My Top 5 Fitness Equipment Picks for the New Year

I know I'm not the only one who got gift cards for Christmas! But, I am having a REALLY hard time deciding WHAT to spend them on! I was thinking you guys could help?!? Do any of you have any of these or use them regularly?
I have seen quite a few fun workouts on Pinterest and YouTube using these pieces of equipment and I think they'd be great tools to add to my regular at home programs!

1. First up is the TomTom GPS / Heart rate Monitor Watch: I have had my eye on all the different brands of heart rate watches that are coming out on the market now for awhile! I am a slacker when it comes to wearing the chest strap but I want a much more accurate calorie burn than my FitBit currently gives me. I have the Nike+ Sport Watch GPS that I wear for race training and race day, also made by TomTom, and I really like it because it's super user friendly. So maybe I should splurge and get the TomTom???

2. A Pink Bosu Home Balance Trainer: Versatile, fun, effective, and PINK....need I say more?

3. A TRX Suspension Trainer: Again, versatile, fun, effective. But, also, super portable!

4. A sweet set of Battle Ropes: I mean, they look fun and I'd probably feel like a total bad A$$ while using them....nuff said.

5. The Lebert Equalizer Bar and Sandbag combo....in Pink: Super fun way to improve my upper  and lower body strength and burn calories all in one! Oh, did I mention it was Pink?!?

The way I see it, I can't go wrong with which ever choice I make! But, I imagine now you can understand the dilemma I'm facing!

Leave a comment here on the blog or visit my FB page DAAT Fitness Gal to let me know what YOU would choose and WHY!

Until Then....

I was FEATURED!!! (again :)

WOW!!! 

Guess what everyone???

My photo was featured in the MCP 52 Week Photo Challenge...AGAIN!!!

This week's theme was "First Thing in the Morning"

I have found, that if I don't run right away-it usually doesn't get done.

This week was extra exciting because I invested a "shiny penny" in these new

Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove Running shoes!

It was love at first run! 

My feet felt so much lighter!

and 

lucky for me, I was never a "heel striker" 

so re-training has been smooth so far!

I just want to take a minute to thank

Marieke Broekman

 for choosing to feature my photo this week.

I do not know many people within the Flikr group 

thus, I don't receive much feed back on my photos.

Which is okay with me because I am simply doing this project to try and grow as a photographer.

But, this is great encouragement to me!

Being featured twice has FAR exceeded my hopes for this project!

Until Then....

My Fitness Must Haves

**Warning: this post is a little long winded (pun intended) but packed full of great ideas!**

This week

the pretty girls over @

Trulie-Scrumptious

are hosting an exercise link up.

See, just like most of us,

they are aiming to get into shape for bikini season.

To motivate themselves and others they are posting tips and tricks from "real" gals.

I am definitely a real gal,

with real struggles when it comes to eating healthily and exercising regularly.

So, I thought I'd share some of the things I do in order to stay motivated and consistent with my goals.

First, you should know

that I am ANYTHING but a creature of habit.

I am so all over the map, Columbus couldn't find me!

I realize that it's a bit "Peter Pan" of me,

but I'm into doing things when the mood strikes.

Which can make for some interesting fitness habits!

I like to run/jog, 

do pilates and yoga

and dance dance ants in my pants!

I keep dancing strictly for fun.

For me, if it becomes work-it loses its luster.

So, my workouts are comprised primarily of running.

You know why?!?

Because it's F-R-E-E and you can do it almost anywhere!

One of the things that I just couldn't live without when it comes to a run is my 

InCase Sport Armband and iPhone.

I NEEEEED to hear the motivating music!

and thanks to the Pandora Radio App I'm never at a loss for good tunes!

Lately I have been rockin the Glee Station!

Source

I also use the runkeeper app that syncs automatically to my Run Keeper online profile!

Run keeper tracks my routes, distances, average speed, and calories burned!

What more could a girl ask for???

I also make sure and bring my trusty security guard along!

iTunes offers an app called nightally.

You arm the phone before you leave 

and if needed you simply shake the phone

which will emit an alarm and bright flashing light.

Word on the street is that they will soon be updating the app with an auto dial feature!

Makes for easy dialing in case of an emergency!

I think it's also really important to be outfitted properly.

Comfy running shoes, a good watch, and properly fitting, moisture wicking fabrics are a MUST!

I am currently eyeing these babies.

This is Merrell's version of the barefoot running shoe!
*Swoon*

Last, but not least,
you gotta have motivation!
I like to set my computer's background to a picture that will inspire me to get off the net and on the road!
I also have an entire "board" on Pinterest that is dedicated to motivating sayings and images!

Source1

Source2

See, don't you feel motivated now!?!

Phew! 

If you made it through this post,

then you can do anything!!!

Until Then....