Winter Morning Training

Did you know?

Exercising early in the morning "jump starts" your metabolism, keeping it elevated for hours, sometimes for up to 24 hours! As a result, you’ll be burning more calories all day long, just because you exercised in the morning

Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity—a benefit that lasts four to ten hours after your workout ends. Exercising in the a.m. means you get to harness that brainpower, instead of wasting it while you’re sleeping.

Many people find that morning exercise has a tendency to regulate their appetite for the rest of the day. Not only do they eat less (since activity causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also choose healthier portions of healthier foods.

If you’re anything like me, waking up in the morning can be quite a challenge especially when the winter weather sets in. It gets cold and dark and all you want to do is stay curled up in your doona. Let’s run through a few tips on how to stay motivated this season.

·         Sleep is the most important factor when it comes to morning motivation. We should all be getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. It is best to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday so your body clock gets into a routine. After approximately one month of going to bed and waking up at the same time your body will be adjusted and won’t even need an alarm clock. So start recording those favourite TV shows and get to bed!

·         Try to avoid the television, the laptop or the mobile phone for at least an hour before you need to fall asleep. The bright lights and the thoughts on your mind will keep you restless and wide awake. Try reading a book or magazine before bed. Send those good night texts and do your face book stalking an hour earlier!

·         Keep your alarm clock on the other side of the room where you cannot press snooze.

·         Warming up- if possible set the heating on a timer or ask the first person who gets up in the house to turn the heating on. Keep your slippers and dressing gown next to your bed. You won’t be cold for long once you wake up and start moving around.

·          Invest in a pair of skins to wear under your shorts or trackies for gym. They keep you super warm as soon as you put them on.

·         Pack your gym bag and make your lunch before you go to bed. If you’re like me, I go to the gym super early in the morning, get my work out over and done with then hit the showers to get ready for work. I pack my gym bag with my work clothes and my toiletries all ready to go the night before. When your alarm goes off in the morning you will think to yourself that everything is already packed and you might as well GO!

·         Try making a new playlist on the iPod to get you pumped in the morning

·         Buy a new gym outfit, or a new pair of runners or gym gizmo like a heart rate monitor to keep you motivated.

·         Change your routine, try a new class or invest in a trainer if you can afford it. They have strict start times that will surely get you out of bed.

·         Find a training buddy or suss out who the “gym junkie” is at your gym and try to be there as much as they are - competition is always a good motivator.

·         Keep in mind why you are training? What is it that you want to achieve? Will you reach your goal from sleeping in? NO!  Winter comes every year and if you live in Melbourne like me it can stay for a long time so get used to it. Just keep doing what you have been doing all year round.

Think of winter as your preparation time for summer. People always relax and hibernate likes bears in winter then stress themselves out with training and diet when it comes to spring. Why put yourself through so much work and effort in the spring/summer time when you can get a smoking hot body in winter all ready for the warmer season.

Think of winter as your chance to really knuckle down and train hard while all your friends are lazing about on their couch getting fat... You’re out there making the most of your time and life! You have fewer distractions in winter compared to summer. People aren’t going out as much, there aren’t as many bbqs or gatherings and there is less temptation for a casual “summer drink” -There really are no excuses! It’s actually a lot easier to stay warm in winter then to cool down in summer.

When it comes around to spring time and your looking all tight and toned in those shorts and singlets.. You will be feeling fab and confident while your friends start stressing and planning there vigorous “summer work outs”  

Don’t let those big jackets and warm baggy jumpers get the better of you, just because you can hide all your winter fat now doesn’t mean you can hide it the first day you need to jump into a swimsuit!. Start that 3 month transformation now! So you can enjoy the summer stress free. I’m starting mine this month and will be blogging you through my progress... stay tuned peeps.