The Dreaded Alarm: How to Wake Up for your Morning Workout

You're fast asleep and so incredible comfortable in bed. Your doona has wrapped it's loving arms around you and your body is entirely relaxed. Then suddenly, BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM. Your dreaded alarm goes off, and you hit the snooze button. Five more minutes of sleep won't hurt... will it?

Another 5 minutes pass, and the awful BLAM BLAM BLAM begins again. Do you:

A) Hit snooze again

B) Turn the alarm off and embrace your warm bed

C) Look outside and see it's still dark and ask yourself why did you even bother setting an alarm

D) Spring up out of bed, ready to tackle your workout

I am always guilty of choosing the first three options - who even wants to wake up at 5am?! Lately, I've changed my entire outlook on exercise, healthy eating and waking up early. We already know how precious sleep is, but we also know how important consistent exercise is as well. Here are a few tips that will have you bouncing out of bed when your alarm is screaming at you.

HOW TO WAKE UP FOR YOUR MORNING WORKOUT

1. SLEEP -

Try and get a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night. Count back the hours and if you're going to get up at 5am, ensure you are in bed by 8:30 - take that extra half hour to rewind and relax in bed before falling asleep. Reading a book or listening to some quiet, calming music is a great way to end a long day.

2. BE PREPARED -

Motivate yourself the night before by laying out your workout gear, packing lunch for the next day and having your protein shaker ready!

3. NATURAL LIGHT -

This is so important when it comes to waking up. Did you know it makes it so much easier to wake up if you have your room flooded by it? If it's too early and the sun hasn't risen (yes, here's looking at you 5am!) turn on the light straight away. Light forces you to wake up!

4. MAKE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE -

Tell you friends, your mum and your dog that you are waking up early and going for a run or workout. If you can't find the motivation to get up early for yourself, find it in the fact you've told everyone!

5. BREAKFAST -

 I have no idea how people can exercise on an empty stomach, particularly if it involves lifting weights! I will always have a meal that I can digest quickly that still contains protei and complex carbs, for that energy needed for a great workout. Think a big banana, peanut butter on apple slices or an egg-white omelette.

Once you get into a good sleeping pattern (that is consistent!) you will find it so much easier to wake up. Why not set yourself a challenge for the next week to try and wake up at least half an hour earlier than normal?

P.S So excited to be writing again and looking forward to reuniting with my online community!