Yo! The seasons are a’ changin’ over here… and even though I am a California girl again, there is no denying that there are certain workouts that are just easier to do in the summer.

When it’s warm out, I like to swim, hike, bike, and go on super long nighttime walks with my friends and fam. When the winter starts to creep up on us… even us So Cal peeps are forced indoors a little more often. That’s why it’s been especially fun lately to try all different types of workouts. You know I am a yoga junkie, but I have also been having a blast with spin, treadmill conditioning, weights and Orange Theory (combo of sprints, weight training and conditioning while wearing a heart monitor).

However… I know we are all different, and not everyone enjoys the same things when it comes to exercise, food, relationships, life in general… you feel me. Because of that, today’s post is all about tips for staying active as the season changes, no matter what your preferences are!

Ready? Let’s go!

Tips for Staying Active as the Seasons Change

1. Stay Active to Feel Good, Not to “Look” Good

Keep in mind that while wintertime is for cozying up by the fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows and cuddles with our loved ones, it’s notttt an excuse to do that every night instead of getting to the gym or staying active. It’s something to look forward to after we get our workout on! Sure, Christmastime is a GREAT reason to be jolly and merry and eat cookies in our onesies, and I would even go so far as to say take the whole week off if you feel like it, but then get back on the grind. There is no worse feeling than January rolling around and feeling sluggish from excess food, alcohol and lack of workouts throughout the holidays. Stay on top of your workouts so you can FEEL good throughout the whole season!

Hiking because it makes me feel great + because working out with friends is the way to go!

2. New Years Goals Are MUCH Easier to Achieve If We Get a Head Start

Let’s be real. Who here has ever had serious success with New Years goals? I get it, we are all super excited about them for the weeks leading into early January and maybe even into February if we are really on top of it, and then at a certain point our goals drop off and we save them for the following year. The most success I have ever had with New Years goals is making a LIFESTYLE change. And guess when I made that change? November. Come January, I was feeling incredible and nothing was going to get in my way or stop me. I was able to kick start my health and maintain the great way that I felt because it was more about maintaining than beginning. Start now so you can maintain feeling amazing into the New Year!

3. Find Exercises You Love So You Can Be Consistent With Them

No one is going to remain consistent with a workout they aren’t excited about. And there is no reason to feel bad about disliking a particular type of workout. I love yoga, but Pilates kind of bores me. I adore spinning and running and weights, but certain types of conditioning classes just kill me and I don’t enjoy them. Find what you love so you can stick with it… And yes, that requires trying new things! Get out of your comfort zone!

Yoga is a way of life, baby

4. Make Yourself a Damn Good Playlist.

Good music makes every good workout even better. Just do it. What have I been loving lately? T Swift, Hozier, Eminem (ALWAYS) and a whole lot of country amazingness. Oh, and weirdly I have also been loving the Kinky Boots soundtrack (specifically, the song “Soul of a Man” — AMAZING.)

5. Remember That a Short Workout = Better than Nothing

The holidays are busy! We will all be juggling family, friends, shopping, get-togethers, cooking (or grocery shopping…!), tying last minute things up at work, etc. If we can spend 20 minutes of the day being active instead of sitting on our butts… you better believe that is better than nothing! A 20 minute treadmill run will get your heart pumping, and a 20 minute stretch sesh on the ground is incredibly good for our joints and our muscles.

Stretching it out before a run

How are you going to stay active this season?! If you ever feel at a loss, glance at this list and hopefully you will find a bit of inspiration. Sending you all a whole lot of love!

There are some fun things coming up on TBV this week – like a feature of one of my fav bloggers, Miss Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential, and a Year in Photos post detailing my year in NYC. Oh, and a fun giveaway post with a yummy new recipe (or two). Yay!

Today is fun too. Today we are going to talk clothes. Specifically, active wear. Because I really don’t wear anything else… and you all know that! Or do you? Well now you do.

Why do I basically only wear active wear? A) Because I like to be the comfiest of comfy at all times, B) because I like to be able to go to the gym or yoga without having to change (lazy, whoops), C) I am freakishly active, D) I don’t like to wear makeup and I do like to wear tennis shoes, so the workout get-up usually works quite well for me.

Target® C9 Active Wear:

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post aboutTarget® C9, all opinions are my own.

Sooo when I was asked to participate in Target®’s campaign and check out some of their awesome C9 active wear, I was super duper in. I tried out their Mesh Back Print Cami Tank, the Cardio T-Back Tank (favorite!!!), and the reversible Women’s Premium Shorts. I had desperately needed some new shorts for running and yoga, and these are so comfy and breathable I am in love.

But I wanted to give the clothes the true test – I couldn’t just try them on and say comfy, check, cute, check, and post away. I needed to make sure that they actually withstood the test of working out! I won’t wear workout clothes that don’t absorb sweat well (hellooo power vinyasa yoga junkie – a.k.a sweat city) and/or that stick to me in uncomfortable ways, ride up in any places or feel weird on my skin. Yeah, I’m picky. So you can trust me here.

And then I started climbing trees because I was so happy to be back in my element and out of the “concrete jungle” (ew, I hate it when people call NYC that but oh well) for a while, and it was beautiful out so how could I not?

I went down to the river to go for a run in the clothes and then finished off with some yoga (and some fishing!) by the water. Since it was 101 degrees out I was sweating my butt off, and I learned that they do in fact absorb sweat well and they don’t get uncomfortable when they get a little wet. The shorts don’t ride up or slide down when I run, and they are flexible enough so that launching into one of my many yoga poses won’t stretch them in uncomfy ways.

I kept saying to my mom when we were down at the river, “wow, these are SO comfortable!” And she was kinda like, “umm, why are you so surprised?” and then she remembered who I am (her daughter, duh) and that it’s very hard to please me when it comes to clothes. And I sort of hate shopping… I know, I’m the anti-girl in some ways, it’s weird… so finding a great outfit that I know I will wear all the time is a huge plus.

Now that I’m home I am also getting in the groove of going to personal training three mornings a week with my mom at our gym. It’s been pretty awesome (and frickin’ killer!) for me to do strength training when I am used to alternating between yoga and running. As always, the circuit training reminds me how good my body feels when I am giving it a full body workout and switching things up the way I know I should be.

And because I love you, I’m sharing… This Class FitSugar Target®: Shoulders exercise video. It is AWESOME. It kicked my butt a little bit. And I’m hoping it’ll work some wonders for my shoulders, since my upper body strength could use a little work right now. Click here to watch the vid, and to get your workout on!

Now… Do yourself a favor and check out some C9! I wouldn’t lead you astray when it comes to workout clothes.

P.S. Target® C9’s approach is accessible, optimistic, and confident. Three things I love most! Exercising is 100% about accessibility and enjoyment. If you hate the workout you’re doing, you can’t be optimistic, and well… that just sucks. I truly believe there is a workout out there for everyone. You have to be confident enough to try new things until you find what you love! Love you all & happy, happy Tuesday!