With Summer upon us the weather is becoming so incredibly nice. I love being able to open my window and see a bright sunny day waiting for me. So with that in mind today I got outdoors and did all I could to not only enjoy the weather but also increase my activity.
What I really like about being active outdoors is the endless things you can do without reaching into your pocket book. Living in the Pacific Northwest I have numerous trails, gardens, and areas I can explore without ever spending a penny.
This morning I strapped on my FitBit and grabbed my boyfriend and we hit the trails. We spent the morning walking through the most glorious nature paths while spending quality time with one another. We were able to stop and appreciate nature in all its glory all while burning calories and moving.
While doing Weight Watchers and being mindful of what I am eating I also have made a commitment to be as active as I can. I have realized that I do not need to do heavy workouts to see the benefit, instead just moving as often as I can has really been the key.
Today I tracked a good amount on my FitBit, all while barely realizing it. I spent the day looking at beautiful things, and moving my body allowing myself to get healthier by the minute.
So do yourself a favor and get outside and enjoy nature. There are so many amazing things to see and experience while being outdoors. Get moving, and get healthier
Tags: Wellness
Another FABU day on Weight Watchers. I am feeling so motivated and positive with my program so far. I have hit so many low points while dieting so this time around I chose to look at this entire thing as a lifestyle change versus a, "diet." And with that I am staying focused with my eye on the prize-a healthier me:)
Like I had mentioned before the food isn't the only part of successful weight loss. Physical activity is key. I have gotten into a routine the last few days in which I am getting to bed a bit earlier and waking up 1 hour before I normally would. That extra hour is now spent being active. Trust and believe though I still have to battle with that inner voice that tries to sabotage me...you know which one I am talking about. The one that says, "Stay in bed..it's so early!" When I start to have those thoughts I try to counter them immediately with positive self talk that says, "Get out of bed and get moving! You deserve this. You are one step closer in reaching your goals." That's the voice that is getting stronger and the self talk I am choosing to focus on.
With my activity levels higher than normal I notice I am also choosing healthy food options all day. Normally I start the day off with a "green smoothie," but this morning I wanted something a little different so I made a cherry smoothie which was so yummy!
Cherry Smoothie Recipe
1-2 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 cup organic frozen cherries
1 frozen banana
1 TBSP Chia Seeds
1 TBSP Bullet Proof Protein Whey
A pinch of cinnamon
Throw it all into your blender and blend away for a tasty smoothie.
Then for lunch and dinner I have been having salads. With the weather being as warm as it is I have been too hesitant to get into a hot kitchen. I figure that the vegetables are fresh and delicious now so a salad has been a fantastic choice. With 4 ounces of grilled chicken added, it really makes for a filling meal.
Lastly, dessert does not have to be something you kiss goodbye when you are on WW. I am eating fresh fruit for my after meal sweet treat. Watermelon and blueberries have been a satisfying and healthy option.
Weight loss is hard. No doubt about it. But once you get into a bit of a groove it does start to get easier. Yes, you will still have to stay strong not to sabotage yourself, but just focus on the progress you are making. Remember you are worth these positive changes!
Tags: Wellness
Had me a little splurge this weekend at Sephora. I LOVE Sephora. There is so much to look at, try on, and play with while you're in there. I went in hoping to buy a contour kit and walked out with additional goodies that I am in love with.
First I want to start off with the item I went in to look for. Anastasia Contour kit has been around for awhile but I only recently heard about how useful the kit really is. There are 6 colors in the palette which allows you to apply and contour to your face. I like the way the colors blend together, and I really like the overall appearance of the product. The other bonus is that you can totally use this palette as eye-shadow as well. I love a multi-purpose product.
Next I decided I wanted to get a few odds and ends. I purchased the Beauty Blender, some Sephora blotting papers, as well as some falsies. I really like the eye lashes which are so gorgeous on. They aren't overly dramatic. Instead they look great on and give your eyes and face that extra Va-Va-Voom! The Beauty Blender is a tool anyone who wears make-up and spends a good deal of time blending their make-up should get. It effortlessly allows you to blend your colors for a natural look. Lastly, the blotting papers are a nice way to refresh your face and eliminate shine-especially as the days get longer and hotter.
