Keep Your Butt Going To The Gym!

So, are you one of those people who made a resolution to "get fit", "exercise", or "join a gym"? if so, I want to encourage you to NOT give up. Trust me, I know it's not easy getting started AND continuing. I did mention that the first time I went to the gym I didn't actually GO to the gym, right? I drove 35 min to the gym, pulled into the parking garage, turned right around, and went home!

I think if you're not in the habit of going to the gym regularly it can be difficult to make it a habit. I'm not the kind of person who is good at creating a habit, but if I can get one started for at least a few months, I can make it part of my lifestyle.

One of the key pieces I think to sticking to going to a gym is finding something you love or at least enjoy. If you have the ability to try classes or use a trainer then I say do it! Don't just go to any gym just once or twice and give up on it. Many gyms will give a free meeting with a trainer or if you haven't paid for a gym membership, find ones that have different options and find out if they give free passes for up to a week. I mean seriously, if they're free, the gyms can be your oyster. At least they'll give you a sampling of what each one offers and if you feel comfortable there.

Some gyms are very basic and you just do a circuit of exercise machines. Other gyms have trainers who help you every time you go in. I know there are also gyms which specialize in specific fitness styles. I mean, there's truly something out there for everyone! You just have to find your fit.

A suggestion I have is to find a buddy to hit the gym with. Whether it's a family member or a friend, going to the gym with someone who's going to be committed WITH you can be a huge motivator to keep on keeping on. Heck when you start going to the gym, especially if you're doing it alone, get to know the people you keep seeing. You never know, maybe you reaching out with a, "Hi," will be just what that person needs to want to keep going. That person might just be on a health journey, too!

We're all on this journey together. You CAN do this! Just keep going to the gym, whichever one you choose, and I guarantee that in a few months you'll be loving it.

Encourage New Gym Members

Have you seen the typical swell of new people at the gym? I know I certainly have. Our Zumba class tends to be filled to overflowing, which I know is great for my instructor and for the gym, but I sure do miss the space to dance around.

That being said, I learned after I joined my gym 3 yrs ago, that some people at gyms don't have a lot of patience for people who decide one of their goals is to get fit in the new year. I had no idea. Why would someone be annoyed? Sure there's an influx of people trying to stick to their New Year's resolution, and many of them won't. But, what if we had a different attitude towards these new people?

What if instead of giving them the stink eye, we welcomed them? What if we encouraged them to come back? Last week was the first uptick in our Zumba class. There are a lot of ladies that I've been doing it with for the past 2 yrs and we're definitely the regulars. Well, one of the gals must've noticed that one of the ladies was struggling with the moves and she moved back to stand next to her to help her. In that moment, she was my hero.

I think what she did should be our attitude all of the time, but especially at the start of the year when people are just getting started. When they are trying to make lifestyle changes to help them be healthy.

Personally, I try to be welcoming to anyone I haven't recognized before. I try to smile at them, joke around with them, and in general be friendly. I'll even introduce myself and welcome them back. Unfortunately that doesn't always work out. People don't seem to be super open to making friendly with the "locals". I mean, it took me these entire past 2 yrs to have people coming up to me and talking to me. These are ladies I've been dancing with for 2 yrs. Like NOW they know I'm sticking around. lol People I've tried to be friendly with, at least in the past, ended up not coming back. HA! Trying not to take that personal.

That being said, if you see someone new, greet them! Offer to help them if they seem to be struggling or don't know what to do. Give them a smile if you're not comfortable talking to them. Just be willing to welcome everyone who's trying to get healthy like you!

Here's to year 3 of Zumba! I'm excited and loving it.

My New Devi Water Bottle From KOR

I know everyone is focused on Christmas, but somehow life has been so busy in general that I haven't done most of the things I have in years past. What I AM looking forward to is starting the new year. I'm hoping to make better choices with my health. That's where my new KOR Devi water bottle comes in to play. I have a few water bottles from KOR and I was excited to review this one!

One of the biggest things I struggle with is drinking water. The guys in my house, they drink it like it's going out of style. I can only drink it if I'm working out or if the water is incredibly cold. I don't know why, but it's one of the biggest hurdles I have with living a healthier lifestyle daily.

As you've probably seen if you follow me on Instagram or you've read my blog, I love my Zumba. I drink water like it's going out of style while I'm at my class. My Devi has been amazing during my class especially during this crazy time of year. I've been filling my KOR water bottle up with cold water when I leave the house early, do tons of running around, and then head to class.

Remember how I said I like my water super cold? When I finally get to class the water is still cold thankfully! At my class, I also need a bottle that's going to be one that's safe to have in class. We just randomly place our stuff around the room which can easily be knocked over. The Devi comes with a lock to help prevent leaks and spills. Yes, I've spilled between dances and that is such a hassle when you don't want to stop your exercise, but have to so that you can clean up the mess.

