Today I'm sharing the 7 steps to starting my morning right that never fail to get me prepared to tackle the day with energy and positivity!
*This post is sponsored by Organic Stevia In The Raw® and SheKnows Media.*
Let’s take a moment to talk about morning routines. Morning routines are, in essence, that time of the day that’s akin to starting up the car for an errand. To start a car, you have to grab the keys, put them in the ignition, give it a turn, sit back for the infinitesimal amount of time it takes for the mechanical miracle of modern transportation to fire (managed explosion in special compartments), buckle up, adjust the mirrors, press play on your favorite podcast, put the car in reverse, back out of your spot, and then drive forward to wherever you’re headed. The point of your errand is NOT to start your car. The point of your errand is not to grab the keys, to adjust the mirrors, or to buckle up… but these small steps help you get TO where you’re going. Starting up the car is a crucial step necessitated by a crucial sequence of small events.
…this is my round-about, extravagant analogy to describe my morning routine.
The point of my day is NOT to have a morning routine. Rather, my morning routine allows my day to unfold how I like it. It allows my day to start off on the right foot, making everything else I face seem a little bit easier and a little more manageable.
If you’re familiar with my work, you’ve likely heard me talk about the 4 Pillars of Health. I introduced the 4 Pillars in my Fed & Fit book (hit shelves in late 2016), but the gist is this: a healthy lifestyle approach can be summed up by 4 strategic priorities:
- Mindset
- Rest/Hydration
- Food
- Fitness
…and in that order.
The 4 Pillars are important because they’re the backbone of my morning routine. While I don’t obsessively (or consciously) think on each pillar each morning, my now-habit routine nods to the list with intention.
SO, let’s get to it! Let’s tackle the exact 7 steps to starting my morning right:
Step 1: Get up when the alarm goes off. Though there are going to be some exceptions to the rule (if I physically need more sleep, for example), respecting my alarm and the intention I’d set for myself the previous night is the first vote of confidence I get to give myself that day. It’s a great big sign of respect and honor for MYSELF. This step clearly plays into the mindset pillar.
Step 2: Drink a big glass of water. The body needs (approximately) half your body weight in ounces of water each day. This number increases if you’re pregnant, working out a lot, at altitude or in warm climates (more info on this also in my book). The best way to set a good intention on your water intake for the day is to get a jumpstart with a big gulp first thing.
Step 3: Review my goals and priorities for the day. On my BEST days, I’ll have this set before I fall asleep the night before. Waking up to a list of already outlined priorities helps me streamline my efforts day-of. Whatever is listed as my first priority gets my first attention (vs. the tempting email inbox). These days, my top priorities are content related for you here on the blog or for the Fed & Fit Project Online.
Step 4: Grab a coffee and a small snack. I wake up EARLY (usually too early to make the house breakfast), so I’ll get started with a Hobbit-style “first breakfast.” First breakfast is usually an iced cold brew coffee that I’ve sweetened with a sprinkle (about ½ a packet) of Organic Stevia In The Raw®, thinned with a little water (I don’t want anything too strong), and made milky with a splash of grass-fed heavy cream. For a snack, I’ll usually grab a sheep’s milk yogurt, piece of fruit, or small handful of gluten-free granola.
Note about the stevia: I’ve gotten a lot of questions in the past about my take on stevia, so let’s talk about it! Stevia is a natural herb (looks like long, skinny mint) that you can easily grow in your own backyard. What makes stevia unique as a sweetener is that is that it tastes sweet, but has very low calories. You can easily find granulated or liquid forms of stevia in the grocery store. For sweetening my coffee, I really like these convenient Organic Stevia In The Raw packets! Here’s why:
- I like that they’re pre-portioned out so I don’t have to worry about accidentally using too much in my coffee when I’m sleepy. I addition, the handy packets also help me to keep the general over-use of sweeteners at bay.
- The Nutrition Consultant in me REALLY likes that they actually also have a tiny bit of cane sugar in them so that, if you do choose to enjoy stevia on an empty stomach without any other food or calories, your body has some kind of glucose to handle your natural metabolic response.
- I like that this is an organic source (not all stevia available is organic).
- I like that they’re travel friendly so that I can easily keep a few in my purse for use while I’m out.
Step 5: Get the most important work done first. Powered by my coffee and small breakfast snack (“first breakfast”), I’ll tackle the first ugliest frog of my day (usually involves some kind of research or intensive writing).
