Workout Wednesday: Cross(fit) My Heart, I'm Actually Dying

You'd think I'd get bored with a wide-open schedule and no reason to leave my apartment... but I don't want to leave my apartment. It's hot. I've got a cute, cuddly puppy on my lap. I want to watch old episodes of Parks & Rec. So even though I have valiant plans to go to my favorite kickboxing class at the gym, sometimes I just don't.

I was starting to feel really bad about not working out very hard - mostly because I had to see myself in those multi-angle Target dressing room mirrors and I could pretty much see every bag of microwave popcorn and every bucket of movie theater popcorn. All I eat is popcorn. And I need to be photo ready by the wedding on August 9th!!! Oh noez!

I thought back to a crossfit workout that my super fit college athlete sister Brooke invited me to do with her one day when we were both at my parents house. We did 10 burpees, 9 squats, 8 pushups and 7 situps, starting on the minute every minute for 10 minutes. If you finished in 40 seconds, you had 20 seconds of rest until the next round started, 50 seconds/10 second rest, etc. It was INSANE!!! I was literally dripping sweat and ripping off layers of clothes. I was sore for seriously a week. Yet, it was over in 10 minutes and I saw a difference in my fitness level that week at the gym, even after just one session.

So when I saw a crossfit-style workout called Plank-a-thon (below, original link), I thought - "Hey. I could do that. At home. While watching Parks & Rec. As Glen Coco tries to attack my flying ponytail." We went for it.

I use a free app called Gymboss - you can create intervals of any length or intensity. For this one I did 30 seconds of work/10 seconds of rest for 24 rounds, so you do the 12 exercises twice. My plan is to do this workout every day until I can do the entire 30 seconds solid (I'm so weak I often can only do 15-20 seconds during the second round), then mix up my crossfit workouts.

 

It's rough - I'm not going to sugar coat it for you. But you kind of love it. And you get out of it what you put in. Obviously if you're getting tunnel vision and lightheadedness, you better calm it down, but push yourself and you'll see results pretty quickly.

I have pinned tons of workouts, and I've used BodyrockTV (daily workouts posted, but beware of sweaty, almost naked people!) to create crossfit workouts, but really you can do whatever you want! Pick a few natural movement, bodyweight exercises you like or need to target a problem area (squats for butt, pushups for arms, plank for abs, etc) and set up an interval timer. My mom does Insanity every day (wow right?!) and loves it, so I think I may give that a try this winter when I'm in a workout rut and lazy and cold. :)

Anybody else do crossfit at home or in a gym? Inspire me!

Workout Wednesday: Zombie Chase!

Look at these regular posts you guys! It's amazing what not having a full time job can do for your blogging life. Being a teacher is pretty cool sometimes.

Workout Wednesday is back in full force and you know why? The Zombie Chase. On Saturday, me, my sister-in-law Haley and some of our friends will be running the Zombie Chase 5K through the ghost town/obstacle course in Eureka. The run goes through buildings, zombie traps, rope courses and a paintball shooting finale - all under the light of a luminous full moon. (If you want to run with us - slowly - there's still space! Sign up for the 10 pm wave and email me so we can meet up!)

That's pretty much the only thing that can entice me to run. At all. Like any sane person, I hate running. I'm so bad at it. I play sports, it's true. But when I get on a treadmill I seriously can't even run a mile. So I'm counting on my adrenaline and my competitive nature to get me through this.

To prepare, I finally downloaded Zombies! Run on my iPhone. In a word (2 words): WORTH IT. It is so much fun. Never in my life have I TRIED to find time to run. Each day I download a mission, in my role as Runner 5. It might be a routine run for supplies or to save a lost child - the story plays between the songs of my selected playlist. As you run you collect supplies and you build up your base after your run. Sometimes during a song you'll hear "ZOMBIES DETECTED 50 METERS" and it beeps until you evade them.

 

So picture this. Danica. Laboriously jogging at an embarrassing pace on a treadmill at a busy Gold's Gym. All of a sudden she lets out a short low "OH!" and turns up the speed to an all out sprint. "Come onnnnnnn Come onnnnnnnnn" she spurts between pants. Finally a "Yessssssss!" and she's down to a walk, red-faced and hyperventilating. 

Because that's what I accidentally did the first time I tried it. I was so into it I completely lost awareness that I was in a gym, surrounded by bros and old ladies.

