One of the questions that I am asked most often when discussing fitness is "How do you get up at 5:15 am and go to the gym EVERYDAY?!" My response is always a little bit different but it generally sounds like "I just do," or "it just happens," and on not so good days "I really don't know, that seems crazy, I should probably stop."
For those of you who wish you could be pumping iron at 6 AM (I'm not sure anyone actually wishes this), or would rather spend your evening time enjoying a long and relaxing dinner, but instead have to squeeze in some time on the treadmill before a rushed dinner here are my tips for you to BECOME A MORNING GYM GO'ER!
1. Workout with a friend/roommate/spouse/or complete stranger. Most days Drew and I go to the gym together. Knowing that someone is relying on you to get out of bed, lace up those shoes, and meet them by the door by 5:28 am really helps. If you don't have someone who will commit to the early morning elliptical sessions, then I recommend pretending (or asking someone who you regularly see at the gym in the am to be your workout buddy).
2. Have a strictly enforced bedtime. In our apartment we have a 10 pm "strictly enforced" bedtime. Incidentally I'm typing this at 9:55 and know I won't be in my bed for at least 20 minutes. Making sure you go to bed at a reasonable time will make getting up THAT much easier. I promise.
3. Make it a habit. Try going to the gym in the AM for one or two weeks. After a while it will start to feel very normal and you'll feel as if part of your daily routine is missing if you DON'T make it to the gym in the AM.
4. Make plans for the evening. Schedule dinner with a friend, shopping trip, studying, or errands for the evening. That way when your alarm goes off you don't even have the option of saying "I'll just go to the gym tonight after work."
5. Organize the night before. I always try to make my lunch the night before. This way there is one less thing to do in the morning and I can just focus on getting up and getting out the door. I like to stack my lunch box with my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day all in one place.
6. Get to know the regulars. The thing about people who go to the gym RIGHT when it opens is that they are very dedicated. I could give a very detailed description of the 15 people who are at the gym 4/5 mornings a week, what their cardio equipment of choice is, and who has been slacking lately. If you can become a morning regular, people will begin to notice when you don't show up, and at least for me, I feel as though I'm letting them down by skipping too many mornings in a row.
If none of these tips work, check out the video below. If you don't want to go for a run after watching this, then I'm not sure you're human.
My 120 lb journey
Or... get some super sweet spandex (see below). And yes, this is actually what I wear to the gym regularly, and no, I'm only slightly embarrassed about it.
6. Get to know the regulars. The thing about people who go to the gym RIGHT when it opens is that they are very dedicated. I could give a very detailed description of the 15 people who are at the gym 4/5 mornings a week, what their cardio equipment of choice is, and who has been slacking lately. If you can become a morning regular, people will begin to notice when you don't show up, and at least for me, I feel as though I'm letting them down by skipping too many mornings in a row.
If none of these tips work, check out the video below. If you don't want to go for a run after watching this, then I'm not sure you're human.
My 120 lb journey
Or... get some super sweet spandex (see below). And yes, this is actually what I wear to the gym regularly, and no, I'm only slightly embarrassed about it.
CRAZY KNEES!
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