Hi everyone! In addition to eating nutritious, whole foods, a regular exercise routine is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feeling your best. A few months ago, I wrote a post highlighting my favorite in-home exercise tools. My absolute favorite exercise program and the one I use almost every single day is Tone It Up. If you’re not familiar with Tone It Up, check out the website. The creators of Tone It Up are Karena and Katrina and they are just so likable and real. There are a lot of free workout videos and recipes that you can take advantage of on the website. Last year, I purchased the nutrition program bundle that included the entire nutrition program (with lifetime updates) and the Beach Babe 3 Workout DVD. It also included digital downloads of the Beach Babe 2 DVD workouts as well. I am so happy I made that investment in my health. I LOVE the workouts because they are so versatile. I don’t have a home gym. My workout equipment consists of: 3 set of dumbbells of different weights, a 10 lb kettlebell, resistance bands, a stability ball, and a yoga mat. That’s IT. You can probably purchase all of those things for under 100 bucks. They provide workouts of varying lengths of time- some are under 10 minutes and others are closer to 40 minutes, so you can always fit a workout into your day. Okay, so why am I telling you all of this?

I’m telling you this because I just signed up for the 2016 Bikini Series! The Bikini Series is an 8-week program that begins on April 25. It provides you with all of the tools you need to get in great shape and look and feel your best before summer. The Bikini Series Bundle contains the 8-week nutrition program (that is customized for special diets like Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Pescetarian), 10 new Beach Babe workouts, 4 bonus workouts, and a TON of extra goodies (like a journal for keeping you on track with your meals, workouts, and goals; neoprene bucket bag; a lunch box; Tone It Up socks; a beach towel; etc.). Members of Tone It Up can sign up to join the “community” where you can reach out to support and be supported by other Tone It Up members. Tone It Up has a very active community on Instagram and Facebook as well (just search the popular hashtags #TIU or #TIUTEAM). There is so much more that goes into this program than what I have explained, so if this sounds like something you might be interested, definitely check out the website.

I’m ALSO telling you this because all of the recipes that I will be posting on my blog beginning next week and running through the end of June will all be Tone It Up “approved” recipes- meaning they follow the guidelines of the nutrition plan. I will NOT be posting recipes directly out of the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan because it’s a program that you must pay for and I feel like legally it is not okay for me to post those recipes. You CAN see some of the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan recipes on my Instagram page, but they should just be used as examples of healthy meals and I won’t be providing the recipes for those. If you’re joining me in the Bikini Series, check back for Tone It Up approved meals and snacks throughout the challenge!

PS. If you’re active in the Tone It Up community and “check in” your meals and workouts, you may win some great prizes. The grand prize is a trip to Turks and Caicos!

NOTE: I was not asked to advertise for the program, it’s honestly just a program that I truly love and believe in! If you decide to join- let me know!
NOTE 2: All pictures are from the Tone It Up website or Instagram.

GIFTS UNDER $20
1. Philips Flexible Ear Hook Headphones, 9.99, Amazon– I love to use headphones that hook over my ears for high intensity exercise, like running. I hate fidgeting with earbuds because they’re constantly falling out while I’m running. These really stay put through even the most intense workouts.

2. Nike Headbands 6 Pack, 13.75, Amazon– You can never have too many workout headbands. I tend to lose mine and never find them again, so I’m constantly needing new ones. These are great and don’t slide off of your head while you work out.

3. Elite Core Sliders, 17.97, Amazon– I have been seeing these sliders all over the place. While I don’t currently own them, they are definitely on my list this year. They add resistance to seemingly simple poses/moves by forcing you to use your muscles to balance and slide.

4. Nike Dri Fit Socks 3 Pack, 18.00, Kohls– THESE ARE THE BEST SOCKS. Can’t say it enough. My mom buys me a pack every year and I’m hoping I’ll be getting them from her again this year. If not, I will definitely go buy some.

GIFTS UNDER $50
5. New Class Gift Cards (price varies by class type and facility/location)– I live in the Collegeville PA area, so CycleZone is a great place to try out new classes. There are some great trendy classes to try like Barre, TRX, Spin, etc. BONUS- if you buy someone a few classes, get some for yourself too so that you can go together!

6. Gaiam Print Premium Reversible Yoga Mat, 30.39, Amazon– I am loving this elephant print yoga mat by Gaiam. So pretty. I already have two yoga mats, but I’m always looking for more.

GIFTS UNDER $100
7. VeganCuts Snack Box, 3 months 59.00– VeganCuts puts together amazing boxes filled with healthy Vegan snacks and treats. Great even if you’re not Vegan! Check out their instagram to get an idea of what kind of products they send.

8. Under Armour Tote, 79.99, Amazon– I love gym bags that don’t look like gym bags and this is a really pretty one. Easily could pass as a regular purse.

