Return of the Running Bug

You might have been bitten by the running bug if...

You have more running shoes in your closet than regular shoes.
You craft your running playlists more carefully than most people craft the seating charts at their wedding.
You watch Spirit of the Marathon on Netflix...for the 5 million and third time.

image via Amazon.com
You lose hours pinning running gear to Pinterest.

image via Pinterest
You dream about running a 4:25 marathon and immediately upon waking start figuring out how hard you'd have to train to do that.
You start having dreams about running.
You spend more time on DailyMile than you do on Facebook.
You can't stop registering for races.
You tweet your friends asking which GPS watch is best (or shoes, or socks, or...).

Starting 9k training. What's a good watch to help me track pace, distance, etc?? GPS? #fitfluential #runchat
— Kerri (@KerriOlkjer) March 8, 2014

Your instagram feed is filled with people running races before most people are out of bed on the weekends.
You're pretty sure you need that cool new pair of kicks. Really, you don't have that many pairs of running shoes...

It's official.

The running bug is BACK.

I've spent the last week drooling over gear...

UA Boyfriend Cap.
Image via UnderArmour.com

I need that hat. Really, need.

Asics Lluca Long Sleeve Tee.
Image via AsicsAmerica.com

I haven't looked at Asics gear in a while. They have some seriously cute stuff, why hadn't I noticed this??

Asics Fit-Sana Long Sleeve Tee.
Image via AsicsAmerica.com

Asics Performance Fun Capri.
Image via AsicsAmerica.com

Do you have a GPS watch? Do I need a GPS watch? I want a GPS watch...

Nike+ SportWatch GPS.
Image via Amazon.com

Garmin Forerunner 10.
Image via Amazon.com

I signed up for one race and am pondering several more (several, like, you know, a million).

Seen on my run...
Hooray for Colorado sunshine!

This weekend I ran outside for the first time in over a year. It was bliss.

It will be a journey back to my pre-baby running state, but it just feels good to be out there doing it. To WANT to do it.

Welcome back running bug, I've missed you.

Have you been bitten by the running bug? What races are on your calendar??

Fan Favorites

Hype or Help: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Final Program Review

Disclaimer: I received Jillian Michaels Body Revolution for review purposes. As always opinions are 100% honest and my own. After three long months of testing this program I'm finally down to the review! I've had so many questions, and I hope to answer them all here. So, is it hype or help ? Have a seat, let's talk about that... What you will need for these workouts: A set of light, medium, and heavy hand weights to suit your ability level. What's Included with Jillian Michaels Body Revolution : 15 Workout DVDs Resistance Cable Fitness Guide Book Fat Burning Meal Plan 7 Day Kick-Start Your Metabolism Plan 90 Day Journal Bookmark What's in the box? My unboxing video if you want to see it all: The Body Revolution Diet Plan I've had a lot of questions on what exactly the diet plan for Body Revolution is. Let me break it down... The diet for this program is roughly 1200 calories a day and all of the recipes come from J...

30 Easy Prep and Pack Whole30 Lunch Recipes

The Whole30 Program is amazing. I highly recommend it. Every time I've done a Whole 30 I have felt AMAZING by the end. It's a very empowering experience. It is not however an easy one. Mostly because the food prep can take much more time if you're used to grab and go options. A little planning ahead and you can definitely make it through the 30 days. When it comes to Whole30 lunches, 3 things worked best for me: Quick and easy salads. Prepping food on Sunday. Cooking too much at dinner and eating leftovers for lunch the next day. I thought I'd share 30 of the awesome Whole30 lunch recipes I've found from my favorite bloggers (and a few from me!). I've included all three options I listed above. Some quick and easy salads, some to prep an entire recipe on the weekend and then portion them for lunches that week, and some to be cooked for dinner and the leftovers packed for lunch the next day. Play around and see what works best for you. This list...

Paleo Energy Bar Recipe

I'm always playing around with easy snack recipes for my paleo kiddos. This Paleo Energy Bar Recipe in many incarnations is our go-to! It takes no time at all to whip a batch up and the kids love them. They're not only paleo, but also vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Plus, I mean... there's chocolate. ;) Just 4 ingredients! Paleo Energy Bars Ingredients 1 cup Whole Natural Almonds 12 to 14 Organic Medjool Dates , de-pitted 1/2 of a Alter Eco Chocolate Dark Blackout 85% 1/4 cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds Directions Pulse the almonds in food processor until you get small bits, but not paste. Empty into mixing bowl. Do the same with the dark chocolate. Process the dates in the food processor until smooth. They will tend to come together in a ball. Add to nut/chocolate mixture. Add the pumpkin seeds whole. Line a 9 x 9 pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Mix the ingredients in the bowl. I usually just smoosh all of the ...

Paleo Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burgers

Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky...

