A Daily Dose of Fit

What makes a run beautiful?

2013-05-20T21:31:00.003-04:00

For me, tonight, pushing through allergies and heat to complete four and a half miles made for one beautiful run. Lemme tell ya, it almost didn't happen. I wanted nothing more than to curl up in a corner of my air conditioned house, but I made this dang training run happen at the last second.

I set my alarm for 6:00AM to snag the aforementioned run before everyone else got up, but my allergies got the best of me and I couldn't fathom lacing up my running shoes when I could barely breathe out of my nose. Maybe it's not allergies, though. Maybe I have a cold, but really—I think it's allergies. I have never in my life had allergies, but my mom tells me she didn't have them either until after pregnancy. So maybe I really do have allergies now. Huh. Regardless, I felt much better by day's end, so I pushed through it all to check "run" off the list at around 7:00PM this evening.

What makes a run beautiful? Rising above whatever could stop you from doing it, because there's no greater feeling in the world than looking back on that potential stopping point and saying, "eff you, I did it anyway!"

#CHIWOMENSHALF TRAINING UPDATE, WEEK 11

Nothing overly exciting to report here. I completed all of my runs this week, despite having to switch around my schedule a bit. I ran the last 8-miler with my mom and, oh boy was it hot. Hotter than I had expected, actually. We've gone from Winter to, well...Summer, it seems. Not much of a transition up in these parts, which is fine with me. I'm done with cold weather. And I'll be running the Chicago Women's Half in the middle of June, so I really need to get myself used to some warmer runs.

Anyway.

Time for some of this:

Question: What makes your run beautiful?

Magazine Prints Weight on Cover. Thoughts?

2013-05-17T15:03:00.003-04:00

I love magazines. I'll never stop reading them. But it took a few years of working in the advertising industry to realize that they don't always speak the truth. They sell products and lifestyles—and they alter photos to do it. So whenever I catch myself comparing my thighs to those of the girl on whatever page of whatever magazine I might be reading, I have to remind myself that I am me. That I am happy and healthy, and I am not "Photoshopped" to sell something. Therefore, I am real.

But not everyone can draw that conclusion. In fact, a lot people still look at magazines and make comparisons. That's the society we live in. Compare, compare and compare some more.

Now, I don't read Allure very often, but this magazine is in the headlines right now for printing Zoe Saldana's weight on the June 2013 cover.

"115 pounds of grit and heartache," it reads. The star defended the magazine, saying that the magazine was trying to describe "that for a lightweight person I seem to be really strong minded." And the writer in me agrees with her. I think that's exactly what the magazine was trying to convey. Small, but tough.

Not a bad image.

But in this day and age, when so many of us have such an unhealthy relationship with the numbers on the scale, should the magazine be printing something like that? On the cover, no less, for all to see?

Let's discuss.

#Sponsored Post: We're so much stronger together. #whatsbeautiful via @UAWomen

2013-05-14T21:45:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love the most about being a FitFluential Ambassador is the access it grants me to positive, inspiring and motivating individuals that live and breathe the fit and healthy lifestyle. I turn to this community for workouts, tech advice, healthy recipes, smiles and more. And it always delivers. But there is a common misconception about this group: That FitFluential Ambassadors are in it for the free products and access to big brands.

These two things are only a small part of the FitFluential story. If you ask any ambassador, they'll tell you that getting free products and access to big brands is really just icing on the motivational cake. Campaign participation is incredibly fun for bloggers like myself, and can be quite beneficial—but the sense of community that comes from testing and sharing things we believe in is worth so much more. Not only does it introduce you, our readers, to new and exciting things—it almost always opens the door to a bigger, better discussion. It connects people on so many levels, which ultimately creates a web of inspiration unlike any other.

But you don't have to be an ambassador to join this web of inspiration. FitFluential is powered by its ambassadors and fueled by its followers. Together, we create this positive, inspiring and motivating community. And it's this sense that fuels our interest in Under Armour's new What's Beautiful campaign.

Even if this campaign was sponsored by my left foot, I'd still support it.

This is a "competition born from a mission to redefine the female athlete." Show me someone who DOESN'T want to empower the female athlete (the one within you, or the one standing next to you), and I'll write an entire post sponsored by my aforementioned left foot. (Seriously, that would bore you to bits.)

Under Armour is really doing a wonderful thing with this campaign. It's all about girl power...about setting and achieving goals. About motivating and/or following each other every step of the way.

Oh, and it really is a competition that runs through July 15, 2013. But you don't have to approach it as such. Stick with the motivation angle and you'll come out on top, no matter what. But if you do want to focus more on the competition aspect of this campaign, sounds like there are some prizes involved.

Dive into the website for more information.

Here's my profile:

Admittedly, I'm still diving into all that it offers. But from what I've learned so far in my site-surfing adventures, it sets you up to connect with like-minded individuals in an effort to make and meet goals on a personal- and/or on a team-based level. Yes, you can create your own team defined by a goal you throw out there. No, you don't have to. You can certainly request an invite to join a team that speaks to you and your personal goal(s). That's one of the things that makes this campaign so beautiful. You can find others going through the same thing you are in an effort to conquer similar challenges.

My own personal goal? To continue getting a daily dose of fit (obviously), but with a side of positive attitude and self-love, each and every day.

This seems like an obvious goal for me, sure. Maybe even an easy one. But the whole "positive attitude" thing...not so easy. I'm damn hard on myself. Super critical of my performance in a workout, and how I look in workout clothes. (Any clothes, really.)

That's stupid, I know.
Call me human. And imperfect.

It's what I am.
And that's what's beautiful.

So, come on. Let's be strong together. What is your goal? Declare it loud and proud by creating a profile on the Under Armour What's Beautiful campaign site. Join a team if you feel so inclined. Or simply do your own thing. However you go about it, promise me you'll fight for your fitness. Believe in your fitness. Because beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. And those that see beauty in the art and heart of all that it fitness and good health...and teamwork and achieving group or personal goals...those people see a beautiful thing. And you have what it takes to be one of them, those "beholders" of beauty.

Believe it: You will achieve your fitness goals.
Say it: "I will."

