I’m very grateful we have space in our home to create a workout room. However, the room we use for it is also my home office. While it’s a significant upgrade from working out in the living room, I still had to make adjustments to share the space. From storage bins, to equipment that doubles as decor, I had to get a bit creative. If you’re like me and you have a small space to use as your workout room, I have found a few space-saving home gym musts. This way you’ll have everything you need without taking up much space.

Yoga Mat Rack

I love the look of this rack because you get to show off your pretty yoga mats in an elegant way. By hanging it up, you allow for more room on the floor to use as needed. This one has a 3-rack and 5-rack option so there is plenty of room to hang your yoga mats.

Yoga Mat

If you have a yoga mat rack, it only makes sense you have a yoga mat. There are plenty of yoga mats to choose from but I love this one from Alo because pink is my favorite and a cute yoga mat is a weakness of mine.

Bench

While a bench does take up some space, what I love about this one is that it’s multi-functional. You can use it as a step-up or to work out your upper body by adjusting it as needed. Plus, it does fold quite nicely where you can stand it up against a wall or in a closet.

Resistance Bands

These are a great alternative to dumbbells if you don’t have the space for them. Plus, they’re so lightweight and easy to carry you could take them anywhere with you.

Booty Bands

While their name makes it sound like they’re only for the booty, these can actually give you a great upper body burn. I love these ones from Tone It Up because it has different resistance so you feel that extra challenge when needed.

Dumbbell Set

I like this dumbbell set because it makes it easy to store away while taking up minimal space. Plus, there’s a variety of weights so you can use them based on the exercise you’re performing. 

Bala Power Ring

I recently got this 10lbs Bala Power Ring and it is great to perform different exercises. From deadlifts to shoulder presses and ab work, there’s so many options. Plus, it looks so pretty you can use it as pretty decor. Just be mindful of its weight so preferably keep it on the ground.

Bala Ankle Weights

You can wear these on your ankles or arms and get an amazing burn. Plus, they’re small enough where you can store them away easily. 

Pull Up Bar

I personally cannot do a pull up (really hoping to at some point though!) but I love this pull up bar that you hang on your door. This saves up space on your floor and allows for amazing upper body exercises!

I hope you found these space-saving home gym musts helpful. I know how important it is to work out at home now more than ever and having a dedicated space to work out is so beneficial. However, we don’t always have the room needed to create our own home gym so these space-saving home gym musts come in handy. Let’s stay active!

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I’m a firm believer that cute workout clothes make your workout even better. I don’t know what it is but it truly motivates me to crush my workout. Probably something to do with the “look good, feel good” mindset. Either way, Barre is my favorite workout and I find that it gives me the opportunity to wear some of the cutest outfits. They’re feminine, stylish, and look good in and out of the studio. Just in case you’re in a shopping mood, I’ve rounded up the best Barre activewear to look and feel good below.

Tops

Barre is a low impact workout. While you’re welcome to wear heavy support bras, you can easily get away with light and medium support. Below I’m sharing a few sports bras, long sleeve shirts, and tops to rock during your next Barre class.

Bottoms

Comfy and squat proof bottoms are a must for Barre workouts. After all, you will be in a wide second plié for a while and you don’t want see-through leggings. I’ve put together the cutest the leggings that are comfy and squat proof. The best Barre activewear is here for you!

Socks

Grippy socks are essential for Barre workouts. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it cute. In fact, I’ve found that Barre socks are absolutely adorable. Below I’m sharing the best socks for your Barre classes that are not only functional, but adorable.

I hope you found this list of the best Barre activewear to look and feel good helpful! Let me know what you love to wear for your Barre workouts or any workout in general. I could always use some retail therapy!

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Do you ever feel like no matter how badly you want to join a workout challenge you just can’t stick to it? Maybe you start but after a day or two life gets in the way and you struggle to keep up with it. Or maybe committing to it is very difficult so you don’t even start. Whatever the reason may be, I’m here to help. I’ve done quite a few workout challenges myself and I’ve completed all of them. Now, this isn’t to say it wasn’t challenging. I mean, at the end of the day it’s called a “challenge” for a reason. However, I’ve learned a few things along the way and I want to share with you how to stick to a workout challenge and crush your goals. 

