Power Hour: advice needed

[Living2xcess]

Anthony Robbins recommends that the first hour of your day you should get up and do something that brings upon energy and enthusiasm. He mentions in one of his programs that he immediately goes out running every morning. Zig Ziglar recommends that the moment you wake up you should say "Oh Boy Oh Boy, today is going to be a wonderful day". I can do the latter, but thats as far as I get.

My problem is I have no energy for the first hour upon. In fact I don't start getting energy for approximately 2-3 hours after waking up (unless I drink coffee, which I have stopped drinking). There is no way I can conjure up the motivation to go out running (or even walking for that matter). The best technique I have created for morning motivation is to immediately upon waking grab, a notepad and write down a list of extremely easy tasks to accomplish within the first hour. This works sporadically (when I have the motivation to make such a list). I am looking for a way to truly gain energy after 30 minutes of being awake. I also eat very healthy and get approximately 8 hours of sleep a day. Does anybody have any advice on how to increase my energy levels in the morning?

[TheHulaQueen]

How do you wake up? Do you use an alarm clock? You might be waking at a time that's not right for your body. Try going to sleep at different times and still sleeping the same amount of time until you find a waking time that works better for you. We wake when our metabolism and body temperature start to rise. So you could also start taking your temperature as you do this experiment to see if you notice a difference. Often people will shift their sleeping time just 20 minutes or so and suddenly wake energized.

Make sure you're hydrated too...

AND often it just takes time to start a new pattern. Making yourself do the hour of activity for a couple of week even though you don't feel like it might also get you past this.

Good luck!!
Sheryl

[Living2xcess]

I do use an alarm clock. I have it hooked up in the kitchen, which forces me to walk to the kitchen in order to turn it off. This is also convenient because it is where I store my health shakes so I can immediately get fuel for the morning. I also drink a significant amount of water everyday. I have studied nutrition religiously for a few years thinking this might be caused by something in my diet. I am convinced it is not, however I never mind being proved wrong.

The fact that you mentioned body temperature peaked my interests, because it has been a concern of mine for some time as well. I don't take measurements or anything like that, however I have noticed that I am cold upon awaking and stay cold for a few hours as well.... possibly paralleling my morning tiredness. I am not sure if this is a cause, effect, or even has anything to do with this, but it is something I will look into. I appreciate the advice.

[stephencp]

Try getting an "alarm" clock that is actually a light that slowly gets brighter and brighter over the course of 30 minutes. I used one during a winter a couple years ago when I had a hard time waking up and it worked great.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics

[Steve Pavlina]

Motivation follows action, especially when it comes to AM exercise.

I recall many cold mornings when the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run. I'd tell myself, "It's only 5 minutes." I know that when I don't want to go running, I just have to run for 5 minutes before I feel motivated to continue. It's like a miniature version of the 30-day trial. You tell yourself you're just going to do it for 5 minutes, and if you don't want to continue after that, you're free to quit. It's hard to say no to 5 minutes.

I've used this technique to get out and exercise even in the pouring rain. In fact, those were some of the most fun and memorable runs I've done. I vividly recall a 2-hour run in the wind and rain along the beach in Santa Monica with a marathon training group. Everyone thought we were crazy, and some pause to cheer us on.

Once you continue this habit for a few weeks, that AM energy will come. Your body will learn to pump you up for exercise time.

[rossio]

Hi

I'd definitely add to stephencp's shout for a 'daylight' alarm clock. I use one myself both as a light therapy light to aid my sleep etc and for jet lag and also as an alarm clock. The difference is remarkable!

The only downside is if you share a bed with someone who does not need to get up at the same time as you!

Lumie sell a great range which we stock in our store and can vouch for 100%

Cheers
Ross

[quin]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Motivation follows action, especially when it comes to AM exercise.

I recall many cold mornings when the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run. I'd tell myself, "It's only 5 minutes." I know that when I don't want to go running, I just have to run for 5 minutes before I feel motivated to continue. It's like a miniature version of the 30-day trial. You tell yourself you're just going to do it for 5 minutes, and if you don't want to continue after that, you're free to quit. It's hard to say no to 5 minutes.

