GET ON YOUR FEET!
Let’s face it, hitting the gym after work isn’t always possible for everyone, and going in the morning seems intimidating compared to the snooze button. We want to let you know that there are ways to avoid ditching your commitment to working out, and they might be easier to follow than you’d expect!
It starts as early as the moment you hit the sheets, and you’re probably not getting into bed early enough anyway. Most people know they need seven or eight hours of sleep each night, but they don’t always achieve it, so plan accordingly for the next day’s schedule with a little help from your surroundings. Before you’ve even made your way to your bedroom, it might be a good idea to set your coffee maker up in advance. Most machines have the ability to set a time to brew and the smell of fresh coffee in the morning is a small perk that could get most people out from under the covers.
Next, make the bed with some fresh sheets, dim the lights, and turn your phone’s brightness down, making sure to turn on the do not disturb setting. If you’re a snooze button addict, it might be a good idea to keep your phone or traditional alarm clock out of reach. Then, write a to-do list of everything that needs to be done the next day so you’re not laying in bed worrying about it all night. If white noise machines, fans, or humidifiers help you get to sleep, don’t forget about them, and if you want to go the extra mile before you head to bed, plan out your outfit for your AM sweat session! You could even wear it to bed to avoid the ever painful chilly morning change of clothes (studies show that keeping your room around 68 degrees Fahrenheit is best for sleep).
Before you’ve done all that, it’s important to think about how you’ll fuel your morning workout. Meal prep is essential, but for even the pickiest eaters, or those of us with a weak stomach in the morning, one of the best ways to avoid skimping on necessary calories is a good smoothie! Chop up your go-to fruits and vegetables in advance to freeze or store in the fridge and in the morning, just blend with yogurt, juice, protein, or whatever you normally like to add. Then, plan a tasty, more in-depth breakfast to look forward to after your workout– homemade banana or zucchini bread, chia seed pudding, treat yourself! Then it’s off to the races to start your day re-fueled and feeling amazing.