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I’ve been exercising regularly for the past few years and I find that having routines and familiar patterns before and after a workout help you get through the workout—and your day. My favorite time to exercise is in the morning. I’m NOT a morning person, but I make it work.

I’ve been exercising regularly for the past few years and I find that having routines and familiar patterns before and after a workout help you get through the workout—and your day. My favorite time to exercise is in the morning. I’m NOT a morning person, but I make it work.

My pre-workout routine starts with choosing my exercise clothes for the day. I’m extremely picky about my activewear, but I’m in LOVE with the Vanity Fair Sport bra. It’s hard to find quality (sporty) undergarments in general, and it’s not until you try a really great sport bra that you realize what you’ve been missing. The material on Vanity Fair’s medium-impact sport bra is soft, supportive and flexible. You get full range of motion and nothing pinches or pokes. It’s leaps and bounds beyond than the typical shelf sport bra.

Verdict: highly recommend. Sizes start at 36C and run through 44DD.

What else do you need for starting the day strong? In my case, it depends on the workout.

WALKING

Pre-workout: When I walk I aim to get between 3-4 miles down. Since it’s summer, I like to start early in the morning. On those mornings, I don’t eat breakfast beforehand. I bring about 24 ounces of water along with me and hydrate along the way.

Post-workout: I eat a protein-rich meal because it’s most satiating and replenishing. For my delayed breakfast I like to have a scrambled egg, rye toast, a side of cherry tomatoes (I usually have a roasted batch in my fridge), half an apple or a handful of blueberries, and a cup of peanut butter almond milk with protein.

To make it, I use two scoops of plain unsweetened whey protein, 1 cup of vanilla almond milk, and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter powder. You can add ½ a banana for sweetness. Whir this in a blender and enjoy.

HIKING, TRAINING

Pre-workout: When I train or hike, the workout involves more extra energy—so I don’t do them on an empty stomach. However, I time it so that my pre-workout meal happens and 1-2 hours beforehand.

Mid-workout: This only applies to hiking since we hike for a few hours but about halfway through, we eat. My favorite food to bring along is a peanut butter (spread thick!) sandwich on wheat bread. It’s easy to pack, is a great boost of protein, and tastes heavenly at an elevation of about 1200 feet. For either hiking and training, I always bring plenty of water.

Post-workout: Again, I make sure my next meal is protein-rich. Protein is what replenishes your muscles and these definitely get a great workout after a hike or a good strength training session. Lately, a favorite of mine is 5 ounces of tuna (packed with sea salt and no liquids), 1/2 cup of chickpeas, and a handful of sliced cherry tomatoes. I toss these with a dressing of about half a tablespoon of mayo, a teaspoon of mustard, a generous squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle of salt & pepper.

And yeah, sometimes we get pizza. Food is fuel and it’s all about balance.

You’ll be more likely to have a strong day if you have a strong pre- and post-workout routine. A big part is the foundation pieces you reach for day after day. This has quickly become my favorite sport bra. Go to Vanity Fair where you can get the details on fit and where to buy.

#VanityFairSport #MyBestFit