I have three answers:
- It makes me infinitely more productive. When I finish my workout before 6:30 a.m., I feel like my day is set into motion and I keep riding the productivity wave all day long. Also, the longer I put off a workout, the less likely I am to actually do it!
- I want to keep a “normal” schedule. When I made the decision to leave my previous job to focus on freelance writing and blogging, I made a commitment to myself that I would still work “normal” hours. During the week, I can almost always be found at my computer from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour break in there for lunch or an afternoon walk with Sadie, assuming I don’t have a meeting or appointment of some kind. (I’m back at my computer again when I type up my dinner post.)
- I like the extra time with Ryan. We always enjoyed heading to the gym together first thing in the morning before I began working from home and I wanted to keep up the tradition when my job changed.
So there ya have it! The madness behind my morning workouts!
Workout
Today’s morning workout was awesome! When I finished it, I couldn’t wait to get home and type it up to share with you guys.
Check out a new circuit workout!
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I’ve been seriously neglecting core exercises lately and decided to make today’s workout focused and abs and cardio. I began my workout with 15 minutes on the arc trainer before completing the above circuit and cooling down with another 10 minutes on the elliptical while I waited for Ryan to finish his leg workout.
Breakfast
After a quick shower, it was time for breakfast. 
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I made a batch of vanilla banana protein oatmeal that hit the spot.
Vanilla Banana Protein Oatmeal
Serves 1
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons steel cut oats
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts
Instructions:
- Bring 1 3/4 cup water to a boil
- Add steel cut oats and reduce to medium heat
- Allow oats to cook for 20 minutes, or until thick and creamy
- Add banana slices, protein powder and cinnamon to the oats and continue to cook on low for approximately 5 minutes
- Pour oats into a bowl, top with hazelnuts
And then I ate another handful of mixed nuts on the side because the hazelnuts sparked a craving!
Off to be productive! I have a lunchtime meeting for my volunteer work with the Taste of Ocala and hope to check a lot of things off my to do list beforehand.
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I’m with you on the early morning workouts! It’s not always easy getting up, but I feel SO much better throughout the entire day. I have more energy and just feel better focused at work. And it’s great to head home knowing that I have the whole evening to relax. And starting off the day feeling accomplished is never a bad thing either. 🙂
I think it is awesome that you work out so early! I have toyed with the idea, but I already have to get up at 4:45 to make it to work on time, so the thought of getting up an 3:45 makes me super tired! lol
oh wow! now that’s where i draw the line! waking up before 4 a.m. is hardcore!
My husband works a really early schedule and i’ve started working out at 4am so i can have more time with him (and our vizsla puppy!) in the evenings. I typically curse life when the alarm goes off but there is no better feeling than being done with my workout before my brain even realizes i’m awake, haha.
I agree with you! Last summer I was unemployed for 2 1/2 months and I continued to get up and go running or work out almost every morning. I loved having it over and done with for the day and had the rest of the day to get things done without “I need to work out” hanging over my head! Most weekends I try and squeeze in a morning workout as well so I have the rest of the day free!
I really wish I had the ability to get up that early and workout straight away! But alas, my muscles are way to cramped when I first get up so my workouts have to be done mid-morning at the earliest. That workout sounds intense! I would love to be able to jump rope, it sounds like such a good exercise. Your oatmeal looks delicious, I love the addition of banana and hazelnuts 🙂
That is such a great plan Julie and I totally understand why you would want to keep your days as normal as possible. I would have to work out in the morning to keep up my schedule, mostly because 99% of the time I prefer working out in the morning and if I don’t, I probably won’t work out at all!
i’m the same way! i always say that if i don’t work out in the morning, it’s not happening. on the weekends if i don’t get to the gym before 10 a.m., the chances of me ever getting there are minimal!
Completely agree with the feeling of productivity after morning workouts! That oatmeal looks yum-I bet the hazelnuts stole the show!
I think it’s great that you still get up at your normal time. I think you need that in order to keep balance in your life. If I got up to work out before work, I would need to get up at 4am. I don’t really see that happening.
Hey Julie I love your website with all the recipes & healthy alternatives! I do have a couple of questtions regarding this recipe & your previous veggie pizza recipe? I only have quick oats will they work just as well as your steel cut oats? I know yesterday I made your peanut butter granola & used quick oats but got slightly different results, it was still delicious but I could only use about 3/4 cup of oats a full cup would not have turned out well for me, so just wondering for this recipe. Also what do you typically use for pizza crust? I love pizza but I’m always looking for ways to make it healthier. Thanks so much!!!
quick oats will worki n this recipe, but you’ll have to completely change the cooking time/ method. i would just combine everything in a bowl, reduce the amount of water and microwave it in one minute intervals, stirring regularly. (you will probably only need to microwave it for a total of 90 seconds or so.)
as for pizza crust, my local grocery store, publix, sells pizza dough in their bakery section and we usually use that1
Hi Julie! I’m a new reader and wanted to say hello and tell you that I’m really enjoying your blog. Also, I’m in awe of your commitment to get up at 5AM to work out every day – that’s very impressive! Your oatmeal recipe looks delicious – I’ve never tried putting chopped hazelnuts on my oatmeal. I’ll have to try it out soon! Have a great day!
thanks so much for commenting, stephanie! so glad you found me! hope you like the hazelnuts. 🙂
I love to work out before work as well as it sets my day up for clarity of the mind (I really do focus better) and my coworkers and clients really appreciate it as well (I can be irritable and out of sorts on days I do not get on schedule).
