Cheating: It's ok, even on Valentines Day...

Last night around 8pm, I was tempted...

I had been doing really well lately and been very happy with how things are going. But this morning, without much thought or hesitation...I cheated. And I will probably cheat again tonight. After all, nothing says romance like cheating right? I have no remorse.

All I wanted was a damn piece of chocolate! (Gosh, what did you think?)

I don't crave sweets much but I think my female body is now programmed to expect chocolate around February 14th. So, I had one. Not even the kind that typically ends up in the office on holidays and you just eat it because "its there". I went out of my way tfor a Lindt milk chocolate truffle. It was delicious, and the fact that I knew I was cheating did not change that one bit.

Tomorrow, I will go back to sticking to my clean eating ways until the next cheat comes along. Although they are not frequent, cheats do and will continue to exist.

My point here is this: it's OK to cheat, it's actually good! The way you eat shouldn't be tailored to a specific rigid diet, it should be to your lifestyle. Of course discipline is important here (I didn't go get a dozen truffles and eat them in one sitting) but so is having the ability to treat yourself! 

Especially on days like today, where "love is in the air", I hope you all take a moment to treat yourself. The best and "Too Fit" love we have is for ourselves...and chocolate.

Happy Valentines Day! 

xoxo

Fit Friday Fashion: "Favorite" Spotlight

This week I'm spotlighting my favorite yoga/activewear line: Zweet Sport

The name comes from the dutch verb "Zweet", which means to sweat and to perspire. And while the activewear is hands down the most unique and stylish I've ever seen, it's also fantastic quality. Not only that, but the pieces are made to fit and stay in proper place regardless of what you're doing for a workout. The bottoms fit like gloves without squeezing your muffin top area, and the tops have great support without turning the front of your torso into a pancake. Also, you don't have to worry about anything popping out or pit stains when you get really sweaty, even during workouts that have the most potential for this. I have tested both of these facts. 

When I say this stuff is stylish, this is what I mean: I've never owned a single piece of workout gear that I could wear out on the town and get away with. Some of their leggings though, I've already planned full outfits for, especially the funky printed ones: solid top, blazer, wedges - totally killer.

It's not joke and it's not just me who likes this stuff. Their pieces have been featured in Self Magazine, Muscle and Fitness Hers and Women's Health. Also, all of the pieces are "Made in the fabulous U.S.A". Do you not just love that?!

Zweet Sport is owned and designed by 2 rockstar women who not only have developed their brand into a clothing line, but also have a booming yoga studio in Alexandria, VA. The classes are fantastic and in high demand; I have to sign up for my Saturday yoga about a week in advance to secure my spot. Otherwise I risk the possibility of a yoga crisis for that week. Yes, I could take class somewhere else to get my fill, but I don't want to.

For more information about Zweet Sport, visit their website! For my far away friends: you can order online!

P.S Tomorrow night they are having an open house celebration at the studio to toast to the (huge) success they've had in the past year. I am unashamed to say that I have budgeted for this event and am super excited to get some new things. I find myself wearing the same pieces I have from here over and over, so it's clear that I need some more. I'm bringing some pals along with me as well to celebrate to my favorite yoga spot and clothing line! Stay tuned to see our new looks from Zweet Sport!!

Follow on Twitter: @ZweetTweets

Follow on Instagram: @ZweetSport

A Too Fit Snow Day

Happy Snow Day, from here in D.C. at least!

I still get so excited about Snow Days - it's juvenile, but you know you do too. Theres only one thing that throws a wrench in the allure of a snow day: the gym is likely closed.

This sparks one of those little angel/devil on your shoulder dilemmas. 

The devil is telling us: "Its a free day, you have every excuse not to work out." And then the devil lists those excuses in your brain, and he's so damn convincing. 

Vs.

The angel who is saying: "You can make something work for a workout. Even something little counts and you'll feel way better about this snow day once you do it." And the angel, well she is annoying because we know she is right. 

Yes the gym is closed, but all you really need to get a work out in is about 6-10 feet of space. So this ones for the angel:

Here is a quick, simple and butt kicking workout for your snow day. Get off your butt, go as hard as you can and DO IT.