The KOR Devi is a bottle that also keeps liquids hot between 6 to 12 hours. That's done with the KORtemp Technology that helps keep water cold for up to 24 hours, too! It's double insulated and vacuum sealed. That way if you have hot beverages you don't burn your hand and if you have cold beverage on a hot day, it won't sweat!

One of my favorite features on every KOR water bottle is the Perfect Spout. The one on the Devi is probably my favorite of all the ones I have. It's a separate piece from the stainless steel bottle and also disconnects from the lid. It's smooth and threadless so it's gentle on your lips. No hard edges with this spout.

And can we just talk about the color? The pearl pink is absolutely gorgeous! I love the ombre. I'm not typically a pink person, but the bottle's color just grabbed me. It also comes in onyx, arctic ice, and Caribbean green.

Make a commitment to being your best you in 2019. Start off with hydration. Fingers crossed I can do it! That and get back on my treadmill. Another place where I'm not succeeding since we got back from Peru. Let's make 2019 a hydrated healthy one!

Just Keep Going ~ The Gym Gets Easier

So, did you do it? Did you join the gym? I hope you've decided to get active this year! My one year anniversary is coming up at the gym. I can't even believe it. I remember the first month going. It was kind of a love/hate kind of experience.

I still had anxiety because I didn't know most of the dances yet. The anxiety came from myself and it was so not necessary! I didn't realize that the dances don't always stay the same. Amanda changes up the songs and rotates them all the time. It finally became fun after I'd been going for a couple of months because I began to understand the moves and could get through a dance without any mess ups.

Maybe you're lifting weights and you're still on the same weight as when you first started. Maybe you've joined a yoga class and you can't quite get a pose down. Perhaps you're doing HIIT and you still want to die 15 minutes into the class.

Don't. Give. Up!

You've got to keep going. Each time you go you'll improve. It might be a such a minute change, you don't notice it, but your body is changing! You're building your endurance. You're moving your body. You're strengthening your body.

You're doing the things! That's the most important thing!

There are going to be days when you feel like this:

But then there are going to be days where you feel like this:

Hold on to those days tightly!

What To Wear To Workout

First off, I want to say, "Don't worry about what you're wearing to the gym!" If you're wanting to go to the gym, but you're thinking you have nothing to wear, it's ok! Really!! At my gym, everyone is dressed differently. Usually just a tank top and leggings will do regardless of what you're doing. The first time I went to Zumba I wore a t-shirt and shorts. I decided I wasn't going to do that again because no one else was dressed like that. So, listen, I get how self conscious we can be. I immediately went out and bought some shirts and leggings.

What I finally came to realize is a couple of things. 1) I'm pretty sure no one in my class pays attention to what other people are wearing. You don't really have time to pay attention. You get into class, do the workout, and everyone leaves. 2) People DO wear t-shirts and shorts. They wear capris, long leggings, shorts, tank tops, sports bras, t-shirts, etc. Not a single person is dressed the same. It is fun to try clothing on though! lol

I would highly suggest NOT going out and buying a wardrobe of activewear. Get a couple of essential pieces only if you don't have anything. If you have shorts, a sports bra, and a t-shirt, you're good to go. I'm not kidding. You don't have to rush out and get the top end workout clothing right away. Heck, you never have to do that.

BUT, if you want to, then I'd do that after you know you're making a serious commitment to the gym. You don't want to buy 5 full outfits, and by February realize you're just not that into it. Give yourself a goal. Maybe you give yourself a variety of goals, ways to congratulate yourself for sticking to it, and also a way of building your wardrobe.

Here are some goal ideas:

Joining the gym: A pair of leggings

RBX Active Women’s Printed Full Length Workout Leggings

Going to the gym for two weeks: Two tank tops

Gaiam Apparel Womens Everly Yoga Tank

prAna Womens Phoebe Top

Trying something new at the gym:  A good water bottle

Nalgene Tritan 24oz On the Fly (OTF) BPA-Free Water Bottle

Visiting the gym for a month: A good pair of shoes

Nike Women's Flex Supreme TR 4 Cross Trainer

Staying committed for two months: A gym bag

Under Armour Undeniable 3.0 Medium Duffle Bag

Keeping at it for six months: A fitness tracker

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband (this is the one I currently have & love)

Other things to consider for rewards:

1. T-shirt RBX Active Women's Plus Size Yoga Printed Workout Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee Shirt
2. Gym towels: PREMIUM Microfiber Gym Towel Set (3 Pack)
3. A pack of socks: Prince Womens No Show Performance Socks
4. Sports bra: Women's High Impact Support Bounce Control Plus Size Workout Sports Bra 
5. Yoga mat: Yoga Mat, with Carrying Travel Bag and Strap 2/5” Thickness(72”x24”)
6. Headphones: Wireless Bluetooth Sweatproof In-Ear Sports Headphones with Microphone 
7. Wrist/Ankle Weights: Reehut Ankle Weights, Durable Wrist Weight 
8. Boxing gloves: Everlast Women's Pro Style Training Gloves
9. Smartphone arm band: VUP Running Armband
10. Pullover: MOOSUNGEEK Women's Cowl Neck Pullover 

Water, Water, Water, Water...Water Bottle

One of the most important things you should be thinking about when you're working out is your water intake. It's incredibly important to stay hydrated. Not just during your workout, but all of the time. Water is super important in the winter as well!

