I am really happy to say that since the start of this year, I have felt pretty fantastic!  I have gotten into a really great healthy routine, and I’ve definitely been feeling the benefits.  I have to give a huge thanks to Lindsay & Elle for helping me get started with the wonderful Elf for Health challenge–it really helped to jumpstart my efforts to get back on the wagon.

The new year got off to a great start–I got to reconnect with one of my best friends from my high school days in Massachusetts, J.Shea (who also happens to be a super talented artist).  We went to see The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at the House of Blues in Boston for their new years’ show!  They also had several other great bands, most notably Big D and the Kid’s Table (one of my favorite bands in high school), and The Amazing Royal Crowns, who put on, hands down, the BEST live show I have seen from any performer ever.  For those who don’t know, I was a major punk rock/ska kid in high school–studded belts & all!  In college I was more into hardcore music (lip piercing, tattoos, & all…), and these days, I am more into gentle, acoustic indie tunes…but ska & punk rock will always hold a special place in my heart.

[caption id="attachment_1316" align="aligncenter" width="960"] balloons dropping at midnight![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1317" align="aligncenter" width="960"] everyone loves confetti![/caption]

This was my first time going out for New Year’s Eve.  I usually stay at home or go to a casual gathering with friends at someone’s house.  It was really fun to spend it in such a unique way this year, and I think it really set the tone for the start of 2013!  Although, next year I’m definitely staying in…this old lady can only handle a big night out about once a year. ;)

But, on to the fitness: I am making some great progress on my goals for 2013.  It’s only been a week since I started measuring my progress, but I have already lost 3.2 lbs and 3 inches (1.5 of which was off of my waist–I had to measure three times to believe it)!  Isn’t that insane?  I think that goes to show just how much my body was thrown off by going on medical leave and not having the strength to exercise.  Luckily, as my mystery illness gets better, I am getting stronger and stronger each day.  I went to pinterest for inspiration on ways to modify workouts while I started to get back into the swing.

On weekday mornings I have been getting out of bed about 30 minutes earlier than I usually do.  I’m out of bed at 5:15, and about 10 minutes later I am doing a morning yoga routine that I found on pinterest.  Aside from doing some pilates, I don’t know much about yoga–I always thought it would be an “easy” workout, but these moves definitely challenge me because I am so unbalanced!  Luckily, I have always been incredibly flexible–so I can focus on maintaining my stability.

[caption id="attachment_1320" align="aligncenter" width="960"] don’t mind my gross feet. :)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1321" align="aligncenter" width="960"] my cat Squeener (yes, that’s actually her name) loves to hang out with me while I do yoga! you can find her underneath me during downward dog & planks. :)[/caption]

Doing this every morning not only wakes my body up, but it also wakes my brain!  Never in my life have I been less tired in the mornings that I have been in the past two weeks.  I’m no longer dragging myself out of bed–when I wake up, I’m ready and energized to start the day.  I’m sure that has to do with the combination of all the changes I’ve made–not just the yoga.

I’ve also been making good on one of my resolutions–eating “real” breakfast more often. I was definitely stuck in the cereal/bagel rut, as I was always in a rush in the mornings.  Now that I’m getting up earlier and have discovered the joy of Lindsay’s 90 second egg sandwich, my morning meals are much healthier.

I season the eggs with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.  I also add in a few chopped scallions.  I do it as an open-faced sandwich–bread, spinach, egg, a slice of provolone cheese, 1 piece of bacon cut into two small pieces, topped with another egg!  It’s a filling and energizing breakfast for sure.  I cook the bacon in advance so that I can just toss it on in the morning.

We have eaten SO many eggs so far this year–we just finished our fourth carton of eggs! Between morning sandwiches and hardboiled eggs, I’ve been going egg crazy. I posted proof on my Instagram page (at that point we’d only finished 3 cartons):

The best part about my new morning routine?  I no longer feel rushed.  After doing yoga, I have time to sit and catch up on facebook & pinterest, while I enjoy some tea and a delicious breakfast sandwich.  It also helps that I have been packing my lunches and picking out my outfits the night before.  I really adore this quiet time alone (well, alone with Squeener–she’s like my shadow) to start the day.  Sometimes I sneak in a quick 5-minute meditation as well!

[caption id="attachment_1329" align="aligncenter" width="960"] my favorite tumbler–I really do love NPR![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1325" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Squeener doing what I imagine is her morning meditation.[/caption]

This new morning routine has really been life-changing.  Starting my day in a calm yet productive way has set the tone for each day–it encourages me to make the rest of my day healthy too!

Do you have a set morning routine?  Do you love it, or hate it?

What do you do to start the day in a positive way?