Join the web of inspiration by using #whatsbeautiful and #iwill on Twitter, too. Inspire others, and let others inspire you. Be sure to follow @UAWomen and @adailydoseoffit! You know I wanna know what you're up to...I cannot wait to be inspired by your journeys (as if I'm not inspired by them already).

Question: What is your current health and fitness goal? What are you doing to achieve it?

#ChiWomensHalf Training Update, Week 10

2013-05-13T18:31:00.000-04:00

Last night, after a long weekend of celebrating moms and motherhood, I hit up the store where I found (among other things) this New Balance running belt:

It was marked down to $13, which is not what it rang up for—I scored it or $5. [Insert happy dance here.] Now, I don't carry a lot with me when I go running. Typically just my phone for safety purposes, music and so I can track myself on MapMyRun. And I usually just hold it unless it's cold enough for a jacket with pockets, but I'm getting up there in mileage as my half marathon approaches, which means I need to bring some water with me now:

I have not yet figured out how to recruit people to set up water stations for me. Wouldn't that be nice? A girl can dream... Needless to say, I found out this weekend when I ran eight miles that this double-fisting is not a comfortable solution. I'm fairly used to running with my phone in one hand, but these two items are not balanced. And having two items in-hand means that I can't alternate from one to another, which ultimately leads to some shoulder fatigue. My right shoulder is already a bum sometimes, so I needed a belt of sorts.

Obviously the color is awesome. Pink is my favorite color, cue the Aerosmith song. (And yes, that's a mini Bobble and it belongs to my daughter.) It fits my iPhone, although it's a tight fit. There is still some room for a key, credit card or some sport beans if need be. And you can't see it, but there's an attached ID tab that you can write on so you don't really have to carry yours.

Verdict? I love it, although I can't wear it on the front. It bounced too much so I had to turn it toward the back, which ended up working out nicely. And with my music cranked, I could still jam and I heard every message from MapMyRun. For $5, I'd say this was a good purchase. Even when it's not on sale, I think it retailed for about $20.

But that's enough about the belt. I still need to update you on last week's training.

Yeah, I only ran once during the week. I had to switch around the 6:00AM schedule at the gym, which left me teaching three times last week. I no longer teach on Mondays, hence my ability to run today. I switched to Wednesdays, but the Monday instructor couldn't take over last week which left me teaching both. I'm not really a two-a-day girl, so I left out the short run that typically takes place on Wednesdays.

I don't really think it affected my training, as I ran a great 8-miler on Saturday. Here's how it split:

1) My time was great. In fact, I was really happy with it. I started off a bit slow, but then I clocked in even faster than I had hoped for. Time: 1hr, 16mins and 27secs. Average pace: 9mins and 33secs. Fingers crossed I can sustain something similar to this as I get closer to race day.

2) The weather was much cooler than it was during my last run, which made a huge difference. Also, I ran first-thing, which also seems to impact my performance a bit.

3) The path was new and different to me. I've run bits and pieces of it before, but never altogether. And parts of it where really nice and peaceful.

4) The legs felt great. The last mile was tough, but the last mile is always tough—but I push through it, and always do my best to increase my speed. Gotta race to the finish, right?

In other news, the search is on for a new running skirt. I love my black skirt I got from Target years ago, and since I'm making my return to the half marathon, I figured it would be motivating for me to buy myself a new running outfit to wear on the big day.

Question: What race day traditions do you have? New clothes? New music? Special breakfast?

Pinspiration Thursday

2013-05-09T16:04:00.000-04:00

There's this moment when you exercise. I know you know it. Your muscles start to fatigue and your mind starts to take over in a way that you really wish it wouldn't. It says "hey, you...just stop." But you don't want to stop, not really. You want that last rep or mile. You want it bad. But then you realize how nice it would feel to just give in to the fatigue. And sometimes you have to give in to avoid injury, but it's not those times that I'm talking about. It's the times you give in simply because you give up.

Don't give up, friends. Tattoo this onto your brain (figuratively speaking, of course):

Source / Pin

Question: Will you tell me about a time you kept going? How did it feel to break through that I-wanna-give-up barrier?

Energizing Peanut Butter and Chocolate Balls

2013-05-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

I've had this weird obsession with chocolate and peanut butter lately.

Specifically, I've been all about consuming the two in bar form.

But I have such a love/hate relationship with protein bars. So many of them are filled with such junk. I do my best to pick the best, but it doesn't always happen. So I got to thinking that I could make something equally satisfying at home. But in ball form.

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but...damn. These little suckers are good. And fairly good for you. Plus, they're super easy to make.

Last time I went to Whole Foods, I picked up a bag of Vega's Chocolate Energizing Smoothie mix. I love these plant-based smoothies on their own, but the stuff makes for an excellent base in homemade goods. If you don't have any on-hand, you can always double the cocoa or add more oats. Or use whatever protein powder you do have. That's the beauty of these balls, they're highly adaptable.

Notice the sprinkles? I used Trader Joe's Sugar, Chocolate and Coffee Bean Grinder...only because I was curious, and only because it just adds an extra flavor boost.

Totally not necessary at all, so don't despair if you don't have any.

ENERGIZING PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE BALLS
Source: Me!

Ingredients
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup Old-Fashioned Oats
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbsp Vega Chocolate Energizing Smoothie mix
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp Chia seeds
• Trader Joe's Sugar, Chocolate and Coffee Bean Grinder, to taste (optional)

Directions
1) Mix all ingredients
2) Chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes (or so).
3) Form into balls, return to 'fridge.
4) Try not to eat them all at once.

Seriously, these bad boys are so adaptable. You can start with the peanut butter, oats and honey and build from there. Here are just a few other variations I've consumed over the years:

• Protein Bombs
• Oatmeal Raisin Peanut Butter Bites
• Amazing Berry Bombs

Speaking of consuming food. Seriously, best lunch ever:

Fresh veggies, cheese, some beans and a slather of hummus wrapped in a wheat tortilla shell.

To die for.

Question: What's your "best lunch ever"?

The Ultimate Guide to Good Posture from @Greatist

2013-05-07T13:32:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it feels so good to slump down in a chair and zone out for an hour—but it's really bad for your posture. Those heels you bought that totally make your outfit—hot, but really bad for your posture. Sitting at a computer all day, or just a few minutes, in a less than ergonomic position— (yes, you guessed it) really bad for your posture.

