10 Strategies to Wake Up Early and Work Out
Not everyone is a morning person. For me, waking up earlier than needed can be a struggle. Especially when I know I have to be some-what energetic and alert to exercise first thing in the morning.
And I'm guessing you're like me. You already get up pretty early to go to work or take care of the kiddos. So the idea of getting up even earlier than that to work out? Ugh, it can be tough. And you tend to lose the motivation to do it.
And you probably prefer to workout in the mornings, but you also love to sleep (I know I do LOL). So you often find yourself hitting the snooze button thinking "I'll just workout this evening", only to get stuck at work late or have something come up at home that keeps you from hitting the gym or home workout before turning in for the night.
If this sounds like you, I want to give you 10 strategies to wake up early and work out. Now, I don't intend for you to implement all 10. But I do encourage you to try a few of these tips and tricks. And if you stick with it, I'm sure it'll become much easier to successfully get your booty out the door.
Because the truth is this: Successfully getting up early in the morning to work out is all about removing as many obstacles and excuses as possible. And with this arsenal of ideas, the morning is yours!
1. Get in a Time Routine
Do you wake up the same time each morning? Try to get into a routine of getting out of bed at the same time, then you'll wake up automatically. At first it may be difficult not to turn off the alarm and go back to sleep, or hit the snooze rather than get up to exercise. But stick to it! Stick to the exact same time and after a week or two your body will adjust to your early workout schedule and it'll be easier to get up. Before you know it, you may even wake up a couple minutes before your alarm even goes off.
Also, really try to go to bed around the same time. Get your 7-9 hours of sleep! If you know you need to get up at 6:00 A.M. in order to workout then backtrack the clock 7-9 hours for when you need to go to bed and try to stick to it.
2. Tweak Your Workout Schedule
Do you think it'd be better to workout AFTER work instead? Maybe change your workout schedule and try doing it after work in the late afternoon or evening. Give it a good effort for a week or two and see how you do! But if you know you're definitely more likely to skip the workout because of being too busy, too tired, or things get in the way then stick with the morning. I get asked all the time "When is the best time to work out?" My answer is always the same -- Whenever you are most likely to get it done.
3. Prioritize Your "To Do List"
Are you a "to-do list" maker like me? Where you feel productive, accomplished and satisfied with yourself when you cross things off a list or complete your list? I know I do! Include your workout on that list!! Make it a to-do. And if you're anything like me you'll want to make sure it gets crossed off and done with so you can move on to the next things.
Make it a priority like you do everything else on that list. Even draw a "star" next to the top 3-4 things that NEED to get done that day above all the rest. And guess what should get "starred"? Your workout! And if you're in the Toned In 20 workout program, I already have your personal schedule/Calendar set with your workouts planned week to week. No stressful planning on your part of knowing what to do. You just need to log in and press play on the full workout video!
4. Prep Your Clothes
People prep their food the day before, so why not prep your clothes to make things easier too. Set out your workout clothes by the bed the night before. Everything you need so there's no guessing on what to put on.
Plus, it'll be super easy to get out of bed and put them on right away with no thinking required. One possible disadvantage to working out in the morning is that your time is limited. Overcome that by having a set routine and not wasting any time looking for clothes to put on, your shoes, your weights, etc.
5. Put Your Phone on Laces
How about this trick -- Set your phone away from the bed so you have to get up to turn it off. Have your shoes underneath it as a reminder. So at night, set your alarm and put your running shoes close to the door with your phone on top the laces. Even if you're exhausted & dragging your feet, it most likely will get you out the door.
6. Pick an Unpleasant Ringtone
Set your alarm to a very unpleasant ringtone or sound. This does not work for me personally because it puts me in a bad mood hearing an annoying sound first thing in the morning. But for some people this does the trick!
7. Have an Arsenal of Self Reminders
Tell yourself....It's only a 20 minute workout (or however long) and I'll feel AMAZING afterwards. Think of your goals and why you want to lose weight and tone up. Why it's important for you to exercise. Have some butt-kicking answers to fill in the blank as self motivation when you're half asleep and debating whether to get up or sleep in. "If I don't workout, I won't be able to _____."
8. Reward Yourself
Think of a reward weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to give yourself for getting up all 4 days a week to exercise. Or however many days you try to dedicate to exercise. Don't always make the reward food-related as most people do. Instead, reward your hard work and dedication to a new workout top, bottoms, sport bra or even new running shoes. Go get a pedicure or manicure A massage or facial. New jeans or regular clothing items. Go to a fun event like a sports game or a movie. Treat yourself to a food or drink item or restaurant.
Bottom line: You have to find what would motivate YOU and use that to push yourself to get out of bed each morning. We've been rewarded for doing things and our "good" behavior since we were children. It still works today as adults.
9. Update Your Playlist
Do you listen to music during your workouts? If so, when was the last time you've updated your play list? Have you been listening to the same monotonous songs for a long time? Try adding new music! Listening to music when you exercise can produce positive thoughts and help offset fatigue. It can help wake you up and put you in a great mood.
10. Find an Accountability Buddy or Trainer
Have a workout buddy or a Trainer/Coach for accountability & to check-in with. If you workout right at home using Toned In 20, I know the ladies LOVE the ability to check-in with me personally through private messaging.
Plus as their Trainer, I see inside their workout calendar if they completed their workout for the day or not. Talk about accountability! Knowing you have someone who cares if you get your workouts in or not is huge to your success and makes exercise more fun!
Comment Below! Do you struggle getting motivated to wake up early and work out? Which strategies do you plan to try?
If you're an early riser, what tips do you have that works for you? Share with us!
I actually love morning workouts I think is the best time to get in that personal time. As a mother of 5 I would always get up at least one hour before I had to get my family up so that I can spend that hour on myself. praying, exercising, reading. I really enjoy that time.