Rise & Grind!!!
Every day we wake up to the sound of our alarm clock and we are given a choice. The choice to get out of bed and seize the day or hit that snooze button and get 8 more minutes of sleep (which usually turns into 24 mins then throwing your phone across the room). We start every day with a big dose of will power and those first few minutes in the day can set you up for success or failure. The choice truly is yours! If you want to start your day energized, with more focus and a feeling of greatness keep reading to learn the Benefits of Working Out in the Morning, plus some tips to get you started. If you don’t want to achieve your goals just hit the snooze.
Benefit #1: It’s Done
How many times in the past year did you have good intentions to go to the gym in the afternoon after work but something came up? Believe me you’re not the only person that this happens too. But nothing feels better than having a good workout under your belt, especially if you’re prone to blowing them off at night. Sometimes there is a meeting that runs late, sometimes you have to go get the kids, but whatever it may be, life does happens, it’s just a lot less likely to happen at 5:30am.
How to Tip #1: Planning ahead
The tough thing about waking up early for the gym is handling the logistics of it. The key is to do all the little things the night before like laying out your workout attire and having your bag packed and shoes ready to go. Now if you are someone who sleeps through alarms, set two. Everyone has great plans to wake-up early and workout the night before, but if you don’t plan for it you’ll be able to find an excuse to pull those covers back up. If you make it part of your nightly ritual you’ll be that much more consistent.
Benefit #2: Long Term Results
People who consistently exercise are those that put it first on the to-do list for the day. It might be a rough go of it getting into the routine but once your body adapts to it, you not only will see the improvements in the gym but in your life as well. Plus you will feel a sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day knowing you already kicked ass in the gym while everyone else was sleeping. Consistency is the key here. And consistency is what leads to results, it’s science.
How to Tip #2: Establish a Bedtime
I know, were adults and can now stay up late with out anyone telling us to go to bed. But it’s crucial for that 5:30am workout that you are in bed at a reasonable hour. If you want to leave by 5:00am, be in bed by 9:00pm at the latest. It may seem rather extreme for the night owls of the bunch, but it’s damn near impossible to find motivation on 5 hours of sleep. Hence why you need to treat yourself like you are a child and set a bedtime.
Benefit #3: Having More Energy
It might sound counterproductive but exercising has been shown to increase peoples reported energy levels for those that exercise regularly. Speaking from personal experience, I love to reap the benefits of an early morning workout when I can. I feel energized for the rest of the day ready to go seize it. One of the hardest things to do is go to the gym after a long, hectic, busy day at work.
How to Tip #3: Sign Up for a Class
By signing up for that early class, you’ll feel obligated to get out of bed early, as you don’t want to disappoint your coach or fellow classmates. It might sound like guilting yourself into going, but if it works you can’t knock it. Hey, your classmate might be showing up just because you are showing up and they don’t want to disappoint you. No one wants to let someone down, even if it is just for a workout.
In all honesty, people might hate to wake up early to workout but I can guarantee you that none of them have ever regretted it at 5:30pm after a long day at work. And it’s not just the physical benefits that you will reap, you’ll also reap emotional benefits by releasing all those feel good hormones, which will lessen the work-stress and boost your mood for the day. Plus, socially you’ll have more freedom in the evening hours to go grab a bite with a friend or hit up that happy hour with a colleague. That’s what I like to call having your cake and eating it too. But only if it fits your macros.
You might as well just give it a go, set the alarm early, plan ahead, go to bed and wake up ready to seize the day. Believe me, before long, you will feel invincible.