Secrets of Women Who Workout Before Work

The most successful workouts I've ever had have happened in the morning. No matter how great a workout I think I'll have in the evening, it never seems to happen. Great morning workouts set the tone for the entire day ahead. If you're a working woman, though, making time for a workout before work can be next to impossible. What can you do to guarantee that your morning workout happens?

Plan ahead.

Don't leave anything to chance if you plan to start your day with an exercise routine. Pick out your clothes, find your shoes, pack lunch, and have breakfast ready to go. The more organized you are at night, the more likely you are to stick with it come morning.

Skip the snooze.

Those extra five minutes of sleep can feel oh so good, but if you're planning a morning workout, they can make or break you. Resist the urge to hit the snooze button. Instead, hop up out of bed with a jolt when the alarm goes off. Start your day energized!

Eat well.

What you eat for breakfast, the snacks you pack, and the lunch you choose can all make a difference in the success of your workout. Quaker Real Medleys, for instance, are a quick, portable, and healthy option that will provide the fuel you need to exercise, make it through the rest of the day, and fill you up, too. Whether you eat one before you head out the door or bring one along to eat once you get to work, they get the job done.

Enlist help.

I've learned that it's impossible for me to work out, get out the door on time, and get the kids ready and at school on time, all by myself. I simply can't do it, and that's okay. I need my husband to help. If I want to work out in the morning, he has to pitch in and help get the kids ready for school. Teamwork reigns supreme.

Minimize your routine.

I don't need to do my hair and make-up before I head to the gym, but I do like to look my best by the time I get to the office. There just doesn't seem to be time for it all when I work out. If I need to save a few minutes, I blow dry, but don't straighten, my hair. I capitalize on the glow that the exercise puts in my cheeks, and use lighter, more natural, make-up. I manage to save a few minutes so that I can do it all, and look my best at the same time.

Content by Kelly Herdrich.