10 Personal Care & Race Day Logistic Tips for Spartan Women   

Save 205 on spartan race code: UBST24-TK88D27

Sure, there are bigger hurdles to jump (literally!!!) in a Spartan race than deciding what to wear, how to keep your hair tangle-free, if you will be able to find a porta-potty when nature calls, and so on!  But, some of us who are considering running a Spartan race for the first time can be overwhelmed by these little unknowns and this anxiety can keep even the most prepared, fitness-savvy person from hitting the “Commit” button. In my first Spartan race years ago, I had no idea what to expect (outside of studying the obstacles) and the imagined possibility of all the little things outside of running and obstacles that could go wrong made me uncomfortable. Ahh, what I wish I knew then that I know now!

TheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z

I hope these Spartan questions I’ve been asked by various women answered based on my own personal obstacle course racing experience and insights helps calm any pre-race jitters. Feel free to leave a comment if you need another question answered in addition to these Spartan personal care tips race day logistics.

TIP 1: How do I Keep My Hair Untangled? Braid your hair flat to head, if possible, so that it does not tangle or snag on any obstacles, tree branches or brush. I’ve had my hair get tangled in the barbed wire crawl and a judge had to come cut me free (no joke)!  Use bobby pins, a beanie hat (if cold) or your Spartan headband to help keep shorter hairs from turning into distracting flyaways. Some ladies sporting Spartan braids even swear by a little Vaseline or styling crème rubbed vary lightly over the braid to help comb out sweaty, wet strands afterwards without breakage.

TheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z

 TIP 2: Does My Bra Style Matter? What bra to wear at a Spartan race of course depends on the fitness style that supports your body type, whether a curvy or more athletic silhouette.  Consider how front closures will feel and possible rub you the wrong way while carrying heavy loads at the chest or climbing walls. Also, for bras with thick padded inserts, take those out on cold days. They will sop up water like a sponge in obstacles like dunk wall, rolling mud, and creek crossings and others – this will feel pretty gross later on the run and also keep you from warming up back up if it’s a chilly day. On hot days however, the reverse holds true, they can be interestingly cooling and also act as a cushion on impact when hoisting yourself over walls and such.

TIP 3: How do I Keep from Chaffing? Ain’t nobody have time for chaffing. Skin rubbed raw from friction is the worst and can stop you in your tracks in painful discomfort during the race . . .. and then have you shrieking in the shower later that night. Plus, chaffing isn’t just for thighs . . . it can get you anywhere you have skin-on-skin, skin-on-fabric, or even skin on obstacle rubbing together. Butt cheeks, boobs, armpits, and use your imagination to come up with more potentially horrific chaffing situations. Sweating and being wet only make it worse, and these are two things that have a pretty high chance of happening to you in a Spartan race. Lessen your chances of chaffing by choosing technical performance wear that dries quickly and has flat or no seams – the Spartan Shop always has great stuff. Also, use an anti-chafe balm and, if you run without a bra (no judgement), maybe some nipple guards.

Should I Wear Make Up & Sunscreen? My personal opinion is you don’t need makeup for a Spartan race, unless you’re donning warrior paint!  You make be thinking, but WAIT, what about my lashes and in that case, I get it! Make your eyes pop for those free Spartan race pics with a little Sports Mascara that is water-proof, sweat-proof, smudge-proof and budge-proof. Also, don’t forget SUNSCREEN, you’ll want to apply before the race (even if it’s cloudy) and then again afterward if you’re staying to enjoy the Spartan race festival.

The secure, locked lockers (for fee) are mobile and look something like this truck. There is also a free gear check manned by volunteers.

