On your marks. Get set. Exercise!

Get in shape with the app that turns fitness into fun and games...

We've all got a competitive side right? Now there's a fitness app that appeals to our inner competitor (racer, fighter, Olympian?) and can help you stay motivated to workout! Fitocracy is an app that turns your exercise routines into games!

Fitness geeks and gurus, Brian Wang and Richard Talens, decided it was time to help people actually fall in love with fitness; not an easy task! With Fitocracy you can climb levels, earn points, and compete in quests and challenges, turning that routine workout into an addictive game world of health and exercise! A healthy habit addiction?! How very convenient!

So if you find yourself lacking in consistant motivation or just looking to stir the exercise pot, try this app and start competing with yourself and your friends. A little healthy competition can go a long way!

Image source: Fitocracy.com

Get your exercise groove on!

Put on those tunes and get pumped to move. There's nothing like a good song to get you going!

I have a confession: I always get lazy before a workout! I'm not even kidding, before every workout, I sit myself down and realize that I begin to make up any excuse I can thinkof to avoid getting out of my house and driving to a dance class or the gym! Other than pure will power (which, let's face it, is difficult to muster more often than not!), the only thing I can think of that ever helps me get my head out of that mind set is a really good song.

Not only does music help me concentrate at work, it helps me to want to move and keep on going! A good song with a really great hook is usually all I need to get myself off the couch and, at the very least, dance like a fool for an hour in my kitchen! 

So I'd like to share with you my top three make-me-want-to-jump-up-and-move workout tunes of this week:

First up, let's take it back to the 80's with Duran Duran's The Reflex and Human League's Don't You Want Me Baby! We all need to take it back every now and then...

And someting that's a little more recent than those first two... Surfer Blood's Swim:

Enjoy and get moving! Sound off in the comments below and share your favourite tune!

Fitness and protein go hand in hand.

Let's talk about your workout and protein and discover the how, the where and the why!

Not to too long ago, a close friend said to me that he purchased protein powder to go along with a new workout plan. I thought, "Great!" and didn't really think much more on it, until he began asking questions about when and how often to take it. Well, that got me thinking about the whole connection between protein and working out...

What does it do for you? When do you take it? How much do you take? Is it only for body builders? What is this mysterious relationship between protein and exercise?! I felt like it was time to put on a detective hat and twirl my fake, non-existent mustache.

Protein is an essential nutrient for the human body. Just as amino acids are the "building blocks" of protein, proteins are the "building blocks" of human tissues. We need to consume them in order to maintain normal body functions such as muscle recovery and growth, and maintaining energy.

Ahh! The connection between exercise and protein is becoming a little clearer. But there are so many types of protein sources and forms. We may understand what protein is but how do we use it to compliment our visits to the gym? In David Smith's Ultimate Guide to Protein Supplements, he explores the ins and outs of protein and your workout, as well as taking a closer look at the various sources of protein!

So have a fabulous workout, enjoy your protein accordingly, and don't forget your daily fibre!

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Let's kick this week off with some motivation!

Follow these day of the week workouts for straight forward, dynamic workouts that are easy to do in the comfort of your own home.

If you have working out on the brain but just haven't nailed down a routine yet, we've found a simple days of the week workout infographic for you to try! Print out this straight forward Monday through Sunday schedule and you'll be kicking butt in no time. Each day consists of different amounts of "no-gym-or-equipment-necessary" exercises such as jumping jacks, lunges, and the plank, meaning you can do them anywhere. Plus, as the workouts vary from day to day, you won't get stuck in a rut and your workouts will continue to challenge your body.

Tip: Print this out and hang it somewhere you will see it to keep yourself motivated! More importantly, try hanging it somewhere you'll have the time (and space!) to actually do the exercises when you see it, such as your living room or bedroom.

Happy exercising!

Image source: http://fittipdaily.com

Did you know that exercise does more than slim your figure?!

Read on to discover 24 fabulous benefits of getting your exercise groove on!

We often talk about how exercise will help you control those cravings and lose the weight you want to lose. But there really is so much more to exercise than that! Exercise comes with many benefits, both physical and mental! For example, it makes you strong, physically yes but also mentally. Think about it: when it would be so much easier to just plop yourself onto the couch after work or stay bundled up in blankets early in the morning, and you stll get yourself up and moving? Mental strength!

In my internet searchings for interesting tidbits to share, I came across an article at BC Living, 24 Awesome Benefits of Exercise. Here are 24 awesome (like they said) reasons why we should all get at the very least, 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. If you are like me and looking for some motivation, this article will be a big help!

Until tomorrow everyone! Get your exercise on!

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