Immunity Boosting Yoga Poses and Vitamins #AirborneHealth

This post is sponsored by Airborne®. I have been compensated with free product but the opinions are mine.

You may already be familiar with Airborne®, it’s the brain child of an inventive teacher who was looking for a way to support her immune system.  She worked in collaboration with nutrition experts and herbalists to develop  an immune system supplement that has become very popular with all types of people in all types of situations.

Airborne Everyday Gummy Vitamins - thefitfork.com

 

Well, I was super excited to find out that Airborne recently launched a new product called Airborne® Everyday Immune Support Plus Multivitamin , a new product that is designed to provide immune support 365 days a year. This Multi Vitamin gives you everything you’d expect in a quality, comprehensive multi-vitamin plus the perks of our Airborne proprietary blend of immune support. These vitamin supplements come in three forms – chewable, easy-to-swallow pills and delicious gummies.  I’m a fan of the assorted fruit-flavored gummies – who doesn’t want to take a tasty gummy in the name of health?!  I’m giving away three bottles of the gummy variety – just enter at the bottom of the post.

airborne everyday

As an athlete and busy mom, I’m always looking for a way to support my immune system.  A poor diet, lack of sleep, stress and even over-training are just some of the strains on your immune system.  Training too little isn’t great for performance nor is training too much – I always found the latter ironic! But it’s a good reason to slow down and take care of yourself!  One way I take care of myself is by taking Airborne® Everyday Immune Support Plus Multivitamins – I get all the daily vitamins I need to supplement my diet along with a little immune system support.

I also think yoga is a great way to relieve stress and thus boost immunity – many of the poses open up the heart and stimulate other organs in a way that can benefit your immune system.  Here is a routine of 6 yoga poses you can do to relax and improve your immunity and overall health in the process. Now, I’m not an expert yogi by any means, just a runner and busy mom who likes to use yoga as a resource in her tool kit for healthy living – so if you see a tight-looking hamstrings or a stiff back, I’m still a work in progress!  And, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor or a fitness professional before starting a new workout routine.

Six Yoga Poses to Boost Immunity - TheFitFork.com

Half Wheel Pose – Push hips up as far as possible.
Headstand –Both tripod or forearm balance works. Hold for no more than 10 breaths.
Headstand  Modification – Try this variation if you are still learning the headstand.
Camel – Use yoga blocks if too difficult to reach hands to floor or heels.
Plow – Roll back as far as possible. If toes won’t touch floor, rest them on block or chair.
Child – Relax!  I like to turn head to each side for several breaths.

To enter giveaway for three bottles of Airborne® Everyday Immune Support Plus Multivitamins, please use the rafflecopter app below:

How do you relieve stress and stay well during your busiest days of the week?

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How Stress Affects Running and Workouts plus Mood-Boosting WOD

Stress Relief and Exercise - TheFitFork.com

Regardless of your life stage or what precautions you take, stress can pile up with an assortment of family, work, school, health and money issues.  That’s just life. Over the years, I’ve managed my stress through running, working out and, more recently, yoga. Exercise helps me take my mind off problems (most of which are out of my control anyway) and focus on living in the moment. Plus, the physical aspect of exercise creates endorphins and other happy hormones that help the brain and body cope better with stress. Research has shown that physically active people have lowered levels stress, anxiety and depression –even just a brisk 10 minute walk can alter your attitude.

Bloody Knees - TheFitFork.com

Bloody knees after box jumping while grumpy and distracted.

So, while it is a GOOD THING to exercise in the name of stress management, there are certain things to look for and precautions to take to ensure that you remain safe and injury free.  The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that elite athletes were more likely to get hurt if they competed while angry, confused, fatigued, tense, or depressed.  This translates to use everyday athletes as well – goodness knows I’ve been tired, used bad form, tripped and fallen resulting in tweaked muscles, bloody body parts, several bad cases of road burn, contusions,a concussion, gashes requiring stitches and just plain turning up sick a few days later.

Are you wondering why? Well, when cortisol levels are elevated for too long, putting you in a state of chronic stress, your muscles and immune system won’t function at their best. You also won’t sleep well, creating day-in and day-out fatigue that can negatively impact exercise and performance.  So, before I hit the trail or the gym, I like to get myself into a ready-to-workout mode with a bit of calming yoga, taking deep breaths, and engaging in a little positive visualization of how great my workout out or run will be.  I also make sure I’m eating well and getting as much quality sleep as I can – people who know me well are probably tsk-tsking right now, because sleeping is one of my biggest challenges

