Training for Chicago, Day 1 (...plus, initial goals for the marathon)

Today is the day. I am officially in training for the 2019 Chicago Marathon. I am excited. I feel ready for this running adventure. I am also terrified, but I consider that a positive. To me, that's a testament to the fact that I've chosen to challenge myself. This will be my first marathon—I should be a bit nervous, yes? People tell me I will do just fine. I believe them. Plenty of people also tell me how hard it is to train for and run a marathon. I believe them, too.

I can do hard things.

I have all the emotions right now.
Mostly, I'm just focusing on the fact that I'm really...really excited about this.

I've been waiting for this day.
Marathon Training, Day 1.

I never thought I'd ever say that I was training for a marathon.

But, here I am.

And since I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm turning to someone most runners turn to when they need a training plan: Hal Higdon. I'm using his Marathon 3 training plan, which fits my current schedule. It only calls for three days of running per week, which is what I am already doing.

It's a 24-week plan.
I'll build to 20 miles.
I'll run that three times.

To me, Marathon 3 makes sense. Is it, perhaps, a bit aggressive for a first-timer like myself. Maybe. But I believe in myself. And I've been studying the plan for weeks now and feel as though I have my head wrapped around it (and enough base miles behind me) to be just fine.

I can do this.
I can do hard things.

As of right now, these are my goals:

1) Don't overtrain. Or start too fast.
I am guilty of pushing myself simply because I can. Who doesn't want to win? Or run as fast as they can? I need (and want) to reel that in. And in doing so, I'll prevent myself from overtraining. Watching pace and listening to my body (in training and on race day) will be key to getting myself across that finish line on my own two feet.

2) Cross the finish line on my own two feet (in less than four hours). 
Most people come up with a specific time goal. I have no time goal right now. I'm sure a target will develop as I get deeper into my training. Something to aim for based on the paces I'm putting out, but in all honesty—I just want to finish on my own two feet. Hopefully I can do that under four hours. So maybe that is a time goal? Or just a window to shoot for. Definitely not chasing that BQ.

3) Raise enough money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
I am running this marathon as a member of Team CF. This means I need to raise a certain amount of money that ultimately goes to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. I am so very willing to help this foundation. I lost a dear friend to CF, and I'll take his spirit with me as I go. If you feel it in your heart to help, I'd be forever grateful for your generosity. I cannot express enough thanks for each and every donation I've already received.

4) Prove to myself that I can do hard things.
For the longest time, I didn't believe that I could ever run a marathon. And there's still a part of me that is slightly doubtful. BUT—I'm choosing to prove that tiny part of me wrong. Starting now. I am going to believe that I can do hard things, and my goal is to maintain that belief from start to finish.

165 days until I line up at the start line.
165 days until I complete this adventure.
165 days until I become a marathoner.

Let's do this.
Let's do the hard thing.

4 Things I've Learned While Running Races

In just about a week, I will start training for the Chicago Marathon. I am equal parts excited and terrified. To make this journey a true adventure, and to maintain my love for the sport, I decided to run at least one race every month this year. I ran the Frigid 5K in January—and I've completed four more races since then. Each one of them taught me a valuable lesson.

Ice Fest 5K 

Conditions were not ideal for this local 5K. February in Michigan is a solid guarantee for snow coverage on the ground. A bulk of the course was clear as can be, with a small portion of it covered completely in snow.

Conditions were not ideal for this local 5K. In February in Michigan, you are almost always guaranteed two things: Cold temps and snow-covered streets and sidewalks. We got both. I can deal with the cold, but snow and ice on streets and sidewalks...ugh. The route for this race saw plenty of clear streets and sidewalks, but a portion of the path was almost completely covered in snow. To make matters worse, it was snow sucked your feet down into it. Hard to run through, for sure.

Here's what happened: Ahead of that snow-covered section, I was trailing the lead female by seconds.  I had an opportunity to pass her, but held back thinking it was too early to surge forward.

I should have surged forward. Had I done that, I might have been able to keep her behind me. But I hit the snow-covered section and lost a passable distance. Ultimately, she finished ahead of me.

Lesson learned: Don't hold back. If you get the opportunity to make a move...if you feel ready to make that move...do it. Surge forward and see where it takes you. (Life lesson as well, perhaps?)

St. Pat's Day 5K

I've got a bit of a dance going on with two other ladies in my age group. We keep running the same races, and ultimately sharing that top spot on both the podium and in our age group. At this race, it was my turn to be the first female to finish.