Step 6: Go for a walk. These walks anchor my whole day. I usually still have plenty of coffee in my cup at this time, so I’ll grab it, Gus’s leash, and my husband for a leisurely 1ish mile walk around our neighborhood trail.
Step 7: Eat something delicious and nutritious for real breakfast. This usually (hopefully, I should say) involves lemony kale for breakfast greens, some kind of starch (like potatoes), a piece of fruit, and a protein (usually eggs). This is the last stage of my fuel for the day!
After these simple, repeatable 7 steps to starting my morning right, I'm ready to tackle the day!
Want to try Organic Stevia In The Raw® yourself? Buy it online HERE using THIS coupon! For my local readers, you can find this product at Walmart stores in the San Antonio area.
What are some of your morning rituals? Comment below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
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My morning rituals tend to change based on my class schedule, since I am a college student, but the basics are this:
1. Wake up to my alarm and allow myself a 10 minute snooze (so if I wake up at 6:15, I set my first alarm for 6:05).
2. Wash my face with BC’s charcoal bar, put on contacts or glasses, put on concealer and mascara, and get dressed.
3. Take my dog, Bonnie, out to go to the bathroom and for a short 15 minute walk.
4. Make coffee and breakfast, which usually involves eggs, veggies, a small portion of fruit, and a little fat such as avocado or bacon!
5. Go to my first class.
6. Come home, change, and go to Crossfit at 10.
I have two different morning routines based on if I’m working out or if it’s a rest day.
Workout day:
1. Wake up to alarm at 4:50
2. Travel to the kitchen to enjoy my coffee which is ready and waiting since I set it the night before (coffee is hot, blended with coconut milk and cinnamon)
3. Go to 6 am crossfit class
4. Come home and shower
5. Make and eat breakfast (2 eggs, bacon or sausage, some fruit or potato, and spinach)
6. Get dressed and catch up on case notes from the day before until I see my first client (I’m a mental health counselor)
Rest days:
1. Wake up between 5:30 and 6:30 depending on what time I went to sleep the night before
2. Coffee and reading a book for fun
3. Breakfast
4. Get dressed/case notes
My best new morning routine is a big class of water with fresh squeezed lemon juice and a pinch of Himalayan Pink sea salt. So hydrating and energizing!
My morning routine includes 2 alarms: a “gentle” alarm on my Fitbit, and then my normal alarm on my iPhone (which is not jarring either, it’s a soothing fiddle song). I always wash my face and get dressed (and usually make my bed unless I’m rushed) before taking the dog out for her morning walk/potty. Then I make myself breakfast and coffee, take my supplements, and start my day!
Chug as much water as I can, make my bed, and exercise are the mainstays! If I can do those three things, I figure the day will be alright 🙂
Mornings have never been a strong suit of mine, but these rituals have helped me start my day!
1. A couple of kisses to my daughter while she is still sleeping.
2. A mug of warm lemon water with a splash of apple cider vinegar.
3. A hot cup of half caff coffee (we use local organic beans) with some homemade coconut creamer (thanks Cassy for the recipe from Fed and Fit!) and a little coconut sugar.
4. Next I love me some Beautycounter!
5. Breakfast comes later 😉
1. Wake up to my alarm at 3:45
2. Gym at 5, coffee w/ collagen in hand.
3. Shower at 6ish
4. On the road to work by 6:30!
1. wake up
2. figure out what I want to have for breakfast, either high protein or high carb, depending on how my stomach is feeling
3. stretch while I brush my teeth so I can use its 30-second timer
4. get dressed (i shower at night)
5. out the door!
Yoga & coffee every morning. Even if it’s just 5 minutes on the mat.
I wake up whenever my kids do — anywhere from 5:50 to almost (glorious) 7. Some mornings I work out, some mornings my husband does. But it always involves a great breakfast for us and our kids!
Checking my email and drinking coffee.
i shower then enjoy a cup of coffee while I read.
My morning ritual starts with
1. Waking up my adorable pup and giving her lots of love and belly rubs
2. Drinking a giant glass of water
3. Feeding my pup while I make myself a collagen coffee
4. Going to my computer to read emails and start my homework for the day
5. Making a hardy breakfast to fuel my day, I like to make a sheet pan breakfast with kale strips, breakfast sausage, potatoes, peppers, and onions. Super easy and lasts for the week.
http://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/922102568104419328
Awesome giveaway!! I love to drink a big glass of water and read for 10 minutes before my kids get up. I feel amazing getting a tiny bit of time alone when I do!
