Hi there! It’s been a little while since I’ve posted so I wanted to provide just a quick post that I hope helps you a bit with the everyday bustle of life.
I’d classify myself as someone who is easily stressed or carries a fair deal of stress around with them. However, I’ve found some things that have worked for me to help lower my stress that I wanted to share with you:
Exercise can be a great way to relieve stress even if it seems intimidating or just something else to add to your long list of things to get done in a day.
I’m recommending a particular exercise that will be easy for you to fit into your schedule because you don’t need to leave your home, and you don’t need any equipment – Pop Pilates. You can find it on Youtube, participate in the comfort of your own home, and it’s free!
For those looking to take on more of a challenge, I’m currently participating in Piit28 brought you by the same instructor as Pop Pilates. This program does cost money, but once again all you need is your own body, no equipment, and less than an hour of time a day (6 days a week).
I’m feeling more energized now and less in a funk because I have something else to focus on.
P.S. I’m doing a big review of Piit28 when I complete it at the end of this month, so stay tuned!
Meditate
A couple years ago I took a course at work that was about searching yourself, finding out what made you tick, and learning how to relax, breathe, and yes meditate. From that class I was introduced to a great app called Headspace. It’s a subscription service (monthly, yearly), but you can try it out for 10 days free first.
I’ve found that going through a guided meditation, even if it seems all hippy dippy, is so relaxing, and really helps my brain relax and learn to let go emotions and stressors in times of need.
Read
If you read this blog you know I love to read – check out my reading challenge posts! If you need to escape reality, cuddle up with a book and before you know it you’re mind will be off dreaming of some fantasy world. Last year at the age of 26 I decided to sign myself up for a library card, something I hadn’t had in probably over a decade, and it’s been great!
Use a Planner
I subscribe to FabFitFun and in my last box I received a Moleskine Weekly Notebook.
I can control my schedule, capture events and projects all in one handy spot and the ability to cross of days is quite empowering.
I bought start stickers at the Dollar Tree that I can use to spice things up and track things like days I did Piit28 or meditated.
Hope you find a little time in your day to stop, breathe, and take your mind off of all that you’ve got going on to enjoy some peace and relaxation.
I tend to consider myself a quitter, but that’s something I’m trying to fix about myself. I really wanted to prove to myself that I could stick with the Blogilates challenge. There were definitely some challenging days where the moves or poses were quite advanced, but I gave it my all and did a modification of the move when necessary.
Things I learned:
The Pop Pilates community is actually as great as they say it is
I’d always see posts where women would gush about how supportive the community was, but it wasn’t until I actually participated in something publicly that I actually experienced the support and warmth myself. Every time I posted a picture, other ladies taking on the same challenge would like my photos giving me a boost of confidence. I loved following other popsters journeys.
Modifications are ok!
Some of us might fear doing a modification will show weakness or failure, but no way jose, modifications are a-oh-kay! We’re all coming from different skill levels so you should do what’s comfortable for you and your body. There’s no shame in doing a modification, the thing you should remember is that you’re giving this move/pose a try and that’s more than many others can say! I really appreciated it when Pop instructions like xogingy would showcase some modifications in their Instragram videos since the Blogilates Instagram challenge printout didn’t, so some days I looked at the challenge printout with fear in my eyes
I wanted some Popflex Active mermaid collection pieces
Seeing tons of ladies take on the challenge in the brightly colored mermaid collection by Cassey for Popflex Active made me desire to own my own pieces so I could be the little mermaid at long last.
After I completed my challenge, my boyfriend suggested I should treat myself to some Popflex Active pieces since I completed the 28 days successfully. I thought what the heck, maybe I should!
I own some bodypop items (shorts) already, which I love, so I figured I would also love the new collection from Cassey Ho. I opted to go with the Mermaid Pop Short 2.0 and the Criss Cross Crop bra top also in the mermaid print.
