Five wins I celebrate every single morning
Happy Wednesday, friends! And here we are now in the middle of another week. I hope yours is going well and your days have been starting off right, because I know mornings can be hard. I’m pretty lucky that I can call myself a morning person, but I’m sure not all of you feel that way. So that’s why I wanted to talk a little bit about how you can make your mornings better. (But seriously, I’d love to take some of your night-owl tendencies in exchange for my pep in the early hours!)
Today, my mornings look much different than they used to. In fact, over the past couple of years, my morning routines have changed drastically. For many years, when I was working in public relations and communications in the corporate world, I’d be up around 5 a.m. to fit in a workout or teach a group fitness class, shower and be into the office by 9 a.m. Every moment was accounted for from the time the alarm went off until I sat down in my office chair. And it was typically a rush.
But now that I work in fitness and write from home, I have a little bit more flexibility in my routine. I’m usually at the gym in the evenings, and most of the group fitness classes that I teach and my workouts are in the evenings as well. Yet, even though my schedule today may not require me to report to an office at 9 a.m., I can assure you, I still have a routine and a plan, and that’s what makes my mornings work for me.
However, not everything always goes as planned. And I’m sure you’re like me in thinking that as much as you want things to work a certain way each day, they rarely do. But starting today, what if we took a moment to celebrate the little wins that did go our way?
Start your day off right by celebrating small wins
Today, I challenge you to start your day off right by being happy about a few small victories that take place in your morning routine. Here are the five wins that I like to celebrate …
1. Waking up feeling rested – That’s not a small thing. If I wake up in the morning and feel like I had a good night sleep, I can guarantee that my day will be better than it would be if I had not slept well. If I had the good sense to go to bed around 10 p.m., then I will usually wake up feeling energized sometime just after 6 a.m. That’s a win, people. A major win. So many of us struggle with sleep issues, so if you have a night that you get in plenty of rest, celebrate it. I sure do.
2. Showing appreciation and affection for a loved one – Because I’m a morning person, it’s not hard for me to be nice before I’ve had any caffeine. Being that I live in a smaller place with my hubby Dave, as soon as I wake up, if he’s around, I like to give him a hug, ask him how he slept and be happy that I have him. Maybe you have an awesome roommate or a lovable pet that is with you in the morning? Take a moment and appreciate them. Sounds silly? Give it a try, I bet you’ll feel pretty warm and fuzzy if they reciprocate.
A hearty and balanced breakfast every morning is definitely a “#MorningWin” in my book.
3. Eating a balanced breakfast shortly after waking up – I like to eat breakfast no more than an hour after I’ve gotten up to get my metabolism going. Back when I used to work out in the morning, I would have something small after first getting up, then wait to have my full breakfast once I’d finished my sweat session and showered. To this day, I plan my meals ahead of time, so I know what I’m going to have for breakfast, which is typically various versions of yogurt or overnight oats with different toppings. I’ve made it the night before or set out some of the ingredients. While I’m eating that balanced breakfast, I rarely applaud myself on making a good choice. But maybe I should. It’s so easy to reach for a candy bar or nothing at all in the morning, but if you plan ahead, you’ll likely end up with something healthier. And props to you for eating a healthy breakfast, because it sets the tone for the day.
4. Making a goal for the day with purpose – I almost always think about what I need to get done for the next day before I go to sleep. That means, when I wake up, I have an idea of the “must accomplish” things from my list. In the morning, I like to go over all of that in my head. Oftentimes, I’ll list it all off to Dave (the husband) as well, to set it in stone. It feels good to have a plan, and I like to celebrate the fact that I can be organized each day. I thrive on that, whether it all works out or not.
5. Tidying up my area and making the bed – Okay, so I’m a neat freak. Before I start work or walk out of the house in the morning, I like to make the bed. Fluff the couch pillows and put away dirty dishes that may still be in the sink. While clearly it is much easier to keep a smaller place for two people in order than a large house with a lot of kids, there are certainly degrees of tidiness you can strive for each day. For me, it’s a made bed, couch pillows in order and a clear kitchen counter. That’s all I need to feel good about my living space.
And that about covers it. Yes, these things are simple. But you know what, they are important. Feeling good and living a healthy lifestyle is possible by small daily steps in the right direction. I’d like to think that celebrating those little steps on a frequent basis can keep you motivated and going strong. And it just feels right to begin the day with positive thoughts.
Tasty new addition to my breakfast routines
Speaking of starting the morning off right, I recently had the chance to try belVita Bites Breakfast Biscuits, a new offering from Nabisco. These belVita Bites are not only delicious, but they are also the perfect on-the-go option to include in a healthy and balanced breakfast — which is a victory in the morning for sure.
