I Tried Oprah’s and Six Other Famous People’s Morning Routines. These Are My Thoughts

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Some people live and die by their morning routines, and I was one of them until I did this. I knew my morning routine could be improved, but I’m indecisive and wanted to test a few options out before I changed things up. So I tried different celebrities’ morning routines for an entire week to see if they worked better than mine. Spoiler alert: They did.

It wasn’t easy to find the morning routines. I am a creature of habit and the mornings have and will always be my time. My original morning routine was:

7:30-8 — Wake up
8:15 — Shower
8:30 — Yoga
9 — Affirmations and coffee
9:30-11 — Work out
12pm — Start day

When I started researching people’s morning routines I held tightly the things I thought I couldn’t give up. I wanted to keep my affirmations every morning because they help my mental health and mental health comes first. I also intermittent fast, so I couldn’t pick a routine that was heavily centered around food that I couldn’t just replace with coffee. While I’m okay with getting up earlier, waking up before 5 in the morning just doesn’t really make sense for my lifestyle and is really not fun.

I did come into this experiment wanting to know if my routine really was working for me or if there were some elements I would like to tweak or replace. I was open to maybe falling in love with waking up at 6 in the morning and going for a run. 

So with all that said, here are the routines I tried!

Saturday Morning: Julianne Hough

Who she is:

a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, judge on America’s Got Talent, actor, singer, and entrepreneur.

Her routine:

6:10 — Wake up, open curtains, put on music, and drink lemon water
6:11– 15 breaths in and out of the nose with arms going up and down for 3 rounds. After every round, she thinks of something she’s grateful for. Then she does another breathwork exercise that is in and out through the mouth 30 times and 3 rounds.
6:15-6:25 — 20 minute meditation 
6:25 — Write a stream of consciousness and all the anxieties and issues down. 
6:30 — Look in the mirror and tell yourself how beautiful you are and how worthy you are. Also slap your cheeks.
6:36 — Drink a KINRGY Green juice
7:00 — Go on a run
8:10 — KINRGY class
9:15 — Another shake and reflection on the process of where the food came from and putting away electronics (you can read a book here too)
10:40 — Shower and freshen up
11:11 — Get to work

My Review

Gooood morning! I did Julianne Hough’s routine first because in the first batch of routines I found it was one of the earliest rising ones and I wanted to get it out of the way. I quickly learned how difficult it is to follow a minute-by-minute routine set by someone else. I woke up on time by some miracle, but then I found myself playing catch-up and trying to make my coffee during my meditation that I only had five minutes for. I replaced Julianne’s KINRGY Green Juice with black coffee because of my intermittent fasting.

I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would this morning. I think the breathwork really helped wake me up and get my blood flowing. I actually loved running and, while I did walk for a bit, I burned more calories in a shorter amount of time than I had ever done before. I did a KINRGY class on my FitOn app and then sat down to reflect and read a book. 

All in all, I loved this routine. If I were to take anything from this routine and put it in mine, I would do the hour long walk/run every day, but I would replace KINRGY with yoga and then not have so much time to just sit down — I’m very much a get up and go kind of person in the mornings.

Sunday Morning: Oprah Winfrey

Who she is:

Oprah has written books, as well as starring in her own show, starting her own website, and being one of the most influential women in America.

Her morning routine:

6:02-6:20 — Wake up
6:20 — Let the dogs out and brush your teeth
6:25 — Make a coffee
7:00 — Go to the home gym
7:10-7:30 — Elliptical
7:30-8 — Walk on the treadmill 
8-8:05 — Sit ups
8:05-8:25 — Meditate
8:30 — Breakfast

My Review

I loved this routine because it is very similar to mine — just two hours earlier. I woke up and was about to quit this article today. My legs and knees were sore from the run yesterday and I stayed up way too late the night before. But I got out of bed, made my coffee, and walked to my gym.

My neighborhood gym’s elliptical machine was broken, so I did the stair climbers for twenty minutes. That was a mistake and I was dripping sweat by the end of my session. I then opted to walk outside and around my neighborhood instead of on the treadmill. I loved this time of being in nature and in the cool morning air. I also don’t really love the gym because I sometimes feel trapped and I don’t love being around people that early in the morning. I rounded off the routine with some sit ups and meditation. I finished the routine by jumping in the shower and getting ready for my day.

