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Cari Fit

Cari Fit

Fitness Advice, Workout Tips, and Inspiration

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My Favorite High-Protein Snacks

Happy 2022! It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post. Now with 3 little kids – fitting in workouts and eating healthy has been more of a challenge! But, I feel like I’m finally headed back in the right direction. I will do a post on my weight loss journey soon – but for now I wanted to share what has been working for me so far.

Over the summer I got down to (almost) my goal weight and built more muscle mass. However, I did gain some of that back over the holidays. What I’ve found to be the best strategy for me as a busy mom of kids 8, 5 and 1 is to simplify my workouts (but use heavy weight) and eat a high-protein diet. I will share more some of my workouts soon, including one I just did for Oxygen Magazine. I try to eat about 1g of protein per 1lb of body weight (goal weight not when overweight), so I’m always looking for ways to sneak in extra protein throughout the day.

Why so much protein? Protein fills you up faster and also helps you gain (or keep) lean muscle mass. So, if you plan to up your protein intake – it’s really key to make sure you are doing some sort of strength training (even body weight) during the day so that all that protein can do its job!

Here are my latest favorites (*these my kids like too!):

Ratio Yogurt*: I found this yogurt at my local HEB and it has 25g of protein per serving. It’s actually really tasty without any artificial sweetener taste and the texture is creamy and amazing. I love all the flavors, especially the key lime pie!

Hardboiled Eggs*: This is a super simple one. To save time, sometimes I buy them pre-made or get the little Vital Kitchens pack with seasonings. However, my Dad just gave me this cool egg cooker for Christmas and it makes hardboiled eggs really quickly and easily!

Protein muffin cup: I have tried a few different brands. The FlapJacked one has more protein but is not quite as flavorful as the Kodiak Cakes one.

Barilla Pasta*: This isn’t really a snack – but whenever I make pasta at home for the fam, I use this brand. I will never go back to regular pasta.

Magic Spoon Cereal*: I recently found this and love it. My kids actually really like it too! I got a whole variety pack and my kids ate most of them! The cereals are all super tasty and the best part is that they have less sugar and more protein than similar kids’ cereals. I love the bright colors and cute packaging too!

Whole Foods Protein Bites* I found these at Whole Foods and are a great snack for on-the-go.

Pure Protein Shakes: This has been my go-to shake recently. I get a whole case at Costco. The taste is good and it has low sugar and high protein.

Egg Life Wrap These are at Whole Foods, HEB, Aldi and other grocery stores. They are a great substitute for tortillas or other wrap for sandwiches, snacks and even breakfast burritos.

Shop my outfit HERE

All opinions above are my own, although I have partnered with Magic Spoon Cereal.

Home Gym Starter Guide

This is the time of year that many people are still trying to commit to working out. But, where do you start? Do you join a gym, join a new HIIT or barre studio or do you try to workout at home? The answer is – any of those! Do whatever seems to motivate you the most and is the most convenient. If the gym or studio is too far from your house, you may not end up committing past January. Or, if your house is too noisy and you are distracted with other things around the house, then a home workout might not be the best for you. I personally do all 3 – I have a gym membership, I occasionally do drop-ins at local studios and then I also have a home gym for backup. Sometimes I can’t get out of the house to workout and it’s nice to have the right equipment so I can get in a mini workout whenever I want. You don’t need to devote an entire room to your “gym” but just create a space in a room (or your garage) that will work! Below are my favorite pieces of workout gear for a home gym, along with just the basics you need if you are on a budget or just starting out. All of the recommended pieces of equipment below can be found at Target, Walmart or Amazon (links below under pic).

Beginner Equipment

What you should get: 2 sets of dumbbells (1 light and 1 medium/heavy), a mat, a foam roller and a resistance band with handles. These basics should get you through a few months of workouts. The weights should be a light set and a medium set for you. The medium should be a set that you can lift (say for bicep curls) for 12-15 reps with good form. The mat doesn’t have to be fancy – just a good quality one that you can use to do core exercises and exercises on your back. If you have hardwood floors or you are planning to do your workouts in your garage, you may need a thicker mat. Resistance bands are great to change things up and can be used for things like lateral leg raises and even seated rows. The foam roller is great for post-workout soreness!

