Articles with health

Mack’s Fitness Must-Haves

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A list of things I use (and love) for fitness training, on a budget.

Aftershocks Trekz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones: I am that girl who BLASTS her music y’all. I used to run with noise canceling headphones and I loved them but if I am being truthful, it was not safe… at all. Wes bought me these bone conduction headphones so I could blast my music but still be aware of my surroundings and I LOVE them. I even bought a pair for my mom to use on her walks.

*In an indoor setting (like a Baileys Gym), they don’t seem loud enough because there is so much background noise. At my gym I don’t need headphones, so they are perfect for me.

Sports Bras: This year I finally found the perfect sports bra on amazon. It is actually the inspiration behind this whole post. I always search for sports bra recommendations and am shocked at the price. They are literally undergarments… This bra may not be the prettiest color or pattern, but it is supportive, super comfortable, and more importantly, budget friendly. I buy the three pack in black for $29.

Running Fanny Pack: This sounds OCD but I hate feeling uneven when I run, so pockets and arm bands have just not worked for me. This fanny pack is petite and adjustable. I adjust it before I begin running and it stays in place really well. It also has a separate compartment for a key, which is nice because I have always tied my key on my shoelace. The only con is that it is another layer of material on your stomach which makes an already HOT run, hotter. Truthfully, I love rocking a fanny pack so this item is a win-win for me.

Shorts: I can’t really say I have a favorite pair of workout shorts. I look for Old Navy’s 50% off activewear sale and purchase their shorts during that time. They fit well and have a built in liner, which is a must for me. They are not forever quality, but do hold up well for the price.

Weights: Weights can be so pricey!! I was glad I decided to go into Dicks Sporting Goods and check out what they had when I was looking for a set of 10 lb weights. I was able to get them (solid metal) for $20. Another great place to look for weights is Facebook Marketplace. You might need patience, but weight sets often come up for sale at a reasonable price. Small sidenote: Don’t be fooled into thinking you need a bunch of equipment to workout at home. There are soo many killer workouts that you can do with just your body weight!

Leggings: I have a few pairs of leggings I really enjoy running in. I have two pairs from amazon that stay up well, but do not have pockets. I recently made my first purchase with Fabletics and must say I am extremely satisfied with the quality of the leggings. They stay up very well and fit true to size. I also love the many color and style options they have available! Fabletics is a monthly subscription program if you become a VIP member, but you can skip the month at any time. If you use my link to sign up, I do earn credit on my account.

Nike Run Club App: I use this app to track all of my runs. I love that there are a variety of options and that it tracks my progress over a long period of time. I can also connect it to my apple watch screen. I highly recommend using this app whether your a pro runner or just starting out. This app is also totally… FREE. It doesn’t get more budget friendly than that!

Shirts: I recently found these workout tanks on amazon and LOVE them. I prefer a workout tank over a tee because of how much I sweat. I also like that in a tank I don’t have to keep adjusting my shirt in a movement like burpees. These tanks are affordable and come in a variety of colors. I also washed and dried them and they did not shrink or lose their softness. I ordered my normal size (medium) and they fit well.

I purchased two packs of the tanks. They come three to a pack.

Foam Roller: If you are new to working out you may be shocked by the stiffness and soreness that can follow a good workout. This soreness is NOT a bad thing and is not a reason to stop. A good foam roller helps those muscles to recover and is very popular item on amazon. We have this one and this one and use them both. The large one is a bit easier to use, but any foam roller will do. There are many videos on youtube that teach you how to use a foam roller and stretch correctly following a workout. Make sure you check them out before using one as there are some areas that should not be foam rolled.

Summer Cereal

A simple, cheap, and delicious alternative to cereal that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to start your day strong.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries
  • 1 t. pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup (or more) almond or other plant based mylk
  • 1 t. cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

  1. Add oats and blueberries in a serving bowl and drizzle maple syrup over the top.
  2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and add in any additional ingredients.
  3. Pour mylk over the cereal and mix together.
  4. Enjoy immediately, while blueberries are still frozen.

*I recommend using wild frozen blueberries for this recipe. They tend to be smaller and do not get soggy like normal frozen blueberries would. You want the blueberries frozen-trust me! They are soooo yummy and refreshing!

** Hemp seeds are a great add-in option if you are looking to up your protein and/or omega intake. They are also delicious!

*** I strongly recommend using a nut mylk over an oat mylk for this recipe. Oats tend to be naturally on the sweeter side and oat mylk can actually make this recipe a bit too sweet. One thing I love about limiting sugar in my diet is that the naturally occuring sweetness in real food stands out much more.

What to expect with seasonallymack

Before diving into what to expect here you might want to first understand where here is. My about me gives a quick overview of how my life has arrived at this moment in time and I recommend starting there.

When seasonallymack was just an idea I found myself doubting what I would share and who would read it. I began to draft a list of ideas and was surprised when they flowed onto the paper like water. It was clear seasonallymack would not focus on one specific topic, as a saw the many ideas falling into a few overlying themes.

FAITH.

God has changed my life in the most amazing and unexpected way possible. To know Him is to love Him and if I can share just a small piece of that with one person through the life he has given me than I will count it as a victory.

FITNESS.

My faith led me directly into a gym that surrounded me with a community who challenged and encouraged me. Through that place I began to understand the value in challenging myself and stepping outside of my comfort zone and see my body as the blessing it really is.

FOOD.

Then that gym took me down a path that opened my eyes to nutrition. Chains of bad habits were broken and I found freedom in kitchen creativity; creativity that led to recipes loaded with nourishment that I can’t wait to share with you.

FARM.

I use the term farming loosely here because 3 chickens and a family sized garden might be questionable under the term farm but, a girl can dream, right? The blessing of a home fell into our lap in 2018 and through many trials and errors I created a garden that has since blessed us with many meals.

Sharing these experiences in the most limited sense has opened my eyes up to the number of people who share these passions but do not know where to start. I pray that my words create an opening where a toe can be dipped, a heart can be encouraged, and an idea can be shaped into a lifestyle.