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The Books We're Reading This Fall

Yes, it’s only August, but in my mind, that means summer is basically over. Labor Day will be here faster than we know it, beginning the roll into the end of the year. Soon it’ll be autumn—the best time of year for cuddling up with a cozy throw and a good book.
I’ve put together a lengthy list of books that will keep you company during sunny Sundays on the couch and get you through the doldrums of late fall. From highly anticipated releases to classics perfect for sleepy autumn nights, here’s HealthyWay’s fall 2018 reading list.

Books With Buzz

Each of these books has had a certain amount of press surrounding its release. Hop on the train before everyone else to give yourself endless cocktail party conversation topics.

Killing Commendatore: A Novel by Haruki Murakami

Murakami is back with a two-part novel about a painter whose wife divorces him. He goes to stay in another artist’s house where he discovers a painting in the attic, setting strange adventures in motion. The book, which pays homage to The Great Gatsby, is so controversial it’s been censored in Hong Kong…so of course that means we’ll be picking it up as soon as it drops.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Oct. 9.

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

From the author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns comes an illustrated short work that speaks to the refugee crises raging around the world. The book takes the form of a letter a father writes to his son the night before they escape Syria. Hosseini was inspired by the photo of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian boy who washed up on a Turkish beach, and is donating all proceeds to the UN Refugee Agency and the Khaled Hosseini Foundation.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Sept. 18.

In Her Bones: A Novel by Kate Moretti

Can’t do a fall book list without a horror story. In Her Bones is a thriller following Edie Beckett, the daughter of a murderer, as she comes to terms with her mother’s crimes. When a man is found murdered, Edie’s the main suspect and has to figure out what happened. Moretti, a New York Times–bestselling author, has already received high praise for this novel; we can’t wait to get started.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Sept. 4.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents by Pete Souza

If you loved Obama: An Intimate Portrait by former official White House photographer Pete Souza, you’ll love his next photo book. Born from Souza’s shady (and beloved) Instagram posts, the book contrasts photos of Obama during his administration with Trump’s tweets and headlines from his first 500 days in office. Souza, who estimated he took 1.9 million photos during Obama’s eight years in office, has a photo for everything—and it’s delicious.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Oct. 16.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

This memoir was actually released in February 2018, but it’s been making waves all year. Westover, who grew up in an isolated Mormon family in Idaho, didn’t have a birth certificate and didn’t attend school until she was 17. Nevertheless, she went on to graduate with a PhD in history from Cambridge University. It’s a book about family, education, privilege, access, and shame—and a definite must-read.
Get your copy here.

The Outsider by Stephen King

Okay, fine, this one was also published earlier this year (in May), but if Stephen King doesn’t make an appearance on your autumn book list, you’re doing it wrong. It’s the perfect time of year to be downright terrified, and King is a master of the craft. The novel follows an Oklahoma detective’s investigation of a murder case, moving from standard procedural to a true horror story. The tale is set to become a miniseries, which leads us to our next category…
Get your copy here.
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Before They Hit the Big Screen

Because Hollywood has apparently run out of ideas, big (and small) screens are full of remakes, superhero blockbusters, and…optioned novels. Luckily for us book lovers of the world, that gives us a leg up when everyone’s talking about these films come awards season—we read the book, you know.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Ng, who knocked it out of the park with Everything I Never Told You, did it again with 2017’s Little Fires Everywhere. So much so that Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington (queens!) are making it into a miniseries on Hulu (and they’re both executive producers and stars of the show).
Get your copy here.

Boy Erased: A Memoir by Garrard Conley

Conley’s powerful memoir about growing up gay in fundamentalist Christian Arkansas talks about his experience in gay conversion therapy and the immense harm it caused him. Joel Edgerton wrote, directed, and acts in the film, which also stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe; it premieres Nov. 2, 2018.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

This 2012 novel is written from the perspective of a 15-year-old girl whose agoraphobic mother, Bernadette, goes missing before a family trip. Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup are just two members of the star-studded cast of this film, which is set to premiere on March 22, 2019.
Get your copy here.

My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy

This historical fiction novel (heavy on the fiction) follows Mary, Queen of Scots, and her often-contentious relationship with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. The two queens never met in person, but their relationship—and its outcome—shaped the course of English and Scottish history for centuries. I am what some may call a fanatic about early modern English history, so this novel—and its upcoming film adaptation titled Mary Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan as Mary and Margot Robbie as Elizabeth—is right up my alley. Regardless of historical accuracy, I can’t wait to dig in.
Get your copy here.
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Stay Informed (and Inspired)

When the weather turns a little colder and a little grayer, it’s easy to get complacent about, well, everything. Do something different this year with these books that will feed your brain—and your soul.

Invisible: How Young Women With Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch

It’s a long title, to be sure, but the topic is an important one: 117 million adults have one (or more) chronic health conditions. Women especially are conditioned to zip their lips and stop complaining, even when they’re racked with pain. Hirsch combines her experience with stories from other women, culminating in an important work on misogyny, disability, and trusting your own body.
Get your copy here.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

This nonfiction work from January 2018 covers the reality of racial issues in America today. From police brutality to institutionalized white supremacy, Oluo makes serious issues accessible, offering clarity that can be hard to find in the 24-hour news cycle and heated social media posts.
Get your copy here.

Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

McBride’s memoir follows her decision to come out as trans to her work as a transgender activist to her personal stories of—as the title notes—love and loss. The foreword from Joe Biden(!) is the cherry on top of an important book that proves that trans rights are human rights.
Get your copy here.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

Literary giant Zora Neale Hurston died in 1960, but her legacy—that lives on in classrooms across the world—was fortified this May with the release of Barracoon. Starting in 1927, Hurston interviewed Cudjo Lewis, the last African man alive to be taken across the Atlantic in the American slave trade.
In years of interviews, Lewis described his African childhood, the Middle Passage, and his years in slavery before the Civil War. Hurston’s manuscript faded from memory during the Great Depression, was re-discovered in 1977, and was published with the Zora Neale Hurston Trust in May 2018.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything So They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer

With a title like that, I’m definitely in—who doesn’t need a kick in the ass every once in a while? This nonfiction book, focused on productivity and women, looks at why we feel like we don’t have it all when it actually seems like we’re busier than ever. Falconer gives advice and tips for women who want to feel more productive—and do what they really want.
Get your copy here.

Gmorning, Gnight! Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin-Manuel Miranda

The guy who brought Hamilton to life in his award-winning play has earned millions of Twitter followers, thanks in part to his “gmorning” and “gnight” tweets that are full of encouragement, humor, and warmth. Now, in collaboration with Twitter-famous artist Jonny Sun, Miranda is releasing a book of feel-good affirmations to give you comfort morning and night.
Pre-order your copy here or get it on Oct. 23.

The Illustrated Herbiary by Maia Toll

This recommendation comes from Linsey Stevens, herbalism devotee and HealthyWay’s own Associate Editor, who says, “The Illustrated Herbiary is the perfect fall pick because it invites you to get in sync with nature’s ever-changing beauty while tapping into your own aspirations and needs. It doesn’t require a lengthy time commitment; just flip open to any page and enjoy the mystical illustrations and plant-powered wisdom—plus epigraphs from great women including Elizabeth Gilbert, Dolly Parton, and Brené Brown. Once you’re acquainted with the Herbiary, cozy up with some girlfriends and indulge in a little autumnal soothsaying as you put the Herbiary deck (similar to tarot cards) that comes with the book to good use.”
Get your copy here.
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Cozy Classics

I’m all for a brand-new book that’s making the rounds in literary circles and book clubs the world over. But there’s nothing quite like snuggling up with an old classic you’ve read a dozen times—one with well-worn pages and memories of high school English classes past. These are my favorite picks for rainy autumn nights on the couch.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Dreary English moors. Intense love stories. Tortured, brooding men. Sounds like a slow-burning crime drama on the BBC. But actually, it’s just Brontë’s 19th-century classic. It’s the ultimate in gothic tragedy, and Brontë’s exploration of social class, gender, and morality continues to be relevant 170 years later.
Get your copy here.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

If you’ve never read Dracula, do yourself a favor and read it. And if you haven’t read Dracula since high school, I recommend it all the same. The book that launched a thousand Twilight fan fiction pieces, Dracula is the fundamental vampire novel. Around Halloween this year, dig into Jonathan Harker’s travels from Transylvania to Whitby, England—it’s way better than trick-or-treating.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Did you know Frankenstein was written by a woman? And, even better, it was written as a contest entry. In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron challenged his friends, writers John Polidori, Mary Shelley, and her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, to a ghost story–writing competition. Mary Shelley’s entry, Frankenstein (which won that contest, btw) has become one of the most enduring horror stories of history. There’s far more depth to the novel than you’ll get out of any film adaptation (though Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is a delightful follow-up when you’ve had enough horror for one evening).
Get your copy here.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

True, this selection isn’t quite on the same playing field as the previous three, but it’s a classic nonetheless. Re-reading as an adult, you might be surprised by how childlike it is—after all, Rowling was writing for young children (at the beginning of the series anyway). But it’s an easy read should you need to kill an afternoon. Plus the combination of back-to-school vibes and fantastical magic are a great trip down memory lane.
Get your copy here.
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Let’s Kick It: My Go-To Soccer Workout For A Strong Body And Mind

I started playing soccer at the age of three and haven’t been able to shake my love of the sport since. In middle school, my little sister and I were notorious in our neighborhood for breaking off the tops of fence posts as we attempted to chip soccer balls over the “obstacles” to each other. My dad was thrilled about the “charm” the missing pieces of fence added to our home, let me tell you. But no matter how much trouble we got in, I couldn’t wait to get home from school the next day so that I could go outside and play soccer.
After seven years of select soccer, winning gold at the Junior Olympics in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and playing on my high school varsity team, I began to feel burnt out by the sport that had always been a source of joy for me and made the difficult decision not to pursue playing soccer at the college level.
Shortly after I settled into my dorm room, however, I found myself wishing that I’d continued to play soccer at a competitive level and couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a mistake. Craving the grass underneath my cleats, I joined an otherwise all-male intramural team and quickly became the target opponents wanted to push off the ball any chance they got.
I relished the challenge and found myself working on my footwork, core strength, and speed in my downtime after class so that I could outsmart the players who simply wanted to knock me down. As my speed and skills improved, I was knocked down less and found myself enjoying more room on the field as my teammates rallied around me.
Although the intramural team disbanded one season later, I kept working on my footwork and still use some of the same drills I’ve learned from my coaches along the way as my go-to soccer workout on days when I want to switch up my fitness routine a bit.
All you need to complete this workout is a soccer ball and some open space. I’ll typically walk across the street and execute this workout on the middle school soccer fields adjacent to my home. But this workout can also be done in a backyard, local park, or even indoors (though I would definitely recommend a room with some space and storing any valuables in a safe place). I also typically wear soccer cleats for this workout, but they are not required—just be sure to avoid any damp/wet grass if you’re in tennis shoes as you could easily slip and end up on your bum.

