Getting Into Shape After Baby

Today is a high of 5. Five. But no, let's not give this miserable weather the attention it deserves...

Instead...something positive. Guess who was officially cleared by my doctor the other day to get back into working out + running?!

Picture me raising both of my hands and clapping over here! I could've started after 4 weeks off per his recommendation, but I decided to wait until now (closer to 5 weeks) to step back into one of my favorite spaces again. I always wondered throughout my pregnancy if I would have the same motivation to work out after having Camden came that I did prior, just because of wanting the most time with him as possible, but right now the desire and motivation is definitely there. A healthy mom makes me a happier mom!

I know it'll be tough when I go back to work after my maternity leave is over...I mean, I can imagine trying to fit in baby time, work, dinner, and exercising. That sounds tough. I KNOW it will be tough, but you make time for what's important, right?

I plan to start back up exactly how I left off...very slowly! I have 8 lbs left to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and my plan is to first focus on getting my core back, before anything else, after 9 months of NOT having one. Because abs...what are those?! Breastfeeding...pumping...and just constantly bending over/holding a baby really takes a toll on your back so working on my core will help strengthen those back muscles and help me have stronger runs. I've also got what many call the "mom pooch" (such an attractive term) going on, so I hope to go back to eating really healthy and focusing on getting rid of that. You know, before summer comes and my bikinis are staring at me in the face (special thanks to Target for already having bathing suits out..#not)

Here's some of my favorite exercises I've been doing that I'll do before each cardio session. Even if you aren't in the same boat that I am, these are some awesome exercises to add into your routine if you want to tone up before spring break or summer. If you aren't sure what some of the exercises are, just google them and pictures will come up!

+ situps // oblique crunches // planks (regular + both sides) //  crossover crunch // flutter kicks // dumbbell side bends // russian twist // lunges // squats

And here's some of my favorite circuits! The easiest way to remember these, for me, is to pin them to my Pinterest and then take a screenshot on my iPhone of them so that when I'm at the gym I can just pull up my camera roll (or my Pinterest board) and follow along that way...

I'm hoping posting this will hold me accountable and keep me motivated to shed these last 8 lbs. I've heard losing the last of the baby weight can be tough, so I know I've got my work cut out for me! 

Anyone else trying to lose baby weight or have in the past? What worked for you? Any tips?!

Running While Pregnant

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I've had some reader questions about running during pregnancy, so I thought I would touch on it briefly! I'm obviously not a doctor, but I can tell you what I've learned and my thoughts about it.

The general rule of thumb regarding exercising during pregnancy is that you don't want to take up any new activities that you didn't do prior. So, if you run now (and there are no other complications) you're perfectly fine to continue running throughout your pregnancy. My doctor has encouraged me from the beginning to keep a good exercise routine to stay fit, and I'm so thankful that at 23 weeks I'm still making it a priority during the week. It truly keeps me sane (is that weird to admit?), just like before, and I feel wonderful afterwards.

There are just a few things you want to do differently and to remember, though...

1. Know Your Limits: On the days you feel too tired or sick, don't push it by going for a run. Just skip a day or two. It's important during pregnancy to rest when you need to rest. Go by the cues that your body gives you.

2. Take Your Time: Pregnancy isn't the time to try to break a new personal record or to increase your speed or mileage (if you have never ran a half marathon before-this wouldn't be the best time to start training for one, for example..) Chances are you'll need to slow down your speed. In my first trimester, I was still able to run at the same speed that I ran before but I didn't run as far. Then when I got into my second trimester, my body showed me that I needed to slow down and that's when I incorporated walk-jog-run intervals, which really helped me exercise longer but at a less intense pace.

3. Take Breaks: You'll notice that you can't run nearly as long as you used to before having to stop and take a break. It's completely normal since your body is pumping twice the amount of blood! I take breaks often every time I go for a run and only continue my run if I'm still feeling good.

4. Don't Run To The Point Of Exhaustion: This is a serious no no and the one thing my doctor did mention to me. You don't want to run (or exercise in general) to where you can't catch your breath. Don't over do it. 

5. Stay Hydrated: This might be the most important one! Always keep a full water bottle next to you and drink often, even if you don't feel thirsty. Drink water before, during (don't forget!), and after your run.

I've also heard that during the second and third trimesters it's better to run inside on a treadmill so you're at a lesser risk for falls. Luckily for me, this worked out perfectly because during the summer I was still in my first trimester and was able to run outside when I wanted to get fresh air/be outside, and now that I'm in my second trimester the weather is cooling down and I don't mind running on the treadmill.