Is There a Place to Check my Bag? One of the first things I check on before my first Spartan race, was . . is there a bag check? I mean, I have a lot of stuff to bring including pre-race snacks, dry clothes, a hat, a brush and sunscreen – and also a place to stash my jacket, sunglasses, and phone while racing.  YES, there is a complimentary Bag Drop that is included with your registration. Upon entering this zone in the festival area, you check in with volunteers who hand you a numbered wristband and matching bag band and hook. . then you walk into the area, use the hook to hang your bag, and then exit to the start corrals. When picking up your bag, a volunteer will check your wrist band to ensure that it matches your bag band. If you’d like a more secure place to stash your stuff, there are typically “for pay” lockers available run by a vendor. By the way, I like to use a Dry Bag in case it starts to rain while I’m out on the course, the free bag drop is in an open place and will get wet. Sometimes, if it’s raining or misting from the get-go, I’ve seen volunteers pass out a plastic bag to put your backpack or duffle in – but I wouldn’t count on that.

What about Pre-race Nutrition? I don’t know who needs to hear this, but many women I know tend to under fuel before a race. I suggest making your lunch the day before the bigger “carb loading” meal and eat a lighter (but adequate meal) meal the night before so that it doesn’t interfere with sleeping or make you feel bloated and heavy. Also, cut back on the fiber. If you are a salad girl, chia pudding person, or otherwise eat your daily recommended value of fiber or more. . do that earlier in the week, not leading right up to the race. Fiber makes things move quickly through the digestive system and you don’t want “that’ happening on the course.  IF you are looking for specific products to help your race performance and recovery, check out Spartan Nutrition.

TheFItFork.com SPARTAN PORTA POTTIES TTheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z
So many porta potties, and no line! Thank you Spartan Race! Little things that make our day!

What if I need to Use the Restroom? Speaking of “that” happening on the course, visit the prolific village of porta-potties in the race festival area. Spartan does a good job of having plenty of portable toilets to use before and after the race. Even if you don’t’ think you need to visit one before the race, do it anyway. This may be a mute suggestion as chances are pre-race jitters will have you there a couple times anyway!  Thankfully these days, there ARE some porta potties on the course for use . . . .typically at the couple of water stations on the course that are manned by volunteers. Just hop in one of those and keep it quick, the clock is ticking. Although, probably not the corporate Spartan message, there are always the bushes. If you’re not a squatter, carry along a disposable female urination device to stand and pee (why should guy’s only have this superpower?).

How do I Handle “That Time of Month”?: As a female athlete, dealing with the various stages of the menstrual cycle (and the unpredictability) and training or competing annoying. WHY must periods arrive on race day, and even worse and more worrisome if the situation is in full force. Even racing and PMS symptoms aren’t so fun. So, as mentioned earlier, there ARE a few porta-potties on the race course. They are not as huge in number as you mind find in a major marathon, but they are still there thank goodness (back in the day, Spartan had none!). You can carry your your supplies in a zip-top plastic bag that’s tucked in a race belt, hydration vest, or even shoved in your sports bra. Ensure the baggie seal is tight, because there will be water obstacles and a Spartan is expected to traverse all obstacles with every single item, they brought on the race course.

SPARTAN COLD WASH AREA. TheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z
There is a “cold wash” area and it’s named that for good reason! But such a relief to get clean(er) before a long road trip home!

Is There a Place to Clean Up After Finishing? You’re going to get dirty in a Spartan race. If you haven’t been face down doing burpees in the mud, you’ve at least dunked in a murky water pit and crawled around on the ground. There is typically a “Cold Wash” area in the finish line area where you can spray down with hoses to get the dirt and debris off. Mind you the water is cold, the area is unisex, and soaps and shampoos are not allowed. It’s water only. There is also a separate Men’s and Women’s Changing Tent where you can use sports wipe you’ve brought along to finish sprucing up before you change into dry clothes. Have fun getting that wet sports bra off, haha!

