I do 20 or 25 minutes worth of exercise before noon, but I can’t seem to stick to my plan of “first thing in the morning”. Do you exercise soon after you wake up? If so, how? And if not, could you think of anything to help me stick to working out first thing?

I prefer to work out in the morning, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I think the most important thing is that you’re working out.

Maybe first thing in the morning isn't right for you. If you are doing exercise, just later than you had planned to, at least you are still doing the exercise. I do personally exercise first thing, but that's because I've got into that routine and have time to do it then. I like to exercise and then weigh myself before I have breakfast so my weight looks better – it probably isn't but that's what I tell myself, so that works for me. Trying to force yourself into a timing that just doesn't work for you is a recipe for failure. Work with yourself, not against.