GIFTS UNDER $150
9. FitBit Charge HR, 149.95– Everyone I know that has a FitBit loves their FitBit. I don’t have one, but it’s on my list too! I really like how the Charge HR does double duty by also acting as a heart rate monitor. Such a great all-around fitness tool.

10. PopSugar Must Have Box, 3 Months, 109.85– Great gift box that contains fitness products but also health, beauty, food, etc. Great for literally any woman on your list.

The weather is getting colder and it’s time to bundle up for your workouts! I selected my top choices from some of my favorite brands: Athleta, Old Navy, C9 by Champion at Target, Zella (at Nordstrom), and Forever 21. You should definitely be able to find some warm and cozy gear, regardless of your price point!

1. Target, 24.50 // 2. Zella, 54.00 (currently on sale for 36.18) // 3. Athleta, 89.00 // 4. Forever 21, 17.90

1. Forever 21, 22.90 // 2. Athleta, 84.00 // 3. Zella, 52.00 // 4. Old Navy, 32.94

1. Headband: Athleta, 19.00 // 2. Neck Gaiter: SmartWool, 30.00  3. Sports Bra: Forever 21, 14.90 // 4. Headband: Old Navy, 6.94

I have a gym membership that I use maaaybe three times a week. I kind of use it just because I feel guilty paying for it and not using it, but also because when the weather is too rainy/cold to run outside, I utilize the cardio equipment. My routine is to go to the gym Tuesday and Thursday mornings before work (5 am wake up call), and generally one day over the weekend with my husband. However, I feel like I get a much better workout at home. Which is good news- because working out at home can cost you a fraction of the price as working out in a gym, and it can save you time (AND I usually have a really cute buddy to keep me company). Here are my favorite workout DVDs and online resources:

1. Tone It Up. This program is definitely not free, but you can get some of the workouts free through their website. If you’re looking for just the DVDs and not the nutrition plan, you will spend about 40 bucks. It’s honestly worth the money. I LOVE these DVDs and do the workouts all the time. I also do the workouts on the website for added variety. Some workouts are short at just 10-15 minutes, and some are longer at close to 40 minutes.

2. Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. I think I got this DVD on Amazon for less than 10 dollars. It has three, 20-minute workouts that are short, but effective. Each workout is more difficult than the previous one, so you can easily vary your intensity.

3. The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga. Once again, I think I got this one for less than 10 dollars. You can customize your workout with a warm up, three different yoga routines, and a cool down.

4. PopSugar Fitness. This app is amazing. It is totally free and there are SO many workout videos and routines. I prefer the videos, but I have also used the still photos for some yoga practice, as well. You can find videos as short as 5 minutes and as long as 40 minutes. There are cardio workouts, yoga, boxing, tabata, HIIT, literally anything you could ever want.

It’s important to note that I don’t just do one type of exercise. Here a sample of a week of workouts for me. I try not to schedule rest days because usually something comes up and I wind up missing a day, so that becomes my rest day:
Sunday: Elliptical/Bike cardio workout at the gym
Monday: Tone It Up video: Coconut Core and Booty
Tuesday: Run on the treadmill at the gym, abs
Wednesday: Weight Loss Yoga
Thursday: Elliptical/Bike cardio workout at the gym
Friday: PopSugar Fitness arm workout, abs
Saturday: Run outside/at the gym

For most of these workouts you will need a set of dumbbells (5-10 lbs) and a yoga mat. For Tone It Up and PopSugar fitness, some of the workouts call for other equipment (like resistance bands and kettle bells), but you could just skip those particular workouts if you don’t have them. I got both my resistance band and kettle bell at TJ Maxx for maybe 10 bucks each.

One of the hardest areas to target during a workout is the lower abs. So many exercises work the top and sides of our abs, but the biggest problem area tends to be that lower tummy section. I have put together a list of my six favorite moves to target this area. Do them alone of pair them with the waist-whittling ab exercises for a total ab workout!

Reverse Crunches: Start out on your back with legs bent to 90 degrees. Roll up and curl your hips off the ground. Roll back down. Repeat x20.

V sits: Sit on your booty with your hands by your hips and knees bent. Extend your legs out straight and lean back. Crunch back up. Repeat x20.

Double Leg Lifts: Lie on your back with your hands by your sides. Raise both legs up into the air. Slowly lower down, hovering just above the ground. Lift legs back up. Repeat x15.

Single Leg Lifts: Lie on your back with your hands by your sides. Raise both legs up into the air. Bring one leg down, hovering just above the ground. Reverse. Repeat x20.

Single-Leg Plank Crunch: Start out in plank position with one leg raised off the ground. Bend at your hips and raise your booty to the sky as you crunch your leg in towards your nose. Repeat x15. Switch legs and repeat x15.

Roll-Ups: Lie on your back with your arms above your head. Very slowly, lift up and roll your body into a seated position, then reach forward towards your toes. Slowly roll back down and place your arms back above your head. Repeat x10. (You can also hold a medicine ball during this exercise for added resistance).