I am hard wired as a night person. During the transition from college student to employee the rewiring process started completely against my will. My husband and I generally did not talk in the morning while getting ready for work—I was incapable of conversation.

Then, I became a mother and the rewiring process went to another level. I could no longer fight it.

More than sixteen years later, my wiring is yet again being challenged. As I have struggled to find the balance between parenthood, spirituality, professional pursuits, volunteer opportunities, domestic responsibilities and exercise, I have found that exercise is the piece that most often falls off the list.

So, my husband and I have committed to P90X3—at 5:15 a.m. Ugh!

It is one thing to be out of bed, sipping coffee and making lunches at that ungodly time. It is another thing all together to be jumping, running, and lifting before the birds are chirping.

We are five days in and I have to say that it has been a good first week. Getting out of bed is hard, but checking exercise off the list at 6 a.m. is a great feeling—much better than closing a day wondering why I didn’t I make time for a workout. An added bonus has been an opportunity for us to start our day with a short prayer together after our workout—exercising spirit and body.

I am not ready to declare myself a morning person. Deep down I still believe that there is something wrong with those people—please don’t be offended. But, I am thankful to have a husband who is patient enough to remember who I was in 1994 and believe in what I can be in 2015. I know that 21 years ago, he NEVER imagined that we would work out together before sunrise. Ultimately life is an ever-evolving process both personally and professionally. The important thing is to embrace it—not fight it.

I am not sure if it is a direct quote, but I associate the phrase if you are standing still, you are really moving backward with Coach Dean Smith. I believe he used that phrase to challenge his players to work hard to improve in the off season. I think that phrase applies to all of us. In reality, I was standing still in my exercise pursuits, which actually meant I was moving backward. So, now I am out of my bed and my comfort zone, but I am moving forward—at the unimaginable time of 5:15 a.m.

When you see me, please ask me how it is going. I figured there is nothing like posting a blog for the world to see to keep me accountable! In the meantime, take a look at areas of your life where you are standing still and start moving forward!

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