Another thing I would recommend is to make stretching a priority before and after a run. Pregnancy loosens up your joints, so your ankles are at more of a risk. Make sure you have some good cushioning in your shoes, too! (I love my Brooks!) 

Lastly... if running is something you love it might be difficult to call it quits, but you should always listen to your body. You and your baby's safety is what's most important! And just remember you'll be able to get back into your normal routine in no time! 

Hope this helps some of you out there, or you'll remember these tips for the future! Have a great Thursday!

*Don't forget to enter my Baby Age Blocks Giveaway! It ends soon!

Easy Ways To Stay Inspired To Live Healthier

via (follow me on the Pin here)

Find your "why">> Is it to lose x amount of pounds? To fit into your favorite pair of skinny jeans again? To live a healthier, more well balanced life so you have more energy? Maybe for a certain health reason? 

Whatever your "why" is (it's different for everyone!), get to the core of it and make it clear and precise. 

Make your goals visible>>So you've figured out your why but you think just remembering in your head is going to do the job? It won't. Plaster them on the front of your refrigerator...in your planner...anywhere. My personal favorite is the refrigerator for two reasons. 1. It helps curb your snacking when you feel like reaching in there for something unhealthy or something you may not need-with your goals right in your face, you will think before eating it. 2. It's there to remind your spouse/significant other that you're working towards something, and hopefully they are right there to support you and won't be asking you to join them at McDonald's anytime soon.

Find 2 weeks worth of healthy meals and put them on rotation in the beginning>> If you don't have a plan, you will fail. When I switched to being a pescatarian many years ago, this was the one thing that kept me going. I turned to Pinterest to find easy meals that looked yummy that I could make for 2 weeks. Mainly I just looked up dinner recipes since that's the hardest meal for me to think of ideas, but I would recommend breakfast and lunch as well if you don't have ideas for those. It may seem boring to eat the same type of foods and/or meals for 2 weeks, but it's worth it. It will get your mind and body into a habit which is key. See below.

As I just mentioned, I truly believe once you get into the habit of eating healthier (or exercising more) it is much easier to stick with it. Say goodbye to your old habits and start building good ones! 

Prep for the coming week>> Make sure you have all the food you need at home for your meals and prepare it the Sunday before. This may mean washing your veggies, cutting up all your fruit into containers, or even making sure that dreaded laundry is done so that you have your favorite workout clothes readily available to pack up! (another tip: I always pack my gym bag before bed so it's ready for the following day)

Keep a journal>> It's fun to track your progress and to see how far you've come!

*Thank you all for your feedback yesterday, I tried to respond directly to each of you yesterday at some point and also replied to some in the comment section. My plan is to just make sure I'm doing a good balance of all my favorite topics...from healthy recipes to personal to fashion finds. Not every post will be everyone's favorite, but by doing it this way I'm writing about what I most enjoy and {hopefully) providing a good mix of all things! I'm actually linking up this post today for Katie's new link-up (some of you were looking for some? here is one!) called Healthy Habits.  Happy we almost made it to Friday day!

Suns Out, Guns Out

Is it really already Thursday? I'm not complaining!

So I logged into PicMonkey (my favorite pic editing program) the other night and saw the little kid that's always on the homepage flexing his guns. For some strange reason, this reminded me that I've been wanting to share my workout playlist since we are well into prime running/workout season (hello, pool weather so soon!) now, and this is the one thing that keeps me consistently motivated at the gym.

I'm one of those people who thrives off of music and a good playlist. It's a must to getting my butt moving and staying moving while at the gym! (this is also one of the main reasons why I love spin so much...constant pump up music for an hour + legs moving quickly = endorphin happy Katie..)

If you need to update what you've been running to lately, or just want to add a few new kick butt songs for your gym workout, here you go!

PS-This would be a great circuit workout to do while you're listening to these tunes! 

Your turn...Share your favorites with me!

Top 6 Workout Moves

Happy last day of 2013 (can you believe it?), everyone!

This past year has honestly been one of the best years of my life. Sure, there were normal ups and downs just like most of us experience, but as a whole looking back I know that this is one of those years that I will look back, remember, and have a huge smile on my face. If you've been following along for a bit, you'd know I love my trips. They were definitely a highlight this year and I hope to continue much more of that in 2014, but what takes the cake and is the most important to me is that feeling of contentment and true happiness in my everyday life. 

