WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

Hello mamas-to-be and Argan beauties! This week we kick off a month of fitness with For Two Fitness, a great company that specializes in chic workout clothing for pregnant women. For the next four weeks, I'll be giving you some of my workout tips and on May 30, you'll get a chance to win your own awesome workout outfit from the company (more details soon).

Until then, enjoy! And if you have any great tips of your own, please share. 

YOGA TIPS

Just Breathe
Pay attention to your body and how you're feeling by concentrating on really breathing getting oxygen to your organs and your baby. Not only will it help you relax at the time, but when the birth finally comes, you'll know how to breathe your way through the process.

Practice Calm
This means, use yoga to help reduce your everyday stress levels. It will help you keep your hormones and emotions in check (which are already elevated) thus keeping you and your baby happy and healthy.

Drink Water
You should drink plenty of water when exercising at any time in your life, but especially through pregnancy. It's ok if you're taking sips while in yoga class! You really need it.

Pay Attention
You know your body best. Pay attention to how you are feeling and don't overextend yourself.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAYS Deskercise

We know we're not alone when we say that we've been so busy here at JMC! And this means, a lot of time spent at our desks with our heads forward, necks stiff and our backs in need of a good stretch. While most of us (hint, hint) get our blood moving on Workout Wednesdays, the rest of the days we remain staring at the computer screen in sure need of standing up. Or better yet, a couple of quick exercise moves that can be done around the office.

So we looked far and wide for great tips and here's the ones we think we can handle:

• Try doing jumping jacks for a minute every hour.
• Not a jumping jacks fan? Run in place instead for a minute every hour.
• Still sitting? Tap your feet quickly whenever you feel sluggish. The quick spurt of movement will keep you alert (and bug your office mate).
• Once you're done with feet taps, try doing leg lifts (both straight up and out) holding for 15 seconds on each side at least two times each leg an hour.
• Stretch your arms over your head and lean side to side slowly focusing on keeping your torso strong and the stretch.
• Strengthen your arms (and keep the aching down) by doing arm circles while still sitting.
• Try some ab rotations by holding your arms together (think I Dream of Jeannie) rotating your torso side to side. Do this for 30 seconds a couple times a day.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Dancing

Recently, Refinery29 picked my brain about my favorite way to stay fit and while you might expect that I have a go-to class or something more interesting, I actually am just a fan of shaking my groove thing. You know, dancing! Any kind of dancing (as you may remember I signed myself up for some little-known dance show a few years ago. You may have heard of it. . .)

But, it's true. To move to the music surrounded by friends is not only a great night out, it's also an amazing way to stay in shape and to burn a few of those gingerbread calories (I don't know about you, but those seasonal baked goods are piling up in our office)! And best of all? While you're getting your heart rate up to the beat, you'll probably forget that you're even exercising. But you are. Check it out (average 150 lb. person/60 min):

Ballroom: 378 Calories
Disco: 394 Calories
Salsa: 321 Calories
Swing:  306 Calories
Hip Hop: 465 Calories
General: 306 Calories

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Play

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I know, I know. . . the last thing you want to do after you've filled your belly with delicious food is to run around. But I urge you, I ask you, I kindly remind you that a few hours after you eat, your heart and your muscles will thank you if you just get up and play. Where there is cold weather, perhaps a little indoor yoga and stretching with family? If in a milder climate, how about a brisk walk or a quick game of backyard tag? Yes, I know it's ever-so-tempting to snooze on the couch, but in the spirit of being with your loved ones and of loving by encouraging good health. . .play!

Happy eating and happy playing! May the holiday be wonderful for you and your family.

And if I haven't told you lately, THANK YOU for being on this journey with me. A little message for you.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Stretching

We get it. It's cold outside, your bed is warm and that dream about vacationing on a fantastic island makes you want to close your eyes again to see if you can return to swaying in a hammock. We don't blame you. But if you're going to skip out on a workout (or two), please, please, take a few minutes to stretch before you face the day.

Not only will you

• improve your muscle strength
• help your posture
• increase flexibility
• help prevent injury

But it will also get your circulation going so that you are actually more alert and awake! And since it requires no equipment, you can do it wherever you are, even if you're on the road like I am. In the long run, those few minutes will turn into a healthier you.

Speaking of stretching, we also challenge you to stretch your limits a bit throughout the day, even if not in the physical sense. Perhaps try a new food, sip a new tea, take the scenic way home or learn about something you wouldn't normally be drawn to (staffers around here recommend This American Life or Radiolab just for stretching your mind).

How do you break out of your comfort zone? Any good stretches you recommend?

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Movement

I get asked a lot about my fitness routine. Well, if you're a mother and you work like I do, you'll probably relate to this answer: running around in life, of course! I do workout on Workout Wednesdays at the office and I like to go to the gym every now and then, but I primarily stay healthy by simply moving. I think a lot of people guilt themselves if they don't make it to that cardio class or get on the treadmill. . .but I say, just find a way to shake it up a little. Why not dance while making dinner? Or go outside to run around with your kids? Here's a few calorie burning fun activities that will make you forget you're working out, but will help you keep fit. (These are calories burned in an hour for a 150 lb. person on average). What about you? How do you move while not at the gym?

Cooking: 180 calories
Surfing: 207 calories
Table tennis: 270 calories
Bicycling: 270 calories
Kayaking: 342 calories
Gardening: 369 calories
Dancing: 378 calories
Hiking: 405 calories

Oh, and these photos are dug up from the archives. I was almost 10 years younger then!

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY The Beginning

So how, you may ask, did Workout Wednesday begin? Like Josie mentioned, she believes in balance and that extends to her outlook about her company. How can we possibly be making products that are good for you outside without focusing on the beauty within? How can we support each other in caring about the world around us without looking at our own lives, too?

And so, eight months ago, Workout Wednesday was born at Josie Maran Cosmetics. We huffed and puffed our way through it at first, but over time we saw change. Sure, it was fun to share a plate of cookies at the lunch table, but it was even sweeter to support each other in becoming stronger and healthier; To get each other through running around the block and up the stairs rather than bowing out.

So here is our advice to starting your own Workout Wednesday or Tuesday, or even every other Monday:

-First, start by making simple changes for yourself. Take the stairs, park a little further, pick a grocery basket over a cart. Yes, there are some here who workout more than once a week, but even those who don't have seen changes in their strength, endurance and health simply with one hour a week of activity.

-Find a lunch buddy who will share in healthy choices. Perhaps you bring a big salad and they bring soup to split. Meet each other for a water break to get your proper fill.  Or stock your drawer with nutritious snacks like raw almonds or whole fruit that can be passed around. Whatever the small change, share it.

-Finally, dedicate one day (or more if you can!) to movement. That means a workout, a hike, a walk around the block, or dancing around your living room. Find what is best for you, but most importantly—stick to it.
All you need is to begin.

How do you stay healthy?

Leave a comment and your email address and we'll select one on Friday, September 16 as the winner of an Argan Sun Protection for Body.