Everyone has their own variation on a morning routine. Depending on your schedule or lifestyle, morning routines can come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Some enjoy getting up early to get a morning workout in, while others may choose to get a few extra hours of shut eye and tackle their tasks later in the day. (Personally, I’m a night owl. I like doing most of my work into the wee hours of the night and sleeping in a bit in the morning. I also enjoy working out later in the evening or afternoon, and some studies have indicated that depending on whether you identify yourself as a morning person or night owl could have a dramatic impact on your athletic performance.)
Routines are all about repetition. Repetition can be a great tool to utilize when trying to accomplish goals. For example, getting into the habit of going for a morning run, or having a healthy breakfast every morning can help contribute to your weight loss and fitness goals.
Speaking of getting into good habits, a recent article from Men’s Health reported that eating breakfast before your fitness routine in the morning could actually improve both your memory and your mood. It was reported that by eating before a workout, two forms of dietary energy, glucose and glycogen are increased. These can help you stay focused during and after your workout.
There are many great ways to get a good meal in before a workout. Oatmeal, eggs, bananas, and Greek yogurt are all carbohydrate-rich foods that can help fuel your workouts and energy levels. Try to have your meal 45 to 60 minutes before your workout to encourage proper digestion.
Morning routines are a great way to help you reach a goal. A notion of repetition can go a long way to ensuring you stick to your diet and fitness goals. If you don't have a morning routine, now is as a good a time as any to adopt one!
Photo Credit: vitolek