Success is won or lost in the planning and preparation stages.
Two weeks ago I stepped up my program to include 60 minutes of high heart rate cardio (84% max heart rate or higher) for 5 days per week. As such, my gym prep had to be stepped up as well.
Prepare properly:
1) Get enough fuel. Before the workout I take supplements (some protein, vitamins, minerals) and whole foods for carbs and other nutrients. I pack some snacks as well, energy foods like fruits that digest quickly.
2) Get enough rest. Maximize you recovery time by getting a full night's sleep. A few hours before the gym, just after eating my workout fuel, I toss in a mid-afternoon nap. Helps with energy levels and those annoying afternoon work meetings.
3) Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! I bring along a gallon of water in quart canteens. An 8 oz water bottles isn't cutting it. I'll go through a quart of water each hour, minimum. Plus more water if I need a refueling break in the middle. Yes, there are those who'll say there is a water fountain/cooler over there just use that. My issue is too many people around it are a distraction. I'll go to refill and instead flirt, chat, gossip, for 15 minutes. Muscles have now gone cold and heart rate has flattened. Added bonus: zero chance of confusing water bottles with someone else cause they all look the same, and I'm pretty much guaranteed no one messes with mine. Plus when they are in different containers I can add an electrolyte balancer to one, and energy booster to another, etc, so that I don't have to mess with that at the gym.
4) Extra shirts & shorts. You've hydrated enough but water is generally lazy and it wants out whenever excerise is attempted. The new fangled fabrics which "hasten moisture away from your skin" generally give up on me after a while. Water is a bad influence on these young fabrics and make them just as lazy. I'll bring along at least 3 shirts and quickly change every hour.
5) Wraps and supports. Some days my knees need a bit something extra, other days not. Supports don't help me at home on the shelf and just give me a convenient excuse as to why I need to end early.
6) Extra batteries, cause my noise cancelling earphones and mp3 player I have to listen to the crap the gym plays in the background. *Shudder*
Good luck to all DieBetters on their journey.