There’s An App For That

Sorry I’ve been MIA for the past couple of weeks.  Lately my life has been consumed with work.   My days have been working through lunch, late night emails and constant phone calls.   No worries, I’m not going to have a Britney 2007 moment and shave my head (I don’t think).  Thankfully, I am at my best when I am busy or stressed.  Are you like that?

Like some of you, my favorite way to deal with stress is hitting the gym.  If you’ve been keeping up with Wine Down Wednesday you know that I am a fan of PopSugar fitness.  Have you heard of it?  If not, you’re in luck because they have an App and it is amazing.  I make my way to the gym every day after work, even if it’s a bad day and I can only give 30 minutes.  Better than nothing, yes?  PopSugar is perfect for short days at the gym because the work-outs are quick 5-10 min sessions that actually challenge your body.

With the Popsugar App you can search for work-outs, download routines to your phone, keep track of your activity and save your favorite videos and routines to your profile.  I love it!  This app will also come in handy while I’m traveling over the next couple of months. Did I mention I’m leaving for Texas tomorrow?  Can’t wait to tell you about the trip when I get back!

Download the PopSugar App.  You won’t be disappointed.

See you soon!

~Ashley

Weekend Recap: Kettlebells and Wine

Happy Tuesday, friends! Lucky for me I had an extended weekend, sort of.  Yesterday was too nice to spend the day in front of a computer.  So, I did what any twenty something would do…I left work at lunch and went straight to the pool.  It was perfection.  What made it even better is sissy came to play too!  Who knew it only took snacks and access to a pool for my sister to spend time with me ;). Love you, Brookey!

After the fun filled weekend I had I needed a little more time to recover.  This weekend Brody and I stayed in Richmond with Jeremy.  I don’t have a gym membership in Richmond but since bikini season is here and in full force I was not going to skip out on gym time all weekend.  Thank goodness I have a friend like Rhonda (who is also a zumba instructor) who encouraged me to sign up for two fitness classes on Saturday morning.

Yeah…please keep in mind that this was my FIRST class of the day.  My second class was Rhonda’s zumba class.  Needless to say, I was sore and in pain on Sunday.   Thanks Richmond Athletic Club, I’ll be back!

Of course I didn’t spend my whole day at the gym.  Saturday evening Jeremy and I were invited to do a wine tasting with Sergio and his wife Susie. Sergio and Susie are wine distributors who own Di Vino Wholesalers.  They specialize in unique wines and specialty foods from Italy. Umm….can we be best friends?   I can’t wait to tell you wino’s all about it!  Check out my blog tomorrow for my Wine Wednesday selection!

Have a great week!

~Ashley

Tank Top Season

I am truly envious of  girls with small arms.  Did I say envious?  I really mean hate.  I hate any female that can sport their tank tops with perfect fit/slim arms.  Boooo…no one even likes you :)…jk jk.

POPSUGAR is by far my favorite website for workout routines.   All routines are 10 minutes, everything from arms to butt and gut.  Don’t let the time of the routine fool you, the workout will definitely get your heart rate up.  Since I am currently obsessed with tank top season I wanted to share my favorite POPSUGAR videos with you.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!  Get ready to say good-bye to those flabby lunch lady arms!

Have a great week!

~Ashley

All Natural Detox Drink

Summer is around the corner so I have really been increasing my water intake for bikini season….ummmm…and my health :).  Well, there’s that and also the fact that my body needs to hydrate from my Vegas trip (still recovering).  My Vegas trip is a story for another day :).

Anyhoo, I know how I am and I don’t think I would have the self control to stick with a 3 day cleanse that I see advertised in ads and by the celebs.  I get too hangry (hungry and angry) when I go without real food for more than a couple of hours.  A drink just won’t cut it, sorry.  Therefore, I chose to save a hundred dollars and make homemade detox beverages instead.  My detox drink of choice improves my water intake, keeps me away from sugary drinks (aka Diet Coke, my weakness), and helps flush the impurities that are lurking in my body.

My favorite detox drink is a mixture between lemon, mint and cucumbers.  I mix all of the ingredients into a pitcher of water and let the mixture set in my refrigerator overnight.  I pour a glass as soon as I get up in the morning and again when I get home from the gym.  It’s so refreshing!  I really notice a difference in my body when I make a habit of drinking this detox beverage.  Another favorite mixture of mine is cut up strawberry’s and mint leaves…It’s good to change it up sometimes!

What’s your detox drink of choice?

~Ashley

Things To Do This May

Some Vitamin D is just what I needed to perk up- thanks sunshine!  Nothing rejuvenates the spirit like Spring and sunshine.  The beautiful weather (minus the random tornados) has given me an itch to start celebrating Spring.  It’s time to try new things!  Here are a few things to put on your calendar this month:

1) Wine & Canvas :  Ummm did someone say wine?  Just kidding (but seriously).  Wine and Canvas is a mobile business that travels to restaurants, favorite city venues, or even your home!  You don’t have to be an artist to sign up, the artists tell you how to do everything step by step- easy peasy!  Check out the Wine & Canvas website to find a location near you!

2) Farmer’s Market: Nothing says Spring like a Farmer’s Market.  Buy fresh produce and flowers from your local farmers!  Get some honey too while you’re at it.

