Simple Summer Staple - Infused Detox Water

This week I have been pretty busy which I love. Being off work during the summer months while Joe and other friends are still working can make for boring days at times. After two days of binging on TV, I reach my limit and start to crave structure and activities. This week has ben filled with packing for our big move, visiting with friends and packing for vacation next week! I am thrilled to be spending two weeks at the beach with my family. I am also squeezing in a bachelorette party over the weekend of July 4th.

With lots of beach time my future, my goal is always to eat clean to avoid bloat. Another easy tip I always do to keep slim is stay hydrated! I find that I drink 2x more in the summer as an attempt to beat the summer heat. Staying hydrated actually can help reduce bloat. I love sipping on flavored water instead of plain water to help file soda cravings as well. An added benefit besides flavor is the detox qualities of many fruits.  Today I am sharing some of my favorite flavor combos. Adding ingredients such as raspberries, cucumber and mint create a detox powerhouse in your water. Hence the term Detox Water! Detox water is great for helping remove bloat while hydrating your body. Right now I am loving pineapple and mint. All I do to prepare it is place a few slices of each in a bottle right when I get up in the morning. I let it sit in the fridge and then 2 hour later I have delicious cool water!

Juice Infuser/ Sport Water Bottle/ Double Walled Bottle/ Flip Top Bottle 

 Here is the low down on some key ingredients. Red Raspberries and Strawberries contain strong antioxidants including Vitamin C as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Red raspberry ketones have also been used as a weight loss supplement for years.  Lemon improves digestive function, strengthens the immune system and can help curb appetite. Cucumber promotes hydration and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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What to Wear to Barre

First thing, barre classes are a great total body workout. I have noticed huge changes in my muscles and flexibility since starting Pure Barre five months agog. The added benefit of looking cute is a bonus. One of my favorite things are the flattering, cute clothing you get the chance to sport to class. I know many are intimated when attending their first class due to not knowing what to wear. I have but together a little cheat sheet to make sure your not worrying about your outfit and can focus on getting your burn on! 

• Tops

Barre classes incorporate a lot of upper boy movements which require your arms to be able to move freely. Loose tanks are my go to for barre. They keep you cool while enabling a wide range of movement. I prefer tanks with built in support which allows me to not worry about a sports bra as an extra layer. 

Favorite Tanks:

Zella Tanks {here}

All Current Tank {here}

Lululemon Wild Tank {here}

C9 Tanks {here} {here}

Under Armour Tanks {here}

• Bottoms 

During barre classes your legs are often in odd positions such as up in the air or with a band around both thighs, so always make sure your legs are covered. I have been rocking leggings for most of the winter but now as it warms up I find myself granting toward crops. Don't let the light weights fool you, I still get pretty sweaty. 

Favorite Bottoms:

Alo Goddess Ribbed Leggings {here}

Lululemon WonderUnder {here}

Zella Live In Leggings {here}

• Socks & Accessories 

Most barre classes I have attended require socks of some sort during class. They help you keep your highest heels and prevent you from slipping. My go to are the Pure Barre socks that they sell at the studio. However, you are not limited to these as there are tons of other options! Shashi makes adorable glitter barre socks that are on the top of my list. Also, Lululemon makes some cute ones with sayings like nice ledge or higher heels. You have got to be quick to pick them up as they sell out quickly. 

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I always bring a water bottle with me to class. I try and sip as much water I can during transitions. As you know, staying hydrated can help increase far burn. My favorite bottles have straws to making sipping water during class easier. 

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My favorite brands for barre/yoga gear are Alo, Zella, Splits59, Lululemon and Target. Lots of my friends love Old Navy's activewear line. However, I have found it just does not work for me. Here are some of my favorites to make your shopping easy...

A quick note on caring for your workout gear. Always air dry them. I wash everything in cold water and on the delicate cycle. Then air dry. They last longer and there is less pilling. Also, it maintains the intregity of the sweat wicking material.

What is your favorite workout gear?

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Weeknight Meal Plan

I am thrilled to have taken this chance this afternoon to spend a few minutes meal planning for the week. I always try and plan my dinners around the weekly specials. Unfortunately, there is not much on sale at the local teeter this week, so I'm sticking with the staples. The dinner I am most looking forward to is Monday's night Apricot Chicken. This was a favorite of mine growing up that my grandmother made. 

Monday: Apricot- Orange Slow Cooker Chicken 

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Tuesday: Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

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Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday: Leftovers 

Friday: Slow Cooker Chicken and Pepperoni 

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I also took the time to plan out my weekly workouts. I really want to start training for a 10k mid April. So this week I am adding in some easy miles along with barre classes. Anyone else training for spring races?

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I am off to the grocery store to pick up everything for the week.

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Workout Wednesday: Rock Your Fitness Resolution

When it comes to setting and reaching goals I am a firm believer of dressing the part. Personally when I am wearing an outfit that makes me feel great I am more confident and driven. When I got my first job someone told me dress for the job you want not the job you have. This can truly apply to any goal in you may have made in 2015.

