You know we love the simple things here at Fittbe. So, we’ve come up with a quick list for you of ways to simplify your life. When you really make these a priority, you’ll be amazed at how much head space you free up for fun and enriching things that you love, like Hygge coziness, cooking and baking, barre and pilates, painting? Whatever those passions may be!
Declutter paper. Take it online you guys!
Set reminders in your phone or on your computer for things you know you need to remember. Set your bills on autopay and keep a spreadsheet of them. Then, unsubscribe from receiving notifications by mail. All those mailers do is create clutter in your home, and eventually fill your recycle bin. When I do get something I need in paper form, I usually snap a pic of it and keep it in one secure folder. Then, I make sure to audit this folder often!
Keep up your fitness and health.
Workout at least 3 times a week! Balance with different types of exercise, or an all in one balanced program like Pilates or Barre. Remind yourself that you are the type of person who enjoys exercise and healthy behaviors. Affirmations are so powerful, and doing so will help you to form great habits that will support you in a big way!
Put yourself first. We all know that term “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” but do we really put it into action?
You guys… as my sister always says… “we must!” take care of yourself first because that frees you up to attend to others. This has to be done in a “guilt free” way. Really look after yourself. Don’t skip meals, go with your gut, if you feel to busy, turn down some invitations or engagements. It is ALL ok!
Do an hour of tidying a day.
When you tidy up, you immediately feel a great feeling of productivity. Turn on some music you love while you do it and enjoy making your space somewhere you love to dwell!
Clothes.
Wear (and keep) clothes that fit well and make you feel great! Just because it may have value, doesn’t mean it has value to you right now.
Set a morning routine that you look forward to.
This morning routine might include a hot shower, a steaming cup of coffee, luxurions stretching. Maybe even getting up a half hour earlier so you have some quiet time to enjoy yourself
Declutter your mind.
If it’s not actionable and important for the present, let it go, let it go, let it go!
Enjoy the now.
There’s never been a better time to bring your attention to what is right in front of you! Focus on your senses. See the beauty around you.
Foster Good Relationships!
Put time into good relationships and notice how they come back to you. Don’t put time into unproductive, unfulfilling or negative relationships. Remember, number 3. Look after yourself.
Make time for your hobbies.
If you need too set an alarm to make sure you spend time on your hobby, do it! If you want to practice piano because you haven’t since you were 15, do it! If you want to learn to play a sport, or a game, go for it. Hobbies are important for fueling your creativity and happiness.
I hope you try out these simplifying ideas! They have helped me personally, and I’d be delighted if they helped you to simplify your life as well! Be sure to follow along with Fittbe on Instagram and Pinterest! And if you don’t have your apps yet, you can download Fittbe Pilates here, and Fittbe Barre here. Looking for something a little slower? Opt for Fittbe Yogalates!
It’s time to Raise your Salad Game with These Fabulous Topping Ideas!
If you’re trying to lose a little weight, and/or prioritize healthy eating, then you know that a great salad is your secret weapon. They are satisfying, and hey, the way we see it – your salad can pretty much take on any taste you desire! Ok, you caught me, within reason – maybe not filet mignon. Here are some great ideas for healthy salad toppings to take your salads from “meh,” to “kapow!”
Trader Joe’s Gourmet Fried Onion Pieces
These toppings will make even those who aren’t salad lovers go crazy for salad! The Dutch yellow onions are breaded with wheat flour and cooked in veggie oil. They are the perfect topping for a chicken salad, or even a vegan option! They are about 3 dollars at your local Trader Joe’s
Blueberries
Blueberries are an excellent salad topping! They are superb with spinach and nuts, and of course they are super healthy because they feature those antioxidants that we love so much!
Tuna
Protein, and omega 3’s, yes, and please! Plus, it’s amazing alongside avocado, tomato, and capers!
Your favorite nuts!
Your favorite notes are a perfect way to make your salad special! We love walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds, and you know what… if it’s the holidays or a special occasion, perhaps even try some maple or candied nuts!
Hard-boiled eggs
It doesn’t have to be a Cobb salad to feature scrumptious hard-boiled eggs. These are a treat to add to a salad, and really help elevate your salad to a main dish level!
Dried Cranberries
Beautiful, tasty, and perfect with other fresh fruit and veggies, dried cranberries are a great choice to add to your salad! They pair beautifully with feta, goat cheese, and a nice vinaigrette.
Edamame
You can buy pre-cooked, frozen edamame at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and probably a bunch of other great stores too! It’s so good on salad, cool or warm!
Chicken or Beef
Ignore this one if you aren’t a meat-eater, but chicken and beef are an absolutely wonderful way to get your family to enjoy greens as a main dish! Steak salad is an all time favorite in our house, as is a classic chicken and avocado salad, and a big one at that!
Peas
Peas, especially English peas are a superb addition to a salad. They are so fresh and offer the perfect bite! Try them alongside your favorite herbs and cheeses for a satisfying salad everyone will love.
It's Time to Take a Moment for Yourself!
Tone, strengthen, stretch, and earn a functional body that feels amazing! Download your copy of Fittbe Pilates!
Ready to embrace your own success story!? Here are some qualities that wellness entrepreneurs share!
They are authentic and their authenticity shines through in their brand
There’s a fine line between self promotion and gracefully infusing your wellness business with your own style, tastes, and personality. Great wellness entrepreneurs are forward facing, but their tone is genuine. They allow you to get to know them and therefore develop trust and comfort. You have to be able to trust the personality behind the brand, so be brave, and put your best face forward.
They give first!
If you want someone to purchase your product, or program, we think you need to spend some time giving. The best wellness entrepreneurs use social media to offer advice and guidance. Imagine a feed full of calls to action like “buy, buy, buy.” It’s an immediate turn off. So, as you cultivate audiences, give them something they can enjoy or learn from.