Save 205 on spartan race code: UBST24-TK88D27
FREE SPARTAN RACE DAY PHOTOS TheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z

I’m Racing Solo, who will take my photo? Lol, we get it!! An epic post-race photo is a forever souvenir that you achieved a huge accomplishment – plus, it’s fun to share on social media. If you brought your photo to the race (carry in a waterproof arm case) or festival area, ask any fellow Spartan to snap a quick pick of you . . . the Spartan community is amazing and will be more than happy to help (unless they are in the middle of burpees or something). Also, with your registration you will receive FREE Spartan race photos that you can download from your Spartan Race account about 3 to 7 days after the race. These are super cool action shots of you on the race course, crushing obstacles. Make sure the race number on your Spartan headband is being worn properly and facing forward to ensure that you are tagged.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Save 20% on US Spartan races, and most apparel, gear & nutrition at spartan.com code: UBST24-TK88D27

TheFitFork.com - There are enough obstacles on a Spartan Race course. Don’t let the fear of unknow race day logistics and personal care keep you from committing to conquering a race. These tips for women only will calm your jitters so that you can enjoy your best day ever. Save 20% on US Spartan races; and most apparel, gear and nutrition  (some exclusions) at spartan.com code: SAP-718613Z
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Burger Tips, Hints & Hacks for Summer Grill Outs

When blessed with warm weather and three-day weekends, we grill burgers . . .I only wish there were more of the latter!  So, it’s no surprise that this Memorial Day, I will be rounding the family and some dear friends to partake in the worship of sunshine and flame-kissed, juicy burgers with all of the fixings.

Hamburger Party and Burger Bar Ideas

In honor of National Hamburger Month which occurs every May, I put together a tutorial on How to Make a Better Burger Bar for Beef Loving Texans (please check it out)!  I touch on the meat of that post here and add some new burger hacks and helpful hints here to take your burgerlicious summer cookout to the next level.

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Eat Clean and Win Dinner without Breaking Sweat + giveaway  

Cooking is my thaaaaang! I’ve been going hard in the kitchen since 4rd grade, teaching myself how to make everything from buttery cinnamon muffins to tater tot casserole. Flash forward four decades and I’m still in full meal-making beast mode nearly every day. Although, this time as it all goes down a little “healthier” thanks to my role as a clean-eating cooking coach, corporate recipe developer and personal chef (haha) to my family with three teenage boys. Jennifer of The Fit Fork at Snap Kitchen

But sometimes this hardworking mama needs a break and that’s where Snap Kitchen saves the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time.  I can count on this convenient healthy meal shop to cure my hangries while keeping me on track with nutritious foods to fuel my running, workouts and active lifestyle. Read on to find out how you can make eating clean at every meal easy thanks to Snap Kitchen. Plus, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips for eating clean and having a giveaway for a $25 Visa Card so you can get your mouth on some of these meals yourself.

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Let’s Lunch! Smart Meal Prep Tips & Recipes #ReynoldsHeatandEat

Lunch, you gotta eat it no matter where you are – home, work, school, errands, gym, airplane. The issues getting in the way of my healthy lunch life are meeting up with friends who don’t have the same concerns about eating “food for function” as I do, finishing a workout that went well past noon and being so hangry that I could eat the entire Shake Shack on my way home, or being stuck on travel and having the only option be airport food. Note – I have a $25 Gift Card Giveaway at bottom of post. 

Lunch Meal Prep

However, I’ve found that with a little bit of front in effort I can prep my lunches in nice little containers for the week on Sunday – the payoff is obviously a healthier meal with ingredients approved by me, less crazy mornings gathering my grub up, and saving money – yes, saving money is good! It means I can pay all the high dollar fees for getting to and entering the races I love doing.

Meal Prepping Tips & Recipes for Lunch!

These are some basic tips that I use every week when putting together my meals and packing them up in to-go containers . If you’re a pro meal prepper, these tips may sound simple. But, if you’re new to the game of big batch cooking and assembly line prep, these useful ideas will help you get started!

Prep your protein.  The slow cooker and grill are my two go-to ways to prepare large batches of beef, chicken and pork for lunches (and dinners) through the week.   On Sunday morning, it’s so easy to stick huge roast or brisket in the Crock Pot and then walk away to enjoy the day. I use darn-big slow cooker (8-qt) so that I can make the most meat possible and have even been known to have two going at the same time! For the grill, Costco-sized trays of chicken or steaks not only are more economical to buy, but will hook you up for the entire week or month – depending on your family size. For fish, fill a rimmed, oiled baking sheet with your favorite filets or one huge piece of salmon and bake in the oven ‘til done!

