I get asked a lot about what time I workout. How do I have enough time to fit working out in my schedule? I’ll also hear “I just don’t have time or I’m too tired!”
Listen, we’ve all been there – working ridiculously long weeks and pushing the engine until it can’t be pushed anymore. There’s also nothing worse than working a long day and getting to the gym to have every machine and treadmill taken.
My solution? Morning workouts. I know – “but it’s so early”, I know “I just can’t get out of bed”.
If you set a goal for yourself, you will not let yourself down. I think that is the key to this whole healthy madness. No one can be setting these goals for you – YOU have to want to lose the weight, gain the muscle, etc.
Whatever you think will motivate you – start there. For me, it was simple – I had high cholesterol, I had to make a lifestyle choice, all the rest fell into place when I got back into the swing of things. I made sure not to make myself a slave to the treadmill and found other activities that I could look forward to when I stepped foot in the gym.
So – how do you work AM workouts into your schedule?
Here are some good tricks that have worked for me:
1. Pack your meals the night before – including your pre and post workout food, lunches and all snacks and put them in the fridge so in the morning there’s no extra brain work needed – grab and go.
2. Have your workouts pre-planned. If you know you are doing legs – know what exercises you are doing, how many reps and sets of each. If you only have 40 minutes in the gym you cannot afford to waste time populating a workout while you are AT the gym.
3. Lay out your workout clothes – heck I’ve SLEPT in my workout clothes before to ensure I do not miss going.
4. On the topic of clothes – have your gym bag ready the night before. If you are getting ready for work at the gym, bring all necessities. I also rarely do cardio in the morning so I can skip the showers and just freshen up (huge time saver).
5. If you are still unsure you are going to make your morning wake up – ask a friend to go with you. Being held accountable like you are going to a “meeting” is always a sure motivator.
Enjoy!