I was never a morning person. At least I wasn’t until I had kids and had no other choice. That’s also why I completely understand how dreadful the idea of having to wake up even earlier just to work out can be – especially if working out is new to you.
The good news? There are things you can do to make the transition to working out in the morning easier. But first, you should know why working out first thing is best.
Is Morning Really the Best Time to Work Out?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get. And also one that gets discussed an awful lot online.
But the truth? The best time to work out will always be the time when you’re most likely to consistently work out.
In my years of experience helping hundreds of clients, those who make a commitment to work out in the morning always have the most success in reaching their weight loss goals.
And yes, that includes people who wake up an hour or more earlier just to get in their workouts. It leaves you with more energy and sets you up for success for the rest of the day.
That’s because those who consistently work out in the morning are also more likely to stick with it and keep the weight off. Because they are creating healthier habits
The truth is when you save your workout for your kids’ naptimes or after work, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to excuses. Like I can’t work out because the kids didn’t nap. I’m too tired to work out after such a busy day at work, etc. etc.
You get the point. But probably the most important thing is learning how to become more of a morning person.
How to Become a Morning Person
I know I’ve always been more of a night owl. I just always preferred to stay up late. When I did a 2-hour daily commute to work after a 10+hour day, I exercised when I got home, because I didn’t want to wake up any earlier. It wasn’t any fun doing cardio at 9pm in case you were curious.
And now two kids later, I have no other choice. My kids are early birds and the only way for me not to be cranky all day long was to shift my sleep schedule, too.
Working out in morning means you need to reset your circadian rhythm – especially if you’re more of a natural night owl like I was.
And now that I’m used to being a morning, which felt like it took longer than it should, I wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day (except for the few mornings here and there when my toddler decides she wants our family to party at 2am.)
Tips to Become a Morning Person
- Your bedtime needs to be earlier if you want to wake up earlier to work out. Period. Try shifting your bedtime earlier by 15 minutes at a time. Or, you can also go cold turkey. This means waking up at your desired time and just going to bed earlier, then repeat.
- Allow yourself enough time to fully wake up in the morning before you work out. Don’t set your alarm for a half hour earlier and expect to complete a 30-minute program and keep the rest of your morning on track. Your body and mind need time to wake up, which we’ll go over more below.
- Get outside as much as possible in the natural morning light.
- Work out in the morning.
- Drink your caffeine wisely. That means cutting yourself off after 3pm – 2pm is even better.
- Keep your sleep schedule consistent. Once you make the switch, stick to it even on the weekends or other days off.
- Try not to eat after 7pm.
- Have bedtime and wake time routines. I share a few of my favorite suggestions below.
Now that you know the most important things you can to become more of a morning person. It’s time to learn how to get yourself motivated and wanting to get up earlier in the morning to do your workout.
How to Get Motivated to Work Out in the Morning
Sometimes it’s just a matter of motivation whether or not you can become a true morning person and commit to waking up early every day to get your workout in.
Here are two very simple things to add to your morning and nighttime routines to get you mentally prepared for your new morning workout routine:
- AM: Before you get out of bed in the morning, repeat some positive affirmations that include you having a great workout. I’ll share a few of my favorites below.
- PM: When you’re in bed, close your eyes and visualize yourself getting out bed the next morning, feeling great, and giving your workout everything you have. Remember to visualize in as much detail as possible. You can even visualize your future yourself and what all your hard work is going to lead to.
My Favorite Morning Affirmations
Losing weight is hard. That means it’s really easy to give up after a week, a month, or even a year only to see all the hard work you’ve done come undone in a short period of time.
It has a lot to do with people only focusing on the physical workout and what they’re eating. But what a lot of people don’t necessarily work on is their mindset. And that may be even more important to your success.
Because your mindset is what’s going to make working out in the morning something you do for a short time or something you make part of your new healthier lifestyle.
One of my favorites ways to do this is by saying morning affirmations before I get out of bed each day. Here’s a few of my favorite workout affirmations.
Please remember if you’re having a really tough time staying motivated to workouts, I am always here to help you reach your help if you need it. Visit my support page to.
You are also more than welcome to join my online fitness community where we often “meet up” to do our workouts together. You also get the accountability and support you need to reach your health and fitness goals. That means recipes, meal plans, and more.
In addition, there is a workout program specifically designed to help you learn how to work out in the morning. Find out more about Morning Meltdown 100.
Tips to Make Working Out in the Morning Easier
At first, working out in the morning is going to feel harder than it is. That’s only because you’re not used to it – body or mind.
And just like any new habit, it will take time for your body and mind to be ready for those workouts. So the most important thing we’ll go over here are a few ways to make the transition even easier.
- Lay out your workout clothes next to your bed the night before. And prep your workout space with any equipment you might need. This way when the alarm goes off, you’ll be ready to get going.
- Prep your coffee the night before.
- Set yourself up with a bedtime routine that calms and prepares you for an optimal night’s sleep.
- Schedule your workout into every morning. This means adding your workout into your calendar and having the alarm let you know it’s time.
But Should You Eat Before Your Morning Workout?
This really depends on you. I don’t eat before my morning workout if it’s cardio, because my stomach bouncing around gets to gassy. TMI I know, but truth. And some people can without any issues.
I’d say drink 8oz of water before anything else, any coffee or energy shake you might need, and try to work out on an empty stomach. if you start to feel lightheaded or low-blood sugary, stop and eat something small. Some people can tolerate not eating, and some people can’t.
If you’re lifting weights, I’d recommend eating something small, like my favorite pre-workout shake. This will help give you the energy you need to lift weights, which your body needs.
Working Out in the Morning Sets You Up for Success
I hope this helps you start a new morning routine that makes time for a workout. Because working out in the morning sets you up for success for the rest of your day. And once you start hitting those weight loss goals, there’s no limit to what else you can accomplish in your life.
Have any questions, comments or tips that have helped you learn to work out in the morning? Please share below!