I like this routine because it’s not too detailed. It’s broader than Hough’s and more go-with-the-flow. I had filled out two of my Apple Watch circles before 9 o’clock and I felt really accomplished. I don’t know if my body would ever let me do twenty minutes on the stair steppers again and that’s okay! I will say the meditation on both days really showed me that I need to start meditating more because I suck at it.

Monday Morning: Barack Obama

Who he is:

The 44th President of the United States and one of my favorite famous people. 

His routine:

7 — Wake up
7:15-8 — Work out (weights and cardio)
8-9 — Breakfast

My Review

I wasn’t supposed to do former President Obama’s routine today. In fact, I spent a good twenty minutes last night deciding the exact routines that would be best for every day, and this wasn’t it. But I slept through my alarm and woke up at 6:59. I didn’t want to waste the day, so I did some quick thinking and adjusted to his schedule. 

Surprisingly, this schedule was actually perfect for today and very familiar to me. Not only did I get to sleep in for a bit, but I also was greeted with familiarity. Former President Obama’s morning routine is close to my normal routine, but instead of yoga before coffee, he does cardio and weights. I’m not going to lie, I’m dragging a bit when I write this because I haven’t had all my coffee yet. But I also couldn’t have done some of the other routines because it’s pouring rain up here and my gym has more broken equipment than working. 

While this routine only has a 45-minute workout that burned significantly less calories than the others I’ve done, I still really liked getting up and doing the hardest thing first. I went on to do KINRGY after my coffee. 

I love the simplicity of this routine and how it ends at 9 o’clock. While he goes to work I go back to a workout, but you could take a shower or read or anything. I think my favorite part of these routines right now is that I’m waking up earlier than I have in four years and I’m really enjoying it! 

A quick reflection is that this routine gave me the most energy. I slept in the longest and while it burned the least amount of calories, I did go on to do an hour of dance. I was energized and ready for the rest of the day!

Tuesday Morning: Doctor Mike

Who he is:

YouTube’s “sexiest” doctor goes on YouTube and answers his subscribers’ most pressing medical questions in the easiest ways possible.

His routine:

6:30 — Wake up (don’t hit that snooze button!)
6:31 — Open up the shades 
6:32 — Make your bed
6:35 — Brush your teeth (and floss!)
7:00-7:30 — Feed your dog and feed yourself (unless you’re intermittent fasting that day)
7:30-7:45 — Take your dog (or yourself) on a walk
7:45-8:15 — Get on the stationary bike
8:30 — Do your hair (blow dry it!)
8:45-8:50 — Sit down and be mindful — what emotions are you feeling? What’s bothering you?
8:50 — Get dressed and make sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing

My Review

I have to say it. So many of these celebrities are telling me to open my curtains and it’s still dark out. I’m not a fan. Anyway, I had a great morning “with” Dr. Mike. I changed his routine up a bit to fit my needs — I don’t have a dog, so I just made black coffee for myself instead of breakfast. I also drank it after I brushed my teeth, so that was a little odd. My gym’s stationary bike is also broken, so I just merged the two workouts and did a hybrid jog/run/walk for 45 minutes.

I really liked the element of stillness in the morning. I was adjusting to the day and waking up at my own pace for an hour and I really appreciated that. I also did the five minutes of mindfulness which is really helping me because my mind is never quiet. I love all the quiet times I’ve had in these morning routines. 

Finally, I got dressed and did my hair at about 10:30 because I did an extra little workout after my run. 

I love elements of this routine and it fit really well into my schedule and my pace of life. I was done with all my morning things by 10:30 and now I can just relax!

Wednesday Morning: Tim Ferriss

Who he is:

Tim Ferriss is, by all accounts, a badass. This man is listed on the Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and one of Fortune’s “40 under 40.” He also is an author of a really popular book called The Four Hour Workweek.

His routine:

9-10 — Wake Up
9-9:20 — Meditate 
9:25-9:35 — Drink strong tea
9:35-9:45 — Journal for 5-10 minutes
9:45-10:30 — Eat a small breakfast
10:30-12 — Workout for 20-90 minutes

My Review

The one thing I’ve tried to do consistently in these morning routines is adapt people’s routines to my own, but keep the structure. This morning, I decided my wakeup time would be 6:30. I don’t think this changes the heart of his routine, I just knew that if I woke up at 9:30 after waking up early all week, I wouldn’t feel great. Plus, I have a to-do list as long as my leg today. 