Leave the Pressure Behind

First and foremost, don’t pressure yourself. If you force yourself to do something, you’re more likely to not want to do it. Yes, it’s great you want to complete a challenge and yes, it’s great you’re setting yourself that goal but don’t force it. Tell yourself this is something you’re trying to accomplish because you want to and because it feels good. Not because you have to. Once you leave that pressure aside, you’re already getting in the best mindset to accomplish a workout challenge.

Choose a Challenge You’ll Be Excited About

It’s easy for us to sign up for a challenge without really thinking about it. However, I encourage you to sign up for a challenge you’re actually excited about. Even if you’re not 110% in, at least a bit of excitement will take you further along. There’s no point trying to do a workout challenge you’re going to dread instead of being excited about it. So choose wisely!

Find Accountability Buddies

I’ve said it before and will say it over and over again but accountability buddies will be life-changing. Find a friend or a stranger that will quickly become a friend (trust me on this) and ask them to be your accountability buddy. I met most of my closest friends through Tone it Up challenges when they became my accountability buddies. Fast-forward to today and they’re some of the people in my life I can count on for everything. Perhaps the workout challenge you’re doing has a social media hashtag or you can find a list of other participants somewhere. Just find people who are doing the same challenge and work together to hold each other accountable.

Set Yourself a Reward 

Hear me out. We’re all more likely to do something when we know we’re getting a reward at the end. Maybe it’s buying yourself something or treating yourself to a spa day. Whatever reward you can think of that will motivate you, choose that. Write it out or maybe put a sticky note near where you work out so you have a reminder of something to look forward to. 

Plan Challenge Check-Ins

Schedule check-ins with yourself or your accountability buddies. Let’s say you’re doing a 30-day challenge. Try checking in every 10 days or even more often if you need to. Use these check-ins to evaluate how you’re feeling, what’s motivating you or what may be affecting your motivation, and make sure to write down any progress you’ve made. It’ll be helpful to come back to it throughout the challenge and other check-ins to really see your progress along the way.

There you have it. Those are my tips for how to stick to a workout challenge. Just remember you don’t need a new month or a new week to start a challenge. And most importantly, remember that it’s called a challenge for a reason. After all, if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you. Now go on and find the challenge that’s best for you. Tell me in the comments below what you’re planning on doing as I’d love to cheer you on!

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If you’re on this post, chances are you’d like to start working out. Maybe you’ve already started but have a hard time staying consistent. Or maybe you did one workout, got discouraged or busy and stopped exercising. Either way I’m here to guide you on how to start working out and most importantly, sticking with it. 

First and foremost, I want to clarify that we all started somewhere. No one was born working out. Some developed this habit at a young age, others did it later on in life. What matters is that you’re taking the steps toward living a healthier life by prioritizing exercise. 

Growing up I hated exercise. I avoided sports as much as I could and it wasn’t until my teenage years that I began to consistently exercise. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons, though. I only cared to work out because I wanted to be skinny. Truth be told, the only way to stay consistent with exercise is to actually enjoy it. It might take some trial and error but once you find something you like, your body will start craving it. Which leads me to my first point.

Find a Program You Like

First thing to note is that you need to find something you enjoy. I personally don’t like running, hence why you’ll pretty much never see me running. However, I love Barre and many other types of workouts so I prioritize those. If you’ve never worked out or have no idea what you might enjoy, think about what you like to do in general. Do you enjoy walking? Does lifting weights sound appealing? Try to choose 1-3 different exercises and see how you feel. Please note, always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program and preferably work with a trainer so you ensure you have proper form. 