Stress Less to Be My Best - RESCUE

RESCUE Pastilles are another little trick I have in my tool kit for stress relief.  Completely natural and homeopathic, RESCUE Pastilles help me to stress less, stay calm and, ultimately, sleep better. I don’t take them before a workout, but rather during the late afternoon or early evening when all my little life stressors are peaking – the pastilles combined with the five minute time-out I take to suck on them helps me get back into that happy place I need to be. There’s nothing habit-forming or concerning about these doctor-developed candies that have been around for nearly a century – they are alcohol-free, sugar-free and the ingredients are a gentle and safe blend of flower and plant remedies.

rescue tinI also love the apothecary-like tin of the RESCUE Pastilles– it has vintage charm and is convenient to stick in my purse or gym bag. You can find these at Walgreens, CVS, Sprouts, Whole Foods and other find retailers – along with other forms of the product like RESCUE Sleep Liquid Melts and RESCUE Pearls.  You really need to try RESCUE out, here’s a coupon to get you started.

 

I’ve also put together a stress relieving workout that will help you keep everything that life throws your way in happy balance.  Enjoy!

Stress Relief Workout - TheFitFork.com

 

What do YOU do to manage your stress? Please share in the comments.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

 

10 Reasons to Yoga Upside Down

10 Reasons to Turn Upside Down - Yoga Inversions - TheFitfork.comYou may have first-hand experience with headstands, handstands and other bodily inversions from your current yoga practice or even way back in gym class. Or, perhaps you’ve only been a spectator of the “stunt” on your Instagram feed or when pausing the remote control to marvel at Olympic gymnasts. It’s obvious that turning upside down puts a new perspective on life, but you may be surprised to learn just how many benefits there are to doing handstands, headstands and forearm stands. Even a downward dog is considered a yoga inversion because it is a pose that places the hips above the heart and the heart above the head. Whether you’ve done hundreds upon hundreds of handstands and inversions or are just learning the basics, these  10 Reasons to Yoga Upside Down should encourage you to add an inversion to your daily workout routine.

Stayfree My Yoga Gaiam TV OfferIf you are looking for instructional tips on how to perform headstands and handstands, My Yoga on Gaiam TV has a huge variety of online yoga classes available to be watched at a time that fits with your schedule. And, now through March 12 (2015), Stayfree has a fantastic “free with purchase” offer for one month of complementary My Yoga – just buy a Stayfree product at Target (like STAYFREE® Ultra Thin® Regular Feminine Pads with Wings), keep the receipt, and visit http://www.stayfree.com/myyoga to get started. Of course, please consult with a medical professional before starting any new exercise regimen.

Handstand - TheFitFork.com

10 Reasons to Yoga Upside Down

    1. Get a Glow On: When upside-down, fresh nutrients and oxygen are flushed to the face, creating a healthy glow that will look like you just came from a spa facial.
    2. Tone and Strengthen: Performing headstands and handstands work the muscles of the shoulders, upper back and core in the constant attainment of balance. To hold a handstand for any length of time requires control over the obliques, the rectus abdominus and the transverse abdominus.
    3. Gray Away: Because inversions increase nutrients and blood flow to the scalp, some yogis claim that these poses can help stall the onset of gray hair – maybe even reverting some gray back to the original color. Not sure if this is true, but worth a try and much cheaper than a colorist!
    4. Brain and Body Booster: Being in a headstand or handstand increases blood flow to the brain and improves cognition. It also stimulates the glands in charge of sleep-wake cycles, digestion, sex hormones, blood pressure, and more.
    5. Confidence Kickstarter: Mastering a handstand or headstand will take your self-esteem to new levels. With good instruction and practice most of us can eventually accomplish these yoga poses or modified versions.
    6. Mood Lifter: The adrenal glands are flushed and detoxified with yoga inversions and this creates a better outlook on life, some yogis even say preventing mild depression thanks to the release of happy hormones. In any event, doing a handstand while frowning turns it into an automatic smile!
    7. Happier Gut: The gravitational pull of being upside stimulates digestive juices and keeps things moving along. Inversions stimulate the pituitary gland, the endocrine glad that is in charge of regulating metabolism and turning food into energy.
    8. Reduce Swelling: Getting feet above the head in an inverted yoga pose is an effective way to alleviate edema (swelling) in legs, ankles and feet.
    9. Improve Focus: Practicing yoga inversions will help you learn to tune out distractions, listen and respond to the feedback from your body, and lock in on the task at hand.
    10. Party Trick: Add some swagger to your step by impressing friends and family with your upside-down balancing talent!

 

Don’t forget to visit http://www.stayfree.com/myyoga for the free My Yoga from Stayfree offer.

This post is sponsored by Sverve on behalf of Stayfree. I was compensated for my time and review of the product(s), however all opinions, editorial comments and suggestions are my own.

