Favorite At-Home Workouts

I thought it would be fun to share a few at-home workouts that I've been loving lately! I surprisingly have a lot more schoolwork to do now that classes are online (not loving that), but still an ample amount of "free time," which I am doing my best not to spend entirely on Instagram or in my bed (can't say I'm doing that great of a job of that, but trying!).

Gift Guide: The Fit Girl!

After sharing about my half marathon experience, I thought it would be fun to do a gift guide specifically focused on fitness and wellness products! I personally have a few of these things on my wishlist this year, and a few others are current favorites of mine that I think any girl interested in health/fitness would love to receive!

Fitness Update + What I Eat

I have gotten a handful of requests lately to share an updated fitness/health routine, and I felt like now is the perfect time as most of us are trying to be a little healthier during the summer. While my fitness routine isn't really the best at the moment, I've been trying to eat healthier and do my best, so here's an update on what I've been doing...

Running Update & Playlist

Since the New Year I have been trying to share more running updates on my Instagram stories. I set a goal to work out at least three days every week, and so far so good! I find that mixing up my workouts is the best way to keep myself from getting burnt out and losing motivation. Usually my workouts consist of a run and then 10-20 minutes of strength exercises like planks, squats, ab exercises, etc. I should probably start bumping up the time (and effort...) I spend on that aspect of my workouts, but for now I'm enjoying playing around with running when it comes to pace, duration, and type of run that I do. 

College Fitness Update

image via jess's post on how to stay fit during the fall and holiday season!

A reader requested I share an updated workout routine, but I want this two be more of a discussion today than just me ranting on about what I like to do at the gym. What are your favorite workouts and how do you stay motivated to get in a good sweat? I'm chatting about my typical health and fitness schedule but I would love some inspiration from hearing yours!

Cool Yoga Clothes + My Yoga Experience

Having a yoga membership has done wonders for my quality of life already, and it has only been two weeks of nonstop practicing that has gotten me to this realization. I used to do yoga sporadically with my mom in middle school and early in high school, but I had turned to running and playing sports in the last few years. Purchasing a 30-day unlimited yoga pass was a spontaneous decision, but as soon as I took my first class I knew I would get my money's worth from the studio. Not only are the classes challenging and a great workout, but the people who surround me during class are my motivation to keep going, keep working hard, and keep showing up.

Running Playlist

    

I've been really trying to run more and it's not always the easiest thing to motivate myself to do. However, I know if I have a super fun playlist filled with my favorite upbeat songs, I'm at least a little more excited to work out. I made this playlist over the weekend and I've already told myself I'm going to run today and listen to it. I'm excited, I think it's a really good mix!

You can see the entire playlist here! What are your favorite running / workout songs?!

xoxo

3 Easy Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

The warm and sunny weather we've been having lately has done wonders to motivation on all fields. Mostly, however, I've been more inspired to blog (have you noticed?!) and to be healthy. Because I gave up chocolate for Lent and I've done a pretty good job of sticking to it, I've been eating less sweets and sugary foods, which has actually left me feeling more motivated in itself too. However, I know that cutting back on favorite foods can be challenging, so today I'm sharing super easy ways to incorporate a little fitness or healthy energy into your everyday life.

1. Wall sit while brushing your teeth | People brush their teeth anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, so why not spend that time wisely! Wall sitting for even just a few seconds is great for your glutes and quads and can really strengthen you over time if you do it twice a day!

2. Drink water first thing in the morning and last thing at night | I know it's super hard for some people to motivate themselves to drink water, but just downing a glass first thing when you wake up and then another right before bed is a great way to boost your metabolism for the day and again before you go to sleep. 

3. Start each day with a healthy breakfast | It's a proven fact that people who start their day on a healthy note will continue to make healthier choices throughout the rest of the day. Breakfast is the most important meal, so skipping it is terrible for your metabolism. Fruit salad, whole wheat toast, scrambled eggs, there are so many choices!