Intermediate/Advanced Equipment

What you should get: Multiple sets of weights on a weight rack; a resistance band with handles and 2 loop bands; 2 sizes of kettlebells, 1 jumprope, 1 mat and 1 adjustable bench. Once you are working out regularly. You should invest in a few different sizes of dumbbells. Why? It’s good to challenge your body sometimes with heavy weights and fewer reps and then other days do lighter weights with heavy weights. Also, as you get more advanced you will need heavier weights especially for lower body exercises like squats. Another option is to add in a barbell with different sized weight plates to adjust, but I prefer dumbbells. I would get an additional resistance band with handle (a heavier one) as well as 2 loop bands to use during hip bridges, squats and lateral moves like side shuffles. Kettlebells are great because you can use them for strength training and also for “cardio” (kettlebell swings). A bench is also great to use for step-ups, chest presses, box jumps, etc. I like the “old school” steps that you can adjust with risers. The higher the step, the more challenging it is.

1) Dumbbells 2) Mat 3) Resistance Bands 4) Foam Roller 5) Jumprope 6) Kettlebells 7) Loop Band 8) Weight Stack 9) Adjustable Bench

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.

Holiday Favorites

I’ve put together a fun list of some of my favorite holiday gifts for the fit girl in your life and also for little ones! You can still get most by Christmas if you pay a little extra for expedited shipping! Check them out below..

 

Fitness Favorites:

Snap Kitchen Meal Plan – If you have a friend or family member who is trying to stay on track with their diet…I highly recommend Snap Kitchen. They make it so easy to stay on track with all of their healthy meals (and new eco-friendly packaging!). This is also a good gift for yourself! They have customizable plans for a wide range of diets including low-carb, whole30, paleo and more! Plus, they offer convenient delivery in most areas!

Bootcamp Classes – Fitness classes like those from Bombshell Bootcamp make great gifts. We all know everyone wants to change things up at the beginning of the year and there is no better way to do that then join up with a fun bootcamp and let your trainers do the work!

Apple Watch and Air Pods – These are my 2 running essentials. I love not having to take my phone with me on outdoor runs anymore. Serious game changer.

Old Navy Shimmer Workout Pants. Most of my workout pants are from Old Navy – they have the best variety and fit.

Plaid Holiday Leggings  (in my pic above). I love Goldsheep and get all my holiday leggings there!

Beauty/Home Favorites:

FabFitFun Box – My mom got me this gift about a year ago and I love it! I look forward to getting my seasonal boxes. You can customize them too.

DryBar – This is one of my go-to’s for a splurge or day of relaxation. I LOVE having my hair done and I go to the Drybar a lot! You can view more pics and videos on my IG stories under “beauty”.

Holiday Hats – I got this cute glitter hat and plaid hat at Amazon.com and love them. The gold one has a place for a high pony or bun. I love the plaid one too but it’s a little thick – so not the best for the gym.

Diffuser and Candle – These are my favorite holiday scents and they make pretty gifts. *The candle seems to be sold out online but you may be able to find it in store at Anthropologie. I also purchased my diffuser in store at Central Market.

Target HoHoHo Earrings (comes in a cute box) – Target has a ton of cute affordable gifts including these HoHoHo earrings I bought for myself and for gifts.

Corkcicle champagne flute.

 

Kid Favorites:

If you have little kids in your life – I highly recommend these gifts. My kids (ages 2 and 5) have been playing with them since they were tiny and they are still holding up.

Ice cream Cart – Hours of enjoyment!

Kid Headphones – These are great if you have 2 kids because they easily connect and they can share one device. We use them on long plane rides.

Push Car – We’ve had this plastic car for 3 years now and it’s held up great! It’s fun for ages 9 months (if they can situp) to about age 5 and has a safety belt. There are more expensive ones out there with more bells and whistles but this is a good simple one!

