Sweatin' into the holidays! #holidaysweat

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Sweat Pink, Run to the Finish, and prAna but all opinions are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands who support the Sweat Pink community!

I'm so excited to be participating in the annual #holidaysweat challenge with the Sweat Pink crew and Run to the Finish! This is the first year in quite a few that I haven't gone into the holiday season in a ski town. This time of year is usually spent in anticipation not only of the holidays but also of ski season! I'm only 90 minutes from the mountain here in Portland, but I'm used to it being literally in my backyard. I'm very used to being extremely active through the holiday season, but it's usually in the snow. So this challenge is exactly what I need to keep me motivated to get out of my snuggly blanket and to go be active!

Thanksgiving 2014

Today prAna asks us what number of minutes we're shooting for this week! I'm aiming for 600 minutes of activity! Today I got in 90 minutes with yoga and a trail run. 

This week I'm also planning on hitting my favorite spin class, going on a runch date with a girlfriend, and all the yogas all over the place! 

DAILY PROMPTS!

Use these prompts to get you going each day! Share your reponse anywhere and everywhere: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, your blog... at home!

Monday, November 9: What's your minutes goal this week? How will you get there?! #pranastyle @prana #holidaysweat @runtothefinish @fitapproach #sweatpink

Tuesday, November 10: Show us your sweaty style! What's your favorite workout outfit or gear? #pranastyle @prana #holidaysweat @runtothefinish @fitapproach #sweatpink

Wednesday, November 11: Show us how you take your workout outside when it's cold (or even snowing!) #pranastyle @prana #holidaysweat @runtothefinish @fitapproach #sweatpink

Thursday, November 12: Squats? Pushups? Planks? What's your favorite strengthening move? #pranastyle @prana #holidaysweat @runtothefinish @fitapproach #sweatpink

Friday, November 13: FREE FRIDAY! Show us what you're up to today... sweating, eating, cooking, you name it! #pranastyle @prana #holidaysweat @runtothefinish @fitapproach #sweatpink

Join in on the fun with us! 

Parental visit for #BOSUStrong #moveitmonday!

Week 4 BLOG & CHALLENGE PROMPTS (10/5-10/9):

This week is the very last week of the #bosustrong challenge that has inspired me to challenge my balance like whoa. Before starting the challenge, my goal was to balance on my hands on the BOSU and now that we’re in the final week I plan to try kicking up into handstand. I couldn’t always make it to the gym (and the pool!) (to the gym/for a trail run/in the pool), but I still squatted and lunged and pushed-up on the BOSU (workout) at home!

This week we’re focusing on the things that make us BOSU Strong. Here are the 10 things that make me #BOSUStrong:

• I am a fitness junkie.
• I will always crave high energy activities. And handstands (obvi).
• I never get tired of trying new things.
• I do wear spandex, alllll the time! (Never know when you'll be able to sneak in a run, or bust a handstand!)
• I love to get REALLY sweaty!
• I am inspired to still get a kickass workout in at home even if I don't have time for the gym, bootcamp, or a class.
• I love to encourage others to give something new a try without expectations- they might surprise themselves!
• I have 6 yoga mats.
• I am proud of learning to back off sometimes, which I'm not good at. Gotta listen to your body.
• I hope to keep increasing my running distances, and run more with Jamie.

Bonus: Tell us the ten best BOSU workouts you did, learned or saw during the challenge:

So I want to know - are you #BOSUStrong? Copy and paste the above, fill it in and make it your own and then tag me in it and share with your friends! Let’s all be #BOSUSTRONG.

The daily prompts are below. You can also follow along HERE.

Week 4, SHOW US YOUR #BOSUSTRONG! (10/5-10/9):

(Make sure you tag @Bosu_Fitness on Instagram & @BosuFitness on Twitter):

• Monday, 10/05: It’s #moveitmonday. Show us how you’re moving it this Monday. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

• Bonus: Y’all know we love to #jumpjoymonday! Show us your BEST jump shot and tag @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad
  
  
  For #moveitmonday, I'm taking my parents (who are visiting from North Carolina) out to the Columbia River Gorge on a hike! I can't wait to show them the beauty of my new home! We're stopping to see Multnomah Falls, hiking at Rowena Crest, and then stopping for lunch in Hood River. I can't wait!
  
  
  
  
  

  

  My parents are going to love this place!