It's easy to be happy when you are on vacation tanning in the sun with your favorite cocktail in hand (not that I'm wishing I were doing that right now or anything since it's 20 degrees out, snowing, and putting on a sequin skirt tonight sounds less than appealing...), but being happy to me is what I like to call, "showing up with a smile everyday". Cheesy, I know, but it's about finding joy in the little things and not just when the timing is right for you. I've really tried working on that this past year.

I'm getting to the point of this post eventually, I promise. :) Another huge contributor when looking back at this year with such positive thoughts has been my health and fitness. I have been at my fittest and healthiest this year, by far. I cut out gluten, dairy (with exceptions here and there obviously), and took up spin class once a week along with my normal workouts for the majority of the past year. I have never felt better, honestly. Spin class is my exercise saving grace. I mean, it must be good if I'm singing it's praises after averaging nearly 16 miles each class and walking out drenched in sweat. That's saying something, right? If you want to burn a lot of calories quickly and get your legs, abs, and butt into shape...start taking spin.

I also started focusing more on strength training than I have in the past. Each time I go to the gym, I head to one of the empty studio's where I can do exercises on my own and get down to it...

These are the moves (keeping it basic today) that you will find me doing and focusing most of my time on if you were to see me at the gym. I always start out by warming up with 50-100 jumping jacks and then I get into these 6 exercises. No breaks-just running through them straight through, one after the other.

For the squats and lunges (forward and backward), do them with weights (start out low if you want-even 5 lbs). I typically use a 15 lb bar behind my head for these. Earlier in the year, I started low and did maybe 30 squats and 30 lunges, but nowadays I typically try to do at least 60-70 squats and 40-50 lunges. Work those legs and booties, girls.

I try to do at least 20 push ups (real ones-none of this knee stuff) per workout. Some days I will do more and other days I will do less. If you start and can only complete 2 or 3 real ones, that's OK just work your way up. As for the sit ups, this is probably one of my stronger areas. Have I mentioned I can beat Billy any day of the week when it comes to sit ups? (and make sure not to brag at all to him about this..) On an average day I do around 45-50 sit ups. Planks-hold them for a minute. Do 3 sets. I will also do side crunches and regular crunches just to work my abs a little bit more.

If you make these moves a part of your exercise routine, you will notice a difference and you will feel stronger.

Speaking of working that booty, who saw the preview for Toned Up last night?

If you want to get some fitness motivation for the new year, watch the first episode this Thursday on Bravo! I hope this answers some questions about what my workout routine looks like. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me. Be safe tonight everyone!

Gift Guide: Gym Essentials {Inspired by #VSFashionShow}

DETAILS: Shoes / Yoga Towels Gift Set / Water Bottle / Essential Hoodie (fav #1-so many colors!) / Nike Pro Top /  'Live In' Leggings (fav #2) / Baby-G Digital Watch (love this color) / Hair Ties / Duffel Bag (fav #3) / Nike Pro Pants / Vest (more colors) / Duffel Bag / Earbuds / Nike Shoes / Nike Pro Side Tie Top / Foot Cream / Dry Shampoo / Shorts (on sale!) / Running Gloves / Adidas Fleece Hoodie / Nike Shoes / Polar Watch / Leggings (#awesome)

Every year, one of my absolute favorite nights of television is when the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is on. Did you know it's actually only about 30 minutes long? So crazy! Not only is it so inspiring to see beautiful women go after their dreams, but it serves as an excellent reminder to a. work hard for what you want and b. get my butt back in the gym!{instant motivator? follow angel @iza_goulart on instagram} 

Sure, we all know these women were born with amazing genes and have a team that gives them the flawless makeup and hair, but what I think a lot of women forget about is that they also work their butts off day in and day out in the gym. They train like crazy. Wouldn't you if you knew you were going to be pretty much naked with millions of people watching? or if Adam Levine was your fiance...

More often than not I prefer buying workout clothes over anything else. Give me comfort yet cute and I'm good to go! I scoured the web to try and bring you my all time favorite gym pieces whether you are working out or want to look cute to and from the gym. I labeled my top 3 out of this set above in the details section {#1 looks to be similar quality to Lululemon but fraction of the price}.  The North Face vest is so versatile and is great for running errands before or after the gym. Aside from this list, my Lululemon Wunder Under's are probably my most worn pair of leggings/pants. They are the most comfortable things in the world and worth the price in my opinion, but these leggings are less expensive and really nice.

