It’s easy to tell yourself you’re “not a morning person.” And while that may be true (researchers think your DNA might help determine whether you’re an early bird or a night owl), there are plenty of ways to condition and train yourself to start moving before the sun even rises. Don’t just take it from us. Here’s how eight super-fit women wake up and kick ass day after day after day.
I Guzzle Some Serious H2O
“When you have to open the gym at 4 a.m., there’s a lot you can accomplish before 8:00! I try to consume a majority of my daily water intake, which is 30 to 40 fluid ounces, as soon as possible. I’m the type of person that will drink coffee over water any chance I get, so I try to get it out of the way early. I also like to give myself time in the morning so I don’t start my day stressed or feeling rushed. Even if it’s an extra 10 minutes, it’s nice to be able to enjoy the things around you every now and then.” —Christi Marraccini, training manager at Tone House in New York City
I Plan for Puppy Time
“After I wake up, I immediately drink a full bottle of water. I own a hot yoga studio, so I’m constantly sweating and need to stay hydrated. Plus, this act of taking care of myself sets my mind and body up for success. Then, of course, I savor a cup of black coffee. And I spend some time in the morning cuddling my fur babies before getting out of bed. It puts me in a great mood and starts my day with love. Plus, it’s a scientific fact that petting an animal decreases your stress levels, and pet owners tend to live longer. Just sayin’.” —Bethany Lyons, co-founder of Lyons Den Power Yoga in New York City
Related: 5 Must-Follow Rules If You Want To Get Strong
I Write Haikus. Seriously.
“I write a haiku as soon as I wake up. I realized I was becoming addicted to waking up and immediately checking my texts, emails, Instagram, and Facebook. Before I had even started my day, my mind was already working on 10 other things for other people. So I wanted to create a low-pressure commitment to myself—something that would activate my brain and make me happy as soon as I woke up. I literally start smiling when I write them. After I write my haiku, I post it on my Instagram Story—I love getting responses from other people sharing their haikus, which has been super unexpected and very cool—I turn on some music that suits my mood, which ranges from Prince to J. Cole to Michael Jackson to Drake. Then I’m ready to hit a 7 A.M. Cuerpaso workout with my brother, Tadeo, at Pit Performance LA.” —Maud Arnold, professional tap dancer, producer, and writer
Become a morning workout person with these simple tips:
I Dive Right In—to My Inbox, My Breakfast, and My Workout
“My body’s alarm clock is naturally set for 5 a.m. daily—whether I like it or not. I call 5 to 6:30 a.m. my magic hour. No one else is awake, so it gives me the freedom to focus without any distractions. I probably send upwards of 40 emails before 7 a.m. every day. I get up and eat breakfast, which is typically flaxseed crackers, a hard-boiled egg, matcha tea, and an apple or orange. By 6:45, my sneakers are laced up and I’m out the door to check on my studio, and to either do a workout there or somewhere else. And I always run to my workouts—it’s a 2 to 3-mile warmup to get to a HIIT or yoga class, then I’ll run back to my studio. Yes, all before 8 a.m.” —Olivia Young, founder of box + flow in New York City
Related: 'I Drank Matcha Tea Instead of Coffee Every Morning for a Week—Here's What Happened'
I Blast Tina Turner
“My day starts with an extra-strong cup of coffee with a side of Tina Turner. I blast my favorite Tina jams nice and loud to get me out the door for a morning run.” —Jeanie Tinnelly, co-leader of November Project Brooklyn (Dance your way fit with High-Intensity Dance Cardio, the first-ever socanomics DVD!)
I Get the Family Ready and Hit the Ground Running
“I have to be at work in the middle of Manhattan by 8 a.m., so I’m up four hours before the workday starts. I’ve always been a morning person, so the early hours aren’t terribly painful for me, but it’s also the only real way to fit in my training before work and family time. My alarm goes off around 4 a.m., then my husband and I get up, spend some quiet time together on the couch with a cup of coffee, then work on prepping for the day. I make lunch for our two kids, then I’m out running on the road or treadmill by 5 a.m. If I have a big workout, it can be as early as 4:30 a.m. By 6:00, I’m done running and begin the work-prep process: shower, hair, makeup, clothes, to be out of the house by 6:45. I have a long commute to the office from Staten Island, so that’s when I get to relax, take a breath, and catch up on a bit of sleep before the workday begins.” —Michele Gonzalez, 3:07 marathoner and creator of the blog NYC Running Mama
Related: This Is How The Fittest People On Earth REALLY Work Out
I Hit the ‘Booch
“I generally have a class or a client first thing in the morning, so I’m up around 5:30 and immediately drink a small glass of kombucha on an empty stomach. My stomach prefers that over coffee—the coffee comes later—and if I’m hungry, I’ll also have a hard-boiled egg or small banana. If I’m working toward a particular fitness goal—like doing a certain number of pull-ups or working on handstands—I’ll spend 10 to 15 minutes first thing working toward that before I get out the door. After training my client or teaching my class, I get my own workout in as soon as possible. I try to catch a 7:30 a.m. class and then I’ll do some weight-lifting on my own. Working out as soon as I can in the morning is perfect to get me sweating and ready to attack the rest of the day. And after my workout, it’s time for a hearty, protein-packed breakfast, generally involving eggs, oatmeal, avocado, and bacon.” —Diana Mitrea, co-founder of Stronger With Time and group fitness instructor at Equinox
