Get ready to crush your morning workout
Posted: February 21, 2017
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Warm up stiff joints and cold muscles before a morning workout.[/caption]
A morning workout routine is a great way to reach fitness goals and feel accomplished at the start of your day.
That's easy if you're an early bird.
Night owls: There's hope for you. These tips prepare you to roll out of bed, hit the gym and feel good doing it.
Get motivated
Getting out of bed and going to the gym doesn't always sound fun. Stacey Karwoski, a Marshfield Clinic athletic trainer, offered tips to motivate you for a morning workout.- Go to bed earlier. Getting enough sleep makes it easier to wake up and you'll have more energy to exercise.
- Pack a bag. Put all your workout gear in your gym bag before bed. With less to do in the morning, you can snooze longer.
- Pick a buddy. Knowing you have to meet someone at the gym will keep you accountable.
- Wake up to your favorite song. Set your alarm to play a song that makes you feel pumped up at the gym to get you in the workout mindset.
Fuel your body
Start your day with a glass of water to rehydrate. Then eat a light breakfast with a complex carbohydrate and some protein to give you energy for your morning workout. "It's ideal to eat an hour before you exercise to prevent feeling nauseated or getting stomach cramps, but not everyone has that much time," said Kristene Schulte, a Marshfield Clinic registered dietitian. "If you don't eat a heavy meal, you may feel fine to exercise right after you eat." She recommended these quick fuel options before you head out the door:- Whole wheat toast with peanut butter
- Fruit, such as a banana or a fruit smoothie
- Low-fat or fat-free yogurt
- Low-sugar cereal with low-fat or fat-free milk
- Turkey sandwich