Do These the Night Before to Ensure Morning Workouts Happen

Time change putting a damper on your evening workouts? If the darkness is only good at motivating you home to your cozy couch, you’ll want to think about switching your workouts to the brighter mornings. Here are some ways to prep for morning workouts the night before.

By Jenny Sugar

Time change putting a damper on your evening workouts? If the darkness is only good at motivating you home to your cozy couch, you’ll want to think about switching your workouts to the brighter mornings. Here are some ways to prep for morning workouts the night before.

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1. Skip the morning scavenger hunt: Don’t give up on the morning run because you can’t find your sock or sneaker or sports bra. Prepping the night before only takes a few minutes, and helps avoid wasted time frantically searching for the essentials. Do a load of laundry if you need to, and then lay out your outfit so when you wake up, you can slip it on and go.
2. Gear up: Also get any gear you need ready. Charge your iPod, put your yoga mat or iPhone armband by the door, put your fave fitness video in the DVD player, and lay your dumbbells next to the TV.
3. Munch: Since working out on an empty stomach isn’t great for your metabolism or your energy levels, premake a little morning snack and keep it in the fridge so you can quickly grab it to nosh on while getting ready. Half a slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, apple slices with cheese, and ingredients for a small smoothie are the perfect pre-workout snack.
4. Early to bed: Be sure to hit the hay early so you’re well rested, and set your alarm to wake up to your favorite peppy song. If you tend to hit the snooze button way too many times, try putting your alarm clock on the other side of the room.
5. Pencil it in: Text or call a friend to set up a fitness date. If you decide on a time to meet in the a.m., you’ll feel obligated to go, even if your mind and body tell you otherwise.
6. Get psyched! Check the schedule at your gym or studio, and choose an exciting and inspirational class to look forward to. A 6 a.m. Zumba class with your favorite instructor or sunrise yoga in a heated studio are sure to pull you out of bed. Or if music moves you, create a new workout playlist to motivate.
7. Post-workout treat: Plan a special breakfast to eat after your workout as a reward for your efforts. You’ll get through your workout a little faster knowing there’s a hot cup of coffee and homemade oatmeal pumpkin spice bread waiting for you at home.

This article originally appeared on POPSUGAR.com

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5 Full-Body Dumbbell Moves Ashley Borden Swears By

Feel the burn from head to toe.

You might not have space in your house for a complete home gym, but you probably have room for some dumbbells. And even if that’s the only equipment you keep at your place, you have more than enough for a killer full-body workout.

In this video, trainer Ashley Borden shows us how to feel the burn from head to toe using nothing more than dumbbells and her body weight. Do these five moves in your living room to squeeze in a quick workout that targets all of your muscles.

RELATED: This 4-Move Dumbbell Circuit is the Best Way to Start Strength Training

Lunge with rotation

While holding up a dumbbell in front of your chest with your elbows bent, step your right leg behind you into a lunge. Keeping your chest open, rotate your torso to the left before standing up. Repeat on the other side.

Side lunge with front and side raise

Start by holding one dumbbell in each hand, and let your arms hang at your sides. Step your right leg out to the side into a lunge, and as you bend your right knee, lift the dumbbells in front of you, shoulder-width apart. Return to a standing position, and lift the dumbbells to the side, making your body look like a T. Repeat on the other side.

Squat with overhead press

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and hold the two dumbbells straight up over your head. Bend your arms as you lower your body into a squat, bringing the dumbbells down to your shoulders. Press the dumbbells up as you stand, and repeat.

Row with tricep kickback

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and lean your torso slightly forward. Bend your arms, bringing the dumbbells to your sides. Next, drop your arms, and lift the dumbbells straight out behind you.

Beast stance and pull through

Get on all fours, but lift your knees slightly off the ground. Your back should be in a flat, table-top position. Start with one dumbbell sitting on the ground on your left side. Reaching under your body, grab it with your right hand, and place it on the ground on your right side. Repeat with the other hand.

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