3 Things I Do Every Morning

[one-half-first][/one-half-first]
[one-half][/one-half]

By now, you probably have a good view into my workout routine. I aim for 5-6 days a week, mixing strength training with occasional (and brief) cardio. I haven’t talked too much about my diet – more to come later – but I did want to share what is probably the most important part of my routine: my mornings.

Over the past six months, I’ve picked up a few tips from my trainer, some of my own research and, more recently, a nutritionist. The one common theme being that how you start your mornings sets the framework for the rest of your day. And not just your day but your overall health and progress (regardless of your goals).

It’s been a journey of trial and error and way too many google searches but I’ve finally found a routine that I can stick to and sort of enjoy. So, here we go:

3 Things I Do Every Morning…

1. 8oz of Water: this is literally the first thing I do. I head down to the kitchen, fill a glass with cold water and chug that baby down. Sometimes, I go in for seconds. I try to drink as much water as I can throughout the day but let’s be real, I could probably do better. Pushing myself to get in 8-16oz when I first wake up not only instantly makes me feel more refreshed from a groggy sleep but it gives me the sense of “Ok, I only have XXX more glasses to drink today and that is totally doable”. Pro tip: fill a pitcher with filtered water, lemon and mint at the start of each week and use that as your “morning brew”. So good and refreshing!
2. Probiotic: This was something I started taking when I started working with Sumeet. The benefits are endless with the main one being that probiotics provide healthy bacteria to keep your gut healthy. This aids in digestion and so much more. I won’t get into it, but I have some serious stomach issues (can’t wait to get these resolved for good) but taking the probiotic every morning has definitely helped! There are a ton of brands out there and I recently learned you should keep 2-3 brands in rotation (finish one bottle, move on to the next brand, etc.) to ensure your gut doesn’t get used to one bacteria. As always, consult with a doctor or a nutritionist to find the product that’s right for you.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar: I won’t lie. This one can be a little brutal but it packs a powerful punch. Every morning after my glass(es) of water + probiotic, I pour one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a small glass of water with 1/2 squeezed lemon and take it like a shot. I usually like to have another glass of water on standby to wash it down. It doesn’t taste great, be warned. But you guys, the days that I do this I truly notice a difference not only in how I’m digesting food (I don’t seem to get as bloated) but the apple cider vinegar is also known to aid in speeding up your metabolism if fat loss is your goal.

Photos by Shelby Gordon