Pack the Perfect Gym Bag

Pack the Perfect Gym || Darling Darleen Pack the Perfect Gym || Darling Darleen

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Pack the Perfect Gym || Darling Darleen

Pack the Perfect Gym Bag

If you head to the gym on a regular basis, you know the importance of packing the perfect gym bag to keep you on track and focused on your workout goals while at the gym. Your gym bag is your ultimate survival kit. So it’s essential to pack everything you need. I used to take a lot of group workout classes throughout the week, but over time I have switched to working out on the gym floor. As I have aged, my body responses more to lifting weights than an hour of cardio. So, I hit the gym floor, and if I don’t have my essential items, it can be quite frustrating and ultimately makes it difficult to enjoy my workout.

Before you pack the perfect gym bag, make sure you have the best gym bag. Depending on what activity you choose, look for a bag that has a large compartment and small pockets to hold essentials. If you head to the gym to enjoy yoga or pilates, then look for a bag that will hold a yoga mat. Speaking of yoga, one of my friends has just signed up for a teacher training course in Yoga here. How exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it next time I see her. Furthermore, make sure you find a gym bag that meets your needs and your style. I love my Starter Gym Bag. It’s sturdy enough to hold all my gear, and enough room to add extra shoes and clothes.

Pack the Perfect Gym Bag Essentials

  • Water Bottle: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! And the best way to do that is by packing a water bottle. It’s important to stay hydrate before, during and after workout. I love my 32 ounces Hydro Flask water bottle. It has a double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle that keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours and hot drinks up to 6 hours. It’s my favorite, and I’ve had it forever.
  • Protein: Eating protein after a workout has proven to speed muscle recovery time. I like to keep a protein bar in my gym bag, so if I have to run errands after the gym, I have something to eat. I like to eat right after I get done to keep my metabolism burning and to repair those muscles. Quest Protein Bars are my favorite because they are high in protein and low in carbs and sugar.
  • Pre-Workout Powder: I like to take a pre-work out drink to give me the energy to perform my best during my workouts. Onward supplement is always in my bag because it provides sustainable energy counteracting fatigue and allows me to extend my intensity. I also like it because it doesn’t upset my stomach like some of the other pre-work formulas.
  • Wireless Headphones: Wireless headphones are the way to go when working out. If you don’t have a pair yourself, well it’s time to have a look on a site such as Headphones Lab and get yourself some wireless headphones. I have the Apple Wireless headphone and Sudio Wireless Headphones. I love them both! Sudio Headphone have both the in-ear and out-ear head phone styles. Get 15% off their products using my code DARLEEN15
  • Armband or Waistband: Have something to carry your phone while working out. The armband or waistband does the trick. It also protect your phone from getting scratched, and is great for hand-free. I prefer the waistband instead of the armband, because I have the iPhone plus so it is quite large for an armband.
  • Download your Favorite Workout Plans: Before you hit the gym, have a plan if you are going to be working out without any guidance. I like to have something already on my phone so I don’t have to think about it. I just do it! Some of my favorite work outs are Bikini Body Guide (BBG)–I follow one of the workout plans and then lift weights after. Your body will be burning after. I love FitMama of 6 workouts. Follow her IG account to mix up basic routines. I also follow the BeachBody Workouts and then incorporate them in my workouts.
  • Workout Gloves: You might find more than one pair of workout gloves. If you are lifting weights, workout gloves are highly recommended for better grip and full palm protection. I have found that when I don’t wear workout gloves, my hand are sore, and I have a greater tendency to hurt my wrists.
  • Resistance Bands: Challenge your exercise with resistance bands. I like to throw these on when I am doing leg exercise, abs, push-ups. Resistance bands give a slight intensity to your workout, and you should always be pushing yourself during every workout. These will do the trick!
  • Jump Rope: If your gym doesn’t supply jump ropes (like mine), throw in a jump rope in your bag. This is another great way to intensify your workout when you are resting during weight reps. Also jump ropes keep your heart rate up!
  • Towel: Keep a clean towel in your bag, to wipe up your sweat and keep you healthy during your workout. There are so many germs at the gym. I like to wipe up machines before I get on them.

Other items to consider: I don’t have these in my gym bag because I get ready at home, but if you plan to start your day at the gym, consider throwing in shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, body spray, soap, deodorant, razor, makeup, hair brush.

Have fun working out and staying tough!

