If you’re part of Team Night Owl, becoming a morning workout person can seem like an Herculean task. But waking up early and getting your exercise done before the rest of the world begins its day is one of the most effective ways to make progress toward your fitness goals and build incredible habits that can help you transform into the lean, fit body of your dreams.
It’s also a great way to boost your metabolism and feel energized throughout the rest of the day. And that’s a good thing, because research has shown that those who exercise in the morning burn more calories than those who work out later in the day and are more likely to lose weight.
So, what does it take to be a morning workout person? For starters, the most important thing is to commit yourself to it. Then, you need to develop a solid plan of attack. This starts with determining why you want to become one. Figuring out your motivation will help you stay consistent when you’re struggling and will keep you going long after the 30-day mark.
Once you’ve established your why, it’s time to start setting obtainable goals and milestones to guide your journey. It’s crucial to break your goal down into small steps so that you don’t get overwhelmed and give up. For example, if you’re trying to adjust your sleep schedule to wake up earlier for a workout, start by shifting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each week until you reach your desired goal.
Finally, be sure to prepare the night before by packing your gym bag and laying out your workout clothes. This will save you the stress of deciding what to wear in the morning and it will help eliminate any last-minute excuses not to exercise! You may even want to consider sleeping in your workout clothes so that you’re all set and ready to go.
Another helpful tip is to prep your breakfast the night before as well. This will ensure that you have a healthy and nutritious meal to power through your morning workout and give you energy for the rest of the day. Overnight oats are a quick and easy option that you can mix up before you go to bed so they’re ready to eat when you wake up.
If you need extra inspiration to make your new routine a success, enlist the help of a friend or find an online fitness community that will hold you accountable and support your journey. Having an accountability buddy or an app like Mission Lean to tap into a library of top-notch workouts that will help you get lean can be exactly the motivation you need to push through the tough parts of your morning exercise and make your routine a permanent fixture in your day-to-day life.
Milena Estêvão is a YouTuber passionate about sharing her experiences (challenges, successes and motivations) in the fitness activities she is involved in.
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