Even if you’re not a morning person, sometimes that’s the only time you have. If you want to fit in a morning workout but you can’t seem to get yourself feeling functional, here are some tips you can use to get a head start.
- Put it on your schedule. If you put your morning workout on your phone or physical calendar, you have a reminder that you’re definitely working out tomorrow morning. This holds you accountable for your own schedule, and you're less likely to flake.
- Wake up suddenly. Make your alarm a sound that’s so annoying that you can’t ignore it. If you usually wake up to orchestral music and slap the snooze five times, try something different. It may be unpleasant, but making your alarm a song you hate or an annoying sound and then putting your alarm across the room will make you much more likely to wake up and stay up, since you’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off.
- Pack ahead of time. If you run in the mornings, lay your clothes out near your bed. If you drive to the gym and get ready there, pack them in a bag and put it by the door. The less time spent preparing in the morning, the better.
- Have a cup of coffee. Some studies have shown that it’s actually good to drink a cup of coffee before a workout, since the extra caffeine boost gives you extra energy.
- Stay close to home. If possible, find a place to work out that’s either in or near your home. If you’re a runner, keep your run nearby. If you want to hit the gym, find the one that’s closest to your house. This will make the journey seem much less daunting. ##MN_RESP##
- Make a “getting ready” playlist. Putting together pumped up tunes to listen to while you eat breakfast and prepare to leave will put you in a good mood that you might otherwise be dreading.
- Sleep! Getting enough sleep the night before—and in general—will make it much easier for you to wake up in the morning without feeling like a zombie.
- Eat breakfast. Eating in the morning ensures you don’t get the drained feeling that comes with working out on an empty stomach. You’ll feel better and get a better workout!
How do you make the morning workout grind easier?
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