I would love to hear more on the volunteering. This weekend kicks off a new and free adolescent support group I created and will facilitate at my local church. I love the feeling of being able to provide for others and get outside of myself : )
I haven’t had hazelnuts in forever! Hmmm looks delish 🙂
Delicious oatmeal!
I enjoy working out before school or work and riding the feel good wave all day too. Sometimes I have to be at work extra early, in which case I workout after. That seems just as productive because I can take out my frustrations and leave them at the gym.
I was actually wondering why you were keeping up this schedule just the other day! I figured it might have to do with couple time with Ryan 🙂
I’m a morning worker-outer as well, and I just feel like working out anytime other than then takes so much more time out of the day. I’m not sure why, but it seems like a bigger ordeal.
I agree that if I don’t work out in the morning, than I probably won’t do it at all. That’s awesome that you get up early to workout!
Your oatmeal looks awesome! I’ve only had hazelnut coffee!
That’s exactly why I get up at 5 to work out!
As a college student, my classmates think I’m crazy!
There are so many things that could happen throughout the day, sometimes the only thing I have control of is a workout.
I’m also extremely passive-agressive. It gets a lot easier to make up a reason not to work out in the afternoon, as opposed to before the sun is up when nothing is going on.
Lastly, optimism! Coffee can’t make me as optimistic as a workout can. (Though, coffee doesn’t hurt, either)
I agree with the a.m. workout BUZZ–gotta have that energy for the rest for the day! I LOVE it too 🙂 GO you, girl!!
Totally admire your ability to do that! I’m jealous you have a live in morning work out buddy too.
My husband is the after work kind of worker-outer but by that point I have absolutely lost all motivation!
Hi! I’m a new italian reader, your blog is beautiful!
I have a question: Which protein powder do you use? (sorry for bad english)
Thanks, Giulia.
i like optimum nutrition gold standard 100 percent whey. 🙂
My fav oats are banana protein hot oats. Mmmm… I should make some of those soon!
As for the early workouts, I totally agree with you. I am a morning person, and I also really like keeping the same schedule as the hubby. If I didn’t get up as early as he does, we wouldn’t be sleepy for bed at the same time either. That would just get old.
Any tips for us non-morning people on getting up that early? It seems to put me in a foul mood later in the day. But I love the idea of it being done that early. I also make my own schedule so right now I get up, work for awhile and then go to the gym.
The Kidless Kronicles
yes! here ya gooo: https://www.pbfingers.com/2010/08/16/how-to-work-out-in-the-morning/
Clearly I’m going to need to get a jump rope! I’d love to try these circuits!
I always eat before. Not only do I have more energy, but I don’t spend my workout thinking, “What am I going to eat when I’m finished with this?” or “I’m hungry, I don’t want to do this anymore, I just want to eat.”
When I go to uni or live by myself, I can’t wait to start early morning workouts! They seem great, once you get used to it 🙂
Question though …. I’m sure you’ve answered it already, but do you notice the difference when you go straight when you wake up vs. when you eat then go? I always used to go straight to the gym when I woke up, then I started having breakfast and going a couple hours later, and I noticed a pretty big difference in terms of endurance during the workout. Now if I go in the morning and do weights it still works, but I find it’s a much less effective workout.
I also get up and work out at 5 am and I usually have a couple bites of something to get me going. For instance, half of a banana with a table spoon of PB, half of a protein bar, a piece of ww bread with a table spoon of PB and ALWAYS half a cup of coffee. It gives me enough energy to work out hard and allows me to not be starving during my workout. I also like eating first then waiting a couple of hours to work out, but my schedule doesn’t allow for that during the week.
I LOVE that jump rope circuit idea! Definitely trying it tonight!
I love early morning work outs too! I just with my fiance felt the same so we could work out together. It def is enjoyable when having someone there too.
peaople used to ask how i did 445AM for one stage in my life. i told them only by KEEPING it up….so hard to get into the cycle, but much easier to KEEP the habit than re-learn it after too many skips (though sometimes sleep IS better)/ i loved knowing i had accomplished something before every one else even stretched
My oh my, those oats look delicious!
I wish I could wake up at 5 a.m and get to the gym, unfortunately I’m not the best sleeper so I try to catch all the ZZZ’s I possibly can before heading into work around 7 a.m. I agree with getting it done in the morning though! If I don’t get to the gym before 1 p.m, I probably won’t end up going. I also admire people who are able to work out at NIGHT after work. There noooooo way I could do that!
