I have always thought that getting up early is a great concept, but I have never been one to do it naturally.
Until I get jet lagged of course.
Then it is super-early rising. I generally get up around 5 for a couple of days, and go back to my usual 7am wake-up. Some of it is that I like my 7-8 hours of sleep, but for a variety of reasons cannot get to bed early enough to get that much sleep and get up earlier.
Yesterday morning, the jet lag monster showed up around 3.45am. I tried to sleep until about 5, and then gave up. I reorganized and evaluated my clothes some (I always feel most inspired to do so early in the morning for some reason, go figure) and found a couple of things to donate. Sorting through clothes is a good early-morning activity in that it does not wake up my husband (we live in a tiny 500 sq foot apartment).
Once there was some natural light, I took the picture below.
Blue sky. Sunshine. It reminded me, yet again, that morning is such a wonderful time. The few times I do work out in the morning, the walk to and from yoga or the gym makes me happy, though, the exercise itself does not – I am one of those people who just does not get endorphins from exercise – and morning exercise makes me even crabbier.
I decided to try morning exercise again this morning, and went to a 7am yoga class. Tonight, I am so so so glad I did that. Yes, it required some more organization (like packing my lunchbox last night instead of my usual morning), and it required an earlier bedtime (not a bad thing considering the 3.45am wakeup time), and yes yoga in the morning is far, far harder for me than later in the day, but it was worth it. Despite the fact that doing downward facing dog at 7am reminds me of the first few times I did the pose, i.e. awkward and stiff (while I love doing yoga, I did not fall in love right away) as opposed to later in the day when it feels far more natural, it was very nice tonight to be able to come home tonight and not have yoga or the gym on my to-do list.
It also helps that working out no longer gives me horrendous headaches or acute nausea – I am not quite sure what solved it, but I suspect it is a combination of finding a diet that works for me and addressing vitamin and mineral malabsorption issues – I suspect that the gluten-free diet has had a lot to do this with to. Whether it is diet, or minerals, or vitamins I am so so grateful. While I cannot imagine myself working out every morning, I did love the feeling of walking around as the neighborhood is just waking up, and, of course, getting my working out out of the way.
Are you a morning exerciser? Does it come naturally to you?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Morning yoga is one biggest joys in my life. Though I do agree down dog is much more awkward in the morning than later in the day. But the pros outweigh the cons every morning. I'm so much happier when I practice in the morning.
Figured this is one I can weigh in on for a change . . .
I have to exercise in the AM as it won't happen once I've sat on the couch in the PM, even it's to tie my gym shoes. But I've learned to love it–I really do feel better all day. And since I'm a little bit of a gym rat anyway, this way I avoid a ton of people. You aren't the only person who doesn't like getting sweaty at 6:00 AM
Morning exercise is my fave! I know, it's super annoying of me to be so grossly peppy at 6 am, but let me put it this way: I am SO an old lady after 10 pm. Useless.
I found your blog while jet lagged! I'll be checking out more in the coming weeks.
I love morning yoga and morning walking! When all goes as planned, I walk the dog, do my yoga, and then meet a friend (walking a total of an hour). I feel so accomplished even before I go to work, and I love that my exercise is done. The added benefit is that my body makes me go to sleep earlier, too. 😉
Happy 1000, Valerie! That's a fabulous accomplishment!
Shirley
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