Product Review: No Sweat Laundry

This review is a long time coming.

I was lucky enough to win this package (2 To Go Packs, in Freesia) from the lovely Katy @ Fit in Heels an embarrassingly long time ago.

Here is are some of the benefits of using No Sweat Laundry (from the website):

• It's unique active ingredient, Bio Blast, eliminates bacteria and oil
• It is gentle on clothing and helps to remove under arm stains
• No Sweat does not break down the fabric and protects your clothes from pilling and fading
• It is just as effective in cold water

Overall, I was very impressed with these products.  The detergent made my gym clothes smell so fresh and clean, you would never know that I ever used them to workout. I have been experimenting with different products for year and nothing has worked this well for me.

The yoga mat spray also did a great job of freshening my mat.  I usually use tea tree oil and was excited to see if something else works just as well.  This spray does.

Pros:

• It works!  My clothes and yoga mat have never smelt so good.
• My skin is very sensitive and was not irritated by these products.  This is a huge thing for me.
• I could see an improvement with underarm stains (I imagine with regular use, it would improve even more).

Cons:

• Cost.  It is a little on the pricey side, but you only need to use it with your workout wear.  I still have a bottle and a half of mat spray left, so it lasts a long time.
• The ingredients were not listed (and I can't find them on the website), and I will like to see what is in it.

Buy or Bust:  I would definitely buy this product.

Thank you so much to Katy and No Sweat!

What do you use to wash your gym clothes?  How do you freshen your yoga mat.

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Disclosure:  I received these products for free to review, but the opinions are my own.

Love Your Body Workout: Interval Jam

You may have noticed something different in the title of this post.

I usually preface all my workout posts with the length of the workout, but I have decided to make a change as I embrace a new way of looking at fitness.

This week, I launched my Love Your Body Bootcamp, but this outlook applies to all types of training.  We are all fabulous just the way we are and I think it is time that we approach health and fitness from a place of loving the skin we are in.  In my opinion, the best way to change your life is to start from a place of positivity and acceptance.

So all my workouts are about loving the body you have right now and getting excited and motivated to make it even healthier and stronger.

Are you with me?  Good.

Now, on to today's workout.  It is a tough interval circuit and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Let me know if you try it, I would love to hear your thoughts!

As always, check with your Doc before your begin/modify your exercise program.

Do you love your body just the way it is?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Wordless Wednesday: Can Fit Pro Fitness Conference

The Best Body Weight Exercises

You may have noticed that my blog posts have been slowly dwindling.

Yeah, I have noticed to.

It hasn't been intentional.  There have just been other things happening in my world right now that I have made a priority.  Life is unpredictable and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

But I am here today and would  like to show you some exercises using my favourite piece of equipment: Your own body weight!

In no particular order....

Lunges

Worth Repeating: Cross Training with Aqua Fitness

You know what I always say,"Some things are just worth repeating."

We are smack dab in the middle of summer and I can't think of any better way to get your sweat on.  Aqua fitness is great for all ages and levels and is surprisingly challenging.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!


It has been a pretty stressful week and working out was the last thing I wanted to do last night.

However, I knew in the back of my mind that as much as I didn't want to workout, some form of exercise would make me feel better (it always does).

I didn't want to run.  I needed something a bit easier on my joints, but still intense enough to get my heart rate up.

Source

30 Minute Workout: Prenatal Yoga

For me, yoga is always a welcome practice.  No matter what kind of day I had, yoga always makes me feel better.

If you are expecting, yoga will not only make you feel better, but it will also teach you many techniques such as breathing and focus that will help you during and after your pregnancy.

Here is a wonderful yoga flow designed with the Mom-to-be in mind.  You can pick and choose which poses you would like to do or do the entire workout.  Illustrations of the poses can be found here and here.

Make sure you check with your doc before you begin and/or make any changes to your exercise program.  

Worth Repeating: Finding the Best Trainer for You

Hiring a personal trainer can be one of the best decision you make to better your health and fitness.  I have done several posts on what to look for when searching for a fitness professional and thought this would be another post worth repeating.

