Happy Friday! For this week’s Friday fitness tip, I want to talk about how awesome morning workouts are! For one, you get it out of the way before you start your day. Getting a workout in first thing gives me such a sense of accomplishment that I carry with me the rest of the day, AND it is one thing that I can check off of my ridiculously long to-do list. That is just one of the many benefits of working out first thing!

Some other benefits include:

• More energy – Who doesn’t want more energy throughout the day?! Whether you ride and teach lessons all day, or have an office job and need to squeeze a ride in after work, you could likely use an extra boost to get through your day. I have experienced both the full time horsewoman life, and working at a desk all day while riding in the evening. Both schedules are demanding, and tiring! Working out before the day begins boosts our energy so much, so that we can handle our crazy schedules.
•  Great mood – Sweating and getting my heart rate up first thing puts me in a great mood. And it lasts ALL DAY! Our horses definitely appreciate it when we are good moods. 🙂
• Calmer mind – This goes right along with the great mood. Exercise brings us into the present moment, causing us to forget our stress. A calm, focused mind is essential for riders. Exercising before we ride will help us to be in a much better frame of mind when we are in the saddle.
• A healthier appetite – I am so bad about skipping breakfast, or just grabbing a granola bar on the way out, then I am starving and hangry by eleven. I will eat a heavier lunch, which causes me to experience that afternoon slump. However, when I exercise in the morning I get hungry for a real breakfast. I have a good breakfast, then I am able to eat a lighter lunch, and I have more energy in the afternoon.

If you have any questions at all about any of my fitness tips, feel free to send me an email at laurelashtonwalker@gmail.com and we can chat 🙂

I hope y’all have a great weekend!!