Your September 2018 Workout Calendar!

AHHHH HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!! Do you know that this means we are a little over 30 days away from the wedding!!!?? OMG OMG OMG OMG. Get this – we have everything set…EXCEPT for our officiant! I know. I know. We’re cutting it REAL close. Scary.

Anyway, it’ll be fine! What I know is that the wedding is gonna be fun, our friends and fam will have a blast, and it is going to look so so sooooooo beautiful. I have this magical vision in my head, and I hope it plays out even better than how I see it! I can’t wait to share all the pics and vids with you!

Okay, ready for your September Workout Calendar Line Up? Check it out:

1. SUNDAY: Ultimate Upper Body
2. MONDAY: Bootyful Burn
3. TUESDAY: PIIT Power
4. WEDNESDAY: Hard Core
5. THURSDAY: Totally Toned
6. FRIDAY: Recharge Day
7. SATURDAY: Lovely Legs

Click to download hi res cal!

If you’re new, here’s how it goes!

1. Head over to blogilates.com/calendar and click on the videos of the day.
2. Do each video once (unless otherwise stated)
3. Check off as you go!

Boom! That is it! Have fun and KILL IT.

Have fun! Happy September!

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Here’s what you should know about the PIIT Pocket app…

Over a year and a half ago, I had this dream that you guys would be able to create custom PIIT workouts on the go and be able to feel like I am there for you the entire way. That dream grew into a plan. We worked super hard to give you guys an easier, more convenient way to PIIT with the PIIT Pocket app!!!  I know a lot of you already bought the online PIIT28 program, so I wanted to explain all the fancy new things you can do on the PIIT Pocket app (which you can get on both an iPhone and Android, btw!!!).

CREATE CUSTOM WORKOUTS, TIME THEM TO YOUR FAVE MUSIC & DID I MENTION THERE ARE FREE WORKOUTS?! 

YOU CAN PLAN YOUR WEEKLY WORKOUTS AND HAVE ACCESS TO DELICIOUS PALEO, GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE & VEGAN RECIPES!

Here are some things you NEED to know about PIIT Pocket:

– You get FREE PIIT workouts and videos from my YouTube channel!

-You can connect to Spotify so you can listen to the playlist that motivates you the most!

-Try hundreds of yummy, healthy 28 Day Reset recipes and create your own custom meal plan based on what you like!

-Build your own workouts with ANY seven moves you want, in any order you want!

My absolute FAVORITE part of PIIT28 is seeing how you guys grow stronger and more confident, inside and out! When I see people post that they’re about to start the PIIT28 challenge, I get SO excited to watch the journey.  Posts by PIITsters like Xanthia and Amy with a caption about how their PIIT journey changed their lives give me MAJOR goosebumps!! I want to hear about YOUR journey!! If you want to hear some more amazing stories, check some out here, here, and here!

I hope you guys are loving it! Seriously, please leave a review in the App Store or Google Play Store and let me know what you honestly think! We read each and every one of your reviews to make sure we continually improve and make the best products for you guys! Got any questions? Ask them below!

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The 30 Day Water Challenge

Hey guys!

OMG. The wedding is a little over ONE MONTH! Ahhhhhhjkshfksdgkjsdlk!!!!! I can’t believe it’s already almost here after a year of planning and I am SO excited that I’m closer to being able to share everything with you guys! Too. Many. Secrets. Cannot. Contain.

Eeeeeeeeeee!

So, for the most part, I’ve been eating well and exercising, but there’s one more thing I truly need to focus on: my skin!

There are a bajillion articles on the internet about how drinking a lot of water will make your skin all soft and glowy. But the real question is… how much is “a lot”?!?! Well, according to WebMD, we should be drinking at least half our weight in fluid ounces of water every single day. So if you’re 150 lbs that means you’ll need to drink at least 75 fl oz of water a day.

Can I do it? Can I drink at least 64 fl oz of water every single day?

Hmmmm well I bet I can if I turn it into an official challenge!!

#30DayWaterChallenge Rules:

#1. Calculate how much water you need to drink by taking your body weight in pounds and dividing it by 2. Whatever number you get is the fluid ounces you’ll need to drink daily.

#2. Take a Before picture of your face on Sept 1.

