My Morning Routine
I thought about titling this “a nutritionists morning routine,” because that’s what I am. But, that’s also not all I am. You know what I mean? My morning routine is not based on being a nutritionist. It’s based on being human. It’s based on having basic needs that need to be met in the morning and a vulnerable psyche that needs gentle, loving care remain positive.
I am not the perfect example of what a nutritionists morning routine looks like. I had two chocolate chip cookies with my coffee this morning, for Pete’s sake! However, I also am a nutritionist and it is exactly an example of the perfect nutritionist morning routine, cookies and all. We all need balance, pleasure, and can make the right decisions for us at any given time. It does not have to be “perfect” to be “perfect.”
I love my morning routine. I consider it to be the rock in my life who builds me to be the person I am and the person I want to be. Having intention and routine in my mornings has made me a better person. I can confidently hold onto that. It is the space I need to grow, to learn, to connect, and to cultivate the body and person I desire. I am sharing it with you in the hope that it might provide some ideas or motivation for your own routine.
My sister-in-law bought me yoga mat spray and said, “I got it for you because I have loved it so much, and I hope you love it to.” (I do love it, too). But this is the intention I am holding. I am sharing this with you because I have loved it so much, it has changed my life for the better in so many ways, and I hope on some level, it can do that same for you.
I try to maintain consistent with my morning routine, even if we are traveling or living in a van. These mornings are some of my favorite while “van-life-ing.”
This morning routine has changed here and there but remained largely the same for me for the past six years. Same structure, different activities. Sometimes I train in a gym in the morning, sometimes I practice yoga, sometimes I have access to a sauna, and sometimes I don’t. But over the years, here’s the gist:
My Morning Routine
Wake up.
Sometimes 5:30am, sometimes 8am. Depends on the season.
Self-Care.
I hit the bathroom first thing and have fully embraced Ayurvedic care. I scrape my tongue, brush my teeth, wash my face and use oils. Sometimes I hop in the shower and put on a touch of make up.
Make Bed.
Every day.
5 Sun salutations.
I got in the habit of doing 5 sun salutations and that usually feeds into a couple of other yoga flows and a moment of stillness. I used to meditate during this time, but honestly I haven’t been lately. Sometimes this is just stretching, sometimes this is a full yoga practice (depends on how bad I want to drink my coffee and get to my day!)
Coffee time.
I usually make an espresso or a latte and fill up my gallon jug of water for the day.
I will take my coffee over to the couch and get to work on my mental state:
Gratitude.
I started with 5 things I am grateful for but this has turned into writing down as many things as come to mind!
Affirmations.
Whatever affirmations I need that morning, I write them down! I also write down my top ten biggest goals and thing about which one I want to work towards for the day.
Reading.
I try to read 10 pages of a non-fiction/self-help/relationship/business book every morning.
Now it’s training time! Or writing time!
Training Session.
If we’re hitting the gym, it’s a full session. Warm up, dynamic movements and physical therapy, training, cool down, cardio. Then a sauna session and a shower!
Free-write.
If I’m training later or its a rest day, I like to free write for 15 minutes. I’m a better person when I do this.
Get Ready & Nourish.
Then it’s time to get ready for the day, shower if I haven’t, get dressed, put on make up, do my hair (I do all of this even if I am staying home), and then back to the kitchen for water, greens powder if I am really on my game, and a healthy breakfast (usually meal #1 from my meal plan).
Then it’s time to get to work for the day!
My morning routine usually takes about an hour unless I’m hitting the gym. If we’re training, it’s a three hour endeavor, but my training is done for the day and that feels so good! I truly love what my morning routine has done for my sense of wellbeing, empowerment, business(es), and marriage.
