Fit & Fashionable: featuring Erika of Style Activist

Hi everyone, I'm Erika of Style Activist. I workout! I was over the moon when Lynzy asked me to guest post. While I am a stylish gal with questionable shopping addictions, I'm a fitness fanatic too. Health nut. Workout-a-holic. Call me what you want. This whole workout daily, live healthy thing is my way of life and I am so excited to share some of my tips with you.

I workout 6-7 days a week. Some of you may think this is cah-ray-zee, but I am 50% Latina so my genes tend to work against me. Plus, working out is like my cup of coffee. The pep in my step, if you will. It gets me going for the day and ready to tackle my busy schedule. Working out puts me in the best of moods, especially when paired with a healthy diet. I know this may sound annoyingly fanatical but since changing my diet and getting into a weekly fitness routine 2 years ago, my life has changed dramatically. I do this to feel strong, not skinny. 

Regardless of whether you work on your fitness on the reg or on a rare occasion, I have some tips for you that will improve your workouts and your overall lifestyle. Tips to make you feel strong! I do these in addition to my fitness regimen - which includes a combination of weight training, high intensity training and running. 

Step away from the sports drinks, the flavored waters, the sugary juices. Sorry to be a joy-kill, but I have to be honest and tell you that water is really the best thing you can be drinking. As Americans we have this problem with wanting everything to taste and look incredibly decadent and delicious. It's costing us a lot of health issues. So fill 'em up with some old school H2O. Water keeps you strong, clear-minded and flushes out toxins in the body. Tip: If you're bored with regular old water, make your own flavored waters by adding fresh lemon, berries, mint or cucumber. No sugar allowed, please.

Even if you don't workout everyday, you should stretch everyday. Stretching helps elongate the muscles, prevents injury and promotes a strong body and mind. 

These three stretches are some of my favorite -- each focus on stretching out different muscles. Make sure to do these in good form, with steady breathing and smooth movements. 

Make sure to replenish your body after a good workout or long day. I love to make fresh fruit and veggie juices that are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, but my schedule doesn't allow for it as much as I'd like. You can buy fresh smoothies and juices from local health shops but they can get pricey. I'm going to get weird on you and tell you that my secret fruit and veggie fix comes from a little packet of baby food. When I'm on the run and I need to replenish my body, I'll snag a package of HappyTot. Imagine the faces I get when I tell the cashier it's for me! Make sure to look for organic options that are free of soy, wheat and dairy. It's a whole new kind of fruit cup.

So that's it! Just a few of my secrets for a strong body. It's not about being skinny or a size 2. It's about feeling great in the body you have and being healthy. Strong is the new skinny!