Thank you Harper & Sky for inspiring this workout routine post and for the new outfit! Check out their new activewear line, it’s affordable, function-able, and SO adorable! Photography by @ebrookephotography.
Top | Bra | Leggings | Sneakers | Watch
I’m in my usual size small for everything and true to size 7 in the sneakers!
Alrighty guys, I know I’ve been a little quiet around here and to be quite honest, I just needed a little time to relax after getting home from the office in the evenings! It’s a labor of love to put all of the pieces together to publish a post, so it was refreshing to have a short break. BUT, I’ve missed it so much and am SO excited to kick it back into high gear! So get ready to hear a lot more from me (:
This one has been highly requested for a while now, so I figure there’s no better way than this to get things going again…my workout routine!!
Now, we’re just gonna start this out by saying I am nowhere near anything even close to a trainer/coach/fitness anything or nutritionist/dietitian. HOWEVER, I do know what works for me and that’s what I’m sharing (:
Now, obviously that doesn’t mean it will work for you or anyone else for that matter, but hopefully it’ll help you figure out what does work for you!
First of all, let’s talk about motivation.
I used to follow all the little six-pack, fit girls on social media and had a Pinterest board of a bunch of tan, toned girls that looked phenomenal. I called that motivation…
That is NOT motivation.
It’s not even the least bit motivating for me actually lol. I’m never going to look like that. I may look like my own version of that if I put in the work, but my body won’t ever look exactly like someone else who was likely photoshopped and edited.
Things that DO motivate me are seeing and feeling progress in myself, sore muscles, the feel-good feeling after a workout, new workout clothes, progressing towards a goal, and feeling healthy!
A lot of those things come from putting in the work, and I think the hardest part for most people is getting started! When I started my new job, I didn’t workout consistently for a while because adjusting to my new schedule made it really difficult for me to balance everything outside of the office.
I used to LOVE going to cycling and yoga classes(still do), but that meant I had to wake up at 4:30am or spend my evenings at the gym. Neither of which are realistic for me AT ALL lol.
So I had to make some adjustments. I like to get my workout done in the morning, because if I don’t it’ll never happen. I also needed to be able to maximize my sleeping hours. (DUH!)
Sometimes I enjoy a cycling class on the weekends or occasionally I’ll go to a hot yoga class, but for the last few months I’ve been knocking out my workouts right from my bedroom in the morning before heading to the office! I got some weights and made it a point that no matter what time I rolled out of bed, I always had to squeeze in at least a 30 minute workout. It was difficult for the first few days but now it’s just part of my routine, and I can’t imagine not doing that!
I usually lift 3 or 4 days a week and include cardio exercises in my circuits as well! I do cardio a couple days a week, and then usually Saturdays I walk on the track at the YMCA.
Sundays are yoga days for me and I’ve actually been doing that from home too! Here is an awesome youtube channel with tons of yoga videos for everything under the sun. This one is my favorite for a full body stretch and this is my saving grace when my lower back is bothering me.
My friend is a Beachbody coach, so I usually get some cardio and lifting ideas from those workouts before I go into the office.
Working out at home has changed the game for me, since starting my job. Cutting out the drive/parking time allows me to sleep about an extra 40 minutes everyday…which I cherish every morning lol.
I only have to get up about 45 minutes earlier than if I didn’t workout at all, and I feel SO much better throughout the day knowing I knocked that out right away.
In all honesty, the most important thing about a workout routine is having one.
You’ve got to figure out what you enjoy doing and then do it. And do it regularly. Like I said, the hardest part is getting started. Here’s a few things that may help you get things goin:
- Figure out what you enjoy to do. Try everything. Some of my favorites are cycling classes, walking, lifting, yoga, etc. But if you like to do something, then you won’t dread it so much!
- Do it consistently. Find a time that works best for you and do it. Don’t make it optional, you keep that promise you made yourself and get it done.
- Reward yourself! Choose a treat day where you celebrate your weekly accomplishments or get yourself some new workout gear! (I just did!!! Obsessed with these leggings!)
Okay next up…eating habits.
I’ve always eaten pretty healthy because if I eat like crap, I feel like crap…and nobody likes to feel crappy!
I used to track my macros in the My Macros app, but that takes time that I don’t have at the moment. Plus, I feel like I’ve learned how to balance my meals and snacks now that I can kinda just keep mental tabs on things!
Here are some of my top tips for sticking to a healthy diet.
- Drink lots of water!!! I drink way more water than I actually need but this helps prevent me from eating when I’m actually just thirsty. You could try drinking a cup of water before each meal to make sure you’re not just feeding your thirst!
- Eat to live, don’t live to eat. It’s not easy, I know. We all want to eat every last bite of our tasty food, but stopping when you start feeling full rather than miserable will keep you from consuming extra calories that your body doesn’t need!
- Plan your treats! I always plan treats because I have a major sweet tooth and like to have something to look forward to! This also helps me stay away from turning down other treats because I keep my eye on the prize that I’ve got planned ahead of time!
- Here are some of my favorite healthy recipes! Buffalo Turkey Meatballs, Turkey Taco Quinoa Skillet, Balsamic Chicken and Veggies, or you can check out a ton more on my Good Eats board on Pinterest!
As I said, the things I do may not work for you; however, hopefully something in here will inspire you to make a small change in your life that will work you towards a healthier lifestyle!
Last tidbit for today: it’s a lifestyle.
Eating one healthy meal is not going to give you a six pack, and eating a tub of ice cream one day isn’t going to pack on 50 pounds. You’ll see a difference when you make the little healthy changes and turn it into your daily routine. But first…
Start.
Aaaaand GO! (:
-AP
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