At some point while pursuing your fitness or weight loss plan, you might decide to try morning workouts. Many people report that once they get into the habit of exercising in the morning, it becomes the best way to get themselves energized and focused for the rest of the day. But of course, developing a new habit can be difficult. Try these six steps to prep for your morning workouts the night before, and you will find it easier to make the transition.

Mark it on your schedule. It’s not that you’ll forget; writing down a task or recording it within a calendar app helps your brain to mentally commit to the task. You’re more likely to follow through, after making that initial commitment.

Prep your clothes. Searching for missing items on a rushed morning will only put you in a bad mood. You’ll be relieved to find your workout gear, shoes, water bottle, and other necessary items ready to go when you first wake up.

Choose a “cheerful” alarm. No one wants to wake up to loud buzzing or frantic beeping. Set your alarm clock or smartphone to play an energetic song. While you’re at it, move the device across the room so that you can’t press snooze without getting out of bed.

Don’t snack before bedtime. Your last meal or snack should happen at least two hours before you go to bed. Too much food in your stomach right before bedtime will often impede sleep.

Plan for breakfast. After your workout, you might feel tempted to “cheat” on your weight loss plan and indulge in an inappropriate meal. Or, you might just get into a rush and feel forced to hit up the drive-through on your way to work. Prevent last-minute temptation by planning for a healthy breakfast, and packing it if necessary.

Go to bed on time. It sounds so simple, and yet many of us procrastinate late at night. Aim to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep, and you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to go.

As always, give us a call if you need help with your fitness or weight loss plan. We can help you set reasonable goals and make a plan to meet them.