What I Learned...

From bootcamp, that is. I learned that I would not die if I had to get up at 4:30 A.M. I learned that I can do more than I thought I could. I learned that running is easier with an MP3 player so you can't hear yourself breathing so hard. I learned that exercise in a group is more fun. I learned that running up stairs is really, really hard (even with the Rocky theme song playing), and I learned that morning exercise is a good thing.

Every time I talk with someone about my bootcamp experience, the first thing out of their mouth is usually, "Oh. I couldn't do that - I'm just not a morning person". Well, really - who is? Does anybody get up willingly in the wee hours to workout? Probably not, at least not at first. But when I did it a couple of things happened....

First, I felt great (both physically and mentally) for the rest of the day. Tons of energy and a real sense of accomplishment. Second, I LOVED having my workout over and done with for the day. No need to hurry home to try to work something in before making dinner, nothing to get in the way (you know it's true - there is always some sort of conflict that makes it difficult to get a workout in later in the day). There are very few scheduling conflicts at 5:30 in the morning and it's not too hot yet.

While I will probably never be a true morning person (I'm not even sure what that means) I have been setting my alarm earlier and getting it done before life gets in the way. Why don't you give it a try? You may be surprised to find out you're more of a morning person than you thought.