fitness tips


Spring 2023 fitness routine

pictured: running shoes /

Spring is here! This means it is time to revamp my fitness routine and get moving! Normally in the springtime, I would add an outdoor workout. This year, spring has not sprung. It is still cold outside, and we are getting so much rain! So, for spring 2023 I have decided to keep my workout indoors until further notice.

I still have planter fasciitis, but thankfully, I have it under control, so it isn’t too debilitating. Inside my shoes, I replace the inserts with orthotics to give myself the arch support I need to stay relatively pain free. It works most of the time.

It is important to have a good mix of cardio, interval training, and strength training in any fitness routine. So, without further ado, here is my spring 2023 fitness routine.

Monday: BodyCombat (cardio)

Tuesday: Mat Sculpt (strength)

Wednesday: Spin (interval)

Thursday: Vinyasa Yoga

Friday: Rest and walk 30 minutes outside (weather permitting)

Saturday: Weights and core

Sunday: Walk 30 minutes

This is an easier routine than I normally would schedule, but since I am trying to get my foot pain under control, I am doing exercises which are mostly pain-free. Finger crossed this works! I am not one to rest, so this is my alternative.

What type of routine are you doing for your spring fitness?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Gearing up for summer fitness

summer fitness gear adidas

Wearing: sunglasses / workout tee in black / backpack / cardigan (around waist) / summer nail polish / leggings / hiking boots (old, also love this pair) / (Photo below) blue adidas slides / yoga block / yoga mat / yoga socks /

Summer is here! This means the best season for outdoor fitness is upon us, and I am here for it! I always love the summer season since the kids are off school, and my husband takes more vacation days from work. This allows us to get outside as a family and stay fit together!

There are so many fun, outdoor fitness activities the whole family can enjoy. Plus, they can really help us burn calories while we have fun together as a family. Love that!

Here are a few outdoor fitness ideas the whole family can enjoy this summer season:

Hiking: Of course this one is a no brainer. You know I love exploring hiking trails with my family! Going for a hike is a great outdoor fitness activity the whole family can enjoy. It is also a fabulous cardio workout which is heart-healthy, and burns calories. Love! If you are local the San Francisco Bay Area, be sure to check out the hiking section of my blog to learn about my favorite trails in the area.

Water sports: In addition to swimming laps, there are plenty of fun water sports available which offer a great strength and cardio workout. If you live near a lake, or have a vacation planned this summer where you will be near a lake, here are few activities you will want to try. The whole family can enjoy most of these water sports, while getting a great workout, and having fun! You can rent paddle boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and canoes. That is just a sample of the fun activities you can find at a lake which offer a great workout! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, check out Lake Vasona in Los Gatos for some local water fun!

Neighborhood walk: One of the easiest outdoor exercises to do is a neighborhood walk. You can go for a walk spontaneously, and you don’t need to drive anywhere to take one. You simply walk out your front door, and voila! You are on a walk which gives you a heart-healthy, cardio workout. Be sure to keep it up for at least 30 minutes to reap the full benefits of this workout. The whole family can go for a walk together, or you can go alone; your choice! Wanna spice up your walk? Add some walking lunges and/or running bursts! We love to run in a circle around a cul-de-sac. So when you see a cul-de-sac, do a running burst! It’s a fun game, and gives you a mini-HIIT workout during the walk. Love!

Biking: Do you own a bike? Lucky! Take it out for a bike ride for at least 30 minutes, and you can enjoy the fresh air while getting a great cardio workout. If your city streets are not safe for a ride, find your local elementary school and ride around their yard, or use your local high school parking lot and ride laps. It’s a great workout, and it’s heart-healthy. Love that!

Beach fitness: Live near a beach? Or plan to visit one? You can play beach volleyball, run on the beach, and even take a 30 minute walk on the beach! It’s great exercise and works your legs more than on a flat surface. Love that!

Outdoor sports: There are plenty of outdoor sports you can play with a friend at a park or in a roomy backyard. Tennis, frisbee, and golf are all fun, outdoor activities to help you stay fit this summer season. Love that!

I love wearing my adidas Ultraboost 21 running shoes for these activities, and my adidas Stadium backpack is perfect for carrying all the gear I need for summer fun. It’s great to have versatile workout gear which works well for all your favorite activities!

There are so many ways to stay fit this summer! What are your favorite summer fitness activities?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

*sponsored by adidias, all thoughts and opinions are my own.


Fitness routine winter 2021

home fitness gear winter 2021

Home fitness gear for winter 2021 from top left: backpack (I cannot live without mine!) / weight set (I use this one all the time) / yoga mat / soft beach towel / workout top (I love mine!) / water bottle (I have one in red and love it) / yoga socks (I wear these and love them) / running shoes / adidas leggings /

Whew! It’s cold out there! When the temperature drops, I tend to try and move my workouts inside. Unfortunately, our gyms in California are outdoor only right now, so I am bundling up and working around the cold!

I am in a fortunate situation where my gym has moved a lot of fitness classes online during the pandemic. This has been a godsend since I can attend classes at home, in addition to going to the gym in-person for outdoor fitness. It really has given me a lot of options which work well with my schedule.

If your gym has been closed, I recommend finding an online fitness option so you can still attend classes. It really makes a huge difference, and helps keep you motivated and on track. Love it!

My fitness goals at the moment include reducing stress, shedding my quarantine weight, and staying healthy. So, in order to accomplish this, I am mixing up cardio with interval (HIIT) workouts, and weekly yoga. I have lost ten pounds since May! Love!

Without further ado, here is how my balanced fitness schedule:

Sunday: Yoga (online or in-person depending on weather)

Monday: U-Jam (cardio, online class)

Tuesday: The Drop (HIIT style, online)

Wednesday: 30 min walk outside (light cardio)

Thursday: Tabata and Core (HIIT style, online)

Friday: Cardio kickboxing or Ignite (cardio or HIIT style depending on Saturday)

Saturday: rest day or hiking with the family (weather permitting, we take a two hour hike)

If we are able to go hiking on Saturday, then I opt for either a rest day, or an Ignite class, on Friday. My goal is to have one rest day each week, three cardio days, and two HIIT days. I have been going into the gym one day per week. The rest of the week I either opt for an online class through my gym, or I head outside for a walk or hike.

It’s important to get outside, and breath in the fresh air; even when there isn’t a pandemic! There is something calming about nature. I love being able to enjoy it.

If you are trying to put together a weekly fitness routine, I recommend scheduling three cardio sessions, two HIIT sessions, and one yoga session each week. If yoga isn’t your thing, opt for a workout which includes stretching and core exercises such as Pilates.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your workout!

XOXO

Cathy