Do More Blue: How Color Affects Mood for Workouts, Exercise

Colors can subconsciously affect your feelings and moods and, in turn, have an impact on workouts and your choices in exercise. This includes both the colors seen in your environment (like what color the walls are painted) and the color of your fitness clothing you wear.  In past posts, I’ve mentioned how other colors are tied to exercise – like RED and PINK. But, what about BLUE?

Without doubt, blue is a very popular color. In fact, it’s the most popular color in the world being favored by 35% of the world’s population. I’m guessing blue is so beloved because it’s one of the rarest colors found in nature. Blue is linked to the sky and water and can stimulate calming and peaceful feelings. These serene side effects of blue make it a great color for being mindful and focused.

Blue is a calming and focused color for yoga!

Because of these calming zen vibes, blue (especially a lighter hue) is a great color choice for yoga wear or lounging around after an intense sweat sesh for recovery!

I now understand why the heaviest weight plates are blue!

Blue is on the lower end of the electromagnetic visible light spectrum. The wavelength of blue is shorter other colors – for example, blue has a 25% shorter wavelength than red. There have been studies done that show gym weights painted blue seem lighter than the same poundage of weights painted red! Blue may make things seem lighter or easier to have less perceived effort. That is great for productivity. Wearing blue, especially bright and vivid hues, may help you have a productive and focused session at the gym – “Do More Blue”!  

“Blue” personality athletes like rules, training schedules, and logging results.

According to color personality tests, people who are “Blues” look at exercise in a methodical and orderly way, tracking data details and progress as they move along their fitness journey. I would guess they are less “play it by ear” and more “follow a plan” type people. It’s my guess (and experience with them) that Blues like to participate in sports with defined rules!

Blue has other connotations as well. Sometimes people who are feeling down might say they are blue. But more often blue has positive connotations – “Blue Ribbon” meaning top-notch, first place, or winning to “True Blue” connoting reliability, trustworthiness and loyalty.

After all is said and done, what really matters is what is YOUR mood in blue. If blue makes you feel good then wear it and paint your home gym walls in it! If you are more “blah” about blue, then just sashay down the color spectrum until you fine a color and hue that speaks to YOU!

If you’re loving the idea of “Do More Blue,” check out this collections of Blue Ribbon Burpee Variations I put together:

Try these winning "blue ribbon" burpee ideas that kick up the traditional full-body exercise for even more challenge in your workout.
Check out the video demo of unique burpee variations in this Pin Story!

Also of interest. Did you know the blue lenses on sunglasses aren’t there JUST to look cool.

Blue tint on glasses is usually for the purpose of making objects crisper, improving color perception and creating a calming effect. For certain sport-specific glasses, the blue lenses help to reduce sun glare that comes of the snow, water or roads.

Disclaimer: brought to you as part of my relationship with adidas as an ambassador. However, all opinions, suggestions, comments and enthusiasm are my own.

5 Health & Wellness Brands to Upgrade Fitness Self-Care Routine

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx

Running, obstacle course racing plus all the gym, boot camp and other fitness stuff I do, can really take a toll on my body! But, even though I’m in my 50s, I’m not about to give any of it up soon. That’s why I place a premium on eating well to refuel my body, taking proper care of minor injuries that come, and general workout recovery and some self-pampering.

I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me products to help me stay at the top of my game as an athlete and enthusiast of adventurous living. Today, I’m sharing five wellness and fitness finds that are perfect additions to my self-care routine.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Prebiotic Shots (Ginger Turmeric): Gut health is so important for athletes and apple cider vinegar is one well-known way to cleanse and rebalance the body. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and unfiltered) is such a well-loved product and has been providing wellness benefits to consumers for more than a century. One of their convenient and very nutritionally functional products is Apple Cider Vinegar Prebiotic Shot which also features turmeric and ginger (and a bit of honey) to help reduce inflammation – which is something I personally manage as an older athlete. Check out the Bragg’s product line up at Bragg.com and save 20% on your order with code BRAGG20

Intensive Foot Repair and Multi-Purpose Nail Repair from Kerasal: If I’m not in running shoes, I’m in flip flops – and sometimes that can be embarrassing due to all my runner foot problems including calluses, dry, cracked heels and toe-nail fungus -ugh. Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair makes my heels (and rough big toe) much more presentable with visible results in just ONE day! It’s an exfoliating moisturizer and callus remover with Salicylic acid that hydrates and moisturizes dry while exfoliating away dead skin. I like to apply it and wear overnight with cotton socks, for best results!

