My Early Morning Routine

*This post is sponsored by Swanson Health Products, but of course, all opinions and early wake up calls are my own!
Rise and shine, friends! I’m definitely not that chipper in the morning, nor am I a morning person (as my hubby can attest), but I made a commitment to waking up at 5 a.m. at the start of May as a way to get my workouts in.  It’s been a great feeling to be up and moving before the sun is even up and I’m sticking with it!

 

I’ll do another post soon with all my tips and tricks (and there are a few!) for how to get your booty up that early.  But today, I’m talking about what a typical early morning looks like for me and what I get done in those early hours.  Maybe you’ll be encouraged to try it!

 

Obviously, if you want to get things done early in the morning while the rest of the house is asleep, you have to wake up early.  It kind of really sucks in the moment, but it’s worth it when you have such a feeling of accomplishment by 7 or 8 a.m!  My alarm goes off and my bedroom lamp turns on anywhere from 5am to 5:30 a.m., depending on what workout I’m doing that day.

 

 

I immediately get up, brush my teeth and change into my workout clothes.
Then, I head downstairs and drink a protein drink because I need something in my stomach to sustain a workout.  I’ve never been able to workout on an empty stomach.  I fill up my water bottle, grab my gym bag and head out the door.

 

 

The original point of waking up earlier than my usual 7:00 a.m. was so that I could get a workout in before the day started, as opposed to in the middle of the day.  I found that once I was ready for the day, I didn’t want to stop the momentum of the day to take time to workout, mess up my hair and makeup, and have to shower or “get ready” again.
I figured if I could wake up early and workout, then I’d have it over and done with before I got ready for the day.  When I first started the 5am wake up, I was just heading outside and going for a run. But, after a couple of days running in the pitch black darkness, I figured it was smarter to actually head to the gym.
At that early hour, when my brain isn’t fully functioning yet, I prefer a group class or to workout with my trainer.  I’ve been doing a combination of 5:30 a.m. workouts with my trainer, 5:45 a.m. HIIT class, spin class, or kickboxing.

 

I usually get home about 7 a.m. and Jordan is just about to wake up.  If she’s already awake, I go get her up, and take her into my bathroom with me (she’s content and safe in the exersaucer, otherwise she’d be into everything) so I can get cleaned up with a nice, hot shower.

 

After showering, I put my hair up wet and get dressed for the day.  I like to let my hair air dry and then fix it later, unless I have somewhere to be in the morning.
I’ll quickly put on makeup, which only takes about 5 minutes, but makes me feel much better.  Ever since I got my eyebrows microbladed, I feel like it takes even less time to get ready because I don’t have to spend any time filling them in.

 

I’m usually in a ‘cute and comfy’ outfit most days unless I want to get a little dressier.


Skinny Cargo Pants 0P | Tee XXS | Wedges | Necklace  Link Bracelet 

 

Next, I head downstairs, get Jordan a bottle of milk and take my vitamins and probiotics.  It’s easy to ‘forget’ to take these if you don’t have a dedicated routine.

 

I’ve always taken a multivitamin and other supplements like Biotin or BCAA, but my Grandma has been on me forever to start taking probiotics.  She takes them religiously and swears by their health benefits.  I’ve always respected her opinion on these kinds of things.Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that promote gut health and comfortable digestion, while helping to break down food and turn it into useable energy for the rest of your body.  Probiotics are naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi.

If you don’t eat those foods, you can get probiotic benefits in a supplement.  Swanson sent me their complete new line of probiotic supplements and each one focuses on a variety of health benefits including: digestive health, immune health, colon health, flora support and more.
At first I was overwhelmed by all the varieties, but then I realized there are three levels of probiotic lines, and you can choose the one that fits you best.  Let me break it down for you in case you aren’t sure which one you might want to start with:
EVERYDAY WELLNESS SOLUTIONS


These are recommended for daily probiotic users who are looking for a typical dose of colony forming units (CFUs) to aid in general digestive and immune health, daily wellness and flora support. 
Swanson Probiotic for Daily Wellness

 

Swanson Probiotic for Digestive Health


Swanson Probiotic for Kids (James)


Swanson Prebiotic for Friendly Flora Support


Swanson Probiotic+ D for Daily Wellness


Probiotic+ Enzymes for Digestion


Swanson Probiotic+ Prebiotic Fiber for Friendly Flora Support 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY BLENDS

 

These offerings are intended to work harder for those who seek specific- benefits like colon health and immune support.  
Swanson Probiotic Blend for Digestion
Swanson Probiotic Blend for Immune Support 
 


HIGHEST PERFORMANCE

 

These offerings include a higher potency with added health benefits specific to women’s health and older adults, offering the highest dose of CFUs and the largest number of strains. 

 

Ultra Hardy-Strain Probiotic (Hubby)
Ultra Potency Probiotic (Me)
Ultra Probiotic Complex

 

Ultra Probiotic for Seniors 
Ultra Probiotic for Women 
 
I take the Ultra Potency Probiotic, Swanson’s most powerful probiotic formula to support digestive and immune health.  I chose that one to support my immune system since I tend to get run down easily.

 

 

Along with his multivitamin, James has been taking Swanson Probiotic for Kids, which is formulated to help support children’s immune system and support a happy tummy.  He likes that it’s chewable cherry flavor.  

 

Still looking for the right probiotic for you? Take this quiz!

