Will Run For Ice Cream

When I asked my five year old ( aka Lil Man ) what my workout of the week should be for my blog post, he said "How bout them yoga poses you've done all those days."  He's been my photographer for the last month with the #newyearmoreyoga challenge where I did a different yoga pose each day. So I decided to take his lead and make yoga this week's workout of the week. Why do yoga? This takes me back to one of my previous posts of Yoga It Really Does Make A Difference . When I do yoga regularly, I can honestly see and feel the difference in how my joints and muscles feel. And when I stop doing yoga regularly,

I love watching the sun rise, but today I also got the opportunity to watch the sunset with yogiventure ( think adventure with yoga) . A friend mentioned a groupon. I said sure why not. And today was my first yogiventure. But, let's not put the cart before the horse. Way before sunset, I was on the road down by the river for a few slow miles. It started off as a run, and ended up as a leisure walk. And you know what, I was perfectly ok with that... It was a beautiful morning to be out and about, and I knew that I had an evening adventure coming up. My foot still isn't well, and my shoe was putting pressure on the wound. And just think, had I been running, I would have missed this little guy.

I have been compensated in the form of a gift card/money/coupon and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions expressed are mine and honest in nature. You know that moment when you realize that something you'd been planning on isn't going to happen? Well, yep, that moment just happened. Last year I wanted to do the Rothrock Challenge, but I chickened out. This year I registered early so I wouldn't change my mind. I'd be locked in so to speak. Sure, I was scared. The closer to this weekend, the more nervous I got. But I planned on attempting the race... and then... I got a little stomach bug. Thankfully that only lasted a couple of days.  But apparently it lowered my resistance so that when Hubby and Lil Man got a virus, I got it bad. As in... doubled over coughing so hard I couldn't get my breath bad - pain in my back when breathing bad - overall just ... well... bad. Hubby is usually one to be optimistic "Oh you'...

Not me ;)  Soooooo.. for awhile I had been pretty faithful to do yoga at least once a week. I've really been enjoying the Hot Yoga class at The Yoga Quota (no affiliation, simply just giving her a shout out as I really like the class ) But as life would have it, life got in the way.  First we went on our long trip to get Miles , then Lil Man's birthday, family visiting and the list goes on an one. So, I've missed about 3 weeks of yoga. And my body is paying the price. For a week now I've been dealing with a nagging IT/quad something that's yelling at me. My hips and lower back are super tight. And don't even get me started on my hamstrings and calves. I'm sure my upper body is equally unhappy that I've missed yoga.

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Let me tell you, injuries do a number on you when it comes to muscle imbalances. I knew that my body was 'off', but I didn't realize how 'off' until I started working with a trainer. ( When It's Time for Professional Help ). We are doing a lot of balance work, and I'm making sure that I do more yoga. And when your muscles are shaking, it's easy to slip ( ahem, I may or may not be speaking from experience ). Check out the PurSabina Toeless Yoga Socks . These socks are awesome. There are little 'grippers' on the bottom that help with traction, and to my surprise, it didn't feel awkward standing on them. 

As you know, I've been working on strengthening my core since I'm finding that my weak core is what has contributed to this hamstring injury. So today's #TuesdayTidbit is about Pilates and Yoga. Part of my future workouts will include both Yoga and Pilates. And I thought that this

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. As you know, I'm currently injured ( The Post I Didn't Want To Write - Physical Therapy Happened ). So for 2 weeks, I'm only approved to do my PT exercises (boo - hiss!) But, on a positive note, I'm starting to see a little improvement with my flexibility when it comes to my hamstring. And although I can't do yoga ( just yet ), I can still use my beautiful Aurorae Impressions Crimson Sunset Yoga Mat   to do my PT exercises! 

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Hot Diggity dog! I found it! Even though my yoga mat has a carrying strap, maybe it's just me, but I find the straps pretty annoying. Either they are slipping off the mat or slipping to the point that I'm dropping the mat, or I'm struggling just to get the strap on the mat. Either way I find it extremely irritating. I mean come on, who wants to lose their Zen from yoga to have to deal with trying to get their mat back in the strap.  Drum roll please, I introduce to you my yoga mat bag from gecko active.

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Have you ever been working out on your yoga mat and slip from being too sweaty? I find that if I'm too sweaty I have a hard time holding the poses because I keep losing my grip. And if you are thinking about hot yoga, I would definitely recommend a yoga towel. This yoga mat towel from Aurorae can save you a lot of frustration if you are constantly slipping on your yoga mat. This yoga mat towel is long enough to cover your yoga mat, in addition to be super absorbent and soft. Not only does it help with slipping, but it also absorbs any sweat that may be falling for your body. Let's be honest here, if you've ever taken a hot yoga class you know it can sound like a tropical rain forest in there with the sweat dripping from people's bodies. Gross I know, but it's true. And having a super absorbent towel seems like...

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. With my recent injury where I've pulled a hamstring/butt muscle/something, I've been doing a lot of stretching and yoga. In fact, I'm realizing that maybe my lack of yoga and stretching might have led me to this injury. And I'm also finding that I am actually enjoying yoga. I never really thought of it as a 'workout'. Well, trust me, yoga can definitely be a work out, and you can sweat - and a lot. So let me introduce you to the YogaDesign Combo Mat . It is a mat and towel in one. It's great for hot yoga, but it's also great for regular yoga ( and ahem really great for those of you who sweat a lot ). I really found it to be non-slip. But with the yoga mat, there was also a tip included on the packaging that stated to lightly mist with water to prevent slipping if you have dry hands and feet. And ...

Full Disclosure: I received products free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience. I'm happy to report that I'm coming out of my running funk ( Enough Is Enough Is Enough ), and I'm mixing my workouts up a little. What does this mean? Well, I'm lowering the mileage. My goal is to hit between 20-25 miles per week. This may or may not include a long run. I plan to do a longer run once a week, but that longish run might be in the 6-8 mile range. I'm going to play it by ear. But it also means I'm adding cross training to my workout routines. I plan to add spin once a week, maybe a pool workout, strength training 2-3 times per week, and yoga at least once or twice a week. So you can imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to test out the Yoga Design Lab - Premium Yoga Mat. Image Source Amazon My first thought was that it was super durable. Lil Man got it it before I did, a...