Inspired

I used to exercise in the mornings before work. I remember when I was 25 I went to the gym and did some crazy toning with weights class twice per week at 6 AM, a kick boxing class on Fridays, and step on the other days, then I caught the 8 AM train to work. Then I left that job, moved from that town, and I’d still get up at 5:30-6 and jog or walk, depending on the time of year, before I had to be in to work.

Then I started a job that expected me to show up at 8. To get there on time I need to leave my house at 7:30, by latest 7:40. I found excuse after excuse for not getting up to exercise at in the mornings. Really, it’s no different than what I did when I was 25. I got up at 5:30-5:40, threw on my gym clothes, drove to the gym and went to the 6:00 class. I still had somewhere I had to be at 8:00. How is my schedule any different now than it was then?

Really it’s not.

It’s just that I’ve gotten lazy. I’ve gotten too comfortable in my warm bed. I’ve gotten into the habit of going to bed too late. I thought to myself that maybe I am just not a morning exerciser anymore. I started to exercise when I got home from work. I typically get home at 5:30, if I do not run errands on the way home. And then the excuses pipe up again. “But I went to the store, and now it’s 6:30, I don’t want to exercise then…” or “But it’s Friday night. Do I really want to get sweaty on a Friday night? And what if Todd calls me and wants to meet me out for dinner?” or “Sure, let’s grab a beer after work…” and that turns into, “There’s no way in hell I am exercising now,” when I get home.

My used-to-be daily exercise regimen turned into once or twice per week. Then I talked to my sister last week. My sister has 4 kids, and she is a hot tamale.



What's her secret?

There is no secret. She gets her butt out of bed every morning and goes for a jog before the kids have to get to school and she has to get to work.

If she can do it, so can I. I am now back on morning exercise. And I feel terrific.