SORRY EVERYONE. JUST TRYING TO SAVE WHAT'S LEFT OF THE WORLD OVER HERE ON TREADMILL 8. DON'T MIND ME. 

Since then I've been running outside. I've taken Glen Coco with me twice, and it's over.

Time #1 - Joy

 

Little kids, puppies and birds to chase? THIS IS THE LIFE

Time #2 - Heat Stroke/Defiance

We cut this run short, obviously because SOMEONE decided to just let the Zombies eat us. If you noticed how show my pace was on the iPhone screen above it's because after coaxing him into a sprint to evade a zombie horde, in 90 degree heat, when he desperately needs a haircut, I allowed him a much needed walk and then he gave up. Sorry, Abel Township. That child is not getting rescued.

Workout Wednesday: Kickboxing or Watch Out, Criminals

This post is a little late for a Workout Wednesday, but I wanted to write after I got back from my first ever Kickboxing class!

Glen was all kinds of concerned about these scary black things

My good friend invited me to try it and boy, am I glad she did. I signed up pretty much instantly for $30 which included these free boxing gloves and 5 classes.

They also include disheveled hair and running makeup, if you were wondering...

I've liked kickboxing for a long time - I used to do Tae Bo with my mom occasionally back in the 90s, and more recently I did a kickboxing DVD workout that was on Netflix (curse you for removing all the workout videos, Netflix. How dare you). Apparently I'm naturally aggressive, because punching and kicking stuff is just way too fun and cathartic. 

The class started with a few jogging, high knees, grapevine and butt kicker laps around the studio. Then we did some Cross-Fit style training for about 5-10 minutes of mountain climbers, triangle pushups and V-ups. We did some light stretching and then hit the bags. 

LITERALLY. 

The class moves from activity to activity for the whole hour, so you're responsible for taking breaks and water when you need them. They were really helpful and took the time to make sure I understood each sequence (jab-cross-hook-hook-knee-kick-jab-jab-what?), which I really appreciated. 

I felt like it was an amazing cardio workout, without the misery of running. Yahtzee. I know my muscles got a great workout because I could barely climb out of my car once I was home. 

The only drawback is that they really push to have you sign up for a membership - and it's pretty pricey. If I was trying to get in shape for something really pressing and worth the money - like a wedding or a cruise or to lose huge amounts of weight - I'd do it in a heartbeat. 

Their classes were fast-paced, so you never get a chance to feel bored or tired (it was almost over by the time I finally looked at the clock to see how much time remained), and they give you an awesome workout. It was also incredibly cathartic for "Freestyle Time" to just punch the crap out of that bag however I wanted. :)

I highly recommend the temporary pass for 3 or 5 classes and free gloves. Sign up at ILoveKickboxing.com and choose whichever location works best for you. I'm signed up in Sandy if you want to join me. :)

Workout Wednesday - Back from the Dead

Last summer I was super ambitious and started a Workout Wednesday series to fill my empty time - the pros of being a teacher during the summer.

Obviously it fizzled. But we're back. (I was still working out you guys. Promise.)

I've always been athletic and active. But it isn't until the last few weeks that I've found the best gym workout method for me. Just in time for Spring Break suckas!

My dear friend Shannon posted about her workout routine and we started emailing about workout philosophies. We both agree on the following

• Cardio is pretty much of the devil
• Spending more than 45 minutes in the gym makes us want to set ourselves on fire
• Lifting weights is fun
• Lifting weights makes us feel good
• Our metabolism and bodies are responding when we focus on weight training

So here's what I've been doing for approximately 3-4 weeks and I'm sold. Seriously. I feel great, I acutally LIKE going to the gym and my body is showing results. 

I go to the gym 3-5 times a week - depending on the week. I pack all my gym stuff and psych myself up for an awesome workout during the day at school. After school I drive to the West Jordan gym, not far from my school, and grind out a workout that I'm looking forward to. If it's the weekend or I'm already home, I go to the Draper Gold's. 

The point is that I get excited for a workout and I tell myself that I'm going to push hard for only 30-45 minutes and feel awesome after. Also the fact that I don't have to kill myself on the dreadmill for 30 minutes before a 30 minute weight workout is a huge factor in my happiness.

I suggest a pair of sick Nike Frees to motivate your workouts. 

