During the blizzard escorting us into the New Year, I had the opportunity to do a live call-in radio show focused on health, wellness and exercise. That morning, the 20-block trip to the radio station seemed like a trek to Siberia.

By the time we were 10 minutes into the show and my ears began to thaw, I realized that for some, health is easier to not only talk about but to “do” early in the morning. Our personalities and perceptions, our own Circadian rhythms and social styles are what drive our success in taking care of ourselves. If someone had suggested that I go for a run before that morning show, for example, the end result would have been failure. Staying in bed in warm pajamas would have been a more alluring choice. So it is very simple: How we approach our lives and the person we are on the inside, in that hidden place known as our “true self,” can help predict the success of starting and maintaining a healthy life. Knowing oneself is a helpful tool in avoiding excuses and guilt.

The first caller that morning was chipper and upbeat, and she said she had already taken her morning jog. After rising at 4:30 a.m. she stretched, put on reflective gear and a hat with a light on top, and took to the streets to jog for 45 minutes as she did every morning. It was her personal haven and the best way for her to start the day.  Several callers described the same schedule, waking early and beginning the day with the sunrise.

For others, this is a total nightmare, with rising before noon a huge hurdle. These are the people who turn their bedroom lights out at about the time the sun starts coming up. They can exercise at 2 a.m. but would never wake up to listen to a morning radio show, let alone break a sweat.

There are those who enjoy participating in group activities and get motivation from an exercise class, while many early risers prefer the sound of their own breath and the chirping of the morning birds to keep them company.

Before setting your health goals, really take a look at yourself, beyond that person you see in the mirror. Really try to figure out exactly who you are. Are you introverted or extroverted? Are you a thinker who might choose a team sport or more of an emotional type who would rather do yoga?  And most importantly, are you a morning person?

The first step in getting healthy is getting to know ourselves and finding what makes us happy. That way, we won’t plan to meet friends at a Zumba class at 6 a.m. when what we want to do is listen to the iPod and run alone before dinner. That special place where we hear ourselves breathe and feel our hearts pumping might in fact, turn out to be a place of sanctuary rather than a chore.