Sleep is a wonderful thing. Sleep keeps your heart healthy, strengthens your immune system, keeps your brain from frying – and there are plenty of other benefits as well. But, many times that desire for “just a little more sleep” kills your motivation to get that early morning workout done. We’ve all done it – we all want to exercise first thing in the morning. But more often that we’d care to admit, we stay in bed just a little longer and miss that great workout we’d plan on having. Here’s how to become a morning workout person.
If it was easy to get up early and workout, everybody would do it. So don’t feel bad if you can’t – most of us suffer from the same lack of motivation first thing in the morning. Yes, you can set a number of alarms, reprogram yourself to get up early, try going to bed earlier so you’re not so tired. But many times you’ll be fighting your own body clock – and even if you do get up, your workout isn’t all it could be.
It’s not just about getting up early – it’s about getting a great workout early. Here’s 5 steps you can take to make that happen:
Morning Workout Tip #1 – Workout with a partner!
If you’ve committed to someone else that you’ll workout, it’s far harder to back out than if your commitment is only to yourself. Whether it’s a friend, a colleague, your kids, or your significant other, your twice as likely to get up early and do your workout than if you do it alone.
Morning Workout Tip #2 – Plan your workouts in advance!
By creating a weekly plan, and sticking to it, you’re more likely to workout. And, just by writing it down, you’re burning it in your memory, training your brain to remember your workouts. The goal is to set up your life around your workouts, rather than your workouts around your life. By doing this planning ahead of time, you’re more likely to do your workout.
Morning Workout Tip #3 – Grab a pre-workout snack!!
Whether it’s a protein shake, or a PowerBar, eating on e before your workout can help get your blood flowing, give you a bit of energy, and get your routine for your workout moving ahead. It can also help make those morning workouts more enjoyable!
Morning Workout Tip #4 – Do workouts you want to do!
If you dread it, you won’t do it. So, pick workouts that you have fun doing, rather than those you hate! Fitness should be a postitive – if you have negative thoughts surrounding your workout, you’re more likely to find excuses not to do it!
Morning Workout Tip #5 – Don’t Stop – Don’t Give Up!
Fitness is not an instant thing – it takes time, effort, and persistance. Same holds true for getting up early for your workouts. And, although it may not be what you want to do this next morning, you’ll also be less tired than at the end of the day. You may feel a little lethargic when you wake up, but it’s when you’ll be the most effective. It’ll take about 90 days, but hang in there – you can do it!
