Spring Toward Summer Workout Playlist

 

 

 

Thank God that it's finally spring, because I know how sick we all are of the wintry weather.  We made it through one of the worst winters in years - not always patiently, but with prayer and perseverance, here we are on the other side of the snow.

 

There are still some chilly days, but we can finally get some outdoor workouts in.  I mix it up right now, since on some days the weather still doesn't cooperate.  This playlist will work well whether you are stuck on the treadmill or hitting the trails:

 

Happy - Pharrell Williams

 

Stronger - Mandisa

 

Automatic - Miranda Lambert

 

On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

 

Heaven Knows - Donna Summer

 

Chainsaw - The Band Perry

 

Don't Put Dirt On My Grave Just Yet - Hayden Panettiere (Nashville Soundtrack)

 

Counting Stars - One Republic

 

Let It Go - Idina Menzel (Frozen Soundtrack)

 

I Hold On - Dierks Bentley

 

One Way Or Another - Blondie

 

Beat of the Music - Brett Eldredge

 

I Ain't Leaving Without Your Love - Jonathan Jackson/Sam Palladio/Chaley Rose (Nashville Soundtrack)

 

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

 

Mixing up the music also keeps me going, since the variety of genres prevents boredom and appeals to the many sides of me that all need to come out to play - or work out, as the case may be.  It's always good to keep it as interesting as possible!

 

So...please share with me any songs that you love to work out to right now.  We can all keep each other motivated as we move through spring an toward a fitter summer!

Late Summer/Early Fall Playlist

Technically, it's still summer for a few days...with fall right on its heels. This is the time to think about dressing for cooler workouts, along with indoor exercise on the days the weather does not cooperate.

It's also time to update workout music - as we hang onto the last bit of summer and prepare ourselves for autumn, our playlists will include songs that reflect both seasons.

Here's some of what's on my "Change of Season" playlist:

Brave - Sara Bareilles

Overcomer - Mandisa

Mirrors - Justin Timberlake

So What - Pink

Does Your Mother Know - Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia Soundtrack)

Even The Stars Fall 4 U - Keith Urban

Roar - Katy Perry

Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips

Blowin' Smoke - Kacey Musgraves

Southern Girl - Tim McGraw

Point At You - Justin Moore

Steve McQueen - Sheryl Crow


I recommend separating "Roar" and Brave", since they have a similar beat/feel to them...but they are such inspiring songs that I wanted to include both on the playlist.  In keeping with my theme of mixing styles to keep it interesting, you'll find Christian, country, pop, Broadway, and more on this list.  (And "Overcomer" is a MUST!!!)

What songs motivate you as we move into fall?  Please share with me here, or on Twitter and Facebook.  Let's head towards the holidays together in our best shape ever!

School's Out! June Workout Playlist

School's - out - for - summer!

Now that you have Alice Cooper running through your head...have you started thinking about your workout music for warm weather?  I always love to mix things up - to keep workouts fresh.  If you change up your music from time to time, you're more likely to avoid being bored...and more likely to stick with your run, walk, cycling, etc.

So in addition to "hangin' with Mr. Cooper", here are my latest additions for summer:

Try - Pink

Next to Me - Emeli Sande

I'm a Keeper - The Band Perry

Little Bit of Everything - Keith Urban

Roller Coaster - The Partridge Family

Sunshine and Summertime - Faith Hill

Fortunate Son - John Fogerty with Foo Fighters

Hush Hush - Pistol Annies

Voulez-Vous  -  Mamma Mia Soundtrack

Thing Called Love - Bonnie Raitt

Rolling in the Deep - Adele

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall


Please leave a comment with your favorite workout songs...we're always looking for more suggestions.  And get out there and WERK it!!!

Spring Power Playlist

We are now further into spring, and even though there are still days that feel like winter there's been much improvement in our Ohio weather.  I am able to get outside more often to walk/run and still do indoor workouts on those other days.

It's been a crazy month and a half, going to so many wakes that I hope and pray there are no more for a LONG time.  I even found out an old friend of mine passed away months ago...from cancer at age 51.  She and I were really close for a long time and then life got in the way.  Needless to say, it was a complete shock that a woman so positive and full of life is gone so soon.  I'm still trying to process this one - almost like I just had a nightmare and it isn't real.  Except...it is.

So I added some power songs to my workout playlist, to lift my spirits and keep moving forward on my journey of faith, fitness, and life.  Annette would be the first to tell me not to wallow in the sadness and just get on with it.  And since she was a fellow Parrothead, of course I included a little Buffett in my list!