Having good posture not only boosts confidence, it boosts your body's ability to perform correctly. From circulation to proper muscle strength and balance, let's face it, posture is important. So here's your ultimate guide to good posture, compliments of Greatist:

Find More at the Greatist Fitness Blog

5 Ways to Encourage Your Toddler's Physical Fitness

2013-05-06T15:59:00.000-04:00

Hey, didja know that May is National Physical Activity and Sports month? So perfect, I mean...at least up here in Michigan, the weather is FINALLY looking like Spring. The grass is green, the beach is cleared of its Winter sand dunes, flowers are coming up and so is the sun...man, I'm loving it.

It's like Mother Nature is encouraging outdoor physical activity and sports.

According to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, "National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a great time to spread the word about the benefits of getting active. Getting regular physical activity can benefit everyone—children, adolescents and adults alike." I mean, let's be honest, I talk about this all the time on Daily Dose. But as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I primarily speak to the older audience. And by "older," I refer to everyone not in diapers. But let's face it, our toddling counterparts need physical fitness, too.

But with tots, it's less about losing weight and gaining strength, it's more about setting a good example and encouraging them to find their own way of getting some physical fitness in their life (otherwise known as "having fun while moving"). Usually, they're pretty up for it. So, from one parent to another, and with all that I know about physical fitness, I give you 5 ways to encourage your toddler's physical fitness.

1) If they can walk, let them walk. The other day, I found myself struggling to juggle Hannah, her diaper bag, my gym bag and a cup of coffee as we walked into the gym. So I put Hannah down and let her walk. She was so proud to cross that parking lot with me and walk through the front doors on her own! And it dawned on me: She can walk now, I should let her walk now. So when it's safe, I do just that. In the stores, around the neighborhood...I let her walk as long, far and often as she wants to.

2) Buy some balls. Hannah is too little for soccer, and admittedly, that's not her soccer ball in the picture above, but I noticed her eyeing up the exercise balls at the gym as of late. Mine's been collecting dust in our basement (because I hardly exercise at home anymore), so I added it to her collection:

She loves chasing it around the house, and she loves kicking her smaller balls down the hallway. Nothing like a little foot/eye coordination development, eh? And with the nicer weather now, all of this can happen outside, too.

3) Get on the floor and wrestle (gently, of course). In our house, there's this typical time at night when all three of us are on the floor of our living room. Hannah literally climbs all over my husband and myself. It's hysterical and awesome at the same time. She'll literally dive at us, which will lead to one of us holding her up in the air like Superman, or gently turning her over in a mock backflip, or helping her with a few body rolls on the ground. What's cute is that she literally gets "out of breath" about it because she plays so hard. It's the best ever, really. And she's totally using all of her tiny little muscles from start to finish. Not only does this type of (gentle) play encourage strength, but it helps her become even more aware of her own body and how it can and cannot move.

4) Sign up for toddler-specific fitness classes. At this age, these fitness classes typically involve at least one parent, so not only is your child getting some physical fitness, they're having fun with you. Check with your local gym to see if they offer a Mommy/Baby yoga class, or maybe a Parent/Tot gymnastics or swimming class. (I mean, let's face it—this is a great way to let your inner child out, too.)

5) Lead by example. Tots like to mock what you do, it's that easy. If mommy and daddy think it's cool to go for a walk, then I bet the toddler will, too. In addition, remember that toddlers can't necessarily just decide they want to play outside. So at this stage in your kiddo's age, you have to be conscious about actually taking them outside to play.

Now, every child is different, so if there's only one thing you take away from the above, let it be this: Physical fitness is a journey, not a destination. You've heard that before. So at this point in your child's life, you really just need to do what you can to encourage movement. Teach them that movement...that being active..is playful and fun. While books and DVDs have a place in almost every home, so do toys that encourage active play. Don't worry if they don't use these toys correctly right now, the point is that they're using them.

That they're moving (and having fun).

Question: Parents, how do you/how did you encourage your young children to be physically active?

#ChiWomensHalf Training Update, Week 9

2013-05-05T20:46:00.000-04:00

Here we go again...

Another week of half marathon training, done and done. I'm feeling a bit fatigued after today's long run. Most likely it's because of a Spinning class I took on Saturday—My gym hosted a ride to raise some funds for a new Autism learning center in the area. I couldn't skip it. I didn't want to skip it. Not only did I contribute to a great cause, I got to ride in a Spinning class. It's not something I get to do very often as a student. Typically, I'm in the lead bike these days. So it was good. Hard on the legs, but good.

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO CHOBANI!
THANKS FOR DONATING SOME DELICIOUS YOGURT FOR THE RIDERS!

Everyone was thrilled to jump off the bike and into a cup of Cho (not literally, of course).

Back to this week's running: My short runs were excellent. Outside at the crack of dawn, which is how I like them to be. I've been keeping an eye on my pace. I can typically up the ante for anything under five miles. Here's how it split on Wednesday's run:

When I get above five miles, I get closer to that 10-minute mile mark. It's more sustainable for me, really. Last time I ran a half, my average pace per mile was 10:46 minutes/mile.

That was four years ago. I ran seven miles today and clocked in closer to the 11-minute mile mark. Not too far off.

In my defense, my legs were not fresh. And I was having some lower back pain, which always slows me down a bit. I can attribute the low back pain to some uneven sidewalks and bad transitions up and down from the curbs. Aside from that, and from the somewhat fatigued legs, everything is feeling good.

Still running in the Sauconys:

They've still got some life in them, and I am thinking they'll take me to race day, but there's always that concern that they won't since it's only up from here in terms of mileage. I'm beginning to wonder if I should invest in another pair of running shoes, just so I'm not scrambling at the last minute to break some in if need be. I typically have two pairs going at once, but my second pair...I just don't think they'll be good for the longer distances that I'm getting into now.

Gotta think on this one.

Question: If you run, what are some of the things you do to increase your pace? How many pairs of running shoes do you use when training? Are you good about changing them out when they wear down?

