Fitness

Yoga with Adriene – Energy (Fitness Friday)

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Today’s post is just going to be a little baby post. Just a little short one. Today was my last day in the office for 2024 – I’ll still be working on Monday and Tuesday morning, but from the comfort of my basement. We went for a cute lunch at NOtaBLE as an office to celebrate and I very well might never eat again. The food was so good and I had so much left over… I cannot wait until I decide that I must eat my leftover Stilton cheesecake in the middle of the night. So, as you can imagine, I’m thinking a lot about delicious food and also a lot about moving my body. Specifically, Yoga with Adriene – Energy.

Longtime readers will remember that I have sporadically in my life announced that I am going to do a Yoga with Adriene yoga journey. This announcement regularly appears in my Word of the Year posts, and usually I actually do complete the journey. Sometimes I complete it a few days into February, but I think Adriene would support that. She is all about honouring the journey that you are on and finding your way back to your mat.

So obviously, I need to be doing that again this January. Those days where it is dark outside when I drive to work and dark outside when I drive home from work so I just don’t feel like driving to the studio, I need something that I can do to keep moving. That thing, of course, is Yoga With Adriene. (And maybe some other YouTube workouts.)

But Adriene isn’t doing a 30 Day Journey this year! At least that’s what I heard! What to do!?

Not to worry. Yoga with Adriene – Energy has come to the rescue. Only the first seven days are new (a Pranayama practice), but that doesn’t matter. It’s still videos that I haven’t done often, if at all, and someone else is picking the video that I’m going to do for me. What else can I ask for? 

I love not making decisions!

So there we have it. Who’s doing Yoga with Adriene – Energy with me? Most do-able workout challenge ever. Sound off in the comments!

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Fitness

5 Fun Ways to Stay Active During the Holidays (No Workouts Required)

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5 Ways to Stay Active banner image

The holidays are here, which means cozy sweaters, hot cocoa, and approximately a million things to do. For me, December always feels like a whirlwind, and sometimes it is truly impossible to fit in a formal workout. And if you read Wednesday’s post, you know I’m feeling guilty about that. And working on not feeling guilty about it. Because staying active during the holidays doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym or doing a 45-minute cardio session.

If you’re like me and need to make your holiday movement to feel festive and fun, I’ve got you covered. (Plus, even Harvard agrees with me that you’ve got to keep moving!) Here are five creative ways to stay active during the holidays that you’re probably doing anyway—or can start doing now.

1. Decorating for the Holidays

Holiday decorating is a sneaky way to stay active during the holidays. Pulling the box of ornaments out of storage? Strength training. Carefully balancing on a stool to hang garlands? Core work. Untangling miles of string lights? Maybe not a physical workout, but definitely a mental endurance test. Plus, once you’re done, your space looks festive and magical. Worth it.

2. Holiday Baking

Holiday baking isn’t just about the cookies (although let’s be honest, it sort of is). But if you’re feeling guilty, consider this: It’s about the movement—rolling dough, whipping batter, and crisscrossing the kitchen to grab ingredients. Add some upbeat holiday music, and suddenly you’re in your own baking montage. Staying active during the holidays can be as simple as dancing while you whisk frosting. Your arms might even get a little sore from all that whisking!

3. Playing in the Snow

Remember how much fun snow days were when you were a kid? Who says adults can’t join in? Go outside, build a snowman, or organize a friendly snowball fight. It’s like recess, but with mittens and hot chocolate waiting for you afterward. Running through the snow burns calories *and* boosts your mood. And happy people just don’t kill their husbands.

4. Volunteer Work

Volunteering during the holidays is a great way to stay active while giving back. Packing food hampers, sorting donations, or delivering meals to neighbors all require movement, and you’re helping your community while you’re at it. It’s a win-win that makes your heart feel as full as your gift bags.

5. Nature Walks

Sometimes, the simplest activities are the best. Taking a walk to admire holiday lights or enjoy a snowy trail gives you fresh air, gentle movement, and a little time to decompress. Throw on your coziest scarf and grab a warm drink to make it even better. Plus it’s warm in Calgary right now! Walking is a classic way to stay active during the holidays, and it’s easy to fit into your schedule.

