By Jessica Migala for Life by Daily Burn
Photo: Pond5
Ever wonder how America's fittest maintain their healthy bodies -- and mindsets? Hint: It's not just good genetics and a coffee IV. They start their day with certain good-for-you habits that set them up for success from a.m. to p.m. Read on to uncover the one morning ritual that keeps each of these 17 fitness buffs at the top of their game. And don't worry, you can still pretend you #wokeuplikethis.
17 Healthy Morning Habits to Steal from the Pros
1. Get sweaty.
"As a mom to a 3-year-old and 7-month-old, time management is key. I get outside and move early! The sun and fresh air instantly energize me. Typically, I walk my dog with my kids in the morning, and we are all better for it. I also like bringing a workout like this full body dumbbell workout outside while my youngest naps. Exercising early in the day sets me up for success." -- Jess Allen, MS, CSCS, personal trainer in Chicago and founder of Blonde Ponytail Fitness
2. Catch a zen state of mind.
"I start my day with a short five to 10-minute meditation. This ensures that I begin in a peaceful, mindful mentality, and primes me for whatever comes my way. Doing this on a daily basis, even for just a few minutes, helps to keep my stress and anxiety levels in check." -- Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD, CSCS, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Daily Burn: How to Meditate (Even If You're Insanely Busy)
3. Drink a tall glass of H2O.
"One thing that I make sure to do right after I wake up is drink a tall glass of water. I'm a big fan of coffee (I wouldn't dare dive into my day without it!). But I've learned to start with water first, and I turn to it often in order to stay hydrated and energized throughout the day." -- Heather Hesington, personal trainer and blogger at Life In Leggings
Photo: Ryan Kelly / Daily Burn
4. Roll with it.
"On days when I'm not heading to work before my kids are up, I set my alarm 30 minutes to one hour before theirs to have a little 'me' time. I start with a large glass of water -- it's how I earn my coffee. Then I pull out the foam roller for some self-myofascial release while catching up on news -- multitasking is everything! I've committed to spending a little time each day on mobility and getting it done first thing has proved very effective." -- Dara Theodore, Daily Burn 365 trainer and instructor at The Fhitting Room in NYC.
5. Commit to a plan.
"I make my 'to-do' list before checking my email. This makes me feel like I'm in control of my day rather than being controlled by the never-ending inbox and people asking me for things!" -- Stephanie Mansour, health and fitness expert and CEO of Step It Up with Steph
Photo: Pond5
6. Fire up the abs.
"I take five minutes for a mini abs session to check in with my core first thing in the morning. It helps me make healthier decisions all day long! Whether it's what to eat at lunch, or whether or not to hit the gym after work, this puts me more in tune with my body and ready to treat it well!" -- Katie Dunlop, certified trainer, fitness instructor and founder of Love Sweat and Fitness (You can watch her full healthy morning routine here.)
7. Sip this feel-good drink.
"I start the day off with my favorite morning drink: a mix of hot water, a large splash of apple cider vinegar, the juice of half a lemon, plus a generous sprinkle of turmeric and cayenne. It can help to kickstart the metabolism, reduce inflammation and boost energy. I also find that I make healthier choices during the day when I take the time to sip this before breakfast." -- Gina Harney, certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and blogger at The Fitnessista
Photo: Pond5
8. Set a fitness date.
"I sign up for classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Even if my son has a bad night's sleep, I force myself to get to the studio with him in tow since there is babysitting! I can no longer sign up right before because of the limited babysitting spaces. It's good accountability or else I get charged for not showing up." -- Sarah Dussault, certified personal trainer, YouTuber and blogger at Sarah Fit
9. Get bulletproof.
"I mix a pad of grass-fed butter into my coffee for bulletproof coffee, then I get in cardio. I can't begin my mornings without this endorphin release!" -- Chris Powell, trainer on ABC's Extreme Weight Loss and co-author of Extreme Transformation: Lifelong Weight Loss in 21 Days
Photo: Pond5
10. Walk the pup.
"The first thing I do when I wake up is take my dog for a 20- to 30-minute walk. We live in a townhome without a fenced in yard, but I definitely enjoy the extra movement, especially since I spend most of the day on my computer. The fresh air, sounds of nature and movement start my day off well. It's almost like a form of meditation for me." -- Nia Shanks, fitness coach, writer and founder of Lift Like a Girl
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