Guest Post from Beautiful to the Core blogger Stephanie- Favorite Fitness Wear

Good Wednesday Morning!  I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far.  Mine has been going really well, I have been getting my workouts in and today I have 3 clients.  I really enjoy 1:1 training and I am looking forward to my sessions.  I also get to write some workouts, which you know I love to do!  Tonight for dinner I am making a lasagna for Joe and little A to eat while I am training my clients.  I am excited to have Stephanie here from Beautiful to the Core with her guest post about her favorite fitness finds.  After you read her awesome post stop by her blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and give her some social media love!  Thanks again to Stephanie for stopping by today.    

 Hello On Fire Fitness readers, I am Stephanie and I am a Health & Fitness blogger from Scottsdale, Arizona. Today I am honored to write a post for Angelena regarding my Favorite Fitness Wear. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pilates Instructor, and Bikini Competitor I am in Fitness clothes all the time. Probably too much! So I have tried many many different brands of fitness clothing: from Adidas to Nike, Lululemon to Lucy, Reebok to New Balance,...you name it! So when it comes to shopping for the right athletic wear, I am YOUR GIRL! I have put together some of my favorite tops, bottoms, and shoes that I own. Instead of just posting links to items I like I wanted to share with you what I have in my own closet. Because it is proof that they are the best quality, best prices, and most comfortable clothing since I wear them daily. So let's start with my favorite tops...  

 1) Flex Till You're Famous is one of my favorite companies for tops. Their prices are usually $20/tee. Each top is always so catchy with the sayings they put on them. So everyone at the gym loves them. They are colorful and eye catching. Comfort is perfect because they are cotton and not too tight. Although the only place you can buy them is online here, it is well worth your investment. Since they are a smaller company, they usually do clothing drops 1-2/month so you have to keep an eye out on drop dates. Buy them fast before they sell out! 2) Lululemon is by far my favorite gear for more Pilates/Yoga wear. I like them better than Lucy or Lorna Jane. Simply because of the quality. I bought a plain black pair of yoga pants about five years ago and still wear them constantly to this day. They last so long without looking worn out. They also offer many different sizes besides just the usual S/M/L. So regarding their tops, I love all their tops. They have padding inserts so you feel more supported and covered up. My favorite style is the No Limits tanks pictured above. I have three of them actually! It has a built-in sports bra with a flowy feel. You can find these tops and much more from Lululemon here. Now let's move on to my favorite workout bottoms...  

  
3) NIKE PRO has my all time favorite workout bottoms. Their capri core compression leggings and bootyshorts are amaaaaazing! They are a staple in my wardrobe. I like them because they are sweat-proof, comfortable, stretchy, and sleek looking. They also have an elastic waist band that can be rolled down easily if you want them to ride lower on your hips. Affordability: definitely! The capris are usually around $45 and the shorts around $25-30. Everyone has GOT to have a basic plain black workout capri, right?! You can find them here. Or they also sell them at most sports stores like Sports Authority and Sports Chalet. And

lastly, take a look at my favorite shoes...  

4) NIKE makes my favorite workout shoes. I sound like a walking Nike advertiser. But honestly, they are the best. As physical therapist, I urge you to spend the money on a good pair of workout shoes. Without the comfort and support of a good pair of shoes, you are much more likely to injure yourself (especially if you are a runner). Regarding colors, my favorite workout shoes are always black. Why?? Because they always look brand new! They don't show scuffs and dirt like most other white or lighter colored shoes. So you can find some cute Nikes here. Or at your local sports store or mall. 

Thanks for reading my guest blog! I hope you enjoyed it and gained some quick tips about shopping for workout gear. For more health & fitness tips, feel free to checkout my blog at www.BeautifultotheCore.com. Stay beautiful!! And remember, healthy is happy! God Bless :)

xo, Stephanie

Beautiful to the Core

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Clean Eating Chocolate Muffins- Guest Post for Beautiful to the Core

I am excited to be guest posting for Stephanie today!  We were chatting about how much we love to eat clean, but also how much we love desserts.  If you know me at all, you know that I can't (and won't) live without chocolate.  I feel that eating a clean diet is a lifestyle and not a so called "diet".  It is easy to maintain, and in my opinion allows for a cheat meal once a week.  I also incorporate my little treats here and there, but in moderation.  This recipe for Clean Eating Chocolate Muffins will allow you to have a clean eating treat and tackle that chocolate craving.  I hope that you enjoy it!

Clean Eating Chocolate Muffins
Servings- 12 muffins 117 Calories per muffin (calculated with My Fitness Pal)

Ingredients:
1 3/4 Cups Oats
3 egg whites
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (organic when possible)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup hot water
2-3 drops liquid stevia (to taste) or 1 cup of your favorite no-calorie sugar substitute (Stevia in the Raw)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 12 cup muffin tin with foil cucpcake liners or spray pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a blender (or food processor) mix all of the ingredients together, except for chocolate chips.
3. Place a mixture in bowl and fold in 1/2 of the chocolate chips (set aside the rest)
4. Scoop mixture evenly into muffin pan.
5. Cook for 10 minutes, top with the rest of the chocolate chips, and bake for additional 2-5 minutes (muffins are done when toothpick comes out clean)
6. Enjoy!

This post also appeared at Beautiful to the Core.

Check back tomorrow for a guest post from Stephanie at Beautiful to the Core, she wrote on awesome post about her favorite fitness gear!

