How to transform your morning routine for better heart health

Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to exercise? You're not alone.

HRI ambassador Libby Babet, is one of Australia's leading health and fitness experts.

When Libby was diagnosed with chronic hypertension in her early 20s, with blood pressure more than twice safe levels, she was told she'd be on medication for life and probably never have kids. Healing herself through the right kinds exercise and nutrition, and getting off medication was the start of her life-long mission to inspire others to move more, eat better and live life to the full.

Here are her top tips for a morning fitness routine for better heart health.

"The best fitness advice I can give if you’re feeling overwhelmed and time poor is this magic morning routine. It’s not hard, and you can do it afternoons to ‘log off’ too.

• Get up to your alarm. Don’t be tempted to keep hitting the snooze button. When the alarm goes off, get up. If you plan to exercise straight away, lay your clothes out the night before.
• Don't look at a screen first thing. Look at the sky for a few minutes - it shifts those groggy tired feelings, even better if you can sip some warm or room temp water at the same time to rehydrate your body after sleep.
• Move your body. Commit to moving your body for 15 minutes in whatever way is possible for you today. It could be a home workout/stretch or better yet, a brisk walk outdoors.
• Know your blood pressure: It was a shock to me to be diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure as a fit 20 something. Knowing I had high blood pressure helped me make changes so I’m not at risk of a debilitating stroke. People need to know their blood pressure.
• Stick to the new routine: Progress can happen quickly if you stick to a routine. You’ll start to feel better, mentally from day one, physically in a week or two. Small effort equals a big outcome and a micro-habit that leads to a life-changing habit.

This morning routine will make you feel a million bucks! But if you can’t make it happen, do the same thing at lunch time, or as your switch off routine between work and home in the evening. Call it a “night walk adventure” and bring the kids along if you have too!"