The last thing I bought was Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil. Overall I have always been satisfied with all of the Josie Maran products I have purchased in the past. This one didn't disappoint either. I wanted to use this Argan oil as a night cream. Even though I have oily/combination skin I tend to need a great deal of moisture applied in order for my face to stay hydrated. This does look greasy when first applied, but in the morning there is no oily residue on your face. The oil absorbs well leaving your face looking rejuvenated and smooth. I am excited to have this as my night time routine.
As you can see all in all it was a successful haul at Sephora. I love the items I picked up and am eager to find new ways to use them-especially the Anastasia Contour kit. Hope your next Sephora trip is as FAB as mine. Happy Shopping!
Tags: Beauty
I have done so much dieting in my life that I could probably write a volume of books on the struggles I have encountered while attempting to lose weight. Over the years I have learned that the only way you really can lose weight in a safe way is to simply eat right and exercise-consistently. There are a million gimmicks out there that claim they will help you achieve your optimal weight goal, but bottom line once you begin eating healthy and live a more physical lifestyle that's when results will start to show up on the scale.
For myself support is also an important element for successful weight loss. That's why I have turned to Weight Watchers as an additional tool in my weight loss journey. I am only going on my third week of the program, but have already dropped weight and am feeling an overall sense of commitment to myself and well-being. Weight Watchers doesn't try to push diet pills, or sell magic formulas for weight loss instead it promotes healthy balanced eating and activity.
I am not going to give an overview of the program, instead I am going to write about what is working for me. For those of you familiar with WW I am following the Simply Filling technique. What that means is all of my food selections are selected from the Power Foods list. Examples of power foods are: lean proteins, abundant amounts of delicious vegetables and fruits, small amounts of whole grains, and an occasional treat of yummy dark chocolate.
I will not lie and say that it still isn't a daily challenge, but what I appreciate about this program is the healthier options I can make without feeling deprived. I still have to practice self control daily and focus on positive self talk and with the weekly meetings its refreshing to reconnect with others who are also turning to WW for weight management.
Things that are allowing me to be successful at WW are:
Meal prep! I like to cook up a lot of chicken breasts on Sunday which allows me to grab it easily throughout the week. Generally I stick to organic chicken and eat about 4-5 ounces
Drink LOTS of water. I know we all know this but seriously this has been a life saver for me. The water allows me to remain hydrated throughout the day. In my water bottle I like to throw in different types of fruits for additional flavor. Right now I am loving Granny Smith apple slices in my water.
Have a plan: If you know you are going to go out to eat with people have a plan. Prepare by possibly looking at the menu of where you are going and narrowing down things that keep you on track.
GO to the meetings! The meetings are crucial for me. At this time I am taking a journal with me and I journal my successes of the week along with goals and positive affirmations which keeps me centered.
Don't give up. Weight loss is hard. There is no doubt about if. But feeling miserable in your skin and being at higher risk for medical problems is so serious. Stay determined. Believe you deserve this, and know that it will be a roller coaster but treat yourself with love and commit to this journey.
There are a few items from Weight Watchers that have helped me. I did purchase the WW Starter Kit, which contains portion controlled plates. I eat off of these plates daily and am really trying to monitor the amount of food I am consuming.
I also like the WW bars when I need a sweet treat. The chocolate shakes mixed with unsweetened almond milk has also played a big part in my weight loss. But really I am able to eat the most amazing food. This weekend I grilled up some chicken breast and had lettuce wraps. With the summer produce harvest upon us eat local as much as you can and enjoy all of the fabulous fruits and vegetables that are out there. Also-get active. I have only been walking. At first 25 minutes a day and then I increased it 5-7 minutes extra a day and now I am up to walking for an hour. It's my alone time where I get to reflect on the day and the accomplishments I have made.