I do little to no cardio. Sure, that's an essential part of a workout you may say. But I can either force myself to do crappy cardio and hate every second of it, getting into a terrible mood and doing a bad job at my weight training afterward - OR I can do a quick cardio stint to warm up and save my energy for weight training.

During my workouts I push myself hard. I lift heavy, take short breaks between sets and move quickly from exercise to exercise. That way I get a sort of cardio workout without having to run! Yahtzee. 

I motivate myself with new music and having a purpose - right now is our Spring Break trip to Vegas and St. George. I have 2 new swimsuits and boy do I want to use them. That makes it so much easier to get to the gym, push hard, do that final set.

I have 4 workouts - Lower, Upper, Core (abs, back, butt), and the rare Cardio. I make sure I do the first 3 workouts every single week. If I get in a 4th workout I make that day my cardio - I run for longer, read a book on the bike or treadmill and some interval training. 

The hardest thing for me to do is take the time to stretch every day. I'm notoriously inflexible and trying to fix it. 

I've started drinking protein shakes post-workout and I love it. I got a shakey-bottle and I mix vanilla whey protein powder with soy milk, blend it into smoothies or stir it into greek yogurt with fruit.

**Do any of you guys do protein powder? I want some more ideas of protein shakes and good powders that you guys use. 

On my sore or off days, I mix in some yoga at home - either YouTube or my own sequences. 

I'm already noticing more muscle definition, less jiggle, and a faster metabolism. 

Combine this with some self-tanner and a fresh manicure - I think I'll be able to show my face in a swimsuit next week in Vegas for Spring Break. 

Workout Wednesday: Yoga Challenge!

Well, I've sucked with Workout Wednesday. I'll admit it.

But I'm ready for another one!

I found this on tumblr and signed up! I'm really looking forward to yoga every day, and it will definitely be a challenge. It begins September 10 and runs for the month. They send you videos to complete each day and tips for fitness and nutrition. It's going to be awesome!

Somebody do this with me! I'll struggle doing it every day, but if I'm held accountable to one or more of y'all I'll be tougher. Go sign up and comment or email me! Let's yoga this shiz!

Workout Wednesday: The Barre Method

The Barre Method is the hot new thing in fitness. You know, it was Tae-Bo, then Pilates, then Yoga, then Zumba, well now it's Barre Method.

Barre Method is a combination of ballet, Pilates/Yoga and aerobics. The idea is to tone and define your body to achieve a long, lean physique, like a dancer. It's a full body workout, but the legs/butt are definitely going to feel it the most. (My legs are already PISSED at me. Seriously, I'm so sore and so spent. This workout is for real.)

Barre studios are popping up all over the place, but a place like Pure Barre near where I live in Draper is kind of pricey unless you are super dedicated to the barre method. There are online and DVD options as well, but it seemed like the kind of thing that is more beneficial in a real studio. So when the Sandy Gold's Gym offered a Barre class, I jumped on it.

Since it's a Gold's Gym aerobics room, they didn't have the bar on the mirrored walls, so we used chairs, in addition to mats, squishy balls and light hand weights. We started off with a light aerobic warm up and then jumped into leg work with the chair. Basically it's moving your legs all different direction with fluid, controlled movement. We placed the squishy ball behind our knees to work the hamstring and calf during the reps.

Then we moved to the hand weights, coordinated with lunges and heel raisers. Even if your upper body is strong, opt for 1-3 pound weights. You'll be holding and moving them for 10 minutes, so they'll start to feel like 50 pounds.

Finally the class ends with a Pilates-based ab workout on the mat and some serious stretching.

What to Wear: Leggings or Yoga pants that will cling rather than hang loose. A yoga tank or somewhat tight shirt will stay out of your way during swing and crunch movements.

Other tips:

• Drink lots of water and make sure you eat something substantial a few hours before you go. I hadn't had enough water and only ate some yogurt with granola and started feeling light headed during the class.
• Go to a Barre class fresh. It's not like yoga or something gentle that you can just go to after your regular workout. It's a challenging, KILLER workout on its own. I was sore from a new lower body workout I tried on Monday, and it made me much less effective during class last night. 
• Stretch before, immediately after, and long after the class. You'll get super tight otherwise.
• If you have a background in dance, you'll have a slight advantage, but I don't and I survived.

