My Intentional Morning Routine with a Toddler

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Based off the habits I've adapted and new things that have both failed and came to fruition in the past 12 or more months since attempting to get a handle on my day and feel better about myself, I can confidently tell you that whatever you're doing to start your morning will set the tone for the entire day. Let me tell you why...

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For the past 6 months I have woken up before 8 am with intention and equipped to fuel not only my body with a hearty breakfast but my mind as well. 

You must address the system before you can get rid of the symptoms.

So just like your body needs food and carbohydrates for energy, your mind needs fuel too!

Fill your own cup and prep your mind for the busy day ahead so that all of world’s harsh circumstances don’t bog you down. Be prepared and rise above!

Now you may be like, “okay dude we get it fuel your mind, what the heck does that even mean?” Well, I’m so glad you asked! 

So basically, 

Food is to your body as Personal Development (PD) is to your mind. 

Personal development is (next to my son) my best friend in the whole wide world/ my secret ninja negativity protectin’ weapon. 

Now if you’re still like, “Okay cool, sooo what’s personal development?..” I gotchu! I had absolutely no idea up until about a year ago when I made the overall lifestyle change and discovered tons of amazing ish.

What I do for personal development depends on what time of day and what I am doing. In the morning, since we’re already on the topic, I like to take 5-10 minutes all by myself (before my son wakes up if the universe allows) in guided meditation to practice living in peace with my thoughts. I follow by listening to uplifting worship music while making breakfast and then I read a chapter or two from whatever book/s I am reading at the time. Also before I start my day I do my daily devotion + pray and spend time with God. Then throughout the rest of my morning I will either listen to a sermon from Steven Furtick on YouTube or whatever other motivational video I am vibin’ with like Tony Robbins or Mark Hughes.

I choose to do this not only as a young woman raising a child on my own in world with some super unhealthy and negative circumstance but I also do this as an example to my son showing him what I believe are the best habits and lifestyle choices to make for his health and mental well-being.

It's not always morning when I do PD either. Sometimes I’m driving or working out in a particularly unmotivated mood. I’ll just pop in my earphones on the stairclimber or plug my phone into the aux in the car and listen to a sermon, podcast, or personal development audio on youtube.

Now let’s go back to breakfast which takes place for me after meditation. Meditation, by the way, is SUPER under rated and in my opinion just as important as exercising your body and eating right. Usually my baby boy wakes up hangry and right before reading my PD books I will try to clear my head and breathe/ meditate for at least 10 minutes. It helps me to go outside if the weather and environment permits. 

I have had the same thing for breakfast for the past year now and it has changed my life!

I used to eat pure processed crap for breakfast or nothing at all until the evening when I stuffed my face with more processed crap. 

But who are we kidding? The food nowadays is just about ALL processed and unnatural. A banana today is not the same as a banana from 40 years ago and that’s just how it is.

At my house, for breakfast I have Herbalife Nutrition's Formula 1 complete healthy meal shake with all the macronutrients, low calorie/ carb, protein, and craving satisfaction I could ask for. 

I also have this delicious herbal concentrate for energy which has metabolism boosting ingredients and a sweet strawberry lemonade collagen beauty booster that promotes healthy hair, and nail growth and improves skin elasticity! 

The last secret/ not so secret ingredient I put into my tea is the herbal aloe concentrate that provides hydration and digestive benefits to coat my digestive lining before the rest of the food I eat throughout the day is digested. 

I give my son the same Formula 1 Shake for breakfast with a pancake, waffle, or oatmeal depending on what we’ve got in the house at the time.

The coolest thing about this Formula 1 Complete Healthy Meal Shake is that it is an actual meal and not just a protein shake like you buy from GNC or someplace else. 

It’s got 2000 calories worth of nutrients condensed down to 2 - 200 calorie scoops of concentrated powder shake mix. 

If you’re trying to lose weight and you are having a hard time figuring out what to eat or meal prep you can have this meal shake for 2/3 of your meals and you’ll lose the weight! 

I did this specific program for 6 months and I lose 65 pounds! 

Or, vice versa, gaining muscle you can just have 2 shakes with 2/3 of your meals instead of eating 5-6 times a day. It just makes good nutrition so convenient and easy to absorb. 

If you already eat pretty healthy but you struggle with bloating or lethargy throughout your day then simply changing your breakfast to this Formula 1 Healthy Meal Shake + Herbal Tea Concentrate combo could be a game changer for the start of your day.

If you would like more information on my breakfast and how I lost the weight or you or someone you know wants to try your own program reach out to me personally and I can answer any questions you have!

I also have vitamins 3 times a day because I have noticed a significant improvement in my fatigue and I feel when I’m taking them it’s easier to maintain my weight loss. 

So, I take the core system from Herbalife Nutrition. Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3. 

Formula 1 is, as we’ve talked about, the complete healthy meal shake which provides the 21 essential macronutrients your body needs. 

Formula 2 is the multivitamin complex with vitamins A, C, and E to support your immune system and provides the 21 essential micronutrients your body needs. 

Formula 3 Cell Activator is for mitochondrial and nutrient absorption support. Remember the mighty mitochondria? Powerhouse of the cell from all those school projects and assignments? Well this tablet is specifically formulated to regenerate antioxidant activity in the cell and has aloe vera to repair and support your body’s absorption of nutrients. 

Sidenote: Sometimes we deal with really odd symptoms or unnecessary fatigue when our bodies are deficient in nutrients or specific vitamins so it's important to stay in tune with what you should be supplementing in your diet. For instance, I also take iron supplements because I am deficient and anemic. 

By this time, both my boy and I are fed and I've taken the time to fuel my mind already so it’s time to get dressed and ready for the day! 

We brush our teeth, choose our outfits and brush our hair for the day ahead. 

Usually this is the time where I would get in my workout clothes and go to the gym or set aside some time get active for a while such as stretch at home, go for a bike ride, or go for a walk. 

That’s it!

What do you do for your morning routine?

Is there anything I told you about that you’d like to implement into your morning routine as well?

Also! If this is the first time you're hearing about personal development I would LOVE to hear how you like giving it a try for yourself.

Or! If PD is already a normal part of your routine let me know what you like to do/ read/ listen to!

Stand guard at the gates of your mind ladies and gentlemen. Let's fill the world with positivity. <3