Category Archives: Workouts

Ready To Run {Survey}

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I first saw this survey almost a month ago on Becky’s blog and figured I’d fill it out someday. Since I’ve got a run on deck this morning and still have some time before my running partner’s alarm goes off, today seems like a good day for it!   
1. Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail? Mountains are beautiful and all, but the beach trumps all in my book. 

2. If you could choose the flavor of Gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be? I’d run past the Gatorade station and reach for water instead.

3. If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it? Ah, this question…The struggle is real. I’ve legit been staring at the screen for a full minute now, obviously taking this survey to heart (much more than is required or recommended). Indecision…Okay, accessories – some new socks and headbands.

4. Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run? Wing it, for sure. At this point in my life, running is a hobby I enjoy rather than a requirement. Deciding day of how far and fast I will run based on how I’m feeling is the reason I still love it.  5. Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill? I’d prefer the hills in the middle. If that’s not an option, I’d choose uphill on each.

6. When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do? Power Yoga!   7. What is your preference—> Out and back, point to point or loop runs? Either out and back or loops. 

8. If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, it would be a—> Motto – Something that keeps you going and feeling inspired! 


9. Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs? I’ve seen a fox and an armadillo.

10. Ever gotten lost while out on a run? Ha – YES. Many times – most recently in Dallas last summer. My friend and I left our hotel for a quick 3 miler turned 5 miler 😉  11. If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days… what would that meal be? 30 days, that’s a commitment. Protein pancakes – more on those tomorrow.


12. Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often? Depends on the temperature – I prefer shorts. 


13. At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go? I’m usually geared up and ready to go in mile 1.


14. What do you do with your key when you run? Hand it to my husband 😉  15. If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be? I won a cross country meet in high school (let’s be clear – it was JV). Still, that was an awesome feeling!


16. What type of run is your least favorite type of run? Any that involves stomach cramping. 


17. What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on? The warm weather and knowing how great I feel once I’ve completed my workout for the day!


18. When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start? Typically from our front door. I sweat so much that I like to shower quickly once I’m home.


19. When running in daylight—> are sunglasses a must or an annoyance? I’ve never tried to run in them and I don’t think I’d be a fan of it.


20. When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting? Knowing that I would be sitting in someone else’s front lawn if I stopped. 


Reader Question(s) – What is your favorite place to run? Beach, Mountains, hometown, on vacation? What’s your favorite type of cross-training?

But I Don’t Want To {Workout} – Finding ‘Fit’spiration

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And just like that, we’re entering into the final week of July. How’d that happen? I keep seeing things on the calendar for August and September, feeling like they’re so far off, and then realizing they’re actually right around the corner. Summer (weekends, especially) seem to fly by and the past couple days were no exception. We managed to pack in a good mix of fun and relaxation and even included a couple workouts into the weekend lineup. 

I was having difficulty motivating myself to work out on Saturday morning so I asked Dan to call out a number and an exercise leading to what was ultimately a kick butt sweat session, complete with a little bit of everything. It provided just the inspiration I needed to get my booty moving.   Even though I love working out, I have my fair share of days that I feel less than motivated. So, I put on my workout clothes (just kidding, I’m always wearing them), fill up my water bottle, and think about how great I’ll feel afterwards. If that doesn’t work, here’s where I turn for inspiration –

Deck of Cards. I’m pretty sure Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels made this one famous. Each suit = an exercise (burpees, squat jumps, pushups, hip lifts, etc.) and the card value = the number of reps. Face cards are each 15. 

Fall Back Favorite. I’m not always up for HIIT. On the other hand, walking and yoga almost always sound enjoyable. So, on days that I’m not feeling it, they’re my go-to workout. Online Videos. I especially love the Tone It Up ladies, Karena and Katrina. Some days, I’ll combine a couple of their quick videos for a complete workout. And today, I’m checking out Grokker for the first time.

The couch 😉 As much as I enjoy working out and love how great I feel once I’ve completed a class or circuit, I also know that my body craves some R&R (read Netflix and brownies) at least once a week. It’s good for the soul.

New bling. Or, you know, a new tank top or two. This one may seem silly, but there’s something about a fresh outfit that always inspires me, which could explain why I picked up a new pair of kicks over the weekend. More about those in tomorrow’s Treat Yourself Tuesday post.

Your turn – Where do you look for inspiration to get your sweat on? Have you ever tried the deck of cards workout?

Workout Wednesday

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Hey guys! Hope your day is off to a great start! I’m popping in to share a quick workout with y’all – get ready to sweat 😉

I have a personal training client who’s heading on vacation and asked me to put together a workout program for her. Since she won’t have access to the ropes, exercise balls, and other equipment we often use, and most likely won’t want to spend all her vacation hours exercising, I put together a high intensity body weight workout.

While I know that some people like to use vaca as a time to break free from everyday life, including working out, I tend to get a little stir crazy, and frankly, a little cranky, if I don’t get my sweat on regularly. So, in case any of you share that trait with me, I figured I’d pass along my go-to traveling workout routine!  Reader Questions – Exercise on vacation, yay or nay? Are you traveling this summer?