Pinspiration Thursday

2013-05-02T14:34:00.000-04:00

I've taken back something that hasn't been mine in a really long time: My morning run outdoors. I absolutely love getting out of bed and pounding pavement at the crack of dawn, but for so long, the crack has come at a time when I've found myself well into my day. But now, oh now it comes early. Around 6:00AM, which is actually perfect. That's when I would usually head into the gym for a jaunt on the treadmill or track. But not anymore (unless it rains).

I am back to running outside in the morning. Dawn, I see you:

Getting up early to exercise is not for everyone, I know this. But it's absolutely for me. I much prefer to get my workouts over and done with so that I can enjoy the rest of my day. And I find that morning workouts set an awesome tone for my day. You'll probably hear this from a lot of people that exercise in the morning.

I have another reason for you: I love working out in the morning because it feels like all the world is quiet but me. That all the world is mine to enjoy. That these are my moments. Mine alone. I find peace in my morning runs—but that's not to say that the rest of my day is hectic or unwanted. Quite the opposite, actually. I just love that hour or so I get to myself. I get lost in my thoughts while simultaneously enjoying whatever it is that I'm doing. (Today, I thought about how I'd have seven miles on tap this weekend....I can't wait!) And I enjoy thinking about whatever it is I'm going to be doing later that day. (Like laundry, or teaching class...or hanging out with Hannah and Jason.)

Call me crazy if you want, but really, it boils down to loving the little things. The little moments. Which brings me to today's Pinspiration:

Source

Speak French? I studied it for five years in school, put it to use on a trip to Paris a number of years ago, and have since forgotten all but the basics. But I knew exactly what this sentence meant when I first read it.

Life is made of the little moments.

True, right?

Question: What little moment made your day today?

#ChiWomensHalf Training Update, Week 8

2013-04-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

It's official: The mileage is increasing. Mom and I ran six miles on Saturday, and it's onward and upward to seven miles this coming weekend. I'm feeling highly motivated, most likely because the weather is extremely gorgeous right now, so it's a huge bummer that I'm sick. Yeah...sick. It could be allergies, but I'm guessing it's a virus of some sort because I'm also lacking in the energy department. My munchkin has bronchitis. Perhaps we're passing it back and forth. I mean, I cannot even count how many times I've been sneezed on over the past few days.

Anyway. I won't dwell on being sick.
We had a great week of running, my legs and I.

I added an extra mile and a half to my Thursday run because the legs were feeling good and the weather was the best its been in a long time. I ran one of my favorite paths downtown, but detoured a bit to swing by the husband's office for a quick "hello."

Speaking of favorite paths. Check this out:

Respect the running path, people! Seriously. I don't care if your little league parking lot is full. That does not give you permission to park on the running path. IT DOES NOT! I ended up having to push Hannah in the street for about 20 car lengths. Not safe! And why...someone explain to me why these people did not parallel park in the grass. Confession: I called the cops. I was nice about it, I don't think they ultimately did anything about it, but I called them anyway just in case they might. I mean, the city did pay to have this nice running path put in, I just thought maybe they'd want to know that cars were using it as a parking lot.

Getting off my plyo box now...

Question: Did you run this weekend? How far? See anything interesting along your path?

Pinspiration Thursday

2013-04-25T13:53:00.000-04:00

It's not often that I let an excuse get the best of my workout. I teach group fitness, so most of my workouts come from the actual classes that I teach. If I let the excuse win, I let down a room full of people. But when it comes to running, there is no group of people waiting for me to lead them. It's just me, the road and my desire to pound pavement. Accountability factor: Gone. But I'm training for a half marathon, so I cannot afford to let a single excuse win.

However, I'm not perfect. Stuff happens and I whip out the excuse card. Not frequently, but still. Typically, it has everything to do with time or fatigue. So here's a friendly reminder, both for myself and for you:

Source

Simple enough, right?

Question: What excuse card do you play the most when it comes to missing workouts?

Kale Guacamole

2013-04-24T14:23:00.000-04:00

Before you wrinkle your nose at the very thought of kale and avocado all mushed up together, hear me out: I swear...double swear...that this is a delightfully delicious combination. I stumbled upon it a few weeks ago when I hit up the new Whole Foods in my hometown. I love guacamole. I love kale. So the idea of the two together as one was intriguing. To me, at least.

Now, a single small tub of this stuff ran me about $5.00 at the store. I told myself I'd pay that much for guacamole just once because, I mean, check out the ingredients:

There just had to be a way for me to make this at home. Guacamole isn't hard to make. I could make and eat it all day. But to include the kale? Tricky? Easy? Turns out: Super easy. And honestly, you can hardly taste it. The kale adds just a touch of additional flavor this already delicious dish, plus a whole slew of nutritional benefits like fiber, calcium, vitamins, minerals...total powerhouse.

Now, before I give you the recipe, let me share this one piece of guacamole advice: Use your food processor if you have one! I love me some hand-smashed, chunky guacamole. But let me tell you about the stuff that came out of my food processor: SO SMOOTH. Like whipped butter, but obviously better. And it pulled everything together in no time flat. This is key when you're incorporating kale, I think. It chops up the kale leaves nicely, incorporating them into the avocado quite easily. I'm not sure you can get this same effect by hand, but I didn't try it myself.

Anyway. The recipe. If you check the ingredients list above, I used everything but the tomatoes and the cilantro because (silly me) I forgot to buy them at the store. Verdict: Still delicious without those two things. Add (or eliminate) them if you want.

KALE GUACAMOLE
Inspired by: Whole Foods' Guac-Kale-Mole

Ingredients
• 2 Ripe avocados
• 4 Kale branches, leaves de-stemmed (stems discarded)
• 1 Jalapeno, de-seeded
• 1/4 Red onion
• 3 Cloves of garlic
• 1/2 Tsp salt
• Juice of half a small lime

Directions
1) Toss jalapeno and onion into your food processor and chop. Add avocados and process until smooth.

2) Massage the kale leaves to soften them up, then add them to your food processor. Process until smooth.

3) Add garlic, salt and lime juice. Process until smooth.

4) Serve!

Try not to eat it all at once. (Good luck!) Feel free to adjust the flavor by adding more or less of any of the above. With three garlic cloves, it was quite flavorful! But I do love me some garlic.

