5 Products to Jump Start your Fitness Resolutions
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.
2018 was one of the first years that I really stuck to my recurring fitness resolutions of getting more active. Starting since last February, I’ve regularly been working out at least four times a week… sometimes up to seven! I’ve been at the gym with hubby, hiking new trails in Vegas and Arizona, as well as joined a bootcamp which has really pushed me physically. Even though I haven’t lost weight, I can feel my body becoming stronger and have actually found enjoyment in being active. I don’t feel dead after workouts anymore— they invigorate me and I can’t wait for the next.
So for 2019, I’m continuing my goals and will keep moving toward a more fit version of myself. To help jumpstart the year and as a little encouragement to keep “moving” forward, I’ve got a few new additions to my fitness must-haves when it comes to apparel, accessories and energy & recovery products.
I may be going a little backwards here, but one of the most interesting products I’ve added to my fitness routine is this Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Jumpsuit from Under Armour. What? Pajamas as part of my fitness routine? YES. Getting good sleep is such an integral part of recovering from your workout and renewing your body for your next one, and this jumpsuit is designed to actually help you restore muscle while catching Zs. It’s a loose fitting one-piece and has a pattern inside the fabric powered by Celliant that returns infrared energy to your body, determined by the FDA to increase localized blood circulation. This increases the amount of oxygen reaching your muscles to restore your muscles faster.
So what does all this mean? It means that there can be less mornings of waking up sore so you can get back to your routine ASAP. Personally, I don’t really push myself in workouts if I’m feeling super sore from the previous one. I’m hoping that this helps me become more consistent with my sessions so I can avoid the common one step forward, two steps back.
Also from Under Armour, I’m wearing one of their Seamless Longline sports bras during workouts and I’m loving it. It’s super comfortable and I love the wide band for smoothing and comfort. This one is more of a low-impact sports bra and has a skinny pull-over strap design, and it’s been perfect for hiking days, strength training and the elliptical.
To get ready for my workout, a little boost never hurts. The CELSIUS On-The-Go Powder Sticks have been super convenient to throw in my bag or keep in my car for a fast DIY energy drink. There are a ton of flavors available, but I’m loving Cranberry Lemon… it basically tastes like lemonade. One box comes with fourteen sticks that deliver the same benefits of the CELSIUS proven-to-function canned energy drinks. They’re clinically proven to accelerate metabolism and burn calories & body fat while providing healthy energy. Plus, zero sugar and low in sodium means it doesn’t screw with my diet goals (and it’s only 10 calories!). The caffeine level is equivalent to 2 cups of coffee, derived from green tea leaves, ginger and guarana seeds for sustained energy vs. a spike and crash. I’ve added this to my water bottle before my workouts and I can really feel a difference in my energy levels and stamina. I also like that it’s not carbonated, so I don’t get bloated. You can find the mix on Amazon, or in stores like Target and GNC.
Something new I’m trying to incorporate into my workouts is outdoor running. Adam and I have talked about doing a few races this year, so I’ve started to train for those. Now usually when I’m at the gym, I have earbuds in with my pump up music playing. However, they’re a little scary to use outside since they’re so noise-cancelling. When I’m running in the park or on the streets, being able to hear my surroundings is super important for safety reasons. I never even knew about open-ear headphones until I tried out the AfterShokz Trekz Open-Ear Headphones.
They use bone conduction technology that delivers sound through your cheekbones. I know— sounds crazy, but the music really is loud and clear when I’m wearing these, but I can still hear my surroundings! They sit comfortably around my ear and loop around the base of my head, and the best part is they stay in place while I’m running. I don’t have to constantly adjust them, which is a huge dealbreaker for me when it comes to active headphones. I also like these for travel because I’ve definitely almost missed boarding a flight because I was watching videos on my phone with headphones, unable to hear the overhead announcements in my terminal.
If you’re interested in trying them out, you can get $55 off the “Endurance Bundle” for AfterShokz Trekz Air and AfterShokz Trekz Titanium with code BABBLEBOXX on their site.