But first…we need to warm up those muscles.

Before you dive into the specific exercises, I strongly recommend warming up your body a bit for these soccer-style movements. I try to do my warm up in an area where I have 10+ yards to run (like the soccer field at the middle school across from my home, but a backyard setting works nicely here as well).
Using the 10-yard marker on the field, I do the following movements consecutively to complete one circuit. I do each movement down to the marker and back to the starting position before beginning the next exercise. All four exercises combined compose my mini circuit. I do this entire circuit a total of five times, taking 30-second breaks after each individual exercise.

  • Butt kicks: This movement is similar to a light jog, but instead of going with your normal gait, you bring the backs of your heels up to lightly kick your own bum as you move forward. If you don’t want grass and/or mud stains on your clothes, you can place your hands, palms facing out, near the bottom of your cheeks so that you can kick your hands instead.  
  • Side shuffles: With your hips shoulder width apart, squat low as though you are a hockey goalie (you can put your hands out in front if this helps you with balance) and shuffle sideways like a crab without crossing your legs over each other. You should be facing right or left during this movement, not looking straight ahead. Begin by facing right and then switch to facing left on your return.
  • High knees: This movement is similar to marching in place, except you are moving your body forward at a faster pace. Try to bring each knee up to about chest level and remember to keep breathing.  
  • Slow jog: Take this time to be mindful of how your body is feeling. This is a great time to catch your breath if you’re feeling a bit winded from the other exercises.  

After I’ve warmed up my body and awoken my legs from their sedentary slumber, I like to gently stretch for about five minutes. During this time I’ll typically focus on stretching my hamstrings, quads, calf muscles, and hips to prepare my body for the remaining exercises.

My Go-To Soccer Workout

Full disclosure: some of the following exercise names (i.e. juggling) are legit, but some are completely made up by my brain as a way to remember the motions involved.

Tap, Tap, Pull

With your soccer ball in between your legs, pass the ball with the inside of your right foot to the inside of your left foot (this counts as the first tap in the title). As soon as the ball touches your left foot, pass the ball slightly in front of your right foot (this counts as the second tap). The soccer ball will now be slightly in front of your right foot. Using the bottom of your right foot (specifically the front portion or ball of your foot), pull the soccer ball back until your right foot is under your torso and the ball is in front of your right foot and begin the exercise over again. Do the entire tap, tap, pull motion 10 times on each side.

Push-Pull

While balancing on your left foot, tap the soccer ball slightly forward with the inside of your right foot and then pull it back closer to your body using the bottom of your right foot as you continue to hop and balance on your left foot. Do this exercise 10 times on each side.

Juggling

Juggling is one of the cooler soccer skills in my opinion, but it isn’t as easy as it looks. Try juggling the soccer ball on your thighs for three to five minutes, using the top of your thighs to make contact with the soccer ball. You can incorporate other body parts (feet, shoulders, and head!) as you become more comfortable, but the thighs are typically a great place to start since they offer more surface area. The key is to keep your touches soft and controlled so that you are able to keep the ball close to your body.

Weave

Place eight to ten cones (or household items as makeshift cones—I personally like using mason jars) in a straight line about two steps apart. Using the inside and outside surfaces of your right foot only, weave the soccer ball through the cones—going around the outside of one cone, then the inside of another, then back to the outside until you’ve gone through the entire line of cones. Once you arrive at the other end, turn around and weave your way back using only the opposite foot. This counts as one round. Repeat this weaving motion 6 to 10 times.

Roll Over

With the soccer ball near your right foot, gently place your right foot on the side of the soccer ball and roll the ball underneath the sole of your foot so that the soccer ball winds up on your left side. Repeat the motion with your left foot to return the ball to your right side. Do this movement 20 times total, switching your dominant foot with each roll.

Toe Taps

With the soccer ball placed in front of you, lightly tap the top of the ball with the bottom of your right foot then alternate to tap the top of the ball with the bottom of your left foot. Repeat this motion as you pick up the pace of your taps and find your rhythm. Do this for three 30 second rounds, resting for 10 to 15 seconds between each round.
Want to kick it up a notch? For an added layer of difficulty, slowly move your body and the soccer ball forward as you tap the top of the ball. This will require you to lightly push or roll the soccer ball forward as you tap. Once you have this motion down, you can try moving backward and even side-to-side while maintaining your toe tap rhythm.

Bonus: Ab Work

Keep It Up

For this exercise, imagine that the soccer ball is something extremely important to you that you do not want to drop. You want to hold this item up and keep it off the ground throughout this entire exercise (think: the floor is lava!).  
Starting in a seated position, lift both of your feet off of the ground while holding the soccer ball out in front of you. Try to hold this position for three 30 second rounds, taking 10 to 15 seconds to rest in between each round.

Ball Pass

Lay down flat on your back with your legs straight out in front of you (your feet should be hip-width apart), hold the soccer ball with both hands above your head so that the soccer ball and your body are making a straight line. Without straining your neck, keep both legs straight while bringing them up close to the center of your body and simultaneously using your arms to bring the soccer ball up to meet your legs. From there, place the ball in between your feet (squeeze tightly so that the ball cannot fall out) and bring your legs and arms back to the starting position. The soccer ball should now be in between your feet—not your hands. Repeat this 10 to 15 times—passing the ball between your feet and your hands—for 3 sets.  

