Friday Favorites!!

It Friday! YAY!
Except it is raaaaiinnnnniinnnnggg here all day! BOO! 
Oh well!  I am going to have to get creative so my little precious people don't start climbing the walls! HA!  We have the gym and swimming lessons this morning and I have some new play-doh stashed away for after naps...we just might survive another rainy day cooped up in the house! HA!

A couple months I did a Friday Favorites post about some of my favorite items that help me stay on track with a healthy lifestyle....you can find it here!  Since exercising is a part of my daily life, 6 out of the 7 days a week (I take Sunday off), I thought I would share my FAVORITE go-to workout gear.  Nothing fancy, but I couldn't exercise without these items!

Here we go!

ONE
Other than when I am swimming laps, I HAVE to be listening to music when I am working out.  The faster, more upbeat the song- the better.  My husband can listen to some pretty chill music when he is working out- NOT me.  I like "clubby" songs with a really fast tempo to them- it keeps me moving-HA!
So these are the earphones I use when I workout. Mine are SUPER old and I love them. Like they don't have the foam stuff on the ears anymore! HA!  They still work great though- so I am not replacing them until they are DEAD. I can NOT use any earphone that goes inside my ear.  First of all- I sweat so much that they don't stay put and they hurt my ears!!  While these are not the coolest looking earphones ever, they don't hurt and they don't move when I am running!  If you are like me- and can't wear ear buds- try these out!! 

I use an iPod shuffle to listen to my music.   I love this little thing.  It has plenty of memory space to fill up enough songs for about an hour long workout, it clips right onto my sports bra and I don't even know I am wearing it!! I couldn't workout without this little square! HA!   It has a pretty long battery life...I use mine every day for about an hour and don't have to charge it but every 3 weeks or so!

You can get a shuffle here, on Amazon for $52! 

TWO

At least 3 days a week I am running 3-4 miles.  These are the running shoes I am wearing.  I REALLY love Asics.  I know everyone has their favorite brand, but I have worn Brooks, Saucony, and Adidas, and Asics are by far my favorite brand of running shoes! I know a lot of people really like Nike Frees- I have actually never owned a pair of Nike running shoes!

Anyway- these are the Gel Kayano-19 running shoes...I got mine almost 2 years ago, so they now have Gel Kayano 20 and 21.  Basically- just newer "editions" and the prices are higher.  These shoes are very supportive, firm but definitely have some cushiness to them (don't you love my technical description??) and super important- I love the bright colors! HA! They make me happy when I put them on :)  If you are looking for a new pair of running shoes, I would recommend going to a store like Fleet Feet, where you can try on a bunch of shoes and get some guidance on what type of shoe you need (based on how you walk/run).  THEN- you can either buy your shoes in the store or can check the internet to see if you can find a lower price than the store offers.  Running shoes can be crazy expensive...I HAVE to get mine on sale! 

THREE

I am not a big fan of working out in shorts...can you say inner thigh rub?! Ha! During the summer, I am all about capris.  I have two pairs I wear religiously- both from Walmart.

You can find the black pair on the left right here and the pair on the right here!  They are not carrying the black tie dye print I have anymore...but they do have several other fun colors.

Both of these capri pants are my FAVORITE for a couple of reasons. 1) They do NOT move when I am working out and I don't have to yank them up while I am running!  2) They are super flattering! Workout clothes by nature are more fitted and any time I can find a pair of capri pants that are very fitted AND help keep the curves in check- well I am sold! HA!  3) You just CANNOT beat the price of either of these capri pants! And if you don't care for these- Walmart has a bunch of other activewear options you can check out!

FOUR

I swim twice a week- it is one of my FAVORITE ways to exercise!!

I have one "workout" swimsuit- I have had mine for 10 years now and it just now starting to show some wear!This is the one I have- it is reversible!  The only difference is my suit is black on one side and purple on the other.  If you are looking to invest in a one piece swimsuit for swimming laps or any type of exercise in the water, I highly recommend the TYR brand- also Speedo is a great brand!!

FIVE

So...this picture isn't related to my workout gear favorites...but with Father's Day 2 days away, how could I not mention the best daddy ever in my Friday Favorites?!?

I truly have been SO blessed to have been raised by an amazing father and now get to see my children be guided, lead and nurtured by the most incredible father!  Aaron is super FUN, he loves teaching our kids about things, he has a really great ability to be firm, but gentle at the same time with our girls when they need to be disciplined and he LOVES his children more than himself.  

You would know that about him if spoke to him for more than a couple minutes :)  

I am really, really grateful he is my partner in this crazy, awesome journey of parenthood!!

So there you have it!  Some of my favorite workout gear (and my favorite dad:)!  

I am SO thankful for our YMCA.

I am really grateful the hospital my husband works for provides a discount on our monthly membership, which allows us to afford our membership!

I am crazy grateful for the sweet, caring women in Childwatch that take care of my kiddos while I workout.

Most of all- I thankful beyond measure for my health.  God has blessed me and I am so grateful.

I hope you have the BEST weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's out there!! :)

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their Friday Favorites Link Up!

I am also linking up with April for Five on Friday!

Joining Karli for her, Oh Hey Friday Link Up! too!