I Worked Out With and Without Caffeine & Here’s What I Learned
Turns out, one way is definitely better!
In partnership with Reign Storm.
Successful people wake up early. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not, but it’s a fact I’ve pretended is true for years. Every time a CEO or business owner claims their success comes from waking up before the sunrise, it makes me want to cry over my college diploma. And we all have those Type A friends who work out in the morning, excel at their jobs, and somehow always have packed social calendars. I’ve asked those friends how they do it all, and the answer is always, “Oh, I just have a 5-to-9 before my 9-to-5.” Excuse me, what?!
In my world, rolling out of bed at 8:55 a.m. is impressive. But to see what all the 5-to-9 hype is about, I decided to test myself and try fitting a workout in before work. (Gulp). Getting up that early might seem easy for most people, but as a self-proclaimed night owl, I may as well have been climbing Everest. For two days straight, I planned a two-mile run from my apartment to a park and back. And as an added twist, I attempted this challenge both with and without caffeine to see which worked best for me. I documented my misery for my fellow snooze-button hitters — so please, learn from my pain!
Working Out WITHOUT Caffeine
Snooze-button hits: Three
Day one — technically day two since I slept through the actual first workout — was an uphill battle. After about 30 minutes of procrastination, I reluctantly laced up my sneakers. My eyes felt glued half-shut, making everything blurry as I got ready. I stepped out of my apartment and started running to get it over with.
A few blocks in, I faced the classic mental debate: to walk or not to walk? Spoiler alert: I walked. The rest of the workout went like this: Run to the next stop sign, then walk. Run past that pile of trash, then walk again. Reach the park, then walk longer. Eventually, I ended up walking all the way home. Clearly, being out of shape and exhausted don’t mix well. I survived, but certainly didn’t thrive. Plus, the early wake up left me feeling ‘eh’ for the rest of the day.
Working Out WITH Caffeine
Snooze-button hits: Also three (don’t judge me)
Day two unfortunately started with the same dread and regret, with even sorer legs. Fortunately, I could get out of bed knowing that this time I could have caffeine before the run. Coffee seemed like a recipe for a tummy ache and anxiety, so I opted for a Reign Storm energy drink instead. It was a refreshing choice and comes with immunity-boosting vitamins, which made me feel like I was making a smart move. Having the Reign Storm gave me a few peaceful minutes to stretch and mentally prepare. I paced myself better than the day before, felt more awake, and didn’t need to play the start-and-stop game. I made it to the park, took a short break, and then headed back to my apartment.
Overall, the day felt WAY better, and I’m starting to understand how those Type A folks start their days (kind of). Reign Storm might just be what I needed all along – a drink that tastes good AND makes me feel good too. So, the final question is this: Will I continue waking up at 5:00 a.m. everyday? No, absolutely not. But honestly, maybe some days I just might – which is a step in the right direction if you ask me!
Featured Image Credit: Unknown
Kat Pickhardt