My final word:

It was a crazy workout that I'll definitely see results from. However, I was expecting it to be more graceful and yoga-like, so when it turned out to be more "aerobics for former Drill Team members" I got a little bored and found myself watching the clock. They've only been doing this class at Gold's for a month and it's still in a "trial" phase, so maybe they'll tinker with it. Hopefully.

Also it didn't help that the girl next to me set her mat less than 12 inches from mine and thought she was auditioning for Step Up 7: Samba in Space. Really? No one is that impressed by you Miss "Never Gave Up My Dream."

I don't think I'll go to another class, just because it was a little too tedious for me. Everyone in the class seemed to be stretched a little thin as well, but a few people (Step Up girl) were loving it. If you are into dance/ballet/controlled leg movements/flexibility, then this might be the class for you. Give it a shot with this YouTube workout and see what you think!

Workout Wednesday: Running with Tayler Christiansen

Today's post comes from my smart and sporty friend Tayler. We met in England on our Study Abroad and now we talk all the time about history teacher stuff. :) Check out her blog about her book reviews, yummy recipes and her upcoming wedding and first year of teaching at my alma mater, Springville Junior High. And this post is the push I needed to get out and run today!

Why run? I hate tracks. Always have, always will. That is why I was never on track although I admired my younger sister for doing so. She was in great shape, able to run in such heat and at such distance. I was jealous of her legs.  But I hate tracks. Round and round and round and round. Going in a circle. That’s all it is—getting nowhere. I am a hamster running, trying to get somewhere, but am trapped in the same place.


I run (not on tracks, but outside exploring Provo) because I can. That is the reason.

I run away. I away from stress, from sickness, from bad days. When I am feeling down, I change into my shorts and running shirts, put my hair in a braid, turn my iPod up super loud, and head out the door. About 15 minutes in, whatever bothered me before is history. I am flying, I am fighting, and I am winning.

But, I am stubborn. I run towards a goal. I run because I am stubborn. Every step is a fight and I will prove to my body I can win. It is a test of courage, a test of diligence, of determination, of ambition, of spirit. But, it is mainly a test of strength. To see how far I can push myself. Can I make it all the way up this hill without walking? How many stairs can I run up? What is the longst, fastest sprint I can do? Who will give up first, my legs or my spirit? It is something I can prove to myself. Something I can strive for and show that I can achieve it and more. Besides, that high that you get after running is enough to keep you gong for the rest of the day—the satisfaction and knowledge that you just defeated your own body and made it do the impossible.

This mantra not only applies to running, but to whatever I (or you) do to work out and stay in shape. After I run and stretch, I like to do other exercises to build my muscle tone. Again, I like to push myself: 10 more seconds on core exercises, 5 more pushups, etc. 

So go out and go running. Don’t get stuck on an endless track. Find a windy, shady trail. Try some stairs. Run past your friends headed up to class and smile, showing off. Explore neighborhoods you’ve never been to before. Have a soundtrack going. Make sure to include Rocky Story music, such as “Gonna Fly Now” and “Training Montage” (even include Mulan’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” When you hear these songs, push yourself to the utmost limit and DO NOT STOP NO MATTER WHAT until the song is done. Then, don’t stop even then! Keep going!

So my challenge for you is to listen to Lowell Thomas. Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can. You will thank yourself afterward. Because, it’ll surprise you—you can actually do it. Mind over body. Determination over mind. Be stubborn. Go run.

Workout Wednesday: Yoga

I always thought Yoga was for Hindus, Californians and skinny girls who hated sports. Two of my good friends in high school, Danielle and Michelle, were super into yoga and were just so graceful and flexible as a result. So when I signed up for my Gold's Gym pass my freshman year, I thought maybe I'd mix up my weightlifting with some yoga. Unfortunately it took a whole year for me to actually try it out. And I've been hooked ever since. Especially when I can do Star Wars yoga.

Yoga is in essence a spiritual practice that links the mind and body in harmony. It releases tension, increases flexibility, realigns joints and strengthens core muscles. You really can vary your yoga practice to target whatever physical needs you are trying to meet.

Your basic yoga tends to be more strength, core, and flexibility building. I leave sweaty and I'm almost always a little sore (in a good way!) the next day.

