Healthful Bites

    31 Jan 2012

    Confidence-Boosting Half-Marathon Training Playlist

    Running

    As you know, I’m very new to the endurance event training world—beginning this week in fact!—so I can use any advantage I can get. :) So I recently picked out several songs that not only pack motivating beats, but also inspiring lyrics (which complement my weekly “quotes to consider” well!). This 38-minute playlist, which should be about ideal to power me through a four-miler plus a quick warm-up and cooldown, will definitely be playing on repeat!

    Find my complete Confidence-Boosting Half-Marathon Playlist on iTunes, or click on each song below to download them individually.

    Photo courtesy of Flickr user Lululemon Athletica

    Quote to consider this week:

    “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” —John Bingham

    20 Dec 2011

    Healthful Bites Top 11 Workout Songs of 2011

    The holidays are upon us and another year is drawing to a close. It’s a time for celebration and reflection! I sifted through the tunes on my iPod and several “best of” lists to compile my 11 favorite workout songs from 2011. Included are some awesome options for your warm-up, cardio and cooldown—all full of motivating beats and lyrics (“This time I’ve got nothing to waste/ Let’s go a little harder/ I’m on fire” — Breathe Carolina in “Blackout”.)

    Click on each song to download individually, or download, “like” or share the whole 40-minute playlist here on iTunes!

    Click here and here for a couple more Healthful Bites playlists from 2011.

    What was your top song of the past year?

    Photo courtesy of Flickr user ming1967

    I’ll be taking some time off for the holidays, so I will see you back here in 2012. Happy Holidays!

    30 Sep 2011

    You’ll Fall For This Playlist

    For this playlist I thought instead of sharing my favorite songs from fall (find my summer favorites here), I could share my favorite songs including fall or about the seasonal changes! Since there aren’t nearly as many fast-paced, cardio-ready tunes talking about or written by “falls” of some sort, this playlist is slower tempo and perfect for a yoga session or a relaxed walk to enjoy the gorgeous fall leaves (as well as vegging out on a rest day!).

    Click on each song to download individually, or find the whole 30-minute playlist here on iTunes!

    What songs are on your playlists this fall?

    29 Jul 2011

    “Cool It” With a Summer Flashback Playlist!

    Last week on one of the warmest days of a wicked heat wave, I stepped into a 60-minute SoulCycle class. With the warm air sneaking in the front door, radiating off the pedaling people and stuck in the air thanks to a struggling dehumidifier, I didn’t feel like I was bringing my “A game.” But that all changed when the amazing instructor, Jenny, flipped on “Ice Ice Baby.” It was a complete game-changer! For the rest of the class, I wore a smile and felt like I could push myself to the limit. It’s amazing what a fun, pumping song can do!

    Inspired by that power, today I have a playlist packed with fantastic ’70s and ’80s tunes—perfect for those who haven’t heard of any of the artists on my more Top 40-style playlists. It’s also reminds you to take plenty of water breaks, since it alternates a bit of “Ice” and “Cold” with some “Hot Stuff!”  :)

    Download the complete 60-minute playlist or individual songs here, or click on each song title below to purchase that track.

    With so many options for retro workout tunes, I’m sure I missed some of your favorites. Tell me about them in the comments!

    17 Jun 2011

    Top Tunes: Summer 2011 Workout Playlist

    When each turn of the pedals gets more difficult and every step feels like I’m slogging along, nothing gets me moving better than a fast-tempo song beginning to play on my iPod. Pacing workouts to the beat of the music will keep you motivated and working hard—research has proven this to be true! (If you’re really into the finer points of these studies, this one is a must-read. It details what they found to be the exact optimal beats per minute for every song during your workout!)

    That’s why I crafted this killer 60-minute playlist, including warm-up, workout and cooldown picks, that will help you enjoy every one of your exercise experiences this summer. It’s chock-full of many current Billboard hits, so hopefully they’re tunes that you haven’t grown sick of yet! Even better news? Just click here to download the entire playlist or each song individually on iTunes—how handy!

    • “Rolling in the Deep,” Adele
    • “White Flag,” Ashlyne Huff
    • “Blow,” Ke$ha
    • “So Obvious,” Runner Runner
    • “Where Them Girls At,” David Guetta ft. Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
    • “Jet Lag,” Simple Plan ft. Natasha Bedingfield
    • “You Make Me Feel…,” Cobra Starship ft. Sabi
    • “Don’t Wanna Go Home,” Jason Derulo
    • “All I Do Is Win,” DJ Khaled ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain & Snoop
    • “Invading My Mind,” Jennifer Lopez
    • “Run the World (Girls),” Beyonce
    • “Bad Enough for You,” All Time Low
    • “Written in the Stars,” Tinie Tempah ft. Eric Turner
    • “Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga
    • “The Show Goes On,” Lupe Fiasco
    • “For the First Time (Radio Edit),” The Script

    Photo courtesy of Flickr user jbelluch.

    Which one of these songs is your favorite? Or what is the top track that inspires you to pick up the pace?

    1 Jan 2010

    Tunes That'll Make You Sweat

    As suggested on Twitter daily, here are some of my pick workout songs from the last year! Instead of listing all of my workout song picks in an iMix, I’ve selected some of my favorites for a more manageable amount. Click on the link above (the title of this post will take you to iTunes) to visit my latest iMix full of bouncin’ beats to keep your exercise routine moving!

    Are any of these songs among your top tunes for the year? Or if not, I’d love it if you’d share your choice tunes to stay motivated and sweating :)

    12 Sep 2009

    My Workout Tunes iMix!

    As promised to all my Twitter followers out there, here is a present just for you (and all of my lovely blog readers out there)! Follow the link to see all of my recommended workout songs, as of 9.9.09, compiled in one place for easy downloading. Find any new jams to download? Have any suggestions for your favorites that aren’t yet on my list?