Cooldown

To cool down, I will jog once or twice (depends on my mood to be honest) around the entire soccer field (you could jog around your backyard, take a lap around the playground, or even jump rope for a few minutes) before I stretch for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. I don’t have a specific stretching routine for my cool down, I just really try to listen to my body and focus on where I’m feeling a bit tight.  
When my body and mind are feeling more at ease, I like to incorporate some breathwork, specifically the equal breathing technique, to further calm my mind and slow my heart rate. In a seated position on the field, I will breathe in through my nose for 5 counts and out of my nose for 5 counts for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. This time allows me to meditate and show gratitude for my body, the environment, and the workout I just accomplished as a strong body is not complete without a strong mind.  
If you try my soccer workout, I want to know your thoughts! Post in the HealthyWay Collective Facebook group if you enjoyed this soccer-inspired sweat-sesh or let me know what exercises you would add.

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How To Build The Ultimate Home Gym When You’re Short On Space (And Cash)

The great gym debate was my daily struggle throughout the first two years of my professional career. Each evening during my commute I would ask myself: Should I force myself to go to the gym when all I want to do is beat traffic and get home to my fur babe? Do I race home only to find myself sitting on the couch filled with regret that I hadn’t just sucked it up and prioritized physical exercise? Is the money I’m spending on this gym membership each month actually worth it if I don’t attend daily?
Now you may be wondering, Why doesn’t this chick wake up earlier and work out before she goes to the office? And that, my fellow boss babes, is a valid question. I have, however, attempted the early-riser workout multiple times during my lifetime, and it has a success rate of zero for me since I am not my true self in the morning but instead a crabby toddler trapped inside of a grown woman’s body.
Since I’ve learned through trial and error that evening workouts are what works best for my schedule and body, I was initially drawn to the idea of a gym membership, especially one that offered access to various fitness classes later in the day. Despite this enticing group class atmosphere, I still found myself rushing home after a long day at work and avoiding the gym entirely. As I calculated the cost of my gym membership in my head ($20 per month x 12 = $240 each year), it dawned on me that I could remove this daily source of stress and guilt by creating my own home gym!

Home Sweet Home

Shortly after this realization, I decided to cancel my gym membership and began seeking free ways to keep my body moving after work such as plogging and began repurposing my gym membership money into funds for equipment for my home gym.
Fortunately for me, my house has a small extra bedroom (8 x 10) that my fiancé and I use as an office that I knew would be the ideal place to create my gym. Although this room isn’t particularly large, it does offer a lot of natural light, which I find comforting after a long day at the office staring at a computer monitor (or three).
As I began to brainstorm what items I would need for my home gym, I knew that I wanted to keep the space both minimalistic and motivating since—let’s face it—I’m 26 and short on time and cash, so I want to make my home workout efforts count. To create my ideal workout sanctuary, I prioritized finding versatile, compact fitness equipment that could be easily stored in a corner of the office/home gym room.

So what’s in my home gym, you ask?

  • Resistance bands: These different colored natural latex bands are associated with varying levels of resistance so that you can increase the level of difficulty as you become more experienced. I was drawn to this particular set because they came with a compact storage bag and a workout instruction guide. Looking for some full-body resistance band exercises to try? Look no further, sis. HealthyWay HQ has you covered, just click here.
  • Adjustable kettlebell: Some people choose to buy a kettlebell set (typically with three individual kettlebells of varying weights), and that is totally fine, but I personally love the portability of this adjustable kettlebell. You can easily adjust this kettlebell from 5 lbs to 8 lbs and up to 12 lbs with a simple click and twist motion. Kettlebell workouts are a wonderful option for a full-body workout and are my go-to if I’m feeling anxious, so this adjustable kettlebell was a must-have item for my home gym.  
  • Jump rope: Ah, the trusty jump rope! This workout staple is not only compact and easy to transport, but jumping rope also has some impressive cardio benefits. (If you aren’t blessed with high ceilings like I am, you might need to take this part of your home workout into the yard.) Though I’m no jump rope queen like Janine Delaney, I do find jumping rope a great way to warm up my body before starting a bodyweight workout circuit. Want to try the HealthyWay jump-rope workout challenge? Start here.  
  • Dumbbells: Dumbbells were another item that I knew I wanted to have in my home gym. When I went to local sporting goods stores to buy new dumbbells, however, I was a bit startled by the prices, so I began scouring local garage and estate sales in the hopes of finding a more budget-friendly dumbbell set. About two months later, I purchased a pair of 10 lb dumbbells for $3 from an elderly man who was moving to Florida to retire. Although he refused to take me to the beach with him, he did give me a great deal on these gently used dumbbells! If you’re trying to save some cheddar while designing your home gym space, I strongly recommend exploring what your local garage salers have to offer. If Amazon shopping is more your thing, these cast-iron and rubber dumbbells are a great place to start your search.

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  • Yoga mat + towel: Despite the fact that hot yoga is my practice of choice, I still enjoy rolling out my mat at home for a 20-30 minute vinyasa flow at least once each week. This reversible lululemon yoga mat and towel was definitely a splurge, but since I use these items multiple times per week (at home and in a studio setting), this was an investment that I could justify.
  • Soccer ball: My athletic career began at the age of three when my father gave me my first soccer ball. A select soccer career and Junior Olympics championship later, I still always keep a soccer ball handy (although my footwork and cardio are nowhere near what they used to be). A soccer ball is a relatively cheap investment that can last for years. Once a week I’ll juggle the soccer ball or do various exercises in my home gym, using household items like mason jars in place of cones. These exercises keep my mind focused and heart rate elevated as I challenge myself with different patterns to put my footwork to the test. Plus, this is a great way for me to switch up my workout routine that brings back happy memories. For full disclosure: I have had the same size 5 soccer ball for the past five years, so this wasn’t something that I needed to buy for my home gym. I am personally a fan of adidas soccer balls, but it is really a matter of personal preference. Most quality soccer balls will cost between $20 to $45 on average.
  • Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes: I’m admittedly a bit of a germaphobe, so I like to keep these natural surface cleaning wipes handy in my home gym to wipe down any equipment (aside from my yoga mat—but for ways to clean your yoga mat, we’ve got you covered here) after use. It also makes me feel good to take care of my home gym items so that I can ideally extend the life of these purchases and make my investments last for years to come.

