Happy Wednesday, friends!
It’s another edition of SHAY’S WAYS!
Today, I am sharing 10 KEYS TO GETTING WORKOUT READY (because it is Wellness Wednesday after all!).
What do I mean by getting “workout ready”? I mean “ten things I personally do so that I don’t skip/talk myself out/make myself miss my workout”.
I don’t know about you, but the hardest part about working out for me has ALWAYS been just getting myself there.
These are little things that I do in advance that help keep me more motivated and accountable.
Alrighty, here we go…
#1: SET TWO ALARMS
I don’t have to do this as much any more, but anytime I think I *might* be tempted to skip a workout, I’ll set two alarms. Why not just snooze? Because even if I were to hit snooze, my brain would know that that darn second alarm will go off regardless, and man, it would just be easier to just get up than juggle all the alarms and snoozes. Two alarms make sleeping in less fun. If you think that won’t work for you, set three. Set eight. Set as many as you need to make being in bed not fun.
#2: HAVE YOUR GYM CLOTHES OUT AND READY TO GO
Obvious strategy but very helpful. I ALWAYS have my workout clothes ready the night before. For me, I just don’t want one more thing to think about at 5:00 AM. I want less decisions that early. If I’m going to yoga, I’ll have out my yoga pants, sports bra and tank along with my flip flops and a sweatshirt (because no matter the temp, I want to be cozy that early in the morning). If I’m going for a walk or to lift weights, I might have out my running shoes and shorts. This is so simple, and yet for me, it makes getting up and getting going much easier.
#3: HAVE YOUR EQUIPMENT/ITEMS ALREADY IN THE CAR OR BY THE DOOR
Another thing I always do is have my “gear” together. If I’m going to yoga, I’ll go ahead and have my yoga mat in the car. I’ll put my AirPods with my workout bag and shoes. I love to take a towel to the gym and yoga, so I’ll have that out too. Anything I need for the gym the next day, I gather up the night before.
#4: SCHEDULE A CLASS (IF YOU CAN)
One good thing that COVID brought about was that so many of my workout studios started making reservations for spots in advance…and all of these years later, they still do it. I actually love this because if I don’t cancel within 24 hours, they charge my card $10 for late cancellation/no show. You would be surprised how many times that $10 has gotten my booty to the gym. I’ve woken up on rainy mornings and thought “oh, it would be nice to sleep in while it rains outside” and then I think “but they’ll charge my card $10, so I better get up”.
If your classes/gym don’t allow you to schedule in advance, another great way to keep yourself accountable is…
#5: MEET SOMEONE THERE
Yup. If you and a friend agree to meet early the next morning, it is REALLY HARD to skip. For YEARS (at least a decade!), Erika and I would meet at the gym. Do you know how many mornings I did not want to get up and go at 5:00 AM, but I did just because I knew it would be super rude/inconsiderate/not nice to stand her up. It was highly, highly motivating. Even if you are meeting someone later in the day, just knowing that they are expecting you to show up is a great way to get yourself there.
#6: SAVE YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST/TV SHOW
So, so, so many times, I will see that a podcast I love has dropped a new episode and instead of listening while I run errands or do laundry, I make myself wait until I get to the gym. I’ll do the same thing with TV shows I’m binge watching. I’ll make myself save it for when I’m on the stairmill or treadmill. It’s highly motivating to get to the gym if I have something really entertaining to do once I arrive.
#7: FILL YOUR STANLEY
This is such a small thing, but I always fill my Stanley or Yeti with ice and water the night before. Again, one less thing to think about when I wake up, one less thing to make me late, and one nice thing to have for myself as I’m heading to the gym.
#8: PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR
I make a “to do” list for the next day every evening right before I leave my work. I always write out everything I need to do the next day along with any appointments on my calendar. I have doing this for YEARS and guess what? I always write my workout down. I want to be able to cross that off my list. I also want to give my workout the same amount of time I give other important appointments.