Staying Active (and Festive!) This Season

The holidays are busy, but they don’t have to be sedentary. With a little creativity, you can stay active during the holidays in ways that feel festive and fun. Whether you’re dancing in the kitchen, climbing a ladder to hang mistletoe, or strolling through a winter wonderland, every little bit adds up.

I’d love to hear how you’re staying active this season! And why is it just sprinting across the room to your iphone so you can skip “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time”? (The worst song.) Let me know in the comments below—and feel free to share your own favorite ways to stay active during the holidays.

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Fitness

Moveology One Year Later (Fitness Friday)

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Just about a year and two months ago, I wrote a glowing Fitness Friday post about Moveology. At that point, Moveology was still fairly new. The studio had only been fully open for about four months and we had no way of knowing how special it would become. 

Erin and Liz, high-fiving in Chair position.
Photo Credit: @ourliveandtimes

Look at me, high fiving a friend while doing literally my least favourite position ever. (Chair pose. It gives me the tiniest of panic attacks for reasons I cannot comprehend. But it is also so good for my hamstrings and glutes.) 

I’ve been in the boutique fitness class space for basically a decade now, working in a studio for most of it. And Moveology, as a studio, as a culture, as a community, truly embodies the fact that movement is for everyone. There is something about looking around the studio and seeing how every participant is taking a different expression of the exercise. Every instructor offers so many options and it is so easy to do what serves you on that day, in that moment. 

You don’t want to jump? Maybe you don’t want to lay flat on your back during core work? Or you hate using a booty band? Who cares! I can guarantee, whatever you end up doing won’t be easier, it will just be more right for you. Like, it’s still an amazing workout, but it’s approachable and accessible. You’ll notice I am trying really hard not to say the word “modifications”, and that’s deliberate. There’s a bit of fitness culture that suggests we modify when we “can’t” do the “full move” and that’s not what Moveology is about. It’s about giving you options and letting you take them. 

Tell Me More About Moveology Options

Erin lunging in front of Moveology neon light with 5 lb weights
Photo Credit: @ourliveandtimes

Okay, I definitely set that one up. But I think this is so cool and representative.

Lots of people like working out right after work, right? That 5:30pm class is the sweet spot.

And right now, Emma (Moveology owner/founder, incredible human being) has a different class style scheduled every day of the week. You could literally come to that time slot every week day and have a fully well rounded workout routine without even having to think about it. Check it out:

Monday – HIIT with Chloe (yes, I’ve finally done HIIT…)

Tuesday – Power with Nicole

Wednesday – Barre with Crystal

Thursday – Pilates with Emma

Friday – Move.Strength.Sweat with Emma

Maybe 5:30 doesn’t work for you. That’s okay. There are lots of options and lots of instructors that you can check out here. Plus there’s a great 3 classes for $30 deal going on!

I don’t know, y’all. It’s hard for me to explain how special Moveology is. I just know it’s keeping me sane during the holiday season. 

I do my best to post my upcoming classes on my instagram story each week. So check it out and come move with me.

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Fitness, Life

Why My “Pantry Shop” Week Went Wrong

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pantry shop meal plan

Welp. I’m not even sure why I’m using virtual space to say something so readily apparent, but… I didn’t post a weekly meal prep with my grocery spend last week. You know this. You can see my blog. But for once it wasn’t because I’ve let go of my goals – at least, not fully. It’s because last week, I didn’t really buy groceries. I made the decision to try out a “pantry shop” meal plan for the week. And how did it go? 

Um. Medium.

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Fitness, Life

$60 Buffet Meal Prep

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Does anyone else feel like it’s been January for a thousand years? It’s not that it’s been dragging, but when I think about what I did the first week of the month, it feels like it’s been a lifetime. I think that was the week I made mac and cheese? I think I went to Zoolights? And now this is my third meal prep post? Crazy! Anyway, one of the common comments that has come up when I talk about my meal prep has been “I don’t know if I could eat the same thing every day”. I get that. Not everyone is a creature of habit as much as me. So this week is all about having different stuff daily! Please enjoy the $60 buffet meal prep.