I've used this technique to get out and exercise even in the pouring rain. In fact, those were some of the most fun and memorable runs I've done. I vividly recall a 2-hour run in the wind and rain along the beach in Santa Monica with a marathon training group. Everyone thought we were crazy, and some pause to cheer us on.

Once you continue this habit for a few weeks, that AM energy will come. Your body will learn to pump you up for exercise time.

I found this 5 minute technique to be very effective in motivating myself to begin work on University assignments!

[Living2xcess]

Thanks Steve. The 5 minute technique is definitely good advice and something I will attempt to implement. But as someone who is barely conscious in the morning, even this is tough to do. I have tried 'crutches' to reduce some morning obstacles, such as sleeping in my gym clothes and creating an environment in my home where I can't just plop on a couch. My problem is creating the desire in the morning. If I could get myself out the door, I wouldn't have to worry about 5 minutes or 1 hour. I am curious if anybody knows any 'crutches' to create a desire or a since of immediate requirement to get up and get out.

[Steve Pavlina]

Popping out of bed when your alarm goes off is actually a skill that can be developed with daytime practice. I've received a lot of positive feedback from people who achieved success with this idea:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...larm-goes-off/

[LivingWarrior]

I'm about to provide the most bone-head advice ever, and apologize in advance.

Just do it.

You have no energy upon waking because you haven't trained your mind/body to have energy upon waking.

*takes a bow as begging the question king.

So the solution is to just start doing it. Soon enough your body will start to adjust to the new stimulation and demands being put on it. At the same time, The Hour of Power is designed to help you feel great. Think of your incantations and get pumped up, then think "Tomorrow when I am awake and exercising, I will feel great and bringing on my results even faster!" Create a link between feelings of elation and the exercise. Before you know it, you will be waking up 10 seconds before your alarm to get a start on it

[Athena]

More suggestions-

For sleep- try to set your schedule so you wake when your body is ready, and don't have to wake up with an alarm clock

Try optimizing your sleep environment, totally dark, no lights or looking at the clock if you wake up at night. Use a sleeping mask if needed.

Make sure your environment is totally quiet, use earplugs if needed.

=

On motivation-
Besides the 5 minute thing, you can project ahead and know that you will feel really great after you do x activity. Quickly visualize the end result, a picture of you finishing the task and feeling great, and then your mind can easily fill in the middle part.

And that's right that after an intial period, your body will get used to the routine.


=

ALSO, exercising in the first hour might not be practical for you-- maybe you can use that time for reviewing your schedule and goals, and then exercise in the second hour of the morning if that feels more natural for you.

[LivingWarrior]

ALSO, exercising in the first hour might not be practical for you-- maybe you can use that time for reviewing your schedule and goals, and then exercise in the second hour of the morning if that feels more natural for you.

This is GREAT advice Athena. Thank you!

Robbins has it right that moving as soon as you wake up provides a tremendous benefit for the day. However, if you like to be more gentle upon waking, something as easy as breathing deeply, stretching, yoga, or doing plié's with a big grin on your face will also provide benefit.

Sometimes I like to wake up slowly in this way, warming up my body with light exercise, eating breakfast, then meditating, feeling the warmth of gratitude for the food digesting in my belly.

Many times the Hour of Power can be enhanced by taking this time beforehand to get clear about why you are awake or alive this particular day.

[The Protagonist]

adding this thread to my posting history so I can review it later. this is something that I need to workon

[Living2xcess]

Originally Posted by LivingWarrior

At the same time, The Hour of Power is designed to help you feel great. Think of your incantations and get pumped up, then think "Tomorrow when I am awake and exercising, I will feel great and bringing on my results even faster!" Create a link between feelings of elation and the exercise. Before you know it, you will be waking up 10 seconds before your alarm to get a start on it

This is exactly what I was doing wrong. I was creating a negative link between waking up and exercise. With incantations and a few other techniques I can change this limiting belief. Thank you for the great advice.

The article Steve posted is also great for waking up in the morning. I used this a year ago to great success after many years of problems. Haven't overslept since. Now I am looking forward to waking up with a little more energy.

[LivingWarrior]

You're welcome.