#3. Print out the “30 Day Water Challenge” printable to help you keep track of your water intake. Post on Instagram or Facebook and encourage your friends to join in! #30daywaterchallenge

#4. Print out the “30 Days of Detox Water” printable for healthy flavored water recipes. Post on Instagram or Facebook and encourage your friends to join in! #30daywaterchallenge#5. Designate a water bottle for the challenge. I highly recommend the Timer Bottle! Drink 2 of these a day and you’re at 64 fl oz exactly!

#6. The #30DayChallenge begins on Sept 1 and ends Sept 30. You will drink at least half your body in fl oz every single day.

#7. Take an After picture on Sept 30. Post your before and after results! #30daywaterchallenge

I want you guys to experience all the amazing benefits of drinking more water.  Did you know it can help with chapped lips, dandruff, feeling tired all the time, AND also digestive health?!  YEAH. Water is amazing.

I’m really excited to be doing this challenge with you! And I’m curious to see what will happen to my skin if I stick to this religiously. If you’re up for the challenge, comment “I’m in” below!!! Now go share this blog post with all your friends so we can get everyone on the 30 Day Water Challenge! C’mon!

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Strangers Drowning by Larissa MacFarquhar

If you had to choose between saving two people you didn’t know or one of your close relatives from drowning, what would you do? What if there were ten strangers who needed to be rescued? Or one thousand? Would you … Continue reading →

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The ONE thing that stresses me out the most…

Hey guys!

Before I tell you the ONE thing that stresses me out the most, I’m gonna tell you that I’m running a giveaway for the 2018-2019 Focus Journal right now on my latest YouTube video!

The Focus Journal is the academic version (August 2018 – July 2019) of the yearly Blogilates Fit Planner. Basically, it’s a life planner and a fitness planner all in one!

As you can see, your daily to-do list is right next to your water tracker, sleep tracker, food logger, and workout scheduler! Personally this is the planner that I use everyday. Even though I’ve been out of school for a while, my brain still works on the academic calendar for some reason! Haha.

Anyway, back to the blog…

You wanna know the NUMBER ONE thing that stresses me out??? I don’t know if I’ve actually told you guys this before. No, it’s not wedding planning! (That’s been quite fun believe it or not!) It’s people with HUGE egos who have no consideration for anyone else but themselves. People who think they’re always right. People who don’t listen. People who won’t open their minds. Trying to argue with these people is a hopeless battle for me because logic doesn’t win with them, and THAT STRESSES ME OUT!

Okay now you’re probably feeling a little stressed thinking about the people who stress you out! Sorry. The good news is there are soooo many ways to get yourself out of your little stress funks. I know when I’m stressed, it’s no bueno. I tend to snack more on junk food, I want to skip workouts, and do things that are anti-normal Cassey because I’m feeling imbalanced. So I came up with 7 ways to help you stay fit and destress when things are crazy with school, work and life in general!

#1. BREATHE

When you are upset, anxious, uneasy and can feel your heart start to beat like it’s in a race, stop what you are doing, close your eyes, and take as many deep breaths as you need to feel calm. Remember to SLOWLY inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth and you will begin to feel the tension exit your body.

#2. WRITE IT DOWN

Too much to do? Feeling overwhelmed? Write it down and check things off as you go, even the tiny little things. You will feel SO much better once you begin checking things off! I like to write down my workouts like it’s an appointment, meaning – I can’t miss it!

#3. SET SPECIFIC GOALS

Vague goals, like “I will try to work out this week” can be intimidating and won’t really motivate you. Like, what does that even mean? Does that mean 1 workout or does that mean 7? How will you know if you accomplished it? Specific goals, like “I will take a POP Pilates class two times this week” are specific and cross-offable if you do it!

#4. DRINK MORE WATER

When I’m stressed out, I tend to snack. A lot. I get “hungry” when I am bored or stressed. So one way to keep my fake hunger in check is to make sure I am not thirsty. Sometimes thirst can disguise itself like hunger, but really, your body just needs a little hydration. So keep a water bottle with you at all times!

#5.DON’T EAT DISTRACTED

Don’t eat in front of your phone, TV, or computer! Distracted eating prevents you from actually enjoying your food, so you won’t realize how much you are eating! Take the time to really savor your meals.

