#DecFitChallenge

The Fitness Games App // Review

November 16, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

I was recently given the opportunity to try out a new app for mobile devices called The Fitness Games. It’s a competitive app that connects fitness enthusiasts from all over via virtual workout challenges! You’re able to challenge anyone, anywhere, anytime! The app is available on iPhone and Android for free!

Workouts are divided into four separate categories — cardio, strength, cross-training and full body. Whichever of the four categories you click on you’re able to choose your workout and whether you’d like to challenge yourself, one of your workout partners, or someone either nearby or worldwide! Amazing!

The way I see it, the more friends the better! The more friends you have the more challengers you have available to you. The My Feed section is a lot like the Facebook Timeline/Feed. You’re able to see your friends activity and comment on it or ‘like’ it by hitting the kettleball button. TFG also has a Facebook page where you can connect with other users and add them on your app!

I was able to “compete” with one other user during my trial period. It was fun! One of the major “Pros” of this app is that it totally keeps you motivated [think Jawbone UP/FitBit with an extra boost!]. An extra ‘pro’ is that it was designed by personal trainers for workouts that are intense and effective!

If you’re anything like me, when you workout next to someone at the gym, you’re inadvertently ‘competing’ with them. And they have no idea… Their loss, cause you seriously just kicked their ass at the elliptical…. 😉 So this app is a great way to channel some of that competitive energy into something with “rewards.” … or at least recognition. Which is the most important, .. am I right!?

In a nutshell? I think that most people could benefit from the extra boost of motivation. Whether or not we WANT to admit it, we all want to ‘beat’ someone else at something. Myself included. Download it and BRING IT ON.

My username is ItsAHero. (obvy). Find me. Challenge me. I’m ready. Bring. IT.

This post was sponsored by The Fitness Games through my partnership with Fit Approach as a Sweat Pink Ambassador. I was not compensated monetarily, but was provided the Platinum Version of the application for review. As always, all opinions are my own.

midweek mantra & #DecFitChallenge check in!

December 12, 2013 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Isn’t there a saying about how having set plans is setting yourself up for disappointment??
Well if not, there totally should be. Cause that’s life sometimes.

#DecFitChallenge Update!

I tried. I tried and tried and tried. And finally I gave up on Friday. I just could not hang with this sickness. I managed to fit in a short run on Thursday, but Friday was all about the gentle yoga stretches before bed.

Here’s a wrap-up of my epic-fail of a Saturday-Sunday-Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday = Healthy eating + lots of playing with and chasing the #BabyAri.

And that’s it.

I’m trying not to feel discouraged about my ‘unconventional’ workouts, but I promise I have been doing lots of Baby lifts & squats!
It helps that #BabyAri LOVES the “One, two, three… JUMP!” game.
Mamas arms love it too!

It’s hard letting go of my ego and embracing these new ‘workouts‘ for what they are.
But it’s reality, right!?

On a positive note, I just found out that we have P90X and a bunch of other
free workouts on the XBOX One!
Hooray! 🙂
Now if only I could wake up early to get a chance to work out.
Ha.

Tomorrow my goal is to get out and hit the pavement. No matter how cold it is outside
(eek – it’s been zero degrees with wind chill!)
I WILL get out and get moving.

And I will embrace the “GO WITH THE FLOW” mantra!
Cause seriously — what other choice do we really have?!?

Midweek Mantra //

December 4, 2013 by Rachel 1 Comment

My December Fit Challenge is underway! So it feels appropriate to do a midweek check in! Gotta hold myself accountable, right!??

Here’s what my workouts have looked like thus far:

Sunday — my workout was a head-to-toe cleaning marathon while Chad took Ari to the airport and grocery store! I sweated up a STORM! And then had a beautiful house to show for it.
Monday — 3.5 mile run during my lunch break!
Tuesday — yoga stretches! It was an easy day, but I still managed to fit in some hip openers.
Wednesday — today I’ve scheduled a lunch break run again! This time my goal is 5 miles. I know I can do it. The weather is supposed to be perfect and I have an audiobook queued up and ready to go!

Truthfully one of the reasons I started this challenge is because I seem to struggle, not because of the holidays, but because of the darkness. So so so much darkness. When I get home from work and feed Ari and put him to bed, the only thing I want to do is snuggle up on the couch and fall asleep. And truth — 99% of the time, I’m in PJs and ready for bed by the time I put Ari to bed. So I find ways to fit in workouts whenever I can. Even if that means running on my lunch break; even if that means ‘washing up’ in a sink after to make sure my coworkers aren’t completely disgusted by me; even if that means doing crunches in the living room while catching up on the DVR.

It’s true — the only workout I ever regret is the one that I don’t do. So I hope this post inspires you to hold yourself accountable; I hope it makes you feel like YOU can move too. Let’s do this!

December, I’ve got BIG plans for you.

December 2, 2013 by Rachel 2 Comments

I’m not certain that the words “I’m so excited for December” have been uttered from my mouth since I was a kid. Wait – scratch that. Probably in college when I wanted to go home for break. Regardless, this year is bound to be far more exciting than any other December for our household!

Christmas //

I’m having way too much fun buying Christmas presents this year. I’m trying not to go too crazy with toys for #BabyAri. I know that he’ll be super confused by the whole Christmas tree and present thing still, but it’s going to be so fun seeing his face light up when he gets his wagon from Santa!

My husband on the other hand is quite possibly THE hardest person to shop for. I know you’re probably thinking “no my husband is,” but I promise you, I’ve got you beat. And I’m not just saying that. Because if he wants something, he just gets it. I can’t even be like “Oh ya know what he’d like — a machete!” No. Cause he already bought it himself. Not joking (so wish I was. But nope. We have a machete!). But I think I found a few things that he is going to love, thanks in large part to Crafty Mart Akron and the Pop Up Holiday shop!

December Fit Challenge – also known as #DECFitChallenge //

You can join if you’d like, but my goal for this month is small, but mighty. December is my most difficult month to get out and get moving. So my goal is to do something — regardless of how small it may be — to break a sweat or get moving EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Whether that be an intense round of sit ups, P90x, yoga (at home or at a class), or running. Whatever. Just get moving!

If you’re up for it, I’m hoping you’ll get motivated with me! I’ll host a link up and check in every few days, both here and on my Facebook page!

Parties, Events, and MORE Parties! //

This month is full of busy — but it’s busy fun! I’m running two races (both this weekend), hosting family at our house for a weekend, visiting with my sister-in-law who will be in town from Colorado, attending the Ohio Blogging Association Cookie Swap, two family Christmas parties, and at least two festivals!

Last but not least //

… I have a hair appointment! Which means one moms night out in the month of December! Hooooooray!! 🙂 Seriously. I know it sounds crazy, but that one day or night out really keeps my sanity in tact. 🙂