Here is my latest playlist:

DONE. - The Band Perry
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Live for Today - Natalie Grant
Walk Away - Megan Hilty
Troublemaker - Olly Murs
People Like Us - Kelly Clarkson
Set Fire to the Rain - Adele
I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
One Particular Harbour - Jimmy Buffett
Boys 'Round Here - Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies & Friends
Jump Right In - Zac Brown Band
Lay All Your Love on Me - Amanda Seyfried/Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia movie soundtrack)


Please share the songs that get you moving as well.  Let's power up this spring and live life to the fullest!

My Official "I'm Sick of Snow!" Playlist

It's March, and technically almost spring.  But Mother Nature doesn't seem to care, as usual.  Snow is still falling in many places, with winter winds still whipping us around and cold temperatures to keep us dressed in heavy coats, hats, gloves, etc.

I am very thankful (and so are my friends!) that the big storm that hit a lot of states this week missed us here in Cleveland, but we've still had our share of the white stuff...and we're tired of it.  And I know my friends in Indiana, Illinois, and on the East Coast are even more tired of it.

So it's time to think warm weather and summer fun if we want to keep our sanity.  Whether you run outside in the cold or exercise indoors while watching the snow fall beyond your window, you need to remember that soon we will be free to work out in more enjoyable conditions.

This is why I've come up with a Plan B - Beach Boys, Buffett, and Beyond.  Introducing my I'm Sick of Snow Playlist:

Summer's Coming - Clint Black
Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban
Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow
Some Beach - Blake Shelton
Summer in the City - The Lovin' Spoonful
Summer Days - The Partridge Family
Summer Nights - Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta (Grease Soundtrack)
Pontoon - Little Big Town
Heatwave - Martha and the Vandellas
Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffett
California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas
Island Girl - Elton John
Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owen
Fins - Jimmy Buffett
Fun, Fun, Fun - The Beach Boys
Summertime - Kenny Chesney

If you have more to add, shoot me a comment.  Let's all find a remedy for this cabin fever and look forward to spring!!!

Early Fall Workout Playlist

It's officially fall - still early enough to have days that feel like summer, but mixed in with chillier days and nights.  I've had some physical therapy on my ankle which has helped a lot (more on that in a later post) and can do everything except run...although soon I should be able to do that as well.

So, in the spirit of a new season, it's time for an updated playlist.  Here's a portion of what motivates me this autumn:

50 Ways to Say Goodbye - Train
Fastest Girl in Town - Miranda Lambert
Matchbox Twenty - She's So Mean
Blown Away - Carrie Underwood
Home - Philip Phillips
What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction
Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
Dive - Steven Curtis Chapman
Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

What are you listening to this fall?  Leave a comment with your favorites!

Summer Workout Playlist!

Since Memorial Day weekend is upon us, it's time to think about summer workouts - and the music that will keep us pumped up and going through hot days.

Here are a few of mine for this summer:

"Start Me Up" - Rolling Stones
"Good Morning" - Mandisa feat. Toby Mac
"Feel Like a Rock Star" - Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw
"Rumour Has It" - Adele
"You Gonna Fly" - Keith Urban
"Good Feeling" - Flo Rida
"Georgia Peaches" - Lauren Alaina
"Free Ride" - JaneDear Girls
"Good Girl" - Carrie Underwood
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" - Kelly Clarkson

I wold love to hear what you're listening to when you work out...and don't forget to stay hydrated!

Songs Of Indepedence and Freedom

Tomorrow is the 4th of July - Independence Day. We celebrate what it means to live in America...our rights, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. Barbecues, parades, and fireworks are all a part of the festivities.

So is music. Patriotic songs mix with anthems of empowerment and make us feel stronger. I've compiled a playlist that will not only make you proud to be an American, but will help you strive for your own freedom and independence.

"Party in the USA" - Miley Cyrus

"New Found Freedom" - Taylor Hicks

"Born in the USA" - Bruce Springsteen

"Independence Day" - Martina McBride

"Think" - Aretha Franklin

"Freedom" - George Michael

"Firework" - Katy Perry

"Freedom Song" - Mandisa

As you listen (run, walk, dance) to these songs, remember to turn to God and give him your burdens so you can experience the ultimate freedom. Happy Independence Day!

Preparing For Summer - HOT Playlist

Even though summer doesn't technically start until the middle of June, we all know the unofficial start is this coming weekend...Memorial Day Weekend. Time to think about barbecues, beaches, and outdoor concerts. Nature is kind enough to give us extra daylight to enjoy all of our activities, although I'm also totally down with Danny and Sandy loving those summer nights.

