Every morning, a have three predictable thoughts – 1) where is the coffee, 2) how am I going to move more today, and 3) how am I going to sleep more tonight. Bet most of you don’t need any help finding your java jolt, but maybe you also think about making gains in your fitness and sleep routines! Here are two fitness products I recently tried that have been encouraging me to move more and sleep more  — check it out how to optimize your workout and rest time!

MOVE MORE: I love activity and fitness trackers to motivate me through the day. Experts recommend getting in 10,000 steps a day or moving for 30 to 60 minutes – it doesn’t have to be all in one session, all your little movements add up! While I typically move enough, it’s interesting to analyze the data to see where I can make improvements – either to kick it up an notch, or allow myself to wind down and take it easy.

The REM-FIT ACTIVE 200 SLEEP & ACTIVITY TRACKER  is an affordable activity tracker that reports steps, distance covered, calories burned, overall activity and sleep attained and a 360 Life Sore. I’ve found, the battery only needs to be recharged about every 7 days and, while it can’t be worn swimming or in the show, the tracker is splash proof.  Data is accessible via an app for iPhone or Android.

One of the things I really like about this Rem-Fit tracker is the comfort and security of the band – the band is much more comfortable than most brands I’ve tried and I appreciate that there is a little loop catch along with the snap closure that helps keep it on the wrist if the band comes undone. I say this because, errr, I have one tracker that I has dropped off my wrist so many times and then finally to never be seen again. And, this may seem silly (but it’s serious for the fitness fashionista) – you can order a rainbow assortment of band colors to swap out to match your team uniform or daily gym style.

SLEEP MORE: Okay, never again am I buying the cheapie pillows from Target or Walmart – as an athlete and busy mom, my sleep time is too precious to be squandered on an uncomfortable, unsupportive and unhealthy pillow. In the past, my lackluster solution to staying comfortable through the night was a huge nest of pillows in a complicated arrangement. My pillow situation, well, sucked and the lack of sleep was making me crazy not to mention keeping my body from properly recovering and repairing muscle from the day’s workout.

I used to feel this way!

So, if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, then I’m guilty of being a little nuts – or, at least a few hours short of a full snooze. I changed my mattress situation and that helped, but still . . . the pillows. Some of them have been around for years anyway, so time to break free and CHANGE for the better.

Enter the REM-Fit 300 series pillow. Yeah, it’s more than five bucks, but so worth it.  This pillow helps regulate body temperature during sleep and protects against allergens and dust mites. It also actually adjusts to my preferred sleeping style (which is left side) but also is perfect for back and stomach sleepers. Also, the fibers used to make the pillow provide a 4-way stretch which contours to my specific needs while providing a full range of motion. So glad I bit the bullet and made this pillow part of my overall sleep training plan. Don’t laugh, quality sleep may be just as important as an actual workout – muscles recover and stress stays low (did you know an increase in the stress hormone Cortisol can actually lead to injury?). The REM-Fit 300 series pillow and other pillows in the REM-Fit REST Collection would make a great holiday gift for the fitness fan in your life.

What are you doing to move more and sleep more this holiday season? Or, just feel free to share about coffee in the comments below! XOXO – Jennifer