Don't forget to enter my Bare Fruit snacks giveaway!

Question: What two ingredients do you often combine that might sound like a funky combo but are actually quite tasty together?

#Sponsored #Giveaway: @BareFruit Snacks

2013-04-22T16:36:00.000-04:00

You know me and my need for awesome snacks, right? A girl on the go looks for health and portability when packing foods for later consumption. So when Bare Fruit offered up the chance to test out a case of their apple chips and dried fruits, I couldn't turn them down.

Let's be clear, though: Not only was I provided a case to test, I was compensated for this review. So if that bothers you, feel free to stop reading. But when I say that positive thoughts can't be purchased, I mean it. Which means you can trust absolutely everything you read below. Or right here: Bare Fruit snacks are good. I swear. I particularly love their dried fruits:

I love dried fruit, but it often comes loaded with sugar. And not just the natural sugars that can't be avoided whenever and wherever fruit is involved. I just don't get why some companies feel the need to add even more sugar to something that already has sugar. And don't even get me started on the dried fruit that is literally coated with sugar.

Barf.

Such is not the case with Bare Fruit. It's plain as can be, made only with whatever sugar is already in the fruit. I pretty much chowed on the mango as soon as I saw it in the box, and I packed the apricots in my bag for consumption at work this morning.

Sweet tooth, you've been satisfied. Literally, the only ingredient listed is the fruit itself. Bare Fruit for the win.

Let's move from chewy to crunchy.

I love apple chips so much. They satisfy both my need to crunch and my sweet tooth, and they aren't always that bad for you (if you buy the right bag). And they also make eating apples a lot easier. Sometimes, let's face it, it's just easier to eat from a bag. Bare Fruit sent me three bags to try.

I was skeptical of all three, only because I wasn't sure how they could possibly taste differently. Sometimes, regardless of the variety, an apple just tastes like an apple—This is why I go through spurts with apples. I love them, and then I get bored with them. And then I love them again.

Currently, I'm loving them because 1) Bare Fruit sent me these awesome apple goodies, and 2) I got a sweet deal on some Fujis at my local grocery store.

Random fact: I have never, ever liked apple juice, though. It's unexplainable.

Back to the apple chips. Just like the dried fruits, the only ingredient listed on the bag is the apple itself. So here's my only complaint: The bags themselves don't really come with a lot of servings. So that might make this product a tad bit expensive. I opened the bag and thought it looked quite empty. Just with the chips, though. Not the dried fruits...those bags seemed quite full, actually.

Anyway. I served myself some apple chips right next to my favorite salad for lunch today. And, yes...they all tasted differently.

Delish.

Find out for yourself: Head on over to the Bare Fruit page on Facebook and enter their giveaway, which is co-hosted by yours truly. One lucky winner will get their very own case of Bare Fruit products. This nifty little QR code will take you there, if that's your thing:

This contest ends on Friday, April 22, 2013. Bare Fruit will announce one winner on their Facebook page, and I'll duplicate that announcement here.

Question: What is your favorite variety of apple and how do you like to eat it.

Scenes from a 6-miler.

2013-04-21T15:41:00.000-04:00

Another week of half marathon training, done and done! The legs are keeping up nicely, although I'm wondering if it might be time for some new shoes. I ran outside on Saturday and noticed some tension in my arches. It could have been the fact that I was running outside, though. On uneven ground. Who knows. All I can do is keep an eye on it. I don't think my shoes are worn out yet, so we'll see.

Speaking of seeing things, the weather has been so nice. Chilly, but nice enough to run outside. With six miles on tap for this weekend, I decided to run one of my favorite routes. It takes me through my little beach town, and I'm sure you can imagine what that means for scenery. Since I run with my iPhone, I was able to snap a few shots. Behold, scenes from my 6-miler (some of which have been edited using the Camera+ and Picfx apps):

(So, no filter or anything on this one. I'm just loving the light. And the way it goes with the direction of the wind. Sometimes I get lucky like that...because usually, when I take pictures on a run, I use the snap-and-go method so as not to take up too much time.)

Question: What's the best scenery you get on your running route? Is it a lake, a statue...houses? Tell me.

#Sponsored Review: @Boxtera will send smart, tasty snacks right to your door.

2013-04-19T16:13:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy month or two for A Daily Dose of Fit. A number of exciting brands have shared their products with me. Some did so because of my affiliation with FitFluential, LLC. Others did so because I reached out to them. When I do that, and when I share my opinions with you—that's a surefire sign that the product is good. Daily Dose is very precious to me, therefore, any product I talk about must be relevant, related and appropriate (among other things) because no matter what—this, what you're reading right now...it's all a reflection of who I am, what I believe in and what I know. All of which is based on honesty and truth.

Why am I telling you this? Just to remind you that, whether it's the only product I review all month or one in a series of reviews day after every day of the month, it's a review you can trust as my own. Even if I'm getting paid to provide it. My words can't be bought, but my thoughts can be paid for. If that makes sense. But you should know that Boxtera didn't pay me a cent to sponsor this review. In fact, I reached out to them because I had a strong feeling they'd be worth looking into. And they were...are, actually.

As an active gal, I am always looking for healthy snack options. Let's face it—it's hard to get through the day without a snack. But healthy snacks can be hard to come by, or hard to choose, given our society's penchant for the unhealthy, prepackaged stuff. But prepackaged stuff is so convenient, right? And it can be healthy if you pick right. That's why I like NatureBox. And most recently, Kona Kase.

The other reason I like them: They're sent to me. I don't have to pick them out, and I can trust that they're decent, healthy snack options. Boxtera is the same. You get up to 25 servings of healthy goodness in one box, on your doorstep every single month of your subscription.

I mean...right? When I opened the box, I sort of felt like someone had sent me a miniature grocery store. So many options! All of which are portable, which is key. It's not always easy to transport a bag of blueberries, or a cup of yogurt. And it's not like you can keep these things in your desk drawer for those panic-I'm-hungry moments. But you can certainly stash a Boxtera wherever you've got room, the contents of which will keep.

