Hi, Cleanish Squad!
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I haven't always been a morning person. I used to sleep in every chance I could, squeezing out those extra moments of lounging in bed instead of jumping up to face the day. Back then, mornings felt like a chore—something to get through until I could truly start living once the coffee kicked in.
But over time, I realized something had to change. Sleeping in might have felt better at the moment, but it left me starting the day behind, always playing catch-up. I wanted to approach my days with intention and clarity, not feel overwhelmed before I even got started.
So I experimented—trying out little habits here and there to see what helped me feel more in control of my destiny. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but slowly, mornings began to feel different. They became less of a hassle and more of an opportunity. Now, I see mornings as a fresh start—a blank slate to set the tone for my day.
Don’t get me wrong...mornings still aren’t always easy. There are days when the snooze button calls my name, or I feel tempted to scroll through my phone instead of doing something meaningful. But when I stick to a few simple habits, I feel energized, focused, and ready to take on whatever comes my way.
That’s why I’m sharing these six habits with you. They aren’t complicated or time-consuming—they’re practical, sustainable, and designed to help you feel your best. If you’re ready to shift your mornings from avoiding to being in control, these small changes can make all the difference.
#1 Hydrate First Thing in the Morning
Starting your day with water might sound simple, but it’s a game-changer. After hours of sleep, your body is dehydrated and needs a reset. Plus, drinking water first thing in the morning gets your digestion moving and provides you with energy.
How I Do This: Every night, I set my water bottle on my nightstand, and it’s the first thing I see when I wake up. My routine goes like this: I hit the snooze one time at 5:55 am to cuddle with Dustin for 8 minutes, get up, go to the bathroom, weigh myself, and then drink my water.
#2 Plan a Balanced Breakfast
A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to take a lot of time. A little planning will do wonders to help you start your day with fuel that keeps you energized and satisfied.
How I Do This: When I focused more on weight loss, my go-to breakfast was a protein smoothie with banana, peanut butter, almond milk, and protein powder (here's the recipe). I found this an easy way to help hit my protein for the day and to fill me up. Nowadays, I make myself a couple of fried eggs, toast, and fresh fruit, along with my Cleanish protein shake. If I were fasting, I would wait until I broke my fast.
#3 Move Your Body
Morning movement is about getting your blood flowing and starting the day with intention. This is a way to prioritize your fitness, and it was a game-changer for me.
How I Do This: I work out for 45 minutes in the morning. My favorite way to work out is strength training because I get to build muscle, feel strong, and not have to do cardio all day long (see this post on why I hate cardio). I also prioritize my steps in the morning, aiming to walk 1-2 miles if my schedule allows. Bonus: this makes me feel accomplished before the day even starts, which is such a great feeling.
#4 Set Daily Intentions
Having a clear focus helps prevent your day from feeling chaotic. Make a list of the biggest priorities for the day that will impact you in reaching your goals. Finish those first.
How I Do This: I keep a note on my computer with my goals and the specific tasks I will do each day to help me reach my goals. This list changes every day. I have goals for my business, my health, and my family. This habit has helped me prioritize what's important, as I used to say yes to everything and miss some of the most important tasks.
#5 Avoid Emails for the First Hour
Skipping screen time in the morning creates space to focus on yourself and your goals.
How I Do This: I have a setting on my phone that only allows certain apps to appear first thing in the morning -- these apps are the ones I need for my workout, to track my weight, and to play music. I have found no real good comes from checking my email or Instagram first thing in the morning...I'll either get sucked into a work issue or might read something that could make me upset...that can wait!
#6 Prepare the Night Before
A little evening prep can make mornings smoother and more enjoyable.
How I Do This: Before bed, I pack my gym bag, set out my clothes, and make sure I have everything I need so there’s no stress in the morning. On days I know I’ll be rushed, I even portion out my breakfast to know it's ready to go. Those extra five minutes of prep save me so much mental energy and set me up for success before I even wake up.
Your mornings don’t have to feel overwhelming. Start small, pick one habit to focus on this week, and build from there. Remember, every little step you take is progress toward a healthier, happier you.
Taking back my mornings started me down the path to a healthy, happy lifestyle, and I'll never go back.
Which of these habits will you try first? Hit reply and let me know!
Here’s to brighter mornings,
