How I Joined The 5am Club (And Never Looked Back)

For over 2 years now, I’ve woken up at 5am or earlier 99% of the time.

If you asked me to do this in 2018, I’d laugh because there were plenty of days I’d still be up at 5am and sleep until noon.

And from 2019 to the end of 2021, I built a much more consistent sleep schedule, but I had no need to wake up all that early.

It wasn’t until November 2021 when I got myself a job where I had to clock in before 8am so waking up any bit later than 5am would have me rushing to get everything done before I left, especially since Martha and I just had our first daughter then.

And now with 2 daughters and an even earlier work schedule with a (sometimes much) longer commute…

Waking up at 5am feels like I slept in.

Take today for example:

I woke up at 5, poured a cup of scalding hot black coffee, talked with my wife for a bit, and got to writing.

Somehow it’s already 6am and I need to take my pup out and start getting ready for work soon.

That said…

How do I now wake up at 5am so easily?

2 reasons:

1. I absolutely have to in order to do what I need to do before work, so I’m highly motivated to do so

And…

2. I’ve been doing it for so long, even on days off, it became a natural part of my daily routine at this point.

The reason I bring all this up is because a lot of fitness is about rewiring habits, and having strong internal motivation along with following a plan you like long enough is the way to do it.

Having trouble sticking to a consistent workout schedule?

Find out your motivation and follow a plan you like.

Having trouble sticking to your diet?

Find out your motivation and follow a plan you like.

Over time, it’ll become easier and easier to stick to because you’ve simply made it a part of your life.

And for more on how to diet and train to improve your body and mind, then check out more of my articles and consider becoming a subscriber of my daily fitness newsletter.

Any questions? Let me know.

Talk soon,
-Gabe

Originally published at https://gainswithgabe.com on December 4, 2023.