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Cari Fit

Cari Fit

Fitness Advice, Workout Tips, and Inspiration

Beauty

Favorite Holiday Fitness Gifts

Giving the gift of fitness is always a great idea and below I’ve listed some of my latest favorite fitness products that I personally use and love and they are all under $100! Most are available for quick ship via Amazon, Nordstrom or other site (links below) and you can still get them in time for Christmas!

1.Comfiest Leggings from Amazon : Colorfulkoala

I wear workout clothes 95% of my week and that means lots of leggings! I have tried almost every brand and lately my favorite is these Colorfulkoala ones I found on Amazon. Why? They are buttery soft, fit well with the right amount of compression and they have pockets to store my key and phone if needed.

2. Favorite New Workout Line: Calia by Carrie Underwood

My overall favorite for workout clothes is Carrie Underwood’s line: “Calia by Carrie Underwood”. You can buy it online or they carry it at Dick’s Sporting Goods. I’ve tried the bras, jackets, leggings and tanks and they all fit great and are super high quality. They function well at the gym and stay put when they are supposed to. I also love the cute colors and styles that Carrie puts together – she always looks amazing during her workouts (#fitspo)!

3. Best Natural Deodorant: Native

I’ve tried a bunch of natural deodorants over the last couple of years and many just don’t work or don’t work long enough. I really like Native for a solid and it holds up well during workouts and they have some cute gift sets site. I also like EO lavender spray which smells really nice and also holds up really well during/after workouts – a great stocking stuffer!

4. Best Yoga Mat: Manduka

I bought my Manduka yoga mat at a studio in Houston after a recommendation. I’m so glad I upgraded. The one I have is a pretty shimmery coral color on one side and a mat pink on the other (not sure if that one is still available) but they have a variety of cool colors. So far it’s holing up great and has just the right amount of cushion and support for yoga and doesn’t slip.

5. Favorite Dry Shampoos: Living Proof and Detox by Drybar

As a girl who’s always going to/from the gym or teaching classes – I rely on dry shampoo all the time! I’m not a huge fan of heavily scented ones – so that’s why I like Living Proof and Detox by Drybar. They both are scented but pretty light and the smell is pleasant. The main reason I chose these is because they really work the best and don’t weigh my hair down. Gift Idea: These also make great stocking stuffers, or pair them with sweatproof hair ties and gift to your bff who loves to workout.

6. Most Festive Leggings: Goldsheep

I always get compliments when I wear my Goldsheep leggings. I splurge on these for fun, festive holiday leggings. They also make cute “mommy and me” styles!

7. Best Booty Band: Slingshot “hip circle”

I have a variety of resistance bands I use for upper and lower body (great for travel!) and I love using them specifically for glutes/booty work. I have a lighter set I use for squats and leg extensions (I also use these at my bootcamp) but when I need one to stay put, I like the one from Slingshot. This one stays put during donkey kicks, kickbacks, hip bridges, etc and will not slide around or dig into your legs. Gift Idea: You could pair this with a set of colorful dumbbells, a monthly membership to her favorite spin studio or with the jumprope below.

8. Best Jumprope: Degol

I usually use my trusted “licorice” rope but it does get twisted and tangled quite a bit. So, I found this one by Degol on Amazon and really like it. It’s adjustable, lightweight and doesn’t tangle. I use my rope in between weight training circuits or boxing with the bag. Gift Idea: pair with a new set of boxing gloves, classes to a local boxing studio or Spotify membership.

How To Squeeze in a REAL Workout at Work + Hair & Makeup Products For Post-Workout

I was recently interviewed by the Houston Chronicle’s Maggie Gordon – on how to to fit in a good workout on your lunch-break. My suggestion was to do your workouts AT work so you can cut down on travel time to/from a gym or class…since most people only have an hour or less for lunch. Below are 2 workouts I gave her that you can do in your office. Don’t be scared to do it! If you are shy..the staircase workout is great because you can get a little privacy. But, even better yet – get your coworkers to join you! I’ve also included some of my favorite products I use after my workout to freshen up fast. You can read the Houston Chronicle’s article here.

Staircase Workout (no equipment needed)

*Alternate running stairs for 3 minutes in between each of these sets. Try to do a fast pace and get your heart rate up. It doesn’t matter how big your staircase is – just do it for 3 minutes.

#1

  • 10 Pushups with hands on the step (incline pushups)
  • 30 Squats
  • 10 Pushups with feet on the step (decline pushups)

#2

  • 15 Elevated lunges (place back foot on a step behind you) on the Right
  • 20 Calf raises on the stairs – let your heels dip off the step a little when you lower down
  • 15 Elevated lunges on the Left

#3

  • 15 Seated tricep dips on stairs
  • 30 Squats
  • 15 Seated tricep dips on stairs

#4

  • 20 Plank Tucks: Hold a plank with hands on the stairs and alternate tucking your knees to elbows. Right knee to right elbow/left knee to left elbow
  • 10 tricep pushups (wrists under shoulders and keep elbows close to your sides)
  • 50 Mountain Climbers with your hands on stairs (each time you pull your knee in is 1 count…so basically count to 50)

30 Minute HIIT Circuit (equipment: medium resistance band and timer)

*You can do this workout anywhere in your office – a conference room, break room, the parking garage, out front of your building, etc. 

