We’re all familiar with that feeling on a Monday morning, when your alarm wakes you up with a start and you realise the weekend’s over.

Exercising might be the last thing on your mind at this point, but we reckon if you bag a workout before the working week even begins, you set yourself up for not only a great day but a great five days. It doesn’t even have to be first thing.

Research has proved that if you work out at any time on a Monday, you’re more likely to stick to good habits – both in terms of exercising and food choices – for the rest of the week. It’s not always easy, though, so we hooked up with pro triathlete and Digme Ambassador Natalie Seymour to get some tips on how to make the process easier. She’s now training full-time, and she’s had years of experience of motivating herself to get the work done when she may not want to, going all the way back to when she was part of the GB hockey squad and preparing for major tournaments.

Natalie says:

- Make it social. By arranging to do something with someone, you can’t just let them down by not showing up. I’m no different to anyone else in that some mornings, particularly Mondays, it’s a struggle to get out of bed. It’s dark and cold outside and so warm in bed. On Monday mornings I have the 400 club at the pool, so I meet a group and we all motivate each other. They’re better than me so they pull me along.

- Do it on your way to work. If it’s convenient and fits in well with your day, you’re much more likely to do it. Maybe you could cycle to work, or stop off at a gym or fitness class en route to the office or the station.

- Pack your bag or lay out your kit the night before. If you wake up and feel the temptation to hit the snooze button, take a look at your kit laid out ready and I promise you it will encourage you to get going. And if your bag’s all packed and ready to go, it makes it easy to just grab it and head out the door. It’s one less thing to worry about.

- Think about how good you’ll feel afterwards. A solid Monday morning session puts a real spring in your step. If you’re suffering any Monday blues, the endorphins of a workout will soon have you feeling more upbeat and ready for whatever the week will throw at you. And think of the smug factor if you get to your desk and can tell your colleagues you’ve already smashed a workout.

- Put it in the plan. If you write out a plan on a Sunday for the week ahead, you’re far more likely to stick to a regime. The disappointment of missing a session which was on the plan will be enough to motivate you.

So let’s put some of this into practice by committing to a workout on Monday - book your space now!