I've been having a very hard time waking up, be it with three hours of sleep or ten hours of sleep. And then my dad told me he heard that exercising can give you extra energy in the morning.

So I decided to just kick start everything and make my mornings healthier for me and my waistline!

First, the exercise: I was looking up some tips, but everything seems to be so different, so I thought why not ask the people here what tips they can give me. There is just so much information I'm not sure I'll be able to pick a regime. I DO have one video, but I need simple things to start out with that will take about fifteen minutes.

Second, the food: I was wondering, what foods could you eat for a fast breakfast that give you energy?

I know that I could always eat fruit and drink some milk, but I would like some more options. Preferably very easy to prepare or grab and eat, but that is not required.

Well, if you want short term energy, anything with lots of sugar is a good idea, like cereal bars or super sweet cereals with no nutritional value.
But if you want energy to wake you up and last you through the day...Try cereal (something whole-grainy/complex starchy) and some eggs (hard boiled if you're in a rush, you can make them the night before).

As for exercise? When I couldn't get up for school, I forced myself out of bed and did a few jumping jacks to loosen me up and wake me up.

But I was also the queen of waking up 5 minutes before the bus comes. >__> Bwah. So take it with that thought in mind.
But at least I got to school on time every day. My sister would get up 2 hours ahead of time and always be late.../ramble

Like monstahh' said, it depends on if you want a quick rush of energy, or long lasting energy.

I found that doing a few yoga poses first thing in the morning help. I just wear my pjs and do 'Butterfly'(also known as the bound angle pose), 'palm tree' and 'downward dog'

If you want some good poses, this site is pretty good, for showing you step by step how to use each pose.
I take about 5 minutes of yoga before I get dressed, have breakfast and head off for the day.
Yoga Poses

Depending upon how hard you plan on working out depends on what you should eat and how much. Not saying this is set in stone, but it's a consideration.
When I worked out in the morning I would be running/jogging and doing various strength exercises (push-ups/sit-ups). Because of the intensity of the workout I wouldn't eat much, at most a banana and some water beforehand (I drank milk once and threw it all up, so not a good idea there). Drink sips of water while working, and make sure to eat plenty post-workout, again depending on the intensity.
I don't workout in the mornings much anymore, and I eat a bowl of cereal with blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and strawberries to start my morning. I have all of them washed and cut in tupperware so all I have to do is grab a few spoonfuls and it's ready. :P

Yoga seems like a very good option for you to begin with. If anything, you could start with lots of stretching. Stretching always seems to make me feel better.

Also, if after your workout you feel tired instead of energized then that means you are working out too hard. I used to do that alot.. xD

Awesome breakfast foods:

Fruits (apples and peanut butter!)

Yogurt (with or without granola or fruit)

Applesauce

A breakfast "smoothie" (Just throw some fruit, ice, and yogurt or milk into a blender)

Oatmeal or cream of wheat

Fruit & nut bars

Eggs on toast (scrambled, fried, either way it's pretty quick to make)

Turkey bacon!


Things to avoid:

Coffee

Most breakfast cereals (no fruit loops! :gonk:)

Whole milk

Excess sugar (sorry, no pop-tarts, pancakes, etc.)


If you need to sweeten your breakfast (like plain unsweetened yogurt), I recommend agave nectar. You don't have to use a lot, it's diabetic-friendly, and it doesn't taste weird like most sweeteners do (eww sweet n low). Also, it's liquid at room temperature, so it's easier to mix into drinks (like smoothies).

I agree with Syraannabelle, yoga in the morning is excellent =w=

I can't really comment too much on foods, since I'm a notorious breakfast-hater myself! XD But everyone else's suggestions seem awesome =]

Food: for energy almost nothing beats an apple. And the best possible protein you can consume comes from egg whites. The yolks are not bad for you either by the way. the cholesterol in them is the good kind. yes there's a good kind. oatmeal will stick with you for a good long time too.

Exercise: I would recommend some heavy stretching to get your blood moving. Then simple stuff like jumping jacks or jogging. Jumping rope is good too, it enhances your agility. You shouldn't lift weights. Your muscles won't be ready for it.

I'm all about yogurt for breakfast. I mix plain yogurt (protein) with stevia to sweeten it a bit, then add ground flax seeds (omega 3's!) and cut-up fruit (strawberries and blueberries) for my carbs. :D I also like an apple with peanut butter, but that's generally my nighttime snack food. :D

Really, anything that has a good amount of protein and some complex carbs is good for breakfast. Keyori mentioned a lot of the same things I would suggest, so look to her list for inspiration.

And if you don't like breakfast food, there's no reason you couldn't eat a sandwich, or a salad with some meat, for breakfast. :D