My weekday routine is centered around getting my son to school and coaching Crossfit. When my alarm goes off, I typically will grab my phone and check any emails/messages and of course social media (sometimes this bites me in the butt because it takes too much time). I’ll get dressed/ready and then get my son up. Then I head to the kitchen to make his breakfast and my coffee. I enjoy coffee with collagen and cream before heading out the door to take him to school. Then, I’m off to coach my 9:00 class!
I get up before everyone else so I can have a yogurt and read my emails in peace.
tweet–http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/922145646278307841
I use Organic Stevia in the Raw. It is delicious. I make my hot coffee, and have oatmeal with fruit everyday. I get up to read the newspaper early before everyone else gets up.
tweet-http://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/922148607612002305
My morning ritual consists of coffee, shower, news, feeding family and animals.
my tweet – http://twitter.com/myway070/status/922194483428470784
I work out right away when I wake up. They I pack my lunch, get dressed, drive to work and eat breakfast at work.
tweet – http://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/922195892853231617
My morning ritual is to shower, watch the news, eat breakfast and then wake my son for the day!
My morning rituals are pretty simple, start the Keurig, shower, dress, finish coffee, and head out to wok.
Tweeted http://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/922214046509797376
My morning rituals are coffee, yoga, then work.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet – http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/922248871392067584
I’m also one that gets up before the house does! I as well try to drink a full Nalgene bottle of water before my coffee. Having a head start truly helps!
My morning ritual is to shower, coffee and yoga
http://twitter.com/mitadav/status/922544435560402946
I wake up, feed my cats and dogs, take shower, have a cup of coffee and prepare breakfast for my family
http://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/922577100632027136
My favorite morning ritual is to try to get up before my daughter wakes up so that I can take a few minutes to drink some coffee and get myself mentally ready for the day!
My tweet – http://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/922642596798885890
my rituals are to check and answer emails, get a bit of work done on the computer before the house wakes up, and enjoy a cup of coffee in peace 🙂
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
my tweet http://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/922795743995240450
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My morning rituals always include drinking a big glass of water first thing and doing some stretching. Always feels great!
WHat type of heavy cream do you use?
I don’t do anything extra special – just shower, get ready, have coffee, breakfast, etc….
Tweet: http://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/922933512998674433
shower
get dressed
brush teeth
make lunch
let the dog out
bring the dog in
out the door
http://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/923015236537520129
I wake up.
Jump in the shower.
Drop my boys off at school.
Drink water to and from each school.
Then hit the gym!
My morning routine is to get up, take a shower, get dressed, check emails, take daughter to school run errands come home, go for a walk.
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/923298999813029888
My morning ritual
1. Wake up
2. Shower and get ready
3. Eat breakfast and put my lunch in my cooler
4. Feed the dog and take her out
5. Leave for work
http://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/923301702127599617
My morning routine is my favorite part of the day.
I wake up 1.5 hours before I need to leave for work on the first alarm, do makeup and get dressed. I start brewing my coffee and then take the dog for a short walk. When we get back, I drink a full glass of water and take all supplements before my coffee. Then, it’s breakfast and coffee time with a side of the news. I’ll listen and sip/eat, work on some things for work and get all silly things I need to get done, done.
wake up 4:45, have cold water from the refrigerator, make coffee. Wash face. Get dressed. Listen to news and do balance exercises and planks. Make up and hair. Do any pre-prep work for dinner. Usually still pretty early.
1. Wake up with alarm (my goal in life is to get to a point where I don’t have to do this :P).
2. Wash my face/put on any make up if I’m wearing any that day (usually just mascara).
3. Brew my coffee and make my collagen pumpkin spice latte.
4. Get my lunch/snacks for work together.
5. Find food (I get bored with food so easily so I usually have to improvise by the end of the week).
6. Sit and eat my breakfast/drink coffee with no distractions.
7. Head to work!
Get up, turn on kettle, coffee maker, put daughter drinks in freezer, take shower and then get kids up
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/924365700566781953
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I like to drink my coffee after my shower so that I have a chance to enjoy it before everyone else wakes up.
Coffee! And I spend a few minutes of one-on-one time snuggling and chatting with my 2 year old, who is especially sweet when he wakes up.
