#GiveThem10 For the Troops

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Hey friends!

This week, the fine folks at CSX reached out to me about a really cool campaign they’ve started to support our troops in honor of Memorial Day! I’ve mentioned this before, but I work with the military and have a lot of friends/loved ones who have or are currently serving. I don’t think anyone at CSX even knows that, so this was a neat surprise.165408_610711302275134_1610795210_n

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From May 20-29, whenever you do 10 push-ups and tweet or Instragram about it using the hashtag #GiveThem10, CSX will donate $1 to Wounded Warrior Project! CSX will donate an additional $1, with the goal of reaching $50,000 total – how cool is that?!

Last night, I went to a Body Pump class and ending up pounding out about 20 push-ups. Some were with some REALLY jelly-like arms that could barely push anything, but I still tried to get ‘em done!

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By the way, for those of you who are diehard ‘Pump fans, I finally get what the hype was about!  I looooooooooooove it!

Anyways, you can learn more about CSX’s Drop and Give Them 10 movement by browsing their push-up gallery (there are lots of different ways to push-up for a good cause!) and visiting dropandgivethem10.com.

I’m headed to California today (woohoooooooooooo).. um, in a few hours actually……….. so I should probably consider packing.

Happy Thursday!

 

Are push-ups a regular part of your fitness routine? They’re such a great way to tone your arms and an easy exercise when you don’t have access to a gym!

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Currently

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Morning!

Loved all your comments on yesterday’s post about salt! I’ll keep ya’ll posted on what else I learn….

Anyways, last week I saw this fun little survey in a blog post of one of my fav bloggers, Julie, and thought I’d play along, too. You all know I adore lists (I’m so cool), so obviously I couldn’t turn down something like this! It’s called “Currently.” Ready?

Current books: I recently started “The American Heiress” by Daisy Goodwin (pretty good, but I haven’t had time to dive too far in yet!)9780312658663_p0_v1_s260x420

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Current music: Icona Pop’s “I Love It” (<–great for running… or silent dance parties). Not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but I also adore the “Heart of Gold” station on Pandora, because I’m like 60 years old.

Current guilty pleasure: Does avocado toast count? Because that love affair hasn’t died down yet…

Current nail color: A baby pink shade.

Current drink: OMG – 21st Amendment Brewery’s “Hell or High Watermelon” beer – seasonal and perfect.IMG_6894

Current food: I suppose this is where I should have talked about avocado toast? Right, well… I’ve also been on a peanut butter waffle kick.IMG_6868

Current favorite show: “Veep” - I crack up, especially living/working in D.C.

And don’t laugh at me, but I’ve been watching reruns of “The Ghost Whisperer.” I know, I know.

Current wish list: A new  {or any?} car! Anyone want to buy me one? Okay, thanks… good talk.

Current needs: See above. ;-)  And new running shoes were a need since I start half marathon training this weekend (!!!), but I just bought a brand new pair of my fav Nikes on Sunday.

Current indulgence: Dairy. I need to quit it again real soon before the lactose intolerance fairy comes to clobber me over the head.IMG_6897

Current blessing: The most amazing friends and family a girl could ask for. Cheesey, but everyone needs a solid support system, you know? Especially when {more} change is coming down the pike (hint, hint).

Here’s one of them.IMG_6899

Oh hi, Val!

Current outfit: Uh.. this is a weird one. I almost always have on yoga pants if I’m not in the office, and right now? Pajamas.

I feel like we just got closer, guys. Between this “What are you wearing?” question and the awesome talk about tasting your sweat yesterday….

Current excitement: I’m headed to southern California later this week for an extra long weekend and the wedding of two of my favorite people from college. I CAN’T WAIT.

 

Okay, YOUR TURN! Pick a couple of the above and answer them in the comments!

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Salt

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Warning: this post might be TMI.

IMG_6908But hey! When’s that stopped me before?

Anyways- let’s talk about salt! Salt is an essential mineral our bodies need to:

  • maintain the right balance of fluids
  • help transmit nerve impulses
  • influence muscle movement

If you’re a runner, you’re probably already familiar with the important balance of salt and fluids in your body. Anyways, last week when I was on a run, some sweat was dripping on my face. Now, as petite and lady-like as I may be, when I run? I sweat like I just walked into a waterfall. Needless to say, some sweat on the particular day in question happened to drip toward my mouth, and… welp, I noticed it was kind of salty.

Like really salty.

And I usually feel sticky or gritty on my face and other parts of my body that have had sweat drip on them.

Is this post getting too weird yet? Bueller?

