Exercise Tip 101: Getting Motivated

 Do you ever wake up early to work out and then decide to just forget it and go back to sleep? We’ve all been there. Sometimes the most difficult part of a workout is just motivating yourself to do it. And motivating yourself can be hard, especially when you work long hours or have a rough night’s sleep. Here are some steps to prepare you to just grab those running shoes and force yourself to do it!

1. Go to sleep early! If you have trouble sleeping at night, make sure to avoid nighttime activities like watching tv or movies—these tend to keep you awake. Instead, try reading a boring book. And definitely avoid drinking caffeine in the evening.

2. Lay out your workout clothes the night before. That way, it’s one less thing to do in the morning when you wake up.

3. Have your IPOD charged and ready to go. Try making an exercise playlist with some upbeat songs. This will really enhance your workout and make you enjoy it more too! There’s nothing like going on a run with some energetic music playing in the background—it’s a great way to forget all your worries.

4. Put your alarm on the opposite side of the room. Make sure it’s out of arm’s reach so that you aren’t just tempted to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. This way you’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off anyway, so you might as well stay out of bed and do your workout since already up!

5. Stay hydrated and nourished—drink some water and eat a light breakfast before your workout. Food and water keep your body energized and there’s nothing worse than working out on an empty stomach.

6. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee after your workout. If the workout itself hasn’t already energized you, caffeine works well as an energizing morning fuel.

Once you get the hang of these six steps, your morning workout won’t seem like such a drag. The beginning is the hardest part, but soon enough you’ll get a hang of the routine and your body will thank you.