If you like fitness and a good cup of coffee, then today's post is for you!... 

I've always been a morning person. It’s the time of day I prefer to workout or run. It’s when I feel my best because I’m not weighed down by the long day. But, it was always so rushed. I was spending much of my morning at the gym, only to have time to run home, shower and race out the door to work with a mug of coffee in my hand. I actually knew that I was spiraling into a frenzy and would be burnt out by it all soon enough. I mean,  you can't keep that up 7 days a week forever! But it was how I’d always been. I think it started with an active youth, then playing 4 varsity sports in high school and staying active in college, then law school... I was always - and felt I had to be - on the move. 

Well something happened last year that sloooowed me down... like, way down.

A baby happened. 

In fact, it was when I was pregnant that I actually didn't get up and work out at the crack of dawn and that slowly became O-K. I laid in bed (mostly because my morning sickness lasted pretty much the entire pregnancy) and watched the Today Show with my husband and it was so wonderful (well, not the morning sickness part).

Then, post-baby, I definitely slowed down my fitness routine. But for the better. At first, before I was released to workout, I was going on long walks with the jogging stroller every morning. It was probably one of my favorite parts of my maternity leave. Our long walks - just Dylan and I. She was usually sleeping as we walked through the neighborhood or in forest park, but it felt so peaceful and special. 

Then, once I was released from my doctor, I started jogging 2-3 days a week, walking and doing yoga dvd's. 

Then, I started doing 30-minute high intensity workouts at home, which is what I currently do.

Below is what my workout routine looks like now, 5 1/2 months post-baby and I now realize a tough workout doesn’t mean a whole bunch of cardio at the gym...

• BBG on the Sweat App. I did Kayla's workouts a year or so ago and recently started them back up again! I do them in my living room, which sometimes takes some improvising with the furniture, but I'm always sore the next day. It's the perfect 30 minute workout when I can't make it to the gym - which, let's face it, is most days. I will do these workouts Mon-Wed-Friday.

• Workouts by nourish move love - I have sworn by Lindsey's workouts since I was released at 6 weeks! She is so great and her workouts are hard and most importantly - FAST. I do one of her HIIT workouts and then cool down with a 12 minute yoga flow. And Lindsey is a new mom too, which makes me love her blog even more! I will do these workouts Mon-Wed-Friday.

• I go on a 30 minute morning tempo run around my neighborhood - usually about 4 miles. I will do this on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays (1-2 out of the 3 days - lately it’s just been Saturday)

• Yoga - usually a 25-30 minute flow. I prefer DVD’s by Gaiam but I’m always on the lookout for new ones! My husband recently signed up for a yoga channel on Amazon Prime that I’m going to try out. I do these Tuesdays and/or Thursdays.

My workouts now only last 30 minutes a day. I do it early, around 5:45-6:00 a.m., which then leaves me enough time to shower and be with Dylan in the mornings when she wakes up and before I leave for work. It's funny, I feel better now than I did when I was spending a whole heck of a lot longer in the gym or out running. I'm now a whole different morning person. And I am SO happy about it. 

Okay, now about my morning coffee...

Ooooh how I need it! I'm breastfeeding so I don't go too overboard with the bottomless cups of joe in the morning, but I do need some. So I make it good and worth it.

Lately I've been putting a scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my coffee. I started a little over 3 months ago and I've noticed a difference in my hair and skin. And I just feel better overall. I totally recommend trying it!! And it's completely flavorless and odorless and dissolves right into your coffee. And it's 9 grams of protein in just 1 scoop. Now, I'm not usually one for protein powders (can't stomach the added ingredients), but the grass-fed collagen peptides just seems more natural and is easier on my stomach. 

Here is my morning method for a healthy, frothy cup of coffee. I actually look forward to it every morning. 

• Coffee: Choose a very good coffee! We love local St. Louis companies like Kaldis or Kuva. 

• Nut Milk: I add a few tablespoons. I love using my homemade cashew milk (so easy, guys!). Or my sister just got me hooked on the dairy-free creamer, Nut Pods. I also found this one at Whole Foods that is a similar dairy-free, sugar-free creamer.

• Coconut Oil:  I love putting about 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp. of coconut oil in my coffee. It'll froth up by itself in black coffee. But I still like adding it here for the hint of sweet flavor and smooth texture.  

• Collagen Peptides:  I'll add 1 scoop of Vital Proteins  I prefer the regular unflavored Collagen Peptides, you can purchase here. 

  • Directions: Froth it all up together! 

  • TIP: I like to put the creamer with a little bit of coffee at the bottom of the mug along with the coconut oil and vital proteins. I froth that up together and then add the rest of the coffee. I'll give it one more quick froth to mix everything or stir together with a spoon.

One item that is necessary to get that frothy, coffee experience is a hand-held milk frother. I've bought them at IKEA or Target. They are so great and make it so easy to have frothy latte-like coffee in seconds! 

What's your favorite quick yet hard workouts? I'm always looking for more ideas!