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By making conscious product selections, I was able to acquire all of the equipment that I needed for my home gym for less than I would’ve spent on a one-year gym membership. If my calculations are correct *pushes up glasses*, these items cost around $160 (we can call it $180 if I had purchased a new soccer ball), so I’ve already saved $60 by making this switch.  
Aside from the cost aspect, one of the things I love most about my home gym is that I no longer have to worry about the great gym debate during my commute after work because my gym is within my home.
With these few items, I now have the ability to do cardio workouts, kettlebell exercises, bodyweight workouts, yoga flows, and so much more—all from the comfort of my home! When I’m feeling uninspired, I simply turn to YouTube and watch workout videos from Blogilates or listen to a HealthyWay Collective playlist for a motivation boost.
Speaking of motivation—that is the final important element of my home gym space. To remind me why I began my fitness journey in the first place, I’ve hung various positive affirmations and images of women who inspire me on the walls and try to keep the room as clutter-free as possible. To achieve this, I keep my yoga mat and towel in a slender, hand-me-down basket from my mom, use a homemade wooden wall mount for my jump rope and resistance bands, and keep the remainder of my exercise equipment in a small storage box that was once collecting dust in my basement.  
With a little bit of space, a few repurposed items, and some lucky Amazon steals and garage sale finds, you too can create your ultimate home gym for less than what you would spend on a gym membership. With that being said, I want to conclude by pointing out that my intent is to show that you can create an epic home gym for less than what you would spend on a gym membership…but that doesn’t mean you should. If the gym is your happy place—go to the gym and get your sweat on, girl! Each one of us has our own unique fitness journey and sources of motivation, so do what works best for you.
If you create your own home gym space, I’d love to see! Be sure to post your pics in the HealthyWay Collective Facebook group or tag @itsthehealthyway on Instagram.

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What’s In Our Bag: Yoga Bag Edition

Packing your bag for a yoga class looks much different than packing for a spin class or a gym sweat sesh. Not only do you need to bring your mat, towel, and shoes, you also need a bag that makes it easy to do so. Most yogis want their practice to be as minimalistic and simple as possible—and for their bags to mirror this. Fortunately, it is possible to bring along the items you need without feeling weighed down. Here’s what’s in our bag for yoga class:

Perfect Yoga Duffel

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There’s no denying that a strategically packed gym bag is a huge part of workout preparedness, and the same holds true for yoga. The Everywhere Duffel from lululemon has plenty of internal pockets to house your essentials and convenient straps to secure your yoga mat to the top of the bag, so it’s easy to carry everything you need all at once. It even has a heat-resistant pocket for storing hair styling tools, so you can bring everything you need to get ready for the day or a night out after class.
 

lululemon

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Quality Yoga Mat

A great yoga mat can make or break your experience. Finding a quality mat will keep your poses steady instead of slippery. This Manduka mat is super dense and plush without being too soft, offering you tons of support and protection during your flow. The material also repels sweat to help keep your mat nice and clean.

Amazon

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Yogitoes Skidless Mat Towel

Whether you’re taking a hot yoga class or just doing yoga outdoors on a hot day, there are times when even the most skid-proof mat will get a little slippery. Don’t think you need to invest in a whole new mat, though. Instead, keep a mat towel like the Yogitoes Skidless Mat Towel in your bag so you can quickly wipe down your mat or place the towel on top of your mat before returning to your flow. The bottom of the towel is lined with silicone pads to keep it in place, and the top is made of absorbent fabric that’ll help wick away sweat to prevent slipping.

Athleta

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Wet Bag

We all know hot yoga classes end with sweat-drenched clothes. With this wet bag, your sweat can stay in one place instead of spreading all around. Although you’ll have to remember to pack another outfit, keeping a wet bag in your gym duffel will make it easy to keep your sweaty clothes contained until you can throw them into the washing machine. It’s also a great accessory to have if your gym has a pool or sauna.

Bed Bath & Beyond

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Yoga Accessories

Yoga blocks are a simple way to incorporate support into certain poses. They’re not too large or heavy, making it easy to stash one in your bag for class. The cork material makes these particular blocks a little more sturdy than the standard foam option. Plus, having your own blocks means you know they’re properly sanitized after use, so you never have to worry about whether they’re clean or who used them before you.

Amazon

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Hand Towel

Even if hot yoga isn’t your thing, you can still get a little sweaty after holding a particularly difficult pose. The smallest bit of sweat can make your yoga mat slippery, which is why it’s a great idea to keep a hand towel in your bag. You can use it on top of your yoga mat to add a little more stability when your hands get sweaty, or just keep it nearby to wipe the sweat off of your face and hands.

Amazon

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Yoga Mat Cleaner

Yoga mats aren’t always cheap, and even if you’re the only person using yours, it’s still important to make sure it’s sanitized regularly. The best time to give it a wipe down is right after you’re done using it, so it’s a great habit to keep a bottle of cleaner in your bag to make the task as simple as possible. This spray uses gentle, plant-based ingredients to help disinfect your mat, including lavender essential oil, which will also give it a fresh, calming scent. It comes with a microfiber cleaning towel to help absorb any extra product, leaving your mat clean and dry for the next time you need to use it.

