Shaking things up to get #SummerStrong

Bob’s Red Mill and FitApproach sponsored this post. All opinions are my own.

Y’all know I love to run. In fact, running is really the only fitness activity that I do because I love to do it. I occasionally do other things, but it’s never because I’m excited to do them. I do them because I know I should or I get a chance to take a free class or someone guilts me into it. But that has to change.

My core is weak, my upper body has zero definition, and my hips and legs have been sending up “pre-injury” signals for a while. I know that building some muscle will only make me a better runner, so that’s my goal as I get ready to start marathon (and maybe ultra) training.

So, how do I plan to get #summerstrong?

1. Strength training:  To kick things off, I’ve been doing a 30 day beginner strength challenge. It’s not a major challenge – the workouts take 10 minutes or less – but it’s making me get back in the habit. And when you haven’t done any upper body workouts for, umm, way too long, 10 pushups are HARD. Yeah, it’s that bad. I haven’t missed a day yet because apparently I’m motivated by an unknown reward at the end. (And here’s a great list of different pushup variations if you get bored easily…)
2. A little bit of HIIT: While I’m about to start marathon training, I do have a really good mileage base. I’ll be using a Hansons Marathon Method based plan, which includes speed work. I also plan to throw in a couple of workouts that include such fun things as burpees and mountain climbers. I mean, I can run slow for days, but ask me to do 5 burpees and I’m on the ground, panting with my heart rate at max. Time to work on that.
3. Adding protein: I love carbs. I could happily eat pasta and cereal and bread and nothing else. Luckily, I do like fruits and veggies and tend to eat them more as the weather gets hotter. But what’s a carb loving girl to do when it’s hot and meat sounds less appetizing? Add in some protein powder!

I’ve been adding Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powders to my oatmeal for breakfast some days. I’ve also embrace the concept of an iced protein drink when I’m rushed in the morning. (Who knew that a true shaker bottle would rock my world???)

And in the afternoon when I’m craving a pick me up? I’ve been making a chocolate protein iced coffee.

Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powders are a vegan and gluten free pea protein powder with chia and probiotics. Since I’m trying to figure out some mild issues I’m having, I’m avoiding most dairy and trying to get in probiotics to balance things. I’m awful at remembering to take the probiotics that I have in the fridge (and I’ve never found a non-dairy yogurt that I like), so having it in my protein powder is just a bonus. Now, I’ll be honest, since I don’t do smoothies (I don’t even own a blender), it took a bit to get used to the chia seeds in my coffee LOL, but I liked the taste from the beginning. Now it doesn’t even phase me to have them there. All in all, I’m loving the taste and texture and am pretty excited to have a non-whey based powder that I actually like (this is huge, I can’t tell you how many protein powders I’ve thrown away.) I also love that it’s sweetened with monk fruit rather than stevia, since I don’t like the taste of stevia.

Want to try the Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder? You can enter my giveaway below or, if you have no patience, here’s a coupon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you use protein powder? What do you do with it? I’m always looking for new ideas!

Disclaimer: I received compensation and Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powders from Fit Approach. All opinions are my own.