I would love to workout today, except my pillow is soooooo soft!

Alright show of hands, who has struggled with getting up in the morning to get your workout in? Let's face it, our pillow is soft, our bed is comfy and the blankets feel just right - so why get up!

If you are like me, and need to get your morning workout in BEFORE your day begins, (because it surely isn't going to happen after  the kids are in bed!) then here are some tips to help you get a jump start in the morning!

1. Light up your room

Your body is designed so that when the sun rises, your systems start to 'turn on' if you will and your brain says "oh hey look at that, it's morning, time to get up!" Bust most of us sleep with the blinds closed tightly and doors shut to keep it dark. So consider a light that is on a timer and turns on 15 minutes before you get up so that your brain has a chance to do the hard work for you! Sleep with a partner who doesn't have to get up and workout, try this next one.

2. Sleep in your workout clothes 

This one is my favorite, I sleep in (clean) workout clothes every night so that when I wake up and feel like I want to roll over and go back to sleep, I remember I am already dressed, why not. The first time I sold myself on staying in bed anyways I got up 45 minutes later and walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. There I stood in my workout clothes, guilty of skipping the workout. It has worked for me, so give it a try. If you like to sleep in something less (or more) try this next one.

3. Pack your gym back / lay out your clothes the night before

Part of the reason why people become lazy in the morning is because thoughts run through their head like "oh goodness I still have to get dressed (do I have anything clean to wear), pack my gym back (where did i leave it?), fill my water bottle (is the bottle still in the dishwasher) and on and on the questions come and go, turning into excuses! So be prepared and get your outfit, sneakers, water bottle, gym back and car keys all laid out the night before so there are no excuses!

4. Go to be earlier

This one seems like a no brainer but it's one people often forget about! If you are getting up an hour earlier than you should be trying to go to bed about an hour earlier. That may mean giving something up. For me, it was a few TV shows a week. I used to go to bed at 11 and get up at 6 but now I have to get up at 5 to get my workout in so I am in bed by 10 each night which means sacrificing TV time. If you just can't live without the latest teenage vampire show, then record it, after all it is 2014, the technology does exist!

5. Accountability (my other favorite)

If you can't be held accountable to yourself, grab a partner or two. One of the best ways to motivate yourself is to remember that someone else is waiting for you to check in to let them know you did your work out. Try to choose someone like minded with similar goals. This can be done via Facebook, texting or a phone call. What ever works for you. Pick someone who also wants to get up early and get going, pick a time and a method and be accountable. I promise you, the first time you sleep in and they call to tell you they are done their workout, you will never want to miss another morning workout again!

As a fitness coach I am constantly running accountability groups on Facebook so let me know if you would be interested in joining, we would be glad to have you! Just sign up, so I can send you information and free samples to get you started!

Follow me on Facebook!