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

Soccer Strong Workout, Injury Prevention + Giveaway

Fear Nothing. Give Everything.  I love this attitude of Storelli Sports, a really awesome company that makes next-gen sports protection gear for professional and amateur athletes.

TheFitFork.com SoccerThis company’s main market is soccer; you know how crazy those soccer players get – I’m being serious! Bodies crashing into each other, dives onto the turf, abrupt lateral movements, unwanted head-to-head, body-to-goal or ground contact and more.   I’ve got a kiddo who plays soccer (or you may call it football) – he also is into the rough and tumble sports of lacrosse and American football. So, it’s safe to say that sports injury prevention is always on my mind.

Storelli Next Generation Soccer Injury Prevention Gear

All this thrashing about on the soccer field sort of sounds like a day spent doing Spartan or another obstacle course race – and I’m thinking that some of their products may help me give 110% at my next race with  less worry of bumps, bruises, cuts, contusions and concussions. Yeah, that’s right I said concussion – the perfect reason to wear the Storelli ExoShield Head Guard, a comfortable and stylish soccer head guard that reduces incidence of cuts and bruises on covered areas . . . and may help lessen risk for concussion.

goose egg advilPlease note that there is no conclusive evidence on the concussion reduction, but I say “better safe than sorry,” seeing as I have given myself a concussion RUNNING (it was an epic fall) and also at the last Spartan Beast I slid through the mud and into a tree limb for a beauty of a  goose egg (and thankfully nothing worse).

Honestly, the Storelli ExoShield Head Guard (below) is so comfortable and weighs only about 8 ounces; you’ll quickly forget you’re armored up!

Storelli Soccer Head GuardStorelli Soccer Injury Prevention Gear

The BodyShield FP Sleeveless Undershirt makes you look like an intimidator showing off those guns and also offers innovative technology to help control long passes with the chest, along with protection on the ribs, to reduce the impact caused by physical clashes with opponents.  You may like this armor for trapping hard shots and reducing rebounds, I’m making sure my son wears this to every match. And then, I’m going to steal it out of his gym bag on race day to really help protect my chest and ribs as I hurl myself up onto some of the 10 foot walls on an obstacle course race or army crawl my body over craggy rocks.

Here is a great video rundown on how Storelli Soccer Gear can help you if you play a field position (also a video for goalie).

Did you know 50 percent of soccer players miss at least one game a year because of injury?  Wow, that’s half of the players out there, don’t let it be you — #InjuriesSuck .  Head over to Storelli Sports and check out their next generation soccer protection gear – right now you can get $10 off a purchase when you sign-up for the Storelli newsletter.

I also have a Soccer Strong Workout that will help keep you in tip-top shape for a healthy and productive season.

soccer strong workout

Do you or your kids play soccer”? Have you ever been sidelined with an injury in any sport? What preventative measures do you take to stay injury-free? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

4 Ways Sports Injuries Build Better Athletes

I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by the maker of Advil® PM and I received financial compensation and a free sample of Advil® PM caplets. All opinions expressed are my own.Now one wants to get hurt, but find out how  sports injuries can help build better athletes.

I’ve never met anyone who enjoys being physically injured, and the insult of having your body kick you to the bench seems even more painful (at least mentally) to athletes. So, in no way am I endorsing injuries as a way to be a better athlete – for heaven’s sake, take care of yourself!  But, if a physical issue, (biomechanical, accident or otherwise) does come your way, I’m here to tell you that you can use the setback to your advantage.

I’ve sustained my fair share of injuries over the years through running, CrossFit, gymnastics, yoga, working out and enjoying an overall active lifestyle – everything from concussion, stress fractures and bone contusions to cuts that required stiches, oozing road burn, ripped palms, a multitude of pulled muscles, sprained ankles, wrists and ribs and more. Thankfully, nothing of a very serious nature and that a little Advil® PM couldn’t help me though!

Getting a good night's rest is important to recovering from minor sports injuries.

