As you know, I've been training for my first half Marathon. I'm doing my runs in the early mornings. I've gotten a lot of questions about how I make it work, what I eat, and how I do my Jesus time. I thought I'd share 5 tips on working out in the early morning.
JESUS TIME
If you do your Jesus time early in the morning, like most people do, then how do you find the time to do both your workout AND your Jesus time? Everybody is different and everyone's relationship with Jesus is in different seasons and stages of growth. That being said, this is what works for me. Currently, I'm doing 5 runs in the mornings each week. I get up first thing and go run. And I have a short window that I have to get it done in, before Ben has to leave for work. I know that in this season of training, my study time is going to look a little different, and that's ok. There's no rule that tells us we have to be sitting in a chair, at a desk, reading our Bible, journaling, and going through a Bible study workbook for it to be quality time with Jesus. Obviously, Bible study is incredibly important, and there needs to be a time for that in our relationships with the Lord, it just might not be every morning. AND THAT'S OK. I've been utilizing some great Podcasts that I've found from some great Pastors I enjoy. I love Podcasts because I'm choosing sermons so it's essentially Bible study audibly. That's my go-to these days. Other ways I'll spend time with Jesus are listening to Books while I run. There's some amazing Christian Growth books that are available to listen to audibly. I have the Amazon Audible app and love it for that purpose. And of course, there's always a good Christian Worship Music Playlist to spend your time working out and praising Jesus. Outside of the workout time, I'm still prioritizing Bible study time (sitting down, journaling, etc) each week during my kids' naptimes. I'm also going through a book with my Small Group that I read 1-2 chapters of a week and we discuss at our gatherings. It's all about finding what works for you!!
WHAT TO EAT
I workout first thing, so I'm not eating anything before I run. If you have enough time to grab something, and you're hungry, then go for something like a banana and nut butter. Or toast and nut butter. Maybe you workout at the gym and could drink a quick protein shake on your way. Or you could eat something quick as you drive. If I'm hungry, I'll grab a handful of raisins or a spoon of PB while I'm stretching, before I head out the door. Then, I drink my Shakeology smoothie when I get back, for breakfast.
PREP THE NIGHT BEFORE
This is key for me. Get in bed ON TIME. Don't stay up late binge watching a show, or reading, or scrolling social media. GET IN BED. If you're wanting to prioritize an early morning workout, then you've got to prep for it the night before by getting to bed on time. Another thing I do at night, is not go to bed hungry. This helps me not have to eat anything in the morning. Even if I just eat a spoonful of PB before bed. Making sure I'm not hungry before bed, keeps me satisfied to wait and eat after my run the next morning. I also make sure I'm drinking enough water throughout the day. It's important to stay hydrated for many reasons, and one of those is being able to have energy and motivation and ability to get up and workout first thing. If you're dehydrated, you'll be tired and have zero energy to workout.
MOTIVATION
Know your why. What is the reason that you're working out in the morning? Is it because your work schedule or family schedule doesn't allow it at any other time in the day? Maybe you're like me, at home with your kids, and need some "me time". Whatever your motivation is for getting up early to workout, remember that. For me, it took me a week or two before I got in a groove of getting up early. Most of my motivation comes from knowing I can't run any later because of the heat and HOT temps. Plus, I am not about to get the kids out in the heat to run or push the jogging stroller with their 50+ pounds combined, over the hills, in the heat. Nope. Motivation is whatever you need to motivate you. Picture. Mantras. Scripture. Alone time. Whatever. Buying new workout attire (hit up Wal-Mart they have great stuff there!), downloading a new playlist/book/podcast, all those things can serve as motivation!
REST DAYS
This is big for me, too. (I mean all these are, but this one is really important to me) Giving myself rest days is important because it helps me physically and mentally get a break. Those other mornings that I'm not getting up early to workout, I know I can spend that time with Jesus in that Bible Study, or I can sleep in and take it easy. Whatever it is, it's nice to know those days are there. On the morning your alarm goes off and you think "ugh, I don't want to", it helps knowing that the next morning, or in two days, whatever...you get to sleep in or do something different that morning. Rest Days are so important!!!
