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Fitness trainers and nutritionists have always advised us to work out in the morning – the time of day where most of us want nothing more than to stay in bed for just five more minutes. If you’re struggling to make it to those AM workouts, here are five ways to actually get you of bed.
- Have a proper meal the night before
“Proper” doesn’t just refer to the meal’s nutritional content; it also refers to the time of your meal. Eating a balanced meal of vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats before you intend to wake up early the next day to work out will ensure that your body feels rested and energized in the morning. You should, however, also make sure that you’re finishing your meal at least an hour and a half before you go to bed to give your body adequate time to digest your food before you sleep.
- Go to bed earlier
Health and sleep experts agree: Adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep per night to be properly rested and start each day refreshed. You should not only make sure that you get into bed at a time when you’ll be able to get this amount of sleep each night, but you should also try to limit your screen time in that final hour before bed so it doesn’t affect your ability to actually fall asleep.
- Give yourself something to look forward to
This tip might seem a bit counterintuitive, particularly if you’re already struggling to find the motivation to work out in the morning. However, Noah Neiman, master trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp in New York City, insists that your body responds well to stimuli. If you can give yourself something to look forward to – whether it’s listening to a new workout playlist or meeting up with a friend – it will be that much easier to get your body accustomed to the early morning workout routine.
- Find a workout companion
It becomes much harder to bail on workout plans when bailing also means dropping plans you made with a friend. Ask around to see if any of your friends is also looking for a morning workout buddy, and make concrete plans to hit the gym together so you can both hold each other accountable.
- Plan out your morning the night before
If you’ve already decided upon and established your morning workout routine before you went to bed last night, it will be that much easier to get yourself up and out of bed when your alarm clock rings. Kristen Gee, a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor in New York City, suggests, “Lay out your shoes and clothes in the evening. Have a pre-made pre-exercise snack ready to go and set the coffee pot to start brewing at the same time as your alarm.”
Best of luck with your early morning gym endeavors!
