Inspiration

My inspiration of my blog comes from a few different websites that I relied on when I first planned to pursue my fitness journey. Based off of my previous post, the other social media accounts that I initially was exposed to inspired my blog post content and how I can incorporate my own experiences.

I think it was really important that I incorporated myself and my own results throughout my blog to make it more personable and realistic for my viewers.The founder of Way of Gray, Sophie, put several elements into each post containing: personal experience, tips and tricks, and the overall informative information of the topic. Without these elements, I feel that the post wouldn't be as authentic nor inspiring to potential health-seekers.

Aside from Way of Gray, I also was inspired by health food accounts on Instagram, where I have collected my recipes. I believe it was really important to include visuals due to the fact that presentation is key for appetizing food. 

Another inspiration of mine was from my younger sister whom I have participated in each sport with throughout the years. She is an avid poster on her social media accounts of her accomplishments, but to a point where it is not excessive. Part of me wanted to create this type of blog for her so she too can look to it as a resource of inspiration or even collaborate with me in the future.

As far as color and text inspiration, I used a few of my favorite color combinations such as turquoise, purple, teal, gray, black, and white. As silly as this sounds, those colors speak to me and are cool and relaxing in my opinion. They are pretty much gender neutral as well, which will also open up the number of potential viewers. 

Must See Workout Blogs

Throughout my fitness journey I have become very dependent on various workout blogs for motivation, ideas, tips, and inspiration stories. These blogs have honestly helped my growth and have given me the tools to be able to start and continue my own blog about what I am passionate about: FITNESS!

This being said, I think it is important that I share 2 of my favorite blogs so you too can benefit from them as I did or even more!

Way of Gray

• This is the first blog/workout guide that I found once I decided I wanted to live a healthier life. I initially began following this blog via Instagram and once I did more research, I found the messages within the blog are body positive and motivating. Way of Gray understands that we are only human and we need those cheat days, that cookie or small bag of chips, and there is nothing wrong with that. I later bought her guide of workouts and healthy grocery list and have gotten results that even the extreme program Insanity could not provide for me.

Kayla Itsines

• Kayla Itsines is a Australian native that has created the famous "Bikini Body" workout guide and eating plan. I too found her via Instagram, along with her fit coach boyfriend, and found that she has helped thousands of women across the globe find their fitness journey. She constantly posts motivation pictures and before and after photos of her clients, which really got me excited to start my own journey. Once I was done with the guide, I referenced moves and clean eating tips into my daily life

• www.wayofgray.com
• www.kaylaitsines.com

Toning Tuesday!

For those who are not focussed on bulking up and finding their maximum weight to lift, this post is for you!

Being fit doesn't mean big muscles, it means healthy choice and for some, toning. Toning can be done with body weight or with high reps of low weight. However, this post is directed towards specific exercises using body weight when there is no time for the gym. 

Personally, I tried these exercises and after a few weeks I noticed more definition and tighter areas these exercises targeted. So, not only do these exercises tone but they burn fat as well! The main target areas are abdominals, obliques, quads, and shoulders.

Follow the side by side visuals and try these out to see how toned you can get your body for summer!

• www.gymra.com

A Chair is Your Best Friend

One of the most common excuses for why people are not working out is either because they have "no time" OR because they "don't like the gym". I say that this has to stop. 

The simple fact of this is that everyone is busy and [mostly] everyone hates the gym. Its the way of life. BUT who's to say that you can't do a workout with the spare time that you have while using items around your house.

Sound too good to be true? Think again. From personal experience, I vouch for any at home workout as long as the proper technique is used. You would be surprised as to how easy it is to integrate workouts done in the gym can be done at home.

Today's workout is a full-body workout using a chair as your main tool. This workout works all areas and if there is a certain area you would like to focus on, then simply add the number of reps for that specific area!

• fitfoodiefinds.com

Taming Your Sweet Tooth

Like most people, I have a sweet tooth that puts my self control to the ultimate test. There are some days where I can resist, and other days where I need that sweet tasting fix. For me, chocolate is my deal breaker; game over. But for others, candy or high amounts of sugar is just as deadly. 

I want to focus today's post on healthy recipes that help satisfy these cravings while staying on track with the healthy lifestyle you've created. There is nothing more frustrating than being on a clean eating streak and ruining it with a donut or two. So why not take your health food knowledge and apply it to your crazy sweet tooth?