Mermaid Pop Short 2.0
POP SHORT 2.0 – MERMAID from Popflex
I love the length of these shorts. The 2.0 short is supposed to be longer than previous shorts offered, and appeal to a larger audience since they are a bit more flattering. I wish the leg of the short was a bit tighter so that when I moved there wasn’t an occasional tiny gap opening, but it’s not a huge issue.
Before I made the purchase, I checked out other reviews for these shorts and came across a lot of the same pieces of feedback, mainly that the shorts are see-through. Ladies, this is not a lie! I found the shorts were ok in the front, but in the back, you can definitely see one’s underwear depending on the style/coloring. It’s a shame that the fabric isn’t lined well or the color isn’t dispersed better, but it is what it is. I would recommend wearing nude colored underwear (if fuller coverage) or a light colored thong (if you want less coverage). Thankfully, I work out from the comfort of my own living room so I don’t really have to worry about the shorts being see-through.
The shorts also have cute little pockets on the sides. I don’t think I’d ever actually need pockets, since I just workout at home, but I suppose for those who want to take these cute shorts out for a walk in the park and listen to music, this would be perfect for holding your phone.
POP SHORT 2.0 – MERMAID with pockets from Popflex
The shorts are comfortable, and too cute to pass on. If Cassey was to make shorts like this again, I would recommend she lines them so that people can feel more comfortable wearing these out in public and not having to double think about what underwear they put on for the day 🙂
Criss Cross Crop
CRISS CROSS CROP – MERMAID by Popflex
I mainly bought this top for it’s unique design and that it wasn’t a traditional styled sports bra. Since I’m working out from home, I’m ok that it’s “revealing.”
The top itself comes with padding that you can remove. Not only was the padding overly massive, but it’s also unnecessary. Who needs padding in a sports bra?! I took it out right away, and found that not only made the top get on easier, but made the fit better. Unlike the bottoms, the top I bought is lined with a light nude color.
In regards to sizing, I went by the size chart and my measurements. My top measurements fit a size 6, which is the size I ended up ordering, but I probably could have gotten away with ordering a size 8 now that I’ve actually tried on the top. It is a bit hard to get on, and my chest fills out a bit more than the area above the band that you can see in the picture. If you’re between sizes, you might want to size up just to be safe, especially if you want to use the padded cups, you’re going to be wanting a larger size than you’re used to. I’m hoping one day Cassey will get these items in an actual store (like Target!) so we can try stuff on in person.
CRISS CROSS CROP and POP SHORT 2.0 – MERMAID by Popflex
Final thoughts: The print is beautiful, I can’t deny that. The fabric is decent but not as amazingly life changingly soft like butter as some people advertised. I love that the top is unlike anything else I’ve seen before, and the shorts are super comfortable. Will I buy something again from the new Popflex Active line? Yes, because I love everything that’s related to Pop Pilates, but I just hope that future prints are tested for see-throughness better.
For the past year I’ve been following Blogilates and her calendars off and on. Work travel has always caused me to stop my Blogilates practice, but I’m gearing up for a pilates workout challenge this month and want you to join me!
First things first: What is Blogilates?
A movement, a blog, a fun spirited pilates community created by Cassey Ho. Cassey created a new type of workout called POP Pilates which is a fun, high energy pilates workout set to pop songs and beats.
How can I get started?
If you’re a beginner, which is how I started out, check out her beginner calendar which references videos on her Youtube channel. If you’re not a beginner in the world of Pilates, try out her August calendar for planned workouts for each day of the week!
What’s the challenge? Cassey has created a challenge for the month of August called Adore the Core (search for #adorethecore and blogilates on Instagram). Each day you’ll have one stretch or pilates move to complete. Check out Cassey’s Instagram post below.
Blogilates #adorethecore challenge by Cassey Ho.
I’ll be posting on my non-personal Instagram account as not to spam my friends. Feel free to follow my journey there and tag my account!