They ask questions
Have you ever been at a dinner party and it seems like a one sided show? Of course you have – we all have… The most interesting people are inquisitive and interested. They ask questions and they genuinely want to hear the answer. Good wellness entrepreneurs share the same quality. They ask their communities about what their concerns are, and they find a way to help!
They are always growing
Opportunity is everywhere, and successful wellness entrepreneurs know it! They see opportunity all around. They don’t mimic, but they are inspired by the good work of others. They are supporters and cheerleaders and they are always pushing themselves further with fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
They Believe in Themselves
As a wellness entrepreneur, belief is 9 tenths of the law! There are always going to challenging moments. Really, really challenging moments. As a wellness entrepreneur, you’ll have to get over the setbacks quickly and keep moving forward. If you exhaust an option, find another. At the end of the day, a good wellness entrepreneur has belief in the value they provide, and the uniqueness and valued offering they bring to the world!
It's Time to Take a Moment for Yourself!
Tone, strengthen, stretch, and earn a functional body that feels amazing! Download your copy of Fittbe Pilates!
With so many methods of exercise from which to choose these days, here’s one with the ultimate staying power. Tap into the past with Pilates. It’s proven and time tested, and far from a fad. It was created in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates, and was actually originally developed for rehabilitation. Athletes and dancers have been long time practitioners, and now it’s quite mainstream! The benefits are many, but here are some points that will hopefully get you inspired to give it a try, or re-investigate if you’ve tried it once or twice. It’s just good. Really, really good.
It’s vitamins for your mind
It’s not just about the Physical benefits! Pilates boosts mental well-being.
Pilates gets you balanced!
Pilates helps remediate muscle imbalance – a major reason people experience injuries & pain. Pilates is preventative in a sense, as it helps you form balanced musculature which helps
It can help you reduce stress and anxiety
The release of tension in your body can help dramatically with the release of tension in your mind! Breathing through your practice also helps you to be in the moment.
Boosts muscular control
The control your body learns through Pilates will serve you well in a variety of other sports and activities.
It’s a major core workout
Show your core some love! Pilates is famous for being an amazing core workout. You core is so much more than your abs, and you absolutely have to have a strong core in order to have a balanced physique!
It’s all about that “good energy”
Many people find peace as they breath through a session with energy and positivity! Fittbe’s pretty famous for this positivity piece!
Improves flexibility
Flexibility is essential for good fitness. I’ve heard so many times – “I hate to stretch.” Guess what… you need to! If you don’t stretch, you are opening yourself up to many potential problems and injuries. If you hate to stretch, or you don’t know what stretches to do, Pilates is the perfect choice because it’s built into the flow for you!
Can Help Reduce Pain
Originally built for rehab, Pilates can help reduce pain. Many times, people experience lower back pain as a result of a weak core. The stretch and strength delivered by pilates can be just what the doctor ordered!
Increases muscle strength and tone
You get major strength benefits from practicing Pilates! Not only will you feel better, you will look better too. Now, that’s not our main focus, because we don’t want to be shallow. But, in all honestly, yes. You will look like more of a babe of you do Pilates 😉
Pilates helps you to feel more centered
There is so much beauty in the practice of Pilates. Movement originates from your core, and as you focus on Joseph Pilates’ foundational principles, you will find that you feel more centered
Improves posture and spine health
Pilates improves your posture and helps to prevent upper back curvature! As you work through your Pilates sessions, you will practice lifting from the crown of your head, having a neutral spine, a strong core as you think of pulling your abs in and up, along with relaxed chest.
Helps you to relax and create a balanced body
Did you know that one of the best ways to feel more relaxed in your day to day life is to workout, and Pilates is the ideal method as you breath deeply, engage deep muscles, and find a simple beauty across all movement, conducive to less pain, more range and balanced muscles!
Improve your Pilates practice and get better results with Joseph Pilates' principles!
Win your Next Pilates Workout with Guidance from Joseph Pilates Himself!
A little guidance from “uncle Joe” can help you crush get more out out of your next session. Let’s make sure we understand the principles of Pilates as designed by Joseph Pilates himself!
Are you kicking off a practice of Pilates for Beginners? Are you an advanced Pilates practitioner? Whether you are in the beginning of your journey with this amazing method of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, or you’ve been working on it for years, you can always enjoy a refresh of the core Principles of Pilates as designed by Joseph Pilates himself.
Control:
In Pilates, what does this really mean? Every single movement is a conscious choice. Let’s say a particular muscle is not the immediate focus of an exercise. It’s not the “star.”Does this mean it takes a break? Not at all. Pilates is all about control. It is all deliberate. Mindful movement is the name of the game. If Deepak Chopra has taught us anything about mindfulness, it’s that “is the opposite of acting out of habit, old conditioning, and automatic reflexes. You no longer are a brain puppet reacting.” Mindfulness applies to movement too. No muscle ever falls by the wayside. Today let’s all focus on controlling the way our bodies move and engage!
Centering:
We talked about control, but what is centering? Is it the same? While definitely linked, it’s actually not the same. Centering is the act of physically and mentally bringing our focus to the center of our bodies. If you thought, core, you guessed it! That’s why in Fittbe Pilates, we’re always talking about how even if it feels like a leg exercise, it’s a core exercise. Even if it’s an arm exercise, it’s a core exercise. So stay centered in mind, body, and spirit! Don’t forget, we said it is physical focus too, and you can even engage your core when you’re sitting at your desk, stuck in traffic, or having a phone chat with a friend. Try to tighten your abdominal muscles and pull them toward your spine as you exhale. Talk about a multitasking method that can change your life for the better!
Concentration:
What is concentration in Pilates? It’s all about the mind-body connection. We must concentrate on the quality of each movement in order to get the most out of each exercise and session. We are paying attention to how we are moving our bodies – are we rolling through our spine as we tighten our abdominals? Are we twisting and tightening our waist with each exhale? Are we doing leg circles and focusing on the extension off our leg, lengthening with every circle as we stabilize our core with the rest of our body? It’s my hope that everyone tries this amazing method of exercise, it’s preventative, practical, and perfect!
