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I am a West Virginia University alumni and a Mountaineer for life. After graduation I lived and worked in Baltimore, Maryland for 7 wonderful years. Recently we packed up our lives and moved to Michigan. Follow me on this adventure as I explore Michigan and see what's being made at my house.

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Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts

Monday, October 20, 2014

Abs and Squat Challenge

Lululemon Pants & Top

I have found myself in need of some fitness inspiration lately. After nearly four months of sticking to a consistent work out regiment I have hit my first slump. I find my bed looking more and more comfortable and the couch calling my name. Lucky for me I have a great support team. My parents stopped off at the Lululemon outlet store and mailed me some fashionable inspiration. And for the rest, I turn to you blogosphere family.  I recently found an ab and squat challenge that looks like a great addition to my workout as well as something I can do at home. So I challenge you, who's with me? 
Abs and Squat Challenge

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Vinyasa Flow Playlist

40 Minute Yoga Playlist

Throughout my life I have been an off again, on again yoga lover. I began taking classes with my yogini mother when I was just a little girl, and it has never left me. When I begin to feel stressed or my body feels out of line I know it's time to break out the mat and reunite with my old friend. Recently I decided to work on my practice at home and strengthen my skills in sequencing as well as practice. My routine changes depending on my area of focus and how far I want to challenge myself. But one factor stays the same, my playlist. Through trial and error I have come up with what I consider to be a great 40 minute playlist. This takes you through a warm up, into sun salutations, warrior sequence, balance work, an option of hip opener or wheel sequence and finally ends with savasana.


Vinyasa Flow Playlist:
Awake My Soul: Mumford and Sons
Intro: The xx
Team: Lorde
Pompeii: Bastille
Breath of Life: Florence + The Machine
Glory and Gore: Lorde
Anything Could Happen: Ellie Goulding
Young Blood: Birdy
I'm Not Calling You A Liar: Florence + The Machine
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room: John Mayer

After finally mastering crow pose, I have been working on my inversions, specifically, forearm stands. While I am not where I want to be I will continue to take it one day at a time. For now, I am grateful for the days I can unroll my mat and live in the moment on that 68"x 24" space. I am happy to have found a space where the rest of the world ceases to exist. Have you found yours?

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Couch Potato Fitness


I am beyond lucky to have a beautiful gym right here in my building. I am also lucky enough to have a flexible schedule that allows me to work out when no one else does. But even with the best intentions, and the best case scenario, some days I just don't want to work out. We've all been there. Or at least that's what I tell myself on those days. I recently stumbled on this website that gathered TV workouts for 43 different shows. I was intrigued. You mean I can work out while doing the most lazy thing of all? Sign me up.

The lists are tailored to shows and mix up your workouts for a great core training. And while I loved the concept, I found some of them to be too tricky or just too complicated for me to really stick to it. I was motivated though and took it upon myself to make up an any show TV workout. Made to be done during any commercial break, during one show a night, with repeat sets of the same workout. For the floor work, I sit right in front of the TV and for anything standing up I use my kitchen island for balance. Hope this inspires some of you couch potatoes too.

Commercial Break Core Workout
30 seconds plank- This is usually the length of one commercial, you can do it!
15 plie squats- Wide stance, toes turned out. (For an added calf workout rise to your toes when you're in a deep plie.)
10 reverse leg lifts per side- I do this standing up at the island but you can also do this from the floor.
10 side bends per side- Use a light weight for this if you're feeling motivated, if you don't have one, grab two water bottles!
10 push ups- Nothing works those arms like a good old fashion push up.
10 inner thigh lifts per side- This is a bonus but a great thigh toner.


That's it! Work that into 5 commercial breaks and you'll be happy when the show is over. Anyone have any at home fitness favorites?