life in June

If May was the month of relaxation and spontaneous fun, June was pretty much the complete opposite!
It was here and gone in a blink.

June was full of froyo runs, healthy dinners, weekend trips, crazy days at the zoo, late nights and early mornings working on wedding projects and fitness challenge groups, bridal showers and family visits, apartment redecorating, and lots and lots of painful and agonizing personal growth as I figure out what direction my life is heading.

It was a very messy month, but I accomplished a LOT and came out the other side feeling calm, confident, organized, and extremely excited to take on July.

Big news is coming soon :)

watermelon lemonade

Happy Saturday! Can you believe we're already a week into June? I made sure to thoroughly enjoy the month of May, but now summer is arriving and the time is flying by, eek! We're finally getting some consistently warm and gorgeous weather here in Chicago, and it is definitely "drinks on the patio" season (aka my FAVORITE!) One thing that our current apartment lacks is a nice outdoor space, but the good thing about living in a city is that there are lots of options within walking distance for us to grab dinner or margaritas on a patio or sidewalk. It might not be as good for the budget...but we have to live it up before it's winter again, right??

To celebrate the season, I thought I'd share this delicious concoction I blended up over Memorial Day weekend, when Ben and I spent two days straight sitting outside in my parents' backyard. I love pureeing juicy, ripe watermelon in the blender, it makes a frothy, sugary juice that tastes like cotton candy but is still ridiculously healthy and hydrating! I added a splash of fresh lemon juice and a shot of vodka because it was a holiday. Blending in some frozen strawberries or lime juice would also be delicious!

Watermelon Lemonade
serves 4

Ingredients

-one small watermelon, or half a large watermelon, seeded and diced
-juice of two lemons
-a handful of ice cubes
-4 shots of vodka (optional)
-drizzle of simple syrup (optional for sweetness)

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blitz until the ice is well blended! Serve immediately.

To make simple syrup: combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a pan. Heat over low until sugar is fully dissolved. Cool and store in the fridge for up to a week.

top five favorite YouTube fitness channels

I've been obsessed with at-home workout videos ever since I took a "Personal Fitness" gym class in high school, where I was introduced to the likes of Billy Blanks, Step, Mari Winsor Pilates, and 8 Minute Abs, aka the classics. In college, my roommates and I would struggle and laugh along to a vintage 1980's "Buns of Steel" VHS together in our living room late at night. I will always be a gym bunny, but there's something to be said for the convenience of just walking into your living room whenever you want and getting your workout done without having to deal with creepy strangers, gross communal mats and equipment, worrying about how ridiculous you look, or spending time commuting to and from the gym.

Over the past several years, several incredible channels on YouTube have emerged to produce great, high quality workout videos for FREE, for all types and levels of fitness. I subscribe to probably a dozen fitness channels, but these are my top five favorites for at-home workouts!

1. Blogilates

What: Fun, bubbly Pilates videos and killer HIIT routines!
For: All fitness levels, but best for intermediate/advanced. Most workouts are no-equipment needed bodyweight routines, but you will still feel the burn!
Fave workouts: Call Me Maybe Squat Challenge, Muffintopless, Pilates New Body Makeover, Bikini Blaster HIIT

2. Jessica Smith TV

What: Lots of low-impact fusion workouts, weights circuits, and an adorable bulldog Peanut.
For: All fitness levels, especially great for beginners or low-impact fans!
Fave workouts: Metabolic Conditioning, Superset Sculpt, Mat Fusion and Floor

3. Tone It Up

What: Fun, beachy workouts that will work your abs and core like woah.
For: Beginner/intermediate fitness levels, and women who want working out to feel like a fun beach vacation with their best friends.
Fave workouts: Thailand Tush, Itty Bitty Bikini (abs), MaliBooty, Bikini Body Routine, Cocktail Dress Workout

4. POPSUGAR Fitness

What: 10 minute fitness class-style workouts and celebrity trainers.
For: All fitness levels, anyone who wants a quick but effective routine.
Fave workouts: Crossfit Workout with Weights, Jackie Warner Power Pyramid, Bootcamp with Jeanette Jenkins, Cardio Warmup

5. Fitness Blender

What: Full length, no-gimmick workouts, incorporating all types of routines such as weights, pilates,  yoga, and HIIT.
For: All fitness levels, including people who want to lose a lot of weight! This is also the best "gender neutral" channel I've found, and the only one Ben will not make fun of (and he's even done a few FB workouts with me!)
Fave workouts: Can you HIIT like a girl, FB Barre, 5x5x5 for Butt & Thighs, Red Light Green Light HIIT, basically you can't go wrong.

I also love collecting circuit-style workout routines on Pinterest! You can find me at Anna Locke here!

Alright, you officially have NO excuse not to work out. Let me know if you try any of these workouts, or if you have another favorite channel I missed!