By I was never a morning person. As a teenager, I notoriously slept past 10 on weekdays over the Summer and spent much of my college years staying up well past midnight and sleeping in as late as possible on the weekends. Even in my early 20s, I would hit my snooze button dozens of times until I absolutely had to get out of bed with just enough time to dry-shampoo my hair and make it out the door for work.
That all changed in the past few years when I realised I am happier and more productive when I wake up early in the morning, get in a workout before work, and go to bed early. I know, it even shocked me that I was able to make this change. Do I enjoy waking up around 5 a.m. when it’s still dark outside? Not really. If it were up to me, I’d sleep until noon. But I know if I have an early start, I’ll feel better as the day goes on.
Part of this strategy for me is signing up for 6 a.m. workout classes at my gym, so it forces me to get there on time. I’m not known for my punctuality, except when it comes to fitness classes. I always arrive early to grab my favourite spot and warm up before class starts. But on days I don’t have a 6 a.m. class scheduled, I pretend like I do so I can make it to the gym early and get my day started on the right foot. But I have an extra trick that motivates me to work out so early.
The Trick I Use to Make It to the Gym at 6 a.m.
I’m a sucker for reality TV on Bravo. I’m not a huge reality TV connoisseur, but I enjoy my episodes of Vanderpump Rules and the Real Housewives (of every city). In order to force myself to make it to the gym in the morning, I save my favourite reality TV shows for when I’m on the cardio machines. I’ll wait until the next day to watch my beloved Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives on the Bravo app on my iPad while I’m stepping away on the stair climber or jogging on the treadmill. Not only does it make the workout go by faster, but I look so forward to catching up on my episodes that it makes me actually want to go to the gym so early.
Maybe it’s your favourite reality TV show that you want to watch or a more high-brow show you’ve been binging on Netflix, but saving your favourite TV shows for the gym is a great way to stay motivated and kill two birds with one stone.