Don’t Follow A Program Without Guidance

When you’re first starting to workout, it’s important to have someone to teach you proper form. Otherwise, this can lead to injuries. Ideally, let your trainer know that you’re a beginner and if you’ve had any injuries in the past, make sure to let them know about those. If you’re working out at home, make sure to choose a program where the trainer explains the proper form. If you can have a mirror to make sure your form is okay, that helps too. Just make sure you don’t spend too much time looking at yourself in the mirror or else you might strain your neck. 

Take It Easy in the Beginning

Let’s say you decide you want to become a runner and start by trying to run 3 miles. You’re going to end up extremely tired, sore and probably won’t want to do it again. It’s great if you set yourself a goal to run 3 miles by a certain time, however it’s not ideal to start off that way. Perhaps during your first run you can run half a mile. That’s great, you’ve started! Then, try to go just over that half mile until you build that endurance and can run a longer distance. Workouts should become part of your lifestyle. And just like we’re not born being experts at walking, we’re not experts at exercising either. It’s all about those baby steps that will eventually get you really far. Be patient with yourself and just keep going. 

Find Accountability Buddies

Now that we’ve covered the basics on how to start working out, let’s discuss how to keep that momentum going so it becomes part of your routine. One of my favorite ways to do it is finding accountability buddies. Someone that will help you stay accountable when you can think of all the excuses not to work out. Ideally it’s someone you can text easily, and perhaps even work out together (even if it’s virtually). Find a partner or group of people that can help you stay accountable and you’ll quickly learn what a difference it makes.

I hope this guide on how to start working out was helpful. Let me know where you are in your fitness journey and if you’re past the beginner phase, please share what worked for you. And if you need accountability, always feel free to reach out on Instagram.

The post How to Start Working Out: A Guide for Beginners appeared first on Dear Moscato.

Barre is my favorite type of workout. I’ve been used to working out at home for many years now and luckily, Barre is relatively easy to do at home. If you’re not familiar with Barre, it’s a low impact workout that fuses ballet and pilates and brings all the burn! Don’t let the low impact part fool you though, your whole body will feel it. However, thanks to its low impact nature, Barre requires small equipment (except the barre, of course) and low weights so it’s travel-friendly too. I’ve recently started doing even more Barre workouts, so I decided to upgrade my home gym to include the best at-home Barre equipment. Keep reading to find all the options to bring the Barre burn at home!

Barre

First and foremost, you’ll need a barre. After all, that’s where the name comes from. I’m sharing a few different options below but in case you’re interested in the one I have, it’s this one. If purchasing a barre is not something you can do at this time, that’s okay. Try using a sturdy chair like a counter stool or your kitchen counter. Ideally, make sure it’s 40” – 42” in height for proper form. Safety first always, so just test the sturdiness!

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Light Weights

Barre focuses on lots of repetitions so your muscles will fatigue quickly. That’s why it’s important to use lighter weights to maintain good form. I use 2lb and 3lb weights depending on the exercise. Sometimes, I even use my 1lb Bala ankle weights when my muscles are getting really fatigued. You can always drop the weights and do the exercises with your bodyweight if it feels like too much. However, I encourage you to try using weights as much as you can (safely) to really strengthen and define those muscles.

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Playground Ball

I got the XtendBarre playground ball because I like how firm it is, but there are lots of options. The playground ball is perfect for ab and leg work. It really brings the burn by creating resistance when you use it in between your thighs. It’s also great when you need to modify ab work, especially during C-Curve position. Find more options for the perfect playground ball below. 

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Booty Bands

Booty bands or resistance bands are amazing to create just that: resistance. You can use them for leg work, booty work, and even your arms! Plus, I love that they’re so easy to take with you everywhere so you can feel the burn no matter where you are. I personally use the Tone It Up booty bands, but you can find similar ones or fabric booty bands too. I haven’t tried fabric booty bands yet but I’ve heard they increase the resistance even more. They’re also less likely to tear but I gotta say, it’s a bit satisfying to know you’re so strong you broke a booty band! Okay yeah, it’s a bit terrifying too but just looking for the positives here. Anyway, below I’m sharing multiple different booty band options so you can choose what suits you.