I took mine to work after a few days of at-home sampling. I'm at the gym all morning, every morning, with a few hours at night sprinkled here and there. Sometimes I forget to take a snack. Sometimes I don't think I'll be hungry, and then I am. Boxtera to the rescue.

Boxtera to the rescue if you're headed out to run errands with a baby, diaper bag and purse in-hand. Stash a snack for later and call it good...

...because it probably will be good. So far, so delicious on all the items in my box.

WHY SHOULD YOU ORDER A BOXTERA?

1) Value. Tons of snacks for as little as $30 a month, which is decent considering the cost of purchasing the same snacks in the store. Or the time it takes to prep a snack as you frantically rush out the door to your destination of choice.

2) Fun. 25 servings of healthy foods, most of which you've probably never had, delivered right to your door. It's like having a birthday or getting a visit from the Easter bunny once a month.

3) Health. It's so easy to grab a candy bar, right? Boxtera makes it easy to AVOID the candy bar by providing decent, prepackaged snacks that can be easily stashed and consumed at any given moment.

WHY SHOULDN'T YOU ORDER A BOXTERA?

1) Price. You might not have the extra money for these types of subscription services. Boxtera is on the high end of things, but again, you get so many more snacks than your typical subscription service.

2) Diet. If you prescribe to a specific type of diet, like a vegetarian or gluten-free diet, or if you're allergic to certain things like peanuts or dairy, then this might not be a subscription service for you. It cannot be customized.

But, obviously, the main reason you should purchase a subscription to Boxtera is because of the name. Clearly I am a fan (because my name is Tara). <—Ha!

For more information, feel free to check out Boxtera online, and on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Question: What is your favorite healthy pre-packaged snack?

Note: Once again, Boxtera did not pay me to sponsor this review. They sent me a free box to facilitate this review, and that's it. All opinions are, as always, my very own. I speak the truth! Because otherwise, sponsored reviews of any kind are just pointless, eh?

Hip Abductions with a Band

2013-04-18T14:40:00.000-04:00

My hips hate me. We did hip abductions with a band tied around our calf muscles in my Circuit Sculpt class on Monday morning. I showed some mercy to at least one of my students by choosing the band that was tied really tightly. This is a decision that I have been regretting all week because I am just now capable of walking normally again. You might think that I'm joking or exaggerating. These hips don't lie, Shakira. They hurt. (Does anyone else wish they could dance like Shakira?)

If your head is spinning because you have no idea what exercise I am talking about, here's a visual:

And all you have to do is step to the side for a predetermined number of steps or distance, then repeat the process in the other direction. You can also step forward, backwards, diagonally...don't say I didn't warn you. That's all I'm sayin'.

In other news, these came into my life this week:

Instead of doing any continuing education this year, I've decided to completely switch certifications. The program I originally studied was ACE-based, and I could have taken the ACE test, but I made the decision to go with NATE based on test price. You probably haven't ever heard of NATE—National Association for Therapeutic Exercise. It taught me everything I need to know and then some, but it's small. And I've had problems in the past on the back end of things with getting updated paperwork, etc. Not that I can't handle that, really. But push came to shove when my employer offered me my current position, that of Fitness Director.

Long story short, they offered to help me get the ACE certification I always wanted. And I couldn't be more grateful. Except, well...now I have to study. Again. Because I am certain there are areas in which I could use some refreshing. And I'm sure things have changed.

So, here we go again.
I've got six months to schedule that exam...

...'spose I should get off the Internet and do some studying before Hannah wakes up. (In my defense, it's rainy and cold up here in Michigan. Basically, the type of day that lends itself to doing nothing. And by "doing nothing," I mean Interneting. Ugh.)

Question: Any ACE certified personal trainers out there? Introduce yourself!

Run for Boston (#runforboston)

2013-04-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

"Does this make you nervous about your half now," he asked me, "I mean, all those people..." And he's right. Now, not only do I have to be nervous about actually running a good 13 miles, I have to be nervous about what could be waiting for me at the finish line. No one should ever have to worry about danger at the end of a glorious event. Yet, that is the world we live in now. But...no, it doesn't make me nervous. I won't let it. It just makes me sad, really. My heart...my running shoes...heavy for Boston. For the runners who trained their hearts out for perhaps the best of all marathons. For the spectators taking time out of their days to provide smiling faces and words of encouragement along the way.

It wasn't supposed to end like that.
Nothing is ever supposed to end like that.

So what do we do?
What CAN we do?
And HOW do we do it?

We just do. We lace up. We run.

We keep on, heads high, paces fast. We can't be stopped.
Not by bombs, not by broken limbs, and certainly not by broken hearts.

These things, they make us stronger.

They have to make us stronger.

Because if we sit stagnant in the glow of weakness, well...they win. Whomever they may be.

And they can't win. Not this one. Certainly not any one.
So, go...run for Boston. Run for peace, love and happiness everywhere.

Run because you can, no matter the distance. No matter the day.
Run because you live. Because you love.

Just run.

#ChiWomensHalf Training Update, Week 6 (and a @KonaKase discount code for you)

2013-04-14T20:59:00.000-04:00

Week 6 of my half marathon training plan is done. And it was quite uneventful, although I did snag an outside run. In the rain. Catch this photo on Instagram?

I ended up running Sunday's five-miler in the gym on Saturday morning. Although I should most definitely have done it outside. I don't know why I didn't, to be honest. It was cold out, but not raining. Honestly, I was too lazy to go back inside and change out of my shorts and into my running pants, so I just kept on my way to the gym. Stupid me.

I split five miles between the treadmill and the track. Three on the treadmill, two on the track. I totally did not have the attention span for inside running this weekend. Maybe it's because I really should have been outside. Not inside:

Clearly I was not a happy runner.

Anyway, it's done.
Another successful week of running in the books.

Here's to increasing my long distance to six miles.
There's no way I can do six miles inside.
It better be nice next weekend.

Note: The following content is sponsored by Kona Kase. As a FitFluential Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to review the March box of goodies. (Feel free to stop reading if you don't like sponsored content.) I was not paid to provide my opinions, which are all (obviously) my own. That said, let's continue (or not, if you don't want to)...

