The Shore Life According to M: Tips for Conquering an Early Morning Gym Session

Making time to workout can definitely be a struggle when you live a busy lifestyle. I don't know about you, but I definitely need to make time to get to the gym even when I'm busy. Working out provides me with more energy, positivity, and clarity. When I don't make time for a workout, I definitely don't feel as good throughout my day. Sometimes our only option for getting to the gym is early in the morning, when it is still dark out and most people are still sleeping. It's definitely not an easy task to wake up earlier than you have to, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you make it to those early morning gym sessions. Establishing a routine the night before and the morning makes a huge difference!

Plan your workout schedule
Take some time at the beginning of the week to plan your weekly workouts. Taking the time to do this will save you time later on. Plus when you have a plan there's less excuses for why you will be skipping a workout. I usually write my schedule down in my planner along with the times of any specific classes I'll be attending. If I'm doing any lifting, then I usually make a note in my phone with the exercises and number of reps. My typical workout schedule includes a combination of running, yoga, and spin classes. The frequency of each type of exercise varies from week to week depending on how my personal schedule fits with the fitness class schedule.

Find a Fitness Buddy
It's much easier to make sure you get to those workouts when you have an accountability partner. This person doesn't need to be someone who will be doing an identical workout as you, but more so it is someone to hold you accountable. It helps if this person actually goes to the gym at the same time as you. However, it could be a friend who lives far away that you check in with regularly. This accountability partner will help motivate you to never miss a workout. There seems to be something about reporting to someone other than yourself that forces you to get to the gym. Sometimes my accountability comes from my friends via our weekly FitBit challenges.

The night before...
There are several things that you can do the night before an early morning workout to make sure you get out of bed to get to the gym. These simple steps will save you time in the morning.

Pick out your outfit
No, you don't need to be a fashion model at the gym. Laying out your clothes will just save you a few minutes in the morning. I like to lay my outfit out on my desk, so that as soon as my alarm goes off I can just hop out of bed and put them on. I usually pick out my shirt, sports bra, socks, pants, and sneakers. If you're in need of some new workout wear, then definitely head over to Fabletics for some cute and comfy athletic attire.

Gather Your Supplies
It's helpful to put everything you will need to bring with you in one place. I personally don't like to bring a bunch of stuff with me to the gym. I usually will wear a sweatshirt with zip up pockets or bring a small pouch to hold my essential items. I like to bring headphones, my license, gym membership card, inhaler, chapstick, and a small snack to eat afterwards.
I use a Vera Bradley Large Zip Cosmetic Bag for my small gym "bag".

I also recommend filling up your water bottle and gathering your pre/post workout snacks. I put my pre workout snack next to my clothes, so that I can eat it while I'm getting ready. I tend to put my post workout snack in my bag that goes to the gym with me. It's important to fuel yourself both before and after working out. This will make sure you have enough energy to make it through your day after working out.

Set Your Alarm
Before heading to bed, make sure you set your alarm. I like to use an obnoxious tone for the alarm to that it ensures I get out of bed. Another tip is to set your phone across the room, so that you are forced to get out of bed to turn it off. I'm definitely guilty of pressing the snooze button too many times or accidentally turning the alarm off rather than pressing snooze. You're more likely to make it to the gym when you get up and out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off (the first time).