I feel like this week has been a mini Christmas with all the goodies that have shown up at my house. I've recently signed up with a few blogger ambassador programs and cannot believe the generosity of the companies and the awesome products they have sent. You guys will likely hear about a lot of these products in the upcoming weeks but today I just wanted to send a special shout out to Lululemon and their awesome social media team.
As some of you know, I'm a pretty avid Twitter user (say hi!) and often use the platform to get ideas and recommendations on products. I randomly tweeted out to the twitter-sphere asking for recommendations on a new yoga mat since I've been looking to upgrade now that my practice has become more serious. Several minutes later I receive this response from Lululemon:
Definitely intrigued, I quickly respond to be asked for my size, address and being told I was receiving a surprise! Not even 24 hours later, these beauties showed up on my doorstep:
Love the colors!
Sticky & thick....love it so far!
LOVE! This was the exact mat I had been looking at as it's suppose to be a great option for hot yoga since it's extra sticky and absorbs sweat (I'm laying in a puddle after being in class 30 minutes). I can't wait to give this a try next week at class and have already had a few short practice sessions on my own at home. I'll definitely let you know what I think after a few classes. The shirt is super comfy too. Loose, breathable and will be fabulous for yoga or long runs this hot summer.
I just thought it was a pretty amazing response from what seems to be a pretty cool company and I'm definitely feeling pretty lucky and grateful. They've definitely caught my attention as a consumer and I'll remember them more in the future for athletic purchases.
A little deck yoga action for the #MayIBeginYoga2015 challenge
Even little man is into it.
The giving spirit caught after this too. I had a large bag of clothes that I had been meaning to sell (through online facebook re-sell groups), but decided I'd give them away instead since I've received some great goodies lately. Feels good to clean house and help some others out as well.
This is in no way sponsored...just my personal experience and wanting to share what I consider an awesome surprise.
Several days ago the prAna and FitApproach #TakeTheLeap yoga challenge began. I LOVE yoga challenges, but sometimes have a hard time staying consistent with them, especially as many of them seem to be aimed at extremely advanced yogi's. I've done yoga for several years, but took some time away from it when I got pregnant because I had no energy left after working full time (I wish I had stayed with it through pregnancy though).
The last few months, I've been working hard into getting into a new solid yoga routine. We've recently had a new yoga studio open up in town (The Yoga Retreat & Boutique) so it's been so fabulous to go to classes again. I look forward to it every weekend and it's a great time for me to be able to zen out and refocus. The great thing about the prAna and FitApproach #taketheleap challenge is that you can choose your daily pose. It's completely up to you so you can work toward your own goals and use the poses that feel and work best for your body. There's no showing up one another and forcing a pose that may not be suitable for you and your body. One of my goals is to work towards inversions again, but it's going to be a long road to get there and I don't want to rush it and risk hurting myself.
Another bonus to the challenge: PRIZES! When you join the challenge you become eligible to win $500 worth of new prAna gear (they have AMAZING stuff, check this top out) and able to gift $500 to a person of your choice. Pretty awesome, right?
Below are my first 4 poses to start the challenge off...
A little loving from my boys...
Join the challenge on Instagram (add me!), Twitter (follow me!) and on your blog by using the hashtags:
#TakeTheLeap
#Prana
#FitApproach
Also tag @prana and @fitapproach!
Don't forget to join the Facebook group and event page!
I've been sticking to mine pretty well, except for one of my large ones, "Blog once a week (at least)."
I've been failing hardcore on this one, which is ironic considering I wrote it on my blog. So thanks to Rob over at Rob Complains About Things for pointing out that I'm slacking on my resolutions.
Aside from the obvious, all my others are rocking out pretty good so far.
- Read 40 Books: I've knocked out 5 pretty stellar books so far, and am about to finish the 6th today (Hitman's Guide to Housecleaning...twisted and entertaining read). So I'm about 17% through that goal. Any good recommendations for some books to add to the list?
- Swear Less: I'm trying to think before speaking a bit more instead of running out the mouth.
- Run a 10k: This one hasn't happened because apparently Mother Nature wants to torture me with more winter weather. So over it, but have been logging some solid gym and yoga time to keep in shape and build muscle and endurance.
- Get my 5k PR under 25 minutes: Will be a work in progress come spring and the above should help. I hate the dreadmill so until weather gets warmer that one will be put off a bit.
- Work toward being able to accomplish yoga inversions: Wham, Bam, I'm smacking this one outta the park! Pretty pumped at how I've been able to nail this one. #YogaADay, #InversionArmy, and #BalanceARMy on Instagram have been awesome for inspiration on this one.
- Blog once a week - FAIL. But I'm hoping to make some changes. I miss the catharsis that writing brings so I need to make this a priority. I need to stop nit picking and just write again.
Let me know how your resolutions have been going! Have you found anything or someone that motivates you to keep going? It's never too late to start or begin again.
