Work to workout

I know I always "preach" and "testify" that morning workouts are the way to go and I still believe that. You'll be more productive all day - in so many ways including a higher calorie burn - and you'll have your workout done each day before you even get in the shower!

That said, there are times where you have to workout in the afternoon after work. There are plenty of reason for this and rest assured I know many of them. As I've started marathon training and two-a-day workouts with afternoon runs, making sure I hit my afternoon workouts strong has become even more important. I've learned a few things, read a few other things, and been given lots of great advice on making sure that my workout in the afternoon doesn't suffer from a whole day at work...and I'd like to share this all with you. As always, I'd love to hear if you have any other ideas that you've tried and liked that help keep you on track and strong in after-work workouts! Share in the comments so we can all use them please!!

"Fast flats" make you faster
I never thought I'd be the girl who wore (and almost collected) 3" or higher heels...at 5' 10" I definitely don't need the extra height but for some reason I've decided I like them and I wear them more than I ever thought I would admit. The problem (as so many of us women know) is that at the end of the day, your muscles, feet, back, hips... can all be sore if you walked the slightest bit "off" in these gorgeous statement-makers so when we get home we might be more willing to take our shoes off and sit down to rest our barking puppies than to go out and run or put in that workout DVD. My suggestion (and I've tried this a few times the past couple weeks - HUGE difference): take a pair of flats (I recently bought a pair of the Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats thanks to a coupon) with you to work and about an hour or so before you're leaving the office, change shoes. The fast flats are great because they fit in any purse or bag I take to work and they're cute so I have no problem wearing them around the office...especially when my last hour is typically phone calls and emails at my desk. This has helped me feel like I stretched out my calves and hamstrings more and warmed up muscles that have been tight all day. I feel more refreshed just walking to my car and that helps me feel ready to run!

Chug, chug, chug, CHUG!
This is going to be two birds with one stone! Around 3 pm...when you're hitting that crash.....you want a second cup (or pot...) of coffee......or a nap........you're........getting......................sleeeeeeeeeee...... GET UP! Instead of a soda...er..pop..., cup of coffee, or energy drink, get a big glass of water. If it can be cold or ice water, even better! Don't have an ice machine? Keep a bottle of water in the fridge all day! Don't have a fridge at work? Freeze half of bottle of water overnight at home, bring it in, add water in the morning and keep it in a cool during the day. Find a way to make this happen. This will help you wake up and feel more refreshed as well as get you more effectively hydrated for your workout. Keep in mind that the best way to keep hydrated is to drink water all day long but 3 pm is a good time to check your progress.

Go for a walk
When you're getting that water at 3, get up from your desk and go walk for a few minutes. Maybe it's something as simple as taking the longer way to the bathroom or walking to a co worker's desk instead of calling them but get up and move. This will also help beat that afternoon slump as it gets your blood flowing and in a  better "workout mode".

There's more (including the most important tip!!).....

Be prepared!
Ok every time I see that, I think of the song from the Lion King. Anyone else? Be pre-PAAAARED! Anyway.... Set your workout clothes out at home just inside the door if you're working out at or from home. Before shutting off the morning news, switch your TV to the DVD input and put in your afternoon workout DVD so when you get home, everything is already set up. Planning to go to the gym or hit a trail? Don't allow yourself to go home. If you go home to change, chances are good you'll get comfy and not want to do your workout. Instead, take your bike to work, take your change of clothes to work (even change at work if that's an option), and make sure you are ready to go  ...sooner the better. You may even want to try to "change at work" strategy for workouts at home.

Pre workout drinks and snacks!
In addition to water, and especially for strength training workouts, pre-workout drinks can be helpful and many of us use them. The "problem" is that they take half an hour to kick in and if you wait until you get home to drink it, you might get comfy waiting and never start lifting! Most all of us need to have a snack too as long was too long ago and we don't want to eat dinner so early. Beat these potential excuses by packing your pre-workout drink, snack, supplement...whatever, when you pack for the day. Eat or drink it before you leave for work (obviously allowing the amount of time you'll need between snack / drink and workout) so that when you get to your workout, you're ready to GET IT!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.
Yes this is the Beachbody tag line but it's also the most important step. None of the preparation or other steps will mean anything if you haven't made the choice and committed to success. There will be days when you can't get completely prepped but if you have committed, nothing else will matter. Make sure you know that you're worth the time to workout and make it happen. You can't give yourself and your loved ones a better gift than that.

Prepared the sweat, eat, and repeat today! Are you?
Gabriella