Do you struggle to get your day started? Find out how to start it on the right foot with a morning workout.
I love mornings. I happily jump out of bed with a smile to make my cup of tea, take my dogs for a walk and drive to the office to hit the gym. And that’s all before 7:00 a.m. To some, that may sound like torture, especially if you struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I’m not going to suggest that you jump right into a routine of getting up at 5:00 a.m., but I will suggest that you consider getting up a few minutes earlier each day until you can fit in a full 30-minute morning workout.
I appreciate that we are all individuals and the best time for you to get the most out of an exercise routine may be later in the day. However, there are some great benefits associated with starting your day with a morning workout. Let me share my top three fitness tips with you to convince you to jump out of bed early.
3 Ways a Morning Workout Can Improve Your Day
- Healthier food choices
When you kick-start your day with exercise, there’s a good chance that you’ll make overall healthier food choices throughout the day. The morning is a time when people often reach for sugary, high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, because they feel like these foods help them wake up. When you start your day with unhealthy choices, you’re not only setting your body up for a day of blood sugar highs and lows, there’s a greater chance that you’ll continue eating poorly throughout the day.
- Get a workout energy boost
The natural energy boost that an exercise routine provides will save you from consuming unnecessary and unhealthy calories. Many people I speak to say that they consciously prefer and choose fresh foods after they work out. A workout in the morning that gets your heart rate up and blood flowing can also make you feel more alert and positive. - Beat the traffic
If you commute to work in rush-hour traffic, consider joining a gym close to the office. This will help you to use your time more constructively in the morning. Leaving home early to work out instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic will not only help to improve your body, but the mental benefits and stress relief you may experience could greatly improve your mood. If you can’t join a gym, consider getting to work early and going for a walk.
By making it a point to start your day with physical activity, you will feel better and will be laying the foundation for a productive day. The best part is that anyone at any age and physical condition can experience positive changes from following a morning workout routine! We invite you to take the next couple weeks to try yourself and notice how much better you feel when you start your day off right.
Written by Samantha Clayton, OLY, ISSA-CPT – Vice President, Sports Performance and Fitness