Source

60 Minute Workout: Outdoor Circuit

I love it when the days are longer.

Whether you like to workout early in the morning or later in the evening, you know that (most of the time) you will still be greeted with some glorious sunshine.

It is no secret that I prefer to exercise in the fresh air.  After a walk or run, I often go the the local park with a resistance band in hand and do some strength training.  I do this with my clients too and there is just something about being outside that makes them work a little harder. :)

I hope this workout inspires you to work a little harder too.  You can do it two ways:

1. Plan your route so that there is a park along the way and bring your band.  Half way through the run/walk, stop at the park and perform the strength training exercises. OR
2. Complete your run/walk and do the strength training when you get back in your yard or a park close to your home.

As always, check with you doc before you begin any exercise program.

Move of the Month: Swimmer

Looks like it is going to be a gorgeous weekend!  I am going to spend some quality time with the family and I am hoping that most of that time with be spent in the sun. :)

Now, lets get to the good stuff! The move of the month for June is the pilates swimmer.

This is an excellent exercise to primarily work the lower back, but it also requires full body strength.  We often neglect the lower back in favour of a few more crunches, but it so important to balance opposing muscle groups.  We spend a lot of time in flexion in pilates, so we always want to make sure we work on extension.

Make sure you check with your doc before you begin any exercise program.

15 Minute Workout: A Quick HIIT

This past weekend was a hot one in Ontario.  I hope you all managed to stay cool.

As the weather continues to get warmer, it often becomes easier to use the it-is-too-hot-to-workout excuse.

While it is very true that you should avoid strenuous activity outdoors during peak hours (approx. 11am -4pm), that doesn't mean that you have to forgo the workout altogether.

This HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) routine is so quick, you will be done in the same amount of time it would take to think about another excuse not to do it.  For more about HIIT, check out this link!

The best part is that you don't need any equipment and it can be done anywhere.  Get ready to get your sweat on!

As always, check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.

60 Minute Workout: Power Circuit

You know I am a big fan of interval and circuit training.

The great thing about it is that no matter how much time you have, you know you are going to get an intense workout.

I have called today's routine a "60 minute workout", but truthfully, it is an "any time workout".  If you only have 20 minutes, simply do the circuit once.  If you have 40 minutes, do it twice.

You are still going to reap all of the benefits and feel great when you are done.

Check out the end of the post for some links to exercises you may not be familiar with. (and always check with your doctor before you start a new exercise program.)

45 Minute Workout: Cardio Blast

I miss running.  There, I said it.

As many of you know, I sprained my ankle just over a month ago. Although it is steadily getting better, I am being overly cautious as I don't want to put myself in a position where I might twist it again.

I am truly amazed how much I miss running given my love/hate relationship with it.  Hopefully, I will get into some physiotherapy soon and see what they suggest.  In the meantime, I will keep hitting the pool and walking my little heart out.

I could also do today's workout.

This calorie torcher requires very little equipment and space, is intense and guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks when you are done.

As always,. check with your doc before you start any exercise program.

Friday Favourites: Online Workouts

The blogosphere has become a fantastic resource for finding fun and creative ways to workout.  From pilates and yoga to tabata and interval training, there is certainly something for everything.

This week, I have rounded up a few great ones for you to try.  Just click, print and get moving!

As always, check with your doc before you start any exercise program.

Getting ready to burpee!  Learn how here.

 

30 Minute Workout: Super Set Circuit

I am going to be heading up north tomorrow to spend Easter at the cottage and will happily be baking cupcakes tonight to bring with me.  (Perhaps you will see a new recipe on the blog next week. ;)

It has been a while since we have been up to the cottage and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend away.

Now, are you ready to sweat?

I am not going to lie, this workout is tough.  This good news is that you are going to be done in less than 30 minutes (depending on how many times you repeat the circuit)  You are going to love it.

As always, check with your Doc before you start any exercise program.