Precision:
I have this habit of mentally commenting on people’s form when they walk or run. Sometimes I see runners and I think, ouch, their knees are really going to hurt later in life. Or maybe just tomorrow! The knowledge that my Pilates training has given me with regard to precise movement translates through my life and I hope it does for you too!
The point of this principle is that each movement performed in a Pilates session must be precise. No floppy arms. No “going through the motions.” It just won’t work. It won’t give you the results, and it won’t feel right in your body. So, always keep focus on making precise movements. If our arms are 3/4 up, that’s exactly where they are placed. Focus on precision! Do you best and know where your body is headed – be accurate – be exact!
Breathing:
People are often confused on this one. Usually in Pilates we coordinate breathing out with exertion. Proper breathing allows you to center yourself in the moment and supports mind body awareness. So for example, as you curl up and engage your abs, you want to tighten and engage! It also helps to support a beautiful flowing session!
Flow:
We just talked about breathing and how it supports flow. Everything is linked! When grace and ease are applied to the exercises, we end up with a smooth and continuous sequence of beautiful movement like the choreographed sessions we all enjoy in the Fittbe Pilates App!
Recap!
These are your principles to get the most from your Pilates practice. Keep them fresh!
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Control
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Concentration
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Centering
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Precision
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Breathing
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Flow
Daily Fitspration
Each day offers a new opportunity to improve yourself. Take it!
We get requests all of the time about this problem area!
Simple Curl and Lifts
Begin with your arms over your head, lying on your back. As you exhale, you want to roll up while pressing your lower back toward the mat. Hold this for a few seconds, then slowly roll down, floating your arms back up overhead!
Plank w Knee Lowers⠀
It’s not good to just to “sit ups” in order to work your abs. You want to take a nice variety of body positions in order to target them in a balanced way. Thank you Pilates! We love a low plank with dual knee lowers in order to activate middle and lower abdominal muscles! It’s perfect sandwiched in between exercises with different body positions!
Feet to the Sky Lifts
Reach your feet up to the sky, stretching your legs. We might barely be able to see it, but you’ll be getting to those deep lower abs!
Reach your feet up to the sky, stretching your legs. Go for a 90 degree angle, but if they aren’t totally straight today, that’s ok, keep working toward it!
Activate you lower abs as you try to lift your hips up off of the mat about an inch! These are quite subtle, but they REALLY get the job done. This is probably the very best exercise to make get those lower ab muscles engaged and working!
We have amazing full length workouts that are choreographed and ready for you in the Fittbe Pilates App! Join our amazing community for ~ 23 cents per day. Try some sessions FREE too!⠀
So you’re feeling stressed, unfocused, a little tired… We’ve all been there! Rather than reaching for the remote to stream another series on Netflix or head to the couch for a nap, instead try a complete 360 and go for a little workout instead!
I’m already tired and you want me to workout to be more wakeful?
YES! You heard right, friend!
When you are feeling a little tired, a nice workout session will get both your circulation and endorphins going! You will enjoy a good mood boost, and much less tired. It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy. From at at home Pilates workout to a nice walk or a jog, it’s a great way to say to you body, “hey, wakie wakie, we have things to do!”
A mood booster!
We talked about endorphins, get ready for good feelings!
Endorphins are hormones that when simply put, make you feel good. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals that give you a positive feeling! According to webmd, “that feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.” That sounds good to us!
Getting Exercise also improves sleep!
Workout to sleep better!
Charlene Gamaldo, M.D. , medical director of Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep explains that “moderate aerobic exercise increases the amount of slow wave sleep you get. Slow wave sleep refers to deep sleep, where the brain and body have a chance to rejuvenate. Exercise can also help to stabilize your mood and decompress the mind, “a cognitive process that is important for naturally transitioning to sleep.”
Feeling stuck?
Use exercise to refocus!
According to the Harvard Medicine blog, exercise can help your brain to focus! Several studies have demonstrated that exercise that gets your heart pumping also can help your brain function. It may also improve memory!
Get ready to THINK more clearly, sleep more soundly, and be in a better mood. Who wouldn’t love that!?
How to Improve your Posture with 5 Pilates & Yoga Moves
It's time to improve your posture with 5 Pilates and Yoga moves. Nobody wants tech neck!
The Best Exercises to Improve Posture!
Sit up straight at the table sweetheart! Put your shoulders back. Can you hear your Mom’s voice in your head right now reminding you to have good posture?! It’s time we all listen to her, because, quite simply, she had it right, and she probably wasn’t even thinking about muscle imbalance!
It’s a slippery slope!
Don’t fall into bad habits
So we know this in our minds, but we also know that laziness and bad habits are easy to fall into. It’s a slippery slope – say we sit at computers, ultra-focused, leaning forward, and before we know it we’re looking like that character from “Despicable Me!” Reminder – he appears to have a super bad case of tech neck.
Don’t train to look like “tech neck”
Send your knees to the side as you work those legs with little pulses. ⠀
Or… we lock out our knees, curl forward and let our shoulders fall to the front. Let’s all agree – NOT a good look friends! The worst part of these problems? When we fall into poor posture habits, we are training our muscles and bodies to take these shapes.
Ah, but let’s not despair! There is good news because just as poor posture can become a habit, so can good posture ~ so let’s opt for GOOD!
Here are some helpful exercises
So, don’t be a slouch – Here are some moves from Fittbe to help with better posture!
Ah, but let’s not despair! There is good news because just as poor posture can become a habit, so can good posture ~ so let’s opt for GOOD!
Heart to the Sky: Chest Opener
This exercise is amazing for posture as it stretches your back and chest! This helps you avoid that dreaded forward curve. Stand up tall and send your arms out to your sides at a low 45 Degree Angle. Send your hands toward one another, reaching behind your back and keeping your shoulders pressed down.
