My Favorite Things- Fitness Edition

Happy first day of summer! To me summer starts Memorial weekend but today is special because it's the first official day of summer!! I'm linking up today with Across the Hall in 2nd, My Favorite Things, this time fitness edition! What better time to be working on your fitness than bikini season?

A month ago my favorite things would be completely different. I would have said I love my gym, the fitness classes they offer and running inside and out. Since summer is here and I have moved I am no longer a member of my gym. It's also hard to find a time outside where it's not too hott to go running. I'm currently trying to change my fitness schedule and find something that works for me. Here is what I'm trying, keeping in mind I will not be joining back at the gym until August. 

Running Outside

early in the morning, or late in the evening

I don't want to let the heat stop me from running but I am going to adjust the time of day I go! 

Walking

When I just don't feel like running, walking is the perfect exercise. I plan on going on lots of walks this summer.. walking my dog, walking with my mom, walking on the beach, on local trails, the possibilities are endless! 

Indoor Ab exercises 

That's it for exercises but there are a few more fitness favorite on my list! 

What are your summer fitness favorites? Link up with Across the Hall in 2nd and share! 

Gym Routine

Back in January or February I made a vow to start eating healthier and working out. It was one of the best decisions I've made. I realized that after getting into a healthy routine I was left with loads more energy and work seemed less stressful. 

With it being the end of the school year my work load has picked up leaving less time for the gym however, I am trying not to make excuses! It's all about what you really want- when there is a will there is a way (:

I absolutely love the gym I joined this year!! They have any and all the equipment you could possibly need, friendly staff, personal trainers and lots of fitness classes offered. I'll be moving next week and canceling my membership sadly but in the mean time I'm going to make as many visits as I can! This is what a typical week working out for me looks like:

Sunday

My gym is closed on Sundays so I normally use this day as a rest day, especially if I have traveled over the weekend. I've also used a few Sunday's to get in a nice outdoor run though. 

Monday

Body Attack fitness class- this is my all time favorite class!! If you haven't heard of it, it's a Les Mills program that focuses on high intensity, sports inspired cardio. You WILL leave this class drenched but it will feel oh so good! 

Tuesday

Body Pump- this is another Les Mills class. It is less cardio and more strength training. We use a barbell to work all of the major muscle groups. 

Wednesday 

I normally pick between a day off to work late (I rather work late one day a week in attempts to not bring weekend work home) or a walk/run outdoors. 

Thursday

I head back to Body Pump and try to get a little cardio in on the treadmill as well. 

Friday/Saturday

Very unpredictable! It depends where I am that weekend. Normally no gym visits but I do try to get at least one good run in! 

I also try to do a short ab workout every day. This is what has worked with me but of course everyone is different! What is your workout routine like?

Up in the gym just working on my fitness

We survived Monday! That's always promising.. there is hope for the rest of the week(: Anyone notice the song behind my post title? I managed to make it to the gym for the past two days and have since had the Fergie song Fergalicious stuck in my head. Okay, this is a judgement free zone for the rest of this post please!

Confession: I am actually proud of myself for going to the gym two days in a row. BUT I do 100 percent realize that is absolutely pathetic! I know how important fitness is, I've just never been one to bring myself to hit the gym. I have gone through spurts over the years where I will start working out daily and do a great job, until about the week to two week mark hits. Then, as always, it's game over. Sometimes I think something is abnormal with the way I d-r-e-a-d the gym. For some reason Sunday night I randomly decided to go. I did the Elliptical for 30 minutes, stretched, walked and then cycled for 10. I left feeling absolutely amazing and couldn't wait to go back today. Same thing today, I loved it! I would really love to keep this habit up but knowing my past I'm afraid I will loose motivation. Any other beginning fitness goers out there have any suggestions for me?

This semester has brought on a new amount of stress for me. It's not necessarily bad stress. I wouldn't change the fact that my internship requires so much or the fact that I am still babysitting or the other million things going on. I just have realized that all of the things I have taken on do indeed put a lot of pressure on myself. I didn't realized how sever it was until I started noticing a change in my appetite, my sleep and jaw pain. You're probably thinking what in the world does jaw pain have to do with anything. Well after a month of constant irritation in my jaw, giving me headaches I decided to do some research. I realized I have recently started grinding my teeth at night- a sign of stress. That's when I realized I've got to do something about it! These kind of things are not healthy!

With that being said I've decided a new gym habit will be the perfect stress reliever. That is what all the health experts claim anyway, haha. I'm going to attempt to stick with it. Anyone with words of encouragement or motivation tips feel free to leave some kind words(: Maybe since I went public with my big secret of never going to the gym I'll change my ways. We'll see!