Successful Early Morning Workouts: 7 Ways To Be Smart About It
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Do you wish you were one of those people that could get up and have successful early morning workouts? How often are you in a deep sleep and all of a sudden that “annoying” alarm starts ringing – “beep, beep, beep.” It takes every ounce of energy for you to not to jump out of bed and smash it.
We all love to sleep. You are probably thinking though, “I am not a morning person.”
Or you remember when you used to get up early and head to the gym for your early morning workout. Somehow that doesn’t happen anymore and things have changed. Why? Life happens! Admittedly, we all get busy with work, raising families, and our priorities change.
Here are some motivating reasons to get out of bed and how you can have a successful early morning workout.
1. Reduced Risk of Health Problems As You Get Older
Physical activity is the building block to good health not only when we are younger, but even more so as we age.
As we age, we tend to be less active. Putting out the garbage, yard work or walking are about as physical as some people get after they retire, sad to say.
The CDC outlines that regular workouts reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It will help improve muscle strength and stamina. Regular physical activity also aids in maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Our metabolism slows down also when we get older so regular workouts will give us the boost we need.
Get out there and start moving, engage in some physical activity and do something you love and you will reap the benefits. At the very least, get up and start a morning walking routine and enjoy the fresh air for successful early morning workouts.
2. Do What You Love and Enjoy
If you are going to get back in the habit of starting your day with successful early morning workouts, then it’s important to start with an activity you enjoy or are already doing.
Most people aren’t going to waste time working out with an activity they hate. It has to be something that you want to do or are interested in doing and not necessarily the latest trend.
3. Build a Routine for Successful Early Morning Workouts
What is the definition of a routine? According to one dictionary, it is a sequence of actions that are regularly followed.
What is your morning routine? Do you hit the snooze button when the alarm goes off and roll over and go back to sleep for another five or ten minutes?
A regular routine for successful early morning workouts has many positive health benefits such as less stress, more restful sleep, and overall better health.
If you want results from exercising then consistency is the key. Regularly getting up each day at the same time and working out, you are setting yourself up for success. Whether it’s going for a walk, doing cardio or a pilates class, a good routine can help you build healthy habits.
If it’s not something you are interested in and enjoy then the chances are you are going to make excuses tomorrow and the next day.
It’s easy enough to pull those covers up and stay in bed where it’s warm and cozy so start thinking of what activity you want to do.
I enjoy running because it takes me outside and I can enjoy the fresh air and nature. What if your favorite activity for exercising? What motivates you to get moving? It can be anything such as swimming, tennis, badminton, racquetball, walking, hiking, rock climbing. The possibilities are endless.
4. Be Accountable
When it comes to our personal fitness and health goals, no one else can make those decisions for us. Only we know what we should be doing and need to do.
For my own health and getting control over my hormones, I realize that if I am going to be successful and gain control of the situation then I need to be responsible and take action.
I know that when I eat right and exercise regularly that I feel better and I am in a happier frame of mind because I have taken control of my own personal health.
Sometimes we need to make a mental shift in our thinking and think about what’s in it for me and how will I benefit from an early morning workout.
5. Eliminate Distractions
What are your distractions when it comes to working out? I can think of a million things – okay not really, but you get my point. There is always something that we think is more important and we need to take care of it now.
Cell phones are one of the biggest distractions. We have this insatiable need to always be checking our emails, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or whatever social networking accounts we belong to. Even I am guilty of this.
We are always creating to-do lists. I need to do this or that. Remember, those tasks will always be there waiting for you. Focus on the task at hand – your workout.
There are times we just don’t have the energy. I get that because I don’t have the energy myself a lot of the time. Try and make the mental push to focus on your workout and once you get going you will be happy and refreshed.
6. Prepare Your Clothes the Night Before
Okay, so are you ready to get up the next day and crush that early morning workout?
You have heard the saying that if you fail to plan, then plan to fail. Oh, that sounds harsh, but it’s true.
Commit – make the decision the night before that you are going to get up in the morning and workout, and this way you are setting yourself up for success.
Prepare your workout clothes the night before so you don’t have to stand there the next morning trying to figure out what you are going to wear.
Get your sneakers, gym towel, water bottle, music, headphones, sweatband, and put everything out ready to go. Or if you have a workout program from home then it makes it easier to just put on your clothes and go and have a successful early morning workout.
7. Don’t Sabotage Your Progress With This Mistake
Are you feeling good about yourself and the fact that you have made progress in scheduling regular early morning workouts? You are now into the groove of working and you are feeling like you have more energy? That’s awesome and congratulations.
Just don’t sabotage all your hard work by staying up too late and not getting to bed early enough.
We all need a certain amount of hours in order to function the next day, so make sure you are getting good quality and restful sleep.
