Written on 4/22/2008 by Dan Boyle NASM certified personal trainer and owner of The Art of Weightlifting and Lifting Revolution.

You have probably read that breakfast, as part of your morning routine, is extremely important to losing weight. I am not discrediting the preachers of this sentiment because not only am I one of them, but they are 100% correct. However, this is only a portion of the ritual you should begin. There should also be some form of exercise involved, albeit a jog, weight workout, or something simpler.

Realizing that money is tight and time is tighter, let's discuss a quick workout that doesn't cost a penny and can be knocked out in no time. Short and free, this routine will boost your morning energy level exponentially, especially if your current workout only consists of a shower.

Sound good?

Great. Let's agree that if you are not working out already, you will try this tomorrow morning. Any takers? Is anyone willing to make a small change to their morning in the interest of increased energy, a better mood, and oh, less fat?

Good. Let's go.

When you get up, right after you eat your breakfast, do this push up routine:

1. Muster up some will, get down and pump out as many push ups as you can do.
   
2. Wait 30 seconds
   
3. Pump out more push ups (again as many as you can do)
   
4. Wait 30 seconds
   
5. Pump out more pushups (again as many as you can do and don't hold back… really push it!)

When you are done and you stand up, whatever the tired, sluggish, or "get out of my face" morning feeling you might have felt will have been replaced with an "I am the shiznit!!!" feeling.

Don't be surprised if you feel like pumping out a fast core routine. In fact go for it!

Here is a quick Core Routine that you can do:

1. Lie down on the floor
2. Lift your feet off the floor to about 6 inches while keeping your lower back on the floor
   
3. Scissor kick for 1 minute
   
4. Rest 30 seconds
   
5. Scissor kick for another minute

Good for you. You have done more than 99% of people typically do in the morning. It will also follow you into your day and make you be a lot more productive.

Not only have you eaten a great tasty breakfast that has revved up your metabolism, but you have shocked your muscles and woken them up to further boost your metabolism. Hey you are feeling pretty darn great… get off to work and kick some butt; life is good.

You just went through the ultimate morning… if you are one of the few that workout in the morning, don't worry I have something of for you too.

-Dan