Let's Do Some Yoga!!

Confession: I have not done any yoga for over a week.

I know. Hopefully you did not fall off your chair and break something at that news, but if you did, it is understandable. This is quite different, especially for a crazy yoga enthusiast like me. Yoga is wonderful for all of us cardio and weight junkies and something that can slip through the cracks if we are not careful. Just like any physical activity, it takes a small to large amount of pre-planning to get. things. done.

To help with that, I searched the internet for some great yoga sequences that are about 30-minutes long. Why 30-minutes you ask? Well, that is simple! A friend of mine has started a challenge to do 30-minutes of yoga at least once per day. How great is that?! This would leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready for life like few other things can! It will also help stretch those muscles, increase joint lubrication, improve those non-yoga workout results, get better balance, and tone those muscles. A whole month may be difficult, but why don't we all try doing a 30-minute yoga flow at least once per day for the next week!

This will be such a great habit to start and a wonderful way to kick off our slim down challenge! To get you started, I have listed three great sequences below along with links to their YouTube channels where you can find more.

Jillian Michaels Yoga

If you are more into the cardio, sweat kind of yoga, then Jillian Michaels is for you. Her yoga playlist can be found here.

Ali Kamenova

The middle road lovers will love Ali K. She does everything from relaxing flows to intense I think I just died flows. there is sure to be something you love between these three!

Yoga by Candace

Those who would rather have something slower but still engaging, try Candace. She is wonderful at breaking down sequences and making the yoga flow as understandable as it is healthy.

Some Great Yoga and A Book

Well, after this week, I am definitely needing some great yoga! It has been a wonderful end to 2014 and a very progressive but relaxed beginning. On December 31st I picked up North and South- a favorite mini series (Richard Armitage as John Thornton, I can't even) and classic English literature. It turned out that I was as engrossed in the book as I have always been in the mini series and got 20% through Wednesday, spending most of yesterday reading and finishing last night around 2 am.

It was a beautiful book and I loved hearing all my favorite characters' thoughts through out- especially John Thornton's. Swoon. Unfortunately, I thought the end was rather abrupt and wished for another chapter or two. But, that is what they say a good book should feel like, right? One should race to the end, then feel remorse that there is no more. If that is the case, this is definitely a book you should consider reading, or watching the mini series that is free on Netflix and Amazon Prime. It is so. good.

Now, on to the whole purpose of this post, nay, this blog- a workout! I have not been doing as many of my own workouts lately, but taking workouts from online and adding a bit extra to it. There is a resistance band bum workout that will simply have to be shared soon (it will change your bum), but for now, here is a yoga video that I love and will be doing later today!

I did this flow a few days ago after a 3-mile run and simply loved it! It was the perfect stretch/tone/cool down that my body needed. This yoga flow can be done on it's own, or with another cardio or strength workout to get those muscles warmed up and ready!

Now, for a questions... Do you prefer reading a book first or watching the movie/mini series/show? I am a fan of watching the movie for an overview, then reading the book for a more in-depth look at the characters!

Also, sorry for the messy half post yesterday... That is a future title that I thought was scheduled for next week. So, there was a little preview for you- Life hacks for 2015!

Have a wonderful weekend!

What I Missed While in Greece

Now, I am looking at all the articles, pop culture, and news I have missed over the past week and thinking that it simply must be shared. Because, there is the off chance that you also missed all these goodies and that is simply not acceptable. Happy Tuesday and here's to vacations, the internet, cat babies (who are sitting on your lap right now purring, pawing at your face, and thanking you for the tuna you gave them because you completely forgot they were out of wet food. It happens, don't judge), and coming home!

Oh, and you may see a supreme lack of pictures from Greece on this post. Do not fret, there will be PLENTY in the following week.

Another 20-Minute Kettlebell Workout

Because all the 20-minute kettlebell workouts in the world do not satiate my kettlebell workout desire. I looked at this with longing while kettlebell free in Athens.

These Cookies

They are made with coconut oi and oatmeal. Oh, and chocolate, bananas, and magic.

This Tracey Anderson Workout

I have been eating like a true Grecian and apparently, do not have their god-like metabolism to back it up. This flat stomach workout via flat stomach goddess just might be my ticket to normal-size town! Whoowhoo.

This Outfit

Because it's fall and I love it. I mean really, look at it. Do we need a better reason?!

These Noms

Full disclosure, I am not sure what is in them or how they are made because I have not clicked on the link. They just look soo good that all I can do is stare, and maybe drool a little.

3-2-1 Interval Workout

I. Love. This. Workout. It is not the most fun thing while you are doing it, but if you are wanting a great cardio session in under 20-minutes, you got it. 3-2-1 workouts have been around for a while and for good reason- they work. Runners who add 3-2-1 intervals into their repertoire of training find that it improves there run times. This has been true for me as well. Really, any interval training helps my newbie runner legs, but this one is my favorite :)

A 3-2-1 workout is ridiculously simple and can be set up with any smart phone app quite easily. If you are wanting free, Seconds Pro Free is a pretty great option. Seconds Pro is also great and saves workouts for a few bucks more. When setting it up, make ten sets of intervals of 30-seconds, 20-seconds, and 10-seconds, in that order. That's right, you will be running this interval ten times over. To vary it a bit and add to your workout, try doing ten 3-2-1, ten 1-2-3, and ten 2-3-1. Now, that is a 30-minutes workout that is worth the sweat effort!

When doing the 3-2-1, it is important to keep the walking, jogging, and sprinting times the same. That means that your run for 30-seconds, sprint for 20, and walk for 10. If you are new to running, try inverting this so you are walking for 30, running for 20, and sprinting for 10. It may not be as intense a workout, but it will be pretty intense, all the same!