Hey guys! How’s your Monday going so far? I hope it’s going well wherever you are. Mine has been super productive which is my favorite way to start the week off. I have a few good posts planned for this week that I can’t wait to share with you starting with today!
“Failing to plan is planning to fail”. We’ve all heard that saying before.
So, today I want to talk about ways to prepare for your workout. I have a few things that I like to do pre-workout every single time to help keep my motivation up to keep me crossing my workouts off my to-do list.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
1.) I love a good workout playlist. I like to screenshot my favorite songs as I’m listening to Pandora throughout my day for good songs I want to save for a playlist. Then, when I get ready to sit down and make it, I just go through my images and get my list going. I have a few different playlists that I like to add to/edit every now and then. I have some for my super intense workouts that I know I’ll need some super upbeat/fast music for. Then, I have some slower songs for yoga sessions or cool downs. And, a few others filled with just my favorite motivating songs. If you have a long race coming up, there’s nothing better than putting your favorite songs together that you know will give you a little extra pep in your step during the race or your workout.
2.) Schedule your workouts in your planner. Write them down in pen ahead of time and keep them like you would doctor’s appointments or important meetings. That way, you know well in advance what workouts you have planned and when. Then, you’ll know exactly how you need to prepare for that certain workout. Also, it feels extra great when you get to cross it off your to-do list when you finish up and move on to the next day!
3.) Hydrate, hydrate and more hydration. I’ve probably said it a million times before, but make sure to drink plenty of fluids ahead of time to make sure your body is well hydrated before your workout. On average, women need 2.2 liters per day or 1/2 of their body weight in ounces of water per day. I like to buy these gallon bottles of water or my favorite Mountain Valley waters and try to finish a whole one in a day!
*Another trick I like to use if when I get tired of plain water, just add lemon! It’s the perfect zing and changes the flavor to trick my brain. It also has tons of health benefits.
*Also, carry your water with you everywhere you go all day. Then you have no excuses for getting in your water intake throughout your busy day!
3.5) I’ve started adding this pre-workout drink to my pre-workout routine lately and have been loving it! It’s called “Energize” from Beachbody and seriously is like liquid gold in a cup. I fill up my glass with 8 oz. water and add a scoop of the mix 30 minutes before I start my workout and it kicks in with natural energy to help me push harder than normal. I wasn’t always a fan of pre-workouts until I found this kind. It’s filled with such good ingredients and doesn’t make me feel shaky or weird either. It feels like just the perfect amount of energy I need to get a good workout session in. If you’ve never tried it, send me a message and I’ll send you some to try!
4.) Fuel up! Depending on what time of day you’re going to be working out, make sure to get in enough calories to keep you going to finish the workout feeling strong and energized. If you’re running, you never want to actually feel hungry during your run. If you do, you’ve waited too long to fuel up and need to get some calories in ASAP. If you choose to workout early in the AM sometimes you can start your workout without taking in calories, but I always have a little something before just in case. Of course, this totally depends on you and your needs. If you feel sick when you eat too much before, definitely avoid eating a large meal right before you go out. When I have an afternoon workout plan, I make sure to give myself enough time between my meal and my workout to be able to digest my food. My preference is around 2 hours or so before. Of course, practice makes perfect with pre-run fuel. After so long, you’ll get in a routine of what you feel like you can and can’t eat before you head out.
This is my favorite pre-run fuel for early morning runs. It’s always done the trick and fills me up just enough.
5.) Make sure to buy your fuel ahead of time and have it on hand before you head out. I carry my fuel with me in my SPIbelt for my long runs and am always so beyond thankful for my snacks. They make a world of difference when you’ve burned through your pre-run calories and are needing to replace them plus your electrolytes. I like to grab a few different kinds at our local running store to mix things up, but these Honey Stinger waffles are by far my favorite. So so good!!
6.) Last but not least, lay out your clothes the night before. Have everything you need so you’re not stumbling around in the morning trying to find your other sock or your headphones. Also, pick bright colors that motivate you to get a good sweat session in. Trust me, it works! Nothing makes me more motivated than having all kinds of colorful workout wear! 😉 Make sure to charge up your watches, phones, headphones and whatever else you need so that everything is ready to go and you can hit the door in a matter of minutes. That way, you won’t have any excuses to talk you out of your workout.
I hope these tips are as helpful to you as they are for me! I know some days, I feel like it takes just about every trick in the book to get my workout in because of lack of motivation. But, with a few of these tricks up my sleeve I feel like I’m setting myself up for success. Then, I’m a much happier person to be around and that just helps everyone around me, right? Right! 😉
So next time you’re getting your workout plan ready for the week, plan for success, prep for success and you can’t go wrong!
Questions for YOU:
1.) What’s your pre-workout plan?
2.) Are you a big water drinker?
3.) What’s your favorite pre-workout fuel?
As always, From Chelsea