Cassie DeNisco

Tips for Getting into a Fitness Routine

September 3, 2021

With summer now over, I find myself wanting to get back into my fitness routine. I usually am much more laid back with workouts during the summer months, really only doing what feels good. Now that I am back into work mode after a relaxing summer, I wanted to share my tips for getting back in to my fitness routine!

1. Cute Workout Clothes

I swear this is a bigger tip than it may seem. I am most motivated to workout when I have something I feel confident. Workout clothes really help not only the workout but showing up for the workout. When I have something fun and cute to wear, I am most likely going to be excited for the workout and keep coming back. I love Amazon for workout clothes. This tank here came in a 4 pack for only 28.99!

2. Pre/Post Workout Snack

I must say, waking up and having my pre workout meal is something I really look forward to. I like to workout mid morning during my lunch break so I love to make a morning smoothie. You can check out my morning smoothie recipe here. Some people wake up and look forward to their coffee, for me I love waking up for this smoothie with my workout gear on. If your a person who workouts out later, you can have your favorite protein bar or smoothie post workout to keep you motivated through your workout.

3. Do What You Love

Let me tell you, this one took awhile to figure out. I absolutely love Melissa Wood Health pilates and yoga inspired flows. They are gentle on my body but I feel so strong after them. I seriously look forward to my workout because they are just that great. You need to find a workout program or class that you love and that excites you or else you won’t want to keep coming back to it. My Melissa Wood Health Review is live here on my site if you want to check it out!

4. Build it into your Schedule

This one is so important for me. I build my day around work and my workout. Workouts keep me energized to get through the day and my mind clear. I like to workout midday so I make sure that I find time for a workout even if it’s only 5 minutes. A little movement is better than no movement so whatever you can get in whenever you have time will make the difference. It’s all about the little consistency that will make habits for you.

5. Don’t Stress!

Missing a workout isn’t the end of the world. I’ve found you just have to listen to your body to see what works for you. I like to workout Monday-Friday and if I’m feeling it, I’ll do a Saturday or Sunday workout too. If I miss one day, I don’t get myself worked up or down because it’s not a huge deal. For me, it’s all about listening to your own body and doing whatever you can to form healthy habits.

I hope these tips for getting into a fitness routine helped you. My perception of working out has really shifted as I’ve gotten older. It’s more about the habit as opposed to the actual work out. You can workout once or twice but until you get a habit formed of working out a few times a week, you won’t stick with it.

For me, these tips have helped me get into my own fitness routine and keep it going all year long. Let me know some of your fitness routine tips in the comments below!

Must Have Amazon Workout Finds

April 2, 2021

As many of you know, I am probably Lululemon’s biggest fan. I love their workout pieces and accessories but don’t like their prices. I’ve made it my life’s new mission to find workout wear as cute and as durable as Lululemon at a better price. Shockingly enough, Amazon workouts finds are actually amazing. I’ve put together my list my must have amazon workout finds just for you!

Cropped Workout Tanks

These tanks are amazing! They are cropped but they actually hit the top of my high waisted leggings. I love the fit and they have a built in bra so this top is all you need for a workout. I generally wear a size small to medium in tops but I sized up to large for these. Also as you can see they are two different styles but I love both. The pink thicker strap is great for a more high impact workout and I love to just lounge in the white thinner strap. You can shop the white one here and the pink one here!

CRZ Yoga Pants

I initially purchased these to be a dupe of my align leggings. They are definitely different material but I almost like them more. I usually get pretty stressed to wear my Aligns because of the material and the piling, no matter what I do. These leggings are a little more of a workout material and they fit so well. I would size down in these. I usually and did order myself a small but I feel like I could have gotten an extra small because they do pull down a bit at the top. You can shop them here!

Biker Shorts

I have such short legs that most bike shorts look weird on me. I love these from Amazon because they come in a bunch of different lengths.. with pockets! They are so great for a workout or to just lounge in which is so important to me. I’m 5’3 and have the 5 inch version. It hits me mid thigh, right where I would want my short to hit so that my leg still is elongated. You can shop them here!