Below I have a list of 10 recipes that have been my saving grace for my sweet tooth many times. These desserts are not only satisfying but extremely easy to execute AND have health benefits as well!

All recipes located at: http://www.recipebyphoto.com

1. Guilt-free ice cream
2. Chocolate dipped kiwi popsicles 
3. Fresh fruit pops
4. 2 Ingredients cookies
5. Guiltless apple dessert
6. Cheesy grape pops
7. Frozen banana mini sandwiches
8. Peanut butter balls
9. Fruit tacos with chocolate tortillas
10. Cinnamon honey "fried" bananas 

Motivation: Keep Going!

When people want to get fit, the number one request is to do it in a timely manner, but in reality, there is no "quick, easy fix". If anyone claims to be able to provide that, they are lying. 

Motivation is one of the top factors of whether people stick to the healthy lifestyle or not. In reality, it takes several weeks to see results and that is with a clean diet and a habitual workout schedule. Most of the time people will work out for a week or two and expect results and when they don't receive them to their expectations, they give up. Never give up! 

From personal experience, I suffered from an injury that took me out of the exercising world for months. Initially, I wanted to jump right back to where I was, but I had to come to terms that baby steps is where I had to start from once again. There were a few times where I went into the cycle of working out, then quitting, then working out again. It wasn't until I set goals for myself and made a commitment to sticking with it, no matter what.

Sometimes making that commitment is the toughest part of the journey but it holds, without a doubt, the most rewarding of feelings. So advice for anyone starting or continuing this journey is to never give up. There will be days you'll see results in their prime and other days where you'll feel like a couch potato and there's nothing wrong with that! Keep working towards your goals and remember that each workout you accomplish moves you one step forward to that goal.

• www. iSaveA2Z.com

Stretch to Success

One of the best ways to start your morning in a healthy, positive way is to begin your day with stretching. I know from being on many teams that no one likes to stretch. Some say its time consuming, some say that they "don't feel anything," but stretching has always been my favorite parts of a workout. 

Anyone can benefit from stretching because it warms and cools down your muscles, allowing them to release stored energy and prevent the sore/groggy feeling. You can also benefit from stretching because it will prevent injuries, which can be a huge set back to anyone's lifestyle. 

The stretches below hit all major muscle groups and do not require expertise of any sort. Trust me when  I say that after a couple days of morning stretching you will feel the difference.

Top Left: This is the Chest Release, which targets the upper back front of shoulders, and biceps.  Holding a wall, or door frame, step forward with your left leg and turn entire body to the right at the hips. Reverse the movement by doing the oppose while taking deep breaths. 

Top Right: This is the Seated Spinal Twist, which targets the spine neck and shoulders. Sit with your legs together and place your arm on the opposite leg and twist while stabilizing yourself with the other arm. Repeat with opposite arm and leg on the other side. For a deeper stretch, turn your neck in the direction of your twist. 

Left: This is the Standing Hamstring Stretch, which targets hamstrings. While keeping your balance, place your leg on an elevated object (chair, bench, pile of books) while keeping your back straight and foot flexed. As you gain flexibility experiment with taller objects.

Right: This is the Side Stretch, which targets the outer thigh, obliques, and shoulders. Stabilize on any sturdy object, extend your right arm and lean slowly to feel the stretch on side while crossing right leg in front of left. Reach with fingertips.

Left: This is the Outer Hip Stretch, which targets hips and outer thigh. Lift leg onto bed with front knee outside and in front of shoulder. Keep spine straight and lean slightly forward with hands on side for support.

Right: This is the Standing Forward Bend Stretch, which targets hamstrings and lower back. Keep feet shoulder-width apart and slowly bend over letting your upper body hang until you feel the stretch in your lower back. Gently swing from side to side.

Bottom Left: This is the Standing Quad Stretch, which targets quadriceps. Stand shoulder-width apart and hold the middle of your foot while stabilizing with other arm. Keep spine straight and tall. 

Bottom Right: This is the Upper Back Release, which targets the upper back and back of shoulders. Stand shoulder-width apart and clasp hands together while rounding upper back. Keep arms straight and active. Hold for 2-3 deep breaths.

• www.sparkpeople.com