We all know how easy it is to let your exercise regime slip out of your schedule. Early starts and long days at work mean that getting up earlier to hit the gym or extending your day to fit in a couple of fitness classes aren’t high on your list of priorities. From simple day to day fatigue to rumbling stomachs, there are plenty of excuses you can use to convince yourself you don’t need to fit in a workout, but there’ll always be that niggling feeling of guilt in the back of your mind instead of the positive, good feeling you get from even just a quick session at the gym.

We’ve got some great tips and tricks for motivating yourself to make it to the gym before or after work, and some great ways to fuel yourself so your body physically has the energy to work that little bit longer past your working day!

First things first, you need to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Whether you work out before or after heading to the office, your body needs enough sleep to be able to function properly. Getting the right amount of sleep will not only make it easier to get up early for the gym and convince yourself you can make it there after work, but it’ll also help your hunger throughout the day. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases a hormone that will make you feeling hungrier during the day – meaning a lot of off-plan snacking and another excuse to not get your workout in!

So you’ve had a good night’s sleep and now you’re awake and trying to find the motivation to get out of bed. The last thing you want to be doing is rustling around looking for your gym kit, so for many people this is where all those good intentions will fall by the wayside. If you pack your bag the night before, you need only pop on your gym clothing and grab your bag as you head out the door, saving time and crossing one last excuse off the list.

Food is fuel, so in order to be able to put in a good workout and work hard at the office all day, you need to make sure that you’ve prepped your meals for the day. We know it’s not always easy, as this means taking the time to cook a meal the night before and portion it up. However, with Lizi’s granola you can make sure that you get a good breakfast whether you’re on the go or enjoying a relaxed breakfast at your desk. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why not consider batch cooking some of your favourite meals to heat up for lunch and dinner? Being prepared and full from your meals will stop snacks and junk food from becoming the easier option.