How to Stay Fit and Healthy This Spring

Happy Spring!!




With the Spring season we often think of flowers blooming, beautiful sunny days and trees  in blossom; however, so me of you may be experience the dreaded spring allergies. I was hit by a pollen bus last week, and am now recovering from scratchy throat, plugged ears, constant sneezing, and bathing myself in antibacterial. Which found me pondering, "How can I stay healthy during this season," when it almost seems doomed that I'll be sniffing Flonase and carrying a box of Kleenex with me.

Here are some of my tips and tricks to make sure you won't be confined to your bedroom this Spring.

1. Drink Lots of Water. It's important to stay hydrated, it's one more thing tthat can cause you to stay strong against the cold and flu bugs. Nothing is worse than experiencing a double dose of allergies and cold/flu symptoms.

2. Stay  Moderately Active. It may not be the best idea to head out for a walk/run in the midst of pollen season, but staying moderately active can help fight against any major issues. Although Bikini Season is around the corner, choose activities that are low impact, but efficient (i.e, HIIT, Elliptical, Walking, strength training, yoga, barre, Pilates, etc.)

3. Schedule in 1-2 REST days each week. Moderately exercising is important for your health. Although many of us are looking to lose weight this season, over-exerciseing can deflate your immune system leaving it vulnerable or  catching a bug. Choose a few days to give your body rest.

4. Incorporate Honey into your Diet. Honey has antibacterial properties that can fight against both allergies and cold and flu bugs. I try to take a spoonful of honey each day ( I have an allergy blend that I got from Whole Foods). Allergy blends are a type of honey that is made from pollination of local flowers/flowering trees Also for colds you can combine a teaspoon of hone, juice from half a lemon and hot water into your coffee mug and have a soothing tea to clear throats and aid in feeling better.


Good luck this season!

Comment below of any tips or tricks you have to fight against Allergy season.

App Review: Under Armour Record

App Review: Under Armour Record

Under Armour is an up and coming brand. It seems like their presence is everywhere. They recently created a basketball shoe for Stephan Curry. You can find it here. Along with adding athletes to their brand, they have created great attention with their new app, Record. Under Armour recently acquired MapMyFitness, Endomodo, and My Fitness Pal. This is quite a large acquisition, I have used all three apps and found that Record has a similar structure to MapMyFitness.  A great aspect of Record allows you to connect a large variety of devices to enhance personal fitness tracking.

You can see that Under Armour allows for the user to connect a large variety of devices and apps, including MyFitnessPal.

You can also track and log workouts and view your workouts on a feed. The feed allows you to choose between your feed and viewing your friend's feed, allowing the user to comment and like a workout.

The app also allows you to log your weight, take/upload photos and videos, track and log workouts, create posts, and log sleep. It is a comprehensive app and allows for you to also choose and create challenges that may be personal or with friedns that you invite to join.

I used MapMyFitness for running and found that it often had the best GPS tracking than my other apps (Nike+ and Strava). Record seems to be just as accurate in their GPS tracking. I really like the options that Record has for tracking and logging workouts, you can log stroller, dog, race, and distance runs as well as adding a variety of classes too.

Pros

Easy to use

Connect a variety of devices

Accurate GPS tracking

Tracks Sleep, Weight, Exercise

Ability to create challenges to complete

Cons

Not all apps and devices are available to connect

Book Review: FIT2FAT2FIT

Book Review: FIT2FAT2FIT

This book title alone holds the reader captivated. The icon of a muscular build increasing in size and then toning out again, is a snapshot of what this book is a bout. Drew Manning, a personal trainer describes his frustrations with clients of his that would sign up to 'make a change,' in their life and after a few short sessions never return and give up. Manning describes a personal experience when he was training a family member of his. This client was doing well and at a family gathering Manning witnesses his client indulging a bit too much in the food, beginning a downward spiral of unhealthy eating soon leading to unhealthy living. One may read this book and see Manning as too hardcore, a tyrant against the food industry. But as the book continues and Manning decides for himself to gain weight and see IS it really THAT hard to start a workout program when you have distanced yourself from training and the gym. Mannine stops exercising and eating healthy and over the course of 6 months gains 75 lbs. He describes himself as tired, apathetic, and depressed. With gaining so much weight, Manning finds himself sabotages his healthy attempts throughout the day:

"I can't do it, it hurts."

"Food will make me feel better."

"I'm too tired to workout."

"I can't do it, it hurts."

My favorite part in the book is a chapter that is written by his wife. She not only sees how it affects Manning, her husband, but herself and their family.

"Don't judge me until you've walked  a mile in my shoes."

