Free Fitness and A Quickie Strength+Cardio Sesh

Namaste, Y'all! How's everyone's 2013 going so far? Its been rainy and dreary in H-Town the past few days, but other than that, I can't complain :)

I don't know about ya'll but I am not really a fan of gyms. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE classes - spin, kickboxing, yoga, bootcamp, pilates, etc. etc. etc. - but I really hate going to the gym to lift weights. Mainly because of the douchebag single guys who think oogling women while they are trying to get their fit on is acceptable. Is anyone into being hit on while you're doing the thigh press machine? Didn't think so.

But I digress! The whole point of that rant was to tell you why I LOVE getting my weights in at home :) I've tried a lot of DVDs, but I must say that I always go back to the same few websites for FREE workouts. No, I haven't ever tried BodyRock {why?}, but if you enjoy working out at home you should check out the following sites -

Tone It Up: Karena & Katrina are the cutest girls ever and might have the most enviable physiques imaginable. So if their rock hard abs don't get you motivated, I don't know what will! I also love that all of their workouts have a printable version in case you don't want to watch the actual video or would prefer to go at a different speed.

Blogilates: Okay, I like this girl and I think the nutrition and fitness information on her site, as a whole, is pretty sound. I don't necessarily agree with every tid bit she has on her site - though I am far from a professional! - and sometimes I put her videos on mute because she tends to talk the whooooole time...but at the end of the day, I really enjoy the routines and the video quality is decent, and that keeps me going back.

Fitnes Blender: This is probably my favorite site and has definitley been my go-to lately. Don't be turned-off by the 1990s simple design.They have the largest variety of videos, all easily categorized and a multitide of different lengths, so whether you have 10 minutes of 60 minutes, you're covered! Also, every workout I've done on this site has been pretty intense. {bonus - their barre video is a MUST!}

And if you're really feeling like you want something personalized, why not make up your own routine? Here's a quick cardio+strength work out I'm sorta embaressed to admit took me a LONG time to recover from!

 

 

  

 Your buns will love you for it {although they will be screaming in pain the next day, and the next, and the next, and maybe also the next one after that =/!}

In other news, my darling mother - you can call her Pegs - is having ACL surgery today. My sister sent me this picture of her prepping - obviously a lipstick touch up is necessary for surgery. Would you expect anything less? Everyone send her well-wishes and speedy recovery vibes!

 

 



thoughts on {life}

Doesn't the Holiday season bring on so many crazy emotions? So much time spent with family & friends eating and drinking and laughing and loving is so amazing this time of year but can be such a powerful experience.

 

On top of those overwhelming emotions you can't help but reflect at the end of the year and and try to remember everything that happened in the past 12 months. Its a whirlwind of memories and I find myself asking Did I do anything that mattered? Was I happy? Did I smile and laugh and play and love enough? Was I kind?

 

Its easy to get caught up in the day to day grind and to begin focusing on the negative. I can't tell you how many times I felt like I was just spinning in place wondering which was was up. I think that's why this quote resonates with me so much -

 

 

 {via}

 

 

I'm learning if you aren't your own biggest supporter, it's easy to get swept away in the mundane and easy and never experience anything really worth experiencing at all. I've been making a conscious effort in the past months to see the magic in life. To be truly thankful for everything beautiful in my life and to appreciate every trying moment as a chance to change and learn and grow and evolve. To be happy every single day, even when it's rainy and cold and things aren't going your way. To have a positive and kind energy that brightens other people's day. To be fearless and exciting and purposefully seek fun and new opportunities. And most of all to truly appreciate the little things in life - like a cozy sweater & a mug of hot cocoa! 

 

I couldn't have imagined I would be ending 2012 on such a happy note and I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.

 

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

xoxo