Friday Things #382
1. Trying to soak up as many cuddles as this crew will throw my way!
2. Dominic and Isabelle are completely joined at the hip right now and it is just so insanely adorable. Dominic is so kind to her, never retaliates against her sometimes toddler angst, and is so proud to be her big brother. And if she isn’t already playing with him, she’s looking for him, calling for him, and wanting to be wherever he is. I hope they always have this special connection.
3. I can’t believe that tomorrow is AUGUST and that Joseph will be starting kindergarten in less than a month. Although at this point, we still don’t know what that’s going to look like (schools and districts are changing plans by the day here, so it’s wait and see), but ahhh it’s just so surreal that he is already old enough for kindergarten, it feels like just yesterday I was rocking him to sleep and having him fall asleep in my lap while reading to him ❤️️ (Also, he’s wearing my husband’s old vintage Mickey Mouse shirt!)
4. Love this reminder to slow down (the many browser tabs open really spoke to me, ha!) >> Let Each Task Fill Up Your World
5. There have been days upon days of 90-degree weather here coupled with high humidity and I am officially DONE with summer. I am a diehard fall freak anyway, but this summer really pushed me over the limit. Bring on the 65-degree days!
6. Did you make the sticky buns from October’s bake-along challenge? They’ve been super popular on the site for the last few weeks!
7. Who has good recommendations for at-home workouts? We usually take a big family walk with the dogs every morning and we have a treadmill if I want to do extra cardio, but I’m looking for something that might help with toning. I’ve seen so many mentioned by friends – Beach Body, Pure Barre, Peloton (just the app for workouts, not the bike or treadmill), Kira Stokes, some workouts on Instagram that just use resistance bands, etc. If you use something that you love, please share!
8. I got this endless possibilities tank top in a few different colors and it is SO awesome – super lightweight, breezy, and flattering.
9. If you’re stuck trying to figure out your next show to watch, this is a pretty long list with both older shows and new ones, as well >> What to Stream if You Feel Like You’ve Watched Everything
10. TGIF! I hope you have a relaxing weekend!
Hi Michelle!
I highly recommend Hilliard Studio Method streaming. The Hilliards are a mother/daughter duo from Charlotte, North Carolina. Their classes are like Pure Barre on steroids! Streaming is $19/month with a 7-day free trial. You can cancel at any time: https://hilliardstudiomethod.com/streaming/
For workouts, try http://www.pilatesanytime.com Subscriptions are about $19/month and there are tons of classes on there from lots of different instructors. You can choose your skill level, and if you do the mat classes, you won’t need any special equipment. (My fave pilates instructor, Mariska Breland, has some classes on there)
Yes! I made the sticky buns about a month or so ago. So awesome! I think I may make another batch soon, but after seeing all these comments about work outs, maybe not ;-D
By the way, I love Friday Things. Can’t get enough of Dominic in those glasses. So precious!
Love your blog, following for many years!! During the pandemic, I started doing workouts by rebecca louise on you tube. I do two ten minute videos three to four times a week. She’s great! I am now in the best shape I have ever been. There is also the body coach tv on you tube who does really great adult and kid workouts!!
Ballroom dancing is a great “workout” while still being fun….plus you get to do it with your Husband!!!
Tons of videos on YouTube. My favorites are East Coast Swing and Tango.
Erin O’Prea. Best at home workout anywhere and so positive. Minimal equipment needed.
I’ve tried a few and like fitnessblender best. 1) Over 500 FREE videos 2) Variety (short, long, cardio, pilates, etc.), 3) This is a big one. NO MUSIC. I can jam to whatever I want. Or put on the TV and play them on my ipad. Or just keep things quiet. 4) I appreciate that they are typically modestly dressed. (just a personal preference), 5) They don’t do that whole cheerleader thing and yell at you to give them one more. Yet I find them upbuilding.
Totally agree with you …another fitness blender fan here !
same! fitness blender is the best!
I use Erin Oprea’s Pretty Muscles app. So easy to do and boy do you feel it. No expensive equipment needed. It has a complete meal plan included and a built in tabata timer. She is so nice and will be your biggest cheerleader. Look her up on Instagram, her energy is contagious. She also trains a few country singers and stars.
hi, workouts? my favorites are in the website: fitness blender .com they have been around for a long time. they got short, medium or long, your choice. focus on one area of your body or all over. minimum equipment many times. I like to watch it first to see what i need and if i need jumping around space or whatever. I recommend it. i have been doing them for years, at my own time and convenience, in my own home. love it!!
I’ve been a Tone It Up girl for a couple years now. Their online community is amazing and so inspiring. They have an app plus follow them on instagram for a whole bunch of live workouts with their trainers. They have gotten me through covid. For an extra challenge I also love Kira Stokes!
Heather Robinson on YouTube. Totally free, full length workouts and she has a 12 week program that is amazing. Another suggestion is Fitness Blender. Again, totally free and they also have very affordable programs for purchase. Love both and have been using for a long time!
I’ve tried multiple online yoga untill I landed on SarahbethYoga she’s amazing and has a workout for every possible mood and purpose and available time. Super professional and is my go to daily at-home work out. Highly recommend!! She has a YouTube channel, app and Facebook.
