WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Splish Splash

This summer when we were in Pennsylvania, Rumi Joon and I spent a lot of time running through the sprinklers and swimming in our friend's pool. There's nothing like a dunk in cool water to chill out on a hot day—and I also got some great low-impact exercise in the pool. After watching my JMC coworkers boogie boarding and body surfing at the beach this weekend, I'm in the mood to try some fun water sports. What are your favorite ways to splish, splash, and work that body of yours?

With love,

Josie

Images via: 

CherryBow Shoot-Me-Now Pinterest

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Be Strong

I saw a quote on Pinterest the other day that resonated with me: "Strong is the new skinny." While I was in the modeling industry, spending a lot of time with rail-thin girls, I started to admire women with truly strong bodies. They looked like they could do anything! Strength comes in all shapes in sizes, but it gives you a confidence, grace and awareness in your body that "skinny" will never give you. Plus, a little strength training can help prevent all sorts of ailments including osteoperosis, arthritis, and diabetes. Here are a few of my tips for flexing those muscles. 

Good Things Come in Threes

If you lift weights or do resistance training more than three times a week, you're not giving your muscles enough time to recover. Twice, or once a week is better than nothing, but three will give you the results and boost in body power you're looking for. 

Band Together

I love resistance bands for strength training. It's an easy way to use your own body to provide just the right amount of strain to muscles. You can amp it up or tone it down depending on your strength level. And you can keep your bands at home and do a few bicep curls even when you only have 5 minutes. 

Slow it Down

It might seem counterintuitive, but lifting weights slowly is actually harder than racing through your exercises. Slow it down to really feel the burn! 

With love and strength,

Josie

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Outdoor Fun

I love being outside so much, I gave birth to both of my daughters in the great outdoors: Rumi in the peaceful garden of Ali's sister's house in the LA hills, and Indi on our Pennsylvania farm. Being among the birds and the flowers, and taking a slow hike, never fails to get my blood flowing. A few of my favorite ways to get active in nature? Outdoor yoga, canoeing, creek-wading, and walking. What's your fave way to get outside and break a sweat?

With love,

Josie

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Loving Your Body

As many of you know, Wednesdays at JMC are our workout days. We run around the block, do dozens of squats, and crunch to our heart’s not-so-content. We’re a diverse group, ranging from 21 years old to 60, and we’re all at different fitness levels. Some of us can barely touch our toes; others are pro-style yogis. Although we sometimes slip up, we try not to compare ourselves to one another—after all, working out is all about showing your body some love, not bringing it down with negative self-talk. We leave our workouts feeling stronger, healthier, and a whole lot more beautiful (despite the frizzy post-workout hair). What makes YOU feel good about your body? What do you do to show your temple some love?

xo, The Chicological Chicks 

Image via Glamour

P.S. That's not us, we just really loved all the beautiful sizes in this picture. 

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Power Boost your Workout

Last week was party time, big-time, here at JMC. On Tuesday, we gorged on burgers and cupcakes to celebrate our coworkers with June birthdays. On Thursday we had a going-away party for Ali—he's headed to Pennsylvania to spend the summer with Josie, Rumi, and their very-soon-to-appear new baby: a celebration as cross-cultural as we are! We splurged on a Persian feast followed by a piñata party, followed by the inevitable mad dash for the candy. We finished off the week with a Friday shindig for Rebekah, our VP of Product Development, who's going on maternity leave. (Who knew pregnancy was contagious? Rebekah’s due date is the same as Josie's!)

Our beloved and brutal trainer, Michelle, noticed we were all kind of sluggish today after all that eating. Which left us wondering whether certain foods make working out harder, and others make it easier. We found some tips about foods that can boost the effectiveness of your workout.

Spice it Up 

We love spicy food—we have a giant bottle of Red Rooster hot sauce in every JMC refrigerator. So we were glad to learn that adding a little spice to your food will help you make the most of your workout. Capsaicin, the chemical that makes that jalapeno burn, also causes your body to release a burst of stress hormones, which speeds up your metabolism. A faster metabolism means you'll burn more calories whether you're working out or sitting at your desk. Other metabolism boosters? Green tea, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy products. 

Drink Up

H2O, that is. Drinking water steadily throughout the day will help you feel more energized and less sluggish during your workouts. It takes  a few hours for your body to absorb all that water, so be sure to sip throughout the day and not just right before you hit the gym. 

