It's pretty dark at 5am

So for the first-ever time, I decided to give the before-work workout a shot. I actually like the idea of working out BEFORE work so that the whole day I can be happy I don't have to go to the gym after the long day of work. However, the "idea" and the "reality" are two different things. It's one thing to say "I am going to get up at 5am" when you climb into bed at night...it's another thing to actually DO that when the alarm goes off and it's still dark out and the bed is soooo warm and comfy. It's way to easy to keep smacking the SNOOZE button until around 6:15 or 6:30am, when I normally get up.

However, I really wanted to try this, and with my hair so short right now, morning showers and hair care are very "doable"at the moment, so there was no better time than the present. I figured I would try it out on a Friday, so that at least I could tell myself I can sleep in tomorrow. So I got into bed at 10pm last nite and was out by 10:30p. I actually woke up around 2:30pm with a lot of work-related stuff on my mind, so I didn't sleep too soundly between 2:30p and 5p anyway...that might have helped. I pushed myself to a sitting position right at 5am, before I had a chance to think about how I'd rather stay in bed. After that, it was pretty easy. I'd set out my workout clothes the night before so I didn't have to dig for them...a quick brush of the teeth and splash of water on the face and I was off!

Here are the great things about the pre-work workout - a full supply of parking spaces close to the gym front door...a relatively quiet gym (except for the stupid music they have blasting for the younger folk who actually like that music)...an empty locker room, no lines at the drinking fountains, and a choice of whatever machines I want. There were a handful of people there working out, and more were starting to stream in as I was leaving just before 6am.

I felt SUCH a sense of accomplishment and pride when I finished and headed out...I really doubted that I would actually do this when the alarm went off, but I did. Yay, me! I actually got to work earlier than I have all week, and feel like I have already accomplished so much in the 3 hours I've now been awake. However, I have a feeling I might not feel quite so zippy around 3pm when I hit the wall...but who cares - it's Friday, I don't have to go to the gym after work today, and I can sleep in tomorrow. And then wake up and...go to the gym again.