Pink Cow Car – My kids love this thing and ride it around the house. The music it plays can get a little annoying but there are seriously like 100 different songs! They love putting other toys in the “trunk” (under the seat).

Toy Eggs and Pancake Set – They love to make “breakfast” with these. The eggs are great for babies too and they are fun to squeak and hold. But, big kids like them too!

Vtech Cars and Animals – Their whole system works together so you can mix and match all kinds of cars, trucks, animals, etc. They all make sounds and some light up.

 

*I have partnered with a few of the above brands, but as usual – all opinions are my own.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Fit Mom + Fit Baby

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the fit Moms out there! If you are looking for a gift for a fit Mom in your life (girlfriend, sister, daughter or your own Mom) check out my favorites below. Or – if you need to send your partner or kids ideas…you may want to share this post on Facebook : )

Fitness Clothes & Gear

Every fit mom likes new workout clothes and workout gear.

For clothes I really like all of Target’s new spring and summer colors. Also, I’ve been getting a lot of my stuff from Nordstrom like these Zella crops (they are also very comfortable). I almost always wear a hat when I workout to keep my hair out of my face. I like this cute “Momlife” hat from Etsy.

I always take my phone with me on runs in case the baby needs me. The phone itself is bulky enough without a bulky arm strap and dangling wires on headphones. So, I use a neoprene armband  (lightweight & flexible) similar to this and love my Apple Wireless Airpods (headphones).

Let’s face it – as moms…we have to squeeze in a workout when we can and sometimes that means at home. I recommend getting a set of Adjustable weights for home workouts so you can keep just the one set in your workout area without taking up too much space. I love Apple TV so I can stream youtube workouts and Instagram live workouts (like the one I’ll be doing on my @Bombshell_Bootcamp Insta soon!).

Spa/Beauty

All moms want to look and feel pretty. If she likes spa days…I recommend Milk + Honey spa in Houston. If she’s been super busy and doesn’t have much time to fix her hair – get her a  giftcard to the Drybar for a blowout or braid that she can show off at her next yoga class. But, if you think she’d like a completely new look or just really awesome highlights – send her to my colorist Sarah at Ceron salon. I’ll be doing a post about her soon because she has a great transformation story! I also love these new hair bands I found at Sephora (another great idea for a gift card!) because they don’t break or damage my hair.

Items For the Fit Baby & Kid

Fit moms are setting a great example for their little ones (and big ones). Most babies and kids try to copy their parents’ behaviors – so if you are a fit parent, they want to workout just like you! Next time you do a home workout or take your kid with you on a run or bike ride – try one of these cute products:

The baby dumbbell rattle is so cute and babies love rattles! I also love this cute Under Armour baby workout outfit (shown in my picture below) for babies. Have a bigger toddler? Check out this toddler weight set with barbell! If you have bigger kids, get them excited about yoga with their own Kids yoga mat and yoga deck cards!

 

Fitness Classes

Fitness classes or gift cards also make great gifts. I personally love the Bombshell Bootcamp Giftcard ; ) but yoga or spin classes make great gifts, or just help her make time for early morning runs by watching the baby or swap carpooling the kids with another fit mom friend! Most cities also have “Mommy and Me” classes for babies and moms under 2 or ask around for baby bootcamps or just see if your favorite bootcamp will allow you to bring a baby in a stroller (mine will).

Healthy Lunch or Dinner Out

Fit moms like to celebrate and go out – but sometimes it can be stressful picking a healthy spot that the rest of the family will enjoy. My new favorite for lunch in Houston is Bebidas. For dinner I always love True Food Kitchen (you HAVE to order the crudites!) and it’s a chain – so if you don’t live in Houston check out their other locations. A few of my other local favorites for healthy (and vegetarian friendly) options are Ruggles Green and Molina’s (grilled chicken or fish platter with veggies) and Escalante’s (grilled fish tacos and their baked tortilla chips).

*All opinions on the products and companies are my own.

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
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