With one surging ahead of me and the other staying close behind, I knew I had to run a really smart race. I kept tabs on the girl behind me and set my sights on the girl ahead of me. I slowly increased my speed, reserving as much energy as I could for that surge I knew I'd need. This allowed me to create some distance between myself and the girl behind me, while shortening the space between myself and the girl ahead of me. When that space became nothing more than a step or two, I made my move.

Lesson learned: Run smart, not fast. Fast will be smart when the time is right. Practice patience, and you'll find that time.

Shamrock Shuffle 8K

This was a fun race. A test of my ability to keep up. I ran it with my running buddy, who is much faster than I am when he wants to be. One of the reasons I like running with him: He pushes me. Or, in this case, pulls me along. This race was his way of getting me out of my comfort zone, which he did quite successfully. I pushed myself—hard. And it hurt. But I believed in myself largely because he believed in me, too.

When my clients tell me an exercise felt especially hard, I tell them it's because they can handle it and they're pushing themselves to new levels of strength. I remembered that as I was running this race.

Lesson learned: Trust your training and embrace the suck. Don't shy away from the burn. Embrace it because you can. And you will.

Sarett Spring Stampede

Oh, trails. How I loathe (and love) you. This 5K was my very first trail race. Sure, I've clocked miles (and races) on grass before, but never up and down hills in the woods. Official hiking trails these were! This race was hard. I chased the two girls in my age group I always seem to be dancing with. They ultimately beat me, but that's okay.

Lesson learned: We all have our strengths and weaknesses. My weaknesses are trails. But it's our weaknesses that present the greatest challenges, and taking on those challenges makes us better runners. Work on your weaknesses, don't shy away from them. 

Next race?
Another local 5K in May.

But first, just one week until I kick off marathon training. I am so excited for the Chicago Marathon. Nervous, but excited. Every step I take will be for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If you feel it in your heart to help me find a cure for cystic fibrosis, I would be forever grateful for your donation.

Running for Charity: Why I joined Team CF for the Chicago Marathon.

There are a handful of ways you can enter the Chicago Marathon. By lottery, which is not a guaranteed entry. With a time qualification, which I clearly do not have. Or by running for a charity, which is the direction I chose to go—but not without giving it some serious thought.

When you run for a charity, you are given a guaranteed entry. But you must raise a certain amount of money, and if you don't, you must pay the remaining amount. It's a daunting task, added on to the fact that I'd need to raise this money while training for my very first marathon.

No pressure. None at all.
(She says with sarcasm in her voice.)

But I really wanted to run this year's Chicago Marathon. Before the lottery opened, I looked at the list of potential charity partners. There were a number of viable options, none of which really stuck out to me as "from the heart" choices. I didn't want to join a charity team for the guaranteed entry, and for that reason alone. To make the effort worthwhile, I wanted the charity to represent something bigger.

I went back and forth: Lottery or charity, charity or lottery?
And then I found Team CF.

If you're not familiar with Cystic Fibrosis, it's a rare, genetic, life-threatening disease that has no cure. People living with CF—well over 30,000 Americans at this point—struggle to breathe every single day. To breathe! Something so many of us do without even thinking. These people are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends and co-workers. They are my friend Jonathan.

He was the closest thing I ever had to a little brother. A dear family friend, perhaps my sister's best friend. He had an incredible zest for life and a spirit that brightened just about everyone around him. To know him was to love him. To know his family, is to love them, too.

Jonathan missed out on the cure.
A cure that The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is still looking for.

Real progress has been made, but the lives of people with CF are still being cut far too short. So that's why we fight. That's why Team CF runs the Chicago Marathon. To raise awareness, and to gather funds to maintain momentum toward a cure.

As a member of Team CF, I am given a fundraising goal.

I take it very seriously—as seriously as crossing the finish line on my own two feet. I realize now that, while running for a charity adds an extra level of action required of me, it's a level that motivates me greatly. Jonathan never let a challenge stop him. He looked challenges in the face and took them on, knowing that life was far too incredible to let anything stop him. I'll take that face with me, and I'll run with it.

I can already hear him heckling me on. Because that's what he'd do, he'd heckle you, but from the heart. He was a punk, and we all loved him for it because he was the most loving punk you'd ever meet.

I don't expect you to make a donation to Team CF. But if you do, please know that I am forever grateful for your generosity. Your gift will motivate me through the marathon, but more importantly, it will support lifesaving research, as well as medical and educational programs for Cystic Fibrosis.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart—and my lungs.

The Runner Behind You: Frigid 5K Race Recap

One of my goals this year is to run at least one race every month. Obviously, the Chicago Marathon will be the biggest one of all. It will also be my toughest, and I don't want it to suck the running life out of me. Hence, the one-a-month goal. Running can and should always be fun. I'm hoping monthly races will remind me of that. And later this year, I'm hoping they will help me through some tougher training runs.

