#FitFiveFriday — Page 14

Five Runfessions for January

January 29, 2021 by Michelle 34 Comments

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

It’s also the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the Runfessional. So I’m combining the two in one post – here come my 5 runfessions for January!

Five Runfessions for January

At the start of the month, I set the goal of daily yoga. Today marks Day 29 of my yoga streak. I runfess (or is it yoga-fess?) that I surprised myself for getting this far in the streak. Honestly, when I threw out this idea of daily yoga as a goal I didn’t have a lot of confidence that this one would stick. It’s nice when you surprise yourself!

That said, I yoga-fess that this challenge has not endeared me to yoga – I’m just not a yoga person. Having said that I cannot deny that this daily time on my mat seems to have helped. So, the million-dollar question is, will yoga stay in the mix come February?

I am happy to be back to pain-free running and will now be building up my base again. However, I runfess that I continue to have no interest in “running long.” I have been thinking about working my way back up to an 8-mile long run but with winter’s bitter cold temps finally making an appearance, the motivation is low.

And, why 8 miles you may ask? That distance has always been the “sweet spot” for me – it’s not a big leap from there to dial-up training to the half marathon distance. On the other hand, I runfess that I just do not see myself signing up for a virtual half marathon again any time soon. If I’m running a half marathon I really need/want it to be an in-person event. Given the way things are playing out, I do not foresee any in-person races happening until at least the fall.

I also runfess that my love of my Peloton bike is certainly not helping my motivation to run far in the bitter cold. There are so many classes I want to take, and new content is always being added. Sometimes it’s a struggle between deciding to head out for a run or hitting the bike.

So tell me, have you tried daily yoga? Are you motivated to run long without a race on your calendar?

Here are the guidelines:

Your link should center around some kind of fitness (exercise, wellness, mental health, nutrition… the possibilities are endless!)
Please link back to your hosts! It’s the right thing to do!
Share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!
Feel free to share about Fit Five Friday on your social media! Tag #FitFiveFriday to get the word out!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Runfessions

Fit Five Friday – Staying Hydrated in Winter

January 22, 2021 by Michelle 28 Comments

Does anyone else struggle with staying hydrated…especially during the winter months? I think it’s so much easier to be mindful of taking in enough fluids when the temps are soaring, but when there’s snow on the ground or the temps are frigid, not so much.

I’m making it a conscious goal to focus on my hydration, so I’m sharing a few tips on ways to stave off winter dehydration.

Keep water front and center – Yeah I know this one is pretty obvious, but I think it still important. Filling your water bottle and keeping it with you in clear view as you go about your day will go a long way in reminding you to keep drinking. (Added bonus – refill your bottle as soon as you empty it!)

Eat water-rich fruits and veggies – You don’t always have to drink water to stay hydrated! From melons and apples to leafy greens and broccoli, there is no shortage of water-rich foods to choose from.

Source

Watch your caffeine – While I love a mug (or two) of hot coffee on a cold morning, it’s important to remember that caffeine is a natural diuretic. So when I feel the need to warm-up in the afternoon or evening, caffeine-free tea is my drink of choice.

Tips for staying hydrated this winter #FitFiveFriday #winterfitness Click To Tweet

Give your water a flavor boost – Infusing your water with fruit, cucumber, or mint helps to fight the boredom of drinking glass after glass of plain-old H20.

Track your intake – There are a number of hydration apps available that can help you to keep track of your daily intake, including setting alarms and reminders. Or, if you prefer pen and paper, use a “habit tracker” or Post-it note reminders.

Do you find it harder to stay hydrated in the winter? What are your tips for staying hydrated?

Welcome To Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida! Who’s ready for some fun?

Here are the guidelines:

Your link should center around some kind of fitness (exercise, wellness, mental health, nutrition… the possibilities are endless!)
Please link back to your hosts! It’s the right thing to do!
Share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!
Feel free to share about Fit Five Friday on your social media! Tag #FitFiveFriday to get the word out!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, hydration

Five Key Elements of a Morning Routine

January 15, 2021 by Michelle 24 Comments

Welcome To Fit Five Friday!

It’s time for a brand-new Friday Five, and we are thrilled to bring you this Fit Five Friday link-up! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday to share your weekly fitness favorites!

5 Key Elements of a Morning Routine

There’s no doubt that how you spend the first hours of your morning sets the tone for your day. With the holidays and some time off behind me, I’ve spent these first few days of January re-focusing on my morning routine.

For me there are 5 key elements to a morning routine:

Hydration — Drinking a glass of water after you wake up helps to rehydrate your body, boosting both your energy and mental clarity. Yep…as much as I love my coffee, it’s water first!

Movement — Of course you knew this one was coming! Whether you only have time for some stretching or a few yoga poses, or take on a walk/run, ride, or full-on “gym session”, any type of exercise does a body good. And, no surprise, those who exercise in the morning benefit from boosting their metabolism and enjoying more energy throughout the day.

What's in your morning routine? Sharing 5 key elements for the first edition of the #FitFiveFriday link-up Click To Tweet

Meditation — For me, meditation is a chance to get centered and connect before the chaos of the day kicks in. There are so many advantages to making meditation apart of your morning – it’s a moment to pause, set intentions, and reflect while lowering your stress level – honestly I’ll probably do a whole separate post on this at some point.

Planning/Intentions — I’m an old-fashioned pen & paper planner girl and my morning is not complete without a little time sitting quietly with my planner and a mug of coffee (finally!) to review schedules, identify the “must do’s” vs. “like to do’s” and set my plan/intentions for the day. Taking time in the morning to plan and set your intentions for the day helps you to avoid diving into the day on autopilot.

Self Care — Carve out a little time for some form of self-care. An additional step to your skincare routine, incorporating a body scrub into your morning shower, dry brushing, or the like can be very restorative. I don’t consistently do the same thing every morning, but I am trying to add a little self-care to my day.

Ultimately the key to a good morning routine is finding what works best for you. If there are elements you want to add or change in how you approach your morning, it helps to start slowly. Conventional wisdom says it takes at least 21 days to form a habit. And, taking baby steps is more likely to be effective than making one giant leap – especially if the routine you’re trying to adopt is a radical departure from where you are now. Finally, if part of your routine feels more like a chore than a source of inspiration, you might want to consider making some changes until you find what feels right for you.

What are the key elements of your morning routine?