When it comes to working out wear what makes you comfortable and confident. I feel best in loose tops paired with capris or tights. So typically that is what you will find me rocking to the gym.  When first starting on a new fitness goal, I love the idea of a new outfit or shoes to make you feel great while setting out to reach your goals. Going to a new gym or starting a new class can be intimidating so rocking a outfit you feel great in can help ease your anxiety.

Here are a few of my favorite workout gear right now. I love the style of the razorback tanks and have several of them in different colors. Lululemon wunder under pants are my go to for Pure Barre as well as the perfect legging for layering.

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Total Body Circuit

I thought today I would mix things up and do a little fitness post. Honestly, my workouts beyond Pure Barre have been limited due to my injury. I have little to no motivation to complete cardio or eat healthy these days. How  can you say no to homemade cookies and  pedaling on a bike for 30 minutes going nowhere should be considered torture. Thanks to some less than flattering photos this weekend I have jumped back on the cardio and clean eating train. I plan to keep the motivation going through Christmas and New Year.  

This workout is a great low impact option if you don’t like plyo exercises or are concerned with annoying the downstairs neighbors. I have a love/hate relationship with lunges. It is one exercise that gets results but is beyond painful for me. Give this a try and let me know what you think. I'd also like to hear your favorite workout move. Mine currently is planks. I am working my way up to the complete 90 second plank at Pure Barre.

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Summer Shred

Hello lovelies, hope everyone's Monday is going well. Mine ended with me almost passing out while giving blood. I had to get some blood work completed after work which required me to fast beforehand. I'm not sure if it was giving blood, fasting or a combo of both but I was pale as a sheet!  Pale is not a good look for me at all! I have never been the type to give blood voluntarily and this just reaffirmed my aversion. In college, I never weighed enough to give blood so I had never really tried. I have tried giving blood a few times recently but was never able to. I want to work my confidence up to try again.

Today  I started a new fitness challenge hosted by Bobbi at NHerShoes called Summer Shred. It's a four week fitness plan that includes daily workouts and meal plans. I have been struggling to workout consistently and eat clean since coming back from the cruise. This challenge came at the perfect time to get my butt in gear before the cruise!

I completed the first workout today and I was astonished how sweaty I was just after the second circuit.  I am so exited about doing a lot more strength training in the next four months. The workouts vary from full body workouts to interval training. I will be sharing updates and check-ins on Instagram.

Marathon Training & Weight Loss

In January, I started training for the marathon. Along with my goal of running 26.2 miles I also set a goal to lose 20lbs.  Well, let me share a little secret-  long distance running and weight loss do not go together. You would think that burning over 2,000 calories on a run would have you shedding weight. Not so at all!

My body holds onto all those precious fat stores for energy and recovery after each run. After a hard long run, I am typically not hungry for a big meal until late afternoon. By the afternoon, I am ravenous and can't get enough carbs! I have tried several different "diets" and strategies these past months to try and lose a few pounds. I tried keeping carbs low during the week and increase them on the weekend. This left me exhausted and grumpy during the week and eating everything in sight during the weekend. After a few weeks I decided to stop focusing on weight loss and focus solely on marathon training.

Post marathon, I have not gained any weight but I have not lost any either.  I am slowly learning to love my body no matter what the number on the scale or the size of my pants. Not everyone can say they have ran a marathon and I need to appreciate the endurance my body has. Now that marathon training is over, I am looking forward to trying different workouts and get back to eating clean. Can't wait to try more Pure Barre classes soon!

What's your favorite way to exercise? I'd love to try new workouts!

Food & Fitness: July 15- 20

Unfortunately due to dinners out, birthday celebrations, and having company over last week meal plan did not go as planned. One recipe that I was determined to try was this cherry roasted tomato sauce which was a hit! I am excited to have new recipes that incorporate produce from our garden. In regards to fitness and workouts, I was able to keep up with my running and strength training during the week. Due to hectic fun weekend I was unable to complete my long run.  So I am going to get a few extra miles this week to make up for it.

Food

  I think your going to start seeing a theme here. Again this week's dinner menu is all about simple and healthy.

Monday: Santa Fe Chicken

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Tuesday: BBQ Turkey Burgers with Grilled Corn

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Above is my go to recipe for grilling corn. Instead of adding herb butter as it calls for in the recipe I am going to try Laughing cow herb and garlic cheese wedges.  

Wednesday: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables 

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Thursday: Company Pot Roast

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 Friday: Honey Sesame Chicken

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Fitness

Monday: Upper body strength

Tuesday: 6 miles

Wednesday: Interval workout, upper & lower body strength 

Thursday: 5 miles

Friday: Interval workout & upper body strength

Saturday: 8 miles

Sunday: 3 miles

As you can see I am still trucking along with the half-marathon training. No complaints so far besides the heat! On longer runs I try and get up before the sun has risen to beat the heat. It is not so fun waking up at 5 on summer break but it still beats running in 80+ degree weather as soon as the sun rises.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Best wishes,

Ashley