3) 5K with your Dog:  This May I plan on signing up for the Woodford Humane Society- Woodford Wag.  All of my Lexington friends, if you have a fur baby you should sign up for this great cause!  Brody Bear is going to make so many friends!

4) Running Club:  May is the month you really prep for bikini season.  If you need some motivation try joining a running club!

5) Visit a Brewery:  Breweries are popping up everywhere!  I’ve lost count on how many Lexington has these days.  Take a day this month and enjoy sampling beers at a local brewery.  My favorite local brew is called Cougar Bait  by Country Boy Brewing.

What do you have planned for May?

~Ashley

Savasana.

Savasana pose- nailed it.

Trying new things has been on my new years resolution list for the past couple years.  Challenging myself and trying new things really make me happy, therefore I try to stick with it.   So last night I met up with Katie and Lynzee and tried hot yoga for the first time at Bikram studio in Lexington, KY.  What a relaxing session!  If you visit soon you can try hot yoga for $30 for the first month.  Usually the classes are $19 a session so this is a steal.

Here are a couple of tips that I wish I had known (or listened to) prior to my session:

1. Drink LOTS of water before, during and after the session.

2. They are being serious when they say to bring a beach towel. I basically took a hand towel and it was good for 2 seconds.  I had to pay $2 to rent their beach towel- ummm, rude.

3. Don’t eat sushi, chips and chocolate 30 min. prior to the workout. 😦

4. Try to be as naked as possible.  I wore long yoga pants and nearly died.

If you do these 4 things you should be golden.  Me on the other hand, I will try to listen to this advice next time.  Also, in case you are wondering, savasana is called the corpse pose.  Savasana was actually the only pose I enjoyed doing during my 60 minute session.

Side note, you will for sure look like this after the class but keep going!

Cheers to trying new things!

Namaste,

~Ashley

I be working on my fitness.

Me at the gym when my group fitness class is full or cancelled:

Now what?

I go to a large gym and at times it can be really intimidating. If my group fitness class is full or all of the treadmills are in use I am screwed.  Don’t get me wrong, I know how to work out but I am scatter brained when it comes to setting up a weight lifting schedule for myself.  Also, do you remember when everyone said women need to do  “low weights and high reps” to not get bulky?! Well apparently that information is far from the truth.   So I turned to Jeremy and this was his response.

Hey Ashley Bear!
I found a plan online that’s pretty similar to the one I made for ya, I’ll send some things for you that are different on shoulders day. It’s also a good read and it’ll alleviate any fears you had about weight lifting making you gain weight.  I wanted to send it to you instead because you can click on the exercises and it will show you how to do them. The workouts are at the bottom.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5_fat_loss_workouts.htm.

Jeremy sent me this workout program a few weeks ago and I love it!  Now when I go to the gym I actually have a set schedule and feel confident doing the exercises.  Who needs a personal trainer when I have Jeremy?  I hope this information helps you as much as it did me!

Happy Thursday!

~Ashley

5 Wines for Wednesday

In honor of Wine Down Wednesday, here are my top 5 Zins:

1. Cigar Zin

2. 7 Deadly Zins

3. Perserverance

4. Dancing Bull

5. Racho Zabaco

You’re Welcome.

Cheers,

Ashley

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

Bachelorette parties, weddings, and conferences are right around the corner.  Therefore, I am making my weekends a time for  being lazy relaxing.

This weekend I became obsessed with a Netflix series, The Following.  This show is disturbing and frustrating, but for some reason I can’t stop watching!  So, if you have nothing else to do I suggest watching this series.

Saturday morning I met my old co-worker, Stephanie, for yoga at Lululemon.  In case you’re interested, Lululemon has complimentary yoga every Saturday from 9AM-10AM.   Let me tell you, the instructor was no joke. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a yoga session that made me sweat this much…and she would not let us give up! Loved it.  It was a fantastic work-out and a great way to jump start my Saturday!  Obviously when the session was over I had to browse the store.

V-Day is right around the corner (hint-hint, Jeremy) 🙂

After our perfect yoga session Stephanie and I decided to try a local juice bar in downtown Lexington, The Weekly Juicery.  It was a little pricey but since we just had a free yoga session we decided to splurge.  With the 50 degree weather and juice in my hand I felt like it was summertime!

Now I’m snowed in, but that’s Kentucky for you!  I hope everyone has a happy, healthy week!

~Ashley

Color Me Happy

Color Me Rad is coming back to Lexington, KY!

Alpha Delta Pi at the University of Kentucky will be hosting their 2nd Annual Color Me Rad 5K on April 12, 2014 at Coldstream Park!  If you want to sign up during the early bird special make sure you register today! (literally, the special ends today). http://www.colormerad.com/race/lexington

Last year the race was at UK and we had over 5,000 participants and raised 15, 000 $$$$. Proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House located in Lexington, KY.  What a great cause!

Last year the race was held in March and it was 15 degrees….what the freak?  Although the weather was miserable we all had a great time.  Obviously, I took advantage of this time to catch up with my old sissies!

P.S. I realize how ridiculous I look.

See you on April 12th!

<> Ashley