Occasionally I'll update this page with products I love for my fitness lifestyle. These are my own recommendations from my own experiences. I'm not affiliated with any company except AFAA, which is where my fitness certification comes from.
Yoga Mat
Because of my spinal problems (See my fitness journey tab) I needed a good yoga mat. I purchased this Tomuno, and though thin, it's heavy, cushiony, and very sturdy. I love this thing! I double it up when needed, and when I can afford it I'll get another to have extra cushioning on the wooden floor because of my issues. I think for most people one would be enough,and if you have carpet one is plenty. It's a bit pricey, but fabulous quality, and the customer service is the best I've seen.
Foam Roller
The foam roller will both heal and destroy you. Seriously. Well, it will feel like it's destroying you as it heals you. The more it hurts, the more you need it. I get tight IT bands (the muscles that run from your hip to your knee down the sides of your thighs), and rolling on a foam roller acts similarly to a deep tissue massage. In other words, it hurts like the proverbial Dickens. (How did that saying come about, anyway?) You can choose different densities. I chose a high-density because I like to torture myself. Actually, it's because I knew it would be highly effective. And it is nearly too effective. You can get them more cheaply and in different lengths. I wanted one that would last for years since it's a necessary tool for me.
Protein Powders
I talk about protein powders in the FAQs. They aren't a necessity, but they do come in handy, especially for diabetics. (Me!) I stir it in my oatmeal to lessen the carb load, and also use it to help rebuild muscle and rehydrate after a workout. These are my two current favorites. Sunwarrior Classic is a rice-based protein, and Plant Fusion is made from several grains. Sunwarrior is a little more "earthy" and natural-tasting. Blends pretty well, but is a little chalky. I've developed a taste for it, though. Plant Fusion is very fine, tastes great. It has a little more sodium than I'd like, but it's all naturally occurring--they don't add any. Since I don't use much salt in my food, it's not an issue for me. I liked Sunwarrior's vanilla better than the chocolate, and Plant Fusion has other flavors I haven't yet tried, but their raspberry chocolate is on my short list.
