Five Friday Favorites 2/26/16

WEEKEND SHENANIGANS

I got back from vacation last week and hit the ground running! After work on Friday, I had dinner with a friend, met up with the group for drinks, and then saw Diane Coffee at Bunk Bar. Saturday night was spent with some good ole fashioned family fun at the bowling alley! I made the decision not to bowl so I wouldn't throw my rib out again, but it was awesome hanging with some of my favorites and watching Caitlin get bowling advice from a 6 year old! Caitlin and I then went to see the Cave Singers Sunday night at Doug Fir, a band we saw in Astoria almost a year ago. So so so amazing!

BACK TO YOGA AND HANDSTAND

I took my second yoga class since my rib on Saturday with Jessica at Flex & Flow. Man did it kick my butt! I still didn't do everything I normally would have (as in, I did take every vinyasa, but didn't add in any arm balances or inversions to them), but I did decide to play a bit with handstand afterward! I don't know if I should have or not, and I felt pretty weak up there, but it made my soul oh-so-happy! The rest of the week with yoga was great! I was able to walk again (hah) and have continued to return to my practice more and more each day!

JAMIE FINISHING THE ORCAS100

My badass bootcamp bitch / #yogawithfriends partner in crime Jamie ran AND FINISHED the Orcas 100 race this weekend! Basically she ran for 29+ hours, through intense muddy and mountainous terrain with 26,000' vert, for a grand total of 100.8 miles. Dayum is she inspiring!

SIP 'N' SWEAT

The event at Flex & Flow I've been working on for a few weeks happened last night, and it was so much fun! We figured what could possibly make sweating with an awesome group of people any better? WINE! So we coordinated with the wine bar next door to the studio to go over there with our group from bootcamp. Knowing that we're definitely not the only ones that love to get our Sip 'n' Sweat on, we turned it into a virtual date for the whole of the Sweat Pink community too! We laughed, we cried sweated, we toasted. All in all, a wonderful evening with a wonderful group of people!

RETURN TO RUNNING

We've had some amazing weather this week in Portland. It's got to get cold and rainy again, for sure, but for now I know I'm definitely enjoying the hint of springtime. It's been great to be able to get out running in it for the first time since my rib! I even went out running in a tank top the other day! Building pace and miles back up has been going well in the first few runs back, so hopefully I can keep trucking along and be ready to hit the trails when they dry up a bit and get back to attempting to keep up with Jamie soon.

Progress toward more self care #prAnastyle #poseoftheday

Yesterday for prAna and Fit Approach's #poseoftheday challenge, we of course had to talk about #transformationtuesday. I love this theme. It's so easy to get frustrated about where you still want to go that it's nice to remember how far you've come.

There's always going to be postures I'm working on. That's nothing new. What is new-ish is the idea that the progress I'm working to focus on is self care and moderation. I'm always so focused on pushing my edge, until I can't. The fall and winter has been full of injury for me. There was the light ankle sprain in August, neck and shoulder spasms in September, the bad ankle sprain in November, and now I have a displaced rib. 

Last Monday I did three yoga classes and ran. Tuesday I taught 2 yoga classes, ran to bootcamp, and had my first bootcamp in two months (so many burpees...). I woke up Wednesday sore, but feeling good. I reached up to stretch and bam! Rib out and spams like whoa. I've found a chiropractor, whom I love, that has told me that even though the pain is manifesting in my rib, the root of the problem is in pelvic imbalance. Through an imbalance in my hips and my continued intense activity, the compensation has worked it's way up my spine and into my rib. And that last stretch was just the straw that broke the camels's back. So yes, I most likely overdid it last week, and for the weeks before that. But it wasn't just a simple stretch overhead that knocked a rib out. It was likely a culmination of stress, over activity, walking funkily while healing from my sprained ankle... It's never just one thing. 

Top Left: pre-bad ankle sprain; Top Right: pre-rib displacement
Bottom: yesterday... Sometimes progress doesn't always go forward.

It's easy for me to tell myself and sit here and write that I know I need more yin and moderation in my life. It's quite another to practice it. I have written that I need to work on moderation and balance, and practicing what I preach. The trick is now retraining my brain and habits. If I know I'm going to take two yoga classes later in the day, maybe I don't practice with my students in the morning. Maybe I don't take every vinyasa in every class. Maybe I don't add a handstand in to every vinyasa. Maybe I only do 1 handstand session every day instead of 5. Maybe I don't wait until I'm injured to get body work done. Maybe I don't run 5 days in a row when I'm trying to get back into running shape after an injury. 

All of these ideas are smart and logical, but it's so hard for me to put into practice. I love going full throttle and being active all day every day. It didn't seem crazy to me to go to three yoga classes and then run. And 5 days in a row of intense activity is the norm for me. I won't touch on what a friend and I talked about yesterday about our personal identities being tied up in our physical abilities... But I need to remind myself that I'm 26. Yes, I'm in the physical prime of my life, but I also want my body to last me for another 80 years or so. I want the marathon rather than the sprint for my physical health and abilities. Running and yoga (exercise in general) is my outlet for stress and emotion, and to not be able to turn to that sucks. To not be able to demo postures for my students sucks. To not feel good about my body because I've had to stay in my pillow fort on the couch sucks. Not to mention being in pain sucks! 