Since it's been warm and beautiful here the past few days (whoo-hoo...hardly any rain!) I've been pondering all of the songs that mention summer or hot weather that would be great for outdoor workouts - or even indoor ones to keep you pumped on rainy days. Here are some of my favorites:

"Summer's Coming" - Clint Black

"Long Hot Summer" - Keith Urban

"Summertime" Kenny Chesney

"Summer in the City" - The Lovin' Spoonful

"Summer Days" - The Partridge Family (I can see you smirking...it's a guilty pleasure I don't feel one bit guilty about!)

"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams

"Hot Child in the City" - Nick Gilder (I know, technically it's the GIRL that's hot...but it still works!)

"Summer Nights" - John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John - Grease Soundtrack (Of course!!!)

"All Summer Long" - Kid Rock

"Heat Wave" - Martha and the Vandellas
"Hot Blooded" - Foreigner

"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves

"Hot Hot Hot" - Buster Poindexter

I know there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind and make me think warm, happy thoughts. Feel free to add any of your favorite hot summer songs!

December Workout Playlist

Now that it's snowing outside, I need more fresh tunes to keep me motivated and going strong. More often than not, I'm walking or running on the treadmill and the music keeps me from being bored with no change of scenery. I do sometimes put on a football game or another good program on TV to work out, but music is still my number one way to stay the course.

Here are a few of the latest songs on my playlist:

Wildflower - JaneDear Girls

Put You In A Song - Keith Urban

My First Kiss - 3oh3

Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones

Felt Good On My Lips - Tim McGraw

Get On Your Feet - Gloria Estefan

Family Affair - Mary J. Blige

Shut Up And Drive - Chely Wright (not the Rihanna song, even though it's great)

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson

Rock What You Got- Superchick

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey ('tis the season...have to have some holiday music!)

If you have any other great suggestions, feel free to add a comment and let me know. Let's all keep each other inspired through the holidays!

More Songs For Your Workout Playlist!

Keeping your workout playlist fresh is extremely important. If you exercise to the same set of tunes for too long, you will get bored with your exercise routine. Putting your playlist on shuffle does help, but at some point it's still the same old songs, just in a different order. It's vital to add new music to keep yourself excited and motivated to work out.

Here are a few of the songs I've recently added to my walking/running playlist so I can keep it moving!!!

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

Whip It - Devo

Hot Blooded - Foreigner

New Found Freedom - Taylor Hicks

Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland

Giddy On Up - Laura Bell Bundy

Enough Is Enough - Donna Summer/Barbra Streisand

Only The World - Mandisa

I Like It - Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull

Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida (Step Up 3D Soundtrack)

Airplanes - B.o.B./Hayley Williams

I love all types of music, and the variety of styles keeps me going, so I'm never bored. What's on your playlist? :o)

Move To The Music...Playlist!

***Our regularly scheduled recap of Losing It With Jillian has been interrupted by the Cleveland Indians. Yes, you heard right. Jillian was supposed to come on right after the President's speech, but my local NBC station was showing the baseball game. They didn't even air the President, they left the game on during that time. Since a local cable channel was also showing the baseball game, I don't know why WKYC didn't air the original programming for the evening. So I'll have to watch the show online to catch up...and since several of my friends said that they only saw the second half of Losing It after the speech, it sounds like a lot of us will be watching it on our computers.

So what did I do with myself last night since I couldn't watch Jillian? I had already completed my treadmill workout for the day by the time I found out the show wouldn't be on, so then I took to the stairs. I went up and down my stairs several times and did some arm exercises to make good use of the extra time.

Since I'm mentioning the treadmill, I would like to share some of my favorite workout music with you. Sometimes I listen to a whole CD...Sawyer Brown is really good for high energy tunes that will keep you moving. At other times I use my iPod, and these are some really great songs to keep the blood pumping:

I Know You Want Me by Calle Ocho and Pitbull

Say Hey I Love You by Michael Franti and Spearhead

I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas

According to You by Orianthi

Bionic by Christina Aguilera

Lover Lover by Jerrod Niemann

Seven Mile Breakdown by Taylor Hicks

Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

Undo It by Carrie Underwood

Does Your Mother Know by Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia soundtrack)

I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight

Telephone by Lady Gaga

There are many more, but this is just a sample of my selections. I love all kinds of music, so I like to mix it up a lot...and the variety keeps me from getting bored. Please feel free to share any of your favorite workout songs, so we can all keep each other moving! :o)