#6. DECLUTTER YOUR WORKSPACE

Clean your desk! Clean your room! Holding onto junk around you may contribute to holding onto extra weight on your body. A clean environment outside contributes to a clean state of mind and clean body inside.

#7. START OFF WITH A MORNING STRETCH

Start your day off on a positive, productive note by doing a morning stretch routine! You don’t need anything strenuous or intimidating. Just a little movement to ease your body and mind into a good place. Try my “Wake Up with Me Workout“.

You can get all these tips in my latest YouTube video (below) AND enter to win a brand new Focus Journal! All you need to do is comment on the video the number one thing that makes you stressed. I’m giving away 3! And the contest is international! Good luck!!

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Stretches for when you need to wind down! Virgo inspired.

HAPPY VIRGO SEASON!!!

I can’t believe these months are flying by so quickly! We’re at the end of August, we’re wrapping up summer, and you know what that calls for? A nice way to wind down from all of the summer crazies. Ha. But I don’t know if I can wind down for another few months because WEDDING.

Anyway! Virgos, I got something for ya!

Your Sweat Horoscope:

You know that exercise is necessary for a healthy body, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily like killing yourself with burpees and box jumps all day. You know the importance of a solid stretch routine that will put your body back in balance.

Your stretch routine: Play some relaxing music and hold each of these moves for at least 1 minute on each side! Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth as you slowly slide deeper and deeper into each stretch. This routine will open up the tightness in your muscles – especially the back, the hamstrings, the hips, and the chest!

#1. Pike x 1 min hold

The pike will stretch out your hamstrings and lower back! Think about reaching the crown of your head as far forward toward your toes as possible instead of just trying to touch your face to your legs.

#2. Straddle x 1 min hold

This will stretch out your inner thighs and hips! Try to flatten your back and reach your chest towards the floor.

#3. King Pigeon Stretch x 1 min hold ea side

This stretches the hip flexors, quads, and total back. If you’re not able to hook your foot into your elbow, start slow by simply holding your toes with your hand.

#4. Low Lunge x 1 min hold ea side

Stretches your hip flexors. Make sure to create space between your belly and your upper thigh! Really push with your hand and open up your heart!

#5. Camel x 1 min hold

Opens up your chest like crazy! If it’s too much to lean all the way back, place your hands behind your back and support yourself as your lean backwards a little at a time.

#6. I.T. Band Stretch x 1 min hold ea side

Stretches your lower back and your IT band. If grabbing onto the outer part of your foot is crazy, then simply grab onto your calf. A slight knee bend is ok as you begin to work on your flexibility.

#7. Flying Pretzel x 1 min hold ea side

Stretches your back and hamstrings. If holding onto the outer foot is too intense, hold the calf with a slight bend.

#7. Single Leg Forward Bend x 1 min ea side

Feels so good for the hamstrings! Make sure both of your feet are facing forward and really push your hips back!

I hope you find this relaxing! Allow yourself some time and space to practice this routine. Don’t rush. Ease yourself slowly into every pose. Hold. Breathe. Find the comfort in the discomfort.

If you want to see the entire printable, check out my Pinterest! Do you like stretching or is it something you often neglect because you don’t have time?

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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

I enjoyed reading The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson last year and her final novel ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ published in 1962 three years before Jackson’s death tells the story of eighteen-year-old Mary Katherine “Merricat” … Continue reading →

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Snap by Belinda Bauer

The opening chapter of ‘Snap’ by Belinda Bauer presents a chilling premise based on the unsolved murder of Marie Wilks. On a hot day in the summer of 1998, eleven-year-old Jack Bright is left in a broken-down car by the … Continue reading →

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Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

I have recently read this year’s winner of the Man Booker International Prize ‘Flights’ by Olga Tokarczuk which was first published in Poland back in 2007 and has been translated by Jennifer Croft. I didn’t have time to shadow the … Continue reading →

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Celebrating 100 Years of Muriel Spark

2018 marks the centenary of Muriel Spark’s birth and I have recently read her autobiography ‘Curriculum Vitae’ and one of her most famous novels ‘The Driver’s Seat’ which was first published in 1970. The main protagonist, Lise, is in her … Continue reading →

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