Morning exercise: 5 tips for starting a routine

Story highlights It starts the night before: Eat well and get plenty of rest If you can self-motivate, your body will adapt You plan a workout for the evening, but then something comes up – a happy hour, a deadline for work, or maybe even a Tinder date. “If you scarfed down mom’s leftover meatloaf and garlic bread at 9 o’clock last night, chances are you’re going to wake up feeling exactly like that – a sluggish loaf of meat,” says Noah Neiman, master trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp in New York City. “This gives your stomach some time to digest the food so it’s not having a fiesta while you’re trying to take a siesta.” RELATED: 8 Ways to Fake Being a Morning Person Coax yourself to bed earlier It’ll be easier to get out of bed in the morning if you’ve logged your expert-recommended 7 to 8 hours, so you need to hack your body’s internal wakefulness clock. “If you can self motivate, which is always the strongest form of motivation, and just get to the gym or start your workout every morning; your body will adapt, making it much easier to routinely break that AM sweat.” You could also try snacking on melatonin-rich foods like walnuts and cherries before bed, suggests Bonci. “You’ll be far less likely to bail when you know someone is waiting for you, and you’ll even get the benefit of social interaction, regardless of how quick or sweaty it might be,” says Liz Barnet, head strength instructor at Uplift Studios in New York City.