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Yoga Mat

It’s important to have a yoga mat to support you when doing floor work. There’s nothing comfortable about doing crunches on hardwood floors! I personally like thicker mats that offer appropriate support for my knees and have enough padding to lay down comfortably. I use the Tone It Up yoga mat but there’s so many others that are thick, offer great support and grip, and look cute. Plus, you can use it for so many other workouts in addition to your at-home Barre classes. 

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Ankle Weights

While these are less common in traditional Barre workouts, if you really want to up the intensity, I suggest adding ankle weights to your at-home Barre equipment. They’re great when you’re doing leg and booty work, and like I mentioned above, I’ve even used them on my arms. Just make sure they’re not too heavy since you will be doing lots of reps. I’m a big fan of the Bala ankle weights but I’m sharing more options below.

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Grippy Socks

While these may not be equipment per se, grippy socks are fantastic for Barre workouts. They really help with grip (hence the name) and since Barre involves lots of balancing and quick graceful movements, they’re ideal. Plus, when you’re going from a wide second to a lunge, they really help stabilize and maintain proper form. I also love that Barre socks come in really cute designs so you can feel a bit like a ballerina!

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I hope you found this at-home Barre equipment guide useful. Let me know in the comments section if you’re a Barre pro or just starting out!

The post The Best At-Home Barre Equipment appeared first on Dear Moscato.

Not long ago I shared my at-home workout room essentials since working out from home has taken a whole new meaning in 2020. While I’ve always been used to working out at home, with our new home I was finally able to have a dedicated workout space. That meant fully customizing my space to be perfect for my favorite workouts like Tone It Up and barre. Most recently, I’ve grown my list of barre equipment as it has become my main type of workout and I simply enjoy it so much. However, I do have lots of experience with working out at home doing different programs so I wanted to share the ultimate guide to working out at home.

Find Your Program

First and foremost, you’ll need to find a program that you enjoy, will give you the benefits you’re looking for, and can be done at home. I personally have a few workout apps on my phone. My personal favorites? The Tone It Up app and XtendBarre on OpenFit. However, these are just a few. I also love the FitOn app, especially because you can get so many amazing workouts for free! Plus they have amazing trainers like Christine Bullock, Aubre Winters and Danielle Pascente.

While I don’t have their subscription, I have done The Class by Taryn Toomey enough times to know I love that program. If you’re looking for a workout that is just a tough physically as it is mentally, check that one out. Also, if you’re a FabFitFun member don’t forget that you can get free workouts on FabFitFunTV! That’s actually how I get my Barre Code workouts in. They do have a The Barre Code streaming service if you’re interested.

Amazon Prime also has great workouts included with your membership. My personal favorites are Lindsay Bushman’s barre challenges. Lastly, please note you have a wonderful free service at your fingertips and that is YouTube. You can find so many amazing free workout videos on YouTube, simply search for what you’re looking for a voilá. 

My personal recommendation is to start with the free services to find out what you really enjoy. However, if you’re already set on what type of workout you want, find the apps that offer them and give it a go.

If you’re looking for Barre or Pilates I suggest XtendBarre and XBPilates on OpenFit or Christine Bullock’s FitOn app workouts. However, if Yoga is more of your thing, the Tone It Up app has a wonderful variety of yoga workouts. If you’re looking for HIIT, Danielle Pascente is your girl. Find her on the FitOn app or purchase her plans here. When you’re wanting a little bit of everything and feeling the burn no matter what class you take, Lindsey Harrod does the trick. If you’re into dance cardio, Aubre Winters has the energy you need. If you’re looking for running, you came to the wrong place because I can’t stand it. However, I heard Couch to 5K is good! The point is, there’s a program for everyone, you just need to try them to learn what you like.

Working Out At Home Equipment

I went into a great detail about my at-home workout equipment on this blog post, but since then I’ve added a few more things. Particularly, equipment to help me with my Barre workouts. I’ve been loving my new barre. It was relatively easy to assemble on my own and it’s been quite sturdy so far. I’m also loving a barre ball, pilates ring, and 2lb dumbbells because believe me, they get heavy in Barre.

