10 Tips For Exercising in the Mornings Without Hating It
There’s Always One Peppy Jogger Running Down the Block at 6 AM. Well, What if That was You?
I know. Morning workouts seem like they’re for somebody else. After all, the blanket is warm, your pillow is fluffy, and staying in bed a little longer seems a lot more appealing.
However, if you can push yourself, being a morning mover will totally change your relationship to fitness. You will no longer use feeling tired or having a late day at work as an excuse. Your workout will be done and out of the way early, which gives you more time to enjoy the rest of your day without any guilt.
The problem is taking that first step out of bed. Luckily, there are easy tweaks you can make to handle the sunrise without getting a case of the grumps!
1. Prepare the Night Before
Lay out your clothes and shoes, fill up your water bottle, and make sure your phone is charged so you can listen to that heart-pumping playlist. The less extra work you have to do in the mornings, the better!
You want to get into your workout within 10 minutes of waking up. Any extra time, and you’ll lose the momentum and end up just sitting on the couch, or worse, going right back to bed.
2. Celebrate With Coffee
Do you have expensive coffee grounds? A bourgeois espresso machine? Treat yourself on mornings when you workout with a special caffeinated drink. You deserve a reward for pushing yourself bright and early. Plus, it can help you lose weight too!
Psych Central are huge advocates for rewarding yourself after a challenge:
When we give ourselves treats, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which boosts our self-command — and self-command helps us maintain our healthy habits.
You’ll be more likely to wake up in the mornings to work out if it holds the promise of a good cup of coffee afterward. Just don’t celebrate with donuts, pancakes, or churro waffles. After all, you don’t want to ruin all your progress!
3. Work Out With a Friend
You know what they say… misery loves company! Seriously, you won’t hit the snooze button nearly as often if you know a friend is relying on you to show up.
Meet somewhere in the neighborhood for a walk or run. You can also take an early yoga or spin class together. Come up with a workout that’s appealing for both of you and stick to the same schedule.
4. Go to Sleep Earlier
The power of sleep should never be underestimated. By getting a good night’s rest, you’ll feel physically strong enough to handle the exercise in the morning. Plus, you’ll be giving your muscle tissue a chance to recover from the morning before.
Feeling fatigued makes it tough for you to really engage in your workout. You’ll feel better if you hit the hay and get a solid 7 to 8 hours of rest under your belt.
5. Start With 15 Minutes
No one is saying you have to wake up at 5 AM and run 10 miles (unless you want to, of course!). Start small by waking up just 15 minutes earlier than normal so you can squeeze in a workout at home.
YouTube offers plenty of 15-minute workouts to get you started. Do cardio one day and then alternate with strength training the next. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you make in just one month!
6. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Our bodies are dehydrated when we first wake up in the morning. In fact, a deficient amount of water in your system could be why you feel foggy and groggy. Fix that feeling by gulping down plenty of water when you first get out of bed.
Brands like Owala and Stanley offer pretty water bottles that feel like fashion accessories more than they do drinkware. Splurge on one that you love so you feel happy and energized every time you see it.
7. Plan for Relaxation Time
We’re all extremely busy. Some of us work long hours, others have kids. There are bills to pay, dinners to make, and laundry to fold. It feels like we never have enough time in the day, especially for ourselves.
Remind yourself that the rest of the evening is yours when you get up first thing for a workout. Waking up early means you have more time in the day for rest and relaxation. Read a book, take a bath, or finally try that mud mask. You’ve already exercised, so later on, you can enjoy a little “me” time.
8. Reframe Your Thinking
Your brain could be the only thing holding you back from exercising in the mornings! A woman named Stephanie Santos wrote an article for Harvard Business Review about this phenomenon. In the piece, she advises that you shift your mindset:
Before you can make real progress on becoming a morning workout person, you must first confront what’s been holding you back.
It could be negative self-talk, an unrealistic view of fitness, or a harmful comparison to everyone else. Whatever is stopping you, acknowledge it and then change how you’re thinking about it. Give it a positive spin and be kind to yourself. You can do this!
9. Create a Peaceful Environment
Waking up shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Use night lights in your bathroom instead of turning on the harsh, bright lights. Wear warm workout clothes that feel like pajamas. Turn on soft, yet up-tempo music.
Whatever you can do to create a peaceful environment, do it! Just don’t take too long in this cozy cocoon. After all, you should be getting into the workout routine as soon as possible.
10. Deny Every Excuse
Self-motivation is key if you want to make a workout routine stick. Don’t come up with reasons why you shouldn’t exercise that morning. Tell yourself that you’re going to get up and deny any excuse about why you shouldn’t.
There are thousands of excuses we can create. I was up late with the kids. I’ll do the workout tomorrow. I didn’t sleep that well, and sleep is important, too! The only way to become a morning workout person is by being stronger than your excuses. None is good enough!
Are you an early bird? What are your secrets for getting moving? Share your tips and tricks with the Fat Burn Code community!
More Health News
Mind Over Matter: Your Brain May Be Stopping You From Losing Weight. Learn More
Exercise Curbs Appetite, Not the Other Way Around, Study Finds. Learn More
BMI: Not an Accurate Measure of Health Nor Obesity. Learn More
 | A guest post by
|