Five Things Friday: Homesick for Chicago Fitness

This past week in particular has made me especially nostalgic for Chicago.  I've only been home a couple months, and I've been VERY busy with some exciting opportunities, but the biggest hole in my life seems to be caused by missing some particular aspects of the Chicago fitness community.  Here are the top five things I miss about Chicago's massive fitness world.

5. Muddy Monk Trail Runs

Even on my bad days, Muddy Monk runs are fun and challenging.  This trail running organization is headed by a couple who dedicate their spare time to finding us some amazing bits of trail year-round.  So far, I haven't found anything like this in Cleveland, certainly not with the consistency of the Muddy Monk.  Honestly, with all the Metroparks around here, I might have to consider starting a group...

4. Class Pass

This is a catch-all heading for the insane diversity of fitness classes available in Chicago - and the ease with which an interested person can discover all of that exercisey goodness!  One membership, over a hundred gyms/studios/whatevers, and dozens of different class styles all over the city.  It's hard to find gyms at all here in Cleveland, let alone awesome boutique fitness studios like AIR or Exhale.  I'm finding some interesting things here and there, but for the most part, I think it's going to be up to ME to bring the excitement to Cleveland's group exercise scene.

3. Gratitude Yoga

Piggy-backing on Class Pass, I simply have to mention Gratitude and the lovely Lisa!  My first class with Lisa (via Class Pass, of course) changed my outlook on yoga, and gave me the courage to dive into yoga practice whole-heartedly.  She also influenced my courage levels in general, and through both her classes and the at-home practice she inspired, I found the strength and self-belief to make some major and much-needed changes in my life.  It hasn't all been smooth sailing ever since, but the general trend of my life is increasingly moving upward - it all started with Lisa and the path she helped set me on, which still guides me today.

2. Chicago Running Bloggers

Technically, I'm still a CRB member, and of course with blogging the community is still there in the online presence, but even though I knew very few of my fellow members in person, everything was so... relatable.  I was part of a local community, and my place in that group helped me establish not only my blogging presence but a deeper sense of purpose in the fitness world.  Without their support and encouragement (and their fabulous leading-by-examples) I probably would never have started blogging, let along stuck with it so long.  And that means I'd have missed out on just about every opportunity I've had in the past year to make my life so much better...

1. TAM Fitness Classes

No link for my #1 - this one is all experience.  I taught group ex classes at several locations in 2014, but it wasn't until the start of 2015, when I found a home at the TAM facility in Niles, that my fitness career really took off.  It was my first opportunity to teach ZUMBA Step, which quickly became one of the center's highlight classes.  As my class (and my popularity) grew, I was given the opportunity to add more classes, including regular ZUMBA, strength classes, and even yoga by the time I had to depart.  But it wasn't just teaching the classes that made my time at TAM so important - it was the connections I made with my amazing students.  We connected mind, body, and soul, and those women have touched my life permanently.  Through them I learned how to connect with my classes, and I'm having plenty of success here in Cleveland with my new classes, but they'll never be quite the same as those gals back at TAM, who believed in me, celebrated my successes, and helped me grow.  Thanks so much ladies, you'll always be in my heart.

What places or events in your life have left a lasting impression on you?  What makes you homesick?

Ready to get WACKY? It's the Insane Inflatable 5k! (Discount Code)

Though I spent some amazing weekends working for one of the best mud runs in the country, I haven't really had a chance to go get silly on a race course yet this year!  After several turns running through wacky obstacles courses last year (like the Epic Fail Challenge), I switched to more serious racing for a while, but I've been jonesing for another carefree romp.

This weekend I finally get to let loose on another ridiculously fun-looking course at the Insane Inflatable 5k, which I'll be enjoying in Erie PA on Saturday!  Unlike mud runs, inflatable race courses let you stay clean while you enjoy their bouncy-house-on-steroids obstacles, which means you don't have to spend an extra hour in line for the showers after you finish - time you can instead spend on the Insane Inflatable Midway, playing games like giant cornhole or enjoying the all-day DJ.

But the real draw is, of course, the obstacles themselves.  I've been to races that barely managed to put up five obstacles along a three mile course, but the Insane Inflatable boasts 11 giant blow-up hurdles, including start and finish line obstacles.  They have everything from massive inflatable slides to gigantic ball pits!  I'm most looking forward to Pure Misery (I'll take "Things I'll Never Say Again" for $800, Alex), a military-inspired combination obstacle that stretches over 100 feet!

Next week, I'll have a full race recap to offer, with more details about how the Insane Inflatable 5k looks in-person, but for now, why not take a discount and try it out for yourself?  You can get 15% off your entry to any Insane Inflatable race (in dozens of cities across the country) with code FITNYX15 - so sign up early and save!  And if you're going to be in Erie this weekend, let's tackle this beast together!

Have you run any noteworth OCRs?  What's your favorite obstacle?  Do you prefer the more serious Spartan/Warrior Dash type races, or the silly ones?

Posts to come, I promise!

