My Top Five Tips For Getting Your Workout In Early

So as you may or may not remember, I set a goal 21 days ago.  I'm proud to say that I pretty much kicked it's butt!! Did I get up first thing EVERY morning? Nope. Did I get up and work out before work, church, and my other activities. YES.

It's true what they say that the hardest step is the first one. But once I made it to the gym, I found myself wishing that I had gotten up earlier to have more time!

Will I continue to workout in the morning? Absolutely! It's not always the most practical choice, but more often than not it is! It's great to be in the gym when it's quiet and almost empty. I'm not going to lie, it kinda makes you feel like a badass just being there!

I also get ready in less time (less distractions while getting ready) and I'm earlier to work. All great things!

So I thought I'd share what has worked best for me. So here are my top five tips for getting up early and getting your workout in:

5. Think about how awesome it will be to get off work and be able to come home and hang out with your family/put your feet up/eat dinner/watch tv/whatever.
4.  Get to bed at a decent hour. My goal was 7 hours of sleep minimum but hoped for at least 8.
3.   Avoid Nyquil. :)
2. Pack a dedicated gym bag (mine has a travel hairdryer and straightener, shower shoes, shower kit with shampoo, conditioner, and face wash, etc.). This way you don't have to worry if these key items are in your gym bag or your bathroom.
1. PLAN AHEAD. The first thing I do when I get home from work is change out my towel, unload my dirty clothes and pack tomorrow's outfit. That way it's ready to go in the AM. It takes 10 minutes and then it's done.

Another logistical thing I learned from the other women who shower at the gym... When you're finished with your towel, hang it on a clothes hanger then you can hang it in your car. Helps dry it out.

I hope this helps you out if you're thinking about trying to work out in the morning. I never thought I'd be the person to get up and work out before work. But I LOVE it and I feel so great for the rest of the day. It's 'my time' and it allows me to focus on the day. I'd encourage you to give it a shot!

Hope you all are having a great week so far!!

Does 21 Days a Habit Make?

So from what I can tell, the consensus seems to be that it only takes 21 days to make a habit. And I know for a fact that I can do almost anything for a month (back in pharmacy school I did a trauma surgery rotation = I got up at 4am every day, including Saturdays). Where is this going?


Monday I started a 21 day challenge:  To workout first thing in the morning.

Why do I want to do this?

• To get my metabolism going first thing.
• To feel those endorphins all day long
• To get the workout out of the way so it's not looming over me all day
• To hopefully help me eat better (I've already put the work in, don't cancel it out by eating crap!)

How I'm planning ahead to make this happen:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night = help me get up in the AM
• If I have to work, pack my gym bag, work clothes, and lunch the night before
• If I don't have to work, pick an early class so that I get up and get going

Do you have any tips? My biggest obstacle will be the days I have to work (Gym is on the way to work so it makes no sense to come back home in between). I have to shower after I work out so that means packing shower stuff, clothes, hairdryer, etc.

Have you ever tried to make something a habit? How did it go?

Today's workout:  40 minutes of elliptical while watching How to Make it in America.

Love this guy. But let me just tell you, it is SUPER AWKWARD when there are sex scenes (it's an HBO show). I feel like everyone in the gym is thinking I'm watching porn while working out. AWKWARD.