Call me ca-razay but I am such a morning person. I love waking up, getting in a workout and having enough time to eat a leisurely breakfast. It’s the ideal start to my day and I’m all smiles when I get into work. More often than not, my eyes open before my alarm sets off. Other than walking up the stairs after doing numerous squats & lunges, I have never once regretted a morning sesh. Sure studies have revealed that A.M. exercise is most effective because it:
- Jumpstarts your metabolism and keeps it elevated for up to 24 hours
- Provides an energy boost for the day
- Improves sleep patterns
- Can enhance one’s mood & brain function instantly
I can testify for those reasons but my personal preference to exercise first thing is more because it’s:
- Nice to have a workout under my belt when I walk into work
- Puts me on a high which lasts all day
- Leaves my evenings open: whether I want to lie on my bed or meet some friends, the choice is mine!
- Revs up my appetite to match my big breakfasts
- The only time I can enjoy a few minutes of peace given the hustle & bustle in Bombay
Last year I blogged a few tips to help ease yourself into morning workouts. Here are a few more of my favorites:
- Get creative with your playlist: the right mix can enhance your enthusiasm and vigor while reducing your sense of fatigue. Put it this way, my workouts are the only time when I will voluntarily listen to Ke$ha.
- Lay out everything you’ll need the night before (clothes, sports bra, socks, trainers, iPod, money, keys, water bottle, towel, magazine, etc). That’s one less thing you have to worry about in the morning. All you need to do is wake up and go.
- Visualize how great you’ll feel within an hour. Cheesy or not, you’re one workout away from a good mood!
- Don’t do something you hate. Whether I’m running-so-fast-my-lungs-feel-like-they’re-about-to-collapse or leisurely walking in the park, the main thing is that I’m up and moving.
- Change your attitude: you don’t have to exercise, you get to exercise. Once you escape the mindset that exercise is a chore and start looking at it as a source of pleasure, you’ll instantly find yourself more enthusiastic about your workouts.
- Commit to morning workouts for 3 weeks. It takes 21 days for a habit to kick in and your body clock to adjust itself.
- Schedule a workout with a friend or book in a personal training session. Common decency alone should get you out of bed. And if you’re anything like me, you can’t bear to throw money down the drain (i.e. miss a PT session)
- Don’t think, just do it! The more you dilly dally around in your dark, cozy house, the less likely you will leave it. Wake up, get ready, and get out the door. Time is precious.
Thank you for advice’s.