I tried Martha Stewart's morning routine for a week. Now I'm hooked on Pilates and green juice.

The workout helped me wake up, even though my brain struggled to keep up with the instructions.

Although reading and doing the New York Times games helped me wake up my brain in some ways, following a workout video was a different kind of challenge.

I might've caught up on the news and completed Wordle pretty quickly, but my brain wasn't quite ready at that hour to fully differentiate between left and right.

Doing a Pilates class felt a lot more productive than trying to figure out workouts on my own.

Being in the studio and having instructors check my form ensured I got the most out of the exercises.

Also, the reformers are just fun.

As a Pilates fan, I was excited to take the class, which was more slow-paced and breath-focused than others I've taken, which tend to work in more strength training and higher-intensity cardio.

After Pilates, my mood was brighter, my energy was higher, and I felt accomplished.

The class was both calming and challenging, and it felt like an amazing way to get me energized early in the morning.

Although my morning had felt rushed, the class helped me focus on my body rather than the schedule.

I felt stronger, more confident, and accomplished by the time I walked out.

I felt confident and energized by the time I commuted to the office.

In the hours before work, I had already exercised my brain and body, and I had a breakfast that covered most of my nutritional needs.

I felt great and was ready to have an amazing day.

The class was slow-paced, intentional, and intimate — ideal for the early morning.

Being only one of three people in the 7 a.m. class, the instruction felt tailored to my skill level. The slow-paced movement felt intentional as each of my muscle groups started to wake up for the day ahead.

The class also helped me warm up from the cold temperatures, while I watched the sun slowly rise from the studio's windows.

By the time I left, I was feeling accomplished and confident.

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