Workout Essentials!

Whoa! It's been over a month since I last blogged...better get back to it so this little blog of mine doesn't die. Life has been B-U-S-Y lately, and I have taken a little time this week to stop and smell the roses.

A huge part of that "go go go" routine has been my workout regimen. Earlier this year (before my wedding) I found my inner fitnessista, and I've since established a routine that has become the new normal. My current (typical) week looks like this:

Monday - PM Crossfit
Tuesday - 5am run (usually 3-4 miles at a moderate pace OR sprint intervals) & PM Crossfit
Wednesday - PM Crossfit
Thursday - 5am run & PM *rest*
Friday - PM Crossfit
Saturday - 8am run (usually more intense intervals) & 9am Crossfit
Sunday - *rest* day

This may seem a little nuts, but it's my way of (1) managing stress (2) spending time with my husband and friends and (3) working off all of the fried chicken and cupcakes.

I've been wanting to do a post on my must-have items for making this routine more comfy. I apologize ahead of time if this is TMI. I'm just keepin' it real. Besides my favorite shorts and shoes, here are some of my essentials...

Problem - Muscle Tightness/Soreness
Solution - Foam Roller (found here.) You can roll out any part of your body to alleviate soreness and loosen tight fascia (the saran wrap type connective tissue wrapped around your muscles). I do this every night before bed and I'm hooked. 

Problem - Chafing
Solution - BodyGlide (found here.) This is basically like Crisco for your inner thighs. It helps stop chafing from running. Marathon runners swear by it, and while I'm far from a marathon runner I find it does work like a charm.

Problem - It's HOT!
Solution - FroggTogg Chilly Pad (found here.) This thing is the bomb. You rinse this shami-like towel in cool water and wring it out. One minute later, the damp towel is freezing cold (and it stays cold)! I use it to wipe down mid workout or put it around my neck while I'm running. I have no idea how this works, but I love it.

Problem - Sweaty Car Seats
Solution - SeatShield seat covers (found here.) The feeling of soaked skin on leather seats totally irks me, so I am really happy with this purchase. When I'm not using it, I just turn it around so it hangs behind my seat. Plus - they have black and tan, so they don't stick out like a sore thumb in the car.

Problem - Ripped Hands
Solution - Fingerless gloves (similar here.) I thought about not going here, because this seems so hardcore. But - you know what? I've learned that you can be hardcore and girly all in the same breath. Earlier this year, my hands regularly looked like this...

From lots of this...

{Yes, that is me. Hilarious, I know}

I now refuse to rip my hands, and the gloves are helping me keep my hands pretty.

Problem - Smelly Workout Clothes 
Solution - Tide Sport with Febreze (found here.) We typically wash a big load of his and hers workout clothes all mixed together and I had a feeling that my lulu wasn't getting as clean and fresh as it could using my regular free & clear, so I tried this detergent. I really like it - my clothes smell lovely.

That's all I have for today! Now, go forth and get your sweat on.