More intense or intermediate yoga practice includes more balance poses and emphasis on vinyasa, or flow, which becomes a very mentally rigorous challenge. This yoga emphasis is especially great when I can't stop thinking or worrying about something, because it forces you to let it go and focus on not falling on your face. I've never tried bikram or any other intense forms, but I've heard great things. I'm still a noob, anyways.

Relaxation yoga is awesome. Most yoga classes end with some relaxation poses and nap meditation time. You release tension in your neck and shoulders that you didn't even know you were holding. You're breathing deep and free, your body feels like tingly jello and you don't walk - you glide.

A good yoga practice includes a little of all three. Every instructor is going to design their class differently, and it's just about finding what works for you.

Options for practicing yoga:

• On Netflix, I like 10 Minute Solution Yoga and Crunch: Candlelight Yoga.
• YouTube Yoga is pretty cool, actually. Check this tumblr for a list of YouTube videos that target anything you want. Perfect if you are stuck at home/too lazy to go anywhere. 
• The Everygirl just did an awesome feature for beginners, so check it!
• On your own! Once you have learned the basics, you can do it yourself! I sometimes do yoga on vacation or when I'm feeling really tight and inflexible, without a video or instructions. 
• I personally believe classes are the best, because they are different every time, they modify poses for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and you work harder when there are other people around you trying. 

What to Wear:

Tight/form-fitting clothes. You don't need to pour yourself into the thinnest spandex you can buy, just lose the baggy basketball shorts. When you lift your legs in the air or turn upside down you don't want to be tugging your shorts away from your bum and your high school choir t-shirt from suffocating your face.

Victoria's Secret yoga pants are my favorite. I like the capri, but I also have the ankle boot cut and the yoga booty short too. Leggings are also a great option.

A sports bra with a tank or slim v-neck or a racerback sports tank are my favorite top options. Athleta has some seriously cute stuff. Almost makes you WANT to work out. Almost...

Pull your hair into a top knot or Katniss-style side braid and use a headband to keep the hair out of your face when you are upside down and changing positions.

Other Tips:

If you love yoga, buy your own mat. There are always yoga mats in the back of the aerobics room, but having your own is way cleaner/better. I got one on Amazon with a bag for pretty cheap and I use it all the time.

Get to class early, find a spot near a mirror so you can check your form during poses, and stretch a bit before class starts.

Do yoga on an empty (but not rumbling stomach).

No one cares if you fall over or can't hold a stretch the whole time. Seriously. No one cares.

Tune in next week for a Workout Wednesday Guest Post by my good friend Tayler about why she runs like a crazy person!

Workout Wednesday: Rock Climbing with Katie Ashby

Hey there! I'm Katie from These Are The Days - my husband, Devin and I are here to talk to you today about one of our favorite things to do: Rock Climbing!

It may come as a surprise to some people that rock climbing is actually extremely beneficial for your health, on multiple levels - that is, if it's done correctly!

Boring stuff first: the absolute most important thing to remember is that rock climbing is a dangerous sport, so it is essential that you get proper training and practice safety as you climb! If you're local to Utah, we highly recommend climbing at Momentum Indoor Climbing Gym (in Sandy) seeing as how Devin works there and all! The staff is amazing, helpful, and new climbers are always welcome and encouraged! Momentum is an awesome place to learn how to climb if you don't already know someone with the experience to teach you.

Like I said before, rock climbing is a great way to get in shape, stay in shape, and what's more, it's an awesome social activity. For starters? Climbing is heart-healthy. And by that I mean, it helps improve your cardiovascular system by stressing your heart (in a good way!) - it gets the blood pumping, and makes your heart stronger!

Rock climbing can also contribute to healthy weight loss! I think I read somewhere once that 1 pound = 3500 calories (just double-checked. I read right.), which means to lose 1 pound a week, you need to eliminate 500 calories each day. And guess what? Climbing at a "moderate intensity" for about 1 hour, burns 400! That means you spend some time at the gym, skip your daily can of soda, and you're there!

The most obvious benefit of rock climbing, I think, is toning and muscle building. Rock climbing is a progressive sport, so the better you get, the stronger you get, and the harder stuff you can climb! Climbing at those harder levels, and even as you're working your way up, requires a lot of strength, and a lot of that strength comes from your fingers, but it also counts where your arms, legs, and core are concerned! Climbing targets all of those main muscle groups in one total body work out! (plus, if you're asking me, it's a lot more fun than running on a treadmill!)