Pack the Perfect Gym || Darling Darleen

Thank you Starter Apparel via Amazon Fashion for sponsoring this post.


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10 Weight Loss Workout Tips

10 weight loss motivating workout tips, healthy eating, working out, weight lifting, fit mama of 6, new years resolution, goals, weight loss goals, skinning eattings

10 Weight Loss Workout Tips to Include in Your Daily Routine.

It’s a new year, which makes me motivated to shake things up in my diet and workout. I always ask myself…what do I want to change with my body? And the answer always seems to be lose weight! I eat pretty healthy and workout everyday. But I have definitely plateau this past year when it comes to my body, and I can’t seem to budge that stubborn 10-15 pounds that likes to sit on my love handles! So, this year I turned to my fitness guru sister, Christine from Fit Mama of 6 to give me 10 weight loss workout tips that I can include in my daily routine to shake things up. Remember this post she did last year on stylish workout clothes? Through the years I have seen her body fluctuate from six pregnancies to her current skinny, but strong state. And I have to say that she definitely doing something right! So I have asked her to do a guest post about 10 weight loss motivating workout tips she recommends for women should be include in their daily routine. Another friend seems to stay skinny by doing Tennis Lessons. She tells me it helps her because she has paid the lessons and its a variety workout that is fun and doesn’t take all day.

Christine’s favorite cross-training shoes are Nike Free Cross Compete

10 Weight Loss Workout Tips recommended by Christine from Fit Mama of 6

  1. Eat 30 mins right after waking up. As you age, your metabolism slows down. It’s important to keep your metabolism humming, or you will gain weight. Eat first thing in the morning to jump start your body and to start your metabolism. I like to eat a protein, carb and fat in first meal of the day. An example would be 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal with 1/2 tbsp almond butter and a 1/2 scoop of whey protein. Overnight oats is a great meal to eat first thing in the morning.

2. Incorporate weights in your workout. Women have to embrace weight lifting. As women age, their metabolism goes down. But weight lifting will help to keep it humming. When eaten with a nutritional diet, lifting weights helps with the metabolism and muscle tone.

3. Along with #2, you don’t need to do hours of cardio to burn fat! Doing mass amount of cardio is a lie. For some reason it is in the women’s mind that cardio is the key to losing weight. I use to have that same mentality. But as I aged, my body was gaining weight. It wasn’t until I incorporated weight lifting into my workout and decreased my cardio did I see my body change to where I wanted it to be. I suggest on a normal workout day to do 15 minutes of cardio to start a nice sweat, then lift 45 minutes then end your workout with a steady state of 10 mins of cardio.

4. The best time to have fruit is right after your workout. Fruit helps to repair muscles, and muscles need fast digesting carbs. Put fruit in a shake, on top of oatmeal or cereal.

5. Eat six small meals a day. Small meals keeps your metabolism humming and working. . I like to include protein in every meal, but protein is only a small fist-serve serving. Protein options are meats, poultry, eggs, whey protein. If you are having trouble with where to start when it comes to meal plans, why not take a look at a website like Wisdoms of Health, who provide you with tips for diet plans, celebrity workout plans and more. This will hopefully give you some inspiration on where to take your fitness lifestyle.

6. Buy spinach and dark leafy greens. Embrace them in your daily meals. They will keep your digestive system running smooth and consistent. Dark leafy greens should be incorporated in half of your meal plate.

7. Limit your salt! Salt retains water and will keep your body bloated. Use alternatives to salt like no-salt seasonings, fresh herbs, lemons, vinegar, garlic. Also, limit sugar intake. No sugar during the week. Treat yourself only once during one sitting at the end of the week and then the next day have the best, hardest workout of the week to burn those calories.

8. Bring supplements into your diet. A multi-vitamin, fish oil and CLA is what I take. These vitamins will keep your bones and teeth strong and help with your fat deposits. Vibe is my go-to liquid multi-vitamin that I love to drink all day long.

9. Drink water throughout the day. This is so so important for weight loss success. If you are feeling hungry, drink a big glass of water before eating. You may think you are hungry, but many times our body is just thirsty. You need to drink at least half your body weight.

10. Sleep is so important! Try and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Shut off electronics at least an hour before bed. This helps your body get into a natural rhythm of sleep pattern.

Thank you Christine for sharing 10 Weight Loss Workout Tips that women should include in their daily routine! Check out her website for meal plans and workout guides.

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