Thanks for the awesome blog;-)
I love Aaptiv for workouts. It’s an audio fitness app and it has everything- treadmill, bike, outdoor running, strength, yoga, meditation etc. I’ve been using it for 2 years and do an Aaptiv workout everyday! Tons of wonderful trainers. They have programs and challenges in the app so you can target what you want to work on and just listen to the workouts. Everything is laid out for you. Right now I’m doing a Muscle Gains program and a Yoga for Athletes. $99 for the year which is an incredible value but I saw a deal last year for half off which is even better. Much cheaper than the Peloton app!
Over the last few months, I decided that I wanted to use this time at home to get more serious about working out. I started doing HIIT workouts and I have noticed a huge difference! I have more muscle tone and endurance and feel more energetic. I really have loved the workouts from Clean Simple Eats on instagram. It’s a husband and wife company and they do new workouts every Wednesday that you can watch anytime. They also have protein powders that are awesome, and I usually can’t stand protein powder.
Fitness with PJ. She is on YouTube. Her workouts are geared for women and they are awesome. I highly recommend her. She also gives a ton of work around if you have knee issues, etc.
I use the FitOn app and absolutely love it. It has tons of different workouts from strength to HITT to stretching and yoga, plus many more. Lots of different instructors. It has a free version which does not have ads and you can choose any workout, search for workouts basically an awesome app for free!
The Tone It Up app has the best variety of workouts plus they also have different lengths, so you can find one that fits the time you have. They also do live workouts on instagram and other platforms. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something with variety. :)
My daughter and I like Kayla Itsenes BBG. Good workouts and we like the cookbook for reasonable weight loss.
I love Rebecca Louise workouts on YouTube!
I’m a fall freak too, so I too am anxiously waiting for those days! I highly recommend Beach Body. There is so much variety and it is really fun to finish a program and then get to pick a new one. The instructors are very motivating and positive and there are workouts for all levels.
What beautiful pics of your children! They are precious!
Enjoy every moment…God bless!! ;-)
Oh how I miss those days when my kids were little enough to climb up on my lap. Kiddos in their jammies are just the best. 💕 Mine are now 22, 20 and 16. Enjoy every moment you have while they are close at home.
I’ve tried lots of home workouts – Fitness Blender, Total Body Project, Sydney Cummings, etc. and have enjoyed them all – I tend to get bored easily. Two months ago I found Fitness with PJ. She targets women 40+ but they are great workouts for any age and still very challenging. And for the first time in several years, I’m seeing results that I haven’t seen with other at-home workouts. FYI: Your blog is one I’ve been consistently following for years. I love your recipes and especially look forward to your Friday Things posts every week. You have a beautiful family.
I am 65 and my younger brother is 58. From the first time I laid eyes on him I loved him and it soon became mutual. We still have a wonderful bond even though we live thousands of miles away from each other! We talk on the phone and I know emotionally we are never very far from each other. It is truly a special relationship and a gift from God! A few years ago he had a heart attack…I never stopped crying and praying during that time. He is okay now but just thinking of that time brings tears to my eyes. Your children are truly blessed to have each other!
Hi Michelle,
I love the look of that tank top! Do you mind my asking how it fits? Does it run big? I’m debating between a XS and S. Thanks!
Michelle
Jazzercise On Demand has various cardio, strength, resistance, and stretch offerings. They are loading new videos frequently and there’s a free trial.
Both of Jillian Michaels 30 day shreds dvds. There is a beginner and a regular one. They are cheap on amazon and give you a good workout in under 30 min. Beachbody 21 day fix is also one of my favorites. It’s a good mix of toning and cardio and workouts are 30 min.
For excellent at-home workouts, with endless variety, check out Sydney Cummings on YouTube. She’s been a game changer for me while working from home & with gym closures. Workouts of all types & durations.
I bought resistance tubes (Olarhike brand) on Amazon. Lots of good workout videos/ideas on YouTube. I normally do weight training at the gym. These are great though…much better workout then I expected! And they’re easy!
That first photo with your kids and your dog smiling, oh my gosh, so adorable! For home workouts, I stumbled on HASFIT YouTube and I love it. You can subscribe to their channel free and they have a bunch of workouts uploaded. What I love about them is that they are a husband and wife duo and so he provides standard moves and she provides some easier modifications so that you never feel like you can’t do an exercise. I hope you try and love them!
I also love HASFIT!
love tone it up workouts! They have an app or some workouts are on youtube. Really fun!
I just started Yoga with Neyu (https://www.yogawithneyu.com/library). She has Barre, Yoga, Pilates, cardio, HIIT and more. She offers beginner to advanced levels. She also is great at explaining the moves and giving options depending on your level. I highly recommend her online classes.
For working out I would recommend Moms Into Fitness. There is a a free workout playlist updated every week so you can sample some of the workouts. I’ve found that it’s a great balance of all different workouts for all levels. Hope this is helpful!
Try Nike Training Club. Free.
at home workouts: fitnessblender.com! You can start by doing their free workout videos, which are searchable. Or you can buy a program and load the curated workouts to a calendar on the site (that’s what I’ve done the last 5 years) or you can buy their premium Plus service to customize it a bit more. LOVE them!
I Too love fitness blender !
If you already have a treadmill I highly recommend the peloton app I’ve been using it for four years and love it
I think it’s the most bang for your buck with all the different types of classes that they have you can use the app free for 30 days
Hi. What sweet pics of your kiddos! I have the Peloton app and love it. I don’t have their bike or treadmill, but there is plenty of other content for all fitness levels and you can filter fir your needs. recently they’ve also started family friendly videos too. There was a free 90 day trial for a while. I’m not sure if thats still available, but it’s what I did and continued membership after.