Hello! Welcome to my blog! This morning I was thinking about some of the questions that I am commonly asked as a coach. I began my own fitness transformation nearly 15 months ago and I have now been coaching for the past 9 months. Whenever we are looking at fitting in home fitness or introducing a new workout, it is helpful to make things as easy as possible! So tonight I am going to talk about 5 things that make my own workouts go more smoothly.
1) The Right Sports Bra!!!
Okay, this is a key topic for many of us! For others, it may not be as much of a deal-breaker. After many years of riding horses competitively and for pleasure, I am no stranger to having worn two bras to try and make the best of a tricky situation. But not anymore!!!! Because I have finally found the best-fitting, highest-functioning sports bra of my life. No joke, this has been a game-changer.
You have got to check out the Fiona by Moving Comfort. This link includes a video, various photos and nearly 300 reviews. I live in Erie, PA and my favorite local bra salon Braserie, Dearie does carry this bra. I LOVE that you are not stuck with some S/M/L/XL sizing on this one. You have a band size and a cup size. Hook and eye closure in the back and comfortable, adjustable straps are standard. If you are in the market for some great support that is also incredibly comfortable - here you go!
2) COFFEE. Or something!
Some people are able to get right out of bed and head to their workout. I am a morning person who also happens to stay up way too late more often than I should. Honestly, this is my own worst habit and maybe one day I will break it? That being said, I have tried starting my workout a moment after getting out of bed and I am just not at my best. During a usual morning here, I wake up at 5:15. I check the weather and read my Bible in bed for the first 10 minutes or so. Then I am up to brew my coffee and check in with my challenge groups. I drink that first cup while taking care of a few things online. THEN I hit the basement for my workout, typically by 6 AM.
I have not yet tried E & E (Energy and Endurance Pre-workout Formula) from Beachbody, but I have been curious about it. I have heard amazing things about this product and I may give it a go as I am about to begin the brand-new Insanity Max 30 workout which just launched this week! I will keep you posted on the E & E and how it compares to my current typical coffee start with Starbucks or Peet's.
3) Great Support (in addition to the bra!)
I have been actively involved in a challenge group (secret FB group) each day since I began my journey 15 months ago. Truly, checking in with the group makes for a HUGE accountability factor. This makes working out "easier" for me. It is a motivator and I know that I want to be able to say that I did my best! Check out this entry for a glimpse into one of my challenge groups.
The photo above shows the option in Insanity Max 30 where you can keep "the modifier" visible at all times. Nice! Two weeks ago we were having "Day 1" in my Healthy Holidays group where many are doing the 21 Day Fix or PiYo. One of the girls was brand new to the Fix and she shared that she had to "modify the modifier". Others could instantly relate! And we were all there to celebrate with one another when the following week brought marked improvement with our capabilities during that same workout! There is nothing quite like the camaraderie of a challenge group. Miles may separate us and we are coming from different chapters of our own lives. But it is soooo encouraging to be able to check in there and compare notes on our fitness and nutrition. This is a place of learning, challenging one another and really making the most of our home workouts!
4) The Right Gear
Some workouts such as the 21 Day Fix or ChaLEAN Extreme require hand-held weights. We really need to have the appropriate size of weight available in order to make the most of our workouts. My current collection ranges from 5's to 25's. I sometimes use my husband's dumbbells to create a set of 30's. Other programs such as PiYo and Insanity Max 30 do not use weights. Some workouts are going to involve more jumping than others. Depending on your workout space, you may need some sort of mat in order to make the area suitable for your joints. If you are doing PiYo, you may be barefoot much of the time but you want to make sure that you do not slip! I have a Jump Mat from Beachbody and it has been incredibly helpful for me. I am working out on an area rug that lays on top of our concrete basement floor.
I have very flat feet and working out barefoot on this Jump Mat has been quite comfortable for me. However, I am about to begin Max 30 and a great pair of sneakers was in order if I wanted to really maximize my abilities within this brand-new workout. I went to our local Achilles Running Shop here in Erie, PA. I was expertly fitted with a pair of Mizuno sneakers which are a first for me. I have been wearing them this past week during my cardio days of the Fix and PiYo. I LOVE them. Between the Jump Mat and the right sneakers, I am hoping that my flat feet are ready for Max 30!
