Settling into a schedule to fit in your work out routine on a daily basis can be difficult at first. Let's face it, we all live very busy lifestyles. Finding the time to fit everything in that we'd like to do can be a tremendous task. I've made it a priority that my work out routine is non-negotiable and will be accomplished everyday.
I used to think that I couldn't do my work out routine early in the morning. For lack of a better excuse I liked my sleep and didn't want to get up that much earlier. However, as time has gone on I have gradually changed that mindset. At first I began getting up earlier to at least complete my cardio work out routine before work on those days. So, on cardio training days my work out routine would be done and over with. I still didn't think I could get up and do resistance training that early in the morning. My thinking was that I wanted to maximize my time spent lifting and felt like my body wouldn't be woke up enough and geared to have an all out effort lifting weights.
Changing My Work Out Routine
Last August I decided to change that and tried doing all my work out routine before work early in the morning. I had just began my busiest time of the year for work. During that time period I was working 70-80 hours a week and not getting home until after 9 p.m. Obviously I had all kinds of things to do when I got home besides being tired from a long day at work. Working out for an hour just didn't sound that appealing to me!
So, I experimented with getting up very early and doing my work out routine before work ever started. That way no matter what the day brought my work out routine would be completed. To make this happen I started getting up at 4:15 a.m. in order to have enough time to wake up, work out, cook breakfast, get ready for work, etc.
Handling Your Early Morning Work Out Routine
How should you handle an early morning work out routine schedule? It's best to eat a fast digesting carb 20-25 minutes before you workout. My go to pre-workout carb is a banana. Some other type of fruit will work as well. A fast acting carb will give you a boost of energy for your workout and keep your body from going into a catabolic state where you're holding onto fat rather than burning it off. It's crucial even before your cardio type workouts.
Following your work out routine you need to take your recovery drink immediately. Ideally your full breakfast should follow 30 - 45 minutes after that. Make your breakfast one of your biggest meals of the day as it will fuel your body and kick start your metabolism into high gear.
There you have an early morning work out routine can be done. It just takes a few keys to success…the discipline to get out of bed when the alarm goes off, a fast acting carb immediately upon waking up, a recovery drink immediately following the workout, and a good breakfast 30 - 45 minutes following the workout.
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