This past weekend, I ran my January race: The Frigid 5K in Niles, Michigan.

True to it's name, the race was very frigid. I ran it last year. It was equally frigid.

To get and keep myself in the right mindset to run, train and race, I've been using the Believe Training Journal. I wasn't sure if I'd really like it, but it's proving to be an absolutely wonderful tool.

This training journal is written specifically for runners. It's packed with info and plenty of pages, which makes it easy to log miles from week to week. It also provides the space to contemplate race-day plans:

For the Frigid 5K, I had three goals:

1) Win an age group award.
2) Run at a 7:15/mile pace.
3) Beat last year's time (23:55).

I accomplished two of those goals. I finished first in my age group with a time of 23:50. I didn't quite get to that 7:15/mile pace, but that's okay with me. The course itself was super slick and snow-covered. I did what I could.

I also learned a really hard lesson:

There will always be a runner behind you. Let them fuel you.

Here's the thing, with less than a quarter of a mile to go, I let someone pass me.
Literally slowed down to let someone pass me.

I should have pushed harder. I could have held her off.
I should have ignored her. I could have blocked her out.

She was on my shoulder, breathing down my neck and I just wanted her gone. So I gave in to my frustrations and let her pass just to get her away from me. Could I have held her off? Absolutely. But I gave in. Damn, I gave in.

I should have pushed harder.
I should have ignored her.

Thing is, no matter how hard you prepare for a race, whether you're in peak physical condition or not, it's your mental game that takes you above and beyond your physical abilities. Because if you believe in yourself, you and I both know that you will absolutely achieve for yourself.

But, I had a moment on Saturday. I gave in, and that's something I need to work on. But I'm not going to dwell on it. I came home from the race and this quote was on my calendar:

Forget the mistake, remember the lesson.

Next time, I'm going to hold her off.
Next time, I'm going to block her out.

Running Into 2019: Goals and Dreams

Here we are, 15 days into the new year. I'm running at it full force, completely propelled by a list of 2019 goals and dreams. This is going to be a big year. A good year. I know it—do you?

We say that every year, though.

"This is my year."
"It's going to be the best."

And yet, we somehow never believe ourselves when we make those statements. Friends, let's all of us choose to believe ourselves this year. Right here, right now. Decide with me that 2019 will be fantastic because it can be. I promise you this.

Declare your goals.
Believe in them.
Then chase them down with a fierceness you never knew existed.

And then, decide to be happy. Just decide it!
Because happiness is something we all deserve.

Also, it's something we can easily achieve.

So, goals and dreams. 2019. Let's do this, shall we?
Declaring right here, right now, that I will:

1) Push myself beyond my fears. Never in my life have I ever believed that I could possibly run a marathon. I created excuse after excuse and stood by them wholeheartedly. But then, someone else believed in me. And I started to believe in myself, which is ultimately why I signed up for the Chicago Marathon. So this is my year to push myself beyond my fears. To believe in myself so that I'm not holding myself back. Ever. Because that's just silly, right?

2) Run a race every single month. Perhaps not as deep as the previous goal, but specific and measurable—and fun. With the marathon looming ahead of me, running is going to be a challenge that may shift into "not fun" territory. So to keep myself loving every minute, I've decided to sign up for at least one race every month this year. Running is, and should always be, completely fun. Hopefully by the end of the year, I'll have a set of medals to prove it.

3) Cross the finish line at the Chicago Marathon on my own two feet. I have no time goals. I really don't! This experience will be new, exciting and incredibly challenging. All I want to do is cross the finish line on my own two feet. I have a training plan in mind, and I intend to follow it as best I can to set myself up for that finish I crave.

4) Meditate weekly. Mental health is important. I have a go-go-go mentality that isn't always good for the brain. I hope to calm some of the chaos by developing a much better relationship with meditation. Not sure what that looks like just yet, but I am currently shooting for at least twice a week. Small changes lead to big results, yes?

5) Read daily. I spent the back half of 2018 developing a hardcore reading routine. I did my best to read daily, even if it was one chapter or just five pages of a book or magazine. I want to continue that tradition this year. If there's one thing I love, it's turning off my brain and diving into my imagination via the printed page.

Of course, these are just a few of my goals and dreams for 2019. The items on this list are a bit more applicable to this space. Those that pertain to work or to my personal life at home...I won't bore you with talks of budgets and profits, and some things are best kept closer to the heart. Thing is, no matter what your goals and dreams are, or how long your list is, there's still one major goal and dream we all share:

"This is my year."
"It's going to be the best."

