How To... + A Disclaimer

How To... posts are tricky. If your not an expert, should you write a How To... post?

Well, I've had a few people ask me what my tricks are to getting up early to go to the gym. 

Now, I'm no fitness expert and I don't have the body to prove it, but if there is one thing I am consistent at, its my workouts. So, if you like working out in the morning, but struggle getting out of bed and to the gym-I hope this helps.

I wrote a very similar post back in October...when I had barely been doing this for a month. A lot of the ideas are similar, but my perspective has changed and I do some things differently.

1. Make sure that your alarm clock is out of reach, preferably far enough away that you have to get up and out of bed to turn it off. I use my iPhone as my alarm and have titled my morning wake-up call "Get Skinny." Having to get out of bed and see that is hard to say no to.

2. Have your gym clothes in a convenient location, all ready to go. Part of my nightly routine consists of gathering my gym clothes and putting them to the bathroom-because the second my alarm goes of I head there. For me, getting dressed and ready to go is the hardest part, so I do that ASAP.
3. Start your car. After I get dressed I run out and get my car started. This is especially beneficial in the winter months because your car can defrost and warm up. This also puts me on a time table to finish getting ready and get out the door. I don't want to waste gas!

3. Eat and/or drink something. This helps give you energy for your workout and helps you to finish completely waking up. I usually eat an apple or banana and my preworkout N.O.Xplode.
4. If you can, have a buddy to go with you. Last semester I went alone because my husband had to be in class at 6:30. This semester he has been going with me, and it has made a world of difference!
5. Put your brain in zombie mode. It is easy to talk yourself out of going. On those mornings where I'm struggling to get motivated, I try my best to turn off my brain. I try not to think about why I don't  want to go or how much I want to get back into bed. I fall back on my routine and hope that it can get me there. The first few weeks will be hard- leave yourself notes in places you'll see them as you're getting ready reminding you why you are up at such an ungodly hour.
6. Go to bed early. During the week, my husband and I strive to be in bed by 9:30 at the latest. It seems super early, but that's only 7.5 hours of sleep. I also look at it this way- if you're getting up earlier, you're getting more time out of your day. You'll be more productive and be able to go to bed earlier. 

So, there you have it...happy early mornings!

"Motivation gets you started, habit keeps you going."