How to Stay in Your Best Shape While Stuck at Home

It’s been 7 weeks since shelter in place orders started in California, and most of the country has experienced similar restrictions since March. You guys know I love my regular workouts so not being able to get out to the gym has been tough. Staying in shape during quarantine has not been easy! In between the limited physical activity and a pantry full of quarantine snacks, it has been a struggle. It’s totally understandable if you have been completely distracted and overwhelmed by everything going on in the world. After all, we are living through a global pandemic! However I find that physical activity is about more than just keeping up with appearances. My workout routines help me maintain a sense of normalcy in these crazy times, and staying active is good for both physical and mental health. I’m sharing a few of the ways I’ve been staying fit while on lockdown. Hopefully some of these help you guys get or stay motivated!

Have a Daily Fitness Schedule

I try to keep my days as structured as possible while on lockdown, since it keeps me from feeling bored. Part of that includes scheduling my workouts the same way I would if I were going to a fitness class. Some days I plan to work out in the morning or in the evenings, but the time is always scheduled and I stick to it. Staying consistent is half the battle. Everyone’s circumstances are different; it may be challenging to find time to yourself if you are swamped with work while remote, still commuting to your place of employment, or quarantining at home with small children.  If fitness is important to you, try your best to carve out time. It can be as little as 20-30 minutes if that’s all you can spare!

Find New Workouts Online

The good thing about having to work out from home is the endless array of free fitness resources. You can do ballet barre, HIIT, bodyweight workouts, yoga, anything. While some studios are charging for access to streaming workouts, there are thousands of free ones on YouTube or IG live. Popsugar and Chloe Ting are in my regular rotation on YouTube, and occasionally Core Power Yoga. When my husband joins me for a workout, we do more weight focused circuit training, usually from former MMA fighters.

Having the variation helps keep things from getting stale and keeps your body guessing. Test our a few different workout routines and see what works for you, and subscribe to a few channels you like. You’ll get notifications when new workouts are posted. And check out fitness studios and personal trainers on Instagram. It seems like there is a different IG Live workout almost every day!

Get Outside if You Can Socially Distance

If you feel safe and can maintain distance, take your workouts outside! The weather is starting to warm up and a good old fashioned walk is a great way to burn some calories and get some fresh air. Pop on a pair of ankle weights if you want to make it more challenging. We try to do a 30-45 minute walk every day to get some sun and break up the afternoon. If you want more intense cardio, take a run! I’ve never been into running, but since I’m trying to mix up my workouts and challenge my body, I’m giving it a go.

Invest in Some At Home Workout Equipment

If you haven’t already, get a little stock of at home workout equipment. Stuff like resistance bands and body bars are great for stepping up your workout intensity. Plus they are easier to store than dumbbells or bulky fitness machines. A lot of sites sold out of fitness equipment in April when shelter at home orders were in full-swing, but you should be able to find more options. And while you may be able to return to the gym in the next few weeks, that may not be the best thing to do! I’m not sure when gyms will reopen in Los Angeles, but I do plan to work out from home at least until mid-June. I just don’t want to exercise caution and avoid getting caught up in the first wave of anything when businesses start to reopen.

Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health

Physical and mental health are 2 sides of the same coin. The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on millions of people’s lives around the world. Try to make room to take care of your mental and emotional health as best you can. These are unprecedented times and our health and safety is number 1.

Hope this helps and that we are in the home stretch of coronavirus lockdown!

3 Workouts You Need to Try This Summer!

Is it just me or is it getting harder and harder to stay in shape every year? IDK if it's my age, being in a relationship, my social life or what, but for some reason I keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds! In an attempt to diversify my workouts and keep the body snatched, I've been checking out new workout classes in the city every so often to keep my muscles guessing, build strength and stamina, and of course not get bored doing the same workout all the time! Here is my review of some of the new classes I've tried and a few that are on my list to review as a fitness and lifestyle blogger. 

Brrrn

Hands down the coolest workout I've tried this year! The new studio has a series of workout classes that take place in cooler temperatures - 60 degrees, 55 degrees, and 45 degrees. Check out the descriptions of their classes and the Infrared Sauna and take advantage of the BOGO deal they have on site for new students! 

Aerial Hoop

I've been a fan of Body & Pole for years, frequenting their pole and other dance and cross-training fitness classes. I did take a few lyra, or aerial hoop classes and was terribly awkward, but I've been feeling like I might give it another go. It's extremely difficult, and also a challenge because I struggle with motion sickness, but it is on my list for this summer or Fall! 

