Fitness & Healthy Eating: Favorite Fitness Picks

Well the month of May will mark 5 months since I started my journey towards fitness & healthy eating. I can’t believe how time flies. I am starting to see some changes in my body and it is amazing how workouts have become a “habit” for me. But no matter how much of a habit they become, it’s still a struggle. My workouts still kick my butt and I still walk away sore some days. The journey isn’t easy, it will force you to push yourself… but the results are so sweet! 

In other news… As if working out 4+ times a week wasn’t enough, I am adding a 10k training to the mix! I will be running a 10k in our small town in June! If you remember back to nearly TWO years ago when I ran my first EVER 5k in October... It took me forever to run 3 miles. Literally months of training and running every single day. This time in my mind, I was still that person. There was a mental block that I couldn’t just up and run 3 miles… I set out on day 1 of training, just to see what I could do. And low and behold, I ran a 5k, no problem! It makes sense that my body is in better shape now than before, but my mind couldn’t fathom that. Running is so mental for me, but slowly but surely I’ve been overcoming those mental road blocks. 

Some highlights, personal goals, and my stats for this month:

• This week marked the longest distance I’ve ever run at 4 miles… And I probably could have kept going. I spent the afternoon out running the section lines at the farm. I’d pick a point and tell myself to make it to there.. then that point would come and I’d pick another… and another.
• This week I also dead lifted the most weight I have ever lifted… 200 lbs. was my 1 rep max for the week. I struggled with the 3 x 180 lbs. and then walked right up to that 200 lbs and lifted it like a beast… The mind is a funny thing my friends! 😉
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Also I’ve had some people ask a few questions… what sports bras I like, what shoes I like, what whey protein I use, what do I use for a recovery…? So I figured I’d put together some of my favorite fitness picks in order to answer those questions! 

1. AboutTime Whey Protein

I use the chocolate flavor of this whey protein. Mix it with milk. I LOVE IT! It’s seriously like chocolate milk. I also have mixed it with greek yogurt, used it for protein waffles, and used it in smoothies with fruits like bananas. I can’t live after a workout without this stuff and the awesome part is that it is fairly low in calories and sugar! 

2. Moving Comfort Sports Bras

If you are like me and are well endowed in the chest area, finding a sports bra that keeps your boobs contained is darn near impossible. I am in love with my Underarmour sports bras, but they are too low cut for me to do things like jump rope or jumping jacks. A friend of mine found these Moving Comfort bras and swore by them. I am addicted! They are expensive (as are the Underarmour bras) but it is worth it to have those puppies strapped to my chest! They sell them in band size and cup size and come in a variety of different cuts. 

3. Endurox R4 Recovery

I just recently added in this recovery drink after I tried it from a friend. I don’t drink this every day, but on days when I am feeling extra tired or beat after a workout, I drink this and it helps! It tastes great and isn’t chalky which is what I’ve read about a couple recovery powders. 2 scoops of this is just under 300 calories so this equals a snack or part of a meal for me. 

4. Brooks Running Shoes

 I picked up these running shoes (mine are the Cadence 2, they make a 3 now) after a friend recommended I check out Brooks. They are LIGHT on my feet and that is what I love about them. They are super comfortable and are the shoes I workout in every day. I also have a pair of Asics that I wear when I run in “high terrain” like a section line or field, but these are my go-to shoes! I’ve had these for nearly two years this fall and they are still showing no signs of wear. 

5. Marika Capris 

I don’t know about you but I just HATE that workout clothes are so expensive! I shop places like Zulily ALL the time just for fitness clothes which is how I found these Marika capris. The material on these is SO SOFT and makes you want to rub your hands down your legs all the time.. LOL. They are made well, fit great, and don’t fall down while I run like some of my cheaper Old Navy capris do. These have now taken over as the new favorites in my closet. I also love my Underarmour Heat Gear capris, mostly because they come in such fun colors. But I will be adding more of these to the mix now! 

So those are my favorite picks! If  you have suggestions for me, by all means, share! I am currently looking for a better pre-workout formula.. the one I get from my whey protein company I have to gag down, ick! Do you use any of these items? Love them? 

Feel free to leave a comment below! And here’s to another month of healthy eating & fitness my friends!