I just want to point out the awesomeness in the bottom far right corner real quick-leopard.leggings. Pretty sure I need these. You know I'm into the leopard and all with my new shoes! 

What are your gym essentials? In the winter, I'm almost always wearing zip up jackets. They are a necessity! 

Last gift guide: Holiday Gifts from Target 

PS: I have someone exciting to introduce you to tomorrow so be sure to come back then! ;) 

THE PERFECT PAIR OF NIKE'S / WORKOUT GEAR

I had a completely different post in mind for today.

BUT THEN (dun dun dun) the cutest, most awesome pair of Nike's came to me in the mail and after a quick snap to Instagram and nearly 350 likes later, it is clear that I need to share them with you all...

Nike Free 5.0 V4 {BUY THEM HERE}

You better 'add to cart' quickly because from what I've heard they are extremely hard to find in stores and will probably sell out quickly online {early Christmas present, anyone?}. I was debating between this pair and this pair {in the distance blue color}, but ultimately decided to go with the V4's in the leopard. I am in shoe heaven over here. This girl would prefer new tennis shoes over stiletto's 365 days a year. ;)

These run more narrow than past Nike Free versions (I recommend sizing up!), but I still love them just the same. It might have something to do with the leopard and overall awesomeness of them, but I can't be too sure. I also heard that white on tennis shoes are coming back in for next year, so there's another plus to these, if you even needed one.

when you are this cute, you are allowed on the kitchen table. ;)

These shoes, and with the help of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show later this month, will be just what I need to get my booty back in the gym on a more consistent basis. This time of year can be so hard to stick with a solid gym routine so if you feel like this is you, this is me reaching out saying don't quit! Just make sure you have some awesome new shoes or gear to get you through those hard winter workouts. :)

Speaking of workout gear, here's what else I'm loving right now:

VS Knockout Crop / Nike Dri-Fit Knit (similar)  / GapFit gFast Capris / Nike Pro Core Compression Shorts / Patagonia All Weather Top (50% off!) / VS Funnel Neck Pullover (love & need this) / VS Sport Duffle Bag / Nike Legend 2.0 Capri / C9 by Champion Cami Bra / Zella Trinity Jacket (40% off)

What are your favorite workout pieces?
I'm all about the zip up's and casual jackets this time of year!

Don't you want to workout now after seeing all this cute stuff? Maybeeee?

Happy {hump day} shopping!

The Cutest Workout Clothes {Albion Fit + Giveaway!}-CLOSED

Sweet Stripe Capri

I'm so excited about this giveaway. Since you guys listened to me ramble on and on yesterday about this and that, I figure I should follow that up with an awesome workout clothing giveaway for you from Albion Fit. I mean it's the only polite thing to do.

Having cute workout clothes or a new pair of running shoes makes the gym that much better. You just feel so much more motivated and ready to have a kick butt workout.

When I first saw Albion Fit online when searching one day for women's fitness and swimwear, my first thought was WHY haven't I heard of them sooner and then I pretty much fell in love with their cute selection of workout clothes and decided I need them all. The quality reminds me of Lululemon but a little bit more affordable with their prices. The Sweet Stripe Capri's that I'm wearing above and below would be $98 at Lululemon, but these are $58. They have the cutest tops, tanks, and other crops (like these-$38) for much cheaper, too.

 

These are my new favorite pants as they are super comfortable (so soft!) and great quality. Plus they are striped which makes them even better in my book.

I also have my eye on getting these beauties...tell me how cute they are?!

 STRIPES + RUFFLES ON WORKOUT CLOTHES? GIMME! And this workout tank looks so comfortable.

Today, Albion Fit is kindly offering one of my readers a chance to win a $50 Gift Card. Insert happy face here.

Required Entry:
+Visit albionfit.com and leave a comment below with your favorite item!

Bonus Entries:
+"Like" Albion Fit on Facebook 
+Pin your favorite item from Albion Fit onto one of your Pinterest boards and leave the link in a comment below
+Follow me on instagram (@katiewkrysh)

*This giveaway is open to US residents who have not won another Albion Fit giveaway in the past 6 months and will end in one week (Thursday 8/29). The winner will be announced via email and on my blog that day. Thank you for entering and good luck! 

But wait. That's not all...