One thing I have to be really careful about when I'm training—my hunger levels. They tend to skyrocket because of the added cardio. Last time I trained for a half marathon, I ate far too much Nutella (because I was living at home and my parents always have it in the cupboard). I didn't gain horrendous amounts of weight, but I did gain just a bit (because my wedding dress was a tad tighter than it should be—I got married a few short weeks after the race.) So because of this, I've learned that pre- and post-run nutrition is really key. Good fuel gives the body what it needs to perform. And, obviously, it helps it recover.

I keep a lot of fruit in the kitchen, and carbs that are as clean as can be. Obviously there's a ton of protein options around, too. But I don't always have the time to put something together for myself. I typically train in the morning, which has me rushing out the door and then rushing back in the door so that I can get myself cleaned up, get my daughter up and then get myself back to work.

Long story short: I need quick snacks, so the packaged stuff—if it's good—can really help me out in a pinch. Enter Kona Kase.

I loved everything in it.

For just $15, you get one box filled with eight healthy snacks to fuel your workouts and/or healthy lifestyle. That makes each item less than $2—reasonable, right? If you sign up for more than one month, the monthly fee gets even cheaper. (And yes, shipping is free.)

Not convinced? Just wanna try it once before you totally commit to a subscription? Use code ADDOF at checkout to get 50% off one month. That's, um...$7.50 for eight healthy snacks. Pretty cheap, right? And you can cancel your subscription at any time, so you can totally cancel after you get your first month on the discount if you think it's not for you.

Anyway, that's my deal for you today.

Oh, and these three people get a sweet deal, too (i.e. free Green Mountain Coffee).

Don't their coffee choices sound so great?

Question: What is your favorite post-run/post-workout snack?

There's a Whole Foods in my neighborhood.

2013-04-13T19:33:00.000-04:00

I said that I would stay away for a few weeks. That I'd let the hoopla die down a bit. But I don't think anyone believed me, including myself. I had to go. I've been sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for the doors to open since, probably when I first heard that Whole Foods would be coming to my hometown.

I no longer live in my hometown, but I'm a short (and totally drivable) distance away. In case you're wondering, I lasted two days before I decided to make that drive. Whole Foods Mishawaka opened on Wednesday, and I went yesterday afternoon.

Seriously, though. It was too busy to take many pictures inside the place. I didn't want to be the weirdo walking around the store with a camera, bumping into anyone and everything. (Turns out, I did enough of that without my camera—so crowded.) And I certainly didn't want to miss what the place had to offer. But I did snap a few shots with my iPhone, which you might have already seen on Instagram.

Is there a better "candy" aisle?

"I'll take a Buffalo and Blue Cheese chicken burger and a Garden Vegetable turkey burger, and one Italian turkey meatball. Please, and thank you."

I turned the meatball into a little burger for Hannah. Gosh, it was all so good. Also good:

Guac-kale-mole. Holy. Wow. Please buy this if you venture to the store in the future. I don't know if they carry it in all Whole Foods or what, but the stuff is dynamite. You really can't even taste the kale. Needless to say, I bought some kale and a few avocados at the grocery store today. I can't imagine it's hard to recreate because, obviously, the tub I bought is already empty.

Moving on (to distract you from the fact that I pigged out on guac).
Here's a look at everything else I bought (in case you care):

And the purchase that I'm the most excited about:

It smells SO GOOD.

Back tomorrow with the Green Mountain Coffee winners and a Chicago Women's Half Marathon training update. Get excited.

Question: What is your favorite thing to buy at Whole Foods?

Pinspiration Thursday: Focus on today.

2013-04-11T15:23:00.000-04:00

I'm an incessant planner. I have this need to be in control at all times. Not in an obsessive, mean-girl way. I just like to know what's happening next and I like to be prepared for it. My husband jokes that he's not allowed to surprise me. One time, he tried to scoop me away for the weekend and I got really stressed about what to pack, and then I stressed out about having everything that I'd need. I was ultimately fine, but still. I'm a girl. I like to plan my outfits.

I like to plan ahead.

I know this can be a problem. Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in what's to come that I forget about what's already right before me. I am slowly...slowly learning that life can't always be planned down to the minute. Because when you do that, you lost the minutes that are taking place right in front of you.

I don't want to lose minutes. Not one single precious minute.

They're mine and I want all of them. And I want to share them with everyone around me. Hannah is teaching me how important this is. She's my baby, but not really. She's a toddler, growing up ever so quickly right before my eyes. If I focus on tomorrow...if I try to plan too much of tomorrow...I'll miss what's happening today.

I don't want to miss any second of that precious little lady's life. I just don't.

So I'm working on living in the present with just a handful of thoughts on tomorrow. Because you can't really, totally forget about tomorrow.

Tomorrow will always come, but today will never come back.

Question: How do you help yourself live in the moment?

Leg Day Workout

2013-04-10T21:53:00.000-04:00

My legs and I, we are totally getting along right now. It might be all the running. Or maybe it's the Spinning. I really cannot attribute it to one thing. I don't have a leg day. My teaching schedule at the gym just doesn't allow me to train like that. But I used to, and leg day was always my favorite. And I still love every leg exercise I do in my classes. Lately, though...I am totally infatuated with the lunge/hop combo (Butt and Thigh Blast) I shared a few days ago. Guys...it's so good. My legs SCREAM after three sets of 15. Literally, they quiver.

So anyway, if you like to train by body part, here's a leg day workout you can try. And yes, it includes the aforementioned lunge/hop. Have at it, and let me know how it goes:

Question: What is your favorite muscle group to work? And what's your favorite way to work that muscle group?

#Sponsored #Giveaway: @GreenMtnCoffee Wellness Collection

2013-04-08T21:52:00.001-04:00

I have such a great relationship with my Keurig. Before we came together, my Keurig and I, there was a little 4-cup coffee maker in my life...I never used it. I was too lazy to make a pot of coffee that I knew I'd ultimately never drink, and I love coffee shops. But these days, thanks to my Keurig, it doesn't matter if I'm feeling lazy, or if I can't get to the coffee shop. I can have a nice, warm cup of coffee in no time flat. And a delicious one, too. But, no...I don't guzzle it down every day. Just once, maybe thrice a week at best. I'm not addicted to coffee, I just enjoy it. And I get that it's good for me in small doses. There's the whole antioxidant thing. And the mineral thing. And, thanks to Green Mountain's Wellness Collection, the vitamin thing.