2. Y 2 Goal Upper Back Toner
Lie face forward on your mat, and place your arms in a goalpost position. Engage your back muscles and lift your upper body up off of the mat. Exhale to reach your arms out to a Y position and hold, then inhale to bring them back to a goalpost!
3. Supported Fish & Neck Flexion Combo
Supported fish – This one is easy and so good for training good posture. It’s pure stretch, so do it when you are warm. Place a foam roller or a rolled up towel on the floor. Lie on your back with your roller or rolled towel right in the middle of your shoulder blades. Let your arms relax to your sides as you relax your upper back. You can also elect to take your hands behind your head.
Roll up, and remove the foam roller or towel. Then roll back down to your mat. Gently roll back down onto your back, arms to your sides. Carefully tuck your chin and lift your head head an inch of two away from your mat. Hold for about 3 seconds, then lower back to the mat with your chin toward your chest.
4. Standing T Stretch
Next, you’ll stand up and reach your arm forward with your palms up. Keep you core strong and stand up as straight as you can. Step 2, is to glide your arms to your sides – keep them on the same plane. Hold for 5 seconds, then route your arms back to the front. Repeat several times!
5. Spread your Wings: Elbow Lifts
This last exercise is a bit of a “funky chicken!” Face your mat once more, and reach your legs out behind yourself, a little wider than your hips. Place your hands behind your head and lift off the mat several inches with your upper body. Here’s the chicken part… Let your elbows come in toward your face, then pull them out sideways and hold for about 3 seconds. Repeat about 8 times! See the pics below for your 2 steps!
There’s just “something” about a strawberry smoothie. Maybe it’s that it evokes memories of childhood and a strawberry shake, a real treat after the sock hop! We gathered some of our favorite strawberry smoothie recipes to enjoy. They are packed with Packed with vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, thanks for the info Web MD!
Sublime Strawberry
The flavor is all strawberry here. No mango or banana to take center stage.
This is one of our favorites, and if you make it with the berries already frozen, it will be extra refreshing and perfect for a warmer day. Though it’s great to mix with other delicious fruits, this smoothie puts strawberry center stage!
Ingredients/Shopping List
1 cup of strawberries (fresh frozen, or frozen)
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Greek yogurt (Vanilla or Plain)
1teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix it all together with your powerful blender and Voila, your 12 year old self is savoring the taste of summer strawberries.
Strawberry Banana Protein
This is one tasty treat!
Ingredients/Shopping List
Strawberry and Banana go together like Milk and Cookies, like Phineas and Ferb (haha), like Blair and Chuck. This one is delicious and is extra special if you add some granola to the top!
You can even add a few tablespoons of marine collagen if you like!
Not quite as pretty in pink, but healthier!
Spinach and strawberry make one of the best salads ever. Seriously! If you haven’t had a spinach strawberry salad with a nice vinagrette, you need to make one or order one asap. But… back to smoothies. This spinach strawberry smoothie might not be “pretty in pink,” but it is definitely a winner and takes the healthy award from the first two!
Ingredients/Shopping List
3/4 cup unsweetened milk or milk substitute – we are crazy for almond!
You know we love the simple things here at Fittbe. So, we’ve come up with a quick list for you of ways to simplify your life. When you really make these a priority, you’ll be amazed at how much head space you free up for fun and enriching things that you love, like...
It's time to Raise your Salad Game with These Fabulous Topping Ideas! If you’re trying to lose a little weight, and/or prioritize healthy eating, then you know that a great salad is your secret weapon. They are satisfying, and hey, the way we see it – your salad...
What are the benefits of Pilates? Is it for you? If you are looking for improved spine health, better mental wellbeing and a stronger core, Pilates is for you. That’s just the beginning!
Tips for how be be more productive from home! Especially with so many of us trying to juggle work and home life these days, some much wanted tips for working from home!
This green spinach blueberry smoothie is such a healthy treat. Blueberry with spinach is a winning combination and you’ll find this smoothie is easy to make!
This salad is such a nice combination of flavors, the arugula adds a little peppery taste, the beets are sweet and the pepitas add great texture. Here’s the challenge with this salad, try to get all components into every single bite! It will be the best bit of salad...
Blueberry smoothies are an all time "Fittbe Fave"! Antioxidants galore, and the color seems to make them an extra treat! These blueberry smoothies are also so simple to make! Healthy Blueberry Smoothie Recipe 1 banana 1 cup of yogurt (greek yogurt is our favorite) 1...
Day 5 is simple in the #12DaysofFittbe ?? All you have to do is.. ⠀ 1. Select some workout clothes for tomorrow and choose the workout you'd like to do⠀ 2. Do 4 sets of 10 triceps dips on the edge of your bed before you head out off to dreamland! ⠀ ⠀You are...
Who is celebrating the #12DaysofFittbe day 4 with us?! You have a couple days to get this one finished... we challenge you to eat a meal with only the colors of a Christmas tree in it! ? yum! Here are a few great recipes we came across that you...
Its Day 2 in our #12DaysofFittbe and today were adding just a little spice … Cinnamon! Complete the day 2 challenge by making yourself a yummy snack of apple slices with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Part 2, is a 2 minute plank challenge ~ ready, set, go!
It can be tough to really experience the good little things in life when we’re overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of this festive and blessed season. We’re going to focus on taking care of our minds, bodies and spirits with feel good fun… Fittbe style! ❄️
We're working on really enjoying Fall and taking all the goodness of this season in, so it's time for a make at home pumpkin spice latte! There is so much love about this time of year, and we've started a list of favorite things. In addition to cinnamon coffee and...
Athleisure... Now that's a word that didn't even exist 5 years ago did it? Does anyone else remember Blair Waldorf's famous "leggings are not pants" quote? It had me laughing and honestly repeating it big time. But now, I'm one of them! I've now lived in a few cities...
