How to Exercise Each Morning
Although you know you should exercise, it can seem impossible to squeeze a workout into your chaotic schedule. Set your alarm clock for an hour earlier and get in a morning workout. A study published in "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise" showed that a morning workout may reduce your food cravings and help you curb your caloric intake. Additionally, morning exercise will give you an energy boost that will help you to stay focused throughout the day. Although emerging from the comfort of your quilts may be difficult, a little planning will make your morning routine much more manageable.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Put your alarm clock as far away from your bed as possible. Consider stumbling across the room to stop the infernal noise your first exercise of the day.
-
2
Pack your gym bag in the evening and put it in the car. Some items you might include are a water bottle, towel, change of clothes, toiletries, a hair dryer and a pair of dress shoes if you are headed straight to work from the gym. Preparing ahead of time will save you dashing around the house in the morning.
-
-
3
Sleep in your gym clothes. A pair of track pants, a loose T-shirt and a sports bra are just as comfortable as your pajamas. Roll out of bed in the morning, lace up your sneakers and start working out.
-
4
Find an exercise program you enjoy. Perhaps the thought of a dance class at the gym or a morning run will motivate you to lift your head off the pillow.
-
5
Invest in a few workout DVDs. The thought of driving to the gym before the sun rises may be overwhelming, but you can workout in the comfort of your own home. Stumble down the stairs, take a couple sips of coffee and work up a sweat in the living room.
-
6
Ask a friend to be your workout buddy. If a friend is expecting to see you at the gym at 6 a.m. sharp, you'll be less likely to make excuses and skip your morning workout.
-
7
Reward yourself with a non-food treat. For instance, only listen to your favorite radio station on the drive to work if you got your workout in first.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Plan to eat breakfast an hour or two before your workout. Dinner digestion finishes long before your alarm goes off, so in the morning, your blood sugar is quite low. If you can't stomach a full breakfast, try to drink a smoothie, glass of milk or sports drink for a quick energy boost.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