#9: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN
For me personally, not having a “plan” always derails my workouts. I make a plan for the next day. Am I lifting or doing cardio? Am I going to the gym or staying home? If I’m lifting, what body parts and do I know the exercises? This takes me just a minute to think about but helps tremendously the next day. A good plan always helps me get to my workout.
#10: SCHEDULE YOUR REWARD
I like to reward myself after the gym sometimes. I attend this one really hard strength class about once a week, and I always reward myself with a cup of coffee when it’s over. Sometimes, I’ll reward myself after a really hard strength day with a really light “walk the dogs” day the following day. I know if I push myself big on this day, the next day will be really lovely. The rewards encourage me to get the job done.
So, those are my 10 KEYS TO GETTING WORKOUT READY, but of course, I want to hear about what you do too!!
If you missed my WORKOUTS IN A WEEK or my KEYS TO FINDING A GYM posts make sure you check those out today too.
Also, as a reminder, should “new workout wear” be one of your motivators (because let’s be real, that helps me often too!)…
You might want to check out THE BEST SPORTS BRA in the world 🙂 .
The liners are sewn in. SEWN IN! It’s so comfortable, washes and dries without shrinking…I love mine so much that I bought two for Texas and two for Nantucket. The best!
THESE “DUPE” LEGGINGS are as buttery soft and amazing as the originals. They wash and dry well too and come in a variety of colors!
MY WORKOUT TANK comes in so many great colors and always washes and dries so well.
And BIKER SHORTS for the win!
Alrighty, don’t forget, I have so many other SHAY’S WAYS you can check out as well. Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
21 Ways I Hygge
12 Ways for a Happier Day
7 Keys to Reducing/Avoiding Motion Sickness
8 WAYS TO ADD “VACATION” INTO THE EVERYDAY
I would love to know how you prepare in advance to get workout ready. Please comment and share!
Have the best best day. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I ordered some of those bras and they are game changers! I always have my
Clothes laid out the night before with a plan of what I’m going to do!
Great advice!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Diane Moore says
Great tips. One other thing I do is think about how I’ll feel about myself later. I’ll be really disappointed if I don’t exercise, but if I do, even if it’s not the best session, I’ll feel good about myself, my discipline, etc.
Erika Slaughter says
Happy Wednesday! I’ve gotta check out those sports bras!
Dawn Timmons says
Yep! Completely agree with this list. #4 is probably the only one I do not do only because I meet a friend every morning at her house and not at a gym!
In the Spirit of Wellness Wednesday and motivation, some might enjoy these two books if they haven’t already read them:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
7 Pillars of Health by Don Colbert, MD
Have a great day!
Courtney Anderson says
One thing that has helped me for early morning training sessions or workouts is I go to sleep in my workout clothes so I literally have to roll out of bed and go!
Libby says
The quote that gets me motivated is, “you won’t regret working out, but you will regret not working out.” -Unknown
Mix and Match Mama says
YES and AMEN!
Sheaffer Sims says
Okay, just ordered the sports bra!
Lisa D says
Meeting up with a friend for a morning hike works for me. I don’t want to be a “bad friend”! Also, having my clothes ready to put on quickly and having my water bottle and hiking/day pack all ready to go helps when I really don’t feel like going out. I know I will feel so great once I’m out in nature.
Julia says
Ugh, the cancellation fee is what stops me from going to classes! Sometimes I want to sign up but see that I’ll be charged if I don’t cancel in advance and then I don’t end up signing up because sometimes life happens, and my work or personal schedule might change and then I’ll be stuck paying the cancellation fee. So, this has the opposite effect on me and stops me from signing up for classes.
Nicole says
Yes! I almost do all of these!! What does a typically week look like for you right now? Always love hearing! Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Right now, it still looks like what I posted last month. My routine is really similar to that right now. It’s right here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2025/08/workouts-in-a-weekaugust2025/
sandi says
I have tried working out in the morning and as a non morning person it is hard. Now I go early afternoon after work so packing my bag the night before is crucial. Last week I found your Leg Day workout on the blog. My daughter is getting married in April so I am looking to improve my arms. They are good but could use a little toning. Do you have an Arm Day post? A few years ago Andrew posted some workout content so maybe it is within these posts. Thanks! And if any of your readers have mother of the bride dress experience I could use some… the looks I have found are either very matronly or too young.