Winter Styles: How to Look Hot in Cold Temps

Winter Looks of 2015!

1.Tulip Chi Tank in Shocking Pink by Athleta $44
2. Gypsy Jag by K. Deer $98
3. In A Flash Bra II by Lululemon $52
4. The Infinity Scarf (Zebra/Neon) by Fabletics $14.95

5. Kaledalogo Capri by Under Armour $49.99

6. Sports Tank Top in Blue/Leopard Print by H & M $9.95

7. Austin Wrap by Fabletics $49.95

8. Lisa Merino Racerback Tank Yellow by Vie Active $55.30
9. Snapshot Crew by Lululemon $128

It's clear this winter that animal prints are still very in. I've seen then everywhere: shorts, pants, sports bras, jackets, tops. The other trend that I am starting to see is detailed tops. Athleta has the Tulip Chi Tank in Shocking Pink (featured above, but also in in light blue and black). Albion Fit also has Petal Pants and Top that you can find here. Both Under Armour and Forever 21 are featuring a new look on the sweat pant, a sleeker chic type of sweat pant.

Are Cheap Workout Clothes Worth It?

Q: Is it worth it to spend that extra cash on workout clothes?

A: It all depends, I suppose, on your level of fitness and the type of activity you are doing.

I have been building my collection of workout clothes for a number of years now. I began my fitness routine in running shorts with the occasional jaunt out, but most of my workouts were at the gym with my girlfriend. I didn't really know anything about gym wear at that time, so I just wore my athletic shorts and a shirt from a work project I had done (little did I know there was so much more to active wear). 

Eventually, I added yoga pants to my wardrobe when I began taking classes at the gym.  Shortly after that I picked up running full time and it was downhill from there (so to speak).

I have bought workout gear from many retail stores including Target, Sports Authority, Sports Chalet, Forever 21, H and M, Nike, Under Armour, and local boutiques. 

Of all of my purchases, Forever 21 and H & M are the place to go for the fashion conscious FIThusiast on a budget. 

I recently bought some clothing at Forever 21 and I love their styles and the affordability of the clothing. Within two washes their pants began to show LOTS of wear. One pair got a hole in the leg and on another pair of pants, the colors bled together.  I never had this problem with other pants (I expect pants to show wear within a few washes, like pilling or fading, but this was a total bummer).  I also bought a pair of pants that are totally adorable (which is why I bought them) and have received many compliments on them.  The only problem is that I can really only wear them for walking. They aren't great running crops and the seam doesn't allow for much pliability, so it makes it difficult to do any exercise that would require this (all of the ones that I enjoy).

 

I do like Forever 21 sport bras and tops. I haven't seen any excessive wear on them and also appreciate their labels on their sport bras (Minimal support, Maximum support).

I find that H & M is a reasonable place as well and have made several purchases there.  Their pants seem to have held up much better than the Forever 21 pants. They wear and feel like a more expensive pair with ventilation and show common wear after over 60 washes.  

The pro and con breakdown with these cheap alternatives:

Pros:

Cute styles similar to expensive

Price

Tops are best

H & M pants are a good option

Forever 21 has a good sports bra option

Cons:

Purpose can be unclear (running tights vs. compression tights)

Fade/Bled

Wear easily

Pilling

Lose form/tightness sooner

When selecting training gear, it is important to take into account how hard you are working, how often, and what type of sport. You can pretty much wear whatever you want walking, but when it comes to running/racing, you need to be more picky with your gear. Colder temps require some lining or technology and warmer temps need some breathability in the clothes.

Personally, I feel the extra buck is worth spending on a quality pair of pants. 

The really quality running tights and/or leggings can run from $40-$140 so be warned :)

What is your favorite workout brand?

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Workout Wear: CrossTraining Tank

I was lucky enough to have won a giveaway on Instagram and win a Cross Training Tank. I have been following Cross Training  Couture for a while now! Love their interpretation of scripture through the lens of a fitness enthusiast like myself. I won the following product:

I must say that even though I liked the look of it. The feel of this tank is so much better. It comes up to the chest, just enough to cover a sport bra. It is a very thin cotton and fits loosely, allowing it to flow with you through downward dog or Kettlebell swings. I love the detail of the back where it gathers just below the neck. I find this to be a bit of a feminine tough, and much appreciate it during my seat sessions. It is long enough to cover the entire torso and a bit further.  A wonderful treat to keep you feeling dainty in even the toughest of poses.

Pros: 

Soft material

Great design

Feminine detail

Longer torso

Loose 

Cons:

Loose ( may expose core in inversion poses)

What product would you like to see a review for?