Whole30 Survival Tips

Whew!

January is here and Day 6 of the January Whole30 is almost over! While I’m not one for the pressure of resolutions…I am a BIG fan of starting the year off with Whole30.

Why? A few reasons:

1. The group support via Social Media
2. The Daily Updates and periodic emails from the official Whole30 site/social media
3. I feel like I’m starting the year off on the right foot….with self care and self awareness where I struggle most
4. It’s a great way to catapult into healthier habits…especially before a trip to Paris in March and a photo shoot in Mexico in May!

I have a few handy tips/tricks that make Whole30 a lot easier and more manageable for my lifestyle (because 16 hour night shifts pretty much are the ultimate road block to Whole30 success and I need all of the help I can get)!

1. I source out some of my meal prep to Model Meals. They’re meals are all Whole30 compliant, and while the founder Danika Brysha is inspirational enough as a total GirlBoss, the meals she and her team come up with are always a hit…plus you can order RX Bars, fresh pressed juices, bone broth, and other essentials…straight to your door (SoCal only for now). I use these meals to supplement my own meal prep and especially for easier meals during my 16 hour shifts at the dispatch center. Use this link for $25 off your first Model Meals order!
2. I live at Trader Joes. Tons of compliant salsas/tomato sauces, grass-fed meats, sugar free chicken sausages, cage free/organic eggs, cauliflower rice, RX and Lara bars (emergency food only), and pre-chopped veggies for roasting or salad-making. Affordable, convenient, and all in ONE PLACE.
3. See Also: Amazon and Thrive Market: They have a ton of Whole30 compliant brands available for purchase all in one place. Tessemae’s sauces/dressings, NutPod creamers, compliant bone broths, La Croix sparkling water, and soooo much more! Use this link for 25% off of your first order with Thrive Market! Check out their really cool Whole30 starter kits!
4. I have a folder of Whole30 “Cheat Sheets” on my phones desktop. This way, if I need to know whether an additive is compliant, or refresh on appropriate portion sizes, I am good to go, ON the go.
5. I keep the Whole30 books close to me. I just purchased the Whole30 Day-By-Day book via preorder from Amazon and was so excited when it arrived earlier in December! Its got a kind of running “timeline” of how you may/should be feeling day by day, and spaces to put notes and track your progress and feelings as you go along! It’s like self-guided coaching, which I thought was really cool! Plus, I always have It Starts with Food close to me as well, to remind me that these lifestyle changes are about so much more than what it feels like I can’t have, and that its all about feeling better than I’ve been feeling-all by choosing to eat whole, minimally processed foods and making a few more dishes!

Are you doing the January Whole30? What are your foolproof ways to succeed and stay on track! Leave a comment and let me know!

 

Affordable (and ADORABLE) Work Out Gear!

Let’s face it.

One of the most UN-appealing things about working out, is the dreadful fear of having to get ready to do so.

Maybe it’s just me, but I like to look presentable, albeit fashionable. I find that cute workout clothes actually make me more motivated get out of the house, and get moving!

Some of my favorite items I have come from none other than Old Navy!

Old Navy workout gear is affordable, comfortable, durable, and fashionable. They almost always have sales on items, and they have coordinating pieces with moisture wicking fabrics, pockets to hold keys/cards and flattering styles that suit all body types. They even go from a size XS to XXL…and if you know Old Navy, you know their clothes always run bigger!

I recently hit up Old wavy to get some new clothes, since the workout clothes I got there over a year ago were starting to fray a bit. For wearing them 3-4 times a week, I am actually really impressed at how well they hold up.

Some of my favorite items they carry? I am so glad you asked! Check out some of the best pieces I think that the Old Navy Active Line has to offer:

Old Navy Bubble Hem Mesh Tank

 

Photo Credit: Old Navy.com

One of the most appealing things about these tops is the fun colors! They are SO flattering, no matter your body type, and they don’t annoyingly ride up while you run! I can go full-throttle on the treadmill or track without being self-conscious and having to fiddle with my top the whole time. Runners know the struggle. Joggers and walkers do too, actually! 🙂

Old Navy Active Compression Tank

 

Photo Credit: Oldnavy.com

Much like the bubble hem tank, the compression tank also comes in fun, pretty colors. I love the hem on this one, as well, because it’s elasticity conforms a bit more and allows you to not have to fiddle with it. This one has a LOT more support for the chesty, and is still super flattering because of the empire-waistline style. It’s one of those items that makes you feel “pulled together.” And that is a great way to feel while you’re working up a sweat!

Old Navy Active Cinch-Tie Hoodie

Photo Credit: Oldnavy.com

 This hoodie is AWESOME for morning outdoor workouts, but is light enough to wear casually if you wanted to. I adore running/fitness clothing with thumbholes… although I don’t have a concrete reason why. I love the style of this, because it’s a bit unique, without taking away from it’s functionality as a lightweight, warm and useful item to add to your workout wardrobe. It ran REALLY large for me… I’d recommend going down one size.

Old Navy Active Compression Capris

Photo Credit: Oldnavy.com

I have about 7 pairs of these leggings, and I adore them! Running, walking, or being the girl who looks like she came from the track when I’m really only ‘running’ errands… these leggings are comfy, stylish, and functional. The moisture wicking fabric, as well as the handy pocket inside make wearing them great at the gym or when I jog in my neighborhood and need to carry my house key or debit card/ID. It’s awesome to run with less on me, and yet have what I need tucked away in a safe place.

Old Navy Active Compression Mesh Capri

Photo Credit: Oldnavy.com

 I absolutely love the mesh panels on these leggings, more for the fun pop of color than functionality. I got them with a teal color to match my Beats headphones Sean got me and a matching bubble hem tank, and it’s very fun to put on at 5:30 in the morning and get a little pep in my step! Much like they’re less jazzy sibling compression legging, they are also very comfortable, functional, and easy to wear!

These are definitely my bare-basics for workout gear, whether you’re looking to add to your workout wardrobe, or start at the beginning. These foundational pieces come in lots of fun colors, prints, lengths and sizes… and they are super affordable!

Want to save even more money? If you’re shopping Old Navy online, sign upon for Ebates.com and you’ll get cash back on your purchase, and if you’re brand new to Ebates, use my link and you get a $10 gift card of your choice when you use the site to make your first purchase! As of right now, Old Navy is 2.0% cash back…and it adds up quickly!

It’s absolutely FREE to sign up, and the money adds up quickly! You get a check quarterly (hello, Christmas money), and they have THOUSANDS of retailers you already shop with.

That’s all for now! Happy shopping, and may your workout gear make pour workouts even MORE enjoyable!

That’s all for now, but I want to know where YOU found your favorite workout gear! Let me know!

‘Til Next Time!

XOXO