I'm here to share my Top 5 tips on how to embrace the early mornings, I am usually awake at 4:45am so trust me, these techniques take some practice but you do finally adapt.
1. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO YOURSELF BEFORE YOU GO TO BED.
If you know you’re training the following morning, make it a mental priority and acknowledgement before you go to bed. That way you already know your plan of action for the morning.
2. GET READY
Leave out your workout clothes, drink bottle and towel have them on hand so you see them as soon as you wake up giving you is visual representation of how you are starting your day. If you head straight to work after your session pack that bag too or leave out your outfit so you are good to go as soon as you come home.
3. GET TO BED EARLY
Yes I did used to work night shift so I understand there is an adjustment period when you need to get up early. If you are used to having late nights whether it's due to social activites or work it’s understandable you just want to chill and sleep in the next morning. If this is you I want you to try the following for one week: go to bed ten minues earlier each night. Just 10 minutes. By the end of that week BOOM you've gained yourself an extra hour of glorious sleep!
4. PREPARE
I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: prepare your meals. A couple of hours on the weekend or when you have time will save you a hell of a lot of time at meal time.
Boil a heap of eggs to have on hand in fridge for on the go breaky or snacks.
Cook up a chosen protein, grain, and veggies in bulk - you then have a go to to either chuck in a bowl and add some good fats such as avo or EVOO for a quick dinner with some chopped salad ingredients or layer up in a jar for a quick & portable lunch.
5. LISTEN TO YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER
C’mon we all have her, and we all have her opposition. I like to envision them as my inner cheerleader and my inner emo!
My cheerleader is always positive, reminding me of how awesome I feel after a movement session and always eager to get a good start to my day. She always reminds me of the goals I have!
My emo is on the dark side, she wants the snooze button, wants to stay under the doona, finds aches and pains and sniffles that may or may not necessarily be there.
We start every day with choices and these choices set us up with our intention for the rest of the day.
This is the time you need to remember your Tip 1! You made an appointment with yourself. You have goals that you want to achieve, so c’mon fire up and go achieve them!
Remember the hardest part of your workout is getting out of bed!
Let your inner cheerleaders prevail.
Nikki