AM vs. PM

on February 19, 2009

Morning! How are you? Don’t forget to enter the Road ID contest! Technically, it’s my Friday as I work four 10-hour days a week. Woo hoo!

Several of you have asked why I don’t run in the morning. I hate to be all "I Can’t!" but it’s true… I just can’t. When we lived in Pennsylvania, I would go to the gym in the morning on my way to work and shower there, but it’s simply not feasible anymore. Here’s why:

I wake up at 5:45 and start work at 7 AM. Waking up earlier is completely unrealistic.
I would have to go the bed earlier in order to squeeze in an AM workout. But the Husband doesn’t get home usually until 9 PM, so I like to stay up and spend time with him.
If I were to leave the house in the AM, the dogs would go crazy barking and wake up Husband.
It’s too dark in the AM to run outside safely and the gym is 15 minutes away.

So, I’m stuck with PM workouts for now. I do like getting in my workout early on my days off, though! Which do you prefer — AM or PM workouts?

I did have a reallllly good breakfast this AM!

I made two waffles using Hodgson’s Mills Insta Bake mix and slathered them in real maple syrup (mmmm!).

On the side…. a banana and strawberries!

I have so many *fun* things planned for this weekend!

Thursday: Date Night with Meghann!
Friday: Relax
Saturday: Run with the Orlando Women Runners Club for the first time. I’m so excited!
Sunday: 12.0-mile run with Meghann, and Wine Class with the Husband (my Valentine’s Day gift to him!).

{ 51 comments }

Lauren February 19, 2009, 5:14 am
Hey Caitlin!

Personally, I choose to do my hardcore workout in the evening (right after I get off work). I work until 4:30 and live less than a mile away from work, so I am usually in the gym before 5pm and can squeeze in a nice 45-60min run/workout. We use to go later in the evening (around 7:30-8:00pm) in the summer but I found that I like it better to go when I am alreday up and moving so that way I can just come home, make dinner and relax for the rest of night.
Maybe it has something to do with the weather too, but I think its hard to get myself motivated in the evening during the winter months.
Meghann February 19, 2009, 5:18 am
We really don’t take advantage that we both like to go see girly movies nearly enough. Maybe next Thursday we can have a Girls Night at the movies?

I LOVE working out in the AM, but I also have time to do so. 😛
Mica February 19, 2009, 5:32 am
Fun weekend ahead! That running group sounds awesome.

I usually run in the morning just to get it out of the way.
Erin February 19, 2009, 5:39 am
I like AM workouts but they don’t happen for me all the time. Mostly because, while I like them, I don’t like jumping out of bed and working out! I need a little time to wake up and feel ready for a workout or I’m just sluggish. I also prefer to have breakfast. I guess mid-morning would be ideal, but is impractical!
just me February 19, 2009, 5:39 am
i really like to work in the am because a, i like to get it done and over with; b, i feel like it’s more calming; c, so i don’t have very much food in my tummy to make it upset (which it usually gets).
VeggieGirl February 19, 2009, 5:59 am
I prefer both times for workouts – I do yoga in the AM and in the PM, and strength-training in the PM.
Justine February 19, 2009, 6:01 am
I’m definitely a morning workout person. If I don’t get it done in the morning, I find that I procrastinate all day and may end up not going. Whoops!

Sounds like a fun weekend ahead!
foodsthatfit February 19, 2009, 6:08 am
I prefer A.M. workouts, I find I am more productive through the day if I get it out of the way. Also, I find if I put if off I end up thinking about it all day, plus I like to do cardio on a mostly empty stomach.
bb February 19, 2009, 6:10 am
I wish I could do AM runs and reserve PM workouts for weights, etc., but I just can’t make myself get out of bed…I would love to get it all done before work.
RhodeyGirl/Sabrina February 19, 2009, 6:29 am
MORNING! in the summer when it gets light out earlier I like to run outside one or two days a week before work, but besides that I have to be an afternoon exerciser! Like you, I begin work at 7, and it is just not worth all the rushing around to try and squeeze it in (unless it is sunny and GLORIOUS out!)
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) February 19, 2009, 6:38 am
I’m a morning girl for sure!!! But if I had your schedule, I would be workin’ out at night too!!!

What a fun weekend =)
Colleen February 19, 2009, 6:42 am
I don’t blame you for working out in the evening…I like either time, but for the time being all my workouts take place at 5am (except on the weekends ~ 7am). I work full time and go to school 4 nights a week, so that’s the only time I can get it in. I do enjoy a lovely run at sunset though! I can’t wait for summer!!