 

After taking my vitamins and supplements, I make my breakfast and breakfast for the kids.  I never skip breakfast! I would chew my arm off if I haven’t eaten within an hour of waking up, which is why the protein drink helps sustain me until I can have breakfast.  I usually have a protein pancake with peanut butter and syrup or steel cut oats with cinnamon and raisins, topped with milk and sliced almonds.

Then we sit at the breakfast table and enjoy our meal together.

After I clear our dishes and put them in the dishwasher, it’s finally time for coffee!! This is seriously one of the best parts of my day and I love enjoying my morning cup of coffee each day.

 

By this time, it’s normally 8 a.m. and I’ve already worked out, showered, gotten dressed, applied some makeup, taken my vitamins and supplements, and eaten breakfast!  It feels amazing to have gotten a jump start on the day!
Now that I’m in the groove, I only do this about 4 days a week and I definitely sleep in on the weekends!
What’s your normal wake up time?  When do you fit in your workouts? 
__________________

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

0 Comments

    1. I get it at MuscleEgg.com I buy the package with 4 – 1/2 gallons. They come frozen so I store in my freezer. Once you thaw and open one, it’s only good for a month, so the 1/2 gallon size is perfect for about 1 cup a day. 😉 It’s expensive though. You can make your own with egg whites, chocolate syrup and skim milk, but I prefer the convenience of it already made. Just be sure to shake it really well- hard to do the first time while the jug is full, but after that, it’s easy.

  1. I’m trying to get up at 6 this summer 3-4 times a week to go swim before the kids are up and my hubby leaves for work. I love my sleep and have never been successful with doing this in the past. And I agree with your Grandma, a good probiotic makes a huge difference in my digestive and immune health!

    1. Grandma knows best! I want to send her some of this brand to try! Sending you good luck on the 6am wake up! If you can get in the habit, you might like it! Swimming is a great workout!

  2. I work out at 5am as well, love to start the day with it. Except I eat my protein pancake before my work out (I make it the day before) and protein powder after lol.

    What kind of coffee maker do you have?

    1. I’ve been wondering if I could make my pancake ahead- do you freeze it or just put it in the fridge? We have a Jura coffee maker. Love it!

    2. I freeze both protein pancakes and waffles….they freeze well just make sure they are completely cooled before placing in a freezer bag or they tend to stick together. I thaw them for just a bit in ten microwave and then reheat in the toaster.

  3. Hi Megan! I love the blue nail polish color you have on in today’s post. What brand/color is it? Thanks so much!

  4. I need to start doing this. I have the hardest time waking up in the mornings. I don’t get home from work until around 6pm and with everything else I have to do when I get home my workouts are usually skipped. If I woke up earlier, it would be so much easier to get my workouts in before I head out for work.

  5. Like you, I head to the gym first thing every morning. Before walking out the door, I throw my protien shake ingredients (spinach, frozen fruit, coconut milk, yogurt, chia seed and whey protein) in the Ninja, get ’em all blended together well and put it in the fridge so that the minute I walk in the door, my breakfast is waiting!!

  6. Like you, I get my workout in first thing every morning (5 days a week). Just before walking out the door, I throw my smoothie ingredients in the Ninja (spinach, frozen fruit, chia seed, coconut milk, low fat yogurt and whey protein), blend it up well and stick it in the fridge so that breakfast is ready when I walk in the door from the gym!

  7. Hi! I’m inspired to give this morning routine thing a try–thanks for the post! But what time do you go to bed? I tend to get into the rut of staying up late to read or watch television after I get the kids to bed…any tips for turning in early?

    1. Ideally, I’m in bed at 9 and asleep by 9:30-10. What helps me get in bed is reading actually. I look forward to whatever I’m reading and I don’t force myself to stay awake to keep reading because I’m tired by that time- especially as the week wears on. I know if I stay up too late, the next morning (and the whole day really) will hurt bad!

  8. what time do you got to bed the night before and also on the days when you have been up early? I’d love to go to bed around 9 and wake up about 5 but my OH is more of a night owl so it’s a constant battle between trying to stay up a bit later so we can have some time together and keeping my eyes open past 10pm!

    1. Great question! I have another post I’m planning to write in a couple week all about tips to wake up early. If I’m getting up at 5ish, I try to go to sleep by 10 for sure.

    1. Right now I’m using the Kodiac Power Cakes mix with water and egg whites. You can buy it at places like Target or Amazon. 🙂

    2. I do 1/3 cup mix, 1/3 cup water and 1/3 cup egg whites. I let it cook fully on one side before turning. It makes one big pancake!

  9. great info on the probiotics! i have been wanting to start on them.
    i love your comforter set – do you know where you found it?
    thanks!!

  10. I cannot do anything at all before 6am. But I also stay up until 10.30 pm. I have actually started to not eat breakfast at all but I also do not work out in the mornings…I just head to the office and sit in front of the computer. Then at 4.30 pm I am done and need to get fresh air and any workout will happen in the evening.

    Susanna

  11. I’ve taken baby steps and have started getting up 30 minutes early JUST to not have a rushed morning before heading to work. My goal is to work on adding an additional 30 minutes (6am) to squeeze in a work out. Anything before 6am kinda freaks me out haha but we will see. So far the extra 30 minutes has been wonderful and on the flip side I FORCE myself to be lights out by 10:30pm which has helped. You are so right, once up and realizing the benefits, it’s wonderful.

  12. Question – where did you find the pinch pleat Euro Shams on your bed. I have same duvet set and love how it looks with the three Euro pillows in front.

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