My exercise routine (and how I keep it consistent!)

Generally speaking, if your run into me at my kids’ school on any given day of the week, I am wearing this. I go to the Y three days a week, (and sometimes I wear this even if I’m not going, because it looks more pulled together than yoga pants and a hoodie!), and I look athletic and all, so….win/win?!

I started really working out on a regular basis when my daughter was two and my son was one. You see, the Y has something really wonderful, and it is called FREE DAYCARE. Which means I could drop off my two precious little hell raisers angels and have an hour or so to myself while working out. Before children I would not have deemed working out “me time,” just like I wouldn’t say going to the dentist/hairdresser/grocery store was “me time” either, but I didn’t know any better then;) To have some time to focus on just myself, and to get fit in the process? Amazing. It started this process for me where I learned that I actually am strong and athletic and a little competitive. I wanted to push myself and see what I could do. Boot camp, body pump, spinning and yoga became my thing. I loved it. 

I still go to the gym about three days a week, because it makes me feel good. I love going to a class the most, because it pushes me to work harder than I would on my own. I adore a boot camp style class, anything with weights, and recently I’ve been working on running intervals on the treadmill. What keeps me motivated (besides the fact I can eat more on the days I work out?) 

1) When you start going to the gym regularly, you will find that there is usually a certain group of women that are always there. I love being able to see these folks on a regular basis, and form some sort of friendship based on mutual goals and the invariable moaning and groaning that comes from doing burpees together. I’m also the type that doesn’t like to miss out on stuff, so if I am feeling blah about the gym, I think about how THEY will most likely be there, and I get my butt there as well. 

2) If I’m not doing a class, I do the treadmill or elliptical for about 45 minutes of interval training, with weight training after. If I’m going to huff it out on an exercise machine I need good music. I constantly update my playlist to keep it fresh and inspiring. I love working out to great tunes, it inspires me and pushes me harder and makes it more enjoyable. I find that the Top 40 stuff is my greatest motivator (that darn Taylor Swift writes some catchy tunes…), but some old school AC/DC works great, too!

3) The last thing that keeps me motivated to work out on a regular basis is new workout clothes (ha, surprise!) I tend to get my stuff at all my usual places, like Target and Old Navy. I like a looser fit top and tighter bottoms, but switch it up when I can. Boden recently sent me the set you see above, and I love the quality and the cool details. The hoodie has those cool thumb holes, which I love when it gets cooler and want some more coverage, and the capri leggings are the perfect length (I find my Old Navy ones are longer than I usually like most of the time.) The fabric was silkier and all the pieces were close fitting. I would most likely pair the capris with a looser fit top, but found it looked really nice with the fit being closer. My husband liked it, too, which I find it takes a lot to make him LOVE something (though tighter ALWAYS wins in his book;)

(You can use the code YOGA for 20% off all Boden activwear (plus free shipping and returns!), through Saturday, November 15th.)

What I have discovered about Boden is that, while pricier than my usual place, the quality is worth it. I bought this striped top last week and it is divine, the fit is perfection and the fabric is substantial. It’s a quality piece that won’t wear out or be given away in a season. I feel their activewear is on par with this as well. Most of my cheaper stuff wears out quickly and I replace it seasonally, while this activewear feels like it will outlast my more expensive stuff. I’ll keep you posted as time goes on, okay?!

Pssst: I also have this mustard colored rain coat from Boden that I adore! It has a fleece lining and feels great one, plus it is one CHIC coat.

Tell me, what is your exercise routine? What are your tips for staying motivated?

This post is part of a series from the November Blogathon. You can find more info HERE.