Everyone thinks I have always been a morning person, that waking up before 7 is a sin. But I wasn’t always a morning person, it was a process.

It started in high school, wanting to work out before school, wanting to train for swimming in the morning before school. And let me tell you, it was hard. Here are some simple steps to becoming a morning person

1. Get into a routine

The biggest thing is getting into a routine. Going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time. If you pick a time you want to wake up and then slowly start working up to waking up at that time, and slowly go to bed earlier to make sure you get enough sleep.

2. Start going to bed earlier

Pick a time to go to bed. This goes a long with getting into a routine. I started to going to bed around 9. I would read a book and try to be asleep around 10, if not earlier to wake up at 5. (But when I got to college, it turned into being in bed by 10 to get up at 6.)

3. Set out everything for the next day, the night before

Before I go to bed at night, I try to lay out everything for the next day. I lay out my workout clothes, my clothes for class, and put together my backpack and lunch so my morning goes smoothly and I don't forget anything.

4. Working out and showering in the morning

Getting up and getting a good workout in and shower before class is what helps me get going in the morning. The mornings I don’t shower in the morning, makes it hard to get moving. Working out in the mornings has been proven to be more effective and better for your health. Getting into a routine for working out in the morning is what helps me get up on time in the morning.

5. Set goals for the day

I always make a to do list of what I need to accomplish for the day. I write out everything that is due for the week and what needs to be accomplished each day.

6. Make Breakfast (or at least eat breakfast)

I am a big breakfast person. I need to eat breakfast to make it through the day. Getting in a good breakfast helps me keep my morning going. I usually try to make eggs or have a bowl of cereal. When I know I have a busy morning or have to be at work or class early, I’ll make hard boiled eggs for on the go. Eating a good breakfast helps start your morning off right.