Get your whole grains, beans & legumes going.  Brown rice, quinoa, and ancient grains hold up really well to making ahead of time and reheating later. Often, I find that pasta gets mushy during its second showing- not always though, whole wheat pasta holds up pretty well.  Use a large stock pot or rice cooker to get the job done efficiently – mine has a 20 quart capacity!   Another benefit of cooking a week’s worth of grains at once, less mess to clean up.

Switch up the sauces & mix-ins.  Often eating meal-prepped lunches can seem monotonous, choking down the same bland thing day after day. However, adding a small serving of sauce or handful of mix-ins is an easy way to transform the same old lunchbox staples into a wider range of flavorful meals – try pestos, Asian-inspired sauces, marinaras, salsas and so on! Even some fresh, no preservative salad dressings make a good option on hot and cold dishes. As for mix-ins, the little “extras” I rotate through include nuts, seeds, cheeses and dried fruits.

Use the right container.  If taking a salad for work, a large mason jar can be layered with ingredients. Keep the dressing on the bottom and delicate ingredients up higher, leaving a little headroom at the top so that you can shake it up right before eating.  I also like to take my soup in a mason jar, placing a layer of plastic wrap over the opening and under the lid to both help prevent leaking during transport and to serve as a splatter guard when reheating in the microwave – you don’t want to put that metal lid in there!  Hot meals can be reheated in a variety of containers, but I am partial to the Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat containers  (more deets below)– they hold a generous portion, are a great alternative to plastic and can be tossed in the trash so no messy containers to take home.  Store small portions of dressings, nuts, and cheese in baby mason jars, cleaned baby food jars, small plastic containers or snack-sized zip-bags.

Know your food safety rules.  When meal prepping for a week of lunches, remember most pre-cooked proteins and grains will only stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days in the fridge—I prep for Monday through Thursday and then do actually treat myself to lunch out on Friday! You can also prep your “plated” meal, or bigger bags of “ingredients” for assembly later, cool and place into appropriate freezer-storage containers – in the freezer, you can keep the quality for about 6 months.   I refer to this handbook of food storage safety tips from Real Simple magazine often.  If you can’t keep your lunch in the fridge at work, make sure you’re using icepacks than keep your food chilled until chow time.

Reynolds Heat and EAt disposable containers

As I mentioned, I am digging these Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat containers (I purchased mine at Walmart on the food storage aisle where you find foil, plastic bag, wax paper, etc.).  Available in two sizes, these toss-away lunch tubs are a great alternative to plastic and are made with plant fibers.  The clear lids allow you to see what you’re grabbing from the fridge, but need to be set aside during the reheating process. Reynolds Heat & Eat disposable container at Walmart

Reynolds Heat & Eat disposable ContainersCheck these out for yourself by picking up a pack of new Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat Containers at your local Walmart – found on the food storage aisle. They are very reasonably priced and you can even save an additional $1.00 on one pack of Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat containers with this coupon.

Here are some recipes to get you going:

roasted-tomatoes-in-turmeric-sauce“Go for the Gold” Turmeric Hummus  can be tossed with pasta or zucchini noodles for a healthy option to a creamy sauce – another perk is that there is also added protein.

 

 

Beef Blue Cheese Date Jar Salad is full of protein and Iron Super Iron Boosting Beef, Blue Cheese and Date Salad relies on pre-prepped sliced steak from the freezer (or freshly cooked) and layers up nicely in a jar for on-the-go lunching. I’ve even eaten this one in the car!

 

Maple Pecan Raisin Butternut Squash Quinoa - thefitfork.comMaple Pecan Butternut Quinoa is a delicious fall-inspired salad that can be taken to work or school and eaten warm or cold.  Here’s a little tip, double up when cooking the quinoa for this recipe and bag the rest in the freezer for easy dinners later.

 

Shrimp & Sugar Snap Pea SAlad with Lemon Gremolata easily packs into a lunchbox served cold.Shrimp & Snap Pea Pasta with Lemon Gremolata – This is another dish that is just as good cold as hot. If meal prepping for lunch, I always leave the delicate veggies raw so that when I reheat, they don’t become mushy!