Amazon

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GoodWipes

Just like your yoga mat needs to be wiped off when you’re done using it, freshening yourself up after a workout is also important. We’re not just talking about putting on some deodorant or fixing your ponytail, either—letting sweat linger on your skin can clog your pores and allow bacteria to build up, causing breakouts and rashes. If you don’t have time to take a shower before you leave the gym, keeping a few GoodWipes in your bag is a perfect alternative that’ll help cleanse your skin and leave a fresh scent. They’re alcohol-free and pH balanced, so your skin will be moisturized and clean in one swipe.

Amazon

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adidas Women’s Adilette Comfort Slide Sandal

Sure, you can wear your favorite pair of sneakers to the yoga studio, but why not go with something that’s a little simpler to take off and put on? These slides are simple and comfy, perfect for completing a casual post-gym athleisure look. Keep in mind that these slides do run a little large, so order the next size down if you tend to buy between sizes.

Amazon

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Collective Exclusives

How To Create A Morning Routine You'll Actually Stick To

From countless articles on how #bossbabe CEOs spend the early hours of their days to entire YouTube videos on how bloggers bounce out of bed, morning routines (and finding out the details of other people’s routines) are definitely a Thing.
And they have been for a while. Take Princess Margaret, for example. When it came to morning routines (and a lot else in life), she had the right idea. Unlike the power routines you’ll see from people on Forbes’ front page, though, she didn’t actually do much until about noon.


No wonder articles (yes, like this one) about morning routines are still popular; Her Royal Highness’ morning breakdown is more than 60 years old and people are still reading it. Finding out minute-by-minute details of how others make their mornings work makes sense, though: Not only are we all inherently creepy (blame social media), the routines of influencers everywhere always seem to involve a whole lot of lemon water and soothing yoga flows—pretty idealistic.
How your mornings go, on the other hand, might be a little frantic in comparison. But let’s say you want to get from here (rolling out of bed bleary eyed and getting ready in a daze) to there (singing like a Disney princess to baby birds while sipping coffee): How do you do it?
With a morning routine.
By the way, morning routines aren’t just for show. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has explained their benefits, proving that there is some scientific backing to starting your days off right. A routine can increase productivity, energy, and inspiration. And a routine makes you hold yourself accountable: You decide how you’re going to spend those first minutes out of bed.
HealthyWay
And to make it work, you just do it—right? Well, sometimes! If you’ve read countless features detailing every minute of your social media girl crush’s morning but still can’t make it happen for yourself, that might be because you’re just recreating someone else’s day instead of developing a routine that actually addresses what you need.
Here’s how to sort through your routine so you can crush your mornings.

First Things First: Find your why.

Why are you so interested in a morning routine in the first place? Is it because you see them all over social media and you’d like your mornings to be equally as beautiful? Is it because you’ve read about the routines of super successful people and you, too, would like to be a super successful person? Is it because being a morning person seems like something you probably should be at this age? Is it because you have a lot of shit to get done and before work is the only time to do it? Is it because you’re constantly rushing around and end up being late to work three times a week? What is it that you want to change about mornings? What is it that you want to change about your life?
Why do you want a morning routine, sis?
Think about this question for a minute, then come back. I’ll wait.
HealthyWay
Note that all of the motivations I listed are completely valid. No matter the reason for wanting to have a morning routine, it’s just important that you have one.
Having a why will be what you think about on those mornings when staying in bed for just 10, 15, or 20 more minutes feels incredibly appealing.

Figure out what’s already working.

Believe it or not, you already have a morning routine, even if you didn’t plan it out that way. Think about everything you do each morning: get out of bed, brush your teeth, get dressed. The list goes on. That’s a routine. Now think about which of those things you have to do. Those need to stay in the routine.
Besides the basics, is there another thing that you do every morning? Do you enjoy doing that thing? Then keep doing that thing. Just because a thing was not in Princess Margaret’s routine (and not much was) does not mean it can’t be in yours.
On the other hand, let’s say you do not like that thing. Unless it’s truly necessary, ditch it.
At this point in your life, you probably know what you don’t want. (What you do want is a question most people can never fully answer and is a topic for another article.) If you don’t want to get up at 5 a.m. to go to the gym, don’t do it just because the founder of your favorite skincare company does. If you hate coffee, don’t drink it just because you think you need a caffeine jolt.
This is your morning after all—design it for you.

Set your goals.

You’ve got your why, and you’ve got your list of things you need and want to do—and the things you want to cast off. Next up in creating a morning routine that really works for you is to set goals. Everyone’s mornings look different because everyone’s priorities are different.
For instance, do you want…
… To focus on nutrition? Get your day going by jump-starting your metabolism: Drink a full glass of water as soon as you wake up. And don’t skip breakfast!
Make it impossible to forget about your newfound water habit by keeping a carafe and glass set on your nightstand. After breakfast, it’s time to caffeinate: Save some money and take your coffee on the go—ban.do’s travel mugs never fail to put a smile on my face.


… To get moving? Throw down a yoga mat and start flowing. Go for a quick run (pre-shower, please). Try some HIIT workouts to get your heart rate up.
… To reflect? Journaling has proven benefits; whether you’re into the bullet journal craze or you want to focus on gratitude, post-dreamland contemplation can bring out the realest thoughts. Start your morning off slow with some meditation—when the rest of the world is rushing around getting ready, taking even five minutes to be in your own mind can set the tone for the rest of the day.
We know you’re busy, but take some time to write down your dreams, sleepy ideas, and a few things you’re grateful for in your favorite notebook: something cheeky like this one from ban.do or a customized notebook from Pop & Suki are hard to ignore! Inner reflection more your speed? Plop down on a pouf and open up Headspace.


