Running is considered as the most effective way to stay fit. If you have been considering running since a long time and are finding it difficult to kickstart a running routine in the morning, here a few tips that will help you bring in consistency in your efforts.
1) Start with Good Sleep Habits
Building the foundation to a consistent and productive morning running routine begins with a good sleep the previous night.
Here’s how you can develop a good sleeping pattern:
- Maintain the same sleep timings every night
- Avoid midday naps and the usage of electronic gadgets and reading activity an hour before sleep
- Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol an hour before sleeping
- Maintain a good environment in the bedroom
- Indulge in peaceful routines such as warm bath, meditation and listening to calm music
2) Gear up in Advance
While this tip may seem unusual and strange to do, wearing running clothes and sleeping will give you just enough motivation to get running in the morning. When you are already dressed up for a run, you won’t be able to avoid it because your mind is programmed to fulfill the goal.
Alternatively, you can place your running clothes close to your bed so that when you get up the first thing on your mind would be running.
This is a habit practiced by many morning runners. Additionally, keep your running shoes close to your bed, so that you can simply step into them and hit the road.
3) Increase the Distance to the Alarm
These days, setting an alarm to wake up on time isn’t enough. Individuals simply turn off their alarm and go back to bed to get extra few minutes of sleep. This practice will not help if you are trying to establish a morning running routine for yourself.
If you want wake up in time, keep your mobile or digital table clock as far as possible from your bed. The more the distance between the clock and the bed, the less likely you are to turn your alarm off and return to the bed to get some extra sleep.
4) Reward Your Efforts
Setting a running routine in the morning and living up to it is a task in itself, especially if you are a beginner. And if you have put yourself to the task of developing a morning routine, then you have to follow it consistently to achieve fitness goals.
However, it takes a lot of motivation and persistence to keep up with such practices. And this can be done by rewarding yourself on short-term achievements in the process. Once you’ve made little progress with your routine, treat yourself to a spa or a nice self-cooked dish.
5) Map and Alter the Running Path
Falling into a morning routine will be difficult, if you’re not a morning person. And following the same route and routine everyday can put you out of track. To keep yourself motivated and the routine interesting, keep changing your running routes and plan them in advance.
You can take the help of a map app and identify spots for running, start and end points and routes you can follow on the course.
6) Get Your Friend to Accompany You
What are best buddies for, if they can’t stay by you through the thick and thin and your fitness routines of course!
Getting your friend or loved one to run with you will add a boost to your running commitment.
But make sure that you both are on the same fitness levels. In doing so, you are ensuring that you don’t get demotivated to pursue your routine, if your friend or partner is a slow or fast runner compared with you.
7) Eat Well, Stay Hydrated to Run
Never head out for a run without eating. Your stomach is usually empty after a full night’s sleep, running after keeping yourself starved for so long will only lead you to feel tired or nauseated in the process.
Hence, it’s better to get a quick bite on an energy bar, a slice of toast or a banana. Keep it light so that you don’t feel uneasy as you run.
The same is the case with fluids. When you wake up in the morning, your body is half-dehydrated. Running without fueling your body will lead to further dehydration and other complications.
Make sure to drink six-eight cups of water and give it some time to settle before you begin running. Also, you can choose to carry an electrolyte drink with you. It is advisable to have two-three ounces for every mile covered.
Now that you have up your mind to begin a running routine and have all the guidance to help you make the most of it, what are you waiting for? Go hit the track!
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