Note: Before I share my Chicago Half Marathon story, I want to advise against running a race without training. It is never a good idea. Even if you think you are in great shape, you put yourself at risk for injury. As always, you should consult a physician about what exercise/event is safe for you to do. On Sunday, I awoke at 4:15 a.m. to get ready to run 13.1 miles in south Chicago during ... Read more
Summer Running Spotify Playlist
I've gotten a bit of a late start on my half-marathon training, but I'm excited to finally begin. Why so late? When I was pregnant I eagerly awaited the day I could run again. Many women can continue running while pregnant, but sadly I was not one of them. I counted down the days until my six-week postpartum appointment when I would be cleared to work out and I could celebrate with a ... Read more
Postpartum Fitness Goals
I'm now eight weeks postpartum and I've finally been cleared to work out. I am feeling back to normal for the most part and I'm ready to get back to running after months off! I'm sharing my postpartum fitness goals in hopes of finding others who are going through the same phase of life or who are also looking to get back in shape or improve their health and well-being. I plan to post weekly recaps ... Read more
New Fabletics Workout Attire & My Pregnancy Fitness Routine
** This post is sponsored by Fabletics. All opinions are my own. Fitness has been an important part of my life for seven years now. I have known that I want to stay as active as possible throughout my pregnancy, but my fitness routine has certainly changed. What motivates me to want to work out still involves cute athletic wear though! Today I'm sharing my pregnancy fitness routine and the new ... Read more
Future Moments of Yes: My 2018 Goal
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WellYes2018 #CollectiveBias I’ve had a major goal in mind for some time now, but I’ve been keeping it to myself because of fear. This decision came about after a Well Yes!® Moment of Yes I recently had in which I realized that I need to get back to doing what I love and find ... Read more
2018 Word of the Year, Plus Simplifying To-Do List
For the past few years I have chosen a word to guide the following 12 months. Each year I have watched that word change my life, sometimes in ways I didn't expect. When I saw the following word last week, it spoke to me. I knew this would be my chosen word for 2018, as well as an intention: Believe. Believe is my 2018 word of the year. I believe in myself and that I can make my goals a ... Read more
Benefits of Group Running
Before I moved to Chicago I never ran with a group. Occasionally I would run with a friend, but I rarely ran with more than one person (with the exception of races, of course). While I prefer to run alone for the most part — I love my me time and listening to music or Audible books — I was reminded last week of the benefits of running with a group. Benefits of group running: Motivation and ... Read more
Fun Subscription, Membership and Experience Gifts
** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise! I'm a big fan of giving experiences and subscriptions as gifts. Many of us have people in our lives who own so much stuff that you don't know what they could possibly want or need. Giving classes, tickets and memberships won't ... Read more
Our Little Secret
Abigail Joyce Photography | Third anniversary photos at Montrose Harbor, Chicago Toward the end of summer I started to lose my motivation and focus. I felt lost and uninspired, and I wasn't sure what to do next. I shifted my priorities, gave myself a break and now I can happily say that I'm starting to gain some of that drive back, in large part because of some upcoming, exciting changes ... Read more
Saying Yes to My Well-Being
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WellYesMoment #CollectiveBias I've always considered myself to be a motivated and driven person. I am always saying yes to new classes, activities and opportunities, sometimes to my own detriment. I say this because in trying to do too much, I have sometimes neglected my ... Read more