Why I Decided to Run a Marathon #neversaynever

In my almost ten years of running, I've finished at least ten official half marathons. Remember, I was the girl who swore them off. Now, the distance is very much my favorite.

At one point this Summer, a friend of mine asked me (as most of my friends do whenever I finish a half marathon) when I was going to run a full marathon. I've had no desire to ever run one. I've also had every excuse in the book:

"I teach group fitness and don't have the energy for more miles."
"I have two kids, so maybe when they're older."
"I really don't feel the need to."
"It doesn't interest me."
"Never."

Truth be told, the marathon scares me. You've heard the stories, right? Of death and collapsing and pain and misfortune? Yeah, no thanks. And even though I'm loving the half marathon, they've always been a challenge for me. Except all of that changed this year. Something clicked. I started doing actual workouts to improve speed and consistency. I dialed in my nutrition before, during and after races and training runs. And I finished a half marathon this year that left me wanting more.

So I feel pretty good about my running abilities. And because of that, I generally just believe in myself a little more. I also know that I'm heading toward having both kids in school all day, which eliminates the "maybe when they're older" excuse.

Honestly, though...all of my excuses are silly. And for the first time ever, I can see myself running a full marathon. It excites me. It still scares me, but I'm okay with that. I am ultimately fearless, right?

I went to Chicago the weekend of this year's marathon to purposely surround myself with marathon fever. And boy, did I catch the bug. The city, one of my favorite cities ever, came alive with runners. The Chicago International 5K was an amazing race. It was full of running celebrities, marathoners and non-marathoners like myself. Everyone was excited, whether or not they were running the actual marathon.

And on the day of this year's Chicago Marathon, I anxiously followed friends that were running it. I stared in awe at the elites striding effortlessly across my TV screen. But there was one very distinct moment from the entire weekend that sealed the deal for me:

I stood at a podium writing that bib out at the Abbot Health and Fitness Expo when a man walked up to me: "I did that same thing last year, and I made it back. I'm running my first marathon on Sunday. Go put that on the wall. I'll see you again next year."

And he will. I'll be there. I'm doing this. #neversaynever

Something new and exciting.

I ran my very first half marathon in 2009. It was in September, a few weeks before my wedding. I trained all Summer while actively planning the biggest day of my life. At the time, I was also transitioning from a career in advertising to a career in the fitness industry. I loved running, but it hadn't yet become my thing.

I ran the 13th Annual Chicago Half Marathon in 2:34:31.

I swore to myself that I would never run another half marathon again. It was too much. I was sick of running long distances, and I remember feeling as though I was in a permanent state of exhaustion.

Looking back, I realize now that, although I got through it, I didn't exactly approach my first half marathon with enough knowledge or understanding of what it takes to run longer distances. I just thought you had to build up the miles and be done with it. Again, running had not yet become my thing.

Long story short, it wasn't my first half marathon. I've run countless half marathons since, and my current PR is 1:47:22. Proof that I've learned a lot since my first half marathon. And that running is now my thing in more ways than one.

I've also gone back to Chicago quite a bit, too:

#RaceRecap: #ChiWomensHalf Marathon
#RaceRecap: @HotChocolate15K in Chicago
Race Recap: Hot Chocolate 15K/5K in Chicago
2016 Chicago Half Marathon Race Recap

Most recently, I ran the Advocate Health Care International Chicago 5K.

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A post shared by Tara (@adailydoseoffit) on Oct 6, 2018 at 6:49am PDT

If you're not familiar, it's the 5K that precedes the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. And that's the new and exciting thing that I'm working on: I threw my name in the hat for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2019. I also applied to participate on a charity team. So one way or another, I'll be there.

I'm scared.
But also excited.

And I'm very much looking forward to sharing my journey.

Let's try this again.

Hey you.
Miss me?

I've let my poor little corner of the Internet get full of cobwebs and silence. A Daily Dose of Fit has been all but gone, but I never forgot it. When I first started the blog, I wanted to be a blogger. I wanted to make money, work with brands and do fancy things while I shared my interest in fitness. But the more ingrained I got into the world of blogging, the more fake it felt to me. I lost sight of who I was and why I was writing because I got too busy competing with my peers:

"Why aren't my page views up?"
"Why doesn't that brand want to work with me?"
"Why can't I make more money?"

Truth be told, the answers to those questions required actions that turned my creative outlet into a job. I wanted to be a successful blogger in every sense of the word, but I also wanted to share my perspective. To share me, my experiences and my interest in fitness so that I could truly and genuinely inspire others from the bottom of my heart. But I couldn't balance being a blogger with being true to me and my message.

