Adventures in

workouts!


I'm really bored working out at home. I have dvd's, videos online, I have weights, but being by myself, working out by myself, has just gotten dull for me. Even going to a regular gym just seems boring because of lack of interaction with anyone. A girl in the weight section usually either gets harassed or hit on (which I guess is harassment too?) I'm not working right now, so my social interactions are limited to my family and my 10 year old. Not ideal for someone who can quickly cut out the rest of the world and fall into depressive habits but also enjoys social interaction!

So I've decided, as an experiment, to try out a bunch of new things! And I have a list so far of activities I want to try out. I'm mostly doing this as a mental health reset, and to see if maybe I find a new activity related to health and wellness that I really like! I'm not going to apply for any jobs the rest of the month because my brain cannot handle it and I know I need a mental health break.

My list so far:

*Yoga class (different types so more than one)

*Pilates

CrossFit-free class offered 

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

BodyPump-free class offered

BodyCombat-free class offered

Local Old School Boxing gym-offers a free class

Title Boxing gym-offers a free class

Boot camp class at Texas Fit Chicks

Barre (maybe...)

Spin-the gym below. I've never tried it and curious. 

And a new (building for an old one) gym that has classes included, offers a free first week, and is only $25 a month and half off the introductory fee! (Classes offered are spin, yoga, boot camp, and a few others I wasn't familiar with).

It seems like a lot! And expensive! To be fair, half of them have a free first class so it won't be too expensive.

If anyone has opinions, or advice, please let me know! I'm all ears. Or if there are classes you enjoy and think I might like, please let me know!

*Denotes that I have done these at home, but not in a regular, structured class setting...yet! And if I borrowed your picture, and you would like it taken down, please let me know! 

Online Fitness deals

I found some great things online today and thought I'd share:

A lovely lady in Texas owns Pride Socks and in celebration of their new site, has a discount code! Enter "happyforus" to receive 25% off. Kids and adults socks, plus sock monkeys! I swear by the running socks/anklets, and own a pair of tubes I adore as well!

Digital food scale
Has decent reviews on Amazon, and only $23!

GoPicnic ready meals are interesting. Voucher for $19 for $40 worth of product

Cuisinart juicer regularly priced at $270, listed for $99 on Groupon. Cheapest I saw it anywhere else was $150

MusclePharm pre workout $23 for 32 servings; regularly $49 worth of product. 

Groupon also had several iphone/ipod cases and armbands if any runners are looking for those!

Iphone armband 1

iphone armband 2

Yoga leggings

Yes To skincare

$15 for $30 on their site. I love their products and use the moisturizer and makeup wipes regularly.

*All deals were valid and available at the time of this posting. If that has changed since then, I hold no responsibility. So please don't get mad at me! :) 

Fitness Survey Link-up

So something different! (I promise, my post on Friday will explain my weird absence from my blog).
A survey link up with some of my Sweat Pink sisters hosted by She Cooks Crafts Runs!

1.  What did you eat for breakfast?
    I had protein pancakes and eggs with lemon tea
2.  How much water do you drink a day?
   80 oz or more depending on what my workout is that day
3.  What is your current favorite workout?
    I like variety, but right now, I'm loving dumbbell shoulder presses
4.  How many calories do you eat a day?
     I have no idea
5.  What are your favorite healthy snacks?
     Cucumbers and fruit. Sometimes Ezekiel English muffins with Almond butter. 
6.  What do you usually eat for lunch?
     Roasted chicken with quinoa, or whole grain pasta
7.  What is your favorite body part to strength train?
     Glutes, I am enjoying my new butt!
8.  What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
     Hamstrings. Love the results, hate the pain!
9. What are your “bad” food cravings?
    Dr Pepper and French Fries
10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
    Yes! Opti-women multi, Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM, Fish oil
11. How often do you eat out?
      A few times a week
12. Do you eat fast food?
      Guilty
13. Who is your biggest supporter?
     My boyfriend and my son
14. Do you have a gym membership?
     Not right now
15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
     4-6
16. Do you have a “cheat” day?
     No, I usually do but adjusting to a new program and schedule
17. Do you drink alcohol?
     Every few months
18. Do you have a workout buddy?
   Only if my boyfriend is in town (long distance relationship)
19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?
   My confidence and that my son enjoys making healthy choices and being more active
20. What was the last healthy thing you did?
   Hill sprints!

