Does Your Morning Routine Really Matter?
What’s Your Morning Routine?
Let me guess...
Cold plunge and a one-hour sauna?
Yeah, right.
A fancy smoothie bar and a 90-minute private bootcamp session?
Definitely not. 😂
Those long, over-the-top routines you see online don’t work for 99.9% of women.
What actually works is creating a few simple habits that get the ball rolling on a healthy day so you can feel great!
Why This Matters
Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Will you make movement and good nutrition a priority?
Or will your body just get what’s left over of your time and attention?
You don’t want to end your day feeling regret or guilt about how you treated your body!
FITNESS SIMPLIFIED
To Work Out in the Morning or Not?
People often ask me, “When’s the best time to work out?”
Fitness Tip for Your Morning Routine
Motion is lotion
The truth is that the best time to workout is when you have the most energy and are most likely to stick with it.
That might not be first thing in the morning.
And that’s ok.But remember: motion is lotion.
So whether you choose to do a full workout in the morning or not, even a little movement helps your joints and muscles.
Especially if you deal with stiffness or arthritis.
Try this quick stretch routine that you can do in under 5 minutes to loosen up and start your day feeling good...
3 Morning Stretches to Reduce Aches and Pains
- Overhead stretch to fold (be gentle… even just a halfway fold could be enough for your spine)
- Standing hip mobility circles
- Staggered hip flexor stretch with an overhead reach (keep it dynamic!)
Extra tip: Do these moves right after brushing your teeth or while waiting for your coffee to brew. If you can “anchor” this routine to another habit that you regularly do every day, you’ll be more likely to do it consistently.
Did You Know...
- It’s common for stiff and achy joints to feel better after you get moving and warmed up. This is typical in joints with osteoarthritis and inflammation in the joint fluid - two things that can increase in midlife.
- There's no significant advantage - metabolic or hormonal - to working out in the morning. Long-term consistency impacts your health the most.
- Your hips and shoulders are usually the stiffest first thing in the morning. Warming them up can help your whole body feel better.
NUTRITION SIMPLIFIED
Afternoon snacking or late-night munching?
Your breakfast might be the reason why.
Nutrition Tip for Your Morning Routine
Start your day with PROs: PROtein and PROduce.
A lot of women eat either a small breakfast made mostly of carbohydrates (like cereal, oatmeal or toast).
Some skip breakfast completely.
But this can backfire.
It’s no coincidence that the same women who generally don’t eat a substantial breakfast are often the same ones who struggle with afternoon snacking or late night mindless munching.
To help prevent this, focus on eating a breakfast full of PRO’s - PROtein & PROduce.
A breakfast that includes protein and produce helps balance your blood sugar, curb cravings, and boost your mood.
It also sets the tone for smart food choices throughout the day.
Caprese Baked Egg-Cups
Other make ahead PRO-filled breakfast ideas:
- Breakfast casserole (like this one)
- Hard boiled eggs with a banana and nut butter (great for on the go!)
- Chia Pudding with Mangos and Bananas
MINDSET SIMPLIFIED
Morning routines don’t need to be long or complicated.
Just one or two small habits can help you get off on the right foot.
The simpler your routine, the more likely you are to stick with it.
And being consistent is what really matters.
Your routine could be as easy as:
- Taking a few deep breaths
- Doing 3 simple stretches
- Eating an easy healthy breakfast
Try “anchoring” a new morning habit to something you’re already doing like brushing your teeth or making coffee.
For example, stretching immediately after brushing your teeth or deep breaths while brewing your coffee.
Mindset Tip of The Week
Keep it simple.
THE TAKEAWAY
A simple morning routine can set the tone for a healthier, more energized day. Focus on small, consistent habits to help your body feel better and stay on track.
- Motion is lotion
- Start your day with PROs
- Keep it simple
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Self Care Simplified podcast
Ep 439. Reverse Stiffness to Feel Younger and More limber
Ep 407. Should you Force yourself to Eat a Meal when you’re not hungry
Ep 331. The Optimal Workout Time For the Best Results
SPECIAL RESOURCE
If you’re looking for a simple, follow-along video that you can do in the morning that takes less than 10 minutes, you just hit the jackpot! This series of stretches feels great to start your day and targets all the right muscles.
Quick and easy morning stretches (under 10 min)
Until next week... Be strong
