I do not want to go run. Like I really, really, don’t want to go run.

I was lying in bed with the covers pulled up to my chin. Those two sentences had been running on repeat through my head for (at least) twenty minutes.

Here’s something you don’t know about me: I love mornings. Here’s something you do know about me: I love running. So, combine those two loves and…

You get something I could not possibly hate more.

Kara, if you get out of this bed right now, you’ll have enough time to go to The Coffee Bar on your walk to work.

After half an hour of procrastinating, I jumped out of bed and ran to the shower.

If there’s one habit I’m really good at following, it’s hitting the gym. I haven’t gone more than 2-3 consecutive days without exercise—weights, running, yoga, you name it—in a decade. But I cannot workout in the morning.

I’ve always been envious of morning workouters (go call Websters, I just invented a word). It would be so nice to have my evenings free. It would be nice to actually make it to happy hour in time for the happy hour deal.

Morning workouts don’t work for me. Trust me, I’ve tried. When I attempt an AM workout, I sleep later than I otherwise would. Now, if I bribe myself with a stop at my favorite coffee shop, well hell—I’ll wake up at five if you need me to.

One of my favorite bloggers is Cassy of Fed and Fit. In one podcast, she gave practical tips on how to drink more water—pretty simple stuff. When asked what water bottles she recommended, her response was, “Just use what you will use.”

Girl better coin that phrase, because I’m about to make a bumper sticker.

When 5PM hits, my body is craving a workout. I’ve been sitting all day, my head hurts, my eyes hurt. All I want is to throw on my shoes, put in my headphones, and run forever.

I never skip a workout because I found a routine that works for me. Why would I force myself to workout in the morning, when I love working out in the afternoon?

The best solutions are not always the most optimal. For example:

• My friend Annie is always up-to-date on current events, although she never picks up a newspaper. Instead, she puts on Good Morning America while getting ready in the morning.
• My coworker Rachel has read every book imaginable, although she’s never actually read the book. Instead, she downloads the audio version to her phone.
• My friend Paula is constantly finding new workouts, although she doesn’t have a gym membership. Instead, she follows fitness Instagram accounts to discover bodyweight circuits.

In a perfect world, we would all wake up early, read the paper daily, eat healthy, and otherwise follow the most efficient routine imaginable—but who does that? Really boring people, that’s who.

I foam roll in the mornings, when I’d receive maximum benefit from doing so post-workout. Retrospectively, I can see how the nachos I ordered for dinner last night weren’t as healthy as say, lettuce. I am 100% aware I’m drinking a cup of coffee costing $2.75 that’s worth ten cents, when I could have typed this post (for free) at home.

Yet, it’s better to foam roll in the AM than never do rehab. It’s better to allow an indulgence than binge out of control. It’s better to pay for convenience, than never get sh*t done.

F is for finding the solutions that work for you.