How I Stay Strong, Grounded & Feminine: My Current Favorite August Workouts

Movement is part of my daily routine — and it doesn't just give me more energy, it helps me stay grounded, gentle, and kind. As moms, we're constantly giving to others, so it's so important to do a few things each day that you enjoy, so you're not pouring from an empty cup.

Exercise isn't just about physical benefits — it does so much for the mind too, from that endorphin rush to the mental clarity and calm that follow. Of course, I love feeling strong, feminine, and confident in my body. But as I've gotten older, I've realized that some of the greatest benefits of exercise have nothing to do with what I see in the mirror.

Movement helps me manage stress. It gives me energy. It clears my head. It helps me feel grounded when life feels overwhelming. And certain forms of movement — especially yoga — have become an important way for me to slow down and support my nervous system.

I don't believe we have to punish our bodies to change them. I love a challenging workout, but I also believe there's tremendous value in learning when to push and when our bodies are asking us to slow down.

Why I Love Yoga

If I could recommend one form of movement to almost every woman, yoga would be high on my list.

For years, I thought about exercise mostly in terms of calories burned, muscles worked and physical results. Yoga taught me to appreciate another side of fitness: the connection between movement, breathing, stillness and how I actually feel.

When I'm moving too quickly through life, yoga forces me to slow down. I put my phone away. I breathe. I stretch. I become aware of where I'm holding tension.

Some days I want a strong, athletic flow that challenges my balance and my muscles. Other days I need something completely different — a restorative class, yin yoga, breathwork or simply gentle stretching. Those slower practices are especially helpful when my body has been stuck in "go mode."

For me, supporting my nervous system isn't about avoiding hard things. It's about creating enough recovery that I have the capacity to handle them.

I almost always walk out of yoga feeling a little calmer, clearer and more connected to myself than when I walked in.

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My Favorite Yoga Studios in Austin

One of the things I love about living in Austin is the incredible wellness community here. There are so many beautiful places to move, breathe and reset.

YTX Yoga -Formerly Wanderlust Yoga Austin Austin locals may remember this studio as Wanderlust. Today, YTX continues that downtown Austin experience with a mix of yoga, strength, Pilates and recovery offerings. I love studios that make wellness feel like an experience — not just another item to check off my to-do list.

PURE Yoga Texas- When I want yoga that feels athletic and challenging, PURE Yoga Texas is my go-to. Some days I want my practice to feel calming; other days I want to sweat, work hard and leave feeling like I truly pushed myself. There's room for both.

Why Strength Training Is Non-Negotiable for Me

As women, I think we sometimes get so focused on becoming smaller that we forget how incredible it feels to become stronger.

I love strength training. I want a strong and healthy body. I want a strong core. I want defined arms. And most importantly, I want a body that continues serving me well as I get older.

My workouts commonly include:

• Squats and lunges
• Romanian deadlifts
• Hip thrusts and glute bridges
• Rows
• Shoulder exercises
• Cable exercises
• Core work
• Resistance-band exercises

You don't need to spend two hours in the gym to have an effective workout. Consistency matters far more to me than perfection.

My Favorite At-Home Resistance Workout

There are plenty of days when getting to a studio simply isn't practical — that's why I love having resistance equipment at home. A simple resistance workout can still be incredibly effective.

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Complete 3 rounds:

1. 12–15 squats — keep your chest lifted and focus on controlling the movement
2. 10–12 reverse lunges per leg — one of my favorite ways to work the legs and glutes
3. 12–15 resistance rows — think about pulling your shoulder blades together, not just moving your arms
4. 12–15 glute kickbacks per leg — slow and controlled wins here
5. 12–15 shoulder presses — choose enough resistance that the final few reps feel challenging while maintaining good form

Rest 30–60 seconds between exercises as needed.

My Favorite At-Home Ab Workout

I love working my core, but I don't think you need hundreds of crunches. I prefer controlled exercises that make me stabilize my entire midsection.

Complete 3 rounds:

1. 12 resistance crunches
2. 10–12 controlled leg raises
3. 12 standing resistance rotations per side
4. 10–12 dead bugs per side
5. 30–45 second plank
6. 20 slow mountain climbers

Focus on control rather than racing through the movements. Your core should be doing the work — not momentum.

Don't Forget Walking

One of the most underrated forms of exercise is also one of the simplest: walking.

I love a hard workout, but I also love getting outside and walking. It gives me movement without turning every day into an intense training day. It's also a chance to think, pray, listen to something I love or simply enjoy being outside. Not every workout needs to leave you lying on the floor exhausted to "count."

Finding the Balance

My ideal fitness routine isn't seven days of pushing myself as hard as possible. It's a combination — strength, yoga, walking, higher-intensity workouts, mobility, rest.

Some days my body needs to be challenged. Some days it needs to be stretched. And some days it needs to recover. Learning the difference has completely changed the way I think about wellness. If I am going through an extra stressful season of life, then sometimes I even workout less so that my body can fully heal, take it easy, and recover.

Wishing you good health and love!

Kristen

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John 5:14-15- "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."

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