I hope I left you feeling inspired!

xoxo

My Workout Routine + Attire

Third health post in a row, wooo!! You're probably all thinking I'm turning into a health nut and this is slowly becoming the latest fitness blog. Ha, as if! I might attempt to eat healthy, but that doesn't mean I don't chow down on Skinny Pop and ice cream at night ;) However, I have been exercising a fair amount lately and today I will be sharing my attire and my routine!

jacket // tank // skirt (similar)

I run about 5 times per week, and I typically go for 3 miles. This is a really casual jog that I really only do to get in shape for field hockey. Because I play field hockey in the fall and track in the spring, summer and winter are the only months that I actually need to workout on my own. Running during the summer and then hopping on the elliptical at my gym in the winter seems to work pretty well. I wouldn't say I'm a huge running fanatic, but I don't typically dread my workouts too much.

More on my attire, because I like to do my fair share of field hockey (duh) and a little tennis, I love to sport running skirts. In addition to my collection of athletic shorts, I have a few running skirts which I find just as comfortable and even cuter than a basic pair of norts. I mostly wear regular old t-shirts when I run or go to field hockey practice, but I do sometimes pull myself together and wear a cute workout tank instead.

I partnered with DogVacay.com for this post, so make sure to check out this fun workout plan you can do with your dog at home to spice up your routine!

What does your routine consist of?

xoxo

Exercise Attire

In honor of track starting today and my completely necessary shopping spree for cute workout clothes yesterday, I figured I'd do a little roundup of fun attire for exercise. You can get cute workout clothes just about anywhere, but I think price and practicality and of course, style, are all very important factors that can not all be found in one place. My go-to places for workout wear are Lululemon, Target, and TJ Maxx. Lululemon can be a little pricey, but the quality has been superb since the see-through yoga pants scandal. TJ Maxx and Target are great for really practical pieces at a fabulous prices. Oh, and of course, Nike tempo shorts are a personal favorite of mine. Also, I've found recently that American Eagle, GAP, Anthropologie, and even Forever 21 all have some super stylish options! Shop a few of my workout picks below... 

When it comes to getting dressed for a workout, I have a couple methods down. 

To Run: Tank top + shorts 

To Run if it's freezing cold outside: 1/4 zip jacket + lined long sleeve Under Armour type shirt + running leggings

To play field hockey: Tank top or short sleeve workout top or tee shirt + skirt

To go to the gym: Tee shirt or short sleeve workout top + shorts or cropped leggings

To go to Yoga: Tank top or long or short sleeve workout top+ crops, leggings, or yoga pants

What do you wear when you work out? And, where do you get your workout clothes? I would love any suggestions!

xoxo

In Shape For Spring Break

I think I'm going to say a thank you prayer to God tonight for putting track and lent on the same schedule, and conveniently right before spring break. Without giving up junk food and all chocolate whatsoever (I do this every year and haven't been able to complete it without cheating yet), and working out every day after school for track, I think I'd be too embarrassed to even go on spring break... that's how out of shape I am.

Today I've compiled a few different ways to get in shape before spring break. For more ideas, feel free to follow along on my Fitness Pinterest board. 

30-Day Ab Challenge: This calendar works for any month, not just June like it says. I think I've posted about this on the blog before, but I definitely never got all the way through it. I'm going to try to stay on track with this, and maybe even do this for crunches as well as squats. Knowing me, I'll get three days through and totally forget about it... oops.

I'm not into dieting or putting weird fibers into green drinks or going through a complete body detox, I just kind of want to clean up my eating and cut out some junk food. I tried this over the summer and I got three days into it (I swear) but then I sort of, um, went to a birthday party and a piece of cake later, all dreams were down the drain. But, I must say, while you're doing this you will feel so good about yourself.

A few other things... 

1. The Lenten project at our school is called the water project this year. This means only drinking water during Lent and then whatever money we would typically spend on Starbucks or other drinks we will donate to school to give to those who do not have enough water. I'm going to try this and I'll see how well I do! 

Remember: infused water for the win, people.

2. There are a ton of workouts on Pinterest that give little ideas of at-home exercises that you can do each day. I like this one best; I think it has a good variety.

3. Don't push past your limits! I just want to get in shape for Spring Break... after that I think we all know I'll go back to four cookies a day and Starbucks every weekend ;) 

What is your health/fitness routine?

xoxo