Good posture looks great and feels great. It enhances that balanced body and is habit-forming! Keep your spine tall Keep your spine tall when you are sitting and standing as well. When you slouch, you really put strain on your back, and you throw the balance of your...
Sore muscles? We have the Lavender Epsom Salt Bath for you!
Epsom Salt was originally found in Epsom in 17th Century England, and received its name for the town! Thank goodness for that because this Lavender Epsom Salt Bath is heaven for your sore muscles!
For hundreds of years, Epsom salt has been applauded for its amazing ability to help ease aches and pains, overstressed muscles, and even arthritis!
How much Epsom Salt?
Be sure to use the right amount!
We recommend about 2 cups of Epsom salt. You might even keep a luxurious jar right by tub with a vintage teacup scoop! That’s what we do…
Add luxurious essential oils
Lavender is a classic choice!
If you’re looking for a relaxing serene atmosphere, and who isn’t, you might enjoy 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil added to your Epsom Salt!
History Lesson
Epsom salt was originally found in Epsom in 17th Century England, and received its name for the town!
Soak for 12-20 minutes while that water is nice and warm. Be sure to light a candle and dim those lights. Serene music will complete the spa-like situation!
How to Hygge! Enjoy the Danish concept of Hygge. Find joy and warmth in your life, and get…
How to Hygge
There isn’t quite a direct translation to english, but other languages have quite similar principles. In Germany, “Gemütlichkeit,” in Norway, Koselig.
Here are 5 ways that you can bring more “Hygge,” Gemütlichkeit,” or “Koselig” into your life!
Make a point to make your environment cozy and enjoyable! Light a candle, curl up with a cozy favorite blankie. As I write this, I have my favorite white glassybaby lit, and the softest throw I own. A gift my Dad gave me for Christmas this year. It offers warmth from both the feeling of the material and the gift giver, so it kind of warms my heart too.
You “To Do List,” Hygge Style
Now that’s our kind of to do!
Enjoy downtime. Make a point to have downtime, and really soak it in. Resist the urge to achieve something or work during this downtime! Delight in a skincare ritual, like a facemask, do your nails, be pampered, relax. You can enjoy simple pleasures with others, or on your own.
Turn off the tech. Grant yourself a tech-free hour – every day if you can. Be in your physical space, wholeheartedly!
Enjoy a treat. It is ok to enjoy a treat now and then in moderation. The key is to really enjoy it. Take in the tastes and savor!
Have a fire! You can do this indoors or even outdoors bonfire style depending on the time of the year. Gather round with great friends and enjoy!
Stay in bed one extra hour! That’s right high achievers, you officially have permission from Fittbe to stay in bed for an extra hour. Keep it cozy and enjoy those blankies!
This Fresh Chickpea Salad Recipe is such a treat! It is the perfect high protein scrumptious treat to…
Must-Make Fresh Chickpea Salad!
This recipe comes to us from Grace-Girl. She created a salad that evokes images of summer evenings and crisp rose. Oooh yes…
Oh so satisfying
And perfectly paired with Fish
We made such a yummy chickpea salad! It features fresh vegetables and excellent protein from the chickpeas! Very satisfying, and filling in a good way, this salad is sure to please. It was a great accompaniment to fish, and if you wanted to stretch it a little further, you can put it on a bed of spinach!
Ingredients
2 cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper chopped
3 green onions
1 avocado
3 tbsp goat cheese
Instructions
Start by rinsing 2 cans of chickpeas. Slice 1 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes and toss them in.
Next, slice half a cup of green onions and add them to the bowl. Follow this with one chopped bell pepper. I love avocado, and bonus for those great healthy fats, so the addition of avocado was a must for me!
Add salt and pepper to taste, and dress with your favorite vinaigrette. For a creamy treat, sprinkle goat cheese on top! Ready to serve.
This recipe evokes memories of summertime on the deck. Warm weather and cool rose. Now that takes me to a very, very, happy place!
Today we have 3 barre moves for your legs that will get you toned up in a jiffy!…
3 Simple Moves for a quick barre workout
Affirmations are powerful! The thoughts we have impact the way we feel, the way our body reacts to things, the way we interact with our worlds, and our loved ones. Why wouldn’t you want to train your thoughts to be beautiful, strong, or positive? It may seem silly at first, but the operative word here is “train.” Bad thoughts can be habit-forming. But never fear, no negativity tailspins here. GOOD thoughts can also be habit-forming. When you have a mind full of good and productive thoughts, you start the process of forming the habit of good thinking, You will put good out into the world, and it will boomerang right back to you. Believe us!
Plie Points
These are fun to do and a great leg burn
Start in your second position, and make a nice plie with tracking knees as always! Then press your weight over to your standing leg and point your working leg outward. Come back to your second position and lower into your plie. Make sure you have a nice low in second with your knees tracking right over your toes, then power up and reach that working leg far away from yourself!
V Pulses
Send your knees to the side as you work those legs with little pulses. ⠀
These are so easy and quite fun! You can get a great leg engagement in so little time! Just rise up to your demi point releve, and squeeze your heels together. Plie down slightly but stay on your toes. Now, rock some little pulses. Try 16 counts and then come down and shake it out!
First position plie raises.
It’s time to stretch those achilles but keep working our legs
Take your heels together in a ballet first position. Plie with your heels on the floor as you stretch your achilles. Squeeze your legs together as you pull up, engaging your inner thighs too!
We like to add a simple 90 degree bend in the arms with light free weights – as you know they are always optional!
It's always a good day for BARRE!
BARRE is always a good idea, and of course Paris is too.. Thanks Sabrina!
Affirmations can be so powerful! Here are 5 affirmations to fuel your success today!
Daily affirmations to fuel success!
Affirmations are powerful! The thoughts we have impact the way we feel, the way our body reacts to things, the way we interact with our worlds, and our loved ones. Why wouldn’t you want to train your thoughts to be beautiful, strong, or positive? It may seem silly at first, but the operative word here is “train.” Bad thoughts can be habit-forming. But never fear, no negativity tailspins here. GOOD thoughts can also be habit-forming. When you have a mind full of good and productive thoughts, you start the process of forming the habit of good thinking, You will put good out into the world, and it will boomerang right back to you. Believe us!
