Become a Morning-Workout Warrior With These 6 Tips From the Tone It up Founders
After you (finally!) stop pressing the snooze button and pull yourself out of the bed, the next battle is transforming from groggy to totally gung ho about your morning workout. Luckily, Tone It Up founders Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott are masters at staying energized in the a.m., and they have tips you can use to also kill it during your early sweat sesh.
The dynamic duo—whose 2018 Bikini Series is officially open for sign-up and starts May 7!—love the morning because they use it to prioritize their health. (And for Scott, who just announced her pregnancy, a healthy well-being now benefits her little one, too.)
If you struggle with maximizing your mornings, but you want that to change, focus on developing these oh-so-important habits from the experts who make it work every day.
6 habits the Tone It Up founders say will fuel your a.m. sweat seshes.
1. Set your alarm to go off a little earlier
According to these ladies, setting your alarm 30 to 60 minutes earlier than usual will give you time to truly wake up and ease into the day before you exercise (and you'll also have plenty of time for your workout). "The important thing is to get your body moving in the morning, so we love to take a short walk with our coffee: 10 minutes away from your house and 10 minutes back," Scott says.
2. Get a coffee machine with a timer
Speaking of coffee, you might be more willing to get out of bed if your brew is ready and waiting for you—so invest in a machine that can do that for you. "Nothing gets us up and at ’em like the scent of freshly brewed coffee. We set the timers on our coffee machines the night before. That way we can jump out of bed to start sipping before our workout," Scott says.
Copy their go-to mix of espresso with a splash of almond milk—and don't forget to hydrate, too. "We always make sure to drink plenty of water first thing in the morning. When you wake up, your body is dehydrated, so start sipping right away."
3. Put your alarm across the room
Storing your phone or alarm across the room while you sleep will force you to get out of bed to turn it off, naturally discouraging your snooze-button habit, which can make you more tired throughout the day. "Try this trick when you’re beginning your journey to becoming a morning person. It really works," Dawn says. "Once you’re on your feet, your bod will start to wake up, and you’ll get after the day."
4. Eat a lean, clean, and green breakfast
Whether you eat before or after your workout, fueling your body with wholesome foods is a must. "We love to start our day with a Vanilla Latte Smoothie or meal prep some Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats," Scott says. And what you eat after your sweat sesh is just as important, says Dawn. "After a workout, we refuel with a smoothie or pancakes made with our clean, plant-based, non-GMO Tone It Up Protein. Protein will boost your metabolism and help you form beautiful, lean muscle."
5. Create a workout schedule you love
When you know your daily routine, it's much easier to wake up—especially when you really enjoy what you're getting up to do. "Scheduling your workouts in advance—we like to do it on Sundays!—holds yourself accountable," Scott says. Whether you sign up for classes with your friends or go on a run, knowing what's on your daily to-do list will help you crush your goals.
6. Have a mini pre-workout meditation sesh
Spend time meditating and thinking about exactly what you want to achieve from your workout—and do the same after it's over. "Meditation has been such an incredibly grounding practice for me. Each morning I spend time quieting my mind and listening to my body," Dawn says. "Before I start, I usually pick a theme or set an intention for my practice. That way, I have something to focus on at that moment and all throughout the day."
Here are three moves to master for major butt sculpting, straight from Tone It Up. Or, score some healthy tips for eating at the airport, from Scott and Dawn.
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