These yummy bites are good by themselves or paired with fruit or yogurt.
belVita Bites come in little single-serve packages, so you don’t have to fuss with measuring them out when you’re in a rush. A major selling-point, if you ask me. Here are a few more details on the product:
- These bites have slow-release carbs from wholesome grains to give you steady energy for about four hours.
- Each packet of bites has 20 grams of whole grain and four grams of fiber.
- There is no high-fructose corn syrup, no partially hydrogenated oil and no artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors.
- They are available in both Mixed Berry and Chocolate flavors.
I’ve been enjoying these bites on top of yogurt for breakfast, as well as with a banana for a mid-morning snack. Dave has also been digging in and is a major fan as well. That’s another small victory right there. I love it when I find a new healthy item that we both can enjoy.
I love to add a little crunch to my yogurt, so chocolate belVita Bites are the perfect topping.
Keep an eye out for belVita Bites next time you hit up the grocery store, and if you want additional information, just visit belVita Bites to learn more. But seriously, guys. Be good to yourself. I challenge you to take a moment today and think about some of the wins you may have had this morning, as small as they may be.
And now, with a strong start to my day, I’ve got some work to do and am teaching BODYATTACK tonight. Hope to see you back here tomorrow!
**Disclosure: This post was sponsored by belVita through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about belVita, all opinions are my own.
Questions of the day
How do you start your mornings? Are you a morning person or a night-owl? What’s one small #MorningWin or victory you had this morning?
I love this post! We are very similar in our habits 🙂 I’m definitely a morning person. One thing I do to help my morning feel less rushed ( I have a 30 minute drive to work and have to be there at 8) is pack my lunch and all my “stuff” the night before. I totally agree about the sleep as well. As a person that suffers from insomnia, a good night’s sleep will make me a different person, and last night I slept so good for the first time in weeks! Have a great day!
Hi Amy!! YAYYY for a good night’s sleep last night. I hope that becomes a better pattern for you, because I know how important it is. And it’s awesome you have your routine down to get everything ready. Keep it up!! Have a wonderful Wednesday, lady!
I’m a morning person too. I think starting your day with a healthy meal is really important. You’re right that it sets the tone for the day. One good habit usually leads to another. I know that when I make good choices in the morning it stays with me for the rest of the day.
Hi Chrissy! It sure does! Glad you agree with that. Hope your having a wonderful Wednesday so far! 🙂
I’ve been wondering about Bevita bites! I love the regular Bevita bars and these look so cute, but they don’t look very filling on their own. I guess you are meant to pair them with something or have them as a snack?
Hi Stacie! I have been mixing them with other things for a little extra staying power, but my husband ate them alone and enjoyed them that way. It just depends on how hungry you are! 🙂 But they sure are tasty. Hope you have a great day!!
I love this post. Just what I needed this morning!
I too am a morning person and a neat freak so I can especially appreciate a couple of your “wins”.
And I’ve been wanting to try those belvita bites! We have those here at our office and I just haven’t gotten around to it yet, but today might be the day.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Courtney!! Oh glad you liked it. I assumed you were a morning person, knowing that you get your sweat sessions done first thing — so nice job on that. I love starting the day off with something positive, and I’m glad this has struck a chord with you. Give those bites a try — mixing with Greek yogurt is my favorite way to snack on them so far. Happy Wednesday!! 🙂
Gosh I’m not really a morning or an evening person, ha! I guess I’d lean more towards a morning person as I’d rather go to bed at 10 and wake up around 6:30ish…usually after I abbé breakfast I’m a little more fun! 😉
Hi Marielle! heheheh Well whatever you are, I’m glad you enjoy eating breakfast and that gives you a little more pep. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday! Celebrate a win somehow! 🙂
Looks like we have some similar habits to start our morning on the right foot. I plan out my breakfast the night before so that I’m not staring into the fridge trying to decide what to have, then I go downstairs for a workout that I’ve planned out beforehand so that I’m not wasting time figuring out what to do, then show time and walk around the house to tidy up so that things are organized when I get home.
We don’t have kids (yet) so it’s easy to keep this routine and I know it’ll change when we do have kids. But I can tell you that I always need some sort of routine to start my day off the right way so I’ll adapt to what works best when the time comes 🙂
Hi Catherine! I feel the same way!! I like to keep it as together as possible, but know that it won’t always be as easy as it is now if there are more little bodies in this house. But keep up the good work, my friend! Have a wonderful Wednesday 🙂
I’m definitely a morning person but these are all still great reminders! I also like to make my bed as soon as my husband and I are both up…it makes me feel organized and ready to start the day!
Hi Lisa! Thanks!! Yes, making the bed sure helps to get you going on the right foot. I hope your Wednesday has started off wonderfully! 🙂
Such a great post! I really need to be better about my morning routine, and this gives me so much inspiration. Almost every morning, I am rushing around like crazy just hoping to get out of the door on time. If I woke up 30 minutes earlier, I could start my day on a much better note. One win everyday – however – is I always kiss my husband before leaving, and always play with our pup. It’s the little things!
