I used to read these “how to find morning workout motivation” posts all the time. I found all the tips to be exactly the same – set your alarm away from your bed, imagine how great you’ll feel afterwards, etc.
and you know what? just like the secret to getting your dream body, there are NO shortcuts. it is as hard as it sounds, but luckily, once you hit your stride (same with losing weight), it’s easier to maintain, because your body becomes accustomed to the tradition.
so thats it. my big secret is this..
commit to three straight weeks of workday morning workouts (monday through friday) and when you wake up on that Monday of week four, you won’t dread it. it’ll be like a light switched on. you’ll be a morning person!
I wish I had something better for you, but it’s the truth and what has truly worked for me. I’ve made about 95% of my early morning workouts since I set the goal on January 1st (hello, new year resolutions) and it’s all because I hustled those first three weeks and worked out at 6:15-6:30am every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
so how did I stay motivated during those first three weeks? here are those tips:
make a gym date with a friend or sign up for a class
my friend Sarah in the building we live in meets me sometimes for morning workouts in the gym. knowing that she’s getting her sweat on makes me want to be there too and holds me accountable. I feel guilty not being down there with her! if she can make it, so can I! sometimes all you need is a little accountability.
as for signing up for a class, it’s pretty foolproof, because you don’t want to lose the money spent on the class. I rarely do workout classes unless I’m feeling really unmotivated, because I’ve always been a very self-motivated person and don’t have a problem committing to my own workouts. I know it’s crucial for some people (like my sister) who thrives in a competitive, group environment. that’s not for me – and not for my wallet, either!
add some new music to your workout playlist the night before
if I ever need extra motivation to make that early morning workout (if I’m not planning on doing a spin workout), I’ll add some new music to my workout playlist. then, when I wake up, I’m excited to listen to the new music! works every time.
before you go to bed, lay your workout clothes out
this is probably in every list of early morning workout tips because it’s so crucial. I can’t tell you how many times in the past I didn’t make an early morning workout because I mentally knew I had to fish through my drawers to find an outfit. I’d turn over out of laziness. so, make this one less excuse. it takes 5 minutes before you go to bed and sets you up for success.
set your alarm outside of your bedroom
not just on a dresser across from your bed. and definitely not on your nightstand. set your alarm (I use my iPhone) in another room – the farther away, the better. if you live in a studio, literally put it in front of the door. this way, you will literally need to get out of bed to get your alarm, making you that much less likely to get back into bed.
set an alarm sound that is not peaceful
no chirping birds or harps. set a true alarm – something jarring, that will make you jolt out of bed. after all, you’re going to work out, not to meditate, so you need to shake up your system.
set your alarm for 15-20 minutes before you need to be out the door
I used to set my alarm for 30-45 minutes before I needed to get to the gym and what would happen? I KNEW I had the extra time, so I’d snooze and then never get up. give yourself 15-20 minutes so that you have just enough time to get ready and get to the gym. who wants to waste time that early in the morning anyway?
once you’re awake, turn all of the lights on and chug ice water
these are the two new things I started doing in January. once you turn your alarm off (off, not snooze), turn all the lights on. give yourself a minute to open your eyes. as you do this, pour yourself a glass of ice water. yes, something very, very cold. again, it’s meant to shock your system and let your body know, “we’re done sleeping it’s time to be awake.” drink the whole glass of water. by this time, you should be pretty awake. or at least not tempted to go back to bed.
if you live alone, turn on some music while you get ready
I don’t have this luxury, because Lu doesn’t always wake up with me for morning workouts, BUT in the past, this definitely helped. start your workout playlist and let it play while you get ready, mentally preparing you (and physiologically) for that workout!
if all else fails…
just tell yourself you’re going to walk on the treadmill. for 15 minutes. it’s better than nothing and I guarantee you, once you’re at the gym, around people working out and your body is warmed up, you’ll complete a workout! sometimes it’s just literally physically getting yourself to the gym.
and for future motivation…
follow someone on Instagram or whatever social channel you love that will motivate you to workout. if it’s someone who slays their morning workouts everyday, follow them! you’ll start to say, “if she can do it, why can’t I?” we’re all human and all capable of amazing things, it’s all inside of us. you just need to decide today, now, that YOU are going to live your healthiest life – and make those morning workouts.
if you want to follow me, I’m at @getinspiralized for that kind of content (although I always post to my IG stories when I am on my way to a morning workout!)