Shake it Up

Our Senior Manager of Marketing, Cristina, is one of our strongest and most toned coworkers. Before and after every workout, Cristina has a chocolate-y protein shake. Turns out, the shake increases the flow of amino acids to your muscles during your workout. Afterwards, it helps stimulate the muscle growth and tone that we're all looking for. Whey or soy protein shakes are our favorite. Here's to mastering at least one "real" pushup…

What do you do to get the most out of your workout?

xo,

The Chicological Chicks

Images via:Foundhealth OregonEast Tumblr

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY giveaway winner

A big-bellied thanks! to all you moms-to-be who sent in your pregnancy workout tips. (Just in time for me to use them—baby #2 is due in just a few weeks.)  And big congratulations to Erin, whose tip to keep it moving made her the winner of our "For Two Fitness" giveaway contest. Erin, I know you ’ll look great breaking a sweat in your new workout gear. Send pictures, please!

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY For Two Fitness Giveaway

Hello there, beautiful mamas-to-be!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the pregnancy workout tips I've shared with you over the past few weeks. 

Today's the last day of our Workout Wednesday series with maternity activewear company For Two Fitness. To bring an extra happy ending to the series, "For Two" has generously donated one of their great rayon/spandex stretch tops AND a pair of their fab Ultimate Maternity Fitness Pants to be gifted to one lucky Chicological reader. 

I can personally attest to how cute and comfy "For Two" gear is. Check out the pic of me rocking my own outfit. 

Entering the contest is easy. Just share your favorite pregnancy workout tip as a comment to this post—and be sure to do it before midnight on June 5th. We’ll announce the winner on June 6th. 

With love and Lycra,

P.S. Here is some extra info about the outfit from For Two. I know you'll just love it! 

"Celebrate your shape - you're officially one Hot Mama! Add some fun to your workout in this bright, playful tank and Ultimate Maternity Fitness Pants from For Two Fitness. Whether you're sweating it out or just relaxing with that pregnancy glow, you'll stay comfortable and covered in our ultra-comfy, high-performance activewear.   The racerback style tanks features generous long length, our rayon/spandex four-way stretch fabric, and side ruching for a perfectly flattering fit as you grow. Pants are made from the highest quality brushed supplex/lycra blend, and the three-way belly panel lets you customize your fit and support.  This ensemble will become your go-to favorite for your entire pregnancy and beyond. "

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

Staying active during pregnancy is super-important. You can’t overdo it, but just the right amount of exercise increases your circulation, which then carries more oxygen to your baby. Here are my tips for safely working up a sweat.

Be Classy

The exercises in prenatal classes are modified for pregnancy, and the instructors are trained to make sure you don’t overexert yourself. My faves are water aerobics and yoga, and I also love hanging out with other moms-to-be.

Can We Talk?

While you’re pregnant, you should never be so out of breath that you can’t talk while you’re working out.

Keep Cool

Pregnant women have higher body temperatures, and when we exercise, our body temperate goes up even more, especially around the core. Be careful not to overheat when you’re exercising, and avoid exercising on very hot days. 

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

The prospect of giving birth and the massive life changes that come along with a new baby can make mamas-to-be anxious as well as joyous. Meditation can help ease the physical and emotional challenges of new motherhood, quieting mind and body. Here are a few meditation tips for moms and non-moms alike.

Pick Your Place

Choose a meditation spot that puts you at ease: in your backyard listening to the birds sing, in a quiet room in your house, in a secluded spot in your favorite park.

Focus on Your Breath

Especially when you’re a beginning meditator, it can be hard to quiet your mind. When you find your thoughts wandering, corral them by breathe slowly through your nose, focusing your thoughts on the in and out sound of your breath. Deep, purposeful breathing is the gateway to deep, purposeful meditation.

Practice Makes Perfect

Your first attempts at meditation can be rocky. You might find yourself making a mental grocery list, or planning your weekend. Your legs cramp. Your breath grows shallow and unfocused. But don't give up, or beat yourself up. Like pretty much everything else, meditation gets easier with practice. So keep setting aside at least 15 minutes a day to meditate. Odds are, tomorrow’s 15 minutes will be even better than today’s.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

It is our second week of pregnancy workout tips with For Two Fitness! This week we’ll be focusing on strength and toning exercises to keep you strong during your pregnancy and after! 

STRENGTH TIPS

Work your Biceps

In just a few months you’ll be lifting your little one every day, so you should focus on building strength little by little over the course of your pregnancy. Try bicep curls with five-pound weights. Make sure your legs are shoulder-width apart and knees are loose. Raise the weights slowly towards your shoulders, keeping the chest up. Do ten reps then rest.

Try some Squats

Did you know that some women deliver in the squatting position? Squatting strengthens your thighs and glutes, both of which you will definitely need during labor. Make sure to keep your heels on the ground, and try holding the squat for at least 10 seconds.

Do your Kegels

This is the perfect strength tip for the woman on the go. Kegels can be done anywhere! They tone your pelvic floor to prepare you for labor. So what is a Kegel? It’s the same exercise that you do when you have a very full bladder and have to hold it. Flex those muscles!