Between work and play, our days can get really busy, and sometimes, working out falls to the wayside. By the end of the day, you might be too tired to get on the treadmill or lift some weights. However, there is another option: morning workouts. Not everyone is a morning person or cut out for an early start to the day. If you want to try out morning workouts, try these five key tricks to help your body embrace earlier exercise and get a jumpstart to your day.
1. Understand Your Motivation
Figuring out why you want to work out early, or your motivation for morning workouts, is a crucial first step. The why acts as a launching point for you to get out of bed in the morning, and provides higher focus, confidence, or structure. Motivation can be as simple as moving your body more to lose weight, or more elaborate, like taking a piece of time for yourself. No matter what the motivation is, if you have one, it can combat waning enthusiasm and keep you on the right path.
2. Reframe Your Thoughts
Taking the time to change “I can’t” to “maybe I can” is a great way to get your mind in the right place. Many people are adamant they aren’t morning people, but perhaps with a little change, they could enjoy morning workouts. For instance, try changing your mindset of “I can’t wake up early” to “I’m learning to wake up earlier.” By making the statement positive and in progress, you’re showing initiative to change your mindset and accepting that some mornings, you might not want to wake up. Taking that first step can foster long-lasting change.
3. Create Simple Action Plans
A long night or an exhausting day can turn the next morning’s workout into a question mark. However, getting out of bed or finding an action plan to get you into the gym can help decrease putting off morning workouts. Also known as an “if-then” statement, these contingencies can help turn inaction into productivity. For instance, if you still feel sleepy when the alarm goes off, try stretching or splashing water on your face to get the brain and body moving. You can also set an alarm for an earlier time to gradually get used to waking up by a certain time.
4. Prepare the Night Before
While a good night’s rest, between seven and eight hours, is paramount for a productive day in general, there are other preparations you can do to have consistent morning workouts. Always make sure to decrease or eliminate screen time before bed to promote melatonin production. Also, try planning out your workouts for the next day or the whole week, playlists, or even your clothes to feel ready to hit the ground running in the morning. This way, you don’t have to struggle with choosing; it’s already planned and ready to go.
5. Start Small and Build Up
Hitting the snooze button over and over is a sinkhole that will lead to pushing off workouts day after day. Instead of hitting the button, try some strategies to help your brain and body wake up in the morning, and get used to the new routine. Light stretching or deep breathing can help stimulate alertness and get your body loosened up. Once awake, start your morning workouts with light activities like brisk walks, yoga, or other gentle movements. This way, you can slowly add in more intense workouts without becoming overwhelmed or frustrated.
Wrap-Up
Morning workouts are entirely possible, even for those who hate getting up in the morning. By creating a routine that fits in your lifestyle, you can enjoy starting the day with a boost of energy while strengthening your body. Make sure to gradually fit morning workouts into your schedule to have the best possible chance at success, and a prolonged commitment to working out in the morning. Try some of these tips now and start your morning health journey!