 

 

 

 

15 minute Beef & Veggie Fried RiceBeef & Veggie Fried Rice: I typically use sirloin or flat iron steads for this one, but prepping to eat several days in a row, I will swap up the meats with chicken, shrimp or just simply extra scrambled eggs for protein variety.

 

Don’t forget to GET YOUR $1 OFF COUPON for Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat containers!

walmart-25-giveawayEnter giveaway for a change to win a $25 Walmart Gift Card so you can try Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat containers yourself! Ends 10/20/2016 at Midnight CT.

Enter via Rafflecopter app below:

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Winter Workouts – 40 Fitness Hacks for the Holidays

40 Fitness Hacks for the HolidaysRaise your hand if you love the holiday season as much as me!  Now, raise the other hand and jump up and then down to the ground in a burpee – yay, now we’re exercising! Between parties, shopping, baking and volunteering, I sometimes find my self fa-la-la-ing too much and forgetting about my normally-scheduled sweat sessions. Well, I never really “forget” to run or workout, rather I just just can’t figure out how to fit a fitness session into the whirlwind of winter celebrations. Even sneaking in a quick run can be unpredictable when the weather won’t cooperate, traveling is on the agenda, or you’re hosting overnight holiday company.

But, I’ve found that just doing ANYTHING is SOMETHING – fit in a holiday fitness hack wherever you can!  As a firm believer that “all the little things” add up, I’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of exercises you can sneak in when life gets busy. Don’t worry about getting side-glances doing some of the crazy-sounding moves in public — soon you’ll be get getting ALL the attention with your super fit New Year’s body. By the way, I originally came up with these 40 Holiday Fitness Hacks for Core Power High Protein Shakes — an excellent way to power up with 20 – 26g of protein and keep your belly from shaking like jelly!

At home:

  • Wrapping Paper Roll High Knee: Lay out a series wrapping paper rolls on the ground about 2 feet apart. Quickly move laterally, pulling knees up to waist while moving between rolls with each step.
  • Rake Yard: Work up a sweat rounding up all those fallen fall leaves – offer to do the neighbor’s yard, too!
  • Shovel Snow: No leaves left, but have snow? Clear a path for company with this heart-pumping chore!
  • Front Box Carry: Take that heavy box of holiday decorations and hold it at your chest. Walk down the longest hall in your house and back.
  • Ladder Side Plank Dips: After putting up holiday lights, use lower rungs of ladder for a challenging side plank. Rest feet on a rung that is even with your hips and dip down and back up to a side plank.
  • Kitchen Squat Jumps: Take a break from slicing and dicing with a few sets of squat jumps. Put your knife down, lower into a squat and jump upward explosively; repeat.
  • Bar Stool Pistols: Stand side-by-side to bar stool and lower down into a pistol using bar stool for balance; repeat on opposite leg.
  • Yoga Tree Pose: Stop and admire your holiday tree with a classic yoga pose that will challenge and improve your balance. Stand with feet together; bend one leg up at the knee, resting foot anywhere between knee and crotch. Extend arms upward or to sides for balance. Hold until failure and repeat on opposite side.
  • Ab Rolling Pin Roll Outs: While on knees, use rolling pin to extend forward while keeping core engaged; roll back up and repeat. This is proof abs ARE made in the kitchen!
  • Commercial Break Cardio: When watching holiday classics with the kids, get everyone moving with jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers or other heart-pumping exercises until the show comes back on. No fast-forwarding with the DVR!

