Here’s How to Boost Your Metabolism THIS Morning

Mornings can be super hectic trying to get out the door… we get it! We like to set our alarms earlier and take the mornings to prioritize our health. This is YOUR time to focus on you before work, family, and other obligations pop up. We set aside some time to meditate, reflect, and set our intentions. We promise this will make the biggest difference in your day! The mornings are also the best time to get your metabolism revving for the entire day.

With a few simple swaps to your sips, snacks, and workouts, you can actually boost your metabolism even before you brush your teeth. Try these four tips in the mornings and you’ll be burning up, glowing, and feeling super energized all day long!

Rise, shine, and sweat

It’s all in the timing. Getting your workout in first thing heats up your body and lets your metabolism know it’s time to burn! Your body is in fat burning mode after sleeping, so working out right when you wake up will take advantage of this state. Plus, exercising in the a.m. means your metabolism will be boosted all day, even as you run errands and sit at your desk at work.

We use the Studio Tone It Up app to hold ourselves accountable. It’s so much easier to wake up and crush a workout with a group of strong women cheering you on. With the Studio Tone It Up app, you can take workout classes with your girlfriends wherever you are, make new connections, track your workouts and goals, and receive endless support, encouragement, and love from this team! Download the app HERE!

But first, coffee

Java in hand… always ;) Coffee is not only KEY to making it to our early morning workouts; it’s also a major metabolism booster. And studies have found that coffee boosts levels of the hormone PYY, which helps keep snack attacks at bay. Not a coffee girl? No prob, green tea also has similar perks!

Power up with protein

Protein actually takes more energy to digest than other nutrients, so it boosts your metabolism just by eating it. We always have a smoothie made with plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free Tone It Up Protein within 30 minutes of our morning workout. Protein not only boosts your metabolism but also helps your muscles recover and keeps your skin and hair looking fab! We also love starting our days with delicious protein pancakes and muffins.

Wake up and drink up

Hydrating your body from the moment you wake up is essential. Drinking enough water has been proven to boost your metabolism by up to 30 percent! Squeeze in lemon or add sliced cucumber for a tastier sip. We like to keep a big glass of water on our bedside table so we remember to hydrate first thing!

What are your best metabolism-boosting tips? Share them with us @BritandCo and @ToneItUp!

(Photos via Tone It Up)

An essential part of your healthy lifestyle is taking some time to unwind and relax. Self-care is not selfish — we always say that when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to care for everyone else in your life. You’re a better partner, friend, mother, leader, and coworker.

Today we’re sharing five tips to care for YOU, mind, body, and spirit. These will help you unwind, bust stress, and feel your best. You deserve it!

These tips are featured from your new Balanced and Beautifulbook! It’s the ultimate five-day guide to feel your most refreshed, motivated, inspired, energized, and relaxed. Every chapter is filled with workouts, recipes, girl talk, beauty tips, lifestyle advice, and mindfulness guides. Get your copy here!

1. Throw a Girls’ Night in. Relax with your girls! Pick up some wine or kombucha and ask your friends to each bring a dish or app they love. Then turn on one of your favorite movies — we always love Clueless, The Breakfast Club, or The Holiday. You can set the scene with dim lights and candles and fill the room with pillows and blankets to help everyone get comfy. And don’t forget the popcorn! We make our own healthy version on the stovetop and flavor it with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon and 1 tbsp. coconut sugar. So delicious!

2. Make a DIY face mask. Bring the spa home! We love this moisturizing avocado face mask:

1/2 ripe avocado

1 tsp. plain yogurt

1 tsp. honey

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients.

2. Apply to your face and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and a washcloth.

3. Get out for a stroll. If you’re having a stressful day, take a 10-minute walk on your lunch break or go for an evening walk with a girlfriend. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins, which can combat anxiety. The sounds of nature will soothe you too. You can also take this opportunity to confide in your girlfriend or call your mom! Sharing your feelings is so therapeutic and will immediately help you feel more relaxed.

3. Namaste away stress. A yoga class always give us relaxed, happy vibes! Plus, research has linked yoga to decreased stress levels. Make a yoga and brunch date with a girlfriend or schedule one of the amazing yoga classes in your Studio Tone It Up app.

4. Watch the sunset. This sounds so simple, but watching the sunset can be a powerful way to unwind and connect with yourself. Make it a tradition and no matter what you’re doing, aim to power down your computer and put away your phone and be present in the moment. As you watch, take a minute to reflect on your day and everything you accomplished.

What are your favorite self-care ideas? Share them with us @BritandCo and @ToneItUp.

(Photos via Tone It Up)

A new month means plenty of new Netflix shows to watch. And boy oh boy is April a great month for TV! Netflix literally has something for every kind of TV lover this month. The final season of You, medical dramaPulse, and the romantic Western Ransom Canyon for anyone who's already missing 1923.

Here are the 9 best shows on Netflix in April 2025.

1. Black Mirror season 7 — On Netflix April 10, 2025

Parisa Tag/Netflix

Black Mirror is finally back and the new episodes promise to be just as crazy as the stories everyone's already obsessed with — including a sequel to "USS Callister."

