Shape Yourself Fabulous

The desire to be straight-up awesome lies within each of us.  None of us want to fail.  We don’t want to look bad or make mistakes.  We want to be the best we can. 

  

I am always inspired by the people around me.  By what I’m passionate about, by learning, and by what makes me feel good.  I wanted to share some of the things I find helpful to be the best I can be in the area I practice professionally and personally – being healthy.  

Here’s a list of my 7 favorite and most necessary tools to keeping this body – and mind – as fit and healthy as reasonably possible.  

1. Good running / workout shoes. 
   I’m an Asics girl. Kayanos have been my shoe of choice since 2009.  Before that I was in their 2100s shoe (current version is 2170).  Both are stability shoes to help correct my over pronating lower limbs.  I switched to the Kayanos for more cushioning

   

   My Kayanos!
   

   after a stress fracture from too much jumping around :)  My tip: Pick shoes that are comfortable for you [to exercise in, not just to wear], and that compliment your activity styles!  If you walk or run, GO TO A RUNNING STORE (like my favorite, Blue Mile) and have them analyze your foot gait (stride and foot strike in walking or running).  They will help you to find a shoe that will compliment your gait – this is especially important if you suffer from any recurring pains or injuries.  The wrong shoes may be the culprit.  If you spin, take group exercise classes, or do other circuit training on your own, experiment with shoes until you find some that really work for you.  Talk to people about their experiences.  Read online reviews.  If you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on shoes to find the right ones… purchase off of websites like OnlineShoes.com, 6pm.com, or Zappos.com.  Or even run in DSW or Nordstrom, and glance through their sales. 
   



The bottom half of my calendar (the top is a
cute picture of a baby & her kitten!)

2. My Hanging Calendar.  Everyone has their own strategies for planning their workouts, logging them, and keeping motivated.  Since 2004, a calendar has hung on the wall of my bedroom, waiting to be filled.  Sundays tend to get the line-through, but usually the other days get at least something written in it – and that’s the goal.  To me, an empty calendar = a lazy, miserable, depressed Maggie.  I need my workouts to have my sanity!
   My tip: Find SOMETHING that works for you.  The calendar that hangs on my wall, in front of my face every day, makes it easy for me to remember to write it down, and to easily see how “good” my month has been.  Obviously, I don’t track my workouts too specifically with the limited writing space, but that works for me.  I have tried to keep extensive workout logs, and it just doesn’t work for me.  When I was in college I made a binder full of pages to log my cardio and strength sessions extensively, and that probably lasted a month…which does nothing for me long term).  There are tons of apps out there in which you can logs your workouts (and food intake).  There are countless online logging website and physical journals to buy.  You could use a notebook, a weekly dry erase calendar on your fridge.  Pick something that will be easy for you.  If you need a PLAN, make sure it will suit your needs.  If you’re like me and just want to log every day, find something you’ll commit to logging in and DO IT habitually.  It holds you accountable!
   
   



Get. One.

3. My foam roller.
   Oh how I love my foam roller!  Muscle pains, surrender!!  My sore muscles and achy IT-band have seen lots of this swell device.  It’s been my saving grace after races, and my friend that makes me feel better when I’ve worked myself a little hard, and can’t bend my extremities too well the next day(s).  My tip: Invest in one!  The foam roller is wonderful.  Stop at Target or Dick’s and make the purchase – you won’t regret it.
   
4. My mesh running hats (or a really good, sticky headband).
   I'm all about being comfortable when I workout, and how my earbud cord is hitting my shoulder, my shoe is rubbing my ankle, and my hair is hitting my face can totally affect my mood (especially at the beginning of a workout!).  If you see me running, the chances that I’m wearing one of my Under Armour hats is really, really good.  They keep my hair out of my face, keep it from bouncing around, and keep me from having to make eye contact at the gym when I’m trying to bang through my workout without a distraction :)
   My tip: Make sure you’re comfortable, especially if you’re trying to make exercising a habit.  One of the biggest reasons (if not THE biggest) people drop off the wagon of habitual exercise is that they don’t enjoy what they’re doing.  Granted, that has something to do with the activity itself as well... but maybe it would be more tolerable and enjoyable, especially in the long run, if they were comfortable. 
   
   
5. A big, tacky lunch box (sorry, no picture :). 
   I bring my lunch.  Always have: when I used to work in a gym all day and now as I spend most of my days driving all over greater Indianapolis.  I refuse to go through drive-thrus.  I prefer to eat well throughout the morning and afternoon, as a guarantee that I’m taking in the nutrients that I need.  If I pack them with me to have throughout the day to satisfy my hunger, it’s what I’m going to eat.  I still focus on healthy and nutritious foods AFTER work and into the evening… so don’t go thinking I’m putting whatever I want in my mouth once I get home :)
   My tip: Plan.  If you want to eat healthy, that’s what it’s going to take.  It doesn’t come easy to put together nutritious meals – it takes time.  From buying the right foods at the store, to preparing them, to boxing them up to take with you (when necessary).  BUT, once you have a routine and have committed some time to it, it comes EASIER AND EASIER.  Trust me. 
   
6. Nutritious foods that I can work with to make meals I enjoy. 
   …Piggy-backing off the above tool.  Some of the things I ALWAYS have in my house are: eggs (2-3 cartons at a time), whole grain bread (Ezekial these days), nonfat milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk, oats, baby carrots, gala apples, bananas (just a couple, they ALWAYS get brown on me!), frozen berries and vegetables, Shakeology (duh!) and some kind of lean protein (chicken breast, fish, or soy product).  I also keep coffee, natural coffee creamer, spray butter, stevia, pam, and pepper always in stock!  Those are MY basics.  I expand off of those and have other fresh ingredients available to make MEALS. 
   
   My tip: Have a master grocery list of items you like and will enjoy consistently.  Obviously you can switch out veggies and grains and fruits for other types.  But have a master.  Once you know what works for you, you won’t even need to take that list with you anymore. 
   
   
7. A nonstick pan (preferably with a lid) and spatula. I use this pan (I actually have a large and small) EVERY damn DAY.  It cooks everything.  And with the nonstick pan AND pam, it is also EASY.
   
   My tip: Get one if you don't have one already.  

 

We’re all different in what we need to be fabulous.  These things help me to be the best I can each day, and HAPPY DOING IT.  Find your gems.  Then keep them to become an even more fabulous YOU.  

Your fan in the stands,     <<<yes, I’m a dork:)
Maggie