For the next few days after that salt-tastic run, I consciously took notice of how salty my sweat still tasted. Gross, I know, but more importantly, it got me thinking that perhaps I had a bit too much salt in my body to begin with. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended limit of salt is 1,500 milligrams per day, and too much can have a lot of gnarly effects including high blood pressure (mine is fine, luckily).  Apparently people can also consume too little salt  in their daily diet, to their detriment. Anyone else confused?

I’ve never tracked my intake, but I’d be willing to bet I consume more than the recommended amount. As you guys know, I’m not a registered dietician or anything even remotely close to something official in the wellness/health world, so I did a little bit of research to see if I could figure out what the heck this salty sweat business meant for my life.

According to this article, sweat tasting salty means a person has been consuming a lot of carbohydrates. Granted I’m not sure I see the correlation, but that’s pretty accurate for me lately (minus the fried food the article mentions). Then after reading this Runner’s World article about salty sweatastic runners, I became sort of confused. I match all of the characteristics laid out of someone who consumes too little salt. What?

I add salt to everything, and have since i was a kid (much to my father’s dismay). Even when I buy low sodium stuff with in the intent of having less salt.

Even back in college when I was all about RAMEN, which has about a kajillion milligrams of salt.

Right.

So I think I may need to cut back and drink even more water, and see if I begin to notice a difference in my sweat (and bloat). Good thing I buy the unsalted kind of almond butter, eh? ;-)

 

Anyone else a “salty” sweater (or runner)? Better yet: anyone know what it means?

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Some Friday Happy

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Ummmm, it’s Friday and practically summertime.

That should be enough to make for an amazing day, but in case you need something ELSE to get to 5pm, welp, here ya go:

(source, courtesy of my best friend, Meg)

You’re welcome.

Oh, and don’t forget to share your fitness and health boards!

This definitely contributes to my fitness motivation. ;-) IMG_6690

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…Annnnnnd here’s the rest of my own board, which I put together on Pinterest. Sneak peek:

 

In case you need more inspiration, check out this one by reader Lillian, who tweeted me yesterday!

Now where’s your margarita?

 

What are your weekend plans? One of my favorite former DC-ers (and bloggers) is in town, so it should be a fun {brunch filled} weekend!

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Mind Your Body Oasis

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Hi! How is everyone today?

It’s FINALLY sunny and warm here in D.C., so I think everyone is in a happy mood around town. Sunshine will do that. ;-)

Last night, I tried out a new yoga/Pilates studio: Mind Your Body Oasis! IMG_6877Any of my D.C. readers been yet?

Mind Your Body is a new studio in the Crystal City area of Arlington, VA. The studio owner was sweet enough to reach out to me about trying a [free] class, which I gladly agreed to! I love trying out new yoga/pilates classes, especially when they’re easy to navigate to after work.

This studio’s schedule is pretty fantastic in terms of the times/classes offered, which was a huge plus in my eyes. I tend to have a tough time finding classes that are compatible with my work schedule at the studios nearest to me.

I decided to pop in on the Pilates class they offer, seeing as how I hadn’t been to a real Pilates class since, oh I don’t know….2009, when I lived in NYC?IMG_6876

Right. You can imagine how awesome I was at doing all the poses, combined with my {still} sore muscles from Body Pump two days ago. I’m sure the studio owner, who also taught the class, thought I was a fake fitness blogger, squirming at how tight my hip flexors were.

Anyways, I loved the class, and was actually disappointed when the hour was up. I always forget how much I enjoy Pilates, and Amanda, the instructor, was great. The whole studio is also really tranquil, almost oddly so considering this studio is tucked into the underground shops at the Crystal City metro.

And how cute is the decor in the ladies’ locker room?IMG_6873

Love me some Audrey.

I’d definitely recommend this studio (or at least the Pilates class, since that’s all I’ve tried so far) to you guys, and I’m looking forward to heading back for another class soon! Apparently they also do corporate wellness, which is interesting.

When I was heading home, I stopped by Roti to pick up some dinner. I’m not huge on getting take-out (unless it’s from Zoe’s Kitchen - obsessed), but I had received a coupon for a free entree in the mail a couple of weeks ago and figured I’d make use of it! IMG_6880

I’d only had Roti once a couple years ago and it didn’t leave a memorable impression. I have to admit – it was a lot better than I remembered this time around! I had a salad with chicken kabob chunks, Spanish eggplant, roasted veggies, and kalamata olives, plus some hummus and pita on the side.

Happy tummy. And now happy Thursday!

Pssst – don’t forget to tweet or email your health/fitness inspiration boards.

 

Are you a Pilates fan? I think I almost like it more than yoga, but it’s usually so expensive at private studios.

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