“No, no! I don’t need to go to the hospital!” Uh, I’ve said that before . . . .

However, I believe the time spent sitting on the proverbial sidelines can help an athlete heal both physically and mentally, especially if the right mindset is kept. Think of your injury as a way to embrace these four factors that will ultimately help you mend on the inside and out – remember that tough times don’t last, but tough people do!

4 Ways Sports Injuries Build Better Athletes

Box jumps gone bad - careless form leads to injury.

Box jumps gone bad – careless form leads to injury.

Confronts Problem:  Some injuries are complete and total fluke accidents. However, the majority of problems caused by exercise are driven by careless, reckless or single-minded behavior – even ignorance and denial are reasons people hurt themselves in sports over and over. Admit it, you know a guy who jacks his back in the gym every month.  Whether you are piling on miles with terrible running form, are an adrenaline junkie who puts thrill before skill, or just unlucky enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,  getting injured forces you to look at the issue rationally and figure out ways to rehabilitate and keep it from happening again. Or, so I hope!

Even if a sports injury is minor, it's a good idea to take it easy for a few days.

Taking some rest is a good thing!

Forces Rest: As much as a go-go-go, type-A personality athlete might feel like he or she is withering away physically and emotionally when slowed down by injury, the forced rest is actually quite beneficial – muscles actually get stronger during the recovery phase of a workout, not during the actual effort! There is some time that you don’t have to use it, before you lose it. Take this as a not-so-subtle hint to sleep in, move slower and focus on nutrition.  It will take at least a couple weeks for strength athletes to notice any signs of muscle atrophy and, in the same vein, endurance athletes shouldn’t expect to lose any significant VO2 max during the same period of break. However, if an injury is more serious, you will want to work with your doctor of physical therapist to develop an alternative training plan that will keep you at an agreeable baseline of fitness – so that when you’re able to jump back in, you’re not starting from square one.

Dislike turned to love while recovering from an injury.

Dislike turned to love while recovering from an injury.

Expands Horizons: When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade! Finding an alternative form of exercise to keep fit through an injury may just introduce you to the newest passion in your life – an experience never fully realized had it not been for the initially unwelcomed introduction. For example, runners may find they love swimming, weight-lifters may find they love sculling, tennis players may take to yoga and, heck, who doesn’t want an excuse to play golf all day long?! Even if you can’t wait to get back to your first true love, the change of pace will do your mind and body good!

Staying focused on the end goal despite obstacles.Tests and Strengthens Resolve:  A sports injury can really put a person’s resolve to the test, especially when it comes to staying on course. This ability to stay focused, determined and put a plan into action is a testament to the strength or weakness of your resolve – or, another way to say it, it’s the “steering mechanism” that drives you to a desired outcome. Will you crash and burn, stall out and give up, or keep after it until you reach the finish line? Playing the victim (or poor me), blaming, making excuses and complaining when it comes to dealing with an injury just weakens your resolve and lessens the likelihood of you ever achieving the athletic goals you first imagined.  Once you are healed, being fearful and dwelling in the past will likely also keep you from that personal victory. Just keep looking forward, staying positive and celebrating your milestone achievements on the road to health and recovery.

Whether you are an everyday athlete or an elite superstar, managing the pain and the restlessness that often comes with being sidelined due to injury can be lessened with Advil® PM. I’ve used this safe and effective over-the-counter pain reliever and non-habit forming sleep aid with great results to treat the aches, pains and minor injuries I’ve dealt with running and working out over the last 25 years. It’s always so hard to sleep when your muscles are trashed from a marathon, or that headache from a day in the sun won’t go away —Advil® PM to the nighttime rescue!

Of course, before taking Advil® PM, you’ll want to consult with your physician to make sure this product is right for you. You can visit AdvilPM.com for more information and a coupon!

Have you had a sports-related injury?  What happened and how did you get through it? Please share in the comments below. XOXO – Jennifer