I will continue to track my progress and share my weight loss here. I am choosing to stay positive and determined. I wish the same for you. Take the plunge and start today. Your body will thank you:)
Tags: Wellness
In the spirit of shopping healthy while on a budget I wanted to write a bit about my favorite go to place...COSTCO! Yes that's right, the the super store of all super stores. Over the years Costco has seriously stepped up their game in regards to the world of organics.
Though I like going to Whole Foods, I really can't afford to shop there regularly. The quality is amazing, but the sticker price is often shocking. So with that being said, I now head to Costco to get my organic staples.
Costco has a fantastic grass fed ground beef. The quality has always been great, and the prize is even better. The same goes for there organic chicken products. My family says the organic chicken from Costco is there all time favorite. Eggs are also a great buy here. I love that they carry a cage free organic egg.
Costco also has a wonderful selection of frozen organics. I always buy there frozen fruits to throw into my smoothies. They have mixed fruits that always taste delicious in all of my smoothies.
But really the things I can't live without while living a healthy lifestyle are coconut oil, avocado oil, hemp seed, and high quality coffee. All of which Costco carries in a large size. Honestly buying these products in the size Costco carries allows me to have my pantry full with all the things I need to maintain a healthy way of life.
If you wondering where to get your next organic haul consider Costco. From eggs to meat, to organic fruits and vegetables you really can't go wrong. Happy shopping!
Tags: Wellness
Another subscription box review for you all. I was super excited to get my FabFitFun box in the mail today. I had heard about this subscription box from a friend and was eager to sign up for a box of my very own.
This is the Spring 2015 box which I was able to purchase for $39.99 due to a $10.00 discount online. The FabFitFun box is filled with a little of everything. From fitness, to glam there is something in there for everyone.
I really liked the variety in this box. Everything from full sized nail polishes, to fitness DVD's, and even my very own tomato pod to plant for summer tomatoes. This box comes in the mail once every three months, and is a great treat to yourself. I was even thinking with the amount of gift cards and various items in the box you could even break it up and give some items as gifts to your friends. The company states that every box has about $200.00 + in merchandise. So for under $50.00 a month you could potentially get things for yourself and also have items to give out as gifts. This box is a steal if you ask me. Can't wait for the next one.
Tags: Wellness, Fashion, Beauty
With a new work week upon us I would like to take a few minutes to focus on a topic I think many of us forget to practice due to our insanely hectic lifestyles. Self care is a time to focus on you and your needs as an individual. I have always found that when my mind, body, and spirit are aligned all is well with the world.
It has taken me years to realize the importance of self care and now it is something I value with my whole being.
I have spent the majority of my career in social services. Though I wouldn't trade it for the world, there has been a great deal of obstacles I have had to overcome in order to be a healthy provider. As social workers we often take on something I refer to as secondary trauma. This is the stress we as caregivers take on while attempting to help traumatized individuals. Often times one does not even realize they are experiencing this secondary trauma as it slowly starts to trickle in to our lives in various ways. It may come on as sadness, fatigue, depression, weight gain or weight loss, relentless anxiety, or simply a feeling of negativity.
The best thing you can do for yourself is once you have identified these feelings, take action. That may be in the form of counseling, exercise, healthy socialization, prayer, or something as simple as a nightly ritual that makes you feel better. For instance a nice warm bath, while listening to your favorite music. Secondary trauma does not just happen to social workers. It impacts anyone who is caring for someone else. I have always said that even though you may have a passion to help others, you must always be in tune and aware of what you need in order to be a balanced and healthy giver.
Often for myself I like to take one day a month where I get a massage, which is not only relaxing but it also recharges my body. I love incorporating essential oils into the massage which adds an extra element of relaxation.
But day to day I do little things like: walking mediation, prayer, reciting things I am grateful for, and simply focusing on the good in my life versus anything negative.
Make yourself a priority. You are worth it, and those around you will also feel the benefit of your invigorated spirit.
Tag: Wellness
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