If Barre is not your workout of choice, I recommend checking out Amazon for any equipment you may need. From barbells, to benches, to yoga mats, heavier dumbbells, kettlebells, and more they have it all. If you’re looking for aesthetically pleasing equipment (no shame in that) I highly suggest the Tone It Up collection at Target. They recently launched toning ropes but also have booty bands, resistance bands, sliders, a kettlebell, and more. If indoor cycling is your thing, you can go all out with a Peloton bike or find a more affordable one and simply use the Peloton app. Nowadays there’s tons of workout equipment perfect for your home. Just make sure it’ll fit the space and work for your program of choice.      

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Safety First

If you’re working out on your own, it may be hard to know when you’re doing something incorrectly. However, preventing injuries is key here. Make sure that if you have previous injuries, you’ve been cleared by a doctor to work out.  At the same time, choose a workout program that will work if you do have a history of injuries. For example, Barre and Pilates are both low-impact workouts (doesn’t mean they don’t get tough though). Get yourself a mirror and place it nearby so you can keep an eye on your form throughout the workout.

All of the instructors I mentioned above are great at reminding you of the right form, so just make sure you listen and adjust as needed. Lastly, it’s okay to take breaks. I encourage you to listen to your body and rest as needed. It’s especially important if you’re just starting your fitness routine and your body needs some time to adjust.

I hope you found this list useful. Let me know if you’ve tried any of the workout programs I mentioned or share your favorites in the comments below.

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Let me let you in on a little secret: I used to hate working out. I mean genuinely despised it and avoided it at all costs. It didn’t matter if it was gym class at school or after school sports, I always found an excuse to avoid working out. I didn’t see what was so special about it and why people raved about working out. To me, it just meant getting sweaty and embarrassing myself. You read that right, I was embarrassed to work out because I thought people would make fun of me.

I’ve never liked running so I’ll admit I’m not the greatest at it. I was also (still am) terrified of getting hit in the face by a ball so I would run away from them. I also grew up with very athletic family members so it was even more embarrassing that I was the “nerd” and they were the cool athletes. Point is, I was so afraid to work out I avoided it altogether. However, growing up with a family full of athletic people, I felt like I needed to keep up with them. Plus, not to mention I developed an eating disorder and would exercise in order to keep all calories off. 

Sure, my relationship with exercise was incredibly unhealthy, but luckily it has all changed now. The point of this story is to tell you that if you see me on Instagram posting workout selfies, I haven’t always been this way. I don’t want you to think I was born with some amazing willpower to work out every morning and that it didn’t take any effort, because it did. So now I’m sharing ways to motivate yourself to work out.

10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out

Find what you love – First of all, you need to find a workout program you’ll enjoy. While I didn’t like sports in high school, I learned I really loved Pilates. Fast-forward to today and I love Barre so much my body craves it. Side note, if you’d like to do barre at home, I just got this home-friendly barre! If you’re not sure what you like, try a few different programs and trainers or fitness studios. Maybe you’ll learn you love running or HIIT, maybe you’ll love yoga or Pilates, but you won’t know until you try! So try out a few things until you find a workout program you seem to enjoy enough that will make motivating yourself to work out easier.

Create an awesome playlist – If you like listening to music, create a playlist that makes you want to move your entire body. It will be so much easier to work out if your body is ready to move and you feel energized. 

Find an accountability buddy – One of the best ways to motivate yourself to work out is to find someone who will be there for you every step of the way. Find an accountability buddy that will check in with you daily and push you to work out. You could even work out together via Zoom or in person if you live nearby! This is one of the main reasons I created my fitness Instagram for. I wanted to connect with others to find the accountability I needed. 

Think about your why – Why do you want to work out? Do you want to feel stronger? Are you doing it so you can keep up with your kids? Are you doing it to live a longer, healthier life? Find your why and don’t lose sight of it. Remind yourself every morning or evening (whenever you work out) why you’re working out.