So here's yet another commitment to self care. To make the effort to check in with my body and take care of it rather than getting so caught up in the push. To keep in mind that I want to be running, skiing, handstanding forever!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by prAna, and any opinions are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community.

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! 

Mountain Booty #BOSUStrong

Share this fun mad-lib on your blog to announce the start of the BOSU and Sweat Pink #BOSUStrong challenge and encourage your readers, family, friends to join in on the fun! If you don’t like our mad-lib, that’s totally fine, we’d love to have you announce the start of the challenge in another way that suits you! ;) Week 3: My 5 Fave Stretches and 3 Tips for Toning your BOOTY! I can’t believe its already week 3 of the #BosuStrong challenge, time flies when  you’re having fun! Last week we focused on balance and I was proud of myself for crowing it up on the BOSU. This week its all about stretching and toning – so make sure you join in on the fun!  Since we’re talking about stretching, here are 5 of my all time favorite stretches: I love to stretch my legs by doing pigeon pose. My favorite total body stretch is dancer's and chopasana variation of half moon. You get the quad, hip flexor, hamstring, shoulder, pec, heart opener/backbend all in one pose!. I swear when I do splits, it feels like my hamstrings are solid rocks, but in a #hurtsogood kind of way. I stretch my mind by attempting to meditate. I try to stretch out of my comfort zone by deepening my heart opening- working my forearms down in wheel. And if you’re looking for a great way to tone your booty, here are my fave 3 tips (tricks, advice, words of wisdom, etc): For years I resented my booty and thighs. I wanted slender, the stereotypical runner's body. But when I run (and hike and ski and play field hockey), I get muscular. Biggest tip, keep it in perspective! I'll never look like Gisele OR Kim. I'd rather have a booty (which I love now!) and be able to go run 3 miles than fit into a smaller size pants. OWN IT! Lunges and squats. Lunges and squats. Lunges and squats. In Colorado, we called it "Mountain Booty." Go out hiking and skiing. Your legs get SO muscular! 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.

DAILY PROMPTS! Monday, 9/28: We’re starting the week with some side lunges! Show us how you work those inner and outer thighs @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad Bonus: Y’all know we love to #jumpjoymonday! Show us your BEST jump shot and tag @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad Tuesday, 9/29: It’s #tempotuesday! Show us your fave body toning move @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad Bonus: It’s #triceptuesday and we want to see you dip! Now drop down and give us 20 tricep dips. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Wednesday, 9/30: Grab a partner and show us how you tone it up together! @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad Bonus: #workitwednesday, show us how you’re workin’ in a good stretch this Wednesday and tag #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Thursday, 10/1: It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body stretch. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: Give us a #tbt of a time when you really stretched outside of your comfort zone (feel free to get creative!) #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Friday, 10/2: #FreeFriday. Show us your favorite way to get your cardio on! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: Happy #forearmfriday. Show us a move that helps you stretch and tone #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by BOSU. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community!

12 ways I get and (try to) stay balanced (and #BOSUStrong!)

6 ways I stay balanced If you forgot to join me last week for the #BOSUStrong challenge or just weren’t up for the cardio, make sure you join me this week as it’s all about the balance! We’re standing on one leg, lunging, and BOSU squatting our way through the week. But balance means more than just being able to stand on one leg, it also means being able to do what you love while making healthy choices at the same time. It means putting in the work and still finding time for vegging with The Mindy Project or a trashy romance novel and a glass of wine. Or eating all the chocolate but balancing it out with a salad. Or walking for coffee (workout) and practicing yoga (workout) at home when you can’t make it to the gym. Here are the 6 ways I stay balanced - what are yours? I make time for myself by reading during breakfast and in bed before sleep. My favorite me time is out for a run, practicing yoga, and snuggling watching a movie. My rule when it comes to a balanced diet is everything in moderation. I make fitness a priority by writing it in my daily schedule in permanent marker, and usually getting it done in the morning! When I get stressed or overwhelmed, my go to is hit a hot power vinyasa class and/or go for a run, especially in the woods. I do make fitness a priority to help my family stay balanced. (My sanity is good for their sanity. :) ) Bonus: Here are my fave 6 moves to help improve your balance:  Warrior III  Core strength building (it's always all about the core!)  Handstand (it's always all about handstand for me :) )  Tuck jumps to prep and build strength for handstand  Dancer pose- it's a backbend, heart opener, shoulder opener, pec stretch, quad stretch, AND you're on one leg! <3 Lunges- great poses to build strength for good balance… I love flowing between lunges and standing balance poses 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.

DAILY PROMPTS! Monday, 9/21: Happy Monday sweaties, this week we’re all about that balance. Let’s see you stand on one leg - ready, set, GO! #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness (Instagram) @BOSUFitness (Twitter) @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 Tuesday, 9/22: We want to see you #dropitlikeasquat...on your BOSU or perhaps one leg? #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: It’s time for #treetuesday! Show us your best tree pose. @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad Wednesday, 9/23: Let’s lunge it out sweaties! #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: #workitwednesday, show us how you’re workin’ it this Wednesday and tag #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Thursday, 9/24: It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body balance  move! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: Give us a #tbt of a time when you really challenged your balance (feel free to get creative!) #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Friday, 9/25: #FreeFriday. Show us your favorite way to get your cardio on! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad Bonus: Happy #forearmfriday. Let’s forearm plank it out y’all! #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. 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!