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Fitness, Life

$60 Meal Plan (with Hello Fresh)

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Cooking

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We’re officially a third of the way through the month – how!? It feels like it’s, like, January 4. Is this just how it is now that we’re adults? And speaking of being adults – how are you all doing with your goals and hopes and dreams this new year? (Or how are you doing living in your flop era? We embrace both choices at A Flimsy Plan.) I’m doing… medium, which is to be expected, and I’ll elaborate a bit below before I get into this week’s groceries/meal plan wrap up. Which I’m super excited about because it’s a $60 meal plan… but it features Hello Fresh! (Not sponsored, I just get excited when I get to have Hello Fresh.)

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Fitness, Life

$50 Grocery Meal Plan

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$56 worth of groceries

I think this might be the first time I’ve ever had a requested post in all the years I’ve been writing this blog. You guys, I’ve finally made it! I almost feel… nervous? (Actually, that’s a total lie. I’m never nervous about anything I post on this blog because I save my nerves for real life drama, obvi.) Anyway, if you checked out my Word of the Year post (or, honestly, if you know me at all), you know that I’m doing a (modified) no-spend challenge this January. And every January. We set goals, we share confessions and support throughout the month, and we give ourselves grace.

The reason I mention this is because I set a $50-60/week grocery budget and people went wild. In a very mature and subdued way. How could this be!? Give me your secrets! And… um… that’s what this post is. This is my $50 grocery budget meal plan. 

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Fitness

Five Days of At Home Online Workouts

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Alright, my friends. It is already December 23 and things are about to get cozy. The weather in Calgary has actually improved (slightly), but I don’t really think that matters. Ultimately, the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful. So instead of going to the gym or pilates studio, we are all dying for ways we can stay active at home. And, as your non-fitness girl who wants to talk to you about fitness things, I took a hit for the team. I did at home workouts for a week so that I could tell you what was worth it and what you should be doing in your living room.

A few little comments – all the workouts I did were free, youtube videos. There are tons of subscription services out there, especially after COVID where all studios had to pivot to online offerings, but I decided to focus this post on free stuff. I am sure so many of you have passes to your regular studios… but you’re looking for something different to fill your time right now. Maybe you’re out of town. Maybe it’s just too much to drive somewhere away from home. Don’t worry. I got you!

Generally speaking, I tried to do a 45-min to 1-hr long workout. This meant I usually ended up doing more than one video per channel. If I did more than one, I usually tried to do something more cardio-heavy and then something more strength-heavy so that I had a range of workouts. 

And, without further ado, here are my thoughts on the five channels I interacted with during my week of at home workouts.

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Fitness

Moveology

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Moveology Front Entrance

Two days late, not on a Friday, but I am so excited to write a few words that I never thought I’d say again a year and a half ago. 

I’m working at the front desk at a fitness studio! 

Since May 14, I’ve been spending my Saturday mornings at Moveology, housed in the gorgeous historic building that once was Barre Body Studio’s home. I’ve been creating training documents, strengthening my core in Pilates classes, and trying to figure out how to put into words how excited I am to be back home. If you follow my instagram stories, you may have picked up on the fact that my last couple of weeks have been very… full and complicated, to put it kindly. It’s been a lot. And through that “a lot”, I’ve also been spending a ton of time at Moveology, training new karma staff, which has absolutely given me a place to ground myself. Moveology brands itself as “not your average gym” and that is completely on point.

But you’re not here to read about my emotions! (At least not in this post… trust me, that will be coming, in a delightfully vague yet inspiring format. Hopefully. OMG, Erin, get back on track.) You’re also not here for a professional, well organized, objective review of the studio. You go to places like Fit-City Guide for that. You come here for me to gush about things I love and hope that some of the love rubs off on you. So, without further ado, here is my non-expert wrap up on all the things that makes Moveology great – fitness from a non-fitness girl.

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