KETO Cocktails: The Lemon Drop

I love a good glass of red wine now and then, I mean it's practically a health food, right? ;) But sometimes I just want a cocktail. I'm all for moderation and having a drink now and then, but I'm just not down with the calorie, carb, and sugar counts of some of my favorites. Seriously, have you ever looked them up? Eek. So, I've set to work at converting my favorite cocktail recipes to be more keto diet friendly! The first cocktail recipe I'm tackling is the keto lemon drop . I used to love these, but haven't had one in years because of the sugar in them. In my early twenties I had a friend who used to make them for me all the time. We would have a shaker full of these, a good dinner, and a chick flick on a weeknight , it was kind of bliss. Her recipe called for so. much. SUGAR though! Looking back I think she may have used a wee bit more sugar than most, but they were really good. I think my keto-ized recipe comes pretty dang close to those delicious...

KETO Hot Cocoa Pancakes

OK, I know I've been on quite the low carb pancake tangent lately, but THESE! Seriously, these are yummtastic. Yummazing? Ya, they're really good. They just might be my favorite recipe I've ever done. Ever. OK, that might be my paleo apple crisp recipe , but that's not low carb...ooo, I wonder if I could tweak that low carb... That would be brilliant! You know, bloggers area always talking seo this and seo that (seo stands for search engine optimization if you're not a blogger) and I'm just over here yammering. I'm pretty sure when google's spider crawlers (anyone shiver at that word picture? eesh) get to FitViews they just think, "Yeesh, move along. Nothing to see here." Ha ha ha! Anyway, pancakes. KETO Hot Cocoa Low Carb Pancakes no less. So good. As I've mentioned before I'm back to low carb (keto actually) and developing new recipes to make it easier to stick with. I find I just plain feel great when I eat keto...

Jillian Michaels BodyShred Full Review

I was sent the Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED program and supplements for review purposes.In this BodyShred review, as always, opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I have to say my two months of BodyShred flew by! It seems like I just started yesterday. Ah, time flies while you're having fun. Right? OK, in this full review post, I hope to give you a good overview of exactly what the BodyShred program is as well as my thoughts and opinions on the program. So, is Jillian Michaels BodyShred hype or help? Let's chat... Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED is Jillian's latest total-package fitness program. This set includes: What is included in the BodyShred program? What's in the box: BodyShred Fitness Guide BodyShred Meal Plan BodyShred Rotational Calendar BodyShred "Let Them See You Sweat" Workout Towel DVDs- 8 - Shred Style Circuit Workouts 1. Launch 2. Rise ...

Paleo Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer Recipe

It's just not the holidays for me without a Starbucks peppermint mocha (or white chocolate peppermint mocha, mmm). I generally splurge once or twice during the holiday season with the real thing. Since going keto paleo, however, I'm not sure if I will. Sometimes the sugar just isn't worth it! Problem is I like them, miss them, and would really enjoy them all season long! So..... I decided I wanted to tackle the peppermint mocha and come up with Paleo-friendly version . With this simple recipe, I can have a peppermint mocha anytime. Not only is this recipe Paleo, but it's also Whole30, gluten-free, vegan, primal, and 100% junk-free. Paleo Peppermint Mocha Recipe Ingredients: 1 can Organic Canned Coconut Milk (Regular, NOT light. Seriously, ew.) 1/3 cup Organic Cocoa Powder 2 to 3 Tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (Optional, leave out for keto or Whole30.) 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Organic Peppermint Extract (Depending how pepperminty you like...

Jillian Michaels Body Revolution: My Final Results

I decided to separate my final results and final review of Jillian Michaels Body Revolution into two posts. Otherwise it would equal one really really long post. My final review should be up tomorrow. Today, my final results!

Review: Jillian Michaels Killer Buns & Thighs

With her latest offering in the fitness DVD realm- Jillian Michaels: Killer Buns and Thighs - Jillian Michaels delivers again in typical Jillian style . To some, that will be the problem. I hear this less since she left the Biggest Loser, but I still hear it. It seems most people either love her attitude or can't stand it, with few in between. But if you are a Jillian fan like me (or a can tolerate Jillian for a great workout type) this is an intense sweat-fest of a DVD that I highly recommend. From the packaging: Do the saddlebags on your legs make you insane? Do you loathe wearing shorts because of saggy knees or flabby thighs? Have you avoided skinny jeans like the plague? Or do you just want to go from good shape to great shape and rock a bikini with the best of them? Well no matter what point you are starting from, if you want to get your lower body in sick, crazy, amazing shape, Jillian Michaels: Killer Buns & Thighs promise...

This DVD gets 4 stars from me. It is a great workout! Definitely a workout I'll be doing for a while. For this workout you will need: A set of handweights (beginners use lighter weights, more advanced exercisers can use heavier weights) A mat if you're working out on a hard floor. This latest installment from The Biggest Loser: The Workout series is lead by Jillian Michaels. The Last Chance Workout section of the DVD is 'HIIT' or high intensity interval training. In circuits you will move from a strength move (such as hammer curls standing on one leg) for about 30 seconds to a cardio move (like jumping rope) for about 30 seconds. It is a tough workout, it moves quickly from one move to the next with little lag time. You will sweat and burn those calories. There are no ab only exercises such a crunches, Jillian seems to prefer engaging the core throughout the workout; utilizing plank type moves, etc. The Upper Body Sculpt and Lower Body Tone sections are mo...

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