I love Fall. It means football and tailgating, cooler mornings and crisper nights, and the start of the holiday season that includes costumed trick or treaters and Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. 'Tis also the season of greater food and alcohol temptations, so we Badasses have to find a few things that we love - to self-motivate us as we work to stay on the Badass path.
With that, I give you my latest fitness and wellness favorites:
Badass CEO's Favorites, Fall 2010
1. Athleta clothing: You know how on days when you're rocking a work or party outfit you really like, it just sets the tone for the whole day? Like, "I look pretty put-together today, and I feel like I can do anything." Same goes for workout wear.
A great workout outfit can be just the thing to unleash your inner Badass. I love Lululemon, but lately Athleta by Gap is my go-to spot for slightly less pricey wears that are just as well-made and flattering for a variety of shapes and sizes.They have tops that show off the back but are more forgiving in the abs. They have loose tops, tight tops, pants of all fits, even casual wear for daily errands and lounging around. Best part: Mail-order convenience, and you can wash and wear them frequently.
And ya know what? Maybe you aren't to the point where you feel comfortable wearing these outfits. Buy one anyway, and use it as motivation. "I will exercise and eat right, and one day in the near future, I will wear this outfit like the Badass I know I am."
2. Indulgent flavored coffee, sans calories: There is no denying the deliciousness of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte or White Chocolate Mocha Latte. There is also no denying the calorie and sugar nightmare of these popular Fall treats -- between 400 and 600 calories for a Venti. Ouch.
So as the weather cools, I start my mornings with a guilt-free, full-flavor coffee indulgence. One tumbler of coffee, with a splash of Torani caramel or hazelnut sugar-free syrup, and a splash of vanilla-flavored soy creamer. The Torani syrups come in many sugar-free flavors, as does a line of syrup from Starbucks - cinnamon dolce being Da Bomb.
All the yumminess, none of the sugar and calorie overload. That's what I call having my cake and eating it too...
4. NikeiD: The joy of a new pair of kicks is multiplied times infinity with NikeiD, the Nike website where you can build your own shoe from the soles up. Pick the shoe model; the colors of everything from laces to stitching; and monogram it however you please. The price is slightly higher than what you'd pay for a great Nike shoe in the store sans "iD," but I deem this a worthy investment. It felt pretty awesome when the postman delivered my "Badazz Shannon" shoes in orange and blue (Go Gators! In all kinds of weather!). The customer service is so superior - with e-mail updates confirming the initial order, then telling me "we're building your shoe," then telling me they just shipped them - I'll even forgive the apparent no-profanity policy that forced me to spell Badass with "zz." Clearly, Nike doesn't understand that Badass Fitness isn't profanity. It's an Army, a state of mind, a fitness brand...Hoo-ah!
5. Fitness playing cards: My gym bag lately always carries three things -- iPod, the TRX FitDeck cards, and Jillian Michaels' Hot Bod in a Box cards. The iPod is an obvious essential, but these fitness "playing cards" are just as key to adding variety and challenge to my own workouts and the sessions with my training clients.
The TRX cards are color-coded for core, upper body and lower body moves. And each includes a picture and description to ensure proper form. Sometimes, I pick the cards. Sometimes, my clients get to randomly select their own "TRX fun." The Hot Bod in a Box kit includes cards outlining several circuit workouts that take 4 to 60 minutes each, plus cards showing in detail proper form and technique for each exercise. These cards include lots of variety - multiple types of pushups, squats, lunges, crunches and biceps and triceps moves, many of which can be done at home sans workout equipment. Now there's no excuse for getting into a workout rut.
Coming Wednesday: "Fatass", "SlackAss," "Scared-Ass," "Shy-Ass," "Weak-Ass," - it's all Badass,no judgement.