Category: exercise

Catch-All Catch-Up Post

Life has suddenly just exploded with sunshine lately! And sunshine = busyness in this case. Aside from WORKING ON MY BOOK (we are working on cover details now, guys! Crazy-exciting), I’ve been…
Enjoying endless sunshine this winter…SO good for the soul! 

Signed up for a membership at the local rock-climbing gym because I am LOVING IT LATELY. Can’t get enough. I used to go rock climbing at the indoor gym quite often, and this summer got outdoors for a bit of climbing. Of course my climbing shoes are pink and called “RockStar” (ha get it?!?!). I have fallen in love once again and I dream of routes and problems (a problem is what you call a bouldering route…metaphor for life, amiright?).
I’m not vegan, but my friend owns an amazing vegan restaurant and I’ve been addicted to this Superhero Hot Chocolate filled with all sorts of good things for you. In particular it has Shilajit, which is a mineral from the Himalayas. I don’t know much more than that, but I DO know it’s crazy-good and I can’t get enough.
While I haven’t been doing many outfit photos lately, you can find them from the studio on my Instagram. This is H&M black skinny jeans, Sorel boots, ON cardigan, Gap London tee and a random star scarf from who-knows-where.
It’s almost February! We are SO making progress on this winter-thing. 
“The cold never bothered me anywaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!”

Revitalize Part 4

Time for another one of my tried, true, and tested remedies for “un-slumping” yourself! This one is all about trying new things and challenging your brain and body.
Thursday:
SLACKLINE

Ya’ll I am ADDICTED to slacklining! Slackline is like a tightrope but it’s a flat line and it’s slack, so it’s bouncy and a bit more difficult. This was totally new to me this year, and I am amazed at how exciting it is to find a new hobby. Slackline is so good for my body and my brain. Plus it’s FUN! The new challenge of applying focus, balance, and commitment (three core principles of slacklining) are really clearing my mind and opening my creative spaces again. Slackline isn’t for everyone, but it’s the principle that matters: try something NEW and SCARY, and see where it gets you. Chances are, it will get you a lot further than you think!

xo

Natalie

Revitalize Part 3

This week I am sharing some tips that worked for me on the difficult (but necessary and entirely worthwhile) business of un-slumping oneself! 
Wednesday:
RUNNING

So we’ve read our Bibles and eaten a healthy breakfast. Time to hit the pavement!
Running/walking (and hot pink shoes!) are part of a great revitalization routine. I went for wog (what I call a walk-jog) BEFORE work today. Seriously, who am I and what are these amazing things called endorphins? They clear the head, clear the stress, clear the adrenaline and anxiety.
Truth be told, I really used to hate running with a passion. I’m still such a beginner, and starting from zero, but my body has started craving runs. I don’t plan to run hard or fast anytime soon (or ever really), but I’ve found it a great outlet of late. I highly recommend an exercise routine that works for you as part of your revitalization.

xo
Natalie

Workout Wednesday

It’s probably going to be Thursday when you read this since I’m not posting it until almost-bedtime on Wednesday, so don’t be thrown off all day by the title (I know I would be). And if you are, just drink another cup of coffee. It’ll do ya right and besides, it’s almost the weekend–so chin up!

I’m a ballet dancer at heart. But despite loving to wrap the ribbons on my pointe shoes, I always longed to dance on ice. It seemed so freeing to be able to essentially do ballet while gliding. Ahhh, the freedom and beauty (and difficulty)!
   This winter, I signed up for some adult skating lessons to learn the basics and improve my skills. My mom was a figure skater, complete with her own backyard practice rink, but I’ve always just enjoyed it and never taken a lesson before.
I am absolutely LOVING this addition to my routine, and learning the basics makes it a new workout (um, hello there, lower back muscles, haven’t seen you in awhile since my dancing days!). 
I love to skate in leggings, legwarmers, and a skirt for ease of movement. This really leaves my body free to concentrate on grace and form from my ballet days. Plus, I’m just totally enamored by the look and it gave me an excuse to pull out my old legwarmers! After class, I’ll plug in my iPod and skate by myself for awhile.
Here’s a look at what I wore (similar items):

icskating

Athleta
athleta.gap.com

Gap
$18 – gap.com

Forever 21 light weight pants
$5.80 – forever21.com

Forever 21 cable knit glove
$7.80 – forever21.com

Forever 21 fringe scarve
$7.74 – forever21.com

Aeo Earbud Earmuffs
$12 – ae.com

27″ Stirrup Legwarmers – Style #194 at Discount Dance Supply
$7.95 – discountdance.com





My version:
Scarf: Gift
Turtleneck: Express
Leggings: Tag sale
Corduroy skirt: Tag sale
Leg warmers: from ballet days
Arm warmers: Local store
Socks: TJMaxx, wool
Ice skates: Gift



Workout Wednesday

Switching it up from a Work-to-Weekend Wednesday to a Workout Wednesday! I wanted to start showing you the outfits I wear for working out to encourage us both to get out there and work out! I also have a completely disproportionate amount of workout clothes to how often I work out (they are so fun, though!). I decided I NEED to start using them! So here’s {nearly identical pieces to} the outfit I wore for a walk/run over the weekend.
run/walk winter

$40 – altrec.com


$50 – nike.com


$18 – altrec.com


$90 – altrec.com


$36 – altrec.com


$17 – altrec.com


$15 – modcloth.com



My Version
Duofold Crew: Free at tag sale
Nike Pro Running Pants (fleece-lined!): Thrifted, $3
Smartwool Socks: $12
Running shoes: Nike, gift from parents
Vest: Columbia, ?
Strawberry Earbuds (yes, I actually own these!): Gift from bro
Fingerless gloves: Gift from Swap
Hat: Local boutique
ipod: Gift



This Body Brought to You by Sour Patch Kids

{girls! I finally pulled up the hideous weed in all of my photos! it wasn’t technically mine to pull up, so I had to wait for the exact right timing to obtain permission. permission obtained. weed gone. lightning bolt on picture. yes!}


Sour Patch Kids. Those wonderfully chewy, sour, sweet candies. The boy and I ate FAR too many of them at the drive-in movie this past weekend. And then we both decided we were going to quit eating processed sugar {seriously}. But I snuck (what?! is that not a word?! it’s underlining it! what is the past tense of ‘sneak’? help a sister out!) the rest of the Sour Patch Kids into my purse. 

Then yesterday, while editing this photo, I noticed that my thighs are practically STUFFED into these pants. And quite obviously, I needed to start exercising. So I grabbed a handful of Sour Patch Kids for energy, and did 50 jumping jacks in the kitchen. No lie. 
Then I went for a loooooooong walk. Uphill. And on my way back I realized I had a dribble of mocha-fudge frozen yogurt dried down my arm. 
I think I need a sugar intervention. Like, seriously. I’m not even kidding. 
Style Secrets
Hairclip: H&M
Sunnies: Local boutique
Necklace: Gift (my name in Hebrew)
Cami (under tee): Walmart
Tee: Old Navy (thanks, S!)
Cardi: Marc Jacobs
Ring: Local store
Capris: Gap, thrifted
Flips: Havaianas