Working out in the morning isn't for everyone, but hopefully this encourages you, challenges you, and motivates you to keep it up or try it out if you're looking to workout in the early mornings!
JESUS TIME
If you do your Jesus time early in the morning, like most people do, then how do you find the time to do both your workout AND your Jesus time? Everybody is different and everyone's relationship with Jesus is in different seasons and stages of growth. That being said, this is what works for me. Currently, I'm doing 5 runs in the mornings each week. I get up first thing and go run. And I have a short window that I have to get it done in, before Ben has to leave for work. I know that in this season of training, my study time is going to look a little different, and that's ok. There's no rule that tells us we have to be sitting in a chair, at a desk, reading our Bible, journaling, and going through a Bible study workbook for it to be quality time with Jesus. Obviously, Bible study is incredibly important, and there needs to be a time for that in our relationships with the Lord, it just might not be every morning. AND THAT'S OK. I've been utilizing some great Podcasts that I've found from some great Pastors I enjoy. I love Podcasts because I'm choosing sermons so it's essentially Bible study audibly. That's my go-to these days. Other ways I'll spend time with Jesus are listening to Books while I run. There's some amazing Christian Growth books that are available to listen to audibly. I have the Amazon Audible app and love it for that purpose. And of course, there's always a good Christian Worship Music Playlist to spend your time working out and praising Jesus. Outside of the workout time, I'm still prioritizing Bible study time (sitting down, journaling, etc) each week during my kids' naptimes. I'm also going through a book with my Small Group that I read 1-2 chapters of a week and we discuss at our gatherings. It's all about finding what works for you!!
WHAT TO EAT
I workout first thing, so I'm not eating anything before I run. If you have enough time to grab something, and you're hungry, then go for something like a banana and nut butter. Or toast and nut butter. Maybe you workout at the gym and could drink a quick protein shake on your way. Or you could eat something quick as you drive. If I'm hungry, I'll grab a handful of raisins or a spoon of PB while I'm stretching, before I head out the door. Then, I drink my Shakeology smoothie when I get back, for breakfast.
PREP THE NIGHT BEFORE
This is key for me. Get in bed ON TIME. Don't stay up late binge watching a show, or reading, or scrolling social media. GET IN BED. If you're wanting to prioritize an early morning workout, then you've got to prep for it the night before by getting to bed on time. Another thing I do at night, is not go to bed hungry. This helps me not have to eat anything in the morning. Even if I just eat a spoonful of PB before bed. Making sure I'm not hungry before bed, keeps me satisfied to wait and eat after my run the next morning. I also make sure I'm drinking enough water throughout the day. It's important to stay hydrated for many reasons, and one of those is being able to have energy and motivation and ability to get up and workout first thing. If you're dehydrated, you'll be tired and have zero energy to workout.
MOTIVATION
Know your why. What is the reason that you're working out in the morning? Is it because your work schedule or family schedule doesn't allow it at any other time in the day? Maybe you're like me, at home with your kids, and need some "me time". Whatever your motivation is for getting up early to workout, remember that. For me, it took me a week or two before I got in a groove of getting up early. Most of my motivation comes from knowing I can't run any later because of the heat and HOT temps. Plus, I am not about to get the kids out in the heat to run or push the jogging stroller with their 50+ pounds combined, over the hills, in the heat. Nope. Motivation is whatever you need to motivate you. Picture. Mantras. Scripture. Alone time. Whatever. Buying new workout attire (hit up Wal-Mart they have great stuff there!), downloading a new playlist/book/podcast, all those things can serve as motivation!
REST DAYS
This is big for me, too. (I mean all these are, but this one is really important to me) Giving myself rest days is important because it helps me physically and mentally get a break. Those other mornings that I'm not getting up early to workout, I know I can spend that time with Jesus in that Bible Study, or I can sleep in and take it easy. Whatever it is, it's nice to know those days are there. On the morning your alarm goes off and you think "ugh, I don't want to", it helps knowing that the next morning, or in two days, whatever...you get to sleep in or do something different that morning. Rest Days are so important!!!
Working out in the morning isn't for everyone, but hopefully this encourages you, challenges you, and motivates you to keep it up or try it out if you're looking to workout in the early mornings!
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