Pros & Cons of an Early Morning Workout

For a month I have been getting up early [5:15am] for a workout. Spin classes are 3 times a week at 5:30am and on the other days I will just go to the gym and do my own thing. I used to be an evening gym rat and I would have trouble sleeping when I would get back home. Going to bed at 2am when you need to get up at 6:30am does not provide enough hours of beauty sleep. 

How did I switch my workout time around? 

Honestly, I committed to getting up for one Spin class and just kept doing it. A month later and I have become an early riser. My internal clock has been adjusted and it's now easy to wake up and be motivated to exercise. Even on Sunday mornings, my body just wakes up and I am motivated to get a run in before Church. But just like with anything else in life, there are some pros and cons to getting up for an early morning workout. 

PROS:

No scheduling conflicts: I can stay consistent because I never have an appointment or have to work at 5:30am.

Workout is done for the day: I can focus on the rest of my day without worrying about when I am going to fit in a workout. It's already done! 

The gym isn't packed: At least mine isn't. There are lots of Grammas & Grandpas at my gym in the morning.

A focused workout: I have about an hour to workout if I get to the gym at 5:30am. I make great use of my time and go hard for 60 minutes. No minute is wasted.

A more productive morning and day: When I get done with a workout the energy that I have spills over into my morning. I find myself working to get things done and doing things that I would normally put off until later.  

More energy throughout the day: This will come after consistency. You will be tired around 2pm for about a week. Push through it.

Use your workout time to focus on God & yourself: I am more peaceful in the morning and would rather listen to a podcast or a book while working out. Encouraging words keep me focused and stay with me throughout the whole day. 

Improved night sleep: Because I am getting up early, I am actually tired when it's time to go to bed. [Lately I have been at Grandma status and going to bed at 9:30pm.] 

More focus on what you are eating throughout the day: Since I got my workout in and am still burning calories, I make a conscious effort to put good clean food into my body. However, I am still breaking bad habits. [popcorn. enough said.]  

Metabolism gets a boost that can sometimes last the whole day: Starting the day with a good burn can last well throughout your day and continue to burn more calories. 

More agua consumption: During a morning workout I can drink down anywhere between 24-48 oz of water. That sets me up for success when it comes to drinking enough water during the day. 

You get to see the sunrise: It's God's, "Good Morning" greeting to you. 

CONS: 

Getting up: Just keeping it real, sometimes it's tough to get up out of your warm cozy bed when the sun hasn't even woken up yet.

Yes, only one downside to working out in the morning. It has really changed my daily routine and I am loving it. I now use my free evenings to spend with family and friends rather than secluding myself at the gym.