My Morning Routine

on July 25, 2009

Good morning! I had a wonderful — if WAY too filling — breakfast:

The end of the tub of Oikos Greek Yogurt, granola, blueberries, and flax.

No dishes required. 🙂

My Morning Routine

Back in May, Meghann posted her morning routine, which I’m sure impressed everyone reading it because she gets SO much done in such little time.

My morning routine is not half as impressive, but I figured I’d share it for kicks. I realized today that I spend a freakish about of time in front of the computer. 😉

6:00 AM – Alarm goes off.
6:01 AM – Stumble to bathroom and pee. Splash face with water and think "Is it really time to wake up???"
6:02 AM – Take Maggie and James out to pee. Scold at James because he would rather stare at the birds than pee.
6:07 AM – Stumble back inside. Put on coffee.
6:09 AM – Turn on computer, read all comments and respond, and check e-mails.
6:20 AM – Pour cup of coffee and slam it as fast as humanly possible.
6:22 AM – Start breakfast.
6:25 AM – Strength moves – usually just a combination of push-ups and sit-ups. Stretch out knees if necessary.
6:35 AM – Finish preparing breakfast. Photograph.
6:45 AM – Eat in front of the computer while finishing e-mails (I usually get at least 20 overnight! I want an iPhone!).
7:00 AM – Blog for Healthy Tipping Point
7:15 AM – Blog for Operation Beautiful
7:30 AM – Jump in shower
7:40 AM – Dry off and get dressed
7:45 AM – Feed dogs
7:50 AM – Brush hair (I let it airdry; blowdrying is too tedious for me) and put on make-up if I’m leaving the house
7:55 AM – Walk dogs
8:00 AM – If I’m leaving, pull together my purse and crate the dogs. If I’m working from home, I turn on work computer and begin work.

Whew! Obviously, blogging sucks up a huge portion of my morning routine but it’s my favorite part so it’s all good. 🙂 This is one of the many reasons I don’t work out in the morning on weekdays — I would have to get up REALLY early and leave before the sun came up. I think doing a mini strength routine in the morning works best for me.

Do you work out in the morning? Or would you rather leave it until later?

{ 42 comments }

healthymadison July 25, 2009, 4:30 am
Your morning routine is still so productive! 🙂 You get a lot done and it is very admirable that you do your strength moves while waiting for your breakfast to finish. I usually just stare at my breakfast with eyes glazed over–for like 5 minutes. haha.

Since I am a student and have a pretty "chill" summer–I really prefer to work out in the mornings, it is so hard for me to work out at night. I do enjoy going to fitness classes, like ZUMBA, at night though.
RickyRae July 25, 2009, 4:44 am
I've never tried Greek yogurt. How is it different from regular yogurt?
Andee (Runtolive) July 25, 2009, 4:45 am
Wow you get so much done in a span of 2 hours! I usually like to do my workouts in the morning or else I would start to lose motivation as the day goes on. I'm definitely a morning person!
roseyrebecca July 25, 2009, 5:03 am
I need to start getting up early and accomplishing things like you and Megghan! I usually work out mid-afternoon. I'm going to have to start waking up at 6 though because you guys get so much more done in a morning than it takes me to do all day!!
I agree blogging takes a lot of time but it's the best part!!
hookedup July 25, 2009, 5:16 am
Wow I would love your morning routine. I only workout in the morning on Saturdays since I don't have to go to work and leave home much later.

My alrm goes off at 5am and I snooze it for about 30 minutes (on good mornings less, on bad more)

I get up at 5:30am to make my lunch. Mon-Thurs I cook something to take with me. Fridays I do sandwiches/pizzas/wraps, so I bake the bread the night before so all I have to do is put it together. I make my own pizzas but I buy the wraps. If I do a casserole I put it together the night before and bake it in the morning (I love these mornings cause I just have to pre-heat oven, put in casserole, go back to bed. My oven has a great timer, my second alarm for the morning).

Around 6am I do dishes and first breakfast if I am eating at home.

6:15 I do computer work or read depending on my day.

6:45-7:10 Shower and dress for work. Put together my lunch and snacks and breakfast if I am not eating at home(fruit and a bar even if I had breakfast at home).

7:15 get everything in the car and leave for work. Sometime I don't leave home until 7:30 but I usually try for earlier to beat the traffic. I get to work between 7:45 and 8:00 depending on traffic, then have breakfast.

I am neither a morning or night person but years of conditioning of staying up late to study and getting up early to study before going to school (I am such a nerd) has made it early to stay up late and get up early.

I was the kid (even at 16 and later) who stayed up as late as possible on Christmas Eve and got up first on Christmas Day. Although not for the presents, I don't know but those wee hours are like magic to me even now.

Wow, I wrote alot. Sorry.
Hope July 25, 2009, 5:20 am
If I leave it until later, it won't get done. Period.

