Celebrate National Fitness Day With These Beauty & Wellness Finds — As Seen On NBC San Antonio’s “SA Living”

Tomorrow, May 2nd, marks National Fitness Day, so I visited NBC San Antonio’s “SA Living“– virtually, of course! — to chat about some health, beauty, and wellness products that can help you get energized, shorten your post-workout recovery time, and basically keep you crushing those fitness goals. Make sure to check out the segment on News4SanAntonio.com) and keep reading for all the details on the products displayed on air.

PROBIOGEN PROBIOTICS

You’ve likely heard about how probiotics can balance your gut microbiome, leading to a healthier digestive system and hence to a stronger overall immune system. If you’re a fitness fanatic, then you’re likely very mindful of your health as a whole, and probiotics should definitely play a role in that equation. After all, aside from fortifying your immune system, probiotics enable us to better absorb the nutrients in food and that, in turn, leads to an improvement in energy, recovery and stamina.

While there are many probiotics on the market, I’ve yet to find any that even come close to those formulated by Probiogen. Probiogen specializes in highly effective, microbiologist-recommended probiotics featuring a Smart Spore technology that enables them to survive and thrive in the gut 100 times better than other leading probiotics and yogurts. They have formulas for men and women of all ages – including the Probiogen Daily Digestive Balance Probiotic ($19.99 at HEB stores), which supports healthy digestion, promotes immune system health, and supports vitality from the inside out. Another great option is the Probiogen Stress & Mood Balance Probiotic ($26.95 at HEB stores), which is infused with adaptogenic herbs like Holy basil, lemon balm, and ashwagandha that help the body manage stress and promote relaxation.

BAREORGANICS CARDIO CARE COFFE & MACA ROOT POWDER

Drinking coffee 30 to 60 minutes before working out will not only provide an energy boost (which folks like me definitely need in the morning hours!), but it can increase your metabolism, helping you burn more calories, and it can improve circulation so your muscles get more oxygen as you exercise. Caffeine, after all, is widely known as an ergogenic aid, a substance that that can enhance sports performance — that’s why it’s a common ingredient in many pre-workout drinks and sports nutrition bars. But the key, of course, is to choose a source of clean caffeine and to steer clear of added sugars and chemicals.

To make the healthiest choice when you caffeinate, try the BareOrganics Cardio Care Coffee ($10.99 at HEB). Designed to support overall cardiovascular health, it features USDA certified organic cacao, cinnamon, turmeric, clove, and ginger. Both turmeric and ginger boast antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so they’ll also help your body’s recovery process post0workout. And this superfood-packed coffee also contains probiotics that support digestive health, helping you better absorb all those nutrients. Each box contains 12 recyclable, earth-friendly cups that are compatible with most single-serve brewing systems.

Speaking of natural energy sources, now might be the time to get familiar with maca through the BareOrganics Maca Root Powder ($19.99 at HEB). Maca is a Peruvian root vegetable that’s been grown in the Andes highlands for over 2,000 years. A nutritional superstar, maca contains over 20 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids, and it’s a great source of minerals like copper, manganese, and iron, as well as vitamins B1 and C. Studies have shown that maca, a natural source of caffeine, helps to bolster energy levels so, adding a scoop of the powder to a pre-workout shake or your morning oatmeal might just add a little pep to your step and allow you to hustle hard for that muscle. And, since it contains many minerals that we typically lose as we sweat (and which we need to replenish through our diets), this powder is also an easy way to rebalance electrolytes in the body after a grueling workout.

YOUTHEORY CURCUMIN & ASHWAGANDHA SUPPLEMENTS

Curcumin, the main polyphenol found in turmeric, helps to manage exercise-induced inflammation and reduce muscle soreness. But to reap turmeric’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s best to bypass turmeric powders and focus on a great supplement in capsule form. Here’s why: curcumin only makes up about 4% of turmeric in powder form, and curcumin has a very low bioavailability (meaning the body doesn’t absorb it well), so you’d need to consume enormous quantities of turmeric in order to see any effects. That’s why I love the YouTheory Turmeric Supplement ($16.99 at Youtheory.com). The gluten- dairy-, and soy-free formula boasts a Curcumin C3 Complex that results in a 95% concentration of curcuminoids, plus, that complex is combined with black pepper, which contains a compound that helps boost turmeric’s absorption from the digestive system into the bloodstream.

And remember: in order to crush those fitness goals and maintain optimal health, your nervous system also needs to be working properly. When you’re feeling stressed and anxious, it can negatively impact your athletic performance by interfering with your ability to focus, to follow normal breathing patterns, and to stay positive. Moreover, if feelings of anxiety are interfering with your appetite or your sleep patterns, your body won’t be able to function like the beautiful machine it it.

To protect your body and mind from the damaging effects of stress, try the YouTheory Ashwagandha supplement ($19.99; visit YouTheory.com for retailers). Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is a natural adaptogen that promotes relaxation and normal sleep patterns, aids in muscle recovery, and elevates your mood. Some studies show ashwagandha can also help to alleviate arthritis-related pain and promote joint health — yet another crucial benefit when you’re performing high impact exercises like squat jumps, broad jumps, power skip lunges, and hurdle hops that can potentially take a toll on your joints.

SIMPLYPROTEIN SNACKS

Protein is responsible for repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue after you exercise, so it’s important to give your body the fuel it needs to accomplish this task. When you’re on the move, munch on SimplyProtein’s tasty snacks, which contain between 11 and 16 grams of plant-derived protein per serving. These non-GMO, gluten-free snacks are made with clean ingredients, plus they’re a great source of fiber. Moreover, they contain 3 grams of sugar or less per serving and feature no extraneous calories, so they won’t adversely affect your waistline.

There are tons of great, guilt-free options available including Crispy Bars, Cookie Bars and Crunchy Bites that will help you refuel after your workout and throughout the day.

You can find SimplyProtein at Amazon, HEB, and select Target stores.

SHEAMOISTURE 100% VIRGIN COCONUT OIL DAILY HYDRATION FACIAL WIPES

After your yoga or cycling session, you can gently remove any dirt and sweat from your face with the SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Wipes ($5.99 at Target and Target.com).

These 100% vegan, cruelty-free, ultra-soothing facial wipes feature a blend of coconut oil and coconut milk to smooth and soften skin, organic raw shea butter to moisturize and nourish skin with vitamins and essential fatty acids, and acacia Senegal to seal in moisture.

After each use, your skin will feel clean but also moisturized and petal soft. Plus, since they’re biodegradable, these are a much more eco-friendly alternative to traditional face wipes and face towelettes.

BEAST BRANDS COOLING BODY WASH

When you’re hot and sweaty after a tough workout, the first thing you want to do is jump in the shower. For a particularly refreshing and exhilarating shower experience, lather up with the Beast Brands Cooling Body Wash ($15 at GetBeast.com). Beast Brands specializes in unisex personal care products made right here in Texas. And get this: Kelly O’Hara, from the US Women’s Soccer Team, is on the executive board, so the formulas are approved by an athlete who knows exactly what consumers with active lifestyles crave in their beauty, grooming, and personal care routines.

The Cooling Body Wash is infused with caffeine (which stimulates circulation and helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and cellulite), green tea (rich in antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage), ginseng (which energizes and revitalizes skin), and vitamin B (which hydrates and softens). It also includes menthol, thereby creating an invigorating, cooling sensorial experience.