Getting into the habit of exercising can be hard, especially if you're not used to it. When you are out of shape, or not as frequent at the gym, even running on the treadmill for 10 minutes can seem like a crazy idea. Conclusion? It is very hard to get back into exercising, or if you're new at it, just finding a way to begin. Here are five fitness guru's that can help you get back on track through their ideas, motivations, and challenges.
1. Kino MacGregor
Instagram: kinoyoga
Facebook: Kino Yoga
Snapchat: kinoyoga
Kino MacGregor is an international yoga teacher, author of three books, traveler and co-founder of Miami Life Center. She also is the co-founder of Miami Yoga Magazine. MacGregor has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga, or "eight-limbed" yoga, for 15 years, and posts inspirational videos and photos on her social media every day. Because she is constantly traveling, MacGregor uses technology to bring her passion for the practice to everyone. Her online classes can be found on the Cody app, YouTube, her blog and her books.
MacGregor also offers a fun way for followers to get involved in yoga through monthly challenges. Each challenge focuses on a different part of the body and provides instructional videos on Instagram for each day. What is best about these challenges is that MacGregor describes how to properly get oneself into the poses so well, that you might as well be in a class. Because she practices the fourth series of Ashtanga, the moves she offers can be advanced. Fortunately, MacGregor provides directions for different levels of the pose so that everyone is able to participate. Currently, MacGregor is hosting her February Instagram challenge, #MonthofMeditation, with friend Kerri Verna.
2. My Nguyen
Instagram: myhealthydish_
Blog: myhealthydish.com
My Nguyen is an author, chef and mother of twins. Nguyen started her health food blog in 2012 after receiving a great deal of positive feedback on the photos of meals that she posted on social media after making for her family. Nguyen lives by the philosophy that "nutrition is a way of life and diets are temporary," and focuses her blog around free, simple and healthy recipes for people to make. Her Instagram especially catches attention as she posts colorful and delicious-looking meals that are featured on her blog. Currently, she has around one million followers. Recent meal features include her bruschetta dish for her Three Course Valentine's Dinner, spicy shrimp fettuccine Alfredo and salmon pizza.
3. Kathryn Budig
Instagram: kathrynbudig
Blog: http://kathrynbudig.com/
Kathryn Budig is a yogi, author, writer and food blogger. She is the founder of Aim True, a series of books that encourage self-love, and also participates as an Under Armour Athlete. According to her website, Budig is "a warrior for self-acceptance, honesty and helping her students and readers find true balance." Not only this, but Budig dabbles in a variety of different exercises and sports, such as martial arts. Currently, she is preparing to go on a book tour for her second book for Aim True, which will be comprised of not only book signings, but yoga classes and Q&A sessions as well.
Budig truly practices what she preaches. Unlike some exercise blogs or Instagram accounts that bombard followers with "before and after" photos or unhealthy food challenges, Budig focuses her social media on pure positivity. She posts about her life, not just about fitness, which gives followers a more personal connection to her as a person.
4. Cassey Ho
Instagram: blogilates
Snapchat: Blogilates
blog: http://www.blogilates.com/
Cassey Ho is a certified fitness instructor. Ho specializes in POP Pilates, or Pilates with pop music, which she founded in college and began teaching after graduation. Ho also designs OGorgeous bags: yoga bags that are stylish and large enough to hold gym supplies along with a mat.
Ho posts high-energy and fun workout videos on YouTube and also blogs about health and fitness. She also creates monthly challenges for her students to follow, which can focus on different aspects of the body such as arms, abs or legs. Ho also provides a meal plan for her followers to go along with her workouts, which are all offered on her blog. Some example meal plans include "The Complete 90 Day Challenge," the "Bikini Competition Challenge" and the "Vegan Meal Plan."
5. Karen McLean
Instagram: secretsquirrelfood
Snapchat: karen.mclean
blog: http://www.secretsquirrelfood.com/
Karen McLean is a food blogger and brand ambassador living in Dubai. Originally from Australia, McLean was inspired to start her blog on simple and healthy eating when she moved to the Middle East and was unable to find a lot of healthy food options. After starting the blog, it is McLean's goal to spread her love of healthy eating throughout the Middle East. With 123k followers on Instagram, she is accomplishing her goal.
Although she is passionate about healthy eating, McLean also understands that the idea of "clean eating" can connote an aura of "high maintenance." Because of this, her blog promotes a positive, light and fun way of cooking simple meals for everyone. Recent recipes featured on her Instagram include sesame cookies, gluten-free banana coconut pancakes and coconut vanilla chia pudding with pomegranate and raspberries.