I felt fake.

And I was also really busy, so it was time to walk away for a bit. Maybe forever. I needed a break to focus on my job at the gym. I needed a break to focus on my job at the running store. I needed a break to focus on my family.

I just needed a break.

And the easiest thing to let go of was A Daily Dose of Fit. 
But I did something today. Something big and exciting that scares me just a bit.

If I play it right, though...I know I'll be fine.

I still have the gym job. I still have the running store job. Life with two kids is crazier than ever. But this thing I'm working on, it's going to be an adventure I won't forget. And I'm going to need somewhere to talk about it. I don't care about page views. If a brand wants to work with me, great. I'll consider it if their message fits mine. But I won't be actively seeking out partnerships like I used to.

Because I don't want to be a blogger anymore.
I just want to blog. That's what I do. I write.

So let's try this again.
We'll see how it goes.

You are #beyoutiful.

The following post is sponsored by Momentum Jewelry and Handful Activewear. I was given free product so that I might participate in the #beyoutiful campaign. All opinions are my own.

Today is National Love Your Body Day and I think all of you need to participate. You need to love your body because it's the only one you've got. Your body is uniquely you. That means there isn't a single body like it out there. How amazing is that? Only one you. So today, on this very special day, I need you to remind yourself that your body is #beyoutiful.

You may look in the mirror and see flaws. A belly button that sticks out. Hair that never stays in place. Fine lines around your eyes. A little extra padding around the hips. Whatever you see, look at it closely. I mean, really look. All of those imperfections, they're actually quite perfect.

They are uniquely you.
They are #beyoutiful.

We live in a world that tells us how to dress, talk, walk and live our lives. We live in a world that is filled with stereotypes and imagery that suggests what "perfect" is and does. And we live in a world that turns us into our own harshest critic. It's our nature to beat ourselves down because "perfect" exists and we need to be it.

Except "perfect" is not really what you think it is.

It's not models in a magazine.
It's not hair that stays in place.
It's not fat-free or extra small.

Perfect is you.
You are perfect.

And you need to believe that.

You need to believe me when I tell you that every imperfection you perceive when you look in the mirror is exactly what makes you perfect. Things don't make you perfect. Image and ideals don't make you perfect. You were born perfect because you were born to be YOU. And remember: There is only one you, so treat yourself with respect.

Show the world that you are #beyoutiful. Be a beacon of positivity because this world we live in—it needs all of the positivity it can get. Spread love, start with yourself. When you love yourself, everyone else around you will pick up on that. And you never know who will be inspired to believe in themselves because of you.

You are #beyoutiful, friend.
It really truly shows.

In your strength...
In your beliefs...
In your smile...

...in everything that is you, including your body.
And it's time you proclaimed that news to the world.

Download your free poster and join me on Instagram. Tag @momentumjewelry and @handfulactivewear, and help us show everyone everywhere what "perfect" really looks like.

Question: What makes you #beyoutiful?

What I've been up to...

Last time I wrote a post like this, I started it by saying something to the effect of "I have two jobs and I am busy." And so, that hasn't really changed, except now I have three jobs. How do I manage three jobs? At the expense of Daily Dose, apparently. But in all honesty, I manage it just fine. Life is crazy, it's always going to be, so I am embracing it all and taking each day as it comes. I love all of my jobs, and I love my family, too. So it's worth it. All of the hustle and bustle of our daily routines is absolutely worth it. Let me fill you in. Here's what I've been up to (in case you've been wondering):

1) I'm the new blog editor for Momentum Jewelry. 
I absolutely love this company. My collection of motivational wrist wraps is out of control! I've been an ambassador for a few years now, and proudly support what Amy and her team are doing.

I am also a part of that team now! I met Amy at IDEA World this Summer and we started talking about the blog on her website. Long story short, she asked me to help her grow it and I couldn't say no. Momentum blog editor, at your service. In addition to writing a few posts here and there, I've been curating content from some pretty awesome voices. We're getting ready to launch the BEYOUtiful campaign, which ties in to National Love Your Body Day. It's all going down on Wednesday, October 18th. You must check out the Momentum blog for some inspirational posts gearing up to the big day.

2) I'm running a half marathon on Sunday. 
What's a year without at least one half marathon?! I signed up this Summer after the Ironman 70.3 Steelhead rolled through town. I haven't been racing much this year, and all of the athletes inspired me to get my butt into gear for at least one half marathon. My training has been going well, and I'm really hoping for some cooler temps on Sunday. We've had such an unseasonably hot Fall up here in Michigan. The goal: Cross the finish in under two hours. I'm feeling good about it.

