Zomer in de stad

with Lienke de Jong

When I think of one of the fittest ladies in the country, I think of Lienke. This gym junkie is the queen of the seven o'clock workouts and the face behind Dear Good Morning. Every morning, just like me, she is in the gym at exactly seven o'clock to start the day off right. 2016 was her year, and she participated in a bikini competition among other things. After that competition, she decided to turn her life around and help her followers achieve their dreams as well. Recently, I stood with Lienke in an Italian gym in beautiful Rome (at seven o'clock, yes) and of course, I took that moment to find out how this early bird celebrates her summer.

Lienke tell me, it's summer...

What's in your glass?

‘A white beer!’

Where do you settle when the mercury rises above twenty degrees?

‘On a terrace or by the water.’

Your secret favorite spot to absorb extra, EXTRA hours of sun? Yes, we want your secret terrace.

‘Bar LouLou has a nice terrace, but I also enjoy sitting by the water on the north side of Amsterdam Central.’

And what’s on your plate?

‘A lot, in any case. If it's really hot, I love a nice fresh salad. Otherwise, a piece of meat.’

Which destination is on your ticket?

‘Copenhagen always makes me happy, but I'm also getting crazier about L.A. Oh, and recently I was in Serbia, Belgrade, and that's also a great city. And super cheap! Ibiza is also nice. Wow, can I also go on a world trip right away?’

The three ingredients you need for the perfect holiday?

‘Sun, luxury, and good food.’

What book are you reading this summer?

‘Oh dear, I must confess that I actually never read. You can find me splashing in the water, busy with a beach ball set or playing football with the locals. I can't sit still very well and prefer to do something active.’

And what’s coming out of your speakers?

‘Those delicious cheesy summer hits, like ‘Casanova’ or ‘I am walking on sunshine, whoooeeeeeee!”

Are you the tennis racket type or do your toes not come out of the sand?

‘Yes, absolutely. The more adventure, the better. After an active day, I love to flop down on a sunbed on the beach to chill for a bit. You will never find me on the beach for more than an hour. Yes, or playing in the water.’

Your tip for when there’s a long flight ahead?

‘Netflix and downloading offline series. Ideal; I always download documentaries and movies. And of course, set your Spotify to offline. If you fly with KLM, grab a shot of strong drink and you'll also sleep a bit faster.’

How does your ideal summer day go?

‘Sleep in a bit, exercise, and then enjoy being outside on a terrace or take a nice walk in a park or in the city. Ice coffee and later some snacks with a beer. I now also have a balcony for a month, so you'll see me there a lot of evenings.’

And what do you immediately grab from the closet to wear when it’s finally warm?

‘A dress, a short pair of shorts, and a tank top. In any case, relaxed and airy clothes. I sweat quite quickly, so especially clothes that aren't tight where the wind can flow through nicely.’

Where did you go on vacation as a child (what is your fondest memory)?

‘My parents really showed me the world, so amazing! I still remember the trips to Switzerland well. With a sleeper train to the mountains, we stayed in a little house and went hiking in the mountains every day. But Madeira also made an impression because of the amazing landscape. It was also super special when my grandparents went along once. You don't forget such moments quickly. My grandparents always surprised us when we were traveling. Wherever we were, they suddenly appeared on the doorstep. Amazing!’

Are you a luxury type or do you go back to basics in a tent and be green by the campfire?

‘In between is fine. I love luxury, but it doesn't have to be every time. Occasionally traveling a bit cheaper is ideal, so you can go more often. As long as I have a normal toilet and a shower nearby, I'm already satisfied.’

What do you do in the summer that you would never think of doing in the winter?

‘Wow, tough! I can't think of any drastic changes, yes, shaving my legs, haha!’

Are you team soft serve or team water ice?

‘Soft ice cream! I really don't like water ice; just thinking about it makes my teeth hurt.’

Your most delightful/funniest/hilarious memory of a holiday romance?

‘I was too busy playing or exploring the city that I had no eye for others. So I never had a holiday romance.’