Something I’m working on this year (besides having more fun), is dialing in on my routines! I’ve learned that any time I want to start implementing a new habit or resolution in my life, it’s most likely to succeed if I attach it to my already successful routine! Routines over resolutions! Years ago, I started incorporating a workout into my mornings, and I’ve never looked back. It’s the only time of day that I get alone time all day, and it’s when I get all my good ideas. I meet my team in the office at 9am, and my first alarm goes off at 4:45. Read on if you’re interested in how I spend the first 4 hours of the day before work!

Chandelier | Swivel Chairs | Rug | Bench | Jeans

My Morning Routine

My alarm goes off at 4:45. This was a change my new doctor recommended and it has done wonders for my body. Just needed a little more time to absorb my medicine before anything else.
I take my thyroid medicine and go back to sleep for 30 minutes. I can’t drink my pre-workout until an hour has passed.

At 5:15 my gradual alarm goes off. I like that it starts quiet so I can catch it before it wakes up Chris!
This is the real one that tells me it’s time to get up, go into the bathroom, and put on the gym clothes I laid out the night before.
I honestly get dressed by the light of my phone flashlight because I’m still kind of half asleep, and I don’t want to wake anyone!
I literally don’t even look in the mirror. Just get dressed, grab my jacket out of my closet and go.
In my jacket pocket I have my Airpods, chapstick, car keys, and gum (chewing gum in my workout has been a surprisingly helpful addition! It helps my face stay relaxed so I can focus on the muscles I’m trying to build).
I head into the kitchen and grab my drinks I mixed from the night before: pre-workout in one shaker bottle (my favorite is Upper Limit Tiger’s Blood), and Mixhers Hertime and Herhydration in a large shaker bottle!
On my way to the gym I drink my pre-workout and catch up on all the Marco Polos from my friends in double time.
I generally respond to Marco Polos in the parking lot before the sun comes up, while I wait for my pre-workout to kick in.

Treadmill warm-up starts at 6am. I walk at a brisk 4.8 (this is where my height comes in handy).
While walking, I make sure the blog post of the day went live. Sometimes if I’m really anxious, I’ll post the Instagram in-feed post from the treadmill, but to be honest, engagement at 6am EST is grim.
Otherwise, I’ll watch 20 minutes of whatever survivor season I’m on (season 36 currently!) and it gets me pumped.
Lately, I have been using the Sweat app to guide me through my weight lifting after I warm up (the workout takes about 50 minutes). I signed up for their 7 week challenge in the Power Program and I’m loving it!

I get home about 7:20, and when I walk in, my family is usually all in the kitchen. Chris has breakfast going and I grab the hair stuff from where I stash it in the kitchen drawer to do the girls’ hair.  I like it when they eat breakfast at the island so I can go down a line and fix all of their hair like my mom used to do with all five of her daughters before school.

Chris leaves to take the girls to school a little before 8 and I jump in the shower and get ready for the day while listening to a podcast. Armchair expert is my go-to.

Usually a contractor knocks on the door around 8:30, but right now they need very little direction since we’re at the end of the kitchen project so I just gotta make sure I’m dressed and can hear them knocking more than anything.

If I haven’t posted on my Instagram feed by then, I post while I’m getting ready.
Once I’m ready for the day, I like to tidy our bedroom quickly. I open all the blinds because it instantly boosts my mood! And make our bed. It takes 3 minutes and gives me so much peace of mind all day.
Before heading into the office,  I like to jump on Stories and talk about the day’s post a bit. Then I take a quick outfit pic, and head into work! Our morning meeting (that I lead, lol) starts at 9:10am sharp!

Those are my mornings! I cherish them, honestly. I’ve always been a morning person, but can’t hang at night. I’m asleep, ASLEEEEEEPPP by 9:45.  A big key to my morning success is preparing the night before! Laying out my clothes, my medication, my drinks and making sure the post is scheduled before I go to bed–so that waking up and getting to the gym is second nature. I also don’t expect perfection from myself. Some mornings are sluggish and some I could sing and dance! If you’re wanting to establish more of a morning routine, I would suggest starting small until it becomes habitual. and then little by little make adjustments and improvements. This is going to look different for everybody! What are some things you’re trying to incorporate into your morning routine?