This week I tried hot yoga for the first time. It was brutal. I was a panting, slippery mess and the last 30 minutes my head was consumed with the thought of running out the room doors, down the stairs and to my care never to return again! I resisted though and endured until the bitter, sweaty, HOT end with not much more than a soaked towel, empty water bottle and blotchy red face to show for it.

After about 10 minutes though I started to feel pretty good and I’m going again (can you believe it?!) later this week.

I decided to try hot yoga after because I feel like I’ve plateaued. After having the kids and going through some rough personal things, I really packed on the pounds and haven’t felt at all like myself as a result. In January I started attending hour long interval training classes with 30 mins of cardio combined with 30 mins of strength training. I love it! It’s a one-stop-shop for the total body and I leave feeling exhausted but invigorated. Sadly though, after 6 months of these classes 3-4 times a week I’m just not seeing the progress I want. Not one to give up on the goal I have of resembling my post baby self I decided to try incorporating yoga one or twice a week. It’s too soon to report on any progress but if it goes well I’ll let you know.

When I’m really lacking in motivation to go I try to envision the way I want to look and feel, strong and healthy and lean. On bad days though, or weak days, I need something more and nothing motivates me like new workout gear (hello white yoga mat)! Nothing. So I treated myself to new shoes (which I actually really needed) which are a result of a Reebok & FACE Stockholm collaboration. They are in the faintest mint color with a sort of retro shape and I think I’m going to wear them around even when I don’t intend to work out.

I keep it very simple when I workout with a hair elastic and water bottle and sometimes my Nike Fuel + band. I also don’t wear any make up but I hate dry lips so I always, ALWAYS smear a bit of this La Bruket coconut oil lip balm on my lips. It’s so nourishing and light and smells wonderful. You can see it’s been well use as I’ve rubbed most of the label off now. Also these invisibobble hair fasteners work really well with my long wavy hair and don’t slip out mid run, which is actually a big deal for me.

Hopefully this will give you some good ideas for workout essentials which will in turn give you more motivation to power through your workouts!