Member-only story
How I Became a Member of the 5 a.m. Workout Club
Lowering the barrier to entry makes it easier to build a new habit.
At the beginning of the year, like so many, I set a goal. I was going to get back to working out regularly. I joined Beachbody on Demand and started a new program. The program, 80 Day Obsession, was, to put it mildly, challenging.
80 Day Obsession is a 13-week program with 80 total workouts. The workouts last 45–60 min, and to stay on track, I had to work out six times a week. A huge jump from my basically nonexistent workout schedule. Not to mention that the workouts were difficult. I wasn’t even sure I would be able to do most of the moves. Part of me thought I was crazy for even attempting this program.
But for some reason, I was attracted to this program. Maybe I was craving that challenge. The opportunity to push myself and my body further than I had ever done. I was through taking it easy on myself and making excuses.
There was just one problem. When was I going to do these workouts? And where? I had always been an evening exercise person, going to the gym after work. But lately? My hour long commute left me drained and by the time I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was drag myself to the gym.
So if the evening was out, that left only one option: the morning. The dreaded 5 a.m…
