Seven reasons you should try exercising in the morning

Fancy trying a morning exercise routine? Our trainer has some tips.

Here are seven tips to help get you into a routine.

Boost Your Metabolism

When you workout at high intensity your body continues to burn calories after the workout, even when you’re not moving.

So, if you get your workout done early on a morning, you’ll still be burning calories while sitting at your work desk.

Workout Consistency

Working out in the morning ensures that you don’t interrupt your workout schedule with other daily issues that crop up.

For example, if you exercise in the evening you run the risk of being late from work, feeling overwhelmed with tasks that must be done, or overloaded with other unexpected to-do items.

Other times you may simply feel too tired to exercise by the end of a long day.

But, in the morning there is nothing to distract you from getting your workout done. Exercise will be your priority.

Improve Your Physical and Mental Energy

Movement can be an excellent source of energy, something many of us need when we start our day.

But beyond that, morning exercise has been shown to improve focus and mental abilities all day long.

Not only will you feel awake and have more energy after your workout, but your mind will be ready to take on whatever tasks you have lined up that day.

Develop Strong Self-Discipline

Waking up early on a morning to exercise certainly requires self-discipline. It’s not easy at first and does get easier over time.

But while you’re training yourself into a routine, the discipline is likely to spill over into other areas of your life too.

Get Better Sleep

Waking up early in the morning to exercise will in turn help you sleep better.

Your body will enjoy a healthy sense of fatigue at the end of the day and will be ready to sleep.

Improve Your Mood and Feel Happier

Once you’re into a morning routine, your metabolism is boosted, your body is looking and feeling better, you’re sleeping well at night, and your mind is sharper and more alert than ever; you’re bound to feel happier!

Making morning exercise part of your daily routine isn’t easy at first.

You will have to be disciplined to wake up early. But it just takes a little time and practice to make it a habit.

As a bonus, here are seven tips to help you get started.

Go to Bed Earlier

It goes without saying, if you go to bed late, you’re going to struggle getting up early.

Aim to get seven to eight hours of rest a night. So, if you want to be up at 6pm, make sure you’re in bed no later than 10pm.

Prepare

Lay out your workout gear in the bathroom the night before.

Have your running shoes ready at the door. Music playlist ready.

Move Your Alarm

Set your alarm clock and then move it away from your arms reach, so that you have to get up out of bed to turn it off.

Shower

As soon as the alarm goes off, jump up turn it off, and get in the shower.

Quickly shower and clean your teeth. This will wake you up straight away.

Then get dressed with the workout clothes that should be laid out from the night before.

Drink Water

Before you leave the house drink a glass of water to hydrate your body.

Keep Your Workout Short but Intense

It’s not easy getting out of bed if you know you have to go through a 60-90 minute workout.

Instead, complete a 20-30 minute HIIT style workout to get it done and out of the way quicker.

Psychologically it makes getting up easier, plus HIIT style workouts are going to burn calories all day!

Rehydrate & Refuel

Drink more water and eat a healthy breakfast as soon as possible after your workout.

This part is even easier if you prepare your breakfast the night before too.

Overnight oats are my favourite; tasty, nutritious and saves me time on a morning.

Your trainer: Graham Low, owner of East Coast Fitness, is an award-winning personal trainer based in Seaham. The ex-professional footballer was nominated for the Small Business of the Year and Leisure Awards at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards last year. Graham won the Leisure Award at the North East Hotels Association Awards while working as gym manager at Seaham Hall in 2012. For personal training, boot camps, small group training and online programmes email [email protected] or visit www.eastcoast-fitness.com