21.  What are your favorite shoes to work out in?

   Nike Flex Trainer 2

22.  Photo of your favorite workout outfit

  I wish I had one. I'm loving my Old Navy Compression capris, Juno sports bra, and Victoria's Secret Pink racerback tanks (I have 8 in different colors, it's an illness). Actually similar to what I wore to Pretty Muddy, I'm on the left. 

PumpUp App review

iTunes App store

Only available for iPhone. :(

Use code PRO30 for a free 30 day upgrade to the pro version.

This was brought to my attention from Sweat Pink and it is really neat. 

First screen

The mascot reminds me of the water people from Futurama. If you don't watch that show, here's my proof:

Okay, so here is how it works. When you log on, you'll create an account. Select new workout and then proceed through the screens below.

After you select At Home or In the Gym, the bottom menu pops up:

Optional add-ons to your workout.

I like that it asks what equipment you have

Only issue I've had so far, and a few others have had as well, is that the app crashes sometimes. Usually in between the download of your workout being complete, and opening it. I restarted my phone (which I can't even remember the last time I did that...) and it opened up perfectly so might have been user error ha ha.

Update (a few days later.) I am loving this app. They did a few updates during the last week and it runs smoothly now, the workouts load faster. No crashing. It's a great app! I've been lazy with planning my workouts post-injury and this has helped tremendously! Her voice can get a little annoying on the voice coaching but it's easy to turn off if you aren't in the mood for a cheerleader. Oh and you can swap an exercise out if you don't like it and view all of your exercises with reps and weights, at the end if you need to record them for logs and progress.

If you have an iPhone, definitely check out this app.

Disclaimer: I was given a code to try the Pro version for a longer period of time as part of Sweat Pink. I didn't have to do a review but we were asked to do so if we wanted to so here's mine. All thoughts and opinions are my own! Pictures taken through screenshots on my phone.

Hello!

Sorry that I'm rather sporadic with this blog. Due to everyone being sick for a while and being back in school, as well as a trip, I've been busy but I have some posts coming up soon. I'm going to do reviews on my favorite products that have personally helped me on my health/fitness journey, as well as some application reviews that I like to use. Maybe throw in a playlist weekly as well.

Something else I'm considering doing is doing posts on mental health. Everyone eventually figures out that until you get your mental and emotional issues in line, there seem to be a lot of pieces missing in any journey. I'd like to talk a little about that! I have many friends who are Psychology PhD's who can help, as well as articles and sites I have found online and personally used.

Fitocracy

Fitocracy is a lot of fun, and useful, if you like video games and/or are competitive.

https://www.fitocracy.com/home/

They also have a phone app, which you can use like the website, to log workouts, get your points, and communicate with other members. You add friends, you can compete with other people, create workouts, and connect via forums. I haven't been using it as much lately due to injury, but it's a great site, especially if you lift, to keep up with weight used, and repetitions. You earn points, and level up as you enter in activities.

My username is verloren if anyone wants to add me!

This is their little mascot!

My 30th birthday!

Today I am 30. It hasn't completely sunk in for me yet, but it's getting there and I'm a flurry of mixed emotions. On one hand, I am a mother to an awesome 10 year old little guy. He has his crazy moments, but on the whole, he is a very sweet, good natured, child. I have a degree and am applying to graduate programs to start in the fall or next spring. I am in a happy, healthy, loving relationship for the first time in a few years to someone who has been my best friend for 10 years. And I have an insanely supportive family who has been there for me while I've been through so much the last few years.

And most importantly to this blog, I have gotten my health/fitness more in control. I have lost 20 pounds in a year with some setbacks due to being sick. I have discovered activities that work for me and that I love, even though I alternate it on a monthly basis because I love to be engaged, love to keep things different, and keep myself, as well as my body, guessing. One month I am solely focused on lifting, another Pilates as well as accessory work with lifting, yoga, hiking, HIIT. Whatever randomness pops up.

My boyfriend and I on a hiking trip to Pedernales Falls State Park. We were lying down on a limestone rock hence the awkward picture! And below is one of the areas of the park. It was relaxing being in the middle of nowhere, where our cell phones didn't even have reception!

And my munchkin tried sledding for the first time over the break and was in love!

I am really excited to see what this year, and the future hold and I have new goals which I will make a post about later.