Y7 Yoga

Hot yoga in the summer is no fun, but come Fall I love the steamy hot workouts. I've heard amazing things about Y7 and their hip-hop inspired yoga classes. And since a new location just opened closer to my office I'll be able to finally fit them into my regular workout flow. 

And since I have been working on getting into my yoga practice again, my partnership with Gaiam came at the perfect time! Gaiam asked me to be one of their Gaiam Gurus, and I am so psyched to be working with them. The clothes are super comfy and stylish and the equipment is both stylish and functional. Check out my picks of the month below! 

Let me know what workouts are your go-tos or new ones you want to try! 

pin me for later!

4 Ways to Crush Your Fitness Goals

Images by Earl Jackson

I'm usually on my fitness A-Game hard core from March until May or June. However by the time July and August roll around I start slacking. It could be the fact that barbecue season is in full effect, or I'm spending my days downing rose at a rooftop lounge instead of trying a new fitness class. In any case, the older I get the more any bit of weight starts to stick, so I'm trying to be more attentive to my habits and not let it up. Here are my tips for staying motivated year round, that don't include comparing yourself to celebs or Insta-models! 

1. Go back to something you love

It's always great to try something new, but returning to a workout routine that you love can shake things up and make you look forward to your sweat sessions. For me, I've always loved yoga but never made it part of my weekly workout schedule, so I'm making more effort to fit it in instead of always trying something new. 

2. Get digital help

If you can't afford a trainer, turn to social communities or training apps to help inspire you. I'm  fan of the #BBG squad on Instagram, and have heard great things about the Nike app and Vi, an artificial intelligence personal trainer. 

3. Go shopping!

Nothing motivates like a new outfit. So grab some cute new gear or accessories to get you going. My Frends headphones are a must since I can't survive workouts with no music. And these cute cutout leggings were the perfect look to make me want to get more gym time in. 

4. Plan a Trip

The best way to keep you from slacking in the gym when summer winds down is to have a trip on deck, preferably one that will require a bikini. Mine is typically Art Basel, when I venture to Miami in early December, right after Thanksgiving. 

Any tips I missed? Let me know in the comments how you stay on your A-Game!

How to Get Fit the Fashionable Way

January may be the official start of fitness season, but the weeks before Memorial Day mean it's time to kick it into high gear! Even though I work out regularly year round, I still think of this time as the opportunity to reassess my fitness goals and progress since the start of the year  I think I have a workout formula that is working for me so I’ll be sticking to it, just stocking up on cute workout gear to show off the body I’m sculpting!  Here are some of my favorite workouts and what to wear to each of them.

Cycling

I usually loathe cardio but consider it a necessary evil, so try to get it in by cycling. I love the high energy and intensity of the workout. Whether it’s at a trendy studio or your local gym, slip into a moisture wicking tank and cropped leggings and get ready to sweat!

Cross-Training

I have yet to try Crossfit but it’s on my list this year. Until I finally take the plunge, I make it a point to get into a cross-training class at my gym. The workout blends strength training and cardio drills for an intense full body workout. My go to look is capri leggings, colorful sports bra with light, breezy tank layered on top and my classic Nike cross-trainers.

Pole Dancing

There is no better way to work your legs, arms, core, back and glutes, while at the same time building flexibility. I’ve been a regular at Body & Pole for some time, and their classes have help me get amazing results and have more fun in the process than any other workout. Most pole classes require a lot of exposed skin to help you grip the pole, so short shorts and a good sports bra are necessary.

Boxing

Sculpt your arms and core while releasing stress and feeling like a bad ass? Sign me up! It’s no wonder boxing is a favorite workout of some of today’s top stars and supermodels like Gigi Hadid . When I hit the studio, I opt for a sports bra, cropped tank, and boxing shorts, plus wrist wraps for extra protection.

Yoga

Flexibility is my second biggest fitness goal this year. I spend at least 10 minutes stretching after each workout and I do a longer 30-45 minute stretch and foam roll session at home weekly. I am also committing to doing yoga at least once a week to keep all the muscles I’m building long and lean.  I like loose fitting lightweight harem style pants since they are nice and breezy but fit tighter around the ankle so they don’t fly around too much. Pair them with the Nike studio wraps that keep your feet from slipping as you sweat.

What workouts are your favorite? Any ideas I should add to my list?