The Lazy Girl's Guide to Mastering the Dreaded Morning Workout
As a 20-something living in a big city, squeezing in a workout is
tough. Some days it feels like I have to choose between hitting the gym
or heading to happy hour — but I want both! So, though I'm definitely
not a morning person, earlier this year I embarked on a mission to
master the morning workout. But, there was just one little issue . . .
To me, waking up earlier than needed is like a unique form of
torture. It's like there is an epic battle between my motivated self and
my lazy self — a sort of tug-of-war between the comfort of my large,
plush bed and the energizing hum of the gym. And though I've felt like
I'm getting into the swing of things, I sometimes lose momentum and
struggle all over again. Still, I feel like I've come closer to
conquering this all-consuming battle, and the more I work at it, the
more I notice certain
tips and tricks that make it much easier to successfully get my butt out the door. Armed with this arsenal of ideas, the morning is yours!
1. Set multiple alarms
When I say I set multiple alarms, I don't mean two — I mean five or
six, starting half an hour before I want to get up. If I'm not in the
habit of getting up early to hit the gym, my body is not ready for the
rude awakening, and I find myself hitting snooze and missing my workout.
When you're just getting into the habit, bombard yourself with
obnoxious alarms and know that while you're totally miserable in the
moment, you'll thank yourself later.
2. Lay out everything the night before
Shorts, check. Sports bra, check. Water bottle, keys . . . check,
check. Scrambling around half delirious in the morning is not the most
effective way to start the day. I've found that when I can plan ahead
and have everything ready at arms reach, it's much more likely I'll make
it out the door and to my 7 a.m. Spin class on time.
3. Make it a date
Some days it can be so difficult to get out of bed, especially when I
know that there is nothing stopping me from staying snuggled under the
covers. But, when I know that someone is depending on me to show up,
it's much easier to get out of bed and get my act together. Convince a
friend to
meet you for a morning run, and you won't be able to skip out.
4. Cut travel time
My gym is a 10-minute walk from home (or five-minute jog, if I'm
feeling ambitious . . . ), and the quick commute means that I can sneak
in every extra minute of sleep possible. Since a longer commute would
mean getting up even earlier, finding a gym that was literally around
the corner meant that making an excuse about travel time was no longer
an option. Even if a nearby gym isn't an option, running outside or
doing a video in your living room can help you sneak in a workout, no
matter how short on time you feel.
5. Leave no escape
At my gym, signing up for a class and then not showing up is a major
no-no that can lead to a ding on your account. So, to get myself out of
bed and into the gym, I've started signing up for morning classes the
night before. If I know there are consequences for not showing up, it's
more likely that I'll get up and get my act together. If your gym is
more forgiving, make your own ultimatums. Live with a roommate or a
significant other? Pay them $5 if you sleep in — when your money is on
the table, getting to the gym will seem easy.
6. Don't sweat a slip-up
Some days I miss the mark and end up skipping my workout, especially
after indulging a little too much the night before. It's important to
accept that I'm not going to make my goal every time. If you miss a
workout, don't beat yourself up; just pay attention to what went wrong —
were you up too late the night before? Did you just turn off your alarm
instead of getting up? Listen to your body, and learn from what didn't
work instead of getting upset.
7. Plan a reward
Call me crazy, but one of my favorite treats is a refreshing, rich
iced latte. Since they can be pretty pricey, I try to keep this
delicious treat to something I enjoy on the weekend only. But, I've
found that if I promise myself a slightly sweet, strong, and milky cup
of deliciousness on the way to work if I hit the gym first. It's easier
for me to face the day knowing that a treat is coming my way.
8. Crash early
OK, I admit it — this is the puzzle piece I consider my weakness. I'm
a night owl, and as hard as I try to hit the hay at 9 p.m., I'll just
toss and turn until my body decides it's ready for sleep, usually around
1:30 a.m. I've found the longer I work at adjusting my schedule, the
easier it becomes but, there are still days I wish that I was able to
magically pass out. I've learned that turning off the TV and closing my
laptop an hour before hopping into bed does seem to help, so be sure to
shut off the screens when you're trying to go to bed earlier than
normal.
9. Remember the results
I never expected that switching my workout routine from after work to
before it would affect my mood throughout the day, but I swear it has.
Though I may feel sluggish getting out the door, once I've sweated out
my morning weariness, I leave the gym feeling seriously refreshed and
invigorated. Maybe it's the endorphins, or maybe it's the fact that the
day is now full of possibilities — but I am ready to hit the ground
running. If you're struggling to find the motivation, just remember the
energy you will feel pulsing through your body as soon as you step out
the doors and start the rest of your day.
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