Treat yourself to cute workout clothes – Okay I know this may sound silly but trust me, if you wear cute workout clothes you’ll be more likely to work out. There’s just something about a cute work out outfit that does the trick – give it a shot!

Take “before” pictures – Proceed with caution on this one. I admit I no longer take “before” and “after” pictures. Unfortunately, it was leading to an unhealthy obsession of going back to my “fittest” body. However, if you feel confident that you won’t struggle comparing yourself, taking “before” pictures is so motivating. It really allows you to see the progress you’ve made with your workouts. And I don’t mean just physical progress. When I first took “after” pictures, I noticed how much more confident I looked based on my posture and smile. It was great to keep me going, that’s for sure!

Set your workout clothes the night before – If I set my workout clothes the night before, I won’t have an excuse in the morning not to get up and go after my workout. It’s a great way to motivate yourself to work out because it’ll be the first thing you see when you wake up.

Set yourself reminders – Just like you set an alarm to wake up, set an alarm or reminder to work out. I suggest adding a motivational quote with it so it adds for even more encouragement to get your exercise in.

Create a workout space – If you’re working out from home, create a dedicated space to work out. The less distractions you have, the more you’re likely to work out. Plus, if you have an entire area dedicated to working out, you won’t want to leave it unused, right?

Plan ahead – Last but definitely not least, plan your workout week ahead of time. It’ll take out all the daily guesswork and you can’t make any excuses because the workout will be waiting for you. You can either make your own schedule (if you don’t work out frequently, I recommend you don’t go this route yet) or join a program. There’s lots of workout apps that you can join to work out from home, or you can join a gym or fitness studio and follow their schedule. Either way, definitely plan your workouts ahead of time for success!

Well there you have it! 10 ways to motivate yourself to work out. I hope you found these helpful and simple enough to start implementing now. If you’re looking for accountability, my DMs are always open so feel free to reach out!

The post 10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out appeared first on Dear Moscato.

A few weeks ago, Blue Space invited me to check out their space in Brickell.

I’m a huge fan of the water and the opportunity to workout on a space on the water sounded so fun. Naturally, I happily agreed to visit.

It was honestly a super cool experience and Blue Space thought of every little detail possible to make sure anything you need is covered.

I wanted to share my experience at Blue Space in Brickell in case you’re curious about what it’s like and considering visiting (I think you should!).

Blue Space in Brickell

First of all I’d like to share more about what Blue Space is and what you can use it for.

Blue Space is, redundantly, a space on the water that can be rented an hour at a time and used to work out, read, meditate, or simply disconnect.

It’s big enough where you can host a small group for meditating, working out, or any other small event.

I’ll cover all of the amenities later in this post, but it’s pretty much a space in an amazing location that you can use for multiple purposes.

The booking process is very simple. You can go on their website and select a date and time, fill out a brief questionnaire and you’re all set.

Blue Space will send you an email with detailed instructions on how to access the location and use the amenities.

They even have parking recommendations and will send you reminders for your booking.

In the instructions, they also cover all of their COVID-19 precautions.

COVID-19 Precautions

COVID-19 is no joke so I’m very cautious about where I go and ensure there are safety measures in place.

I felt very comfortable at Blue Space. I rented out the space for myself so there was no one else there (except Kris, of course).

They have a cabinet with face masks, hand sanitizer, yoga mat spray, disinfectant wipes and more.

I started by disinfecting everything and using hand sanitizer, so overall I felt very safe.

Blue Space Amenities

Now on to the fun part.

Blue Space is equipped with everything you could possibly need.

As I mentioned, they’re fully equipped with items to protect you from COVID-19, but they’re also equipped with items to make your experience enjoyable.

There are yoga blocks and yoga mats available for use. 

The room has air conditioning and you can control the temperature so it’s comfortable.

They also have a mini fridge with water bottles, essential oil diffuser, comfy chairs if you’d like to read, and a bathroom with shower included.

If you’d like to stream a workout video, they have an adjustable phone mount.