More awesome things about rock climbing: what some people don't know about climbing is that it is actually a very technical sport. You aren't just pushing off rocks to get to the top of a wall, there is a sequence to follow - so rock climbing requires a lot of mental (and physical) focus. Now, this is important.  It's easy to "plateau" in rock climbing if you let the mental part of it get the best of you! But as long as you have the right mental control, it's an awesome way to involve your mind while you exercise, and it helps increase your hand-eye coordination. Rock climbing is a sport where you can constantly challenge yourself and improve.

Oh, don't worry, we're not even done. Rock climbing is one of the best ways to increase your endurance! Walls in a climbing gym are typically anywhere from 30-60 feet tall - which doesn't seem like much, but when you're spending every inch of those feet pushing yourself mentally, and physically, it can seem much longer! Building up endurance is probably one of the most immediate benefits you'll notice if you start climbing regularly, which doesn't just benefit your improvement in climbing, it can help you last longer in other exercises (that is, if you even care for them anymore, now that you've found your new love for climbing!)

Okay, okay I'm almost done. Mostly because I know I've already convinced you to give it a try. But there's even more good that can come from tying into a rope and climbing up a wall. Climbing increases your FLEXIBILITY, BALANCE and COORDINATION! Just think about it! Am I right? I am.

And lastly, rock climbing is awesome because it is a sport that you can do rain or shine, inside or outside. And there are even different kinds of climbing:

1. You can boulder, which is done on much shorter walls, without a harness.

2. You can top-rope, which is the normal kind that most people begin with - the kind you probably think of when you think of rock climbing.

3. And when you become more experienced, you can lead climb!

Climbing is a sport that anyone can do, at any age! If you have any questions, click here and ask us!

**Isn't she great? If you are interested in guest posting on YOUR area of fitness expertise shoot me a email!**

Workout Wednesday - But I'd Rather Be Lazy...

A while ago I posted about an upcoming fitness series on Black with a Chance of Cheetah. Well here it comes. I know you've been anxiously waiting.

Why a fitness series? Why now? It's June and we're all feeling weird about our swimsuit physique. It's beautiful outside and it gives you more reasons to go enjoy it. I'm done with school and super bored all the time. I don't know, pick one. (By the way, I hate YOLO.)

Let me take you on a little journey through my fitness development:

Stage One: Super fit during year-round sports. Fitness was a by-product of athletics. 

Stage Two: Freshman laziness. I replaced exercising 3 hours a day with 3 hours a day of studying on my butt and eating crap. I got a Gold's Gym pass and started working out regularly, but I didn't lose any weight and didn't really improve my fitness, somehow. 

Stage Three: Busy life. I stopped working out altogether and spent all my time with The Beard, running from place to place and planning my future (graduation, teaching, marriage). I was really happy and subconsciously starting eating less and much better. 

Stage Four: Weak. I noticed how winded and pathetic I was running the bases with my slowpitch team. Moving things around in my new house made me feel like a wussy lightweight. I've been strong my whole life, until now. I started teaching and found myself mentally and physically exhausted. This whole not-working out thing isn't working out. 

Stage Five: Balance. That's when I found my PERSONAL fitness balance. I'm not a gym rat or a couch potato. I don't work out every day, but I'm not afraid to jump into a random game of flag football vs the students. 

Fitness isn't about losing weight anymore, though I wouldn't mind losing a few (amiright?). It's about feeling good. It's about confidence. It's about making myself better. 

And I do. I feel better. I feel good. I'm confident. I have more energy. I sleep better. I naturally make better eating decisions. I don't work out everyday. And I'm not a gym rat anymore. But I'm active and I feel good. That's what it's about. 

Personally I don't think fitness should be about your inspiration board full of half-naked Nike models. I don't think it should be about spending 20 hours a week at the gym. I don't think it should be about doing situps and starving yourself to fit into a size whatever. 

Fitness should be whatever works for you. Whatever makes you feel good. Whatever gives you confidence. Whatever makes you feel alive!

That's what this series is about. I will post about fitness topics that I know and love (weight-training, yoga, Just Dance!), and I have several guest posters lined up to blog about their fitness routines. Join us next week for my adorable and tough Miss Ashby's post about rock climbing!

If there's anything you want to see on the fitness blog series or if you have a hilarious gym story to share, let me know by email at dholdy {at} gmail {dot} com