My Favorite Do Anywhere Workout

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The gym is definitely one of my happy places and I feel like a kid on the playground hopping around from boxes to ball slams and ropes. That being said, I know that life stuff – like finding the time, money, babysitters, clean leggings, etc. – can get in the way. So, I’m coming at you with one of my favorite sweat blasting routines that I’m currently amping up to do this morning.

Less than an hour, no equipment needed, pajamas optional, sports bra necessary. 

 

I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet so that I can go drink my Spark and get this sweat session started! Have a great day 🙂

Reader Question – What motivates you to workout?

#NoExcuses Workout Routine

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Happy Monday and MLK Day! Hope y’all had a great weekend. Mine included a calzone as big as bigger than my face and a lot of football watching. So I’m back to the workout grind today and I’m sharing one of my new favorite routines, complete with glamour shots demoing the exercises.

I warm up for almost every workout with yoga. Sun Salutations are my favorite way to link up my body and breath. If you’re unfamiliar with Sun As and the breath pattern, it goes like this – Rise up, inhale. Forward fold, exhale. Halfway lift, inhale. High plank to low plank, exhale. Upward facing dog, inhale. Downward facing dog, exhale. Look forward, inhale. Exhale, step or fly. Repeat!

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And then it’s kettlebell time. If you don’t have a kettlebell handy, all these exercises can be completed with a dumbbell as well.

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Today’s Sweat Pink #NoExcuses Challenge is 30 seconds of mountain climbers, so if you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can also add those after each round!

Reader Questions – What did you do over the weekend? What’s your favorite Winter Workout?

Staying Active While Traveling

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Happy Friday! With the holidays right around the corner and plans to travel out of town for many of us, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite ways to stay active while traveling.

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I love to travel, for the time with family and friends, excitement, new experiences, and tasty food and drinks that it entails. With that being said, it’s easy for my workout schedule to be thrown off while out of town. And by thrown off, I mean, nonexistent. While I don’t always need or have time for a full 45-60 minute sweat session, I do know that I feel better, mentally, physically, and emotionally when I incorporate movement into my day.

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Reader Question – What are some of your go-to ways to stay active out of town, especially during the winter months?

10×10 Sweat Session

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First things first, shout out to my fellow lovers of all things Fall. I was so excited to read y’all’s comments yesterday and to know that if we weren’t separated by 100s and 1000s of miles, we could host one heck of a Fall Extravaganza, complete with PSLs, crockpot apple cider, pumpkin scented candles, and infinity scarves.

I’m shifting gears today and sharing a new favorite workout of mine with you. The cooler weather hasn’t quite arrived in Texas yet, so this makes for an especially sweaty (and fun) outdoor session.

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If you’re looking for a new routine, grab your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, friend, dog, headphones, whatever, pump out this workout and let me know what you think!

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Reader Question – What’s your favorite outdoor exercise during the Fall months?

Staying Active During Summertime

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“Summer has always been my favorite season. I feel happier.”
-Zooey Deschanel

Happy June, y’all! I still get excited about this month because it brings out the feelings I had as a kid, eagerly anticipating summer vacation. I love all things sunshine, water, beach, and outdoors, so naturally summer is one of my favorite seasons.

I also love summertime because I feel like it promotes healthy living in a more natural and less forced way than the post holiday winter shred. I’m more active in the summer months and find exercise to be an enjoyable activity rather than something I have to do.

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite activities to get moving during this warmer (and sometimes steaming) season!

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Reader Question – What’s your favorite way to stay active during summertime?!

100% Workout!

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“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
― Howard Thurman

Writing, baking, watching football, faith, spending time with family and friends (dogs included, of course), traveling, and personal training are atop the list of things that make me feel most alive. Simply put, they play an essential role in creating a life that I love. So, it comes as no surprise that when I design a new workout, I’m excited to share it with y’all!

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I’m linking up with Becky’s ‘Treat Yourself Tuesday‘ because after completing 100 squat jumps, hip raises, ball throws, abs, and lunges with a side of 10 sets of stairs, there’s a good chance you’ll want to treat yourself to a bubble bath, decadent dinner, frozen yogurt, and a comfy spot on the couch 😉

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Reader Question – What’s your favorite treat after a workout?!

Thinking Out Loud – What Healthy Means to Me

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I realized today that I post dessert recipes a lot. Like a lot a lot. So much so that it may seem that I have Monster Cookies for breakfast, Oreo Cheesecake for lunch, and Éclair Cake for dinner. And sometimes, I do 😉 I like to think that in actuality I live a more balanced lifestyle than that. One that includes regular smoothies and sometimes even vegetables.

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I’m linking up with Miss Spoons today to share my thoughts on what healthy means to me.

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Healthy means living an active lifestyle, which includes walking our dogs, playing tennis, practicing yoga, running, and squat jumps, because they kick my butt in the best possible way.

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Healthy also means listening to my body and knowing when an afternoon on the couch, watching all the DVRd episodes of Ellen is just what I need.

Healthy means having a cookie when I want one and…

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Healthy also means noticing when I’ve had more cookies than Santa Clause on Christmas Eve and my body is craving something more.

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Healthy means going outside my comfort zone and trying new workouts.

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Healthy also means doing what I love as often as I can. And of course, encouraging others to join me. I became a Personal Trainer so that I could help others find what healthy means to them and in doing so, that they could live their best and most balanced lives.

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Tell me – What does healthy mean to you?!