#1

  • Easy = 45 seconds jumping jacks
  • Medium = 45 seconds of overhead shoulder presses with band
  • Hard = 45 seconds of squat jumps

#2

  • Medium= 45 seconds pushups
  • Hard= 45 seconds jump lunges
  • Easy= 45 seconds calf raises

#3

  • Hard = 60 seconds high knees
  • Easy = 60 seconds bicep curls with band
  • Medium = 60 seconds of hip abductions with band (walk side to side with band under your feet and hold handles at shoulders)

#4

  • Medium = 60 seconds of bent over rows with band (band over feet and bend over making back parallel to floor)
  • Easy = 30 seconds of upright rows with band
  • Hard = 60 seconds of burpees

Ideas For Staying Motivated:

  • Get your coworkers involved!
  • Follow sample workouts from trainers or bloggers online (I have a ton of samples here: https://www.cari-fit.com/category/free-sample-workouts/ and here: http://bombshell-bootcamp.com/topics/workouts/
  • Post on social media that you are about to workout or do a post-workout selfie and brag about your accomplishments. You’ll also motivate others this way : )

Products I Like:

  • The last thing you want to do is slather on foundation when you are still hot and radiating heat. Instead us a tinted moisturizer to keep your glow going. I like Aveeno tinted moisturizer and Tarte (I’m a big fan of all of their products).
  • For hair I usually wear it in a loose bun and then after I spray it with a beach wave spray. It acutally works good if your hair is a little wet or sweaty. I love this one form Oribe.
  •  I also like dual bronzer and blush in one so that I don’t have to spend time searching for 2 products. I like Benefit “Dallas” (it’s blush/bronzer in one product) and then my travel size Nars multiple with bronzer/blush.
I don’t like hauling a full bag of makeup either so I get small sample sizes that fit in my purse. I like these:
  • a retractable makeup brush: http://www.sephora.com/buff-go-retractable-face-brush-P273404?skuId=1300532&icid2=products%20grid:p273404
  • mini mascara (you can get a lot of brands in sample or travel sizes)
  • BB cream stick (easy to apply on the go – got mine at Target).
  • LOVE this mini brush by Sephora (I have thick long hair and it works).
  • test

Friday Favorites

Here are some of the latest products I’m loving right now!

  1. I really like this new Fiery Pink Pepper Scrub from Molton Brown. It has a great scent, makes my skin smooth and I love the bright pink jar it comes in!
  2. This one is for all the new moms out there! I got the Baby Shusher as a shower gift from one of my friends and I thought she was crazy. I thought it was a gag gift and was like “WTH is this??”. But, I’m not kidding…this thing works! It made our baby quiet down fast and it also made us realize how often we were saying “shhhhh” before we got this thing!
  3. Have you guys tried Halo Top ice cream?! I’m seriously hooked! Whenever I want a sweet treat at night – this is my go-to indulgence.
  4. As a new mom – I look for any chance I can to feel like I’m on vacation! When I tried these ToGo Spa Coconut Eyes I was in Heaven and felt like I was at a luxurious beach resort! Not only do they have a fabulous light coconut scent but they feel wonderful under your eyes! You can also put them in the fridge and use them to de-puff! I seriously did not want to take these off!
  5. I found this cute makeup bag at Sephora by Mara Hoffman. I love the bright print and I think I’m going to have to buy the cute clutch purse too!
  6. I just got these cute shorts by Calia – Carrie Underwood’s new workout line. I get compliments on them all the time and I love the cute tropical print!

 

Although I was paid and/or given some of these products to sample – all texts and opinions are my own and I only feature products that I use myself!

Favorite Beauty Products

Most of the week you’ll see me around town or teaching bootcamp in workout clothes and my hair in a top knot and if you see me…you may be wondering why I don’t use MORE beauty products (haha). But, believe it or not – I can actually clean up quite nicely. I don’t have a lot of free time – but when I do, I like to read up on the latest beauty trends and I follow many fashion and beauty bloggers online and on Instagram. On the weekends I usually get dressed up for date night or sometimes for drinks with friends. Here are a few of the products I love when it’s time for me to up the ante:

Cari-Favorites-Sept15

Body Moisturizers & Face

I’ve jumped on the coconut oil bandwagon and I like to use it as a moisturizer. I love the smell of coconut – but not for a daily moisturizer so I do the unscented one. I also really like the Honest brand and love their face and body lotion for a lightweight moisturizer. The only problem I’ve found with it is that it seems like it doesn’t have a very long shelf life because after a couple of months the scent starts to change.

Face

I really like this Vitamin C serum by Ole Hendrickson (I actually like all the products in his line – they are very simple). Vitamin C is supposed to reduce lines and discoloration similar to retnoids but it’s naturally derived from vitamin c.

I prefer makeup wipes at night since washing my face still doesn’t get rid of eye makeup. I like these wipes by Simple because they are not greasy and unscented and do a great job.

Makeup

I love the brand Tarte because they also use simple ingredients, cruelty free and are great for people with sensitive skin. But, best of all they look and work great. My favorites are their tinted moisturizer for during the day and “lights, camera lashes” mascara.

Bronzer

I love this bronzer cream by Stila. It stays on for a long time and can be worn under makeup or over. I got the mini size in a trio of their beauty balms at the Sephora store in JC Penney. For self-tanners…my favorite is still the Kate Somerville tan towelettes. They are pricey but the tan lasts almost a week and is the most natural I’ve found. It is only one shade – but I like my tan dark and this does the job.

Hair

I love dry shampoos and have tried a ton of them. My 2 favorites are Suave (I get mine at Target) and “Detox” dry shampoo from Dry Bar (love the scent!). I also really like beachy waves. I like to put my damp hair in a loose bun or top knot and spray with this beach spray by John Frieda. Then a few hours later I let it down and have instant waves.

Nails

I know summer is almost over – but I’m not quite into dark polish yet. I still love OPI polish in “Cozu Melted in the Sun” because it goes great with a tan but yet can transition into fall.

*I used all of these products while pregnant and/or breastfeeding. But, please check with your doctor first to make sure they are safe for you.

 

 

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