Hey there everyone, good morning!! đ Hope youâre having a fantabulous Friday so far!
I am beyond thrilled to write this post for all of you today. I was inspired by a company called ETB Fitness, a business that promotes nutrition-based lifestyle products to fuel success. After reading through their philosophies, I thought I could provide some insight on how I fuel my workouts and reach my mental and physical goals.
Iâm PUMPED. But before I get into the nitty-gritty details, let me quickly remind you of my nutritional disclaimer at the bottom of my blog:
âI am NOT a registered dietitian or nutritionist. This blog is based on my own thoughts, opinions, and views. Though I am a dancer, the foods I eat may not be right for you. Information is provided to the best of my ability. YOU are ultimately responsible for all decisions related to your healthâ. Please donât consider trying anything before knowing your own activity level. Some exercises/routines are not for everyone! Anyway, for those of you who donât know, Iâm a dancer. (Wow, look at my blogâs name). đ
While my classes are a workout in itself, Iâm a firm believer in cross-training. For dancers, this means ENHANCING your current fitness level without adding undue stress to your body. Letâs face it, dancers are sprinters. Adding an aerobic activity to cross-training by working on the elliptical, swimming, spinning on a stationary bike or power walking can increase the diameter of the fast-twitch muscle fibers.
Personally, Iâve found that running or using the elliptical is a form of aerobic activity I enjoy. I also love Vinyasa yoga, so I do this on days I donât do cardio. Strength and range-of-motion training is important too, even if youâre not a dancer! In terms of working out, Iâm a definite morning exerciser. Who wants to go to the gym at the end of a longgg day?! NO THANKS. I get it done in the morning and it even wakes me up a little, too! When I get home I like to sit on my couch and not think about anything.
Okay, so that was a huge tangent, but hereâs what you really need to know:
- What foods do you eat pre-workout?
Since I like to get up and go, Iâm not one to eat a pre-workout meal or take a supplement. But I will say this, I drink a HUGE glass of cold water or two to make sure Iâm all hydrated and ready to go! Even on the weekends, I like to just get up and go and THEN enjoy a delicious breakfast. - What do you listen to during your workout?
I love to listen to songs that have an awesome beat and keep me motivated. I mean, I love Coldplay and all, but âYellowâ and âFix Youâ arenât going to keep me going while Iâm trying to run or do the elliptical! Here are a few songs from my Spotify playlist: -âTrap Queenâ, by Fetty Wap -âLatchâ, by Disclosure and Sam Smith -âSend Your Loveâ â Dave Aude Remix, by Sting -â7/11â, by BeyoncĂ© Thereâs a good mix of tunes on there, but honestly, anything with a rockinâ beat is great! - How do you switch up certain routines daily/weekly to stay motivated?
As I mentioned up above, I absolutely LOVE yoga. This not only keeps me sane from the craziness of life, but it also keeps my body sane from the intensity of aerobic activity and dancing. I find it useful to have a plan when I workout. If you Google or Pinterest search â30-minute elliptical workoutâ, there could be dozens of things that pop up. Pick one you like and go for it! It makes time go by faster and itâs easier to enjoy the workout when you have something to follow. But thatâs just me, someone else might like to do their own thing, and thatâs totally cool too! đ Itâs really easy to stay motivated this way because thereâs SO much out there.
For example:
- What do you eat after your workout to make sure you get the most out of your workout?
Well, my avid readers should know this by nowâŠâŠOATMEAL, OATMEAL, and MORE OATMEAL. By adding this super food to your daily menu, youâll reap numerous benefits. Iâve got tons of recipes on here! đ
-Complex Carbs Oats are loaded with complex carbs, which digest slowly so you receive a steady release of sugar into the bloodstream. This allows for a consistent level of energy. Complex carbs are ideal fuel for high-intensity training, because they can be used during anaerobic activity.
-Iron Oats are rich in iron, and a proper iron balance allows your cardiovascular system to work at optimal levels to fuel muscles with oxygen during strenuous training.
-Fiber 1/2 cup of oats packs about four grams of fiber, nearly double the amount in a slice of whole-grain bread. Fiber helps you feel full and satisfied, preventing binge eating and poor food choices later on. It also keeps your GI tract on track.
Thank you again to ETB Fit for your inspiration! Check out their website for awesome products like pre-workout supplements, protein powders, and even travel protein packs! Whatâs even better is that they have their products tailored for males and females, so us ladies wonât feel like weâre trying to bulk up.
Enjoy your day! đ