Good thoughts!
These beauties are habit forming
Affirmations are the perfect way to start seeing the world, and interacting with the world in the best way possible! They are statements you make. You repeat and you remind, and eventually, they will change your life for the better! Always talk to yourself well, because YOU are listening!
Say it, think it believe it
Get your seat on the positivity train
You can write your own affirmations, or you can use many of ours! In fact, the yogalates app, is full of them! You can make affirmations for anything. Say them, think them, feel them, believe them.
5 Affirmations to Fuel your success today
and that’s just the beginning…
My life and prosperity are in my hands, and I have the power to create any future I desire.
I am pushing forward every day
I am passionate about moving forward. I will make today a productive day.
I know what my goals are and I am taking steps toward achieving them!
I am becoming comfortable with “enjoying the ride” on my way to success
You know “that shirt” that you’ve hung on to way too long, but there’s just something about it that keeps it from the donation bag? Well, I had a t-shirt when I was younger that said “Pilates at the Academy: Strong to the Core!” Intense, right!? I got it in my Pilates classes that I was taking at Washington Academy. My sister often quotes that shirt in a very intense, announcer style voice… “strong to the core!”
Here are a few reasons to follow the lesson from that loved old t-shirt, and give your core some attention today!
Why you want to be “strong to the core!”
Ease Your Lower Back Pain:
Who gets a sore lower back?! My hand went up. My guess is for those of us who sit for long periods of time, the tension gets to us, and tightens up our hamstrings, piriformis, and more. In short, ouch! Did you know though, that if you combine stretching with core strength, you can fight lower back pain. Think of tightening your core, sending your tailbone straight down toward the floor and sending your shoulders back. You core supports SO much going on in that beautiful body, and keeping it engaged will help!
Your powerhouse is going to help you conquer everyday tasks with ease!
Think of your core as a powerhouse! Since your core is the base of your strength, you’ll find that keeping it strong will help you with so many daily tasks from lifting the little ones to doing household tasks!
You can’t build anything on a weak foundation…
No muscle stands alone! Your back, abs, legs – they’re all connected! When your core does it’s part, the foundation for overall body balance is there!
Engage your core right now with me – did you stand up straighter?! When your core is engaged, it is difficult to slouch. Now that’s a win – win!
Make sure you do this with no distractions. Just enjoy the stretch, listen to your body, and remind yourself that you deserve it.
10 Minutes of Stretching for your to do list!
Can you find ten minutes to do your body a big favor?
There’s really no excuse for not stretching, and if you do it right, it’s something to look forward to! Fittbe rule number 1 for stretching is always stretch when you are warm. There is nothing worse than rolling out of bed and forcing your body into an uncomfortable stretch. You might wonder as you do something that is supposed to be good for you – am I injuring myself? Can something that feels like this really be good for me? The answer is, no! It’s not good to stretch cold.
A great way to get ready for stretching is to do a bit of what we call “oil can” in the Fittbe apps!
Start with some light leg circles standing
Follow by rolling through your feet in a planted jog about 16
Take 16 plie pulses in second position
Do 16 medium sized arm circle
Repeat 3 Rounds
Go for it! Relax, Stretch, and Settle in!
Now enjoy your 10 minutes of stretching! Be sure to do hamstring stretches, quad stretches, back stretches, calf, and Achilles stretches!
Working from home really can be a challenge, but there are great benefits too! Many FITTBE members are finding that they are actually much more productive working from home, but it takes setting some ground rules to make it work!
Make a to-do list to tackle!
Let your Productivity Snowball
Feeling like you’re accomplishing and making progress is like a snowball for productivity. As you see your progress in ticking off each goal, you’ll be able to take that momentum forward into achieving even more. Who doesn’t love to see a list full of checkmarks at the end of the day. You can conquer it!
Have a dedicated Workspace
Office mode time!
Having a dedicated workspace can really help especially for those with big families all at home. With a workspace that’s dedicated, you can be in “office” mode, and then switch to parent mode, sibling mode, or roommate mode! The space you choose should have good lighting, and make you feel inspired and productive. You need enough space to spread out, and stay organized!
Set work hours and boundaries
You need to turn off sometimes…
Setting your work hours is key. Working from home, it’s easy to “never turn off,” but you need to. Distinguishing work time, and playtime, or work time from chores time, grow time, or social time is so important. People don’t actually “multi-task,” our brains switch from task to task very quickly, so if you’re half working, and half spending time with your family, you’re really not giving either the attention it deserves.
Turn off distracting communication
Stay focused…
It’s nearly impossible to work productively when your phone is going ding, ding, ding with text messages or non work-related calls. It seems rude not to pick up the calls and respond, but what you get with this distraction is the inability to focus on the task at hand. Keep focused, bring all of your attention to the project you are working on. When you reach a real stopping point, then pick up your text messages, enjoy those meems, and reconnect socially.
Take Real Breaks
And enjoy healthy meals throughout the day
Treat yourself to breaks where you switch tasks completely. When you come back from a real 15-minute break, you will likely feel refreshed and ready to accomplish the next item on your list. Stay hydrated and have real meals packed with healthy ingredients. Fight the urge to “work through lunch.” Remember what we learned about multitasking? Taste your food, enjoy the break, drink some flavored water!
We hope that these tips will help you enhance your productivity and also your joy in your at-home workday!
Yogalates would be the perfect break time activity! Enjoy some sessions with Fittbe!
Need a little Mood “pick me up?” We all do sometimes! Here is a quick list of ideas to get you into a better mood without delay!
Tidy up!
It’s spick and span time!
Tidying up the space around you is a great way to get a quick mood boost! You will feel productive, and you’ll be up and moving. Bonus, your space will be closer to stress and clutter free!