Your waffles look divine!
Matt February 19, 2009, 6:50 am
AM workouts are the best! I hate working out at night.

Delicious looking waffles!
Liz February 19, 2009, 6:52 am
In theory I like to workout in the morning but I find it is too easy for me to blow it off and keep sleeping.

I’m curious, i know you work at home, so what is your morning routine that consists of 75min? (I feel like i would roll out of bed 20min before I started work! Can you tell I enjoy sleeping)
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 19, 2009, 6:55 am
haha liz! my husband says the same thing.

my alarm goes off at 5:30 and i snooze until 5:45 ish. i stumble into the kitchen and make coffee. i let the dogs out. i make, photograph, and blog breakfast (that’s a big time waster). i answer all the emails i got overnight (i get a lot of emails from readers, which i looove, but again, another time sucker). i feed the dogs. i clean the kitchen up (im a clean freak). then i take a shower and get dressed.

i can’t roll out of bed and immediatley begin working… it takes me like an hour to start thinkign clearly.
greendogwine February 19, 2009, 6:58 am
I love to get my workouts out of the way in the morning – but I have such an easier time running at night! It’s always a toss up! There are advantages to both! 🙂
talieworld February 19, 2009, 7:10 am
As much as I love getting a workout done early morning, I like to stick with a night time routine.I have so much more energy then to so it doesn’t take as much motivation.
Erica February 19, 2009, 7:12 am
ow! Enjoy your date night tonight. I have moved my work schedule earlier in the day (I’m at work at 7) so am workouts don’t really work for me any more! Have a good “Friday”
Amanda February 19, 2009, 7:18 am
I used to run in the mornings before work when I was training for my half-marathon, but towards the end (in November) it was so dark and cold here in PA that I think I ruined it for myself for a little. (Maybe I’ll get back to the am workouts in the Spring)

Now, I tend to go to the gym after work and then I come home and have a late dinner, which I really like. For some reason, I love brainstorming dinner ideas while I work out … it builds the anticipation and keeps my mind busy!! Haha I’m weird.
Anna February 19, 2009, 7:24 am
Yea as much as I would like to work out in the AM and get it out of the way, I just have 100x more energy in the evenings and have MUCH better workouts.
Betsy February 19, 2009, 7:42 am
I wish I could workout in the morning, but I always start feeling faint and see fuzzies if I exercise without eating, and if I do eat I get super nauseous. I did yoga yesterday morning though and it felt great! Running, not so much…
Tami February 19, 2009, 7:48 am
i wonder who gets up the earliest to workout? i am up at 434am and get to the gym in about 12 minutes after that.

it works best for my family if i get up and out and them i am home when my husband leaves for work at 630am
Andrea of Care to Eat February 19, 2009, 8:02 am
I have got to get a waffle maker! Frozen just doesn’t cut it.
If I don’t work out in the AM, I won’t work out at all. My gyms are so crowded in the evening it’s ridiculous.
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) February 19, 2009, 8:04 am
I have to work out at night too. I like it better. I need my rest in the morning!

Wine class sounds like fun!
carolinebee February 19, 2009, 8:05 am
I am an AM person for sure, but I can’t fathom how those ppl get up at 5 and do it!! I think 5 am is still “night” in my book 😀 I’m gonna put your contest on my next post….and how is your eye thing!?? Did u post anything about it, or maybe it went away? I hope so!
Leanne February 19, 2009, 8:12 am
I love working out at 4:00 after I’m done with class for the day because then I can come home, take a steamy shower, put on my PJ’s and make dinner. Once I’m home, I hate going back out!

I posted a link today that you may be interested in Caitlin, it talks about improving agility… Take a look if you’re interested!
aron February 19, 2009, 8:15 am
my post last night was about this!! i am so torn, i love both. i love getting my runs done early in the peaceful morning and i feel so accomplished throughout the day. however, i love my routes that are closer to work (when its light out) and i really love de-stressing after work, but some days its just hard to go after a hard day. i can never decide – i love it all 🙂
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 19, 2009, 8:16 am
Leanne- What’s your blog?
Rose February 19, 2009, 8:19 am
I am totally a PM exerciser – but not because I necessarily want to be. As much as I try, I am just not a morning person yet. Maybe in time…
skinnyrunner February 19, 2009, 8:20 am
am all the way! i dont have the willpower to work out later in the day. as the day goes on, will power goes down.
redheadedjournal February 19, 2009, 8:28 am
Mon-Fri I like evening workouts. Sat and Sunday I like AM.
Danielle February 19, 2009, 8:28 am
I would love to do morning workouts and technically I could, but like you my boyfriend doesn’t come home some nights until 9, and i want to be able to hang out with him, so waking up early to get to the gym just doesn’t seem feasible.
tfh February 19, 2009, 8:30 am
I am pretty impressed that you manage to shower and dress yourself every morning when you’re working from home. I would surely get in the bad habit of working in my PJs and not showering until right before my husband came home. (He also gets home late, and like you, I have so much fun hanging out with him at night I always feel like it’s a sacrifice to go to bed early.)
Brandi February 19, 2009, 8:35 am
I love working out in the morning, but that’s only possible in the middle of the summer here when it’s light enough.

