5 WAYS TO WAKE UP WITH PEP IN YOUR STEP

Good Morning Friends! Happy Monday! I can't believe another weekend has come and gone. The time seems to just keep going by faster and faster. What were you up to? We had a fun dinner date out on Saturday and ate all things heart shaped the rest of the weekend. 

My dear friend Tori over at Sweet Life Diary of a Health Nut, is one of the sweetest, not to mention healthiest people on the planet!  When she approached me about starting a Motivational link-up I got so pumped! #allthehearteyes 

This is just the extra push I need to get my booty to the gym and to start each week on a positive note, feeling much more energized and healthy. Please feel free to grab the image below and inspire us with your delicious, healthy recipes, fun exercise ideas, and tips on how to live a life full of positivity and love. 

Here are 5 ways I roll out of bed with pep in my step and jump start my day with loads of positivity:

I haven't always been an early riser, and honestly, there are days when I still battle with hitting the snooze button over and over again. In college, I started waking up early because the quietness of the morning was just the company my coffee drinking and Jesus time needed and I've never turned back.

Now, working a full time job and being involved in numerous things after work, the mornings have become even more valuable to me and I want them to be as relaxing and stress-free as possible. Here are 5 tips that help me to wake up with lots of pep in my step, even on a Monday!

1. Pack our Lunches the Night Before
I know this task is pretty brief and simplistic, but just having it out of the way the night before leaves me with one less thing to wake up thinking about. It also allows me to take my time to plan and prepare healthier lunch options, versus throwing in a lean-cuisine as I am running out the door.

2. Lay my Clothes Out the Night Before
I have serious problems committing to outfits in the morning and I seriously used to waste so much time filing through my closet, putting something on, looking in the mirror, throwing it on the floor (which also made my room look like a tornado went through), and starting from step 1 all over again.

3. Do a Light Workout
There is nothing like getting your heart pumping bright and early in the morning. There are so many benefits from doing a short workout when you wake up. One being, that your hormones that build muscle mass are elevated first thing in the morning. When you get your workout on in the morning, you have the ability to take advantage of these natural circulating hormones as they are peaking. It will also give your metabolism a quick boost.

Personally I have found that exercising in the morning allows me to be more focused first thing in the morning when I get to work! I love going on little walks or runs with Bentley Pup in the morning.

I love treating myself to a delicious smoothie after a morning workout- check out my berry delight smoothie recipe here.

4. Drink a glass of water alongside my Coffee or Tea.
If you are anything like me, the first thing I grab when I roll out of bed is a beverage with caffeine. No problem, keep drinking your coffee or tea, but drink a glass of water with it. By drinking water, you too are jump starting your metabolism first thing in the morning, and rehydrating your dehydrated body, leaving you feel much more refreshed and energized.

Plus, after nourishing your cells, drinking water will help flush out unwanted toxins from your body. After ridding your body from the toxins, you are able to soak up more nutrients from your morning breakfast #score! And your skin will be clearer #doublescore!

5. Enjoy a healthy breakfast while doing some self-reflection. 
Whether your pull out your adult coloring book, make a to-do list for the day, or read your morning devotional, penciling in some "me" time before the pace of your work day kicks into gear is super important.

Happy Monday, Everyone!! I hope you have a wonderful week!

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