Bestselling author and speaker Tim Ferriss is known for saying, “Win the morning, win the day.” These five tips will help you win your morning by motivating you to exercise—one of the most consistently evidence-based ways to jump-start your day.
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5 Strategies to Help You Start (and Stick to) a Morning Workout Routine
1. Start by setting your alarm 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier than usual.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. You’re better off setting a goal to wake up a little bit earlier than a lot earlier. That way, after a week or two, you can gradually adjust to set the alarm early enough for that crack of dawn class or early morning run.
2. Outsource your accountability.
Willpower can be pretty hard to come by early in the morning when your bed feels as comfortable as ever. So, don’t depend on willpower—let other people know your plan. Join a class. Recruit an a.m. workout buddy. Tell someone what you’re up to so you have some supportive and motivating help to get you staying consistent.
3. Plan your workout outfit the night before.
Think about it: your alarm goes off in the morning, you’re a little groggy, and you know you’re supposed to be at the gym or go head out for a run. Imagine how much easier it would be to walk over to your dresser and see your workout clothes laid out already.
Pro tip: 2 minutes in the evening is a lot easier to commit to than 2 minutes in the morning. Take the time to set out your workout clothes the night before, and you’ll have a much easier time getting going in the morning.
4. Prepare a post-workout shake.
Similar to getting your workout clothes ready ahead of time, getting your post-workout nutrition prepped beforehand is a great way to motivate you at that early a.m. alarm. Knowing you have a protein and carb-filled shake that’s ready to grab-and-go will save you time and help make that early morning wake-up a little easier.
5. Get the tunes going.
Listening to your favorite music when you first wake up is a great way to energize yourself and get you in the right mindset for exercise. Queue up your favorite playlist while brushing your teeth, making coffee, or driving to the gym. By the time your workout starts, don’t be surprised if you’re amped-up and ready to go.
Let us know if these tips help you optimize your morning workout, and be sure to share this with anyone else in your life who’s trying to win the morning!