I did an Amazon Prime Video Barre class while I was there and it was perfect! I was able to see everything and there’s nothing better than working out with a beautiful view.

If you’d rather do your own workout but would like to have music to motivate you, there’s also a speaker available to connect to your phone.

Lastly, there’s WiFi available so you don’t even have to use your phone’s data while streaming.

I highly recommend visiting Blue Space in Brickell.

The view is absolutely stunning and perfect for a workout or to simply relax.

I will say though, if you get seasick very easily, maybe think twice before visiting.

You can barely feel the platform moving, but if you’re very sensitive to it, it might not be the best idea.

Check out Blue Space and let me know if you go visit!

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Quarantine forced a lot of people to turn their homes into their gyms.

However, I’ve been very used to working out at home for many years now.

I’ve been very lucky to have enough space in all my previous homes to create my own gym. 

From my brother’s bedroom in Colombia, to the suite I lived in during college, to our apartment’s living room and now my very own Studio Tone It Up, as I like to refer to it.

While I may have a room designated to be my home gym now, I had to get creative with my spaces previously.

For that reason, I wanted to share my favorite at-home fitness products. This way you can get a good workout in from the comfort of your own home.

Most of these are travel-friendly (emphasis on “most”) so the good news is even if you’re traveling post-covid you can do these from your hotel room!

Studio Tone It Up

The reason why I refer to my home gym as Studio Tone It Up is because most of the workouts I do are Tone It Up workouts.

Now I will say I’m a huge fan of Lindsey Harrod, Aubre Winters, The Class, The Barre Code, and all individual TIU instructors so not all of my workouts are on the Tone It Up app.

With quarantine, the trainers above have shared lots of their workouts on IGTV. I’ve been loving them so I highly suggest you check them out if you haven’t.

If you can afford an app subscription, I recommend checking out Studio Tone It Up. 

There’s so many different classes to choose from with different trainers and equipment options, most of which are easily done at home.

Plus, they have programs that you can follow for a certain period of time. These help keep you accountable and remove the need to create your own workout schedule.

I know there’s plenty of other apps out there, I went with Studio Tone It Up because I’ve been a TIU girl for a few years now so it felt natural.

However, I encourage you to check out different apps and see what you connect with the most!

At-Home Fitness Products

Now that we’ve covered my favorite app, you’ll need the perfect at-home fitness products to get you going.

The easiest, most travel-friendly one is the booty band! I have a few Tone It Up booty bands each with a different resistance so I can choose what suits my workout.

My favorite part is that you can take them anywhere and get a full body workout easily! They may be booty bands but you can also use them to work out your arms, thighs and more.

The resistance bands are also a great travel-friendly fitness product.

Much like the booty bands, resistance bands are amazing at working out so many areas of your body! They can even substitute dumbbells for bicep curls if you don’t have some nearby.

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While there are some yoga mats that are specifically designed for travel, mine is not.

I love the Tone It Up yoga mat because it is really thick so it’s gentle on my knees and has amazing grip.

I recommend checking out one that fits your lifestyle, whether that’s one for on-the-go or to keep at home.

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Dumbbells and a kettlebell are always nice to have. While it’s not something everyone can have at home, I highly recommend them.

I have varying weights so I can perform drop-sets or use light dumbbells for barre workouts. I must warn never drop them, always place them back carefully!

Speaking of weights, the most recent at-home fitness product purchase was my Bala ankle weights.

Use them as ankle weights, wrapped around your wrist, or held on your hands.

They’re a great way to level up my workouts, I’ve been adding them to all the leg and booty TIU classes.

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But that’s not all! Sliders are an amazing way to exercise every single part of your body, especially those tiny muscles that are so hard to target sometimes.

And I cannot leave my jump rope behind. It’s a great way to get some cardio in anywhere!

Just be careful if you have a fan or hanging lights – you don’t want to break those!

Lastly, I love my stability ball. It’s an amazing way to add an extra challenge to any type of workout, especially arms and abs. 

