Monday, March 3, 2014

The Early Bird Gets The Worm: A Guide To Working Out In The Morning

It's 4:30 am, your alarm goes off {and if you have an iPhone it probably has a motivational label, like you can do it,  your running shoes are calling your name,  OR believe you can}, you are perfectly snuggled into your bed, with you comforter oh so comfortably embracing you like a cocoon {your bed is never more comfortable than when your alarm goes off for an early morning workout}, its dark outside, and you hit snooze several times.  To run {go the gym, yoga class, etc} now OR later, that is the question...

I am here to tell you:



I have always been a morning person, in the sense that I have never been able to sleep in past 7 or 8am, even as a teenager.  Now, with my schedule, the only guarantee I have of getting in a workout/run is if I do it first thing, as in 5am, in the morning.  I have fallen in love with my early morning workouts and I can't think of a better way to start my day!

Here are a few of my tips to becoming a morning runner:

Lay your clothes out the night before  or if you feel the need to, sleep in your workout clothes.

Set multiple alarms and if that doesn't work, you might want to consider an alarm clock on wheels; nothing like chasing an alarm clock through the house to wake you up.

Find workout/running partners there is something about knowing that someone is waiting for you and holding you accountable, and that you are doing the same for them.

Do NOT text your workout/running partners in the morning it always ends up going something like this, "I'm tired, not sure I want to run this morning." "Yah, me too...maybe we should cancel and run later??" "Ok, sounds good" And then the run never happens...

"I regret getting up early to workout" said no one ever.

Go to bed early its definitly easier to get up, the earlier you go to bed.

Set the timer on your coffee pot to brew either before you workout OR to come home to the fresh smell of coffee, whichever you prefer.

There is no excuse to not get in a workout during the day I all too often hear people saying they just don't have time to workout; but let be honest, you're not doing anything else at 5am,  so why not workout??

You CAN do it if you choose to!

A lot of people ask me, "How do you do it!?" {referring to me running in the morning}...but its really just a matter of making the decision to do it! I will not say its easy, but I am always so thankful when I get up in the morning, and regret the days I don't! There is no better way to start the day, than with close friends, great conversations, and a solid run, all followed by a cup of coffee and some quiet time, before things get moving and grooving.




7 comments:

  1. Great tips! I always want to workout/run before school but can't really find the time in my schedule. With spring approaching and some extra daylight I am hoping to incorporate some morning workouts into the routine!
    Karen @karenlovestorun

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  2. I love working out in the morning as well!! Guarantee way to get the workout done and less traffic in the early hours to worry about!! A big plus!! I have always been a morning person as well!! Love the mornings and watching the sun rise, can't wait for Spring so It's finally lighter at 5 a.m.

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  3. Thanks for the tips! I'm hoping to soon convert to the early morning workouts. So, hopefully I'll b in this club soon too!

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  4. great tips! I want to workout in the mornings, but i just don't make myself get up!

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  5. This is great! I love doing my work outs in the morning!! All of those tips are totally right on!! Wish you were closer to run with!! I will see you Shamrock weekend fo' show!!!

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  6. This is one of my constant struggles ... just freaking getting out of bed when the alarm goes off at 5 a.m. I am kind of terrible at it, but I'm working on it :) Thanks for the awesome tips. xoxo

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  7. Thanks for the tips! I am definitely a morning person but struggle with going to workout first thing. I always end up saying "I will go run after I do this" and then do something else, then something else, etc., and before I know it I have been awake for 2 hours and still haven't gotten in that workout. I will definitely try to apply some of these!

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