
Let’s talk morning routines! My parents just visited me here in San Francisco and we were joking about how much of a nightmare I was in the mornings growing up. I NEVER wanted to go to bed when my mom told me to, and was farthest from a dream when it came to waking up in the morning. Maybe every *teen* went through that, but now, I couldn’t be any more different! During college, I started taking 8am classes in my last few years of school, since I learned how awesome it was to cram all your classes into Tuesday/Thursdays. Ever since, I’ve gradually moved towards being a SUPER early morning person, like, 5am alarm on Monday through Friday early. I like getting my day started as early as possible because lets be honest, I rather be home relaxing after a long day of work, or sipping a happy hour glass of wine with a girlfriend rather than doing what could have been done in the morning before work (ahem, working out.)
Here’s what a usual morning looks like for me..
Wake up time
I set three alarms, always, no matter what I’m waking up for. During the week, it’s 5:15am, 5:20am, 5:25am. I get out of bed on the third alarm and immediately turn them all off in the alarm app.
Getting Ready Pt. 1
After (not) jumping out of bed, I take my workout clothes that I set out the night before and sneak into the bathroom using our connected closet light (so I don’t wake my partner, sleeping beauty :)). I then splash water on my face, use my tongue scraper, yes, a tongue scraper. The thing is life changing to say the least. I DO NOT drink water until I’ve scrapped my tongue. Bacteria sits in your mouth all night, and the worse thing to do is flush it into your body before using the scraper. You won’t be able to taste things the same after you use this thing!
Coffee
We have three ways we make coffee at home, french press, Keurig, or Nespresso. Lately its been the Nespresso. I go out to the kitchen to turn it on so that it heats up, then walk back to the bathroom to change and braid my hair.
5:30-5:40am
During the time it takes to change, the coffee machine heats up. I walk back out to the kitchen to press brew on the machine — now you probably see why I usually don’t use the french press as its way more time consuming on the weekdays!
While the coffee makes itself over the course of 30 seconds, I drink a large class of water with Chlorophyll drops and take a Women’s Probiotic.
After my water, I add a scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen to my coffee, along with cinnamon and a dash of Califia Oat Milk or MALK Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.
Then, I turn on a lamp in the living room and quietly drink my coffee for a few minutes and read 1-2 pages of The Daily Stoic. I’ve been proactively trying to take a few moments before my days start to practice simple forms of gratitude or philosophical insight.
This whole process only takes about 15 minutes, with absolutely no time to spare. 🙂
5:50am – Leave for the Gym
I leave the house by 5:50am for my 6am classes. I either drive down the road or walk depending on how far away the class of the day is. I usually switch off between Hot Bikram Yoga, Reformer Pilates, Hot Pilates, or Indoor Cycling. My trick with working out in the morning? Besides the fact that this is what feels best for my body, I love getting it all done in the morning and starting my day feeling awake and strong. If I left my workouts for mid-day or evenings, I’d probably never go, so this is what works best for me. I have used ClassPass for over four years exclusively (no regular gym). When you sign up for a class and don’t attend, you’re charged for the class and also loose the credits you paid. Same goes for SoulCycle, good luck getting your $35 back if you don’t make it. What better way to give a little kick to get out of bed?!
Getting Ready Pt. 2
I’m home by 7:10am at the latest from my workout and either shower or body shower depending on my hair situation that day. I also brush my teeth right away, which I don’t do before the gym because I finish my coffee on my way there. If I’m doing my hair, I’ll half-dry with a regular blow dryer and finish it off with my LIFE CHANGING Revlon Blow dry Brush, Chi heat protector, and Moroccan Oil.
Get dressed for the day and I’m out the door. I eat breakfast at work since it’s provided for us. You can see what I usually eat in a week in this post!
Please teach me! I do admire your routine!
Me too, I want to be your student.