5) The Proper Fuel...
I have been eating clean for the past 15 months and this has been HUGE in increasing my energy level. We go with a "whole foods" approach and have cut out most of the sugar, white flour, preservatives, high sodium, high saturated fat, etc. I oftentimes get the question if someone can only handle either changing their eating OR beginning a workout program, which should come first? Well, there is no right or wrong answer to this! We are all different and you should do whatever is going to take you the farthest in the right direction. For me personally, I have to be doing both. If I try to focus on just eating right OR working out, I will wind up totally bombing the other area. And here is the thing - no matter what, if we are not fueling our bodies with great nutrition, it is going to be SO MUCH HARDER to get in a great workout!
A key element of my own nutrition has been Shakeology. This is what I enjoy for breakfast each day and the list of benefits is pretty incredible. In conjunction with clean eating and daily 30 minute home workouts - Shakeology keeps me full, curbs my cravings, has ended my migraines, brought my menstrual cycle to regular, lowered my cholesterol and just makes me feel so good! For more info on what is in Shakeology that makes it special, check out this article.
So there you have it! My list of five things that make my home workouts easier to tackle. If you are interested in joining me, I would love to have you along on this adventure! :) I would be glad to help you in finding a program that is a match to your own goals and interests. We can do this together!
4) The Right Gear
Some workouts such as the 21 Day Fix or ChaLEAN Extreme require hand-held weights. We really need to have the appropriate size of weight available in order to make the most of our workouts. My current collection ranges from 5's to 25's. I sometimes use my husband's dumbbells to create a set of 30's. Other programs such as PiYo and Insanity Max 30 do not use weights. Some workouts are going to involve more jumping than others. Depending on your workout space, you may need some sort of mat in order to make the area suitable for your joints. If you are doing PiYo, you may be barefoot much of the time but you want to make sure that you do not slip! I have a Jump Mat from Beachbody and it has been incredibly helpful for me. I am working out on an area rug that lays on top of our concrete basement floor.
I have very flat feet and working out barefoot on this Jump Mat has been quite comfortable for me. However, I am about to begin Max 30 and a great pair of sneakers was in order if I wanted to really maximize my abilities within this brand-new workout. I went to our local Achilles Running Shop here in Erie, PA. I was expertly fitted with a pair of Mizuno sneakers which are a first for me. I have been wearing them this past week during my cardio days of the Fix and PiYo. I LOVE them. Between the Jump Mat and the right sneakers, I am hoping that my flat feet are ready for Max 30!
5) The Proper Fuel...
I have been eating clean for the past 15 months and this has been HUGE in increasing my energy level. We go with a "whole foods" approach and have cut out most of the sugar, white flour, preservatives, high sodium, high saturated fat, etc. I oftentimes get the question if someone can only handle either changing their eating OR beginning a workout program, which should come first? Well, there is no right or wrong answer to this! We are all different and you should do whatever is going to take you the farthest in the right direction. For me personally, I have to be doing both. If I try to focus on just eating right OR working out, I will wind up totally bombing the other area. And here is the thing - no matter what, if we are not fueling our bodies with great nutrition, it is going to be SO MUCH HARDER to get in a great workout!
A key element of my own nutrition has been Shakeology. This is what I enjoy for breakfast each day and the list of benefits is pretty incredible. In conjunction with clean eating and daily 30 minute home workouts - Shakeology keeps me full, curbs my cravings, has ended my migraines, brought my menstrual cycle to regular, lowered my cholesterol and just makes me feel so good! For more info on what is in Shakeology that makes it special, check out this article.
So there you have it! My list of five things that make my home workouts easier to tackle. If you are interested in joining me, I would love to have you along on this adventure! :) I would be glad to help you in finding a program that is a match to your own goals and interests. We can do this together!
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