Would running during your “lunch hour” work if you could eat lunch at your desk after while working?

I’m not sure, but it might be a possibility some days!
HangryPants February 19, 2009, 8:41 am
Instabake waffles looks yummy!

I prefer to work out in the morning because I feel like it sets a nice healthy tone to my day, but when I was student teaching and when I was a lawyer, I just could not do it in the morning, so I’ve gotten used to after work runs.
ttfn300 February 19, 2009, 9:01 am
i much prefer am workouts, as pm usually keeps me up way too late! (i guess that’s just b/c i can’t sleep in…)
Sara February 19, 2009, 9:17 am
Your waffles look so good! I’m a fan of working out in the PM. Growing up I played volleyball competitively and we always had practice after school or at night. It’s just what I’m used to.
Missy February 19, 2009, 9:25 am
I love when I wake up in time to get in a workout before sitting in the office for 8 hours. This rarely happens though so I usually go with the gym after work! There are fun classes so it is not so bad!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) February 19, 2009, 9:27 am
What a yummy breakfast!
Jennifer February 19, 2009, 9:56 am
I am a stay at home mom so I fit my workouts in around errunds, nap times, feedings, etc. Sometimes it is morning, afternoon, or evening…Just as long as I get it in I feel good.
Meg February 19, 2009, 10:10 am
I prefer PM. My just doesn’t do well in the morning with exercise, and I don’t feel like I get enough out of AM workouts.
Leanne February 19, 2009, 11:02 am
http://fuelandfitness.wordpress.com/

Sorry, I didn’t realize my URL wasn’t linked from my name if I used the Google/Blogger option!
Elizabeth (thelongweigh) February 19, 2009, 11:09 am
I am not a morning person at all. I will choose sleep before waking up to workout, so all my workouts are either in the late morning on days off, or afternoon/early evening on the days I work. I am seriously impressed with all the people I know that wake up and workout extra early before work!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) February 19, 2009, 11:13 am
That’s a double dose of Meghann! Can you handle it? 😉

I like doing my long runs around 10 in the morning or so…after coffee for sure. My other workouts, I really don’t care, just whenever I can fit it in!
eatingRD February 19, 2009, 11:35 am
I prefer to do my workouts in the afternoon-evening because I feel like I’ve gotten a good amount of calories in for the day and feel stronger than if I just grab a quick pre-exercise snack if I work out in the early morning. I like it best when I can go right after work because once I get home it’s harder for me to get out again (unless it’s hip hop!) Although I am getting addicted to my 6 am spin class on Friday. It feels so good to have an intense workout done to get the weekend started!

-kristen
megan February 19, 2009, 11:45 am
I think we have different ideas of “slathering” in maple syrup! 🙂
Becca February 19, 2009, 12:33 pm
I like to get my work-out in before my day officially starts. It wakes me up and keeps me from being a zombie those first few hours! I even get up early on days I’m due in the bakery at 4 to hop on the elliptical for a bit.

Days off aren’t as much of an issue and I fit them in where it is most convenient.
Ryan (chasing daylight) February 19, 2009, 12:53 pm
I would LOVE to be a morning workout person, but I’m stuck doing PM workouts like you. Maybe one day… 🙂

Check out my Jogger’s Pepper Spray giveaway!
http://chasedaylight.com/2009/02/19/outdoor-fitness-safety-and-giveaway/
tryingforatri February 19, 2009, 6:20 pm
I would love to be able to get out of bed and have the energy for a workout, but I find I feel really sick during and after a morning workout. My energy is much higher later in the day. It helps that I’m properly caffeinated by then! 😛
thecleanveggie February 19, 2009, 6:22 pm
i always love how amazing your waffles look 🙂
Angie Eats Peace February 19, 2009, 6:59 pm
I definitely prefer AM, but have to leave my house at 5:55 to make it to work on time.
There is no way I am waking up a 4 to run, so I do it in the PM.

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