1 – Spinning

Since the new year has started, I discovered a spin class at a local studio called Re-Cycle Sports that has actually motivated me to get my behind out of bed at the crack of dawn each Saturday. I live in an area where fitness classes are pretty sparse, so I have to drive 20-25 minutes any time I want to take a class. This is the first class I have found that makes me feel like I just justify that commute first thing on a Saturday morning. I legitimately look forward to rolling out of bed, pumping a cup of coffee into my body, and heading out to class. I’m typically a morning person, but I’m definitely not a morning workout person, especially if it involves sweating pouring into my eyes and heavy breathing. This spin class though? Once the lights go down and the music goes up, I’m all in.

2 – Yaktrax

‘Tis the season for icy runs… I’m someone who absolutely despises running on a treadmill. After the Snowpocalypse and the 24″ of snow that came with it this month, I was getting cabin fever BIG TIME and just wanted to run. By Monday, I couldn’t stand being cooped up in the house anymore. A few years back, my mom got me a pair of Yaktrax for a Christmas present and I’ve never busted them out before, so I decide to give them a shot. They. Were. BEAUTIFUL. They wrap right around your regular running shoes and I didn’t notice any sort of strange feeling in my feet from having an additional treat underneath my shoes. (And trust me – I am type A to the extreme when it comes to running. Everything has to be just right or I can’t run. Or maybe I’m just really good at coming up with excuses…) Instead of slipping and sliding through little patches of snow and ice, I held my footing and blew right through them. Granted, there’s still a slight amount of slippage as those patches fall apart as you’re running through them, but it wasn’t nearly as bad with my Yaktrax on. They’re super reasonable and they get the job done.

3 – Fage Veggie Dip

Something I’m trying to focus on this year is getting more veggies into my diet. I love a good salad, but I can’t do it every day without getting sick of them. What I’ve discovered this month is the beauty of mixing Fage Total 0% Plain Greek Yogurt with a pack of Hidden Valley Ranch mix. HEAVEN! I take about 4 tablespoons with raw veggies as an afternoon snack and I actually don’t get sick of it. I even like it better than hummus. (But shh.. don’t tell hummus because I still do love her, but sometimes she’s like spending too much time with someone you really love. You just get sick of each other.)

The nutrition breakdown makes me happy. Per tablespoon, you’re looking at 11 calories, 0 fat, 1/2 gram of sugar, and 1.4 grams of protein. Compare that to hummus where you’re looking at at least 50 calories per two tablespoons and at least twice the amount of sugar. And don’t even get me started on salad dressing…