Guess what time I woke up this morning? 4:29 AM. Gross, right? Well, I have a lot of writing and editing to do, which calls for a number of super early mornings.
Writing a book is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be– especially when trying to balance 3 jobs on top of that. Holy stress. 
Anyway, enough whining. I like what I do and I’m happy.
At 4:30 this morning, I made myself a piping-hot mug of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea with a squirt of agave nectar.
After Mal left for work, I took a much-needed brain break… to dance with Murphy. 
Did you know that pugs love to dance? Murph and I rocked out to George Michael’s “Faith” while dancing around the living room. That song gets me singing along and dancing every time! Most of my favorite feel-good songs are from the 80′s or by Stevie Wonder. How can you not get up and dance when you hear “Sir Duke“?
Breakfast
Even though it was 57 degrees ( ) inside our apartment when I woke up, I still craved something cold and creamy for breakfast. I made myself a bowl of Stonyfield blueberry yogurt, Uncle Sam’s cereal, sliced almonds, apple chunks, and a scoop of Teddie peanut butter.
The mushy mess was delicious!
And, of course, I had a glass of iced coffee.
(It was much warmer in our apartment by 7:00 this morning. 
)
Question of the Day
Do you have a go-to song that always makes you happy? You know, when no one’s around and you dance around the room, singing at the top of your lungs… maybe with your dog in your arms?
{ 93 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Wow, I thought everyone would say Another Night Another Dream by the Real McCoy:) That’s the song I save for when I burn out and need a serious pick up on the stair master. Works everytime…
“Say Hey” by Michael Franti — my go-to energizing, happy-fun workout song!
Anything from the 80′s always makes me get up and dance. Me and my dog rock out to Motley Crue a lot
Obladee Oblada by the Beatles (I totally spelled that wrong!)
Cecelia by Simon & Garfunkle
Don’t Stop Believing by Journey (or Glee!)
hey tina! congrats on the book–and all the hard work your putting into it! question on breakfast when you wake up so early–i have been getting up ridiculously early to write too…..and i feel like it throws my eating and hunger cues off for the day….like to be on track i would need to have breakfast at 5 and then again at 8:30 (and sometimes i do!). do you typically wait so long to have breakfast, or are you just not hungry when it is so early?!
You Belong to Me – Taylor Swift
It’s such a cop-out answer but how can you NOT sing to that song?
honestly, anything by Michael Jackson. it just makes me wanna move!
Love Shack – B52′s
4:30 is pretty ridiculous if you ask me, but if that is when you are most productive AND you can actually get up, go for it!! I can always count on the song from Wicked “defying Gravity”. I will sing at the top of my lungs, and it always gives me a boost!!
Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston! Corny I know!!!!
Mmmm…your breakfast looks yummy! I will have to try it
yes I was up at 4:15..I always am on Mon and Tues because I start work at 5am…yes have to be there at 5…ahh teh perks of being a personal trainer haha but the GOOD thing is I am done for the day at 12:45! your breakfast looks SO good! I tend to always crave hot steamy oats in teh morning btu the days I have a cold bowl of goodness it is SO GOOD!!!
oh and fav jammin out song is “everytime we touch” by cascada!
I don’t know how you juggle so much Tina! After this book is finished, you need a vacation!
Faith is a good song
I went through a fascination with 80′s music for awhile, so Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” has gotten me through a few de-stress sessions…
Those mall pop-stars are awesome…
Why on earth was it 57 degrees INSIDE your house?! That is COLD!!! My go-to song is I Will Survive by Gloria Gainer! LOVE IT!
I love Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance at the moment- my go to song changes monthly! Good luck with your writing- it seems like you are balancing everything beautifully!
Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl!
“I can’t wait” – by NuShooz, or “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey … those def. both get me dancing
Oh man… I am with Katie on the Gaga love lately… however there are some other ridiculous songs that always get me going:
“Party Hard” or “She is Beautiful” by Andrew W.K.
“Make it Big” by The Beach Boys
“Extraordinary Machine” by Fiona Apple
“Joyride” by Roxette
Such a hard question so early in the morning! I love music in general, so I have a tough time picking just one song.
Probably “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode … but pretty much anything from the 80s, including the aforementioned “Jack & Diane” will make me want to move. My iPod is loaded with that kind of thing.
My feel-good song for running is the dance mix version of “Celebrate You,” which is the song in all the Disney commercials. It makes me think of running at Disney.
Wow! You were up quite early Tina!
I love listening to my first dance song for our wedding, Everything by Michael Buble. Always gets me in a good mood
Also, did I miss something? why was your house so freezing cold this morning!!??
@Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place: It’s always that cold! We rarely turn on the heat.
Dixie Chicks version of Landslide helps me to feel better.
ouch at 4.29am :s that’s basically still the day before!! You poor woman, you need a holiday!!
Can you feel it by the Jackson Five, I can’t help but shake the bootayy!
I like to listen to show tunes and dance around to pick me up.
Celebration by Kool & the Gang. Your blog is such a motivation and inspiration. I read it every morning.
@Good Taste. Healthy Me.: me too!!! theyre the best to get yo bootay movin
Best song of the moment is a Zumba song. Meaning we dance to it at Zumba. I love Zumba! Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti & Spearhead. This song makes me happy and even if I am in the car, I will dance along.
I always blast Lady Gaga and sing at the top of my lungs while cleaning house!
I’m with Angela — right now Lady Gaga is my favorite way to de-stress & be silly with music.
i saw a lot of my workout grooves on this list, right now i’m obsessed with walkin on broken glass
love 80′s music!
The song “Whole Wide World” by Wreckless Eric always makes me happy… check it out on youtube! I promise it works.
“faith” is running through my head now!
nina simone’s “my baby just cares for me” always makes me shake my booty a little
It’s embarrassing but my favorite feel good song would have to be “I like big butts.” I just have to start dancing immediately when it comes on!
Tina–do you mind sharing what time you go to bed so that you can get up this early? And any strategies for making it easier to get going early? I’m trying but not doing well with this and would appreciate any tips!
@Amanda: Depends on the night. Sometimes as early as 8:30, but other times as late as 10:30.
This is quite embarassing, but when something very happy happens, I sing MmmBob in my head… I’m 26.
@Tina: Thanks Tina!!
Thanks for reminding me I had some sugar cookie sleigh ride in my pantry! I love celestial seasonings tea!
Good Vibrations from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch… gets me everytime!
← Previous Comments