Now, back to recovery: if I have a particularly rough (or great, depending on how you look at it) workout that leaves me sore the same day, Tiger Balm comes to the rescue. I like using the Tiger Balm Ultra Ointment, which contains the strongest concentration of Tiger Balm’s herbal ingredients that sends heat to the muscles. It works fast and the warmth really helps sore and stiff or strained muscles. There are also Tiger Balm Patches available that are easy to just peel and stick right onto the area you want to target. You can find Tiger Balm ointment at drugstores like CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.
I am totally ready to take on another year of getting stronger, fitter and happier as I move more!
For intensive workouts try GU it’ll bring back the ghost leaving your body (lo!) energy. I’ve done 10 marathons and plenty of 13.1’s, etc. GU really helps! I use Bengay for soreness would like to try this tiger balm the one I tried wasn’t strong enough. Stinky bengay I’ll use before a shower and massage all sore muscles with it really works or any cream helps! Oh! I also broke my fat right toe with a glass door fell on it and I was at 13 miles working to do a third St. George marathon it is beautiful in the middle of red rocks and nature early mornings. I healed well and conquered Big Sur finally, I feared running it for 4 years until my friend insisted and to forget the last one I did it it is gorgeous but hilly. I made it alive! But braking my toe wasn’t fun I cried inside for all the training and marathon gone and the first time trying a run finishing physical therapy I cried returning home from a night run that I could run again. Never give up! Oh, I’ll wear some comfy flannel and sweater the night before a marathon since the nerves won’t let you I’d be as comfy as i can be and pass out for those few hours of sleep. Lay bib on your t-shirt, have shorts, socks and shoes, fill out bib night before- everything done cause early mornings at least with me my brain does not work until I have coffee. Have fun! Don’t forget spf and be extremely alert on the streets.
I’m glad that you’ve overcome your injury and got back to doing what you love to do!!
I need to find those long line bras in my size – 32J! Looks nice!
I wonder if those PJ’s would help with my nighttime leg cramps…. I am totally going to give them a try. Do they breathe well?
Oooh perhaps! And yes they breathe very well! They are very lightweight and breezy and the loose fit helps with that as well!
Bone conduction headphones are so cool and I wouldn’t have thought to travel with them but it makes sense to have your ears available for important information. Just a little factoid, you hear your voice mostly via bone conduction vs. air conduction (through your ear canal) which is why your voice sounds differently to you when it’s played back.
Oooh I love that fun fact!!
THOSE HEADPHONES!!! I’ve never heard of this concept before!
I hadn’t either! I think it’s so cool!
I’d really like to try those pajamas. I train daily and I’d really like to see what those do for me! The celsious drink mixes sound like my jam too. about two cups of coffee is the equivalent of the preworkout I use now, but I also use several other things to boost metabolism and increase calorie burn. Great post, Miranda!
The drink mix has DEFINITELY helped me out because I do either 4:30 PM or 6PM workouts so this helps me get my energy up when naturally it wants to wind down. Also, the PJs would be great for you! It helped me the other day when I had major soreness in my glutes and thighs.
I just listen to my surroundings when I run. Unfortunately I lost all my progress when I broke my big toe in June. I’m finally feeling comfortable in heels again and lightly jogging.
I hope you get back into it soon! I would hate having to sit out for so long.
The headphones sound wonderful. I have trouble with others because of my hearing loss but I think these would work great for me.
I’ve heard a TON of people with hearing loss say that these headphones are the best for them and don’t have the same issues as normal headphones. An unexpected second demographic for them it seems.
Those are such cute workout clothes.
Cute workout clothes make me excited to exercise 🙂
I’m going to get these headphones for my husband because most headphones don’t fit his ears! Thank you for sharing it!
That’s another great reason to try them! I too have really small ears and a lot of headphones hurt me.
Personally I just like running without music when running outdoors. Treadmill running is so boring though, and that’s when I need my headphones! Those open ear ones are so interesting though!
Oh yeah, when I’m on the treadmill or on the elliptical I always have Netflix or YouTube open to help me get my mind off the timer!
New workout clothes like your new ones always helps me get going. I like to run outdoors, so warmer weather would definitely help me right now 😉
Yesss it’s way too cold to run outside! Though I’ve been doing some hiking!