I tried to post today.  Really I did.  But for some reason my hours of writing and multiple clicks of the "save draft" button were all for naught, as my entire post was deleted and all of my work lost.  I have a lot of things to say these days, but not as much time as I'd like in which to say them, so reworking that post will sadly have to wait.  Meanwhile I have tons of exciting new products to test and review, and I'm still involved in the Move More Yoga challenge, so please keep an eye on my Instagram feed (now also cross-posting to my Facebook page, so you can follow there if you'd rather) to keep up with my adventures, and look for some substantial posting to come in the next couple weeks!

Thanks, as always, for your support!

Product Review: No Nips

Real-talk time, woman style.

Sports bras have come a long way in support and comfort, but every athletic woman knows how hard it is to find a bra that not only performs at your fitness level, but also holds in, well, your perky nips.  Exercise can be "exciting" (if you know what I mean) and while it's perfectly natural to be poking out a bit afterwards, it isn't always the most flattering or the most comfortable look for most women!

So what's a gal to do?  Tape or bandaids have been solutions in the past but ripping something like that off such a sensitive area isn't the most pleasant sensation.  Padded sports bras offer some relief, but again, it's hard to find the right fit and support in the limited range of padded bra products offered for athletic women.  Not to mention those days when you're wearing your favorite yoga shirt with that built-in shelf bra instead of an actual sports bra...

I love their slogan!

Photo source: No Nips Instagram

That's where No Nips saves the day!  A new product made from Polartec fabrics, No Nips are insertable into ANY bra or bra-like top to smooth out your chest after a tough workout.  It's a simple concept, really, but the advantage of No Nips is the material: durable, absorbent, comfortable, and machine washable.  Having many times suffered from overly-perky nipples, especially on cold race mornings, I was intensely interested in giving these pads a try!

Disclaimer: I was provided No Nips products free of charge in exchange for my review.  I have not received any other compensation, nor am I affiliated wtih No Nips.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I had the perfect opportunity to test the effectiveness of No Nips just the other day: a cold, wet, all-around ugly afternoon, the first real September day we've seen so far.  My puppy was antsy, I was feeling lethargic, and it seemed a run was the best way to help us both.  I pulled on my gear and slipped a No Nips pad into my bra - only one, though!  I figured the best way to really show the effectiveness of the product would be to do a side-by-side comparison under the exact same conditions.  So, left breast had a pad, right breast was untreated!

We went for a little more than two miles in the humid, chilly evening - exactly the kind of weather and effort that would get my nipples hard.  The run itself was pretty fun, even though it wasn't ideal conditions, but that's probably because running with Kaalia is always awesome!  She paces with me nicely, understands the importance of stopping before crossing streets, and always wags her tail the whole way!  About halfway through our run, I started noticing the No Nips side was itching, but by the end of the run I was back to not noticing there was something in my bra.

When I got home, there was a VERY noticable difference!  Thankfully I was able to get a picture before I warmed up and relaxed too much, so you can see exactly how effective the No Nips pad actually was!  As I said, there was some slight itching mid-run, but otherwise the pad was quite comfortable.  It stayed nicely in place, and though the evening was humid and I was definitely very sweaty, the pad wasn't soaked or spongy.

Even with a hastily taken, poorly lit, potato quality photo,

you can see the difference!

I received the No Nips pads with a mesh washer bag, which was an unexpected bonus, so naturally I tested the "machine washability" as well.  I'm happy to report my pad held up to washing (I only washed the one I wore, so I could compare) with no noticable distressing, misshaping, or discoloration.  True, it was only one wash, but the stitching held up and the pad held its form, and those are the two most important things!  No lumping of the material under the fabric, either, so the pad still fits smoothly and comfortably.

I've also tried using these in one of my favorite yoga tops, one that has a built-in bra.  I sometimes wear that top to work, and it's REALLY COLD in my building, so it's nice to have the padding help keep me modest in the workplace (apologies for no photos, but trust me, they work).  No Nips come in dark grey (like mine) but also in nude, so you can wear them with just about any top without giving away your secret.

No Nips worked great for me!  I'm starting to use them more in the gym, too, and will probably wear them frequently when I'm teaching classes and all eyes are on me.  Definitely going to use them on race days, too, when I'm in the middle of big crowds and there are photographers mid-course!  If you're like me and suffer from embarrassing perky nipples when you work out, No Nips is a fantastic solution to keep you modest and confident!

Do you have problems with your "post workout appearance"?  How do you solve those pesky (or perky) issues?  Do you think you'd use an insert product to help?

Tabata Article Published!

Starting to click nicely with the Active Acadiana fitness magazine - my second published article was released in this month's issue!  If you don't live in the Acadiana's distribution area, you can always read their issues (and my articles) online thanks to Issuu!  You'll find my article on Tabata and the benefits of HIIT workouts on page 30 (page 32 on Issuu) - and yes, that's mine featured on the cover there!

My third article for the Active Acadiana is slated for the October "Extreme Fitness" issue, and will discuss topics in women's MMA.  Any suggestions?