What Not to Wear (to the Gym)

Fitness and fashion.  They go together like peas and carrots.

Okay, maybe not, but I often get asked if it really matters what you wear when you are working out.

My answer is yes and no.  Let me explain.

When you are exercising, what matters most is how you feel.  Some people will feel their best in an old pair of track pants and a t-shirt, while others would rather sport the trendiest shorts and a high performance tank. 

However, you also can consider that there are technical fabrics and designs that lend themselves to different activities.  For example, if you sweat a lot during your workout, you may want to invest in gear with anti-odour properties.  If you are runner, you may find it is easier to move in a running skirt. etc.

I don't think you need to break the bank buying fitness clothing.  There are many fantastic brands in all price ranges that will get the job done.

For some people always being fashionable is very important.  For others, not so much.  It really comes down to personal choice and what works for your body and budget.

If you are still on the fence about what to wear, here are a few tips.

Source

45 Minute Workout: Full Body Bootcamp

It was a truly lovely weekend and it is only supposed to get warmer this week.  I can hear kids everywhere jumping for joy to have fantastic weather for their March Break.

I am playing catch up this week (I have been grossly neglecting my inbox - over 5000 unread messages), but I am going to make sure I get out there and enjoy the weather.

Perhaps I will go for another run (I managed to get out today and it was glorious) or maybe I will try this bootcamp workout on for size. ;)

If you are looking for an intense, full body workout, you have come to the right place today.  Go through this circuit 2-3 times for the full 45 minute workout or do it once if you are short on time.

This is my first time including the workout as a jpg file (for easy pinning) and I would love your feedback (too big, too small, needs more info etc.).

30 Minute Workout: Station Circuit

Did you ever have Play Day as a child in school?

It was a day when the entire school would be divided into teams and move from station to station participating in outdoor activities.  Many of them were sporty in nature like relays, soccer ball pass and the 3-legged race.

I remember how much fun these days were.  We got to enjoy the sunshine and have fun with our friends.  We were being active and healthy without even knowing it.

This circuit reminds me of that.  The stations aren't the same, but the entire workout has the same feel to it. It can be done indoors or outdoors, with a partner or group.  

It is very similar to the Circuit Work-It , but you do not need a partner to do the exercises. You just get the added support of working out with a team and have fun while doing it.

 Remember to check with your doc before you start any fitness program.

30 Minute Workout: Timed Power Intervals

It is pretty grim in Southern Ontario.

Yes, the weather is unseasonably warm, but there is nary a ray of sun to be found.  It is very easy to get a case of  I-just-want-to-stay-under-the-covers-all-day syndrome.

It is tough to stay motivated to exercise in the darker months, but you know that once you get up and get moving, you will instantly have more energy.

The workout today is going to help you get there.  It will get your heart pumping and boost your mood.  You are going to be so happy that you gave it a try. ;)

Note:  Please check with you doc before you begin/change your fitness program.

 

30 Minute Workout: Run Interval

 Whew.  It has been one whirlwind of a week.  So glad to have a few days off for Christmas.

I am also glad to finally get in an outdoor run tomorrow.  It has been way to long since I have been out and the weather has been just about perfect for running.

As I have mentioned before, I fall in and out of love with running.  I am also more of a walker/runner.  I tend to do sprints of running as I find it more fun and challenging.

There are many great apps and programs out there to help you with your intervals.  If you are a beginner, I would suggest starting with 4 minutes of walking and 1 minute of running.  As you progress, you can play with this ratio (3:2, 2:3 etc.)

Today, I thought I would share with you one of my favourite running intervals (and some tunes to keep you motivated).  You can do this on a treadmill or hit the streets.  The choice is yours! 

Fall in Love with Winter Workouts

Having a hard time sticking to your weekly exercise schedule?

The cold weather and the shorter days can made many of us a little less motivated to get in our daily fitness.

So, how do you find your mojo and fall in love with winter workouts?

Here are a few tips to help you out!