Everything Burns: 30-Minute Strength and Core Circuit Workout

*Disclaimer: Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.*

This is a 30-minute strength and core circuit. This circuit targets your posterior chain, biceps, triceps, and core. You want to begin the workout with a 3-minute warmup (included below), and make sure you end with a cool down and stretch.

10 Things I'm Bringing With Me to 2019

So I told you what I'm leaving behind in 2018, so let me tell you what I'm taking with me into the new year! This list comprises different mindsets, actions, and items I want to bring with me into 2019 so that I can have as productive and successful a year as possible.

10 Things I'm Leaving Behind in 2018

I know we've all seen a bunch of posts on social media with folks reflecting on their year, posting their favorite members, and talking about their resolutions for 2019. At the end of each year, I like to reflect on the year and recalibrate for the upcoming year. I don't necessarily do "resolutions" in the traditional sense, but I'm all about setting goals throughout the year anyway, so why not set some more at the dawn of a new year?

So this year, I'm trying something new: I'm choosing 10 specific things I'm leaving behind in 2018, for real for real. Throughout the year, I told myself to stop doing these things, but I'm stubborn and hard headed so I didn't even listen to myself. Now that I'm throwing it out there in the universe (otherwise known as the internet), I have to do them, right?

How I Stayed Active While Eating Cheesecake All Week

I've eaten a lot of stuff I normally wouldn't eat - and in very large quantities - while I've been visiting my future in-laws this week. Pies and cake and cookies OH MY! I don't even have a sweet tooth, but I have been going HAM on pastries. Which brings me to the next problem - ham. And pork.

I don't eat these things, but I've sucked it up and eaten a fair amount so as not to put anyone out or be difficult. I don't avoid eating "the other white meat" because of religious reasons or anything. It's really just a personal choice. But man. I had these sausages at a family friend's house that nearly had me break dancing in the kitchen, they were so good!

And so, after eating and eating and eating just a couple of days in, my pants started getting tighter and tighter, and I realized I needed to get my butt up and moving a lot more than what I was doing after getting in my 10 burpees upon arrival in Ohio. (We drove, so I just needed to move!) Hat tip, once again, to Jamie King for introducing me to the #BurpeesorBust Challenge!

January 4K by 4PM Challenge

This January, I'm kicking off a brand new challenge here at Flecks of Lex: The 4K by 4PM Challenge! The goal of this challenge is to try to get 4,000 steps by 4:00 p.m. each day. The purpose is to make sure you're moving throughout the day, even if it's just to get up to walk to the bathroom or to get a drink of water.

I've been working on hitting this goal over the last few months, and I gotta tell you: It's not always easy! I work a job that primarily requires me to be at a desk, and there are hours where I find that I don't even stand up once! (It's especially difficult when I'm working on the organization's website!)

prAna Cozy Gear is Everything

You guys know how much I love prAna. They make clothing of excellent quality, they practice corporate responsibility, and they have a lot of great clothes made from sustainably sourced and recycled materials.

I have been living in their Cardiff collection. I was gifted the Cozy Up Zip Up Jacket, Cozy Up Pant, Cozy Up Sweatshirt, and Cozy Up T-Shirt. Let me tell ya: They live up to their names!

Barre at CYCLED!

You may already know this, but I love CYCLED! It's been a while since I've been back to the studio, but I was so glad to be back!

I finally got to take a barre class at the Takoma Park studio, and it kicked my butt! Shayla, the owner of Cycled, taught the class and took us through a tough workout - all while smiling and keeping everyone motivated.