Lately I've noticed lots of attention on Twitter and Pinterest regarding bucket lists, in particular fitness inspired lists. Seeing all of these great ideas and goals totally captured my attention and inspired me to make my own. I LOVE the concept of getting it all down on a list, goal setting and taking the steps to make it happen. There are so many things that I want to do, but the following are a few of the most important ones to me:
Run the CRIM (10 mile), Tough Mudder, run a 8k, run a half marathon, basically run MORE! - There are so many fun races that I am constantly finding more and more that I'd love to do. It's hard to narrow it down to just one or two. I had planned on running the CRIM 8k this summer but my recent foot injury might prevent that. :( Other items along the lines of this, I'd love to also run more races for causes and run a 5k in under 25 minutes.
Receive my personal trainer and CHES certification - I've yet to decide whether to go with ACE or NASM for personal training so if you have any input that would be awesome! The CHES is something that I would love to get for health education and am hoping to do this fall.
Do a triathlon! - I've always thought that this would be awesome to do and saw one this past month. The only thing really holding me back: swimming!
Go white water rafting. - Looks like so much fun, adventurous and have heard rave things about it.
Try rock climbing (non-indoor facility) - I love rock climbing indoors so super excited to do this. I've already made plans to do this over the summer in West Virginia so I can't wait! Also will notch another thing off my list while on this trip (climb a mountain) so double win!
Go paddle boarding. - Hoping to find somewhere nearby to do this over the summer. Looks really relaxing and potentially a good arm workout.
Go heli-boarding. - Terrified to do this, but so desperately want to! I love snowboarding and the extremes so this would completely satisfy it all.
Learn to box. - Learning to box would be so empowering.
Be able to do more inverted yoga poses - I've managed to do a few, but need to work on more upper body strength to get there, but will one day (soon!). This video is one of my favorites:
Amazing, right?!?!
Volunteer with Girls on the Run or a similar organization. - I love so many things about this organization. I found out about it late in my college career and was so sad I was never able to participate. The new community I have moved to doesn't have one so maybe I can help to initiate one in the area.
Motivate others to live fit and health lives. - This is incredibly important to me. I love inspiring and educating others on living and leading a healthy life. It's empowering to help people realize that they have the potential to change their lives for the better. I love that preventative health is finally coming to light and having more attention brought to it.
Aside from this list there are so many more and the list will continue to grow I'm sure. For my complete list you can check out my Pinterest board here: Fitness Bucket List. I've included on there a few that I've already completed to and hope to update it as time goes on. My completed tasks so far: Help plan a 5k, Warrior Dash, Run a 8 minute mile, indoor rock climbing.
What are a few things that are on your fitness bucket list? Do you have ones that you've already completed?
Recently I was given the opportunity to pick out and review any item from Margarita Activewear clothing line from ActivewearUSA.com. Let me tell you, I was super excited about this! I've been contemplating a new pair of fitted capri yoga pants for awhile now so this was perfect timing. After lots and lots of time I was finally able to narrow it down to these (there are so many to choose from it took me forever -- check the ActiveWear Website for more Margarita Activewear products).:
Margarita Activewear Capri #1004T $83.00
I chose the black pair and anxiously awaited their arrival. When these came in the mail I was super excited to check them out. When I pulled them out of the package I had a mini panic attack because they looked tiny. I soon realized that this material stretches a lot and I had gotten worried for no reason. These pants are super soft and comfortable. The fabric that they are made of is called Supplex with Lycra, so they're very fitted and somewhat remind me of Spanx but comfortable and flattering. The design on these particular pair made me feel like it streamlined by body and lengthened the leg. The stitch work on the pants looked great and not questionable like some of the other pants I've seen out there. Based on what I've seen so far they look like they will be able to withstand lots of wear and tear.
The day that I wore these was spent doing a lot of different activities and I had no major issues throughout. I spent half the day lounging in them and that afternoon wore them for a yoga session and a 2.5 mile train run. The elasticity of the pants was great during yoga and the run. Throughout all the different movements it stretched easily without pulling and tugging. Another thing that I really liked is that they were breathable. I have a tendency to get super hot while running and I felt like these were great for dissipating heat and wicking sweat away from the body.
One issue that I saw with the products were that they do run a bit small. Next time I would probably order a size larger than what I got. I ordered a medium and usually wear around a size 4 or 6 and they were a bit smaller than I'd like. The main issue with them was that the inseam was shorter than I'd prefer (I had to pull them up a bit during my run because of the short inseam). I consider myself average to slightly tall (5'8" and around 130 lbs.) so be sure to consider ordering a size larger than normal if you purchase these products.
The price was also a bit steeper than I would like. They are definitely a step up from most products out there so you are paying for better quality, but I think that for some the price may be a deterrent. I have to say that if I had the extra money I would splurge for these pants though! There were so many different products in this line that caught my attention that I'll likely return back to see what else I may eventually get. I love the bright colors and designs and the quality materials make these pants that will last far longer than others. The next investment that I'm considering: a running skirt!
Pros: - Awesome designs and colors! - Breathable material -- less dampness and overheating! - Easy to clean (can do at home!) - Comfortable and easy to move in material. - Flattering & unique designs - Long lasting material and craftsmanship
Cons: - Price a bit high - Sizes run small (order a size larger than your normal)
Super cute packaging -- I enjoy the small touches!
A little more info on the Supplex with Lycra material (click for larger image)
Great stitching and quality
Pretty sweet design, huh?
This is about the time that I had a freak out moment about them fitting, but they fit and stretched comfortably - no pinching or sucking in required ;)
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