Albion Fit has created an exclusive coupon code for my readers to save $20 off $50!! Pretty awesome, no? Use the code "keepcalm20" when you checkout until 8/27! Hurry up and get to shopping. Your workouts will thank you. :)

**The winner of this giveaway is April and she has been notified! Thank you for entering! 

SUMMER WORKOUTS: THE YAY AND THE NAY {MY ROUTINE}

Let's talk fitness today, shall we?

Summer is my favorite time to workout...oh wait, no it's not. Not one bit. It's extremely hard to get motivation in the summer to work out. BBQ's? Concerts? Drinks on a patio with friends after work? OR spending time in the gym? Yeah, it's hard to stick to a routine when it's so nice out and you could be doing so many other things.With that being said, spring/summer is normally when I work out the most. Insert bikini season. Just looking at my bathing suits gives me some serious motivation to hit the gym. Right, ladies? It's a real pain in the butt...

I've talked about my daily eats/mean plan before, but had some questions about what a normal workout week looks like for me, so I thought I'd outline it a bit. It's important to find what works for you-if you want to have your evenings free, work out in the morning. If you want your extra sleep, make sure you carve that time out after work to get it done. Schedule your workouts just like your other appointments!

Monday: Circuit workout (see below) / 1 hour spin class 

This is my favorite workout of the week. Why? Because I normally eat the worst of the weekends and my body needs a detox. I splurge a bit (or a lot). Having a kick butt work out on a Monday instantly makes me feel better about it. ha. Not only that, spin is my favorite class to take and by the time I leave the class I'm 50x happier than when I walked in. Those endorphins will do that to you, promise. :)

Before spin class starts, I will do a short circuit workout for 20 minutes or so mixed in with some ab exercises. I highly recommend getting your hardest workout of the week done with on Monday's!

Tuesday: Run 3 miles / 30 Push ups / Circuit workout (see below) or 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels DVD)

The run could be inside or outside depending on how hot it is outside.

Wednesday: Rest day 

Thursday: Run 3-5 miles  / Leg workout (see below) / Abs (8 minute abs video)

Last week I switched it up and instead of running my normal route, I found a basketball court and did suicides on it for my cardio then did mountain climbers, lunges, and squats. It helped to switch up my surroundings a bit!

Friday: Sometimes I will do rest day if I'm busy or just a short circuit workout

Saturday: Morning run (3 miles) or 30 Day Shred / 30 Push Ups

Sunday: Rest day

I try to work out at least 4-5 times a week. Some weeks are better than others and other weeks I may only work out 3 times. I try to just listen to my body and take a break when I need it.

What do I mean by circuit/interval workout? Here are my favorites (all via Pinterest):

 

I think a lot of girls focus more on cardio and less on strength training. Strength training is just as important! It's something I've tried incorporating more of, for sure. Push ups, lunges and squats are now a part of my daily workouts when they never used to be. I see more results when I do them vs when I do cardio! My body looks leaner and I feel stronger.

As far as workouts you can do at home, my three favorites are: 30 Day Shred, 8 minute ab video (posted below), and any of the Tone It Up videos!

This ab video is such old school (I meannnnnn...old.school-I laugh just watching it), but it works. Man knows what's up. Listen to him, ha.

*Last and final comment: do not DRINK your calories! Keep a water bottle on your work desk everyday and fill it up as much as you can throughout the day. If you get sick of regular water, add some lemon juice or Mio to it to make it taste better for you! This is the #1 thing I do everyday. So important.

Alright, there we have it. 

What is your favorite summer workout? How do you stick to a schedule when all you want to do is be outside having fun? 

PS-You still have time to enter my Malibu giveaway and the Crystal Light one! xo

 

GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR IN THE NEW YEAR

Hi friends! Happy {almost} 2013!

What better day to dig deep and find some motivation in the new year? Yep, I'm talking about getting your butt to the gym. I've decided I want to start doing more fitness/health posts in 2013 because the other week I noticed I stopped writing about it for awhile. Not anymore. They are making a comeback folks. 

Alright, so..for me--I personally slack with my eating habits in November and December {you are to thank Thanksgiving and Christmas} and the gym just gets pushed aside from time to time. The other months of the year I eat healthy and am in the gym 4-5/week, so I like to think of it as my little break period. It happens and indulging during the holidays is ok, but you also have to know when it's time to get back on track. That time for me? Now. Not just because it's a new year, but because I want to feel healthier and get back on track. 

