6 Tips on Becoming a Morning Person

If you are anything like me, your bed and sleep are 2 of your favourite things.  After working a full week, the one thing we all crave is being able to sleep in, no alarms, and no responsibilities.  You also know that old saying "the early bird catches the worm" is so very true. You want to start working out perhaps and know that rising early is your only option to find time to get a workout into your busy life but the thought of taking away those precious sleep minutes doesn't entice you one bit.
Well I was a lot like you, and there are many others who feel the same way too.  So after having a few friends ask me how I made the shift and am able to wake up earlier than I really need to I decided to write down my 6 Tips on Becoming a Morning Person.

Tip #1

Lay your clothes out the night before. If you can just get out of bed and slip into your workout gear right away, or place them beside your gym bag so you will be ready to hit the gym without searching for a matching sports-bra.  If you don't go to the gym, you can lay out your clothes for work as well. This saves time to enjoy a cup of coffee or watch your favourite morning show.

Tip #2

Go to bed earlier. Yes. If you plan to wake up at 5.00am make sure you are not crawling into bed to go to sleep at midnight. You will be exhausted and less likely to get out of bed; you'll be hitting that snooze button numerous time.  Our bodies need rest, and some need more than others but please for your own wellness make no exception to get a minimum of 7-8 hours per night. If you are one of those who needs 9hours, well count backwards and get your head on that pillow.  If you find it hard to fall asleep, there are a couple of ways to help you lull off. (listen to meditation audios, turn off the t'v's, the lights, use white noise like a fan, or go to bed at your regular time for a couple nights and still get up earlier than normal, your body will give up and force you to sleep at an earlier time)

Tip #3

Have something/someone depending on you. It could be a mini romantic breakfast with your spouse, it can be your dog who wants to go for a walk or a run. You can have a workout buddy waiting for you at the park or the gym. The point is, if you have someone depending on you and waiting for you to show up, you will get out of bed. Go on, make a date/time with a loved one or friend and make sure you are there.

Tip #4

Ease into it. Let's face it, it is hard to just change our schedules overnight. So if you normally wake at 8am, try setting your alarm to 7:45am tomorrow, then the next couple days, make it 7:30am, etcetera until you get to the time you need. Taking it slow and easing into the change can help tremendously. You probably won't notice much of a difference and be less sluggish in the mornings.

Tip #5

Look forward with anticipation. Perhaps you want to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee, and read a chapter in a great book.  If you want to take a long hot shower, you know the ones we tend to take on our days off.  Imagine getting one of those throughout the week. What a treat that would be. Having something to look forward to will enable you to jump out of bed a whole lot easier.

Tip # 6

Be Consistent. Set your alarm to get up everyday at the same time, and be sure to go to bed at the same time every night. Mind you, when the weekends come, or you have a day off go ahead and sleep in. Just not all morning. Perhaps instead of 5am be sure to get up by 7:30am.   After consistently sticking to the schedule, your body will adjust and your sleep cycles will average out and you will be waking up early all the time.  It gets easier, especially if you stay consistent. Creating the habit of rising early can aid you in many things.  All those to-do's that you can't seem to find time for, suddenly become available because you decided to rise up early and start your day.

I hope my tips on becoming a morning person have helped you. I know that change is hard. Waking earlier everyday will get you ready and set the tone for the day. When I wake up each morning, my schedule is first to take the dog out,  have a cup of coffee; I then get my workout DVD on and get my blood pumping.  I have a post-workout shake and hit the shower. I have this all done by 7am.  I don't have to get my kids up for school until 7:30am so that extra half hour I spend scanning my planner and jotting down all of the things I want to accomplish that day.
Becoming a morning person is well worth the effort!

Food Cravings, What They Mean and HOW to FIX them.

We have all had food cravings, and we all have indulged those desires. Have you ever wondered why? Do you think it's just a memory of how yummy that food was and your mind is asking for a replay to excite your senses? Well as likely as that can be, there is a deeper meaning behind our food cravings.  I have composed a quick list below that mentions the most common of cravings, what you might want to eat in place of it and why you are probably having the food craving in the first place. Before you scroll down, I want to tell you that most cravings come from a lack or deficiency in our nutrients. Weird isn't it? Most cravings are the first sign that your body is deficient in some nutrient, and is in essence craving it.

Food Cravings And What They Mean

Sugar:
Sugar has the reputation of giving energy.  First off, sugar may give a quick energy boost but if you are craving it, you are most likely in need of CHROMIUM.  People who go for the sweets usually have been engaging in an extreme diet restriction. Yes their body needs more energy, and because of the poor diet they are lacking the energy needed.  Carbohydrates are our energy sources. There are Simple Carbs and there are Complex Carbs. Our bodies are in need of the energy quickly and knows the complex carb will deliver it but, deliver it slow and steadily whereas the simple carb will be more like an instant spike, thus we go for the sweets.  Ever have that 3 o'clock slump..lack of energy? Bet you crave sugar!
The best and healthiest option to deliver that sugar craving is to eat FRESH FRUIT.

Salt:
Ok so you just have to have those potato chips, or pretzels. Well you need SODIUM.  You are probably wondering  how sodium fits into a nutrient your body needs. Well the need for it is very low on the scale, and most people who crave it have been living off raw foods. Sodium in our diets plays a role in allowing our blood pressure and circulatory systems to stay in optimal shape and prevent blood clotting.  I also know that if you find yourself feeling faint or light-headed, a quick lick of a sprinkle of salt will instantly allow you to feel better. This is especially true for those with low blood pressure.
Your best option is to eat SPINACH and CELERY.

Bread & Pasta:
Who doesn't love bread and pasta? I know I do. When we crave it though it is usually because we are in a bit of a mood. These foods are CARBOHYDRATES and they also make our SERATONIN levels rise, which in turn help us to feel happier.  So if you have always considered breads or pasta a comfort food, you are right.  There is one more reason you could be craving them though, an under-active thyroid. Which is also responsible for making people lethargic and low energy, hypothyroidism makes your serotonin levels decrease thus the craving for the carbs.
Healthy option: Whole Grains, Spelt, Ezekiel breads and pasta. Please contact your doctor if you feel you may have a thyroid condition, and get tested so you can be properly taken care of.

Ice:
Yes ice. This craving is mostly seen in pregnant women and usually means low HEMOGLOBIN in the blood. This causes anemia, and the ice actually helps relieve pain and inflammation that anemia causes.
The best solution to raise your red blood cells is to eat IRON rich foods. You can find that in green VEGETABLES, RED-MEAT, and even BEET-ROOT.

Caffeine:
I know, I know, most of us can't seem to function without our morning cup of coffee or tea.  One or two cups a day is fine. Although if you are craving it and find yourself having more than 5 cups a day, be aware that your adrenal glands are most probably taxed. They are definitely not functioning at optimal levels. Caffeine stimulates our adrenals to produce adrenalin. Unfortunately continuously making your body produce it will inevitably make you more and more tired. This only results in you  a constant state of moodiness, fatigue, irritability, and sleep deprivation. Caffeine cravings can also mean a deficiency in IRON, and VITAMIN C.
Your best option to curb that craving and that will help out the adrenals as well is to eat, CITRUS FRUITS and GREENS.

The ideal way to conquer the food cravings is to eat a diet rich in nutrients and as close to nature as possible. Cut back on the packaged foods, the sugars, the white and bleached grains, limit your caffeine intake and be sure to drink your water.