The only way I was ever going to go from 243 pound grouch to the running, healthy machine that I try to tell myself I am today is to get up BEFORE anyone else in the house gets up and get it all done then. No way in heck my husband and two children, my job, my laundry, my appointments and my NEED for trashy tv are going to let me have time to work out later in the day or in the evening. It's all gotta be at 4am or not at all!
Susan July 25, 2009, 5:26 am
I am a morning workout girl…..if I wait until later, there is a good chance that I will not do it at all ! I also like the feeling of having it accomplished, it sets the tone for a more productive day.
nicoleishappy July 25, 2009, 5:30 am
i miss greek yogurt! your brekkie looks great. i usally workout in the AM
Kelly July 25, 2009, 5:42 am
As you already know I'm a morning person and would rather get my work out done in the morning. I'm a bad procrastinator and I could easily not do it if I put it off. To each their though! You have a lot to do in the morning!
Adi (oatonomy.com) July 25, 2009, 5:58 am
I definitely prefer to work out in the morning – but I also love sleeping! If I'm too tired, I'll work out in the evening instead.
NYgirl@heart July 25, 2009, 6:10 am
I like doing it in the morning to know it's done and out of the way..and it really energizes me. If I wait until after work, chances are I'll be dragging myself (if I even go) because I'm so tired from work. After work I just want to go home and eat and relax. The extra 30 minutes I sleep in the morning doesn't make up for it. I pack my bags and get everything ready the night before so that saves a lot of time.
Aaron @ CrossBorderCravings July 25, 2009, 6:31 am
Impressive! I haven't read Meghann's yet but I am going to that next! 😛 I agree with you that workouts in the morning are tough to fit in. I much rather do them around 4 or 5 in afternoon. Plus, I find I have more energy by that time!
HangryPants July 25, 2009, 6:36 am
Caitlin, you really need to set up your coffee to make automatically in the morning. My mom says it causes fires, but I don't believe it. 😀
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn July 25, 2009, 6:42 am
I'm definitely a morning kind of chick and run every a.m…. but im currently hungover and will move today's run to tonight 🙂

i wake up with a burst of energy and need to take advantage of it– at night i get home from and just want to eat and crash! but i don't work from home; if i did afternoon workouts might happen more often.
Pam July 25, 2009, 6:50 am
I like working out in the morning, but it always seems to be in the afternoon when hubby goes golfing…he workout…he he!

http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
runnerskitchen July 25, 2009, 6:53 am
I used to workout in the morning and while it does make the rest of the day more relaxed, it's harder now that I'm posting more often on my blog. My newest workout time – my lunch break! It feels so good to stretch out and get a little sweaty mid-day 🙂
Sara July 25, 2009, 6:56 am
Great routine! I love hearing about other peoples schedules. Growing up I always worked out in the afternoon/evening, but now I find that I need to do it in the AM otherwise I'll get too busy.
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? July 25, 2009, 7:05 am
I would love to but I am pretty useless in the morning. Years ago before I worked full time I went in the morning. My routine now is similar to yours and I usually work out in the afternoons because I get home from work about 5 which gives me a good couple of hours before we have dinner at 7ish. I'm in awe of Meaghan's routine!
leslie July 25, 2009, 7:34 am
i spend a freakish amount of time in front of the computer too. you still get so much done in the mornings though!

i usually leave exercise until later, but it depends. i work freelance, so i tend to have to change my schedule around all the time. it keeps things interesting!
She-Fit July 25, 2009, 7:39 am
WOW, don't underestimate your mornings… you have one busy lady in the mornings. I usually workout in the mornings. I find i get distracted with other things and end of skipping out on my workouts.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 25, 2009, 8:01 am
hooked up – LOL i like your long comment.

rockyrae- tons tons tons more protein (i think 22 grams per serving)
Renee July 25, 2009, 8:07 am
I would rather do my workout in the morning. I am a morning person. I have to be at work at 7am and I have a 6 year old daughter. I get up at 4:00 to get my run in. I usually do been 4-5 miles Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the week. I like to get up early and do the run then I don't have to take time away from my daughter in the afternoon. That is what works for me. I know that it is an insane time to get up but I am so use to it now that on the weekends I am usually up early too.
whitsgettingfit July 25, 2009, 8:14 am
I would rather do my work out in the morning, but sometimes I am too busy getting my sleep on…what?
Angharad July 25, 2009, 8:16 am
I'm trying to get into working out in the morning but I am so not a morning person!! I do love running in the morning ONCE I'm up. Haha. Generally I get up and out the door in less than an hour!
Matt July 25, 2009, 8:25 am
I always work out in the morning. It is cooler and it is my favorite part of the day. I wake up at 5 so I can get my miles in before my 8 AM class!
Jenny July 25, 2009, 8:50 am
haha i am a total morning blogaholic! i can't help it 🙂 and you are way more productive than me in the morning, girl!
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health July 25, 2009, 9:15 am
I agree with heather, you should get one of those automatic coffee pots. We have one and we used to use it all the time until the cat started turning it on in the middle of the night. I wish I could wake up early enough to work out in the AM. I like to lounge around and be lazy.
MarathonVal July 25, 2009, 9:22 am
When I can, I definitely prefer to work out early – it sets the tone for the rest of the day and I feel healthy and energized!