I always drink coffee and watch the news.
I have coffee and breakfast, then aim for 10 minutes of exercise every morning. Once I get started it’s easier to keep going and I might add more exercise time.
Tweet link: http://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/931313557949390849
I like to listen to upbeat music while I am getting ready in the morning.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/um_lil_cutie/status/931318678087495680
I wake up, feed and clean our cats, brush my teeth and eat breakfast.
http://twitter.com/benz1171/status/931385687571496960
My morning ritual involves a big glass of water followed by my morning skincare routine. Then I have a bulletproof coffee. I’d really like to start adding stretches before I even leave my bedroom. I think that would be wonderful.
I posted the following tweet:
http://twitter.com/1alwaysnyc1/status/931972437541097472
My morning ritual…have my coffee and go for a brisk walk with a few lady friends.
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
tweeted:
http://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/932037990666268672
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
My morning routine is after a shower, I enjoy a cup of tea while checking emails, before getting breakfast ready for my family. After everyone is ready for the day, I put on my makeup and go about my day.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/peg42/status/932041150248243200
Thanks again.
My morning rituals is to roll out of bed and check my email. See what important business transpired while I slept 😀 Everything else I do just depends on the day. That’s the one, consistent thing 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – http://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/934556428471222272
1) Shower
2) Steel cut oats / fruit
3) Hot tea
4) Get dressed and go!
http://twitter.com/flippingdancer/status/934989280031670272
Mine is to try to make it to the coffeemaker before the kids are on my heels! 🙂
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
I eat my breakfast, pack my lunch and I’m out!
http://twitter.com/lindilala/status/935512569783177216
I always take a walk with my dog first thing in the morning. When I come home, it’s coffee-time and a chat with the hubby.
tweeted – http://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/935993761540210688
yoga, a run and coffee!
http://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/939158172002144256
I like to get up early in the morning and get my run in before the kids wake up. On occasion, I get home in enough time to get them off to school so my wife can run as well. We will then rendezvous back home for breakfast, oatmeal with chopped apples, raisins, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg and pure maple syrup.
I shared on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/940318705510166530.
I don’t like waking up early, so I always have everything ready to go the night before and set the coffee maker so it’s ready when I’m awake. On work days, I grab something healthy, like yogurt and fruit, and eat it at my desk. On weekends, I like to cook breakfast and have a leisurely morning.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/cheesylife1/status/940720460634951680
I grab a cup of coffee in the morning while I read my Bible. After that, I make breakfast for my girls and spend my morning cleaning the house and playing with my girls.
http://twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/940746457430323200?s=17
Some of my rituals are doing pilates then having a smoothie or oatmeal.
Thank you for the chance to win!
Tweet
http://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/941043402501775361
I like to wake up early, take a leisurely shower, have a healthy breakfast and read the news before I head to work.
http://twitter.com/follower1888/status/941367087984988160
My morning ritual starts with…
1. Wake up, wash my face
2. Steel cut oats
3. Walk my dog
4. Get dressed
I get up and wake up the kids. Feed them breakfast and take them to school. Then I come home to clean, feed my dogs and make my husband’s dinner. He works nights so he has dinner at lunchtime.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/eswright18/status/944005653718331393
Honestly my morning rituals are mainly focused on the pets! They need fed and watered and the doggy needs a walk. And I get a big diet coke on the way to work, in lieu of coffee.
tweeted – http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/944134541647659008
my morning routine includes a quick shower and getting ready for work
i posted a tweet: http://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/944257747377377280
Walk the dog, finish the dishes from the night before, and wonder – “why didn’t I pack my lunch last night?!” 🙂
tweet: http://twitter.com/Twenteries/status/944268702693842945
Get up do some stretches, check computer eat breakfast and off I go
http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/944314124053475331
A cup of coffee (or two), check the news, feed the dogs.
http://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/944498729716826112
I have coffee and cereal every morning.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/944749581702762497
Morning rituals – coffee and stretching helps get my day going.
thank you
Tweet http://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/944762166921584640
Morning ritual:
!. Take thryoid pill.
2. Check Email
3. Drink coffee
http://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/944836672797184000
Brush my teeth. Make coffee and then make my honey’s lunch for work.
Tweet http://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/945056052541841408
I enjoy going for runs in the morning and enjoying a cup of coffee