3) We renamed the running store.
When we took over the running store in the Spring, we were tasked with breathing new life into the place. We've been working really hard to bring in a few new brands, get out into the community, and bring back some of the customers that lost faith in the place. So we decided that a new name would reflect our new approach. And we've spent the last few weeks putting that into place. It went live last  Monday and the response has been overwhelming.

4) I'm studying to be an ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist.

As an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I can't say enough about this organization. Over the summer, they offered me the ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist certification materials in exchange for an open and honest review. I'm currently working my way through it, and you'll hear more about it moving forward.

Speaking of books:

5) I can't stop reading the Outlander books.
You guys. This series is just so good and I'm only a few chapters into the second book.

A post shared by Tara (@adailydoseoffit) on Oct 9, 2017 at 10:21am PDT

I've picked them up and put them down a million times at the library, but finally decided to roll with the first book. It's a television show now, and everyone is raving about it. I'm a stickler for reading the book first, so that's what I've been doing. This also means that I've been doing my best to provide myself with some extra "me" time. I haven't been very good at that these past few months. There are a ton of books in this series, so I hope they'll help me keep the "me" time flowing.

Question: What's one thing you've been doing lately or working hard on or generally just enjoying?

How To Exercise With A Swing

The following post contains an Ellie Activewear review. I was not paid for my opinions, but was given a free outfit to wear. All opinions, as they always are, belong to me. 

If you have kids, then there might be a good chance you have fitness equipment in your backyard. If you live near a park, then you certain have access to free fitness equipment. One piece in particular: The swing. It's basically a makeshift TRX suspension trainer! So today, I thought I'd give you some pointers and share a few exercises that just might inspire you to take your workout outside.

First and foremost, we need to talk about safety. The swing is a movable (and often moving) object that might show no mercy. As such, you need to take a few precautions if you're going to use a swing to exercise outside. Here are a few safety tips for swing workouts:

Safety Tips For Swing Workouts
1) Make sure the swing is securely attached to the anchor point. If it's not and it comes tumbling down, you'll fall with it—and who knows what'll ultimately fall on top of you. (Tree branch? Ow.)

2) Survey the ground below the swing. Outdoor surfaces can introduce an element of instability. Look for loose gravel, protruding tree stumps...anything that'll make your foot slip or hurt your hands.

3) Check out the swing itself for possible rough spots. Especially if your'e working with a wooden swing. Splinters aren't fun. (Double-check the chains, too.)

4) Make sure there is plenty of space around the swing. Because if you fall for whatever reason (which you won't, hopefully) you won't want to fall into a pole or someone else on a swing.

Now, where to start?

What kind of exercises can you do with a swing?
Can you do TRX exercises on a swing?

The answers are "tons" and "yes," in that order. A swing is essentially a suspended piece of fitness equipment, minus the handles. But you can still grip a swing in a variety of different ways. If your swing is bendable (like mine), you are somewhat limited. A flat, wooden swing may give you more places to grip. Ultimately, you'll have to play around to see what works for you and with yours. And don't forget about the chains. Depending on the style of the chains on your swing, you may be able to grip them comfortably, too.

Here are some exercises I did with my swing, starting with a single-leg lunge:

Add a hop. Add a pulse. Hold some weights if you have those at home (or can get them to the park).

Side note: My intent is not to provide a full-body workout, but to inspire you to play with a swing. That said, the exercises contained in this post will hit all of your major muscle groups. If you choose to put them together, please do so with caution and while honoring your body and fitness level.

Next up, pushups:

You might also add a pike at the top of your pushup:

Too much? Keep them separate, or switch the pike for a tuck.

Swings make for some great hamstring curls, too:

Of course, you'll have to check out the height of your swing. You'll ultimately want to start the hamstring curl with your legs bent to 90 degrees, give or take an inch. Anything more than that might render the exercise ineffective.

Back work:

This close-grip row will challengeyour hand strength, too, if you're using a bendable rubber swing. If you're using a wooden swing, you might try grabbing the sides of the swing. Either way, you should be able to turn it into a high pull, too, if your shoulders allow it.

