One of the tasks in my 30 Step Minimal Challenge is creating an energizing morning routine. I fully believe that if you don’t start your morning right, you’re not going to have a successful day. Since moving up to Alabama, I have crafted the perfect routine for helping me make the most of my mornings. My mornings normally go like this:

6:00 AM – Wake Up

Time for this sleepy head to rise and shine! I roll myself out of bed and throw open the curtains so that the room fills with light. Waking up early during the summer is always so much easier because the sun rises between 5:30am and 5:45am. I then start making the bed; Ryans gets up around 5:30am so around this time he is getting out the shower. We talk about how well we slept and our plans for the day while I drink 16 oz of infused water and take my morning supplements.

6:15 AM – Dog Walk

By this time the dogs are impatiently circling me, waiting to go outside. I throw on some athletic clothing, feed them breakfast, and hit the pavement. I’ve made the conscious choice to specifically wear workout gear for morning dog walks because it motivates me to get more out of the walk. Maddie is not big on running so we normally keep a brisk pace through the walk. There is a big hill in our neighborhood so we always climb to the top. The hill is shaded with a great view of the neighborhood, surrounded by tons of foliage. It’s about a 25 degree incline so I walk quickly, focusing on pushing with my glutes. By the end of the walk, the dogs are panting and I’m feeling the burn in my legs.

6:45 AM – Work Out

Depending on the morning, I will either do an intensive 15 minute work out or a relaxing 15 minute yoga routine. But no matter what I choose, I find my workout on the Nike Training App. I have been using this app for years. I love group fitness, but I haven’t been able to fit it into my lifestyle since college. So instead I pick a workout from tons of options, set some music, and allow the app to tell me what to do.

7:00 AM – Breakfast

After the quick workout I’ll drink another 16 oz of water while I make breakfast for Ryan and myself. Sometimes it’s yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal, but it’s usually something filling and healthy on weekdays. Saturdays are eggs, potatoes, and greens. Sundays are always pancakes, bacon, and fruit. Going out for brunch is far from easy with two young children, so we indulge with our homemade version instead.

7:30 AM – Shower

Ryan heads to work after breakfast and I hop into the shower. I wash my hair 1-2 times a week which is sooooo time (and water) saving. My showers end up being under 10 minutes and afterwards I immediately moisturize my entire body with a combination of lotion and oil. I keep both my The Honest Company body lotion and The Honest Company body oil in the shower right next to my The Honest Company face & body wash and The Honest Company conditioner (did I mention I love The Honest Company) so I don’t forget to use it.

7:45 AM – Hair, Makeup, and Coffee

This time of day is 100% me time. On days when I don’t put on some makeup and do something with my hair, I just feel agitated and not confident. I always feel ready for anything when I’m wearing makeup, even if my hair is in shambles and I’m wearing mismatched sweats. I really just enjoy the subtle transformation that comes from a tinted moisturizer, cheek stain, and mascara. I still look like Lauren, but my eyes are sparkling and my pearly whites are gleaming. But y’all probably already know what I’m talking about. Putting on makeup is like painting on confidence. I’ve also been trying to cut back on my caffeine and sugar intake, so my morning coffee is basically my daily allowance of both. I drink 2 shots of espresso hot (Cafe Bustelo is EVERYTHING) sweetened with one and half tablespoons of sugar. I sip it through the entire make up and hair routine; it’s just so yummy.

8:00 AM – Dressed and Ready

Just like putting on makeup, picking out the right clothing is crucial for the success of my day. I’ve learned from my capsule wardrobe that comfort is key, but I also need to pick the right items for my body type. I have fun added little accessories, but not too much because babies are handsy. And now I’m ready for the day!

I don’t always stick to this routine exactly. Sometimes social media catches me, and it’s 9:15am, I haven’t showered, and I’m still perusing Facebook. But on days when I stay on track, I have a full 90 minutes before the babies wake up to accomplish anything my heart desires. Do you do something specific in the morning that energizes you for the rest of your day? I would love to hear your tips and tricks for starting your morning off right!