 

In a hotel:

  • Ice Bucket Goblet Squats: Fill ice bucket up to give more weight and hold at chest while dropping down into squats; repeat.
  • Towel Hop: Lay out a series of hand towels 5 or 6 feet apart in a line and use them as your target for standing long jumps.
  • Bed Decline Push-ups: Put feet up on bed and lower down into push-ups; repeat.’
  • Wall Sit: Find an uncluttered wall and slide back down wall until thighs parallel with ground and knees bent at 90 degree angle. Hold as long as you can.
  • Burpees: Knock out as many traditional burpees as you can before hotel room guests below start complaining.
  • Water Bottle Tricep Extension: Grab that one-liter water bottle by the mini bar and get after one-arm tricep extensions. Hold bottle overhead and bending backward at the elbow. A liter only weighs about 2.25 lbs. so ramp up your reps.
  • Bed Bridge: In a room with two beds, see how long you can hold a plank with feet on one bed, arms on the other.
  • Hallway Handstands: Practice handstands in the small hallway inside the hotel room. Kick up to a handstand and balance against the door, or place a folded towel on the ground for headstand modification.
  • Luggage Sumo High Pull: Grab a duffel or small carry-on at the handle with both hands and pull to chin moving elbows upward; lower and repeat.
  • Polar Bear Swim: Head to the hotel pool and knock out a few laps! If not heated, you’ll be motivated to swim fast!

At the mall:

  • Mall Walk: Not just for seniors, you can rack up extra daily steps by taking a couple bonus laps around the stores.
  • Stair Climb: Always choose the stairs over the escalator or elevator – it’s less crowded too!
  • Fitting Room Stretch: Loosen up before sliding into those new skinny jeans with toe touches, windmills and arms-behind-back stretching.
  • Food Court Booty Squeezes: No one will be the wiser if you are flexing and relaxing your glutes repeatedly with this isometric exercise.
  • Park in the Boonies: Leave your car in the furthest away spot from the mall entrance.
  • Shopping Sherpa: Volunteer to carry the entire family’s load of purchases. Distribute weight in bags evenly between both arms for a farmer’s carry type workout.
  • Bench Hops: Find and empty, backless bench and grab sides firmly with both hands. Starting with feet together on one side, jump legs and torso to clear bench and land on the opposing side, with hands staying in place; repeat to other side.
  • Santa Line Lunges: While waiting in the long line to see St. Nick, take every step forward with a lunge. Repeat as the line permits.
  • Ice Skate: Most malls put up rinks during the holiday season, take advantage of the fun and burn around 362 calories per hour.
  • Grand Total Jumping Jacks: When back in the parking lot, tally up your receipts and bust out the same number of jumping jacks. For example, $250 spent means 250 jumping jacks – you’ll warm up as a bonus!

At the market:

  • Top Shelf Calf Raises: Extend up onto your tip-toes for 10 to 20 reps as if reaching to grab a can from the top shelf.  
  • Lower Shelf Squats: Rather than bending over to get an item squat and hold for 15 seconds; repeat.
  • Cart Rows: Hold handle bar of shopping cart with both arms extended and legs shoulder. Pull cart toward you and then push away, without letting go of handle. Fill cart with big bags of dog food for an extra challenge!
  • Milk Jug Side Bends: With legs shoulder-width apart, hold milk jug by handle, hanging arm downward at side. Bend torso at side; return upright and repeat on opposing side.
  • Freezer Aisle Agility: Park cart at one end and run high knees to last freezer door. Stop, do a tuck jump, get anything you need from the freezer and side skip back to cart.
  • Shopper Wood Choppers: Grab heavier items for your holiday recipes (like 5lb. bag of sugar) and set on ground near feet. Pick up with both hands and rotate upward with arms overhead; repeat 10 to 20 times before putting in your cart.
  • Line-Wait Leg Circles: While waiting in line to check out, lift one leg about 8-inches off ground. Keep leg straight, point toe and rotate around in small, imaginary circles.
  • Chest Opener Stretch: Also good while waiting in line, stand with back straight and shoulders pulled back. Reach behind and clasp both hands together while bringing hands up towards head as far as possible. Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Bag It Bicep Curls: Bag your groceries and then hold by handles and knock out a few bicep curls on each side.
  • Homeward-Bound Quad Pulses: While driving home in car, pulse your quads alternating left and right for the duration of each stop light.

Jingle Bell 5k AUstin 2015

I woke up early this weekend to run in the Jingle Bell Dash 5k with a friend. Done by 9 am and still out and about, I was able to tackle last minute holiday shopping!

How are you sneaking in fitness this holiday season? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer