the summer i will go run at golf course here...i recommend workingout in the morning better than afternoon/evening.

3/14/2006 1:09:52 PM

hey pawprint, for a quick and easy meal just get some oatmeal, and a bananna. Thats usually what I eat for breakfast and it takes 30sec to put together, and 2min in the microwave.

I get the Quaker Quick Oats, put 1/2 cup of oats in the bowl, 1 cup of water, microwave for 2min. Add a little brown sugar to the mix, usually 1-tbsp of the Splenda brown sugar. Its not bad, and will keep you full for a while.

3/14/2006 1:32:50 PM

Morning workouts are the best. I'd go lift in the mornings at Carmichael when it's practically empty, then would be wide awake for boring ass 8AM classes.

Probably easier said than done and probably already been said before; as soon as the alarm clock goes off get out of bed and get dressed. I'm was usually out the door in less than five minutes after my alarm goes off.

3/14/2006 1:47:08 PM

The leisure exercise sounds great for my afternoons too...maybe on M or T or Saturday when I can't go in the mornings...And oatmeal is a good idea too....is instant okay or is it worse for you?

I forgot my inhaler before my run today and it was so hard to make it back home. I'm still wheezing. Silly asthsma.

3/14/2006 2:13:44 PM

the instant is OK I guess, its just cheaper to buy the oats and splenda brown sugar and put it together

3/14/2006 2:29:04 PM

Working out with me is fun, like yesterday afternoon. Yay for friend time

3/14/2006 4:10:22 PM

I've wanted to go workout at the gym in the morning, but the buses don't run then and the freaking parking nazis won't let us park.

It's beyond me why anyone would buy a membership to Carmichael when it's impossible to park anywhere without a permit.

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 5:44 PM. Reason : meh]

3/14/2006 5:42:43 PM

Quote :

"Working out with me is fun, like yesterday afternoon. Yay for friend time "

Smootches! The run was mighty boring without you today.

3/14/2006 7:22:14 PM

If you ever have a hard time getting up and feel like you don't want to run that day, just tell yourself (and mean it) that you'll only walk this time. Often, by the time you get outside you'll feel like running. And if you don't, that's okay, at least you're sticking to your routine, which will help you in the long run.

I've recently gotten into making smoothies, and it's a lot easier and cheaper than i ever thought. I use a banana (they're so cheap and full of fiber) milk, yougurt, proteing powder (vanilla) and ice for a base. You can use flavored yogurt, or add berries when they're available. It's such an easy way to have a good breakfast with fiber and protein. Definatly give it a shot. And oatmeal also works great. I love the "supreme" packages from quacker, they're more filling than regular.

3/15/2006 12:07:12 AM

i hate exercising/competing in the morning

my equilibrium and my body aches take a few hours to adjust for the day, especially my back

so i try to avoid it

3/15/2006 12:08:14 AM

Well, I went to the grocery store today and I got some oatmeal and some Crystal Light packets. It's strange, my legs already feel tight just from 3 days. Tomorrow morning I shall try again. Posting each day helps me because I feel like TWW is counting on me.

3/15/2006 1:54:29 AM

crystal light has artificial sweeteners. Stick to water.

3/15/2006 2:17:35 AM

I should have exercised this morning; I'm giving blood in a few hours and they'll tell me no exercise for 24 hours...

3/15/2006 8:33:14 AM

just go eazy and you should be fine.

3/15/2006 8:35:50 AM

I don't know if this has already been posted, but remember to stretch AFTER every workout. Hold each position of a minimum of 30 seconds. a 2 second stretch does not count. That should help with the soreness a bit.

(also do not stretch before you work out, stretching cold muscles can damage them. rather start slow, if you're gonna run, walk for a few minutes first.)

If you really need to flavor your water you can Tru Lemon, (located most baking sections) it's this new stuff with no sweetner. It's just like putting a slice of lemon in your water. Just keep in mind the citric acid might hurt your teeth if they are sensetive.

3/15/2006 1:09:51 PM

^now that's good advice on both counts

3/15/2006 1:11:36 PM

^^Ahhh, thanks. Good idea.

I'm on my way out for my jog....up the street to get my car from the goat....?

3/17/2006 9:01:43 AM

hah id run miles every morning if i could do it at 9am and not 6am

3/17/2006 9:03:14 AM

if you had sex in the morning that would count as exercise

3/17/2006 12:40:49 PM

5 minutes of "cardio" isn't going to do much

3/17/2006 1:04:05 PM

i've never been able to exercise in the morning, i just can't handle it. i love going late at night though to clear my head after a busy day

3/19/2006 1:03:36 AM

morning exercise is one of the hardest things for me to do. I get myself all motivated before I go to bed, set the alarm, and then when it goes off I set it for an hour or two later.
However, going after school or work... that I can handle. But you have to do it right when you get done with whatever. don't sit down.
fortunatly with my new job i don't really need to exercise, just tone.

3/19/2006 1:37:38 AM

I have found that 10 miles of bicycling, 2-4 mile run, and 100 pushups/100 situps per day makes my body pretty happy.

3/19/2006 1:13:42 PM

You could just do good mornings in the afternoon

3/19/2006 1:17:43 PM

i have found out from experience in the past that i have to be awake ~1hr before i am capable of exercising. i wish i could do it everyday b/c of the energy boost i get from it, but waking up any earlier than i already do just isn't going to happen.

3/19/2006 1:18:44 PM