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.

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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Camp Watermelon – Ideas for Fun, Games & Sweet Family Memories!

This post is sponsored by The National Watermelon Promotion Board, but all content, comments, suggestions and enthusiasm remain my own!

This past week, I hung out at the lake with a couple dozen of my nearest and dearest family members for an extended long weekend. It was our annual family reunion but I aptly renamed it “Camp Watermelon 2019” because reflecting over the years, I’ve noticed that there is probably not a single, significant summer memory in my life that has gone by without sharing a watermelon with loved ones.Family watermelon fun at the lake this summer

Yup, watermelon creates more than happy bellies and sticky, sweet chins . . . watermelon is woven, sometimes subtly and sometimes boldly, right into the fabric of my very being and perhaps yours, too. This summer, I decided to kick up the watermelon fun at our reunion for guaranteed memories (and laughs) . . . read on to discover what we did at Camp Watermelon and get some fun watermelon ideas for yourself! Continue reading

Yoga Poses for a Strong Core

Whether long-time yogi or yoga newbie, those taking to their mats understand (or quickly discover) that building a strong core is essential to growing in and mastering many poses while staying safe in the process.Yoga Poses for a Strong Core. Back and Abs

The more strength in your core, both stomach and back muscles, reduces the amount of energy expended for simple movements and increases the amount of energy available for bigger physical challenges. Plus, a strong core offers protection from fatigue, poor posture and lower back injuries. Read on to learn more and find out six of my favorite yoga poses for a strong core. Continue reading

Six Amazing Female Athletes over 55

This post is sponsored by adidas, however, all comments, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own.

Age is just a number,” may sound like a cliché quote on accepting the inevitability of growing older, but I actually very much believe in the words. As a lifelong running and fitness aficionado, I have always been inspired by those other athletes pushing the limits of physical and mental toughness in the peer groups ahead of me. As a young kid, I looked up to the teenage Olympic gymnasts, as a mid-20s marathoner, it admired the amazingly fast endurance athletes well into their 30s – which at the time, seemed so old! woman push up workout adidas

Now that I am over 50 myself, I am still inspired by the generations of ahead of me – those women who are still whole-heartedly pursuing their fitness passions (and excelling) well into their fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond. Read on to discover the Six Amazing Female Athletes over 55 who continue to inspire me day after day!

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