Let's not forget planks:

Put both feet in the swing. Or leave one underneath and challenge your inner thighs. Come to high plank, low plank, or even reverse plank. Again, you'll want to play around which (ahem) is the point of a swing anyway (#playtime). Here are some other exercises you can do with a swing:

Exercises You Can Do With A Swing
• Side Lunges
• Assisted Pistol Squats
• TRX Burpees
• Sprinter Starts
• Triceps Presses
• Side Bends
• Rollouts

The options are endless. Use your creativity...but keep safety at the forefront of everything that you do. Speaking of "forefront," let's take a look at the tops that Ellie Activewear sent me:

I dig the details on the bra. It's Marika brand, and so comfortable. The tank is a bit see-through for my liking...I don't think I could wear it at the gym...but it's still cute. I'm really liking the knot/tie trend that's happening right now.

Here's a closer look at the pants. 

At first, I wasn't too sure about them. I felt like they were just too geometric for my taste, but dang...these tights are super comfortable. SO super comfortable. And I like the subtle mesh detailing around the calf muscles.

If you like monthly subscription boxes and wear workout clothes every day, then you might like receiving the Ellie Activewear box. It has yet to disappoint me. I mean, there's a reason it's the #1 activewear subscription box. And it's not that expensive, either! $39.95 gets you three pieces: a top, bottom and bra. Pay $10 more and you'll get at least two accessories, too. Here are some other posts I've written about Ellie:

• May 2017 Box
• June 2017 Box

This creeper:

Ha.

Question: Do you use any unconventional items as fitness equipment? Have you ever worked out with a swing? If so, what exercises did you do?

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August 2017 POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review

The following post is sponsored by POPSUGAR Select. I was sent the August box for free in exchange for a fair and honest review, which is par for the course around here. All opinions are always my own.

Thinking about signing up for a monthly subscription box? Not sure which one to choose? Let me convince you that the POPSUGAR Must Have box is a great choice. Fashion-forward, trend-loving  style-mavens will love this perfectly curated box of goodies. I promise you: It's my favorite. And, it makes a great gift. At just $39.99 per month, the Must Have box over $100 worth of full-size products on your door step every month.

Let's take a look at the August POPSUGAR Must Have box:

It happens to be a particularly special month. POPSUGAR Must Have is five years old! Every box centers around a theme, so clearly this month's theme is "celebrate." First up, this Bouncy Mask from First Aid Beauty:

Truth be told, I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my bathroom counter just waiting for me. I've been getting into face masks and scrubs a lot more than I ever have, and I just purchased a new one from LUSH that I put to good use. Bouncy Mask, get ready. You're up next.

Cheers to these cookies, though (and the adorable tray):

Gluten-free, and every bit delicious! And widely available, too. I can purchase this brand at my local grocery store, I bey you can, too.

Straight to my hear with this notebook:

I hoard notebooks like no other. I think I have at least six unused notebooks on the shelf in my closet. I can't stop buying them! (Especially when you can buy them at TJ Maxx for next to nothing). Also, I love that POPSUGAR Must Have collaborated with Jeep to #BreakTheDawn. Mornings are hard! Here's how they suggest you make the most of yours:

1) Put the phone down.
2) Make a to-do list.
3) Hit the gym.
4) Press play.
5) Eat smart.

How many of those things do you do?

Also, have you ever heard of Shoptiques?
This online boutique is new to me:

I'm looking forward to using this gift card. Check this out: It's worth $25. Proof that you get your money's worth when you order this curated monthly box.

Interested? Say "yes" to the box! Use code PARTY at checkout to take $10 off your first box.

So worth it.

Question: Are you big on face masks? Which one do you use the most? Do you subscribe to a monthly subscription box? Which one?

2017 IDEA World and BlogFest Recap

The "Super Bowl of fitness conventions" took place last month in Las Vegas, and I'm still flying high on all of the energy I got from it. The IDEA World Fitness Convention is an absolute must for any fitness professional. You need to go at least once. I go every two years because that's what works for me. I get so much information and inspiration from this conference that, realistically, it's almost impossible to process everything. Hence, the recap delay.

But I want to tell you all about it now. Let's talk about what I learned, and why you should attend.

Whenever I attend a conference, I do my homework first. I research sessions and pick those that will help me be the best trainer/instructor/fitness director that I can be. I also pick a few sessions that will entertain and/or motivate me—because it can't be all work and no play, eh? Essentially, this leads to a list of goals and things I'm looking forward to.

This also gives me an easy way to process the convention when I get home.

