Exercising in the AM helps you increase metabolism, build the exercise habit, improve brain function, and set you for a happier, more productive day.
It’s actually the best way to start the day, I daresay.
However, becoming a morning person isn’t as easy as simply going to sleep and deciding that you’re going to be one. It’s a habit that requires a lot of patience and time to develop.
If you’re looking to make morning workouts a part of your life, then you’re in the right place.
In today’s post, you’ll learn three practical measures you can take that will put you on the fast track to becoming a morning exerciser.
Does that sound good?
Let’s get started.
Get Plenty of Sleep
This should go without saying, but it’s quite tricky to become a morning person if you’re up until 2 am watching Netflix or scrolling through social media.
That’s why your first step to making morning workouts happen is to get enough sleep. Sleep is just as important as exercise and diet if you want to get in shape and stay healthy.
To make sure you get a good night of sleep, do the following:
Sleep enough
Aim for seven to eight hours of slumber per night. So if you plan to get up at 7 am, be tucked in bed by 11 pm. No later than that.
Start slow
Don’t try to alter your sleep routine overnight. Instead, change it by incrementally going to sleep and getting up 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day.
Avoid lights
Stop using your laptop and phone at least an hour before bed. Instead, use that time to get your goals for the next day and wind down. You can also read a book, do journaling, or meditate.
Get Ready the Night Before
To make your transition to morning exercise smooth, you’d need to remove as many obstacles as possible. A lot of beginners give up on the morning workout simply because they couldn’t find their favorite sports bra, earbuds, or running jacket.
Here’s what you need to do the night before a workout:
- Lay your workout clothes near your bed or on the dress. You can even sleep in them if you want to.
- Fill your water bottle
- Prepare your music playlist
- Have your sneakers ready at the door.
- Charge your iPod
- Put your yoga mat by the door
- Lay your dumbbells next to the TV.
- Prepare a batch of cold brew instead of taking the time to make it in the morning
- Cook a light breakfast, if you usually eat one.
- Or whatever else you need for your workout routine.
This may seem like a lot do, but it should take no more than 10 minutes to set up everything. The fewer obstacles, the less likely you’ll hit the snooze button and the higher chance of success.
Resist the Temptation
The main obstacle for many people when it comes to morning exercise is the action of getting up. You’ll be tempted to hit the snooze button the instant your alarm goes off. Don’t fall into that trap.
Do the following to ensure you get out of bed and into your workout gear ASAP:
Put it out of reach
Set your alarm clock and put away from your arms reach. This forces you to get up out of bed to turn it off. And once you’re up, the hardest part is over.
Turn on the light
The moment your alarm clock goes off, turn on the light or open your blinds. This helps wake you up by signaling to your body that it’s day time. It also helps reset your body clock.
Get moving
Warm-up for your workout by performing 5 to 10 minutes of dynamic exercises to increase your heart rate, improve range of motion, and get your body ready for the session. This also helps you wake up.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Sleepiness may not fade away just from sipping a cup of coffee. You might instead need to eat breakfast to provide energy to jumpstart your day. Light pre-workout breakfast ideas include a smoothie, two hard-boiled eggs, or fruit.
Conclusion
There you have it! The above guidelines are all you need to build the morning workout habit. Now it’s up to you to take action on what you’ve just learned so you can make your fitness vision a reality. The rest is just detail. Please feel free to leave your comments and questions in the section below. In the meantime, thank you for dropping by.
Keep exercising strong.