However, during the school year I have to be at work as early as 7am so I save my workouts for after work on those days.

You are lucky to live in a warm climate, I find it especially hard to get up early when it is freezing cold and dark in the middle of winter!
Happy Feet 26.2 July 25, 2009, 9:36 am
My morning routine varies widely. Sometimes I exercise in the am, sometimes pm. I do feel my best when I workout in the morning, especially a "hard effort" day. I have heard that it's good to do some of both because it keeps the body guessing.

I would definitely recommend a coffee pot with a timer. I ordered one of the Gevalia deals for like $20.00 you get the pot and 2 packs of coffee, can't beat that deal.
lilveggiepatch July 25, 2009, 9:39 am
My routine varies a lot because my schedule differs from week to week. I work two jobs right now; one is daytime, the other is usually nights and brunch. On days I work nights, I usually work out between breakfast and lunch. On the day I work during the day, I have either a RIDICULOUSLY short workout on my lunch hour or gym-it after 5.
Susan July 25, 2009, 9:45 am
Haha, your morning routine sounds a lot closer to mine than Meghann's! 😛

I never used to be a morning exerciser, but I'm finding it easier now that I'm no longer in university and getting into a working routine. My work schedule always varies, I'll run or go to the gym if I only have to be there for 8:30-9. Any earlier is too early for me (I do a 5am shift on weekends). Bike rides usually have to wait until after work though, as those are always longer and I like being on the bike when it's warmer out 🙂
Farah July 25, 2009, 9:57 am
I think your morning routine sounds amazingly productive. Over the summer, I've been starting my day almost 3 hours later than you! I've been fighting it unsuccessfully, because its kind of ridiculous.

My husband works nights. So he leaves right after we have dinner and the evenings its just the kids and I. We take walks, play, watch cartoons, and read books. Then I put them to bed. Then I work out. Since I'm alone for the first time all day, I have a tendency to stay up way too late "cooling off" and relaxing. Then I have trouble waking up. Its a vicious circle. My kids are almost 5 and almost 2, and they let me sleep in like no other little kids I've ever heard of. I rarely have to start the day before 8:30 if I don't want to. Usually more like 9.

When my daughter's kindergarten starts in a few weeks, this will probably all have to change. But I'm almost looking forward to something to kickstart me into a less wasteful-of-daylight routine.
Kathy (Moving Beyond Perfection) July 25, 2009, 10:26 am
I LOVE working out in the morning! It just makes me feel so fresh and alert the rest of the day. But- this summer, with work starting at 7 am, working out in the morning is impossible. It takes me 25 min to get to work, so I have to get up at 6 am already without working out. I do prefer mornings though! 🙂
Justine July 25, 2009, 11:00 am
Definitely a morning workout person here! If I don't get it done in the morning, it likely won't get done! 5am wake-up calls have become the norm for the past few years for me! I enjoy it though…great way to start my day!
just me July 25, 2009, 11:35 am
def prefer working out in the morning…i actually get up, pee, drink a little bit of water, get dressed, then out the door. nothing substantial happens until after the workout! exercise first!
inmytummy July 25, 2009, 12:45 pm
My dog won't pee sometimes in the morning either. I have to tell him that all the cool dogs are doing it which sometimes works.

I do a morning boot camp 3 days a week. For the other days, I work out in the evening
Cait (Cait's Plate) July 25, 2009, 1:38 pm
Your blueberries always look so fresh and delicious.

I hear ya on the spending a ridiculous amount of time in front of the computer! Hah – in the hour that I'm awake and in my apartment before heading out to work I'm pretty much blogging/doing blog related things the whole time! 🙂 But totally agreed on it being the best part!
operationmuffintop July 25, 2009, 3:24 pm
I prefer to workout in the morning so it's done & out of the way… with 4 kids I need to squeeze it in when I can.. most times it's when my 2 yr. old naps. I like that you do 10 minutes strength in the morning though.. I think I'm going to start that! 🙂 A great way to sneak in some extra exercise!!
cinemarie July 25, 2009, 5:13 pm
OMG you are so quick! it takes me 1 full hour to just have a shower and dry my hair in the morning! LOL
CALORIES DON'T HAVE FANGS!!! July 25, 2009, 6:14 pm
Hi Caitlin,

Maybe I missed a post, but how is your stomach doing? I know that you were having trouble with it earlier, and I was just wondering if you felt better.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 25, 2009, 6:17 pm
Hi Calories 🙂

It is better – which proves to me that it is entirely stress-related. 🙁
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) July 25, 2009, 6:39 pm
Morning workouts are the best for me. Today we had spin/cycle class at the gym and I still had to come back home and do Day 25 of the 30 Day Shred. It was afternoon and I was so ready for a nap but I had to get the workout done. Then I slept!

Looks like a busy routine you have there.

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