While it does take up a bit more space than the products mentioned above, it’s still a great addition to a home gym.

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I hope you found this list useful. Stay tuned for a tour of my very own Studio Tone It Up!

The post My Favorite At-Home Fitness Products appeared first on Dear Moscato.

Today marks Day 1 of the Tone It Up Love Your Body Series. This was the first challenge I did after joining Tone It Up. 

That was 2 years ago. 

So much has changed in the past two years, but a lot of that is thanks to Tone It Up. 

Yes, I did the workouts and followed the nutrition plan. Yes, I committed and woke up early every day to get my Studio Tone It Up class in. Yes, a lot of it was me. 

But I would’ve never started had it not been for Tone It Up in the first place. 

So while I’m proud for getting myself to where I am today, I can’t forget that Tone It Up gave me that push I needed. 

If you’re a TIU Member, hi! If you’re not, hi as well! And if you’re not yet but you’re considering it, let me tell you why joining Tone It Up was the best decision I ever made. 

Joining Tone It Up just over two years ago

First, I gotta take you back to 2017. I was feeling bloated, constantly sick, and just unhappy with myself. 

I remember saying “screw it. Something needs to change” so I went ahead and purchased a Tone It Up Nutrition Membership. 

I was in the car with Kris and I told him I was ready for a change and felt confident that with TIU I could feel better. 

I wasn’t necessarily looking to lose weight because I wasn’t overweight. I just wanted to gain confidence, tone up, and learn how to properly fuel my body. 

Well, I got that and more! 

After joining, I created an Instagram account where I checked in with other TIU girls and they helped keep me accountable. 

Shortly after that, I realized there were lots of Chicago TIU girls and luckily I was able to connect with them. 

It started with a workout meetup and shortly after it turned into brunches, barre classes, movie nights, dinners, smoothie dates, trips, and so much more. 

These girls became my best friends. 

They knew exactly what I had been through and understood the process perfectly. 

We could relate to so much and it honestly felt as if we’d known each other for years. 

Toning up with Tone It Up

Naturally, when you eat healthy and work out, your body changes. 

I started seeing muscle definition, felt stronger, and more importantly, I wasn’t feeling bloated anymore. 

Eating didn’t make me sick anymore and the sugar cravings were pretty much out the door. 

Tone It Up gave me the guidelines I needed to lead a healthier life. 

It taught me new recipes, to listen to my body, gave me yummy snacks and healthy desserts. 

It’s crazy what a few lifestyle changes do to your mind and body, but that was the most noticeable change after joining TIU. 

I was so happy, not just because I felt so much better, but because I had the best girlfriends by my side. 

I know a lot of people join Tone It Up to lose weight, but I encourage you to open up to the community because the friendships you’ll gain will last a lifetime. 

From TIU Chicago to TIU Miami

In 2018, we moved from Illinois to Florida. 

I was heartbroken leaving so many friends behind but I knew we’d be just a plane away. 

I’m not gonna lie, moving took a toll on me physically and mentally. 

I stopped meal prepping consistently and was eating pretty much anything in front of me. 

I struggled until once again, I said “screw it.”

I went back to meal prepping and started eating “lean, clean, and green” while reducing my consumption of foods that made me bloat. 

While I haven’t been as consistent as I was while living in Illinois, I know I always have the TIU guidelines to fall back on if/when I “slip up.”

2020 Love Your Body Series

I’m super excited to start the 2020 Love Your Body Series. 

It’s always my favorite Tone It Up challenge and I always end up feeling so refreshed after completing it. 

I’m committed to meal prepping every week (here’s why I believe so strongly in it) and following the workouts in Studio Tone It Up. 

New TIU girls always join the community at the start of a challenge so I am really excited to meet new TIU members!

If you’re looking for an accountability partner, feel free to message me! I always love keeping myself accountable with strong, like-minded women.

Let’s have a wonderful 4 weeks of loving our body, showing ourself grace, and feeling our very best!

The post Why Joining Tone It Up Was The Best Decision I Made appeared first on Dear Moscato.