Dedicating my inaugural post to a meaningful cause. If you, like me, are struggling to find time for yourself, this is a post worth reading.
As the title suggests, I used to have a hard time fitting exercise into my schedule all the time.
In the middle of 2023, I began getting up at 5 in the morning on days when I needed to make time for my goal (acing my health checkup). The first two or three weeks were the most challenging but I’ve noticed a marked improvement in not only my physical well-being but also my mental health and productivity, since implementing this new morning routine.
Other things that have improved for me:
- managed to stick to a 3-times-a-week exercise routine
- plan nutritious break-time bentos for my kids
- work on the other things I’m passionate about but never get around to completing
- creating this blog, which took one month to complete with my first post
- taking a sip of my warm milo
- taking pleasure in the peaceful morning shower
First day is always the hardest
It’s easy to imagine myself waking up at 5 am and quickly getting things done. But the truth is that I awoke in a chilly abyss, even my alarm clock refuses to acknowledge the ungodly hour. I felt the temptation to hit the snooze button, and there were moments when I found myself gazing at the clock for a good 5 minutes, contemplating whether I should postpone the start of the day to tomorrow.
Realizing surrender is not an option on day 1, I jumped out of bed and sprinted onto the workout mat. Feeling the sweat on my chin and counting calories, I found myself eagerly awaiting the glorious end of my 45-minute Pamela Reif workout – because, let’s face it, exercise is just a countdown to the sweet embrace of the cooldown! And with that, I feel energized and ready to take on the day because I have finished the most difficult task by 6 in the morning.
Having conquered the day like a boss, I yearned to continue this momentum into my fitness journey. Also the “me-time” puzzle was miraculously solved because, let’s be real, my husband and kids won’t be needing my attention at 5am. Victory is sweet when it comes with a side of uninterrupted exercise!
My secret to successfully waking up at 5am?
1. Know My Why!
Personally, the thought of the weighing scale celebrating a victory lap at the 50kg mark and the terror of outgrowing my size S clothes is enough to fuel my nightmares.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also noticed that my metabolism has slowed down with age. Is graceful aging something I want to embrace? I’d rather not! I really wouldn’t mind getting up at 4 in the morning if it meant defying the size chart and the passage of time.
So, having a strong “why” is the key for me – it’s all about finding the right workout that suits me and can be sustained in the long run. My all-time favorite is YouTuber Pamela Reif‘s dance workout; she also has a great selection of music to keep me pumped up during those sessions.
2. Planning Ahead (A Week Prior, The Night Before)
I took mini steps for ensuring a smooth journey from my bed to my workout mat and to a complete workout, all before the kiddos stage their morning takeover.
A week ahead, I’ll plan the YouTube workout videos in order, deciding which body part exercise to focus on on which day. What do I never get to do if I don’t wake up? Are there any days that I can move around in my workout schedule?
The night before, I’ll prepare my weights, fitness watch, water bottles, workout mat, shoes, and workout attire to avoid waking up the sleeping members while looking for things in the dark.
3. Go To Bed Early
Mastering the art of rising at 5am has transformed me into a passionate advocate for early bedtimes. Fully embracing the early bird lifestyle, I have made it a personal mission to eliminate screens from my life for at least 30 minutes before 10pm.
Bedtime has become my sacred ritual, and yes, I get it – 10pm sounds like a Cinderella curfew. No need to worry, night owls! Once you embrace the 5am club, the drowsiness will set in well before 10pm.
4. Avoid The Snooze
That is the game-over button. Hit it, and your commitment to conquering the morning may end up in the graveyard of good intentions. Fortunately, I resisted this urge 80% of the time.
That’s it. This marks the culmination of my morning endeavors. I am eager to eventually share my ongoing progress. May this help you transition to an early riser, enabling you to allocate time for prioritizing essential aspects of life.