Whether you’re struggling to become a morning workout person or you’ve been doing it for years, forming a morning routine can seem impossible. However, once you’ve mastered the art of getting up and working out first thing in the morning, it becomes a powerful habit that will help you achieve your fitness goals. In this week’s podcast episode, I interview Anthony Arvanitakis, a bodyweight training coach and author of 7 AM Workout Edge: Wake Up, Work Out, Own the Day, to find out how he does it. We cover everything from mindset to habits that will help you make it work.
The most important factor in making it work is consistency. Once you’ve been successful for a few weeks, the struggle will be less and you’ll start to feel invincible. The best way to be consistent is to create a plan and a schedule for yourself that’s realistic for your lifestyle and habits.
Start by looking at the week ahead and figuring out when you can squeeze in your exercise. Then, choose a workout that fits in that time frame. “If you’re not able to fit a full-length workout into your morning, consider breaking it up,” says Fagan. “Do 20 minutes of strength training and finish with 10 minutes of cardio.”
It’s also a good idea to set a consistent wake-up time. That way, you’ll know when to expect your workout and can set your alarm accordingly. If you do this, try to stick to it as much as possible—it can make a huge difference in the success of your workout.
Finally, choose a workout that you’re really excited about. Whether it’s an early-morning yoga class at your favorite studio or a high-energy dance cardio class, give yourself something to look forward to that can help you get out of bed when you’re debating hitting snooze.
You can also get yourself pumped up for your workout by planning a post-workout reward that will encourage you to push through. This could be a hot cup of coffee or some homemade oatmeal pumpkin spice bread that’s waiting for you at home.
One last tip, says Edwards: ‘Keep in mind that exercising in the morning can feel challenging, but it will feel so good once you’re done. Those endorphins will fuel your day, and will help you get through whatever challenges life throws at you.’
If you are a morning workout person, share your tips in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Happy listening!
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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