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Fitness Finds (after 40)
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items I was never the active type, but as 40 crept closer it started to feel urgent to change that—and stick with it. Along the way I’ve picked up some strategies and accessories that have made the journey a whole lot easier and I like to share them with e...
Sections
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What’s in my gym bag?
Apps & Programs
Nutrition
Running Gear: Laced & Loaded
Home Gym
Gear & Gadgets
What’s in my gym bag?
Here are some every day workout items to have on hand for the gym.
I love this bag! I keep my shoes in the bottom and there are waterproof pockets inside for things that might leak.
MOCARE Travel Duffel Bag, Foldable Gym Tote
We all have our water bottle brand these days. I’m a hydro flask gal. I love this size.
Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Flex Straw Cap Bottle
THIS IS AMAZING! I use a lot of apps when I workout so having w phone holder is important.
FitWallet™ Water Bottle Phone Holder & Pouch
I just need it.
Ouharty Replacement Straw Lid for Hydroflask Wide Mouth
I have one of these on all my water bottles because I hate when they clang!
WK IEASON Silicone Base Boot for Hydro Flask 32/40OZ
I can’t workout without a headband because sweat burns my eyes. I need one that won’t slip. I have tried and been disappointed by so many but I love these!
8PCS Non Slip Sweatbands Stretchy Sports Headbands
When I first started running I had a lot of calf pain until I strengthened my legs. These helped a lot.
BLITZU Calf Compression Sleeve Footless Socks
I may be a little over the top with water bottle accessories but these bad boys keep my bottle off the gym floor and I can hang it at eye level on gym equipment to follow along with my apps (since I have a phone holder on my bottle)
Ant Mag 140LBS Heavy Duty Magnetic Hook
I sometimes take a kickboxing class. I don’t know what I’m doing but it’s fun and these work for me.
FIVING Boxing Gloves for Men & Women MMA
Curvy girls like me have a tough time with workout shorts/leggings. We just need some extra support in the tummy without breaking the bank or having to constantly buy new ones!
baleaf Women's High Waist Biker Shorts with Pockets
PSA: lock your stuff up at the gym!
Master Lock Black 3-Digit Combo Padlock 647D
These are helpful when you do a lot of lifting to protect your hands.
LIFECT Freedom Knuckle Weight Lifting Gloves
Headphones, Bluetooth speaker, phone…everything needs a different charger.
Multi Charging Cable 2Pack 4FT 3-in-1 USB
I can’t actually do a pull up but I really want to. I mostly just hang on it.
Ally Peaks Pull Up Bar for Doorway 440 lbs
Apps & Programs
These are my TOP recommendations for getting started when you don’t know where/how to start!
Team RWB exists to help veterans stay active after service but you don’t have to be one to join and it’s FREE. When I left the barstool to get healthy my bar friends didn’t come with me so I need some workout buddies. My local chapter is very active ...
Team Red, White & Blue
This app is totally free and works for any fitness level—you can choose workouts by type or length. The videos are simple to follow and even count down the seconds (which I love, because I always need to know how much torture is left). They also tell...
Nike Training Club App. Home Workouts. Nike.com
I love my gym because it’s only $10 more than the planet fitness black card but you can take so many classes and the equipment is better!
Crunch Fitness - East Lansing
This app isn’t free, but it’s also not another never-ending subscription—just a one-time fee under $10, and honestly, it’s worth every penny. Hitting my 40s, I knew I needed to start focusing on muscle (hello, slowing metabolism), but I had no idea w...
GymBook - Strength Training
This is how I became a runner, despite never being one before. The app gave me workouts based on time and told me exactly when to walk and run. I started at 39 with the goal of finishing a 5K for my 40th birthday—and the next two birthdays? Half mara...
Start Running
It’s like social media for active people. I find I do more when I know people can see what I’m up to!
Strava
Nutrition
These have been a live saver for meal prepping or just making big ice blocks for the cooler!
Silicone Soup Freezer Tray 2-Pack with Lid
I don’t get out of bed for less than 30 grams of protein.
ONE Protein Bars Blueberry Cobbler 20g Protein 12 Count
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Another quality protein bar over 20g!
think! Protein Bars, Lemon Delight, 10 Ct
When I’m doing a lot of running I like to have electrolyte water on hand. Sam’s club has the best price for individual bottles I have found.
Member's Mark Plus+ Alkaline Bottled Water 1L., 18 pk.
These are a good price. I often get vanilla and use it in blended smoothies or overnight oats.
Member's Mark 30g High Protein Nutritional Shake, Chocolate 11 fl. oz., 15 pk.
There are probably better kinds out there but I think I get more for my money out of this. Remember most powders are 2 scoops!
Orgain Organic 21g Plant-Based Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean 2.74 lbs.
Running Gear: Laced & Loaded
I always run with a hydration vest if I’m going over 5 miles. This has been a great low cost vest that has held up
TRIWONDER 5L Hydration Running Vest Pack
There are a lot of gels out there to choose from. I like these because I’m not into fruity flavors. They are like shots of frosting!
GU Energy Original Gel, Vegan, Gluten-Free, 24-Count
These socks changed my life. No more ankle sores from rubbing!
Lapulas Athletic Low Cut Cushioned Socks 6Pairs
These don’t ride up my butt and contain my unladylike sweat.
Ocojoce Womens Breathable Wicking Hipster Briefs
These are my go to leggings for winter running! They are great for curvy women. They stay in place and keep me warm.
baleaf Women's Fleece Lined Thermal Leggings
This is my favorite running bra. It holds up well and is comfortable.
Champion Women's High-Impact Compression Sports Bra
So much more affordable than name brands!!!
PurAqua Zero Sugar White Peach Flavored Electrolyte Drink Mix Sticks, 6 count
These are great to stash away for long runs! I put them in my vest if I’m running more than 5 miles.
Honey Stinger Organic Honey Waffle, Energy Stroopwafel, 16 Pack
Home Gym
I don’t have a lot of room at home which is why I have a gym membership. There are a few things I keep on hand to workout at home.
Sandbags are the chaos your muscles didn’t know they needed—unstable, versatile, and brutally effective. Lift, carry, throw, repeat.
Shifty and sneaky: Sandbags move as you move, so your stabilizers get a workout too.
All-in-one: Squat, lift, carr...
EXO Heavy Duty Adjustable Workout Sandbag 35lbs
I keep a set of dumbbells in my kitchen and use them when I’m waiting on the oven.
CAP Barbell Coated Hex Dumbbell Weight
Yoga mats are essential! I keep one at home, one in my car (ready for group workouts $ classes) and one at my office (stretching after sitting all day)
Yoga Mat Non Slip Eco Friendly with Strap
TRX workouts use suspension straps to leverage your body weight for strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Gravity is your gym: Your body weight does the work.
Core on fire: Every move challenges your balance ...
TRX GO Suspension Trainer System, Full-Body
Gear & Gadgets
We all have gadgets that make our hobbies easier. These are a huge part of my routine.
I can’t live without these. They are perfect for running. I have both the regular and the mini. I prefer the minis. I find the regular far too big.
SHOKZ OpenRun Mini Bone Conduction Bluetooth
I love this watch. I never leave home without it. I specifically got it for running and hiking.
Wearable4U Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical GPS
Mindset & Motivation
I learned so much about running and nutrition from watching these two!!
This Messy Happy
Goggins is a big motivator for me. Reading about his mental motivation was really interesting.
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind - David Goggins
Another great Goggins read!
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind - David Goggins