… To be more productive? That might mean building in time for brainstorming for a big meeting or responding to emails. You can also multitask: Join a webinar while you do your makeup to stay up-to-date with industry happenings.
… To stay informed? Podcasts are a busy girl’s best friend. Depending on how much time you have, I recommend NPR’s Up First (10 minutes), The New York Times’ The Daily (20 minutes), and Crooked Media’s Pod Save America (60-90 minutes). Or go old school and actually pick up a paper. (Print media is dying; it’s up to us to save it!)
… To have flawless skin? Girl, I hear you. Build in time for a skincare routine that beauty bloggers ’round the world would envy. A sheet mask is a quick way to indulge yourself—and start your day off hydrated as hell. Don’t forget the SPF!
My morning skincare routine isn’t complete without my Foreo Luna mini 2—the gentle scrubby action combined with my ultimate fave cleanser, Pacifica’s Sea Foam Complete Face Wash, is a refreshing way to start my day. As for SPF, I always turn to sunscreen queens Supergoop! and Coola. Supergoop!’s SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen before my makeup and Coola’s SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray after keeps me protected and hydrated.

Make it happen.

Deciding how you’re going to spend your mornings and actually putting those things into practice are two very different things. Here are our top tips for making your morning routine work.
Start small. Rome was not built in a day, and neither were the best morning routines. You can’t expect to go from a typical morning to something that would hit the Instagram Discover tab in just one day. Pick one or two new steps to incorporate into your morning routine and master those first.
Multitask where possible. Even the most dedicated morning people can struggle to accomplish everything in the time between waking up and making it into the office. That’s why it’s key to multitask: If you’re committed to hearing about the news every day, listen to a podcast in the shower. If you don’t have time to sit down to breakfast, grab something you can eat in the car. Make it work for you and the amount of time you realistically have.
HealthyWay
Start the night before. Preparation is key! Lay out your clothes the night before, meal prep your lunches, and take off your makeup. When you start thinking of your morning routine before you’re even in bed, you’re that much more likely to be successful.
Be gentle with yourself. You’re going to have mornings when you sleep in or mornings when you feel like crap or mornings when you just don’t want to do your routine. That’s okay. The whole point of building a morning routine is that it works for you as an individual, and if that means skipping it sometimes, you’re not a failure. You’re just a person.

My Morning Routine by the Minute

6:45 Rise and shine! I drink a glass of water in bed and check emails or any pressing social media notifications—a lot of people say not to check your phone as soon as you wake up, but I like to catch up right away.
6:55 Out of bed and into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. While it’s brewing, I pick out a quick meditation on the Headspace app.
7:00-7:10 Meditate. Though it’s only five minutes, this is my quiet time—no lights on in the house is key.
7:10-7:15 Quickest shower ever. I wash my hair and shave my legs at night, but I need a morning refresh to wake me up. This is when I put on a punchy playlist for a jolt of energy.
7:15-7:35 My morning skincare routine and makeup. I typically switch to a podcast at this point—usually Who? Weekly or the newest Crooked Media pod.
7:30 Wake up my 6-year-old daughter. This often takes a few minutes and always ends with a “good morning” song! Thankfully, she can pick out her own clothes, brush her teeth, and generally get everything she needs for school ready on her own.
7:40 Get dressed! This is generally pretty easy for me because HealthyWay HQ is v casual so I can really wear whatever I want.
7:50 Make sure my daughter is ready to go and gather any last-minute things.

8:00 Out the door and on the road.

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Collective Exclusives

The Nighttime Skin Routine You'll Never Want To Skip Again

We’ve all heard that we need to take our makeup off and wash our face before bed every night. I’m not here to debunk that: It’s definitely true. But some nights, devoting time to a skincare routine is a lot easier than others.
Some weeknights, I do a multi-step skincare routine involving a face mask (or two), accompanied by a glass of a big, bold California Cab and the latest episode of whatever Bravo reality show I’m binging that week. And some weekend nights, I get in my front door from an Uber after one cocktail too many and take the shortest pass possible at my face with micellar water, dab on some moisturizer, and fall into bed.
HealthyWay
See, having a routine that you’ll still do when you’re busy, exhausted, or yes, even a little tipsy, is the important part. If you think you have to do essences, serums, oils, and creams every single night, you might be setting yourself up to fail.
Pare back to the basics, though, and you have more freedom to add in more products when you actually have the time (or desire).

Can’t I just wash my face in the morning?

You should wash your face in the morning! But I like a fairly minimal morning routine (so I can sleep longer) and prefer to do the heavy lifting at night.
Besides sleeping in a bit longer, a nighttime skincare routine is important for two more major reasons: 1) you really should get the dirt of the day off your face, and 2) cellular regeneration happens at night.
Cellular regeneration means your cells are repairing themselves, giving you a youthful glow. Our cells work overtime at night to repair themselves, dividing at less than half the time than when we’re awake. By sticking to a skincare routine, you’re taking advantage of the cellular regeneration process and helping it along.
Sure, your body is likely functioning as it should—boosting collagen production and destroying free radicals—but going to bed with a sleeping pack on is giving your skin a leg up. Treat it well, and you’ll definitely see results.

Start simple.

At its most basic, a solid nighttime skincare routine should involve removing makeup, cleansing your face, and moisturizing. Anything else you add on is gravy—but that gravy is usually worth it.
Use a makeup remover to do the heavy lifting of taking your makeup off. Using a dedicated remover instead of letting your cleanser do that work allows your cleansing product to focus on its job: removing dirt and impurities from your skin.

