so i was thinking of changing my schedule and doint my workouts in the evening (mabe around 8) instead of 5a.m. just to switch it up. i was wondering if any of you have tried this with any success? if so, how do you handle your home obligations (hubby, children, dinner) and still manage to get your workout in?
early morning to evening workouts
- Thread starter kariev
- Start date
syzygy314
Cathlete
It's not easy! Working out in the evenings that is. I'm not a morning person, so I do all my w/os after work. I change at the office (or I talk myself out of working out), come straight home (usually have everything set up already), workout, then I start dinner, take care of my pets, get my stuff ready for the next day. I'm usually sitting down around 7 to eat. I get a couple of hours after dinner and clean up to relax, then it's off to bed!
I wish I could make myself do it in the morning, but even with not being able to get myself up, I am very stiff in the mornings and would need an extra 15 mins. or so to loosen up before I could even think of working out.
So, there are days when I feel completely overwhelmed and that I'm getting behind on my domestic stuff that I skip a workout to catch up!
Good luck!
I wish I could make myself do it in the morning, but even with not being able to get myself up, I am very stiff in the mornings and would need an extra 15 mins. or so to loosen up before I could even think of working out.
So, there are days when I feel completely overwhelmed and that I'm getting behind on my domestic stuff that I skip a workout to catch up!
Good luck!
spyrosmom
Cathlete
I've always worked out in the evening, that's when it fits my schedule during the week. On the weekends and my late days at work, I'm mid-morning, but otherwise I'm evening. I get home around 6, DH has dinner ready, and then I eat. I putter around on the computer for a few mins and am normally hitting the Cathe by about 6:45. DH does the dishes as well
Its the only time it really fits in my day, because I am NOT getting up before the sun to visit w/ Cathe, no matter how much I love her. DS does his homework after dinner, and either DH or I check it when I am done and help w/ any mistakes. I shower (obviously) afterwards, put on my jammies and am comfy cozy for the rest of the night. If DS is taking a lunch the next day, I normally fix that after my shower. Then its chill out, read the paper, watch tv, whatever time. It works for us. I'm normally completely wrapped up and in chillin' mode btwn 8 and 8:30, depending on the evening. It only works so well bc of DH's cooperation, though. He fixes dinner so its ready when I get home, and he washes the dishes. I put the food away and clear the table, but the washing takes all the time. He also takes Vlad, with or without DS, for his evening walk. Gotta love him!!
Nan
Its the only time it really fits in my day, because I am NOT getting up before the sun to visit w/ Cathe, no matter how much I love her. DS does his homework after dinner, and either DH or I check it when I am done and help w/ any mistakes. I shower (obviously) afterwards, put on my jammies and am comfy cozy for the rest of the night. If DS is taking a lunch the next day, I normally fix that after my shower. Then its chill out, read the paper, watch tv, whatever time. It works for us. I'm normally completely wrapped up and in chillin' mode btwn 8 and 8:30, depending on the evening. It only works so well bc of DH's cooperation, though. He fixes dinner so its ready when I get home, and he washes the dishes. I put the food away and clear the table, but the washing takes all the time. He also takes Vlad, with or without DS, for his evening walk. Gotta love him!!Nan
Stebby
Cathlete
I used to do all my workouts in the early morning, but lately, mostly because of insomnia, I'm just doing half in the morning. The other half of the time, I'm choosing to sleep an extra hour and a half so that I can get through the day. (It's funny - I can be wide awake for 2-4 hours between midnight and 5:00 a.m., but starting from 5:00 a.m., if I've been awake, I crash and sleep really deeply for a couple of hours.) On those days that I sleep in, I do my workout after work and after I pick up my 7-year-old daughter from school. I make her dinner, and while it's cooking I have a quick snack, select my workout, get changed, get hydrated & get ready to do my workout. As soon as I serve her dinner, I start my workout, usually between 6:00 and 6:30. She is allowed to interrupt me if she needs more food, needs help in the bathroom, etc., but for the most part, I can get through my workout with no problem. She is a slow eater and she loves to read a book while she eats her dinner, which is fine with me. I'm generally done by about 7:15, which is when DH gets home.
On days that I am able to work out in the morning, DD and I eat dinner together and we talk about our days. I think this is important, so whenever I've had enough sleep, I make sure I get up and get that workout out of the way in the morning - that way we have some togetherness in the evening.
I would not be able to start my workout as late as 8:00 p.m. - my motivation is pretty much gone by then and I'm ready to settle down for the evening. The trick for me is to start preparing for my workout as soon as we walk into the house, so that I can be working out within half an hour of getting home.
Stebby
On days that I am able to work out in the morning, DD and I eat dinner together and we talk about our days. I think this is important, so whenever I've had enough sleep, I make sure I get up and get that workout out of the way in the morning - that way we have some togetherness in the evening.
I would not be able to start my workout as late as 8:00 p.m. - my motivation is pretty much gone by then and I'm ready to settle down for the evening. The trick for me is to start preparing for my workout as soon as we walk into the house, so that I can be working out within half an hour of getting home.
Stebby
yeah, i may have to keep my 5a.m. workouts. I don't get off work till 6 and by the time i get home its 6:30. My hubby and I are starving by then so i'm ready to eat. I can't workout with full belly and I think i would lose all motivation if i tried to start at 8pm. Not to mention from the time i get home till bed (10pm) is quality time with the hubby which i don't want to miss out on. So i guess its 5am for me Its nice seeing others routines though.
Its nice seeing others routines though.
babindy
Cathlete
I work 10hr shifts so it takes some persistance and creativity for me. I only have one teenage son at home so he's in charge of his own meals. Mostly I do get him food that's easy to prepare or reheat. And remind him when I get home. He usually has a lot of homework so that keeps him occupied as well.
That said - I use my 1/2 hr lunch at work for a quick walk (with some racewalk intervals). My days off (I have 3 of them) are saved for my more intense workouts. And my one rest day is a day I work. On the rest I workout after I get home and before a light dinner (veggies). Cardio mostly. There might be one strength day but most are on my days off.
I also used to workout in the mornings. But I changed a few years ago and like this better. I'm just not naturally a morning person
Edited to add - When my son was younger I did do my workouts in the early morning. Now that he's older he can fend for himself lol
I do get him food that's easy to prepare or reheat. And remind him when I get home. He usually has a lot of homework so that keeps him occupied as well.That said - I use my 1/2 hr lunch at work for a quick walk (with some racewalk intervals). My days off (I have 3 of them) are saved for my more intense workouts. And my one rest day is a day I work. On the rest I workout after I get home and before a light dinner (veggies). Cardio mostly. There might be one strength day but most are on my days off.
I also used to workout in the mornings. But I changed a few years ago and like this better. I'm just not naturally a morning person
Edited to add - When my son was younger I did do my workouts in the early morning. Now that he's older he can fend for himself lol
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mabdoo
Cathlete
I tried doing my workouts in the evening after I put my kids to bed. I would start at 8 and be wiped out by 8:15. I had to switch back to the morning. I am a morning person so it wasn't too difficult. Plus I get it done for the day and don't have to worry about it anymore. I start my workouts between 430 and 5. I have to be in the shower by 530 so I can get my kids ready and be out the door at 7. Once I got used to waking up so early I don't even need my alarm clock anymore.
You just have to do what works for you. Everyone is different. I know that I enjoy working out but if stuff keeps me from doing it I end up feeling guilty if I don't get it in. Good luck.
You just have to do what works for you. Everyone is different. I know that I enjoy working out but if stuff keeps me from doing it I end up feeling guilty if I don't get it in. Good luck.