If you aren't a morning person, it might take a little extra convincing to get you out of your bed and jump right into a workout. Trust us, we get it. It's dark out, birds aren't even awake, and the bed is so comfy and warm. Getting up early to squeeze in a workout may take some getting used to but, we promise, the benefits are worth it! Check out our favorite reasons to forego that snooze button and get your a.m. sweat on!

1. Start you day off right, even if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed!

Sure, when the alarm goes off, there is nothing we’d rather do than hit the snooze button and pull the covers over our heads, especially on Mondays. Getting your body moving in the morning can give you the rush of endorphins to set the rest of your day up for success. Talk about a natural mood booster!

Tip: Move your alarm clock out of arm’s reach. Once your feet hit the ground, it’ll be much easier to keep moving.

2. Healthy habits start in the morning!

By getting your workout on in the morning, it could lead to making healthier decisions throughout the day. After putting in all that hard work, why ruin it with an unhealthy breakfast? And because you are burning all those extra calories early in the day, your body will be craving nutrients. By not skipping breakfast, you’ll be refueled and enhance your diet quality.

Tip: Follow our CHEFIT channel for healthy meal choices. 

3. Gain muscle & new friends!

Researchers found that finding a new exercise companion increased the amount of exercise people partake in. Changing up your workout time can lead to buddying up with like-minded partners. Early risers get the benefit of an emptier gym plus emotional support from each other.

Tip: Schedule a time to meet your friend and stick to it! You don't want to be the one to flake out!

4. Perform better at work!

It seems counterintuitive to add more to your day and have it relieve stress, but new studies found that participants find themselves with a healthier work-life balance. "Individuals who exercised regularly were more confident they could handle the interaction of their work and home life and were less likely to be stressed at work," said Russell Clayton, assistant professor of management on the study.

Tip: Save yourself some time by going from the gym to work. Utilize the gym's locker room to get ready and start your work day with a bounce in your step. 

5. Burn more fat in the morning!

While there are many studies with varying results, some researchers found that it's possible to burn up to 20% more body fat by exercising before breakfast. Choose protein to help build and repair muscles, and healthy carbs will help with recovery. 

Tip: Have breakfast ready to go after your workout to avoid overeating. Don't wait too long to eat for proper recovery.

With these benefits here to motivate you, remember to choose the right path for you. Set yourself up for success by leaning on the apps we talked about last week and stay on track!

Last Tip: Lay out your workout gear or pack your gym bag the night before (we may or may not sleep in ours).  So while your waking before the sun, you'll be ready to get up and GO because you thought ahead.  Be sure to grab your SHEFIT for all the extra support.