breathe, sweat, and love

breathe, sweat, love

Three pretty standard words, concepts, actions when you first think about it. And yet they are all absolute musts in my life! Lucky for me, they mostly come as a set, too! I'm rarely out sweating without paying attention to my breath (thank you, yoga) and loving what I'm doing anymore. Even if it's an intense workout, like at bootcamp with Jamie, we're laughing (as we're crying, but luckily the tears are usually masked by sweat ;) ) and having fun together.

I had my years of half-assing my workout at the gym for the sake of getting a workout in. It's not worth it anymore. Ain't nobody got time for that! Literally, I'm so ridiculously busy that when I make time for a workout, I have to make sure I make it worth it! My spin instructor Jessi makes a point of telling us at the peak of the class when we're all drenched in sweat, questioning why we not only came to class but paid a good amount of money for it, mentally spewing creative combinations of four-letter words at her, that we made the decision to be there. We scheduled 45 minutes out of our day, which is really not all that much, for spin class. Why take the time and spend the money to half-ass it? Why walk out of the studio knowing you didn't give it your all? (Note: I'm in no way condoning pushing through injuries and limitations. Listen to your body. No throwing up or passing out or injuring yourself.) Hence, Jessi's classes have an insane wait list, she owns two spin studios and I've heard rumors of a third coming soon, and she's touted as one of the most inspirational fitness instructors out there by her fans. (Obviously I have a hardcore girl crush on her! She's been my #wcw many times.) 

I like to remind my students of the same thing in my power vinyasa classes. We take the time for yoga, gym time, running, tennis matches, and any other conceivable activity. Why spend the time out of your busy schedule and the money from a hard-earned paycheck to not love what you're doing and give 110%?! Not loving your workout regimen? Find a buddy, try different teachers and studios, get outside, pair your treadmill time with your favorite show… Work it out so that you can love the time you're breathing and sweating! 

Puppy snuggles always help make bootcamp awesome!

Get excited about exploring a new trail in a new area!

Plan a workout date with friends!

This was all inspired by three little words: breathe, sweat, and love. Get your own #breathesweatlove Sweat Pink tank here, and get 15% off by using the code breathesweatlove15! 

Disclaimer: I was given a tank by Sweat Pink. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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!