Now, if you're anything like me, you're not a huge fan of water. The guys in my family can go through a case like it's going out of style. The issue I have with that is the waste with the water bottles. We recycle them, no doubt about it, but it's such a struggle for me because I dislike the waste. The problem is, I'm not confident in our well water. In fact, I'm pessimistic about our water, we're having it tested. We have a water conditioner, but we were getting all of this black stuff building up in anything that held water: toilets and pet water bowls. I was like, "I'm NOT drinking that water!" We're working on getting it fixed.

That being said, I would really love to get rid of any water bottles coming into our house. Now, I know it's not 100% avoidable. A water bottle will end up at our house. It is what it is. What I can do to keep it from happening more is having good reusable water bottles for the family to choose from (once we have safe water to drink).

Anywho, I think I've shared before that I've learned for my body I need to drink most of my water the hour before my Zumba class. While in class I just maintain my hydration by grabbing a sip here and there. If I don't drink enough before class and drink a lot during it, I end up feeling sick to my stomach. No good!

I also drink at least one 16 oz bottle while I'm walking on my treadmill. I tend to walk just over an hour on it and easily finish the bottle in that time. By the time I'm done I'm actually craving more water. Hence getting larger, reusable bottles. A couple of the bottles below have ways to measure how much water you've drank, which is great if you're trying to get in a certain amount in every day!

How do you like your water? I know, strange question, right? Listen, my son says water doesn't have a taste. I non-humbly disagree! I can't stand the taste of room temperature water. Mine has to be shockingly cold. I could drink ice water like it's going out of style. When I'm driving to the gym and I'm drinking room temperature water, I kind of gag. Meh, I'm particular. What can I say?

Here are a few great suggestions for cute ways to make sure you get your water intake!

Hydro Flask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Leak Proof Sports Water Bottle, Wide Mouth with BPA Free Flex Cap

Nalgene Tritan 24oz On the Fly (OTF) BPA-Free Water Bottle

Contigo AUTOSPOUT Straw Addison Water Bottle, 24oz, Ocean

The Coldest Water Bottle Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Hydro Travel Mug

Under Armour Dominate 24 Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle with Flip Top Lid

CamelBak eddy .75L Water Bottle

Swig Savvy Bottles 18 oz Tritan Water Bottle

Getting Started At The Gym

It's the beginning of the year and everyone is making New Year's resolutions! Have you made yours? I haven't. I'm so bad at them. I have a feeling I'm not alone since there are statistics out there talking about the high percentage of people who break their resolutions not long after they're made, typically within a week!

Whether you make resolutions or not, if you're planning to join a gym, now's the time to do it! Typically gym memberships are at a discount or the sign up fee might be waved. I just saw Costco had a HUGE discount for joining a large chain gym (the one I go to). The two year membership was $140 less than what I spend in ONE year! I'm going to have to get that figured out asap! Spend January getting to know your nearest gyms. There are so many options: YMCA, independent gyms, and large chains.

Last February, after finally being sick to death of how I was feeling, I finally started calling around. I was hoping to work with a gym as a blogger, but none of them were interested. One replied, but also didn't work with bloggers, but since they replied, I decided to try them out. They had a 3 day free trial. I honestly don't remember if I used it. I think I went in to talk to the manager and liked everything they had to offer, but the free trials are the way to go! Maybe even ask if they'd be willing to extend it for a week so you can get the best feel for what they have to offer.

You need to get an idea of what you like. I knew I wanted to try Zumba. That's the only thing I knew. I wasn't interested in weight training. I was hoping for a pool to do some water aerobics. I also hoped there were other classes available for me to try out. I got a tour of the facilities and really liked what they had to offer. Each gym has its strengths and weaknesses.

One of the things with my gym is if you join, you get a free session with a personal trainer. Well, I wasn't at all impressed by that. The girl seemed like she was 19 and had no idea what she was talking about. We went down to the elliptical machine because I wanted to know how to use it, and she had no clue how to turn it on. So there's that. Like I said, every gym has a weakness. lol

Another idea is to start with a buddy. You're probably not the only person at work, at church, or in your circle of friends & acquaintances who wants to feel better in the new year. Keep in mind, others might want to go to the gym just to not feel so gross like I did. They might not be concerned about losing weight so don't rule people out. If you're not finding anyone by word of mouth, put an invitation out on Facebook in case someone wants to go with you. I think going to the gym with someone is probably a lot better than going alone, but not matter what, just go!

While you're using this month to familiarize yourself with a gym and start to make changes, join me for a daily challenge for the whole month! Join me and play along! Hopefully it'll give you something to focus on daily to help improve the start to your 2018.