Black Mirror season 7 premieres April 10 and stars Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Jimmi Simpson, Michele Austin, Harriet Walter, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Will Poulter, Chris O'Dowd, Billy Magnussen, Cristin Milioti, Osy Ikhile, Asim Chaudhry, Issa Rae, Awkwafina, Siena Kelly, Patsy Ferran, Emma Corrin, Ben Bailey Smith, Paul G Raymond, Rosy McEwen, Lewis Gribben, Milanka Brooks, Michael Workeye, Amber Grappy, James Nelson Joyce, Josh Finan, and Jay Simpson.

2. Ransom Canyon — On Netflix April 17, 2025

Netflix

Three ranching families intersect in Ransom Canyon, which has all my favorite things: romance, drama, and horses. Not to mention the incredible cast!

Ransom Canyon premieres April 17 and stars Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, James Brolin, Eoin Macken, Lizzy Greene, Marianly Tejada, Jack Schumacher, Garrett Wareing, Andrew Liner, Jennifer Ens, Niko Guardado, Casey W. Johnson, Philip Winchester, Kate Burton, Brett Cullen, Tatanka Means, Jaren Robledo, Justin Johnson Cortez, and Kenneth Miller.

3. Stranger Things: The First Shadow — On Netflix April 22, 2025

Matthew Murphy/Evan Zimmerman/Netflix

While we all wait for Stranger Things 5 this year, tune into this prequel stage adaptation, which follows the Creel family in 1959 Hawkins.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow premieres April 22 and stars Louis McCartney, Rosie Benton, Alex Breaux, Andrew Hovelson, Alison Jaye, T.R. Knight, Gabrielle Nevaeh, and Burke Swanson.

4. Battle Camp — On Netflix April 23, 2025

Camila Jurado/Netflix

All your favorite Netflix reality stars are competing in one giant reality competition — and their time is determined by a random, giant spinning wheel. And whoever becomes Netflix's ultimate reality competitor wins $250,000!

Battle Camp premieres April 23 and stars cast members from Love Is Blind, The Circle, Perfect Match, and even more Netflix shows.

5. You season 5 — On Netflix April 24, 2025

Clifton Prescod/Netflix

Joe is back for one last season of You — and this time, he promises it "is the last time" he's going to be tested by love. Yikes.

You season 5 premieres April 24 and stars Penn Badgley, Madeline Brewer, Anna Camp, Charlotte Richie, and Griffin Matthews.

6. Love On The Spectrum season 3 — On Netflix Now

Netflix

This Netflix show follows a group of people on the autism spectrum as they navigate love and dating. And the series is so good, it's already Emmy-winning!

Love On The Spectrum season 3 premiered April 2 and stars Abbey, Madison, Adan, Connor, Dani, David, James, Madison, Pari, and Tanner.

7. Pulse — On Netflix Now

Anna Kooris/Netflix

3rd year resident Danny Simms steps into leadership when Chief Resident Xander Phillips is suspended...right as a hurricane locks the hospital down. And all the secrets about Danny and Xander's relationship definitely aren't helping.

Pulse premiered April 3 and stars Willia Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Jessy Yates, Chelsea Muirhead, Daniela Nieves, Néstor Carbonell, Jessica Rothe, Santiago Segura, Ash Santos, and Arturo Del Puerto.

8. Adolescence — On Netflix Now

Netflix

13-year-old Jamie Miller becomes a suspect in one of his classmate's murders in this Netflix show. But the fact each episode is done in one shot is most shocking for a lot of viewers.

Adolescence stars Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, and Erin Doherty.

9. Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer — On Netflix Now

Netflix

Sex workers in New York City and Long Island had been disappearing when female remains were discovered in 2010. But questions remained until 2023, when corruption within the police force came to light.

Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is on Netflix now and is directed by Liz Garbus.

Tag us with your favorite Netflix shows on Instagram!

Hey, gorgeous! As trainers, we’re often asked our top tips for staying fit while traveling. One of our absolute favorite ways to sculpt gorgeous muscles anytime, anywhere is with Booty Bands. We’ve broken out our Booty Bands for a quick workout in just about every place you can imagine. (We actually just took them with us to Europe last week.) You can travel with them, use them in the airport, your hotel room, or take them outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery! If you don’t have Booty Bands yet, you can grab them here.

Today we’re sharing some of our go-to moves you can do while traveling to target and tone your cute booty — plus your legs, arms, and abs too! You can find even more amazing sculpting workouts in your Studio Tone It Up app. The app is your perfect travel companion for access to a variety of workout classes that you can join every hour. You’ll find yoga, kickboxing, HIIT, and more. Get ready to feel your healthiest, strongest, and most confident yet!

For amazing results, go through 20 reps of each move for a total of three rounds.

1. Booty Band Shuffle

Tones your outer thighs and booty.

Begin standing with your booty band above your ankles. With a slight bend in your knees and hands on your hips, take two steps to the right, then two steps to the left while keeping your booty low.

Do 10 reps in each direction.

2. Standing Booty Kickback

Tones your hamstrings and booty.