Turn on the Tunes
Enjoy some great music
A great song is a fabulous way to move yourself to your best mood! As we write this, we’re listing to the soundtrack from Bottle Shock on Apple Music. So beautiful.
Dance, Stretch
Move that Body in a way the Feels Good!
Enjoying movement is a great way to feel wonderful! Even if you feel a little silly, turn on some of that music we just mentioned and dance, stretch, enjoy. You will boost your endorphins too! One thing we like to think about when doing these movement sequences is to “take up space.” Even in small spaces, the quality of taking up space will allow you to stretch and reach further and more fully!
Replay what went well!
In Psychology Today, Doctor Susan Biali, M.D., explained that replaying three positive events or moment from you day in your mind is a super way to feel more positive right away. She says that mentally recalling these moments will bring back the feelings that they initially brought on. Reliving the good times, yes please – let them roll!
Be sure to join in the latest series! Download your Fittbe Pilates app!
A great tasting, not “too sweet” smoothie full of goodness!
by, Grace Girl Blog
Hi Guys! We just finished making this green spinach blueberry smoothie recipe! It is really tasty, and you can make it sweeter or a little less sweet to your taste. Kira actually liked it with less fresh-squeezed orange juice, and I liked a little more. So, we think you might want to put in a little and give it a taste and then add more if you like!
Ingredients / Shopping List
1 cup vanilla almond milk
2 handfuls spinach
1 handful kale
1/2 large banana
1/2 frozen blueberries
1/2 plain or vanilla greek yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
Ready for a really complicated process? Put everything blender, and… drumroll, please?
Blend it up! Pour into your favorite glass and savor the healthy goodness!
Note: depending upon your blender you may have to add the spinach and kale in batches to ensure it blends smoothly!
If you make one, be sure to tag us so we can see! @FittbeApps
This salad is such a nice combination of flavors, the arugula adds a little peppery taste, the beets are sweet and the pepitas add great texture. Here’s the challenge with this salad, try to get all components into every single bite! It will be the best bit of salad you have ever tasted!
6 cups arugula
1 small, 3 oz log goat cheese
4 small beets peeled and steamed (you can find these pre-steamed and peeled at your local Trader joes or supermarket)
1 small avocado, sliced horizontally
2 tablespoons pepitas (Raw pumpkin seeds)
First and most importantly, use a teaspoon to scoop small pieces of goat cheese and roll into balls with your hands until you have about 10 cheese balls. Keep rolling until cheese balls look smooth. Set aside.
Slice beets and avocado into thin slices. Place arugula in a large bowl, dress with your favorite vinaigrette or simply olive oil and balsamic, toss to coat all leaves.
Assemble arugula leaves on a serving platter, shingle beets and avocado in altering layers on top of leaves. Sprinkle with goat cheese balls and pepitas.
Blueberry smoothies are an all time “Fittbe Fave”! Antioxidants galore, and the color seems to make them an extra treat! These blueberry smoothies are also so simple to make!
Healthy Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
1 banana
1 cup of yogurt (greek yogurt is our favorite)
1 cup of blueberries (frozen)
1/2 cup of a second sweet fruit (eg. mango or strawberry)
3 tablespoon of vanilla protein powder (we love the one the carry at Trade Joes)
1 cup spinach leaves
3/4’s cup almond milk
Garnish with mint and a few whole fresh blueberries
Simply blend together in a good blender. If you like your smoothie a bit thicker, use less milk, and if you’d like it a bit more drinkable, use more! If you’d like it sweeter, we suggest just a bit of agave nectar!
Day 5 is simple in the #12DaysofFittbe ?? All you have to do is.. ⠀
1. Select some workout clothes for tomorrow and choose the workout you’d like to do⠀
2. Do 4 sets of 10 triceps dips on the edge of your bed before you head out off to dreamland! ⠀
⠀You are WELCOME to use this graphic or any of the other 12 Days of Fittbe graphics to inspire your community! Just be sure to tag @Fittbe_Workouts and use the hashtag #Fittbe
Who is celebrating the #12DaysofFittbe day 4 with us?! You have a couple days to get this one finished… we challenge you to eat a meal with only the colors of a Christmas tree in it! ? yum!
Here are a few great recipes we came across that you can try – don’t worry, you have a few days to get this one done. Festive salads? Yes… Always!
If you are a fan of green beans, you might check out this Green Bean Salad from “The Well Fed Newlyweds”
photo embed via @pinterest
In our house, any ripe avocado doesn’t doesn’t last long! That’s why this amazing salad caught our eye!
photo embed via @pinterest
Keep enjoying the #12DaysofFittbe on Instagram ~ We will see you tomorrow! Your social media graphics are ready for you here – just open and save to your device!
Great job to everyone who enjoyed day one and gave yourselves a lovely little self care ritual by turning off the screen for 20 minutes, enjoying some Christmasy literature, and sipping a calming cup of tea!
Day 2 in the #12DaysofFittbe calls for you to Sprinkle some Cinnamon and “rock” the Plank!
That’s right, today were adding just a little spice … Cinnamon! Complete the day 2 challenge by making yourself a yummy snack of apple slices with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Cinnamon feels like such a perfect treat in winter! (or pre-winter, lol, as we’re just about a week away from Winter Solstice.
Second part of the challenge – set your timer for a two minute plank! Keep you back flat and your core strong!
When you’re finished, spread the word of self care and enjoying the little things in life! Your graphic is ready for you, just click and “Save Image”, then post on your instagram, tagging us @Fittbe_Workouts #12DaysofFittbe
Can’t wait to share tomorrow’s! xoxo ??
PS – if you missed day 1, you can still catch up ?? https://www.fittbe.com/12-days-of-fittbe-day-1/
It’s day one of the #12DaysofFittbe and this is a challenge you’re going to love! Each day we will be enjoying a self care activity – that’s right… enjoying!