• Tuesday, 10/06: It’s #tempotuesday! Show us what makes you #BosuStrong! @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad

• Bonus: It’s #triceptuesday and we want to see what makes you #BosuStrong. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

• Wednesday, 10/07: Planks, planks and more planks! Plank it out and show us how you’re #BosuStrong @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad

• Bonus: #workitwednesday, show us how you’re workin’ it this Wednesday and tag #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Thursday, 10/08: It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body move - the one that truly makes you feel #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Bonus: Give us a #tbt of your favorite moment of this challenge #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Friday, 10/09: #FreeFriday. Show us your #BOSUstrong! #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Bonus: Happy #forearmfriday. Let’s all celebrate the final day of the challenge with dolphin pose! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

Notes: You do not need to own or have access to a BOSU to participate. By participating you will have a chance to win a BOSU and other fun prizes. And please, if you are using a BOSU throughout this challenge, never stand on your BOSU with the dome facing down (images or moves down on the BOSU incorrectly will not count during this challenge).

Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by BOSU but all opinions expressed are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Fit Approach (Sweat Pink) community.

#BOSUStrong Bootcamp Babes

Today we're talking about workout buddies and our favorite partner exercises with BOSU and Fit Approach. And how appropriate that it's also #womancrushwednesday! I girl-crush on these sweaty ladies so hard!

As much as I do usually like to work out solo, there are so many fun exercises to do with a friend! I love my group at bootcamp with Jamie and Tasha! We all sweat, run, lift, burpee, and crunch together! It definitely helps to get through the burn-inducing moves by motivating each other. 

Of course I always love a good yoga pose picture with friends, whether it's after bootcamp or a yoga class or out hiking...

What I love about working out with buddies is that you can do exercises together OR be exercising together. Sometimes it's helpful to have someone push you, motivate you, high five you while you're "playing" in plank. Sometimes it's awesome just to have company alongside you. 

Abbie loves to help during bootcamp too! :)

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by BOSU. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community. 

All the Cardio #BOSUStrong

The theme for BOSU and Fit Approach's first week of #BOSUStrong was cardio. We ran and walked and biked and mountain climbed and…

Tuesday was about getting the heart rate going, Wednesday we worked it with some burpees, and Thursday was targeting the whole body with cardio. Today, #FreeFriday, is all about showing our favorite way to get our cardio on, with some forearm action thrown in. Well, I'm doing one big fat giant post for the week because, spoiler, I LOVE cardio! In fact I probably do a little too much of it, and not enough yin and restorative activities. But there's nothing quite like that "runner's high," which I've discovered I can also get doing many other endorphin-rush-inducing activities. Read more about my fitness lifestyle here

RUNNING
Still my favorite cardio, and for many reasons. You can take it everywhere with you! You don't need any equipment or specific place or class or anything. Just some spandex (if that, since I may or may not have had to run in jeans last week… Whatever the bride wants, the bride gets!) and running shoes. It's the best, full body exercise that I have taken with me all over the world on travels, moves, various terrain, with groups, by myself, in races, etc.

SKIING/SKINNING

Ok, I may have lied before because since I've discovered skinning, that truly has become my favorite cardio. But it's definitely not as versatile as running. You have to have snow and the ability to get to a mountain. But if it's there, oh man, I'm so excited! 

WATER SPORTS: SUP-ING, SURFING, KAYAKING

I actually grew up with water sports, with canoeing with my parents. I love being out on the water. It doesn't even feel like you're working out most of the time! Until that night and the next morning and you feel muscles you didn't even know you had! 

DANCING

I love dancing! Another one where you don't really realize you're working out, even though you're dripping in sweat. But after a night of dancing, whew I'm sore the next day!

HIKING AND BACKPACKING

This is one of the most satisfying activities for me. I love hiking to a peak or a vista! It's so validating! And backpacking is so much fun! Yes, it's hard hiking with a 50-pound pack on. But the knowledge that you're essentially carrying all of your necessities for the duration of the trip on your back is so empowering!

FIELD HOCKEY AND BOOTCAMP

I don't play field hockey too much anymore (anybody know if there's a club for old people (aka non students) in Portland?!), so bootcamp with Jamie and the Sweat Pink crew is as close to training for a sport that I've gotten in years. So much fun (and helpful!) to have a supportive group around you as you push yourself to the limit!

SPINNING

Burn Cycle in Portland is my newfound love! 45 minutes of sweating more than you've ever thought physically possible while being encouraged (and entertained!) by the ripped, bleach-blonde Jessi and jamming out to DJ beats is definitely one of my favorite ways to break a sweat as of late.

AAAAAND (duh!) YOGA! 

No explanation needed. Well… Whether it's in a kick-ass power class, busting poses around town or while out on hikes/runs, stretching while waiting in the airport before boarding my flight or watching a movie… I'm constantly doing yoga. Love! And if you don't think yoga is a cardio workout, check out a power class or try busting a bunch of handstands! 

BONUS: Some hallowback forearmstand action while out on a trail run!

What are your favorite ways to break a sweat and get your cardio in? Join the fun! #sweatpink #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #ad @bosufitness (Twitter) @bosu_fitness (Instagram) @FitApproach

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by BOSU, but all opinions are my own. We appreciate the brands that support the Sweat Pink (Fit Approach) community!