I always workout first thing as well (even when I work from home and even before I was forced to get it in before my baby wakes up) and I think that’s awesome that you guys go to the gym together! Great bonding time. 🙂
I’m the same way as you with the early workouts! Even though I do have to be in the gym early on most days since I work at 9am, I’m there much earlier than I really need to be. This way, I know I’ll have plenty of time to shower and make myself a delicious breakfast before heading to work. I hate being in a rush, so I don’t mind getting up really early to make the rest of the morning more calm. 🙂 I think it’s great that you and Ryan spend your mornings together!
That oatmeal looks great to me!
I totally agree about the productivity wave re. working out in the a.m. I say do whatever is best for YOU.
mystery solved-thanks for the answer and for indulging we nosy readers (ME!)
That circuit looks awesome! I just might have to try it!
I’ve recently started working out in the morning. I used to take group exercise classes on campus but my schedule this semester doesn’t allow it. I am a TOTAL convert. I love starting my day off on a positive note. It keeps me motivated and the endorphins aren’t too shabby either. 😉
Your circuit sounds amazing! I teach boot camp friday morning and I am certainly going to try and incorporate it into our class.
I am always looking for new circuits or routine to include and this will be great. Thanks so much for posting!
AOT
wish i could workout in the morning before work– i just cant seem to get into that rhythm. i read in runners world that your basal body temp is highest in early evening which allows for more efficient workouts and less of a risk of injury at night — but honestly i just have more energy in the early evening which is why it works for me. everyones different so it makes sense we all have different times of working out! wish i could be more like you and get it out of the way though!
I used to say that if I didn’t workout in the morning I wouldn’t do it but lately I have been testing that theory have been working out after work 2-3 days a week and it isn’t so bad.
Great job on keeping up the workout schedule. I’ve tried working out first thing in the morning a few times, and I always felt nauseous afterward. Maybe it’s all in my head because I’m totally not a morning person, but I had to call in sick once because I felt so sick.
hey there! just wondering: at what time do you get to bed in the evening? I need 8 (if possible 9) hours of sleep, so if I would want to wake up at 5 a.m everyday, I would have to get to bed before 9 p.m. ..
I am the same way! I don’t even sleep in most weekends, because I’m so antsy to get up and get my workout in early. I just LOVE being done with a workout by 6:30 or 7am!
I think the line for me was when I swam with a group that met at 5am. I was up at 4:20 four days a week. Now 4:50 or 5am is fine by me!
Inspirational! I just might get my motivation back up and kick my workouts up a notch1;-)
I am the same way. If I don’t workout first thing, there’s a high chance it won’t happen at all! 🙂
You’re so right about all three points! Since I’m a teacher and off in the summer, I like to keep my workouts early in the morning (although in the summer I move them to 6 instead of 5am) to keep a schedule going. Otherwise I’m just lazy alll day long. Plus, I workout best in the morning, and if I wait too late to workout, breakfast gets moved to the afternoon, and then when would I eat lunch? 🙂
its so rough getting up at 5 am to workout but i’m with you girl–i love working out in the morning so much better because then I have my nights free. and I like to stay away from the nighttime gym crowd, its SO crazy in my gym after work, it would take me forever to get my workout done!
hazelnuts yumm…you should put a spoonful of nutella into your oatmeal once in a while, its marvelous 🙂
I’m with you on working out first thing in the morning. I typically get up between 4:30 and 5. And, I’ve found that if I sleep in and do a later workout that it just lacks the energy that I normally have when I do them earlier in the morning.
I work out in the morning too. During the week I am at the gym right when it opens at 5am. It is really the only way to get it done with work and still allowing puppy and fiance time.
If I try and go after work now, I lose ALL motivation during the day and it is really hard to push myself to work out intensely.
On weekends, I still get there early, but it is closer to 9. It just feels great to start off your day with an awesome sweat session!
I’m in a transitional period and living at home sans gym membership right now, so days that the weather has not been running friendly I have been doing your circuits. They are awesome! Who knew spending $4.88 on a jump rope and digging out my brothers old weights could give me such a great workout! Cannot wait to try this one!!!
When I got the new gig in the restaurant as a sous chef three months ago and now work does not start until 10AM, I still am up at 4:45am to get my 6.5 miles in every morning. You hit it on the head…its like morning coffee, and gets me up and going and gives me energy throughout the whole day
I think it’s great that you are still motivated to get up at 5 AM for a workout even though you don’t have to. More power to ya girl 🙂 Hitting the snooze button can be so easy but having a gym buddy to get you motivated always makes it easier….even better when you’re gym buddy is your hubby!
I’ve been wondering why you still workout so early when you work from home, so thanks for answering! I also get up at 5am to workout so I agree on ALL fronts. Quick question – what is the difference/nutritional benefits of steel cut oats vs. regular oatmeal? My coworker brought in steel cut outs this am and both of us were talking about this exact question. Thank you! 🙂
Those oats look aaaawesome. I think its great that you and Ryan work out early together! Its beneficial health wise and relationship wise! Very cute.
I’m a morning workout person as well and I just love it -I feel more productive, I have free time in the evenings, and it forces me to stick to a regular sleep schedule. I say, do what works best for you!
I completely agree about working out early. It makes the entire day better. When I put off running until after work, my day has this little cloud over it, like I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.
Those oats look great! Thanks for sharing!