How To Get More Energy For Fitness

Written By Trevor McDonald / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

You want to get into shape. You’re motivated. You’re committed. You bought new fitness clothes, a fun new sports tracker, and sweet new workout kicks. You’re totally going to start, like, first thing tomorrow. Yet…when your alarm goes off? Despite your best intentions, you hit snooze. Ten minutes later, the alarm goes off again - another snooze. You roll over, go back to sleep. You’ll start tomorrow. You’re too tired right now. Tomorrow, though, for sure.

Here’s the thing: your heart may be in the right place. Your brain is absolutely committed to working out. But your body? It’s not having it. You’re just too dang tired. It’s not that you’re lazy. It’s not that you’re happy being complacent. You want those buns of steel, those abs that you could scrub an entire load of laundry on.

Why can’t you get past this fatigue slump, though? Whether you’ve tried to start working out first thing in the morning, after work, or during your lunch hour, you’re not going to get far if you’ve got no energy. If you find your energy flagging when you’re wanting to jumpstart your fitness, these little tips and tricks can help you get on track - and stay on track!

Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep

As an adult, you need somewhere between seven to nine  hours of sleep each night. But if you're like most people, you're getting way less than that. Do you know what's funny? You probably would love to get a good night's sleep. Who doesn’t like waking up feeling alert and refreshed? That said, you can wish for sleep all you want. Without actually making an effort, you're going to continue to fall short on these goals. Look, if you want the energy to work out, you need to get enough sleep. Period.

Start by making some simple changes for yourself. Block out blue lights - they can keep you awake at night. Get blackout curtains for your windows. Reach for ear plugs. Sure, it seems like a lot of work at first, but that first night when you get your 7 hours? You will notice the difference.

Perk Up Your Energy With The Right Foods

Some foods have a reputation for giving energy. Coffee, anyone? Yes, please! But the thing is, caffeinated foods and drinks are just a crutch. They supply short-term energy, but they can lead to an energy crash later on. Instead, you need to consistently fuel your body with energy-boosting foods. Don’t reach for sugar-laden junk foods. You’ll just feel much worse, and way more tired, after your body burns through it.

A diet deficient in essential vitamins and minerals can also drain your energy. For instance, if you don’t get enough iron, you may start to notice ongoing fatigue due to anemia. The same goes for vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

To keep your energy humming throughout the day, give it a steady stream of healthy fuel. Fill up on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources. Good sources of nutritious, energy-boosting foods include superfoods like kale, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and yes - even chocolate. Finally, skip the energy drinks and sugary sodas. While they’ll give you a temporary rush, you’ll just feel lousy later.

 Drink Some Water, Then Drink Some More

Humans are over 60% water. Yet, if you’re like most people, you’re probably always a little bit dehydrated. Not getting enough water can lead to serious health complications such as dizziness and confusion. Furthermore, being dehydrated can also lead to feeling worn-down and tired. For best health, you should be aiming for about eight glasses of water per day – more if you're exercising which you will be soon, right? - live in a warm climate or are running a fever. So, be honest. Are you getting enough water?

Signs of dehydration may include dark-colored urine, a dry mouth, and a headache. You may feel extremely thirsty. Or you might not; not everyone has a strong thirst reflex. To prevent these unpleasant symptoms, take in plenty of fluids throughout the day. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, no worries.

You can drink unsweetened sparkling water, too. Infused water - water that contains slices of fresh-cut fruit - is also a great choice. Even decaffeinated beverages like herbal tea can help. By making sure you get enough water, you can work on getting your energy levels up. That way, when it’s time to start working out, you’ll feel alert and perky.

Have A Little Fun In Your Life

Be honest with yourself: are you only exercising to reach a physical goal? Remember when you were a kid? Recess was probably the highlight of your day. You'd run around for a half-hour, just having fun. Here’s a secret, though. That frolicking? That was exercise. If you’re struggling with finding the energy to work out, maybe it’s not just fatigue. Maybe it’s a little bit of dread, too.

To make the most out of your workout, you should find an activity you like. Think a treadmill should be called a “dreadmill”? Maybe kickboxing’s more your thing. Struggling to even get off the couch in the first place? Walking Fido is a perfectly good way to get out there and move your body. (Plus, your dog will love you for taking him out on walks.)

Getting the energy to work out doesn’t have to be a huge task. Find little things to try. Tinker with your diet. Regulate your sleep. Stay hydrated. And, hey, who knows? Maybe when your alarm goes off tomorrow, instead of hitting snooze, you’ll be hitting the gym!

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Written By:

Trevor McDonald is a freelance content writer who has a passion for writing. He's written a variety of education, travel, health, and lifestyle articles for many different companies. In his free time, you can find him running with his dog, playing his guitar or outside enjoying about any type of fitness activity imaginable.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.