Workout Review: Fitnessblender.com

Getting to the gym into the winter can be really difficult. For that reason, it’s great to have at home workouts that are effective and can be done without venturing into the frigid cold outside. I’m always on the lookout for free online workouts to try out to change things up and stay motivated.

This week I stumbled upon www.fitnessblender.com which has TONS of free online workout videos. They cover everything too- from HIIT to kickboxing to yoga and even strength training. There really is a video for everyone. They also have warm-up and cool-down videos which are very helpful. 

So far I have tried two of their workouts. I first tried, HIIT Cardio and Abs Workout- Insane at home fat burner. And let me tell you, it was a little bit insane! (In a good way of course.) The workout really worked you hard and required no equipment. Some of the exercises in this workout are burpee thigh slaps (a serious challenge), squat pops, downward dog tucks, and many more. All are done in typical HIIT fashion which is 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest times 4 for each exercise. This workout took about 45 minutes and really got me sweating. I definitely felt it the next day too! 

The second workout I tried was their, HIIT Like a Girl (I couldn’t resist from the name itself). Again, no equipment is required for this workout and it is definitely tough. The video guides you through burpees with reverse lunges, rocket squats, and mountain climbers- to just name a few. This workout is hard, but there offer instructions on how to modify each exercise so beginners can try it out too! 

This site is awesome and I definitely recommend checking it out for a new workout to try. They have workouts to target each body area which is great and they really work you hard. 

Have you tried any Fitness Blender workouts? If you have, let me know what you thought! 

Take a selfie with Dove

I absolutely love Dove, for both their products and ad campaigns. In the past years, Dove has focused on redefining beauty for women and young girls. They are sending the message that you shouldn’t look like the models in the magazines because even those models don’t really look how they look in that ad or on that cover. This is so important as women are bombarded every day with these images which can take a serious toll on self-esteem and body image.

In it’s latest project, Dove takes on the trend of 2013- selfies. In a short film, viewers see the journey that teenage girls and their mothers take to see the beauty in their selfies- many of which were afraid to take. They were told to take pictures without hiding the things they did not like about themselves. The pictures are beautiful and you can see their inner beauty and confidence. The film premiered at Sundance and you can watch it here:

I think we can all learn a lesson from Dove and help redefine beauty. I challenge you to take a selfie right now- no matter how you think you look. Love it and share it. Here is my selfie- no makeup and hair undone. Show the world your beauty with #beautyis.

Get those vitamins naturally!

ICYMI: Doctors are now saying multivitamins are not as helpful as we thought…and in some cases they can even be harmful. This study found that daily multivitamins had no beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, cancer, or cognitive decline. 

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about the vitamins you are getting from your daily diet. Doctors believe that it is much more beneficial to get your vitamins and minerals through the food that you eat. Including different fruits and vegetables in your diet is the best way to get the vitamins your body needs. 

Here are some foods to help you stay healthy:

• Sweet potatoes for Vitamin A
• Chickpeas for Vitamin B6
• Red peppers for Vitamin C
• Spinach for Folate
• Kale for Vitamin K

Eating a well-balanced diet is the best way to stay healthy! Try incorporating different ingredients into your everyday meals!