I’ve also been using Kerasal Multi-Purpose Nail Repair to help lessen the “shock and horror” reactions people have when they see my feet and the nail fungus damage.  Many of my toenails have been damaged from running, creating a hospitable environment for fungus, which in turn has also made my nails thick and discolored. The patented formula penetrates through the nail’s surface to help restore a healthy appearance – it can also be used on fingernails! It’s the #1 doctor recommended brand, and initial results can start to be seen in a week (although, expect to treat for 3 to 6 months for best results). Try it out and SAVE with this Kerasal coupon.

ll-In-One and Sensitive Skin Liquid Bandage from New Skin®: If you’ve ever run an obstacle course race or are considering it, TRUST ME, you want to have any minor cuts, scrapes, calluses, blisters, and dry cracked skin you have at the start line protected with the liquid bandages from this brand (because SERIOUSLY, who knows WHAT is in that mud)! Unlike traditional bandages that fall off easily when wet, dislodged from vigorous athletic activities, or just won’t work in an awkward and hard-to-cover areas (like between fingers, knees, or long scrapes). These bandages kill 99.9% of germs by providing a flexible seal that keeps out water, dirt, mud, and harmful bacteria.  The Sensitive New Skin® Liquid Bandage are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, plus the application and removal is pain-free. These are available at Amazon and Walmart

Sugar Face Scrubs from Tree Hut make me feel pampered in my skin care routine – especially after a hard, sweaty workout or race through mud, dirt and rough terrain! Tree Hut uses 100% natural exfoliants to help me buff away all the grime, dead cells and impurities from my skin and pores, and brighten my complexion in the process. Plus, the glycerin-based formula also helps my skin rehydrate and feel fabulous. Tree Hut’s Sugar Face Scrub line is paraben and cruelty free, vegan. They do not contain formaldehyde donors and are made in the USA. The line contains four different scents/formulas (being the watermelon-lover I am, I chose the Watermelon & Cactus Water Sugar Face Scrub first)!

 o Hydrating Watermelon & Cactus Water Sugar Scrub

o Brightening Pineapple & Papaya Face Scrub

o Purifying Blueberry & Turmeric Face Scrub

o Nourishing Banana & Oat Face Scrub

Chomps is not actually a new meat stick brand to me, but one I have loved in the past and was so happy to have again — I’m all about getting enough protein for workout recovery and their 1.15 oz sugar free meat sticks  have 9 to 10g protein each! The products, including Original Beef, Jalapeno Beef, and Original Turkey, are made from the highest-quality, sustainably sourced proteins with no hidden, harmful ingredients. Protein sources are never given hormones or antibiotics and humanely raised. You don’t have to be worried about eating something you don’t want, as Chomps free of added sugar, soy, dairy, and artificial stuff like preservatives, colors, nitrates, binders. Beef is grass-fed and grass-finished and turkey is free-range. If you are Paleo, Keto, have gluten and dairy allergies, or just expect the best – then these meat snacks are for you! I like to keep them stashed in my bag when hitting the gym, a road trip, or just a day of errands so I don’t get hangry and end up eating something lesser to this high-quality brand. Save with code BABBLE20 on chomps.com

How Red Affects Your Exercise Mood plus a High Energy Workout

Color has a major effect on mood, energy, productivity, and focus – these factors all come together to predict the overall tone for your workout! In general terms, blue is calming and serene, a peaceful choice for yoga.  Yellow is upbeat and friendly, the star of group fitness class. And, black is at once no-nonsense, fierce and intimidating – perfect for ninjas and football uniforms alike.  But, what about red and working out?

Red is a powerful and eye-catching color that can literally pump a person up – studies have shown that just looking at the color red can increase heart rate! Read on to find more about how the color red can affect your workout and jump into my Gr8teful Red Workout, which is the high-intensity sweat sesh for aficionados of red. Visit PAGE TWO for more!

MORE Summer Fitness, Fun and Healthy Food Finds! Part 2

Hello official start of summer! Like you, I’ve been home way more than normal for these past few months — and this has had me on high alert for new fitness, healthy living and athlete-oriented food I can order and have delivered to keep me living MY BEST LIFE.

Summer Fitness, Fun and Healthy Food Finds part two - thefitfork.com

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Summer Fitness, Fun and Healthy Food Finds

Oh my, I can’t believe that May is coming to an end — my health and fitness life has been very surreal with this COVID19 situation and quarantining. While more and more of life’s things are making it back on the essential list, most of us are still practicing social distancing, doing as many things as we can (or want to) virtually, and taking life at a slower pace.

Summer Fitness, Fun and Healthy Food Finds part one

Read on to find some of my recent must-haves and Summer Fitness, Fun and Healthy Food Finds. Continue reading