Hi Katie! Good morning to you!! Thanks so much for your comment. You know, having a plan of attack for the morning is the key — so maybe you even shoot to wake up 15 minutes earlier and get one more thing done? Your hubby and pup are both lucky that you fit them in, and that’s important. Keep up the great work, lady!! And have a wonderful Wednesday! 🙂
I am more a morning person than a night person. But I am totally a creature of habit and feel best when I go to bed and wake up around the same times. I am a bit of a neat freak too and like to have the kitchen cleaned up at night and the bed made first thing in the morning. 🙂
Hi Lauren! Oh yes, everything must be clean. I’m with you there. And I keep my schedule as regular as possible as well. Good stuff! Hope you have a great day celebrating small victories! 🙂
Love my belVita Bites! Great tips to start any day on the right foot, my friend!
Thanks, Heather! Here’s to a fabulous day for the both of us! 🙂
If only I could wake up rested, that is only in my dreams these days. And you arent’ the only one that has to make the bed. I can’t leave my room until it’s done….:)
Hi Sue! Good to know! And I’m sure you’ve got some small victories in your mornings, even if you may still be tired from lack of sleep. ehheh! Hope you have a great day!
My win is making it to work on time. Sad but true.
Erin! That’s a win for sure! Celebrate it!! 🙂
Gah I am so not a morning person. I’m not upset by the mornings, I just never want to get out of bed! Once I do, I get busy pretty quickly. I fail at having a good breakfast choice most days and I really need to work on that! Mine generally turns out pretty carb heavy and leaves me hungry for the rest of the day. I need to allow myself a little more time in the morning and make fueling a priority!
Hi Chris! I know! A little pre-planning for what you’ll eat could help you get something better in your system for breakfast. You can do it!! I’m sure you have some other wins each morning though. Don’t sell yourself short! 🙂 And have a happy Wednesday!
I’m totally a night owl, but I WISH I could be the 10-6 sleeper you are! Mornings are not my strong suit, so thinking of a win is hard! I love all the ones you listed, and I think I’ll try to start incorporating some of those into my morning! xo.
Thanks, Sarah! A night owl? Oh man not me! Maybe you have night-time wins? hahaha Hope all is well with you!
These snacks look so good! I love the idea of putting them on yogurt! Perfect for those breakfasts on the go!
Thanks, Kelly. They sure are! 🙂 Happy Wednesday!
Having a 10 month old who thinks night sleep is optional- waking up well rested is something I only dream of right now. I make sure I still get up before my older kids and shower, get dressed and make their lunches so I’m not running around like crazy making us all late.
It’s the little things 🙂
Hi Jen! Oh I bet sleep is a luxury when you have kids. But it sounds like you at least get a few things done in the morning while tired! Keep up the good work, lady! And have a great Wednesday! 🙂
Oooh, I love these morning ideas! I don’t really have a time of day, thankfully. I can be both a morning person AND a night person, which is great since I have the world’s strangest schedule. 🙂 (PS- those BelVita bites? YUM. MUST TRY.)
World’s strangest schedule? Oh yeah … lets’ hear it! hehehe Thanks, Carla. Hope all is well in your world this fine Wednesday!
I am definitely a morning person and I love it! Being able to wake up early and fit in a workout is magic! I’ve been addicted to your overnight oats recipe and have been using it all the time. I had a major sugar craving and spotted some Nutella and mixed some in with the oats and I think I’ve made heaven in a bowl! Perfect for a once in a while treat!
Hi Nikki!! Sounds like you’ve got a good morning routine with workouts and overnight oats. And with Nutella? Wow! That sounds amazing, I will definitely have to give that a try sometime. I’m so glad you’re loving the oats too. Hope all is well in your world. Happy Wednesday, lady!! 🙂
Love your morning wins! Haha, what is it about needing to make the bed before leaving the house. I feel so incomplete if I don’t make the bed before I leave! It would end up bugging me all day. xx
Hi Krissy! I’m with you on that! Hope you have some morning wins tomorrow! 🙂
such a great list, Ashley! those do look yummy! xxo.
Thanks, Annie! Hope you had some good wins this morning! And tomorrow too! 🙂
You’re such a positive happy person and I find it so inspiring! I feel the same about getting a good night’s rest and eating breakfast right away but honestly I could do much better at saying good morning to my husband. I usually jump out of bed and rush to get out the door within 20 minutes and I don’t make time to show him a little love. But now that you wrote about it, I really want to so thank you for that!
I hope you showed Brandon some love today!!! 🙂
Love this! I am NOT a morning person but slowly working on it… 🙂
Hi Lora! It’s not easy! But I’m sure there’s at least something you can celebrate each morning? You woke up? 🙂 Have a happy Thursday!