Begin standing with the band just above your ankles. Lift your right leg back behind you just a few inches off the ground while keeping a slight bend in your standing leg. Return your right leg down to starting position and repeat, then switch legs.

Do 10 reps on each side.

3. Booty Band Squat Jacks

Sculpts your thighs and booty and boosts your heart rate.

Begin with the band just above your ankles and feet hip-width apart. Jump both feet out and lower into a squat position, then jump back to starting position.

Do 20 reps.

4. Booty Band Arm Tap Out

Tones your arms, shoulders, and entire core.

Begin in a plank position with the band placed just above your wrists. Lift your right hand and tap it to the outside of your mat before bringing it back to starting position. Repeat with your left hand.

Do 10 reps on each side.

6. Booty Band Plank Lift

Strengthens your core, legs, and booty.

Begin in a plank position with the band around your ankles. Lift your right leg six inches off the ground, then lower it back down. Repeat move with your left leg. Alternate sides with each rep.

Do 10 reps on each side.

What are your favorite booty exercises? Share them with us @BritandCo and @ToneItUp.

(Photos and GIFs via Tone It Up)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

We've been teasing news surrounding Emily Henry's newest book Great Big Beautiful Lifesince last year partly because her enthusiasm made us want to learn everything we can about it. Fortunately, we're not the only ones because Cosmopolitan just shared an exclusive excerpt from its pages!

All it's doing is making us want to do is watch two writers fall in love while they unravel the enigma of the personality they may get a chance to profile. Ready to feel your heart racing as you get a glimpse of their personalities?

Scroll to read the thrilling excerpt from Great Big Beautiful Life!

Here's A Preview Of The 'Great Big Beautiful Life' Excerpt

Amazon

The excerpt starts off with Alice's POV as she's assessing Hayden's aloof nature. She says, "He can’t be as bad as he seems. And even if he is, it’s not like we’ll be spending time together," as they make their way to the Grande Lucia Resort they'll be lodging at (via Cosmopolitan).

There's an air of excitement surrounding Alice, but Hayden appears like he could care less about her enthusiasm based on these lines: "I glide back onto the mostly empty four-lane road that connects the mainland and Little Crescent and slow to a stop at a red light. Hayden’s in the next car over. He notices me too. I wave. He frowns."


While he does eventually talk to her, it's not like he's looking to be besties with his competition. From gruffly offering Alice a choice of days to interview Margaret Ives to lamenting the fact her hotel room is right next to his, Hayden doesn't seem like the kind of writer who's looking to be distracted. It could have everything to do with him feeling like he was "strung along for a month before even finding out" he and Alice would be in competition to secure the position of writing Margaret's biography.

It's apparent Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson aren't on friendly terms towards the beginning of Great Big Beautiful Life, but the excerpt Cosmopolitan's obtained paints a vivid picture of their enemies-to-lovers troupe. Though it's one of the most familiar book trends, Emily Henry refreshes it by adding the element of surprise to the novel's undertones. Lurking the two writers interactions with each other and the elusive Margaret Ives are hidden secrets that are ready to burst at their seams.

Listen To The 'Great Big Beautiful Life' Excerpt

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Hearing the excerpt aloud is making us even more anxious to stop everything to read Great Big Beautiful Life. Between us, we won't be surprised if this book's tapped for a movie adaptation too!

Follow us on Facebook for more book news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

A big ol’ Bavarian pretzel is the center of a massive buzz among Aldi shoppers right now. Fans across the internet cannot stop raving about the $7 frozen find, and many say it’s a total 10/10. Since we’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest groceries, we just had to share this one that carb lovers can’t afford to miss.

Scroll on to discover the frozen snack Aldi fans are simply obsessed with!

Aldi

The frozen find in question is the Bavarian Beast Pretzelfrom Milwaukee Pretzel Company. Described as the “perfect appetizer for gatherings,” this snack is crafted using a traditional German recipe. It’s also free from preservatives, artificial ingredients, and added sugars.

The best part about it, though? The fact that it’s huge. It easily feeds 3-6 people!

Milwaukee Pretzel Company

Soft pretzels are one of those foods that’s hard to hate. When you’ve got a luscious, bready twist covered in chunky salt, how could you possibly go wrong? Knowing this, it’s no surprise that Aldi fans had a hoot with the Bavarian Beast Pretzel once it hit shelves.

“This monster was delicious!!” one Reddit user commentedin r/Aldi. “It took my boyfriend and I two days to eat it and we enjoyed every bite. 😂”

“Had to buy another one,” another person said. “It’s pretty damn good for $6.99.”

“100% top five things we've ever gotten from Aldi,” one more Redditor announced.

Reddit

Compared to the classic Super Pretzel (AKA a freezer mainstay of our childhoods), shoppers say this Aldi version is “superior” and the difference between the two is “night and day.” It comes together super quick in the oven, too.

Shoppers are prepping their pretzels with everything from honey butter and bacon grease to cinnamon-sugar and homemade beer cheese – yum!

Reddit

With plenty of users saying their stores were sold out of the Bavarian Beast Pretzel, you should absolutely stock up if you’re interested in trying it for yourself. As one Aldi shopper warned: “Grab multiple if they have any left!”

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