I woke up and went straight into meditation, which was nice. I am improving on being quiet (fingers crossed that stays the same) and I can make it to about thirteen minutes until I want to start jumping up and down. I took his wording of “strong tea” to mean “coffee” and then I sat down to do my affirmations and reflect on the day. 

I decided to stick to the routine that I’ve been copying for the week and do a run/walk/jog for about 45 minutes, then KINRGY and dance for 40 more minutes. I really shouldn’t have started with what I think will be my favorite routine. I am 5 minutes short on his 90 minute workout limit, which I felt was fine because the time allotted is based on how you feel that day. 

I think I’m becoming a bit more of a morning person now because of these routines and I’m really starting to love elements. I wanted to take this routine home by taking a cold shower — Tim Ferriss is well known for taking ice baths, but I decided to choose life. 

Thursday Morning: Dempsey Marks

Who she is:

Dempsey Marks is a badass personal trainer, yoga instructor, ironman triathlete, runner, and creator of the Pregame Fit lifestyle program.

Her routine:

7- 7:30 — Wake up
7:30-7:45 — Try to remember dreams. Marks says, “I believe [dreams] are crucial to our emotional and mental health. I love getting a quick glimpse into my inner mind and creativity. It’s usually funny and revealing” 
7:45-8 — Check your phone, but don’t check social media
8-8:30 — Coffee
8:30-11 — Work out

My Review

I slept in today! I set my alarm to go off at 6:30 originally, but when Alexa blared my wakeup time, I chose life again. This routine was the first one I found and it is almost exactly like my original morning routine.

I did my morning mindfulness and affirmations while I drank my coffee and then I went on an hour-long walk, which was so nice. After that, I did a little bit of kickboxing and some dance. 

I completely understand that not everyone is a professional athlete and working out for two and a half hours is a little crazy. I only did about an hour and a half when I added all my time up, but it still left me feeling great. 

As a whole, I like this routine but because it’s exactly like mine, I can easily see some flaws. I don’t think it’s sustainable or realistic to assume you will have two and a half hours every day to work out. If you are going to do that, maybe wake up an hour or two earlier, but then you might be more tired at the end of the day. I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the juxtaposition between being done with some routines by nine and burning more calories than now when I’m trying to play catchup to the mornings that I’ve had all week.

Friday Morning: Michael B. Jordan

Who he is:

Michael B. Jordan is an actor and producer. He is best known for his role in The Black Panther, but also has been in Creed, Just Mercy, and many other movies.

His routine: 

5:00 — Wake up
5:01 — Go back to sleep
5:45 — Wake up
6:00 — Shower
6:30 — Meditate
7:00 — Breakfast
8:00-8:45 — Work out (one of 3 workouts)
9:00 — Get dressed and go for a walk around NYC

My Review

The final routine! I woke up at 5:45 and was not having it. But after I showered and meditated (I might have fallen asleep during this session) I was feeling great. I grabbed my cup of coffee and sat down to do my affirmations. I felt really awake and energetic, despite getting up before the sun again.

I did a few HIIT workouts, as well as dance and KINRGY. Then I went on a walk for about an hour. I had a ton of energy all throughout my morning. Working out wasn’t too easy but I think that’s because I was feeling a little sick. Once I went on my walk, I felt like I could conquer the day. 

I liked this routine because it was pretty basic and similar to what I’ve been doing, but it also had the early element that I really want to start embracing. 

Final Thoughts

I have spent a disgusting amount of time Googling celebrities this week. I swear I have seen every video Elle or Vanity Fair has posted on their YouTube telling me how to get this celebrity’s glowing skin with their routine. That being said, I think this is the most fun I’ve ever had researching for an article. 

I loved the routine that I had going on for about two months now, but this process made me learn that there is always room for improvement and there are elements that I am going to start incorporating every day. 

If I were to rate these routines I would obviously put Julianne Hough’s in first place. Surprisingly, I would put former President Obama’s in second, followed by Dr. Mike, then Oprah. I will say that the routine that left me the most energized and accomplished was former President Obama’s, but Julianne Hough’s just created such a wonderful workout routine that I am forever grateful for. 

I’ve learned three important lessons through these routines:

1. Listen to your body and go from there when you’re tackling each day.

2. Change up your routine and workout schedule and you’ll burn more calories.

3. You can be a morning person if you want.

I loved doing these routines more than I can say and although my partner doesn’t love me calling him at six in the morning bursting with energy, I think I’m going to stick to elements of all of these routines from now on. 

Did we miss a routine you’d like to see me try? What’s your morning routine like? Comment below!

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