My Picks for Makeup Removers…

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is my go-to; the consistency easily melts away my makeup, but it doesn’t feel heavy after cleansing.
If you’re a makeup-remover traditionalist (is there such a thing?), you can never go wrong with Lancôme’s Bi-Facil Double-Action remover. Just don’t forget to shake it well!
On the go? Skip the makeup wipes and get a makeup remover cloth, like the OG MakeUp Eraser cloth. It’s not my favorite pick for waterproof liner and mascara, but on light makeup days or when I’m traveling, having a product I know won’t spill is a godsend.

My Picks for Cleansers…

I can be pretty bougie when it comes to skincare, but I cannot deny the allure of Pacifica, a vegan, cruelty-free company. Their Sea Foam Face Wash is sulfate- and paraben-free, doesn’t dry out my skin, has a fragrance just light enough to smell (but that won’t hang around), and it’s under $5. Yes, girl.
And on the other end of the financial spectrum, I have to give it up for Tata Harper’s Purifying Cleanser. While I’m always conscious about stripping my skin’s natural oils, this cleanser is great for purging the nasties from every skin type.

Add in a moisturizer after you cleanse, even if you have oily skin or tend to be acne-prone. Your skin is doing a lot of work at night, and it needs that extra love.

My Picks for Moisturizers…

At this point in my skincare journey, I’m pretty much a Drunk Elephant evangelist, and nothing makes my heart sing like the combo of their Protini Polypeptide Cream followed up with the Lala Retro Whipped Cream. If your skin is extra dry like mine, that combo will do you right. If you’re on the oilier side (or want a lighter feel during the day), you may just want to stick with the Protini.
I understand if the word “cream” makes your pores want to run for the hills, so until you’re more comfortable jumping into the ultra-moisturizing waters, you can go for something a little lighter. Murad’s Essential-C Night Moisture is a thinner consistency and its vitamins A, C, and E will increase that nighttime cell turnover.


If you’re going the minimalist route, that’s really all you need. But on those days your skin is needing a little more TLC, you can always add in extra products to the routine.
If you want to add in just one more step… Go with a toner right after you cleanse. Toners of years past were often harsh, astringent, and drying. These days, they’re just setting the scene for your moisturizer and offer a much-needed post-cleansing pH balance or a little extra hydration.
I’ll never stop singing the praises of Son & Park’s Beauty Water—a multitasker if I’ve ever seen one, it is the definition of refreshing. For something more clarifying (and cheaper), try Thayers Witch Hazel toners.
If you feel a breakout coming on… Add in a spot treatment. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Put it on before your moisturizer so it can penetrate your skin’s surface and stop that spot in its tracks.
Mario Bedescu’s Drying Lotion is one of the OG spot treatments. It doesn’t smell great, I’ll give you that—thanks calamine, sulfur, and camphor! But it works for me. Less a spot treatment than a miracle worker, COSRX’s Acne Pimple Master Patches can stop a spot in its tracks—and for less than $5 for 24, it’s a damn good deal.


If you’re feeling extra dry… Try a serum or an essence. A serum is a powerhouse product made for a specific purpose, while an essence is like a lighter version, with a more watery consistency. Both are great pre-moisturizer to inject some moisture into the skin.
Essences aren’t cheap, but this Belif Hungarian Water Essence is on the more affordable side, and I can definitely feel a difference when I use it. Feeling fancy? SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence is a beloved essence—just one sample has me still saving up for a full-size bottle.
Serums are powerful little friends. Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum uses AHAs and BHAs to resurface the skin while you sleep. If you’d rather focus on vitamin C (oh so trendy), Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum has been working for me, but Ole Henriksen’s vitamin C–packed Truth Serum is another winner.


If you need to relax… Always Be Masking! From clay masks to charcoal masks to sheet masks, masking options are endless and can tackle just about any issue in 20 minutes or less. Depending on your skin needs that day (and how much time you have), put on a mask and go lie on the couch. You deserve this.
I can’t live without my monthly FaceTory subscription, which sends me five new Korean sheet masks per month. I get to try new masks I would likely have never heard of otherwise, and I highly recommend it for sheet maskers everywhere. Other masks I use and love include Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, Laniege’s Water Sleeping Mask, Origin’s Clear Improvement charcoal mask, and Shea Moisture’s Peace Rose Oil Complex mud mask.

Tying It All Together

A skincare routine you do every single night can offer great benefits: relaxation, the skin you’ve always dreamed of, and the feeling of accomplishment one gets from properly completing a Korean skincare routine (10 steps is no joke!).
But skincare won’t solve all your issues, no matter how hard we, the beauty junkies of the world, try. The solution? Build your skincare into a larger self-care regimen. That can look different for everyone, but consider the other ways you like to care for yourself and try to multitask.
Need some ideas?
Drink more water, and eat your fruits and veggies. They’re old tips, but they’re ones that really work. The more hydrated you’re keeping your body, the happier it and your skin will be. Give those skin products you’re investing in a leg up with a body you’re taking care of from the inside out.
Use your routine time to listen to a podcast or FaceTime a friend (as long as she doesn’t mind watching you exfoliate). Light a candle and meditate while your sheet mask is on—there’s not much else you can do with that time but sit still anyway. Watch a movie, read a book, or create some art while your charcoal mask hardens. Slip into the bath while you do an at-home chemical peel.
And finally, when the routine is over, get some sleep. It’s an often-overlooked form of self-care, and your cells will definitely thank you.