Product Review: Extend Nutrition

One of the easiest products to find in the fitness world is protein powder.  In fact, it's maybe a little too easy to find - there are hundreds of powders (and other protein products) available, and it's hard to tell which products are actually worth the expense.  Not only is there a concern for the content and benefits of the product, but many protein powders are severely lacking in an appealing taste, making it difficult to choke them down even IF they're providing what you need.

In my eternal search for the perfect protein powder, I encountered Extend Nutrition, a company that provides a variety of products for fitness, weight loss, and even diabetes control.  The "Extend" comes from product design: unlike other products that typically metabolize quickly over just a couple hours, Extend products were created to last much longer.  By metabolizing over six to nine hours, Extend Nutrition helps regulate blood sugar without causing a short-term spike that quickly crashes.  I had the opportunity to try not only their protein shake mixes, but a couple of their protein bars as well.  Crisps and drizzles are also available, though I did not sample any of those items.

Disclaimer: I was provided Extend Nutrition products free of charge in exchange for my review.  I have not received any other compensation, nor am I affiliated wtih Extend Nutrition.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Extend carries three flavors of protein powder: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.  I originally tried each flavor mixed with ONLY water and ice, to gauge the raw flavor profiles of each.  Chocolate quickly pulled out in front as the tastiest, by a long shot, when mixed with only water!  Creamy and thick, it was the smoothest protein powder I'd ever consumed.  I typically drank the chocolate powder immediately after running, when I am most hungry, and found the shake to be very filling each time, carrying me through the rest of the evening post-run without needing another snack.

The vanilla and strawberry powders didn't fare so well in plain water!  In fact, the vanilla tasted a little sour, and the strawberry was borderline gross.  Neither mixed as smoothly as the chocolate, so I had to deal with little powder lumps that added nothing to the appeal of those flavors.  Perhaps it was because I drank them more slowly (reluctantly?) but neither flavor filled me up like the chocolate shakes did, either.  I'll admit, I was pretty disappointed, but was determined to find another way to enjoy at least the strawberry, as I happen to LOVE strawberry shakes!

I mixed the rest of the vanilla and strawberry packets in milk instead of water.  Though I have been cutting back on my dairy consumption, the addition of 1% milk and ice to the powder turned the whole flavor profile completely around!  The vanilla was much creamier mixed with milk, and tasted like melted ice cream instead of bland lumpy powder.  The strawberry went from worst to first as far as my preferences among the three flavors!  Thanks to the milk, my strawberry powder had a chance to really shine: it was creamy, thick, bursting with berry flavor, and I drank it WAY too fast!  If you're going to try Extend protein shakes, give strawberry a try for sure!

I also received a few "anytime bars" which became my breakfast and book-reading treats last week.  Not usually one for protein or other nutrition bars, I was skeptical about how much I'd actually like these bars.  I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the chocolate peanut butter flavor!  Peanut butter protein bars are tough to get right, but this one was fantastic.  And very filling!  More so than the shakes, the anytime bars really helped keep me satisfied over a long span of time.  This was especially helpful when I had a dinner engagement last week and wanted to EAT, but was hungry a few hours before.  Instead of snacking mindlessly the whole time, I had an Extend bar, which held me over perfectly, leaving me hungry only just in time for an amazing Indian dinner!  The cookies and cream bars were equally reliable as a meal replacement, but weren't nearly as tasty.  It was more chocolate mush than cookies and creamy, but again, still served their purpose.

I definitely would recommend Extend Nutrition for protein powder!  You may need to experiment with how you mix the powder to suit your own tastes, but once you find your sweet spot, you'll love the taste!  Each single-serve packet has 15 grams of protein and only 12 grams of carbohydrates, and at 110 calories, it's a pretty guilt-free post-workout treat; however, while it does keep you satisfied for a good few hours, you'll have to consider your overall calorie intake before using these shakes as meal replacement.  Same with the bars, which have 130 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 22 grams of carbohydrates.  I ate the bars as meal replacements, and didn't feel hungry for a while, but I'm not sure 130 calories is enough for me to consider an actual meal.  Ensure you're getting enough fuel throughout the day!

Of course, you don't have to take MY word for it!  Extend Nutrition is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift card to try any of their products!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When do you use protein enhanced beverages - pre or post workout?  As a meal replacement?  Just as a snack?  What's your go-to brand and flavor?

September Yoga Challenge: #MoveMoreYoga

Throughout the month of September, I'll be participating in another Instagram yoga challenge, this time run through the Move More Fitness ambassador group!  We'll have a theme for each week, and we'd love to see your poses for each week's guideline!  To play with us, be sure to tag #movemoreyoga and #movemorefitness.  For inspiration, you can check out daily poses from the challenge host @ywezelenburg or @movemorefitness!  Get ready to get your flex on!

Week 1: Animal Poses

Week 2: Standing Balances

Week 3: Inversions

Week 4: Backbends

Week 5: Relaxation and Restoration