Yoga? Namaste in bed. But in all honesty, let's get down dog and talk about how great yoga is. I have done a few classes throughout high school and college, but nothing really stuck. Then I started following all of these podcasts and blogs and they were all shavasana this, and core power that, and hot flow this. So I caved. I took my first real yoga class. Not only was it a real yoga class, but it was a hot yoga class.

That is correct. I survived my first hot yoga class.

I was all on board with Orange Theory Fitness and Barre - don't worry I will go into detail about my favorite barre classes - but this is about yoga.

How I Turned My Nightmare Of Working Out Into My Dream Reality

Flashback to two years ago:

I was just about to graduate college, where I had full access to a beautiful, clean gym, walking distance from my apartment. Real world settled in: I was going through a breakup, I realized that gyms outside of college were not free, so I did the math, put two and two together, and found myself at the gym 2 to 3 times a week as a distraction method.

First things first, just to get it out there in the open, I had no idea what I was doing. I would go on the treadmill and/or elliptical and watch other people, then wait for them to leave, and do what they were doing. Is this the best way to spend your time at the gym? Probably not. Did it work for me? Hell yeah! I would do squats with dumbbells and weights, I would do lunges, bicycle crunches, you name it, I was trying it – if, of course, it was a main stream, not super difficult looking exercise. I would get adventurous sometimes, brace yourselves, and I would try things on a yoga ball. One time, I even had the courage to face the weight room. Looking back now, I have no idea why I was so terrified of the weight room, because no one is really looking at you, but there was good ol’ self-conscious me at the gym!

For the last few months of college, I kept up this routine. Then, when I was home I decided I should probably keep with this routine entering the real world, and join a gym. I tried a trial period with LA Fitness, realized it was not my cup of tea, and then found 24 Hour Fitness. I am proud to say, that I have now been a member of 24 Hour Fitness since May 2015.

My gym membership was perfect. I had two part time jobs, and I would alternate work-outs with my days off from one of the jobs, it was truly the perfect balance. And on top of that, since I was a new member, they offered me 6 personal training sessions for a super low rate! How could I say no to that?!

Then, as life often does, though, things in my work life changed, and my two part time jobs became one full time job. This meant either no gym, waking up super early to go to the gym, or night gym. I tried out all three. The only one that stuck was waking up early to go to the gym. I stuck with this for a few months. I would make a conscious effort not to beat myself up over the mornings I didn’t go to the gym, and push myself extra harder the mornings I did. I took practices and workouts from my personal trainer, and tried implementing them into my morning workouts. Did this work? Sometimes! But I also wasn’t getting anywhere near the results I was getting when I was with my personal trainer.

So, the next step in my fitness journey, was to try classes offered at my gym. This was difficult to space out with timing, and the only class that truly worked with my schedule was spin. Now, don’t get me wrong, and this goes for the entirety of this post, but some workouts just aren’t for certain people!

I am grateful to currently have the ability with a lifestyle that allows for me to afford to take these different classes - though the best part of this journey has been riding the free class wave, and signing up for great "new member!" benefits like 75% off memberships, free classes, and free gear - no kidding, I got a free sweatshirt and a $50 giftcard. 

What's your favorite way to get active? Taking any and all recommendations for more classes to try, new workouts to test out, and any other suggestions or articles anyone may have!

Until next time...

When Is Cheating Okay?

You're probably reading the title of this post and are like uhm, hi cheating is never okay. Here are a few case scenarios where cheating is not most definitely not okay:

• in a relationship
• on a test
• when it comes to money/taxes

You get the idea. So where can you cheat? Well, that is what this post is all about!

Last week I went to the gym every morning before work. Five out of seven days, way more than my average, and I hadn't felt better in weeks. So, why stop? This past Monday morning I woke up, and went to the gym. Same thing, starting a fantastic new habit, and I was all about it. Monday night rolled around though, and I was tired, didn't feel my best, and decided you know what? As great as I feel when I go to the gym in the morning, I am going to allow myself to sleep in. So, I did! Did I feel as great as I did when I go to the gym? No. Did I regret sleeping in? Definitely not. Everyone is allowed a cheat day. And when I say this, I don't mean go binge on ice cream and not eat anything remotely healthy, but it is okay to splurge every once in awhile, and get out of the routine, because it will make you realize one of two things.

1. You're doing the right thing with your routine. Stick with it because it makes you feel amazing.
2. Maybe there is something missing or off in your current routine, so try changing it up a bit!

Both create a learning experience. Both result in positive outlooks. Both will ultimately make you happier. Win, win, win!

Waking up an hour early to go to the gym is so crazy rewarding, it is insane. Of course, working out is great for you and great for your body, but I love the endorphins it gives, the motivation it gives me to really live my day out to the fullest, and there is something about watching the sunrise after leaving the gym in the morning. I am just starting to realize that all aspects of my life are somehow interconnected, and as I was finding happiness in some aspects of my life, I began developing happiness and healthiness in others; i.e. going to the gym more! 

Goals aren't goals until you start them. A goal that hasn't been started is just a dream.

You don't want to go to the gym tomorrow because you'd rather stay home and paint your nails? Girl, you do it. And while you're at it, catch up on some Netflix. You deserve it. It isn't cheating, it is treating. You are human and you deserve a change and a gift every once in awhile, so give it to your body!

I read an article on fitness trackers the other day from Refinery 29 and I realized so many things I had only thought about subconsciously about my fitness tracker. I have a FitBit Charge and it tracks my steps, flights, calories, and distance. It probably tracks other things, (like my sleep) but I primarily use it for my steps. I try to hit my step goal every day, but again, I am human. I don't do much walking at work, at max I get around 3,000 steps, which is like nothing. Yesterday, when I cheated, I only got like 4,000 steps. If that. This morning, I went to the gym, I had almost 6,000 by noon. So how did that make me feel? Like shit. I felt terrible that I could have done all of these steps the day before, and it was a day wasted, and just started beating myself up over this one day I took off, when it dawned on me that I went to the gym five times the previous week. The last time I went tot he gym five times in one week was when I was a sophomore in college. I was doing great. In fact, taking that day off was such a relief, because later that day I felt I was getting sick, so I was able to properly rest.

Why am I rambling on about my FitBit and numbers? Because that is it. They are just numbers. Yes, I love my FitBit, and I accept all of the challenges, and I try to it my step goal daily, but that's just it, it is just a number. It is a goal, but I will wake up the next morning and be able to do it again. It is not a one time shot. It is just like that scenario if you had x amount of dollars and had to spend it in one day what would you do with it, and it turns out to be seconds in the day. Your day is what you make it. Make it a day that makes you happy. Get those endorphins, grab a $5 cup of coffee, eat ice cream, see a friend, run 5 miles, smile uncontrollably. 

There is a saying that is on like every poster and wall decor sign in HomeGoods that says "Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy." Why not 2? or 3? or 10?

The sky is the limit, so put your head in the clouds!