Photo: Girl Meets Strong.
We’ve all seen them at 6am: the runners, the lifters, the yogis, working out like they didn’t just drag themselves out of bed and struggle to find the buttons on the coffee maker. They look like a different breed, those motivated morning people, and they sort of are. Perhaps you’ve dreamed about becoming a morning person, and maybe you’ve even tried to wake up early to workout, but you snoozed your alarm too many times. Don’t worry, help is here! With just a few easy changes, anyone can harness the many benefits of the elusive morning work out.
The benefits for working out every morning are innumerous. Studies have shown that exercising first thing in the morning makes you more mentally acute throughout the day, boosts your metabolism thus burning more calories, and helps to stick to a daily workout schedule – something the rest of us night exercisers struggle with.
If you only switched your workout time from night to morning, you could lose weight, increase your mental acuity, and work out more often. It’s literally that easy to make your workout count that much more. So how do you transform into the morning workout poster child? It’s probably easier than you think.
Just by following a few of these helpful tips you too can be a morning workout person.
The night before…
Photo: Girl Meets Strong.
1. Stay Hydrated
To both help you get up on time and make your workout more enjoyable.
2. Eat a smaller dinner with fewer carbs
To control your blood sugar more consistently in the morning.
3. Lay out your workout gear
The more you can get ready at night, the fewer excuses you’ll have in the morning.
4. Make or plan your breakfast the night before
Shoot for something around 200 calories like a smoothie, protein shake, workout bar, or classic oatmeal. Your body needs fuel to power through your workout.
5. Visualize your morning
When you get in bed that evening, imagine yourself getting up the next day. Picture what it will feel like to put on your gear and take off on your own or to a class. Imagine how great it will feel to finish your workout before you head to work. The victory of finishing your workout can increase endorphins and make your day less stressful. Now who doesn’t want that?
The morning of…
Photo: Girl Meets Strong.
6. Set your alarm, and place it across the room
Try one of these crazy alarm clocks that run away from you while you sleep. Or try bright lights and loud music – flip on all those lights, and blast your tunes. Sorry neighbors! Bright lights and loud sounds will get you greeting the day in no time.
Lastly, you can always have a friend call you right at 6am to make sure you’re out of bed. Multiple layers of accountability make sure your tired brain doesn’t thwart your motivated brain.
7. Splash cold water on your face
This helps about as much as it sucks (which is a lot). That little bit of wake up water can make you gasp, filling your lungs with fresh air. It will also shock your face so your eyes don’t drift closed while you’re pounding the pavement.
8. Eat 45 minutes before your workout
Remember that breakfast you made? Eat it as soon as you get out of bed. This will give you enough time to digest before you get your heart racing.
9. Focus on gratitude
Remember, whatever we focus on is what we feel. Instead of begrudgingly greeting the day and your workout, try to turn your focus on appreciation. You can choose each part of your body and give gratitude for what it allows you to do. Or, if you’re outdoors, look at your surroundings as you go for your morning run – how great is it that mother nature provides such a beautiful playground for us.
10. Track your progress
Staying on top of your progress is easy now with great tools like MiCoach from Adidas. People who work out in the mornings are more likely to make their goals. Track your workouts with MiCoach and let your momentum inspire you to work harder.
11. Focus Out
Enjoy the majesty of the sunrise. Mornings are a magical quiet time before the rest of the world awakens and starts to run around. Spend some time enjoying the solitude and meditate. This alone can improve your mental health for the rest of the day.
12. Keep to a schedule
Your body does better if it works out the same time every day, and your REM cycle will thank you. Studies have shown that consistent wake up and sleep times keep your body in a consistent rhythm, so waking up early won’t be so hard!
Keep trying! – Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your routine won’t be either. But with consistent effort and progress, you’ll be able to master the snooze-button snare. Studies show it takes thirty days to build and instill a habit, so keep track with post-its on your wall or Xs on a calendar. Morning work out community, here you come!
This article was originally written by C.L. Brenton and published by Girl Meets Strong. For more inspiring content like this, visit girlmeetsstrong.com. Girl Meets Strong is a brand operating across multiple online platforms – featuring photography, stories and videos inspiring girls & women to be strong versus skinny. Girl Meets Strong was founded in 2014 by Kayvan Mott.