Mix and Match Mama says
I just looked, and I don’t have a specific “arm day” post, but I certainly need to post one. I found several of my favorite arm exercises though in this post: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2025/03/andrews-spring-break-workout-2025-edition/
Gail Young says
I found some beautiful dresses online from Nordstroms. Our son’s wedding was an evening event, but not super fancy. I got 2 of the same dress in different colors and kept them both.
K.K. says
Great list!! Like you, I do a lot of these things. The biggest is working out with other people for me. That helps me stay accountable.
Also, you can’t mention liners “sewn in” without me giving you a virtual high five every time!
Dana P says
So motivating! I would add that my gym time is when I respond to Marco Polos and voice notes. It makes the time fly by!
Kristin S says
I HAVE to lay out my clothes the night before or I’ll just crawl back into bed!
Off to check out this sports bra… my favorite has been discontinued.
Faith says
I need a sports bra that I can put on like a regular bra 🫣 whenever I do manage to get a sports bra on I feel like I’m going to have to cut it off when I try to take it off. 🤣 maybe I just need to work my muscles so I’m stronger and can pull it off. Please tells me I’m not the only one who gets stuck!
MelanieL says
Faith…pull it up and down over your hips!! I step in and out of all my sports bras, it’s super easy to do even when you’re sweaty!
SS says
You are not the only one. Mine gets all bunchy in the back when I try to put it on.
Kay says
I love these tips! This may not work for everyone, but I have a workout designated for each day of the week. I repeat this again and again until I need to make changes for whatever reason! Right now I’m:
M: Strength-arms
T: Long dog walk
W: Strength-legs
Th: either another long walk or a bike workout
Fri: Strength-full body
This is easy for me to stick to as I don’t even have to think about what I’m going to do. If I get sick of something, I may designate Thursday as Pilates instead of a walk for example? For now, this schedule has been in place a while!
Thanks for being so motivational for us all!
Kelly T says
I would love to know more about what you do for warm-up / movement prep when you lift weights on your own! Maybe a future blog post idea?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t do that much. I will either do a wall sit once or twice (a minute each time), maybe 5 minutes on my Hydrow or stair mill or something like that. I keep it quick!
Nicole says
What time are you able to workout right now? Also, I’d love to see another day in the life of your current eating too! Oh and when do you typically have coffee? How often? All the random questions! 🤣😇 THANKS!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love the random questions! I always, always work out early in the morning (typically around 5:30). I almost always have one cup of coffee as soon as I wake up in the morning (so right now, 4:00 AM), another when I am working in the morning (9:00ish) and then another in the afternoon (1:00 ish).
JIll says
I have done early morning workouts for going on 30 years. It is such a habit now and my day doesn’t feel “right” if I don’t get my workout in.
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s how I feel too!
Marisa Patel says
This is it…I am going to get started!!!!
Julie says
Okay, these are all great! I also will sometimes not shower until after I workout because that is my reward! Love me a good shower! 😂
I also love your whole, “earn a 2nd shower!” That has been a huge motivator for me too.
What are some of your favorite at home workouts?
Mix and Match Mama says
This makes me so happy. I think about this every day! In fact, last night, Mades and I jumped on the trampoline because I didn’t think I had “earned” mine quite enough 😉 .
Nova says
Thank you for these tips, Shay! As always, they are very helpful. I recently started a new workout routine in the morning. I made my electrolyte drink the night before but haven’t thought about pouring it into my travel mug! Ah that makes it so much easier! I don’t know why pouring it in the morning was so difficult, just one more thing to get out the door. Thanks to your tips I laid out my favorite workout clothes and had my water bottle and shoes right by the door and it was so much easier to hop out of bed and get moving and out the door!! I appreciate you.