A new year brings on fresh feelings of excitement, which is perfect for starting healthier fitness habits. But what if you're finding trouble getting excited because you haven't found what fits for you? You want your choice to give you bodily health, sure...
but also some fun.
What should you do?
With so many options, finding the right "fit" for your fitness journey can be a little daunting. You want it to be challenging while accessible for your needs. You also want results that are sustainable and help you reach your goals. Which one is right for you? Take some inspiration from these strong women who've found the love of their fitness lives, ones that fuel their passions and their beautiful bodies!
@theashleyaf first spoke from the rooftops about her love of the stationary bike, the Peloton, over a year ago as a new way to find movement while staying at home. To this day, she's still enjoying her rides that give her the boost she wants in her day to feel strong. With stationary bikes gaining popularity with more of life done at home, Peloton offers not only the aspect of a great low-impact conditioning exercise, but now comes with other types of workouts to join in on. Ashley filled us in on what life was like before Peloton, and how it's changed her fitness routine for the better:
"When we moved out of town, I spent a lot more time on the road going to and from the gym, and less time doing things I loved. Plus, my girls didn't get to see me work out, which was important to me for them to see their mother's example.
Having a group to lean on or spark ideas from is key to me. And that's when I first got my Peloton. Now I have a workout room, filled with the things that give me inspiration. It was an investment, but so worth it!
The challenge is to motivate yourself. Some days its ridiculously hard to walk down to the gym. You're not having to pay a missed class fee if you decide to ditch. So it's all on your determination to go get it done. But the Peloton community helps so much with that! When I log on for a ride, there's hundreds of other people doing the same workouts I am. You can send out high fives, you can even do it live. And when you meet somebody who has a Peloton, you instantly bond!
It helps clear my head become me again when I feel like I've got the "work hat", "parent hat" and "friend hat" on. And that's why self-love and affirmations inspired the design of my headband. Self-love is one of the most important things to have, because without loving yourself, it's so much harder to accept love from others."
If you're a beginner just getting started with Peloton, here's the advice that Ashley would give:
"Never compare. Not to someone else or to yourself. Instead of worrying what my PR is on a ride or a lift, I focus on what my best is for that moment, that day. And find something you love but also challenges you. If you're dreading doing something every day, maybe that isn't the right thing for you. And stretch, stretch, stretch!"
Affirmations
$12.99
You should expect your headband to give you confidence without sacrificing function. Lilac Market Headbands were designed because there wasn't a solution that met the high standards of being functional, affordable, reliable. So we created a new standard. One size fits… Read More
Our recent post on running tips was partly inspired by @milesthroughmotherhood, a runner who loves putting in the miles to add that fitness spice to her life. She finds it a great way to invest time in herself while building her stamina to keep up with her family. We asked her about life before running, and here's her inspirational story:
"Before I started running life looked very different. I had my first baby, and when I was 4 months postpartum I found out I was pregnant again. It was such a difficult time finding out about another baby, because I was already struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety. Over the months as my kids grew older, I realized that I had completely lost myself in motherhood. I had no hobbies, zero confidence, wasn’t taking care of myself, and was constantly in an extremely negative headspace. I knew I needed to make a change for my kids and myself.
Running has tons of benefits, including maintaining bone strength as it's a weight bearing exercise. When Morgan first started her fitness journey, she wishes she'd had this advice to help her through:
"I would tell a beginner that it's OK to take time for yourself. I had a hard time prioritizing myself in those early years of being a new mom. I wish I could've told myself that going for a run for my mental and physical health benefits my entire family!"
Enjoy the Miles
$12.99
You should expect your headband to give you confidence without sacrificing function. Lilac Market Headbands were designed because there wasn't a solution that met the high standards of being functional, affordable, reliable. So we created a new standard. One size fits… Read More
Want to feel like Superwoman? Lift heavy things! That's exactly what @wellnesswithmorgan , who was a recent guest on our blog for wellness tips, does to be her strongest self. A great way to maintain everything else you do, it's also an incredible confidence boost when you can say to someone offering to help you bring in all the groceries "No thanks, I got it!".