 

Calm, Confident, Upside Down and Twisted Around Yoga

Wheel Pose Yoga = Backbend - TheFitFork.com Stayfree in my gym bagWe’re all friends, right? Well, let me tell you how I stay calm, cool and collected during yoga and all my other fitness activities like running, CrossFit, and obstacle course racing —  with the Stayfree brand and their products like STAYFREE® Ultra Thin® Regular Feminine Pads with Wings. Often I find myself upside down or twisted around like a pretzel wearing barely there workout clothes – Stayfree keeps my mind off “accident anxiety” and focused on the task at hand.

Stayfree has a really great offer right now – simply purchase one of their participating products, upload the receipt and receive a free 30-day membership to My Yoga on Gaiam TV. Then, stream as many of the instructional online yoga classes as you care to over the month – enjoy the convenience of getting your daily yoga practice completed at home during a time of the day when it is convenient for you!   You really need to try this! Just purchase your Stayfree product at Target between February 8 and March 12 (2015), keep the receipt, and visit http://www.stayfree.com/myyoga to get started. Stayfree My Yoga Gaiam TV OfferMy Yoga on Gaiam TV has lots of different options whether you are totally new to yoga person or are an experience yogi. I really appreciate how each course listing notes a suggested ability level and any contraindications that might compromise safety. Of course, always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. I’m going to be doing the Advance your Practice: Ashtanga five class mini-series and am especially looking forward to the “Backbend” session. advance your practice yoga Don’t forget to visit http://www.stayfree.com/myyoga for this special offer!

What challenges you most about yoga? It’s definitely hip and hamstring mobility for me.

This post is sponsored by Sverve on behalf of Stayfree. I was compensated for my time and review of the product(s), however all opinions, editorial comments and suggestions are my own.

Run, Workout and Yoga with Happy Legs | Compression Sock #Giveaway

Tree Yoga Pose with Cow Face Arms - TheFitFork.comIf you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed I love knee-high compression socks. Compression socks keep my legs fresh when running fast or long, they help this cold-weather wimp stay warm, they assist in muscle recovery by keeping blood moving around, and they keep my shins from getting scuffed up doing deadlifts or rope climbs.  Folks who travel frequently or have to stand all day on the job also rave about the benefits. I’ve blogged about all these wonders before and I’m giving a pair away at the bottom of the post.

Run ATX - TheFitForkI just went in my closet and counted up 18 different pairs of knee-high compression socks – there may be more, but I’m not saying. I’ve tried a variety of brands and I really don’t have a hands-down favorite — I have more than enough love to go around. For example, Vim & Vigr makes compression stylish and sophisticated enough to wear to the offices, Pro Compression and Swiftwick both have a really nice “squeeze,” while Bondi and Zensah have some super-wow style – oh, and a shout out to the Altra Running brand that has extra room in the toe area (really great for ultra running, trust me).

bright life go logo

One-stop shopping for so many of my compression sock needs – could it be true?! BrightLifeGo.com  is a great online store that has an amazing and diverse collection of compression socks (knee-high, sleeve and low-cut) and stockings, both for athletic use and everyday wear. They have several of the brands I’m familiar with – and some new ones I’ve never tried. Looking for the adventure of a new-to-me company,

CEP Progressive + Night Run Compression Socks

CEP Progressive + Night Run Compression Socks

I ordered the CEP Progressive + Night Run Socks 2.0 and took them for a spin. CEP has been around for decades and they have some great compression technology – I loved the socks and thought they fit true to the sizing chart. After a brisk 6 mile morning and lunch workout at the gym, my legs were still fresh for home yoga in the late afternoon thanks to these socks.  The flashy neon colors (pink, green or orange) are fun and will help your friends and family spot you on the race course – and a reflective design will make you more visible while running at night.

CEP Compression Night Run Socks 2.0

Tree Yoga Pose with Cow Face Arms - TheFitFork.comYOGA: What you need to know about the yoga photo  is that I’ve combined “Tree” and “Cow Face Arms” into one pose. This is a challenge in balance and shoulder mobility!  Assume Tree pose by shifting weight to one foot and bringing sole of foot up to inner thigh, with toes pointing toward ground.  Keep pelvis in neutral position and parallel to floor while raising arms overhead. Remain in Tree pose but add Cow Face Arms by bending one arm at elbow and allowing hand to fall between shoulder blades. Reach up behind back with other arm and clasp hands. If this is too hard, try to touch finger tips or use a towel or strap to gently work your hands as close as comfortably possible. Hold for 5 breaths and then alternate leg on tree pose and arms on Cow Face arms.

Have fun practicing this yoga pose – if you are like me, you will find one side much more challenging than the other.  And, don’t forget to enter the CEP compression sock giveaway in the Rafflecopter app below.

This post and giveaway is sponsored by BrightLifeGo.com. I received product in exchange for my review, however all comments and opinions are strictly my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway