Marley Lilly + PIIT28
SPORTS BRA: Marley Lilly c/o | YOGA CROPS: Marley Lilly c/o | WATER BOTTLE: Marley Lilly c/o | TENNIS SHOES: Footlocker – Nike| TOP: Old Navy | RING: Nordstrom – BaubleBar |
LUXE PONYTAILER BRACELET: Scunci c/o | PIIT28: Sign Up Here
Happy Saturday y’all!!! I hope everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy this beautiful weather this weekend. Today I wanted to share with y’all a little bit about my fitness lifestyle, journey, etc. Before I get started, I thought what better way to talk about this than showing adorable workout gear to go along with it? I absolutely love cute workout clothes, and I am obsessed with this new monogrammed gear from Marley Lilly. I am wearing the Monogrammed Criss Cross Sports Bra and Monogrammed Yoga Crops, and sporting the Camelbak Monogrammed Eddy Water Bottle in Dragonfruit. Marley Lilly is such an amazing company. They have the CUTEST products, and the people working there are even more incredible. Y’all seriously need to head over there and check this adorable monogrammed workout gear out, as well as all of their other new spring arrivals.
Let me start off by saying I have never been “the skinny girl.” In elementary school, I was always one of the first girls picked in a game during recess. I was never skinny or thin, just always athletic, especially for my age. I”ll never forget the first time someone called me fat in 3rd grade… Granted, thankfully that was the only time, I’ll never forget how that made me feel. I’ve always been the athletic girl, and in college the average girl for sure. There came a point in college when I looked in the mirror and I hardly recognized myself anymore. Late night Taco Bell runs, 2am pizza, lack of sleep, too much coffee, study snacks, and everything else in between was to blame for sure. In August 2014 Drew and I got engaged, and that was honestly the motivation it took for me to kick my butt into gear, literally. I wanted to not only look my best, but to feel my best on my wedding day. I just wanted to be happy and happy with myself again. One of the hardest parts of working out/getting in shape forever for me was finding something I actually enjoy doing. I hated (and still hate lol) running, was afraid to go on the “guys” side of the gym (y’all know what I am talking about!), I have absolutely no rhythm (so no Zumba, step, in fear of mortifying myself), and because of all of this I was like well what the heck is left?
Now I am going to back track just a little bit. My first time I remember doing Pop Pilates/Blogilates was in high school. I loved how easy and short the videos were, and Cassey is such a motivational and positive person to listen to while working out. This really sparked my interest in pilates, because it strengthens your whole body, and truly makes you feel good from the inside out. My third year in college, I discovered Pure Barre. I could seriously go on and on for days on how much I love Pure Barre. Barre workouts are very pilates-based, focusing on your overall core strength in small range of motion movements. The classes are 55 minutes, and I loved that I could get in and out and be done with working out for the day. That is what truly slimmed down my entire body in the 3-4 months right before the wedding. I wish that I could have done it more frequently, but on a college budget it was so hard to swing it.
After the wedding, Drew and I moved back south of Atlanta, so the nearest Pure Barre is about 45 minutes away. *Insert ugly cry here* So I knew I was going to have to find something else to continue staying active and fit. Drew and I joined a local gym that is about 5 minutes away from our house, and go there every day after work. We try to go 4-5 days a week, but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t make it that frequently. I absolutely love weightlifting. I love the way that it makes me feel, look, and everything. It can be really intimidating staring at all of the machines at the gym and not knowing where to start. One of the biggest tools for me has been using a fitness app on my iPhone called BodySpace. It is through bodybuilding.com, and pretty much has a video/demo for every lift and machine at the gym.. You can select a program, or build your own workout. I love it sooo much. Drew and I have been doing the Arnold Shortcut to Size program for the past 7 weeks now and I have put on some serious muscle (well I took a break starting March 1 but I’ll explain that next).
On March 1, the PIIT28 program through Blogilates by Cassey Ho started, and I decided to take a 1 month break from weight-lifting to commit to 28 days of working my butt off. I have always hated cardio, and knew this program would push me to really focus on improving my cardio ability. As I am writing this, I just finished the 11th (1.11 Bublble Butt) workout and I can honestly say I am so impressed with myself and proud of myself. It can be so intimidating starting something new, but I really feel like you grow the most when you’re out of your comfort zone. PIIT28 is definitely out of my comfort zone, but my cardio ability and overall strength has improved significantly already.
I love PIIT28 for so many reasons, but the most important for me is how great it makes me feel. I look in the mirror mid-workout and I’m like, dang I look great! It makes me feel so confident. After the workout, my mood has changed 1000%. I am happier, not sluggish at all, and am fully ready to take on the day ahead! During the week I do it after work, and I actually look forward to get home and doing it because it makes me feel so great. Finishing the PIIT28 workout is so empowering too. It’s so easy to give up, or not do it at all, so when I finish I am so proud of myself for sticking with it. I also love that it’s so fast. The PIIT28 workout is 28 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s it! I feel like sometimes we convince ourselves so often that we do not have enough time. I have definitely been a culprit of this in the past, however MAKE TIME FOR IT. You only have one body! That body is the only body you’ll ever have, so take care of it! I promise that when you truly commit to consistently working out you will feel so great. Eating healthy and clean totally just as important, but we will save that for another time, another day. 🙂 PIIT28 is making me so happy, and I have a good feeling I’ll continue with it even after the 28 days. If you’d like to sign up for PIIT28 and join me, click here! It isn’t too late! You can start whenever. 🙂
Another little tip that I find helpful for myself while working out is look cute! I know some people are like, I’m working out I don’t care what I look like! I don’t wear cute gym clothes (or anything in general) for other people. I wear cute gym clothes for myself! I find that when I am wearing a cute top and bottoms, it makes me feel better about myself and have a better workout. I know that probably sounds lame, but it’s so true. When you catch a glance of yourself in the mirror wearing a cute strappy tank, or crops that make your butt look good, you can’t help but smile!
Always remember:
Long story short, find something you love. Whether it’s any of the workouts I love, or something completely different, find your passion. Working out is one million times easier and more sustainable when you are doing something you love. I promise, because I used to think that all workouts sucked. Working out is not supposed to be easy, but whatever you’re doing should make you feel great and feel great about yourself. As always if you have been struggling with this, PLEASE reach out to me! I love talking about getting healthy and all of the struggles that come with it. I would love to be a resource for you, so please do not hesitate to take me up on my offer. 🙂