When lifting weights as a beginner, it's important to progress slowly so that you can prevent burnout and learn safe form while you gain muscle and balance. Morgan's best advice for someone just starting with weight lifting is this:
"Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You'll never know how strong you are until you really try!"
Be Kind, Lift Heavy
$12.99
You should expect your headband to give you confidence without sacrificing function. Lilac Market Headbands were designed because there wasn't a solution that met the high standards of being functional, affordable, reliable. So we created a new standard. One size fits… Read More
This combination of strength and endurance has swept the nation (including our owner Kelsey!). It offers a variety of movements, and a huge community keeps you going on days when you just need to lean on the group for motivation. @heathercbertram loves CrossFit, and pushes herself by signing up for competitions. When asked about what got her started and how CrossFit has changed her life, Heather shared her story with us:
"As a child, I was always very skinny. Once I hit puberty, I started gaining quite a bit of weight. My nutrition for the majority of my life consisted of fast food and microwave meals. I played waterpolo for 11 years, so that kept the weight gain from getting too out of hand. Once I graduated college and my waterpolo career came to an end, all the weight started piling on. I tried going to the gym, cycling classes, Zumba classes and long walks with friends, but nothing helped the weight gain or my confidence. I started developing health issues, I was tired all the time and one day I finally had enough of it.
While she was starting up in the CrossFit world, learning new ways to move and build her fitness community, the best advice she would give herself is:
"Trust the process! And get comfortable with being uncomfortable (in the best way of course!). Showing up every day is the hardest part for most, but CrossFit provides the best community for motivation and that team-work-vibe to keep pushing hard and to continue forward."
Constantly Varied
$10.40
$12.99
You should expect your headband to give you confidence without sacrificing function. Lilac Market Headbands were designed because there wasn't a solution that met the high standards of being functional, affordable, reliable. So we created a new standard. One size fits… Read More
If you're looking for a mixture of high-intensity and interval training to keep your brain busy while you work up a sweat, F45 is for you! This fun class promises to go through all the motions of cardio, resistance and a hybrid of the two to get you to top physical form in 45 minutes, not a moment more. And the best way to start and maintain a new fitness regimen is to strengthen each in a balanced way. Strong mama @katieannensminger boasts this as the most fun way to get fit! Here's how F45 has changed her life:
"It was the middle of COVID October 2020, my whole family was home most days either doing virtual learning or working from home. We were cooking at home even more. I was using the Sweat app and doing BBG (bikini body guide) for the 5th time. Despite this my overall fitness seemed stagnant.
F45 South Springfield reached out to me to help promote the gym opening which piqued my curiosity, so I started learning more about the company. I read reviews and looked at their social media. I was hesitant to accept, mainly because I was nervous at the thought of working out with people I didn't know and that everyone would be stronger, faster, etc. However, after my first week (only 2 classes) and seeing what workouts were like, I knew that it would help me get into the best shape of my life. The exercises were dynamic and ever-changing. Everything can be done at your own pace, with your own weight preference, which I needed to stay consistent.
The social aspect has become a huge part of working out for me. I look forward to seeing people who have become friends. I enjoy celebrating their successes in class and the community that has come about is incredible.
F45 continues to help me with my overall health, mental and physical. It's my 45 minutes of alone tie 5 or 6 days a week. My children don't need anything; nothing takes priority over what I'm doing while I'm at the gym. I leave feeling refreshed every single time. If you ever thought about trying a F45 location or especially South Springfield, please do!"
Stronger Than You Know
$12.99
You should expect your headband to give you confidence without sacrificing function. Lilac Market Headbands were designed because there wasn't a solution that met the high standards of being functional, affordable, reliable. So we created a new standard. One size fits… Read More
Shop our special collaboration release, "Celebrating Movement", with each of these strong queens mentioned above. It's the perfect addition to your fitness journey!
Which of these is more your fitness style? Let us know what your favorite way to move is, and tag us in for a chance to be featured in our stories!
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