Wake up and get it done

"For my workout, I'm up at 4 A.M. I say my prayers, count my blessings, and I work out right away. I just get it done."

—Richard Simmons

Okay, so I don't wake up at 4 A.M., but I have managed to build the habit of waking up and working out first thing in the morning. I want my workout done before I answer a single email, have a human conversation, or even drink my first cup of coffee. Is it fun? Ha! Absolutely not. Is it worth it? Absolutely, yes.

Now, I wish I could say I’m motivated by some lofty goal or greater good, but honestly, it's a chaotic mix of tiny habits that make my early gym mornings possible. Here’s how I trick myself into becoming a morning gym person:

1. Laundry: The Unexpected Hero

This might sound irrelevant, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. I make sure the outfit I want to wear is clean and ready to go the night before. Every detail is carefully planned out to my liking, down to my socks and underwear. This outfit is then ceremoniously placed on my bathroom counter, waiting like a beacon of health and hope, leading me to become the epitome of wellness in the early morning hours. If I have to search for a sock, I will not go to the gym. It’s that simple. Every barrier must be removed, and my workout clothes need to be ready to slip on as soon as I wake up.

2. Breakfast: Locked and Loaded

I stash a protein bar and a banana in my gym bag the night before. This way, I don’t even have to step foot in the kitchen. I go directly from the bathroom to the front door like I’m on a mission. I do not pass Go, and I do not risk the perilous detour of wandering around my kitchen looking for something edible.

3. Headphones: Charged and Ready for Battle

Here’s where I might lose some of you. My wireless headphones charge on a portable charger inside my gym bag. You might be thinking, "Why not just plug them into the wall like a normal person?" And to that, I say: If my headphones aren’t already in my bag, I will forget them. It’s ridiculous, yes, but I’d rather make a silly adjustment than suffer through another workout without my precious Spotify Premium.

4. Skincare: Because Morning Me Is Useless

I wash my face at the gym. Who am I at 6:45 A.M.? I don’t know, but I do know she is not capable of washing her face and getting to the gym early. So, I have a travel-sized skincare routine that lives in my gym bag. I also have a mini deodorant and a travel-sized toothbrush/toothpaste combo in there, just in case.

The point here isn’t about becoming some kind of superhuman who loves mornings. It's about tricking yourself, one little hack at a time, into showing up and getting it done. Because honestly, if I can do it, anyone can.