Welcome to a new fitness series! I joined a gym last week so that I could restart my fitness journey. Yes, I have worked out since having a baby, but it hasn't been consistent. I want to change that, so I'm sharing recaps of my workouts as I try to get back into my fitness routine. I'm recapping this both to inspire others to start, even if it's slowly, and to hold myself accountable. If anyone ... 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
Tips for Practicing Yoga While Pregnant
Before I was pregnant, I thought I would be able to keep up with running when I was expecting. I have been so wrong. I have run, but not at the same intensity, frequency or mileage as before. Instead, I have turned back to yoga. My goal has been to go to a class at least once a week and then practice a bit on my own the rest of the week. Throughout this current journey I have discovered many ... 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
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
Decluttering Process/Update & Items I Regret Buying
**This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links. Thanks for supporting Floradise! I recently had the urge to reexamine my entire wardrobe as part of my end-of-summer cleaning and decluttering list, which I shared in July. I began with about 50 items hanging in my closet, not counting my winter jackets and exercise clothes. While ... Read more
Half-Marathon Training, Week 2
So far, so good. Week 2 of half-marathon training for the Chicago Half Marathon was successful in that I trained four days out of the week and increased my running mileage by 10 percent. That percentage is my goal for increasing mileage each week of the 12-week training process. Week 3 will be tricky because my oldest nephew, who just graduated from high school, will be visiting us in ... Read more
Becoming a Mermaid With AquaMermaid Chicago
** Thank you AquaMermaid Chicago for hosting me for a mermaid class. All thoughts are always my own. Photo taken with a GoPro, so quality of image differs from my other posts. Note: Airbnb did a feature on the class I attended. Read it here. I've always been a mermaid at heart. Haven't we all dreamed of being a mermaid? AquaMermaid helped me make that ... Read more
Half-Marathon Training, Week 1
** This post on half-marathon training contains affiliate links to some of my favorite products of the week. I am compensated for purchases made through these links. I finally started my training for the Chicago Fall Half Marathon last week! I was scheduled to begin the previous week, but I had a work trip to Phoenix that prevented me from joining my group and coaches as planned. I am so excited ... Read more
How to Start Running
**This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links. My lack of fitness motivation earlier this year got me thinking about why I started running in the first place. Before 2011 I was not interested in working out or running -- at all. I couldn't finish a mile if my life depended on it. I was not in a good place in my life at all, ... Read more