Some of you have asked me to share my tips + tricks to keep {and stay} motivated, so I compiled a list that I hope might inspire some of you. I also am sharing at the end what I'm personally doing right now in the gym/eating habits in case you want to join me. I'm not a pro {by any means}, but this is what works for me! {sugar, sweets, etc. do NOT work for me. Go figure...}

1. Create a kick ass playlist and keep updating it: This is huge! Music = motivation. Especially when on the treadmill. I like to load up my playlist with songs that are fast, uplifting (some could argue that my hardcore rap with 10,001 cuss words aren't uplifting, but hey, let's toss that to the side...), and that push me. If you keep the same ole' playlist for all of your workouts, you are bound to get bored. Bored = not wanting to be at the gym.

Here is my current favorite playlist:

"Set it off" is probably my favorite right now. Download it, listen to it when you workout, and thank me later. 

2. Buy new shoes or update staple pieces {cute pants, new top} in your workout attire: This works like a charm for me. Take control of your normal clothing budget and instead of buying new heels or a sweater, buy a cute workout outfit that you feel GOOD in. Buy those neon running shoes you've been wanting. I typically ask for new running shoes for Christmas for this very reason and every year it gives me a little extra drive to get to the gym. I love putting on my new shoes and wearing them to the gym, but then again I am a girl who owns double the amount of running shoes vs. heels. Totally besides the point....just get yourself some hottie workout clothes.

3. Make your goals visible: Put them on paper! Whether it's to lose 10 pounds, to do abs 2-3 per week, tone up, cut meat out of your diet once per week, eat fresh/clean foods, etc. PUT THEM WHERE YOU WILL SEE THEM MOST. The more you see them = the more you will be reminded to make them happen. I make a list and put them on our refrigerator because it motivates me to keep nothing bad in the fridge and to be "good" when I'm in the kitchen. :) Other helpful spots might be: your iPhone under "notes", your bathroom, or in your planner.

*with this: set a goal end date (unless this is something you want to do for the full year-even better!) Maybe an upcoming trip? Before bikini season hits? Schedule that end date in your mind so you know how long you have to make it happen. My husband always tells me "it takes 16 days to break a habit" {not sure if this is true or not-but so I've heard}, so chances are once you get "used" to your new lifestyle/getting to the gym-you will come to love it and it will be become a part of your daily routine willingly.

here's a copy of mine...

4. Schedule your workouts: Just like you would with your other important appointments. Set your workout for a time that you know you will be able to get it done. I might be different in my thinking here because some say, "do your workout first thing in the morning", but for me, I KNOW that in the winter chances are my butt is going to sleep in that extra hour and I won't get up to make it the gym before work. Therefore, I make it my priority to get to the gym after work and don't make any other plans until after that hour. In the spring/summer, it's much easier to get up with the early morning light, so I will try to do half of my workouts in the morning then. You just want to make sure you schedule your workout for a time you KNOW you can and will get it done.

5. Go to a new location for your run, take a new class, love your gym: This might be the most important of them all. You have to love where you workout. I could pretty much be running commercials or campaigns for Lifetime Fitness. That's how much I love it. I've worked out at Lifetime Fitness ever since I got out of college, have tried other gyms, and they just do not work out for me. Stick with what you love, even if it means paying a bit more. It's worth it to me because if you don't like your gym, why would you want to go there? You wouldn't. It's also important to switch up what you're doing in the gym. If you're getting bored, take a new class you haven't tried. Me? I'm 110% obsessed with spinning. You burn a heck of a lot of calories, is motivating, helps with my running, and in return puts a huge smile on my face. Endorphins = happiness friends.

{besides the fact that Lifetime needs to clean their mirrors more often, I love my gym.}

Lastly, for those of you who've been asking-aside from my goals up top on that paper, my goals are to do spin class 2x/week, run 2-3x/week (if you're running on a treadmill-try and run/job on an incline always), lift weights on my run days, and eat as clean as I can {I know that I will have a cheat meal every week}. I really want to shed the few lbs I've gained this holiday season, but most importantly I want to tone up and get stronger. So, what does clean eating mean? {question I've got a lot} I've found that this website helps me the most when understanding what it truly means. 

*If you'd like a more detailed post about healthy eating, leave it in the comments and I'll see what I can put together. 

Hope this helps some of you! 

Get that booty lift. Those Carrie Underwood legs. The flat stomach you dream about for this summer. GET IT. ;) {that right here would be me motivating myself, too...)

xo