It can be tough to really experience the good little things in life when we’re overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of this festive and blessed season. We’re going to focus on taking care of our minds, bodies and spirits with feel good fun… Fittbe style! ❄️
Your Day 1 Challenge:
Make a steaming cup of tea and sit for at least 20 minutes. Read something fun and 100 percent stress free, like a Christmas book. Turn off your screens when you do it!
Follow your cozy 20 minutes with a short stretching session. Choose your own fave feel good stretches, or enjoy a Fittbe session! You might like to set it to holiday serenity piano music!
Keep track of all 12 days by posting on your social media! Yep – this graphic above is for you, just click, save to your device and post! Day 1 complete of the #12DaysofFittbe
We’re working on really enjoying Fall and taking all the goodness of this season in, so it’s time for a make at home pumpkin spice latte!
There is so much love about this time of year, and we’ve started a list of favorite things. In addition to cinnamon coffee and oversized cozy socks, it’s pumpkin spice latte time too!
If you want to try and make the pumpkin spice latte at home, here’s a recipe we tried!
You might also like some of these other fantastic recipes we found for pumpkin spice lattes!
Other good ways to enjoy fall – Try some of the Fittbe Fall Challenges! wear very oversized cozy socks! Make cinnamon everything! Go for a walk in the leaves! Do Pilates!
Athleisure… Now that’s a word that didn’t even exist 5 years ago did it? Does anyone else remember Blair Waldorf’s famous “leggings are not pants” quote? It had me laughing and honestly repeating it big time. But now, I’m one of them!
I’ve now lived in a few cities where it seemed that leggings, a cute baseball cap, a tank or zip and running shoes almost feel like a uniform. At least it’s the uniform if you’re at Costco between 10 and 3 on a weekday!
Some of the Athleisure apparel we particularly love at Fittbe comes from Kate Spade (especially recommended for for our Barre babes out there), New Balance X JCrew and Lorna Jane Activewear – (check out their current sale). Why are they topping the list? Primarily because they offer options which are cozy and comfy for everyday. I don’t know about you, but I do not like being shoved into an unbreathable sports bra so tight I can’t even breathe. My corset style tutu days may be over, but Athleisure wear is here to stay!
Good posture looks great and feels great. It enhances that balanced body and is habit-forming!
Keep your spine tall
Keep your spine tall when you are sitting and standing as well. When you slouch, you really put strain on your back, and you throw the balance of your body out of wack!
Work your Core and Abs
Your core is more than your abs. It’s the full array of wrap around muscles supporting your back. Having strong abdominals and a strong core is vital for great posture and preventing back pain too!
Align your ears with your shoulders
Make sure your head isn’t reaching forward. This is awful for your neck, and it looks poor too. Instead, make sure you align your ears with your shoulders. Keep your head up. Always!
Select a Firm Mattress
Choose a firm mattress that won’t have you sinking in! If you’re a napper, try napping on something more firm than an easy chair!
It's Time to Take a Moment for Yourself!
Tone, strengthen, stretch, and earn a functional body that feels amazing! Download your copy of Fittbe Pilates!
Here we highlight a few super exercises that are simple and fun!
Barre Exercises from “Belle of the Barre” by Fittbe!
Who is ready to be the Belle of the Barre?! If you can find 25 minutes to enjoy this session from the Fittbe Barre app, we know you’ll feel amazing and benefit from a glorious full body tone that improves posture, feels graceful and is also FUN! Here are a few of our featured exercises with an excerpt so that you can all see what’s coming!
4 count plie pumps with arms floating to second
An all time favorite warm up!
This warm up is amazing and you can really do it any time you just need to warm up your arms and legs! Take your feet to a natural first position, and start by engaging your legs, and squeezing your inner thighs together. Really think of “pulling up” through your legs. Arms are starting in Fifth en Bas of Bras Bas, and taking the 4 counts of plie pumps to float to second position. Then, take 4 counts to float back down and gather for another set! Keep sending your hips straight to the floor.
Alternating heel second position plie pulses
This one really works your legs!
Make sure your take a nice wide second position with your legs. Promise yourself that you’ll route your knees right over your second toe for the entire exercise. Good tracking is essential! As as you lift one heel off, and keep your foot in demi point, take your plie knee bend lower. Then, take your heel back down to the mat. Switch off legs and find a nice rhythm!
Standing oblique rotation with parallel passe
Engage your waist as you twist!
Ok, see the picture? That waist is twisting and those abs are tightening with every exhale. But the FUN part is that your upper body is totally dancing with each twist! The torso always goes toward your working leg on this one. Your standing leg is reaching tall and far from the floor! Be sure to get your knee nice and high and make sure you keep your best posture!
First position curl ups on the Mat
Take it down to the mat!
For this exercise, you will want to come down to your back, and take your arms over your head. Flatten and tighten your abs. Squeeze your knees together in a bent knee position, feet on the mat. As you exhale, roll your upper body and arms up and find a ballet first position. Hold for several counts, then roll down slowly through your spine keeping your core tightly engaged!
Rotated leg, lift, lower, out, and center
Isolate those external rotators and inner thighs!
Begin in a position with your elbows on the mat. Keep your neck long. Bend your knees out in front of yourself, then route your first working leg to a 45 Degree angle. Flex your foot. Now, draw the leg upward, enjoying a hamstring stretch. Keep your knee reaching side. Lower slowly back to the 45 degree position. Now keeping your core strong, route the leg outward off of your center line, and hold. Lastly draw it back in, engaging your thighs again. That’s one set!
We have some helpful video clips of the featured exercises here for you, and the full video is available in the Fittbe Barre app. Included for All Members! Tap the link to enjoy!
Ready for a really complicated process? Put everything blender, and… drumroll, please?
Blend it up! Pour into your favorite glass and savor the healthy goodness!
Note: depending upon your blender you may have to add the spinach and kale in batches to ensure it blends smoothly!
If you make one, be sure to tag us so we can see! 
