Why I’m Adding Fitness To My Yoga Life & Why You Should Too!

(Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Kiqplan. I only review things that I love & that I feel will benefit my readers! The opinions and experiences are all authentic and my own!)

I’ve been ready to add exercise to my life since my trip to Nepal a few years ago. I went on a mountain bike ride with the most wonderful ladies ever, but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Let me explain – this wasn’t just any mountain bike ride. 

They said it would moderate, but this was moderate x’s 50. I’m not even exaggerating. When I looked at the the rocky uphill path, my eyes couldn’t open wide enough. It seemed impossible, and I had no idea how my legs were going to handle it. I had no experience with mountain biking, and this wasn’t just uphill – it was extreme.

We were all struggling. The problem was that I was the weakest person there, and by a lot. I was totally beside myself because history has shown that I’m usually one of the strongest in the group.

I’ve always been a strong girl. When I was in elementary school, I raced my whole fifth grade class, and I won! 

I’m also a former gymnast that learned to do backflips on the balance beam and do pull ups on the bars when I was under 10. Because I did that at such a young age, I have amazing upper body strength.

I was honestly about to turn around because of how much I was struggling, but I didn’t want to give up.

Making it through this ride was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done. It was about never giving up, internal strength, and moving forward more than anything.

But, this was a sign that my endurance and energy was not as strong as it used to be. Not by a long shot. 

I used to do spinning classes, run on a treadmill, and the elliptical for hours. When I found yoga, everything changed. I mixed fitness and yoga for awhile, but when I started my yoga apprenticeship, I canceled my gym membership and dedicated to my 6 day Ashtanga practice, and never looked back

There were no questions. Honestly, I was happy to give up spinning and exercise machines. Ashtanga yoga is a high intense practice, and I found yoga way more fascinating than being at the gym anyway. 

That’s why when Kiqplan contacted me to partner with them, I was excited to say yes.  I’m going to be using their app to do their 12 week fitness plan!

I’ve already started it, and it’s awesome! They had me do a fitness test, and put me on a fitness schedule. I know exactly how many steps I need to take, and how many calories I need to eat each day. I follow a personalized fitness plan for 12 weeks.

They also welcome me daily with messages of motivation and fitness tips. They have a whole section dedicated to healthy recipes, and workout video downloads. I keep a daily journal of my sleep patterns, a food diary, and log how I’m feeling each day. It’s so cool!

My personal goal is not necessarily to lose a ton of weight (but at least a few pounds!) or get super toned (but I would like those sweet ab lines!), but more to increase my energy, stamina, and endurance. 

I also want to have more variety in my diet. I seriously have two or three go to meals, and make them daily. 

And, my final goal is to get on a normal sleep pattern. 

UPDATE: 

All in all, this app was good if you keep up with it. You have to keep yourself motivated, but it works if you stick with it. 

I toned my body, started drinking smoothies, gained energy, and lost a few pounds while I was at it!

Let me know if you try it!

xoxo,

Monica