Let's take a look:

1) Vegas, baby!
Oh, Vegas. You crazy, weird, jaw-dropping and highly entertaining little place. It was my first time. I highly recommend the Aria casino. I didn't stay there, but I spent a lot of time walking around the place. It's beautiful. And the restaurants are Aria are delicious. Specifically, the buffet, Julian Serrano's Tapas and Five50 Pizza Bar. I want to go back just so I can eat at all of these places again. Which, by the way, is why I don't have any pictures of the food I ate—because I was too focused on it. But here's a picture of me in front of the Las Vegas sign because #tourist:

A post shared by Tara (@adailydoseoffit) on Jul 21, 2017 at 8:02pm PDT

And also, the Bellagio fountains because #vegas:

2) Dinner with the Momentum Jewelry Crew
It's always fun to connect with other health and fitness bloggers. And to meet some of the brands we get the opportunity to work with. I've been a huge fan of Momentum for a very long time. Amy (the owner) is absolutely wonderful. She and I shared a hotel room, and spent a lot of time talking about the Momentum Jewelry blog. Long story short, fun things are coming and I'm going to be working with her very closely to facilitate the posts. More on that later!

3) Energetic and Educational Sessions
I don't even know where to start. I did a G2S Workout full of ground-to-standing exercises. At one point, I was doing forward rolls. Toward the end, I was on the ground with my hands behind my back prisoner-style trying to stand up without using my arms. I love non-traditional exercises like that. They really emphasize functional training that strengthens activities of daily living. I also did a Schwinn cycling workout with Amy Dixon that left me in a pile of sweat:

Spinning is a class that drains me physically and mentally. I love it, but it's not a class I can plan very easily for a variety of reasons, so taking sessions like this A) gives me new teaching and cueing techniques, and B) totally motivates me to get in the saddle. Also awesome: Indo-Row, which taught me how to row correctly and efficiently. It was the most time I've ever spent on a rower, and it was probably one of the best workouts I did at the conference.

I also listened to a lecture for Group Fitness Directors, which gave me some tools to effectively manage a staff that works less than part time. It was nice to hear that some of my struggles are not unique, and pretty commonplace in this industry!

Bloggers, this is where I tell you that BlogFest is full of educational and inspirational sessions, too! I sat in on a few sessions that addressed SEO and how to make old content new...seriously, so good. If you're new to the fitness blogging scene, this is absolutely a conference you need to attend it's incredibly welcoming (and because you get IDEA World, too).

4) Kick It With Kaisa

OMG. This session was everything. KaisaFit is so awesome, strong and motivating...and the best part, she's all that in person, too. So many big-name fitness folks are super high on their fame. But this girl, she's real. And in it for the right reasons. I enjoyed every minute of her workout. After it, she talked about Vital Proteins, a company she originally approached because she loves their stuff that much. Her favorite product was a collagen powder, which I ended up buying at the expo.

So many people are buzzing about the benefits of collagen: Bone and joint health, skin and hair improvements, more energy, etc. I'm not big on supplements, but like what this can do for me. Kaisa talked about the Lavender and Honey Beauty Water, which sounds and tastes pretty good. I thought maybe it could also help me drink more water, which it has.

5) Brands, brands and more brands!
You won't find a better expo at any other fitness convention! It's part of the reason they call it the "Super Bowl of fitness conventions," I'm sure. I spent all my free time wandering up and down the aisles, and came home with a giant bag full of goodies to prove it. Some highlights:

• Keiser: They didn't have any bikes on the fitness floor, but my Schwinn session (on Schwinn bikes) reinforced my belief in Keiser cycling bikes as being the best.

• La Colombe Coffee Roasters: They had a Starbucks on site, which I hit up in the morning, but samples from La Colombe kept me going throughout the afternoon.

• Prana: I literally bought something from their booth on three separate occasions. They wouldn't have my size in something, then they would. And everything was 50% off, so I basically had to keep buying.

• Trigger Point: The vibrating foam roller is epic. My calf muscles were tights, so I just sat there for a bit and let the vibration release them. It was relaxing, even more so because you don't have to actually roll over the vibrating foam roller. Ah, so nice. Might have to get a demo version for the running store I work at.

• TRX: Always a great booth to walk by! With all those straps out, people were constantly at play, so I got some awesome ideas to use with my clients.

• Takeya: Say what you will about your Swell bottles, I think Takeya bottles are equally impressive and I absolutely love, love, love mine. Plus, it's pink.

But that's only six reasons why the expo was so awesome. I can't even begin to list all the little toys I saw that I now want...various types of sandbags and weighted hammers being at the top of the list.

If I don't have you convinced yet, here are five reasons you need to attend IDEA World:

1) You'll learn from the leaders in the fitness industry.
2) You'll earn a bulk of your continuing education credits.
3) There is never a dull moment.
4) New and upcoming equipment is yours to play with.
5) The crowd is welcome, supportive, and inspirational.

Trust me, it's worth the cost and the trip and...you just need to go.

Question: Have you ever been to a fitness or blogging convention? If so, which one and what was your experience?