Repeat this circuit 3-5 times:

• 2 minutes of jumping jacks. 
• (10 second rest)
• 1 minute of squats. (Get your butt down & keep your chest up, do as many as you can while keeping form)
• (10 second rest)
• 45 second mountain climbers. 
• (10 second rest)
• 1 minute of push ups. (Girly ones on your knees are fine, do as many as you can while keeping form)
• 1 minute plank.
• (1 minute rest)

And if all you can think about while buried in snow is the beach and bathing suits. Heres an extra ab blast. My best friend from home introduced me to this awesomely 80s ab video. You can laugh at Denise's funny leotard, big hair and tights all you want, but her stomach and this ab workout are no joke! Sometimes we would do this in our little homey living room right before a night out to feel extra great. At that point, I'm not sure if it made a difference in how we looked, but it definitely did in how we felt. Right Al?

Enjoy your Too Fit Snow Day! 

What's For Breakfast?!

Or dinner, because who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?

I got this recipe from one of my closest friends from college. 

Circa 2008

We used to stay up late, eat all sorts of bad food, live in our leggings and paint Boston red any chance we got. Years later, here I am with a fitness/lifestyle blog and she a beautiful bride to be. Oh how the times have changed, regardless, she will always be my Sa! 

The best things about having great girlfriends is what we get to share with each other. This recipe is definitely up there in the rankings!

Clean Protein Pancakes 

These rock, period. So easy to make, and they should make you so happy to eat because they are CLEAN. This is what I like to call: Healthy Heaven.

(I modified the recipe just a bit)

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggs, 1 egg white
• One mashed up banana
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 1/2 tablespoon of coconut flour/or almond milk
• A touch of almond milk (1 teaspoon or so)




You will be seeing this in no time.

• FOR EXTRA PROTEIN: Add one scoop of vanilla whey protein

Mix the batter together until it is blended well. Spray a frying pan with cooking spray or olive oil and pour the batter in for your ideal size pancakes. I usually do 4-5 inches around or so, any larger and it becomes more difficult to flip them, and I suck at that already.

Set the burner on medium/high and cook for about 30 seconds to a minute before flipping(depending on burner and taste preference). This recipe makes about 3-4 medium/small pancakes.

Top with fresh fruit, peanut butter or your favorite maple syrup and Enjoy!  

Rookie Racer

I am 7 days out from my first 10k.

The only other race I've ever done is a 5k=3.1 miles. A couple of my girlfriends, the man and I did the Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run and it was a blast. 

I am not much of a runner though, and not a fast one at that. Besides a casual jog, the only way I get moving is in ZUMBA or well, running to the refrigerator. So needless to say, on Sunday I am not running to win this thing. This thing = The George Washington Birthday Classic 10k in Alexandria.

A 10k = 6.2 miles, totally not that bad, but I'm TOTALLY nervous!! I have been doing a good job of training but even with the prep, these jitters won't quit. 
I'm rarely nervous, embarrassed or remotely uncomfortable about anything really, so this is a bit odd for me. Heres where I think it's coming from:

• I am still feeling out my running form and pace. Having a bit of trouble with it but feeling the difference from minor tweaks makes realize it is important.
• Distance: I've got that down, as in I know I can do it. But even still race day will only be the 5th time I've ever ran over 4 miles.
• People. The idea of having a bunch of other runners around me has me worried about it throwing off my groove.
• Timing: I signed up in mid January, and reasonably so, I feel race day has snuck up on me!
• And...What the Heck do I wear?! As far as necessary gear goes, I'm all set. But naturally, I still want to look fabulous!

On the 4th bullet (Timing) - Yes, I could have signed up for a later race but there was a reason behind it. Last year at this time, I was coming off of a not so fun recovery from a not so fun surgery. Running even 1 mile wasn't an option, but now it is. Actually running a few is, so I'm going to do 6.2 more than I could this time last year! (Check out that math!)

Before signing up for this bad boy, I'd encourage everyone to do things like this and give them serious props. But now I have a new appreciation. It was humbling to experience something I'm not so great at and then work to get better at it. 

In our fitness and our lives, why don't we do more stuff we're not good at? We all have challenges in our lives, sometimes by no fault or control of our own. So why not bring some challenge in that we can control. Even if it is something small.

OH - and set goals while doing it! DUH!!

Realistic ones. When I signed up, my goal was to finish this thing in 1hr. But when I went out for my first 10k distance run, I did it in less than that. Therefore, I adjusted my goal to more of a challenge but something within reach. Here it is:

Overall Racetime Goal: 53 minutes

Average Pace Per mile: Around 8:45

T-minus 7 days. Wish this Rookie Racer luck and send any tips my way!...Ladies, I'm looking at you for help with that last bullet point!!