Motivational Monday + One hour HIIT workout

Good Monday Morning Fitness Friends!  I hope that you had a great week and weekend.  I did!  Last week was fun, I did a lot of activities and spent some quality time with little A.  My hubby and I also had a date night with some friends and we ended up dancing which was a lot of fun!  I also took a rest week from working out, if you read my post on Wednesday you know how I was feeling last week.  I also took a few days off from the blog world to rest my mind and come back refreshed.  Sometimes it is good to take a break, as even too much of a good thing can be too much (unless it's chocolate!).  I feel that after giving myself a break, I am ready to get back to my fitness loves...working out and blogging.  How was your week and weekend?  

Here is my plan for this week:
Monday- Ripped in 30 workout, kickboxing, arms
Tuesday- Ripped in 30 workout, kickboxing abs
Wednesday- Ripped in 30, interval sprints on treadmill, back & shoulders
Thursday- Ripped in 30, kickboxing abs
Friday- Ripped in 30, legs
Saturday- Ripped in 30, kickboxing
Sunday- Rest!

My sister is getting back in her routine this week too, so we are going to keep each other accountable and on track.  I also have 3 clients that I will be working with this week, so I am excited for that!  That is one of the things I miss about training regularly, working with my clients.  I am looking forward to a great week, getting back to my normal eating and working out habits, training some clients and writing some great posts.  What are your plans for the week?

Here is a one hour workout that you can fit into your day!  You should be sweaty and feel like you kicked butt when you are done.

Circuit #1- Repeat 3x through then move to circuit #2
mountain climbers- 30 seconds
bicycle crunches- 30 seconds
pushups- 20 reps
curtsey lunges- 10 each side
* 1 min sprint on treadmill @ 6.0 mph

Circuit #2- Repeat 3x through then move to circuit #3
jumping jacks- 30 seconds
squats- 20 reps
side plank with rotation- 10 each side
jump squats- 2- reps
 * 1 min sprint on treadmill @ 6.0 mph

Circuit #3- Repeat 3x through
side lunge to a hop- 10 each side
burpees- 10
plank hold- 30 seconds
wall sit hold- 30 seconds
* 1 min sprint on treadmill @ 6.0 mph

I hope that you have a wonderful week planned!  

Do you give yourself a break when you need it?  

What is on your workout or meal plan this week?

Getting Back in the Right Mindset + October Goals

Good Wednesday Afternoon, I hope you are enjoying this gorgeous day!  Today has been fun so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the day.  We had Kindermusik this morning, met with Joe for a few (Ariana sure loves her daddy), went shopping and I finally got Ariana her Halloween costume (pics later).  I also had a few great adult conversations today, a mom at Kindermusik and I had a nice chat before class, and I ran into a friend at Target.  Later today we are meeting my sister for lunch and then while Joe is at the hockey game (Go Wings!) my friend is coming to hang out.  It is the perfect day to pull me out of the funk I have been in the past two days.  I am not sure if I was just still tired from the long weekend and Ariana not sleeping well or that I was dealing with the mental switch to and then off the IIFYM plan. 

Have you ever been in that place where you just don't feel like doing anything and working out is the last thing on your mind?  That is how I was feeling Monday and yesterday.  I can't really decide exactly what was going on, but my mind and heart were just not there.  I did workout, just 20 minutes with Jillian Michaels for the Ripped in 30 workout, but I couldn't push myself to do more than that, which is unlike me.  So I just decided to stop thinking about it so much and just let it go.  I was reading through my Bloglovin feed and came across The Workout Mama and Tamara's post about needing Jesus.  It was simple and very beautifully written and made me change my mindset about all the things that were swirling around in my head.  I decided to stop worrying so much about what I was doing with my fitness goals and nutrition plan and realize that I need to just live in each moment and create balance in my life.  I want to live healthy every day and for me that means, eating the right healthy foods most of the time, allowing myself a dessert or glass of wine when I want it, working out daily (one rest or yoga day), spending time with Ariana (doing 1:1 activities or sitting and playing, spending time with my husband, reading, cooking, blogging and finding time everyday to pray and be thankful for all of my blessings.  What does a healthy life look like for you?

With that I decided to create some October Goals for myself, some fitness related, some not and share them with you.  I hope that you decide to do the same, and I would love to know what yours are.

1) Do at least 2 art projects a week with Ariana.  Thank goodness for Pinterest, I am going to load up my board with stuff to do!

2) Listen to my body.  If I am hungry I will eat, if I am tired I will go to bed, if I need a rest day I will take it.  I will also work to push myself just a little harder in my workouts.

3) Read 2 books.  One fiction and one non-fiction.  Any good suggestions would be appreciated!

4) Walk outside once a day with Ariana and talk about what we see.

5) Spend some time with just me and the hubby after Ariana goes to bed, doing something other than just watching tv.

6) Go to Church!  This will be hard with a toddler, but I might try a mass during the week when it isn't quite as busy.

7) Do more yoga!  I miss my weekly yoga practice and I would like to get back to it.

8) Read more of the blogs in my bloglovin feed and make more blogger connections.  I got a great idea from a fellow SPA sister and blogger and I am going to post it later this week or next.

9) Take time to just sit and be.

10) Cook more meals at home!  I love to cook, its the cleaning up that I don't love.  I am going to try and cook more meals at home, this way Joe will also have more meals to have at work.

Well this is my list!  I am going to reflect next month and see how I did.  Now it is your turn, what goals are you working on for this month, fitness and non-fitness related?  Share with me...I would love to hear!

P.S.  I had a tall Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha (iced, non-fat no whip) today and I enjoyed every sip!  What is your favorite fall drink?

P.P.S.  I made the Clean Eating butternut squash soup yesterday and it was delicious!  If you haven't tried it yet, you must!