In my family, everyone has a superhero identity. The oldest kid loves math and science, so he's a SuperEngineer. Dad is BearMan, with the power to reach tall things and give strong hugs. Me? I'm SuperMom. I juggle a busy schedule with finesse! Today, I'm working with MitoQ to share the best way to start your day. So you can keep up with your family's super-demanding super-needs from dawn until dusk.
Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
Our days are go-go-go from the moment we wake up, so I try to kick things off with an organized plan. I jot down a list of everything we have to do that day. Tackle the biggest, hardest stuff first and ease your way into the afternoon with a sense of accomplishment!
Nutrition is Always the Best Way to Start your Day
My biggest priority at the beginning of the day is making sure I've gotten enough sleep and gotten a decent breakfast in my belly. I've tried a lot of different routines, and for me this is hands-down the best way to start your day. There are two reasons why breakfast is especially important to me – and these two little things have CHANGED MY LIFE and increased my energy in amazing ways.
- Intermittent Fasting. My diet involves intermittent fasting (limiting my eating window to about 8 hours per day, typically 9am to 5pm but I do change it up a lot based on our travels). This helps me be more mindful about what I eat, helps me get a better night's sleep, and supports my weight loss goals. I have a strong focus on improving my health after years of back-to-back pregnancies. What I've learned is that the thing you put in your body FIRST after that overnight fast – before anything else – has a big impact on your mental and physical well-being.
- MitoQ. For me, the first thing I put in my body each day is MitoQ. It's a couple of small pills taken with a full glass of water before breakfast. This supplement helps cells generate health-giving energy to support organs and tissues so I can perform as well as possible. MitoQ is the world's first antioxidant that can penetrate the mitochondrial membrane, to act directly on the mitochondria. This super supplement penetrates the mitochondria hundreds of times more effectively than regular CoQ10 supplements. Sounds complicated, but basically, the mitochondria act as the body’s “power plants” – they help provide energy to the body's cells! Seven of the top 10 causes of death are known or suspected to be the result of mitochondrial dysfunction (which is a natural occurrence with age) so this is basically like turning the clock back. That's the best way to explain why I have the energy of a teenager! Wooh!
Knowing that my energy level for the day is taken care of, I like to turn my attention to…everything else. For breakfast, I love overnight oats with some pecans and berries, along with black coffee. Oh yes! Coffee is ALWAYS on the docket. I may have my sustained energy at a cellular level that helps me perform better overall…but I'm still a mom, and mornings are still mornings. After taking my MitoQ, I drink cold brew coffee until whenever my intermittent fasting “window” is open. I often wake up before it's time for me to eat. Black coffee doesn't break a fast, so it's the best way to start your day and it keeps my tummy happy while I wait. Couple that with TONS of water throughout the day.
Roll with the Punches
Of course, there are days when I wake up and realize we're out of cereal, milk, toast stuff, oats, eggs and basically all the breakfast fixings! ACH. Life happens. As much as I try to be ahead of the game, sometimes you just have to roll with it. When things aren't going according to plan, it's time to change the routine up. On mornings like this, I load the kiddos in the van and we swing by the local convenience store. I can stock up on all the stuff, and the boys can get breakfast burritos.
That's been one of my biggest learning curves since I started really honing in on a “routine.” If you're too structured about the best way to start your day, it almost becomes a superstition in that you have trouble veering from it. Structure is good. Flexibility and spontaneity is also important.
Take time to Express Gratitude
I always try to spend a little time outdoors in the morning. Whether we're looking at sunshine or rain, it helps add some perspective to the day! Our family usually takes a quick walk and talks about all the things we love in whatever area we're visiting. We like to see the little shops in small towns. The hustle and bustle of a big city. Near our farm, when we're home, we visit the sheep and goats. An attitude of gratitude is the best way to start your day! It'll keep spirits light and make any upcoming work seem less daunting.
Set Appointments Early in the Day
Haircuts, doctors, dentists, whatever. Get it out of the way! We set all of our appointments as early in the day as possible so that it isn't on our mind while we're trying to work, or disrupting other things.
The best way to start your day is to support your emotional and physical needs. With your nutritional needs taken care of and the right mindset, you're ready to tackle whatever may come your way!
How do you start your day? Hop on over to MitoQ's Super Mom blog for more tips.