Cropped Zip Up

This zip up was a serious game changer. I don’t like when they are too thin and can’t hold up their shape. This one is thicker and is so well fitted. I sized up to a large for this one and I’m glad I did because it’s just the slightest bit oversized and I love it. It’s perfect to transition to spring/summer in or wear to the gym. You can shop this zip up hoodie here!

Foam Roller

When the pandemic started, I really turned to Amazon to start getting the things I needed for my workout. I got this foam roller thinking it was a smaller one but I am actually okay with how giant it is. It really helps to roll out and stretch my entire body and was well priced for the size. This one is 36 inches and can be shopped here!

Bangle Ankle Weights

If you do any type of pilates like workouts, like Melissa Wood Health, then you know how expensive and hard to find these bangles were. I was so excited to find them on Amazon but had to wait literally 3 months for them to come back in stock. Now they are so easy to find and come in the cutest colors. Unfortunately the exact ones I have are sold out but I linked another brand here that looks similar.

Resistance Bands

One of my favorite Amazon workout finds are my resistance bands. They not only are the cutest colors but they were so affordable and come in this great bag to keep them organized. You can shop them here!

As you can see, I actually have a lot from Amazon. They have some really great pieces for great prices. One thing I will admit is a lot of these that I tried have come from recommendations. As soon as I see someone talking about a product, I put it in my cart and check out!

Let me know in the comments below your favorite workout brands or if you have any must have Amazon workout finds!

My Favorite Workout Brands

May 27, 2019

Being a dance teacher means that I am constantly in athleisure. I am always on the lookout for really great leggings and workout bras and tops that are good quality but also worth the price tag. Workout clothes these days can be so expensive but you never really know if its worth the price unless you try it. Lucky for you guys, I have tried lots of brands and here are my top 3!

Lululemon

Lululemon is definitely on the pricier side of the workout clothes market. I know that their prices sometimes even will turn people off entirely from the brand. For me, I tried their apparel and fell instantly in love. The quality of their clothing is amazing and it lasts really long, as long as you properly take care of them. I think that that is the only downside to Lululemon. You have to make sure that you wash their clothes in the way that they suggest or else you’ll have major piling on your hands. I’ve found that as long as I wash the clothes in cold water, separate from everything else, and hang them to try they will maintain their shape and their quality. My pro tip is if you live near a Lululemon outlet, go to it! The prices are way more reasonable and it’s a good way to introduce yourself to their apparel.

Gymshark

Gymshark has really great prices for the quality of close they produce. I also love love love all of the colors and patterns that they use. They also have so many matching sets to choose from that vary from bras, shirts, shorts, and leggings. I actually found out about Gymshark from Youtuber and fitness model Whitney Simmons who is an ambassador for the brand. Everything that she wears is so cute and its always Gymshark. The only issue I have with this brand is their sizing. I find that my usual size of small fits me but is a little snug with their apparel. I size up to medium because there’s nothing worse than wearing uncomfortable gym clothes.

Outdoor Voices

This brand is somewhat newer to me but I love it just as much as the other two. Outdoor Voices has matching sets for such great prices. Their quality is also spot on which is another thing I love. When I ordered online from there, my package arrived in like two days and came with a cute little care instructions card. The care is similar to the Lululemon apparel so I actually just wash all of my workout gear together. I am really looking forward to heading out to an Outdoor Voices store soon so that I can get more from this awesome brand!

A workout brand review wouldn’t be complete without shoes. For me, I was a Nike girl through and through until I found my Adidas X_PLR sneakers in pink. They are insanely comfortable and are the cutest color. I actually just ordered a new pair of them in black and white to replace my Nikes. I feel like all of the Adidas shoes that I own have the “cloud foam” that they’re known for which I am not complaining about. I hope this helped you learn about new brands and maybe even try some that you were hesitant to try before.