May is National Fitness Month. Join CollegeFashionista as we celebrate fashion and fitness all month long using the hashtag #CFsweats.
Between late nights out with friends and morning classes and jobs, waking up extra early for a workout is probably the last thing you want to do. Right? But, it can be the best thing for you.
Of course, just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it’s exactly easy—especially when the tempting alternative is to press the snooze button and catch an extra hour of precious shut-eye. If you’re up for the challenge, try starting your days getting up and active. To help you stick with your new morning routine, SELF magazine gave us six tips on how you can wake up workout-ready.
1. Snooze.
No, not the snooze button. Get enough sleep the night before so you’re well-rested. Better yet move your alarm clock out of arm’s reach. This way you will actually have to get out of your warm bed to turn it off.
2. Pair Up
Scheduling your sweat session with a friend is a great way to ensure you get your butt out of bed for that A.M. workout. When you know someone is counting on you, you’ll be far less likely to bail.
3. Get Competitive
Make a bet with one of your girlfriends. Plan to work out five time per week for six weeks. For each planned day, you’ll each put a pre-determined amount of money into a ‘pot.’ Something like five bucks is great. The first person to bail on a session loses and the winner gets the cash. Watching that pool grow as your body tones is pretty addictive. If you both last all six weeks, take the money and go out to celebrate with a great meal.
4. Style Yourself
Workout clothes are so cute—and even cuter when you take the time to plan out your morning look the night before. Be a few steps ahead in order to get out the door seamlessly. Take a few minutes the night before to lay out your workout gear, charge up the iPod and have your water bottle filled and ready.
5. Be Patient
Half the battle is simply starting. Just make it through that first ten minutes and you’ll have forgotten all the doubt and sluggishness of the start of your morning sweat sessions. You blood will be moving and you’ll feel better.
6. Stay Honest
Are you dreading the schlep to the gym? Are you tired from staying up too late? Do you feel like you just don’t know what kind of workout to do? Spend a few minutes thinking about why you have such a hard time committing to your A.M. workouts and you can easily figure out a solution that’s perfect for you. You may realize it’s time to ditch the gym membership and just start crushing simple workouts right in your living room.
Author: SELF magazine
Main photo: via SELF magazine
.gifs: via GIPHY
