Fitness

Life, Outfits

Let’s Get Physical: Everything You Need For The Best At Home Workouts

I’m normally not big on at home workouts but desperate times call for desperate measures, am I right? I could sit here and state the obvious, that these workouts are good for your health, but honestly the main reason I’ve been getting my heart rate up is to 1) avoid going crazy and 2) prevent butt sores from sitting all dang day. Sound all too familiar?

If you want to hop on the active bandwagon, the good thing is that you need little to no equipment for a lot of these at home workouts. While you can certainly use your own bodyweight, I personally ordered a set of 5 pound weights, a yoga mat, and sliders to make the workouts a little more intense. If you want to shop more at home workout gear, see below and then checkout the most highly recommended at home workout sources by all of you!

AT HOME WORKOUT SOURCES

HIP Fitness – I might be bias but y’all know that I’ve fallen with pilates over the past year (specifically high intensity pilates). They are offering new, free daily workouts on their Instagram live/stories.

Megan Roup– Have you seen all of those fun dance cardio videos all over celebrities’ Instagram accounts? Keyword fun. I’ve done my fair share of these and it’s quickly become my favorite source of cardio and that’s coming from a girl that hates cardio! Find all of Megan’s dance, sculpt and strength training on her Sculpt Society app.

Orange Theory Fitness– They are uploading free, daily workouts that you can do from home!

LuluLemon– Their Youtube channel has hundred’s of free workouts.

CorePower Yoga– The most recommended yoga suggestion from you all that provides free, on demand classes.

Beach Body– One of the highest recommended workout sources from all of you. You get the first two weeks free!

FitOn– This was another very popular response! It is a free app with workout videos ranging in intensity, time and focus areas.

Fitness Blender– Free on Youtube.

Blogilates– Free on Youtube.

One Peloton– Free 90 day trial. Get what you need to meet your goals, with a mix of running, strength, toning, cycling, yoga, meditation and outdoor workouts that only require your body weight.

Down Dog App – Yoga app that is free until July 1st for teachers, students, and healthcare workers and May 1st for everyone else. It is completely customizable for your skill and intensity level.

LOOK GOOD WHILE DOING IT

..or while not doing it! Here are some of my recent active wear finds while quarantined. Funny enough even when I’m not working out, lately I seem to be wearing active or loungewear clothes 24/7. So whether you just want some comfies for the couch or new workout clothes to inspire you to actually work out, I’ve rounded up a bunch of items that are currently on sale.

And if you are looking for some more workout outfit inspiration, here are a few of my recent activewear outfits that I’m still loving!

  • At Home Workouts
  • At Home Workouts
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Life, Outfits

New Year, New Rear: Talking Fitness Fashion and Fitness Goals for 2020

FITNESS FASHION

Nordstrom Fitness FindsNordstrom Fitness Finds

Bra: Zella // Leggings: Free People // Shoes: Adidas

Around this time every year is when the gyms are flooded with people attempting to kick their booty into gear. I have always had a fickle relationship with the gym and working out mostly because of my hip issues but 2019 was the first year I stuck with something fitness related. I found pilates and have never loved a workout more. With my new found love for Pilates, comes wanting to buy all of the cute work out clothes which can get expensive really quick. Why in the world are stretchy clothes so dang expensive?!

Now is a great time to stock up on quality active wear for the year. Nordstrom is having their Half Yearly Sale and there are some great finds in there. Zella, Adidas, Sweaty Betty and Beach Riot are some of my favorite brands that Nordstrom carries and I’ve also rounded up my favorite sale finds to make it easy on you below. Don’t forget Nordstrom has free shipping and returns so if you aren’t positive on sizing, I suggest ordering two sizes and returning the other. Sizes tend to sell out quickly so this is the best way to ensure you get the item you are wanting!

FITNESS GOALS

I get questions a lot on what I do to stay so fit and I’d be lying if I said it’s from a strict workout or diet plan. I struggle with both daily. Quick backstory, I had two hip surgeries in 2017 and honestly hadn’t done any sort of real workout since college prior to my surgery. Then after, I had so many issues that I barely did any sort of physical exercise, let alone workout. But this past year has taught me how rewarding it feels to work towards something and to push your body and mind further than you thought it could go. There is a small victory and dare I say small adrenaline rush that happens with each workout. Going into 2020 I want to put a stronger focus on my overall health and mindset.

Over the past year I’ve learned to love working out for multiple reasons. Obviously I have enjoyed seeing the fruits of my labor physically but mentally it has done wonders for me too! Working from home, sometimes my only break out of the house for the day is going to workout so it’s kind of become an escape. Running has done the same. On days I’m stressed or just need to clear my head, running helps so much. It’s crazy how a year ago I thought people who did these things were just torturing themselves. I don’t know what clicked for me in 2020 but I’m so glad it did. If you haven’t found a workout that makes you feel this way yet, keep searching. Pilates has been my saving grace.

Physically, I’ve noticed the most extreme amount of definition in my arms, abs and butt which are honestly the places I have always been most concerned about toning. I have loved Pilates because it does not involve much cardio yet still gets your heart rate up while being a full body workout. It’s definitely not easy but you can make the workout as hard or as easy as you want it to be. For those that are local to Houston, I go to HIP Fitness which is a megareformer class.

So what are my goals for 2020? Honestly I’d be happy with continuing on the path that I was on in 2019 but my main goal of this year is to add in variability with my workouts so I can start working new muscle groups. I also want to start adding in cardio as I am severely slacking in this department. While I love Pilates and plan on continuing to take it in 2020, I want to widen my range of workouts. So here are my specific goals…

Take at least 3 classes a week. 

Try a completely new class once a month. 

Start mixing in cardio once a week. Whether that be a long walk, *short* run, spin class or cardio based workout. 

Get a massage once a month. Again this goes back to overall health and mindset and I think can be included as a fitness goal as working out/stress can create tension and knots that make it harder to workout and perform other daily tasks. 

Eat dinner at home at least 4 nights a week. Of those 4 nights, try a new recipe once a week. 

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

*Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Outfits, Tuesday Trends

Tuesday Trend: Athleisure

**CLICK AN IMAGE TO SHOP THE ITEM DIRECTLY**

Whether you are making a point to hit the gym hard in 2018 or just want to up your comfy/stretchy clothes (no judgement here), athleisure is everywhere these days. Can I just say thank goodness it’s becoming more and more socially acceptable to wear leggings other places than the gym? Now people have no idea if you just had a 2 hour workout, are headed to a cycle glass, or rolled out of bed and pulled on yesterday’s leggings and that’s a beautiful thing 😉 If you aren’t ready to drop a pretty penny on this new trend, some of my favorite places to score affordable athletic wear are TJ Maxx, Target, OId Navy and Nordstrom Rack. See the rest of my picks below.

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