Green Mountain contacted me and asked if I might like to try their new Wellness Collection. I said "yes" because 1) I geek out over all things "wellness," and B) I'd get to use them in my Keurig. So here's what they sent me:

One fancy coffee cup and a selection of K-Cups from the Wellness Collection. Their theory behind the wellness collection? That we might forget to take our vitamins, but we rarely forget to drink our cups of coffee in the morning. Or tea...maybe even some juice, if that's more your thing. So do you take a vitamin every day? I take a multivitamin. When I remember. Theory proven. So anyway, I started my tasting adventure with the Antioxidant blend to up my intake of Vitamins C and E.

Let's review: Vitamin C is known for boosting our immune system, while Vitamin E is known for protecting us from toxins. Among other things, of course. Verdict: Not really my favorite. I'm more of a light-roast type of girl. If you like a medium roast, I'm sure you'd love the above. It's kind of how I felt about the Focus blend, too. Although, truth be told, it smelled so good to me:

As did the tea, but I really liked the tea.

I mean, what's not to love about blackberry pomegranate green tea? Especially when it's got an extra boost of antioxidants: 20% DV of antioxidant Vitamin C and 162mg flavonoid antioxidants per 8 fl. oz. serving, according to the website. Oh, and this was the first cup of tea that I brewed in my Keurig. Gosh, it simplifies the process. No more messy tea bags all over the counter! Hip hip, hooray!

And since there's a first time for EVERYTHING, let's also talk about the first over-ice beverage I brewed in my Keurig:

Holy sweetness! One can't expect anything less from something that's strawberry-pomegranate based, right? Like the Antioxidant blend, it's got a hefty dose of Vitamin C in it. Now, this over-ice beverage also comes in an Acai Berry flavor but I was not sent it to review, so I can't speak for its deliciousness. Although I imagine it's good. Isn't acai berry always good? Hm.

You be the judge...if you're lucky.

Green Mountain would like to offer THREE Daily Dose readers a prize pack much like the one I received. You'll get the same coffee cup I got, plus three K-Cups of each beverage in the Wellness Collection. Sweet, right? Here's how to enter:

1) Describe your perfect cup of coffee in the comments section below.

2) Bonus points if you leave an extra comment with your favorite K-Cup.

You can also gain an entry by following Daily Dose on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Please leave a separate comment for each thing that you do.

Oh, and—follow Green Mountain on Facebook and Twitter for even more chances to win! Again, separate comments below.

Contest open to residents of the USA (I sincerely apologize to everyone else) through Friday, April 12, 2013 at Midnight EST. Three winners will be announced on Sunday, April 14, 2013.

Note: This is a sponsored post. Green Mountain Coffee provided me with all of the above to facilitate this review. I was not compensated. All opinions are my own, obviously.

#ChiWomensHalf Training Update, Week 5

2013-04-07T15:36:00.000-04:00

Guess what, guys. I finally ran outside today! Mom drove up and clocked five miles with me. She and I are both training for the Chicago Women's Half Marathon, so I'm sure this was the first of many long runs that we'll doing together. The weather? Chilly, but manageable. I didn't realize how cold it was until I finished running. But, I'd rather be cold when I'm running than sweltering hot. That's not fun to me. At all.

Stats from today's run:

I use MapMyRun to keep track of everything. I should get a Garmin, or maybe even a Polar, but I just haven't made the investment yet. For now, MapMyRun seems to be working just fine for me. (And that last .14 of a mile...that's really just us finishing the walk home. Pay no attention.)

Here's how Week 5 of my training plan shaped up:

With a number of my instructors out this past week on various Spring Break trips, I found myself subbing a few classes. One of which was a Spinning class on Thursday. We did an endurance-based ride, which left me wiped so I didn't give that 3.5 miles a second thought. Obviously it didn't hurt me too much as today's run went really well. So far, nothing crazy on the books for this week so I should be able to clock all of my scheduled runs.

Speaking of crazy, these came this week:

Hello, yellow! I still can't believe I won a pair of Reebok Sublite training shoes from Blonde Ponytail. You guys should really be reading her blog. She posts some awesome workouts, and she's a superfit preggo right now—that still does some awesome workouts of her own. You all know how much I loved working out when I was pregnant. Go check her out!

Anyway. In other news I scored another sweet deal on some Mondetta Performance Gear this week. Cute capris alert:

I am in desperate need of fitness clothing right now. Especially pants, as none of mine seem to fit well. They keep sliding down, which means I'm constantly pulling them up. Not cool when you're in front of a full class. Just not cool. So when I saw the above at TJ Maxx this weekend, well...I couldn't pass up a $50 discount:

I am all about fitness clothing that doesn't break my bank since I'm in the stuff every day, sometimes twice per day. The perk of working at a gym is that you get to dress the part...comfy, but still quite expensive. Unless you find the deals.

Deals rule.

Back tomorrow with another giveaway.

Question: Garmin or Polar? Why?

Butt and Thigh Blaster

2013-04-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

I found the above in my office a few weeks ago. Turns out, it's a gem of a find. I've done my fair share of lunges, even jumping lunges, but I can honestly say that I've never done a stationary lunge with a hop as shown above. Now, I don't know where this cutout came from. If I could give credit where credit it due, well...I totally would because this is good. Really good, and I didn't even use the bench. I swapped it out for a BOSU.

Needless to say, my legs were literally quivering after three sets of fifteen repetitions per leg.
Needless to say, I'm taking tomorrow off.

I'm due for five miles this weekend and I think, most certainly, that I'll be running outside. It has been glorious up here in Michigan! A little chilly still, but the sun is out and the Mourning Doves (favorite bird ever) are cooing. Always a good sign that spring is here, or at least very...very near.

Hannah and I took advantage yesterday:

Girl knows where she wants to go.

Much of our usual walking path is still covered in sand. Winter winds pretty much blow it everywhere, so it was really hard for us to walk down by the water. But this little patch was clear as can be. We did about an hour's worth of walking.

I'm sure there will be many, many more hour-long beach walks in our future.

Question: What's your favorite leg exercise?