#WorkItOut100: Week 2

They say "listen to your body". Rest when it's tired and take advantage when it's feeling great. This morning I did just that. I sat up in bed, listened to my body, and heard it tell me to take a break.

I would agree with it if only it weren't for this challenge. I went back and forth as to what I should do, and after too many minutes on Pinterest, I found a walk/run interval routine that seemed to be the perfect amount of movement on a day where the only movement I wanted to do was roll over in bed.

I made a few minor adjustments to it but overall it did it's job! I sweat, I moved, and I had something to put down for day 14! 

How are your workouts going? What motivates you to keep moving when your body and mind want you to think it can't? 

Riding Shotgun

He told me that I’m too black and white and that I need to go with the flow, relax, and whatever is meant to be…will be.  Me being the stubborn person I am came up with every excuse to prove him wrong, all while talking myself out of my own thoughts because I knew he was right. 

I jump to the gun with things.  And by things, I mean boys.  

Can I see him talking sports with my dad?  Would he get my brothers sense of humor?  Will he roll his eyes when I tell him I’m going to church?  Would he cringe when I tell him that I could care less about basketball?  The sound of their shoes squeaking on the floor?  That’s enough to make ME cringe!

I sat back and let his words sink in.  I reflected on past relationships and came to the conclusion that I failed at them because I rushed it and in return, rushed the whole thing towards a downward spiral.  That’s not to say the person on the other end of the relationship was perfect, but I knew my contributions weren’t helping.

The notion of taking things “day by day” came up in conversation when a friend and I grabbed coffee earlier this week.  We talked about it all – men, friendships, faith, work.  We worry about things that aren't in our control yet we try to take the wheel and steer it in the direction we want.  These twists and turns we make trying to direct our lives leave us empty-handed, broken, frustrated, and they most certainly don't add more breaths to our days.  We all deserve whatever it may be but when all we do is focus on the future, we lose sight of the present.  The here and the now.

 I'm asking you to join me in living in a world that is full of color, not just black and white.  Do something today that will help tomorrow.  And then do it again until you are able to look back and see that you were riding shotgun next to Him all along. 

Friday Favorite: Everything Fits Gym Bag by Gaiam

Once the new school year started and my new gym routine did as well, I knew I needed a durable bag to carry from point A to point B. To save both money and a spot for something on my Christmas list, I lugged around an old duffle bag.  It wasn’t long that the bag started ripping and tearing, giving me another reason (like I needed one already) to count down the days until Christmas, where I would, fingers crossed, unwrap a brand new bag!

And I did!  The Everything Fits Gym Bag by Gaiam was now off my list and in my hands.  As seen in the picture, this bag is for all types of people - Yogi's or not.  Five things I rave about this bag are as follows:

1. Front vented section for your tennis shoes so you don't have to mix them in with all your non-stinky belongings.
2. Many compartments, inside and out, including those that are zipped and those that are not. 
3. Yoga mat strap holder on the bottom.
4. VERY durable material - no ripping or tearing anytime soon!
5. If you aren't loving the purple, it comes in black, too! 

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Question & Comment:  What is one thing you can't leave the house with when heading to workout? 

* Comment as "Anonymous" if you are having trouble but please leave your name so I can say hi! I am in the process of making a "how-to" on the comment process...stay tuned! 

#WorkItOut100: Week 1

When I agreed to do this challenge, I wasn't planning on getting sick the first week of it.  But, a challenge is a challenge and life doesn't give you a guareanteed 100 sick-free days when accepting one!  I found that this week made me think about workouts that involved something other than a gym, a treadmill, or even one that gets your heart rate up and your sweat dripping down your face.  

I forgot how beneficial a walk is outside - not only for your body but your mind, too.  The fresh air combined with time to clear your head and realign your thoughts is pretty changing when you get out and experience it for yourself. 

Question & Comment:  Have you began the #WorkItOut100 journey?  If so, how has it been so far?  What have you learned this week?

13 Presents For You

I can't imagine living during a time where working out didn't involve music.  Over the speakers or through headphones, I need lyrics and beats to keep me going.  I did, however, get a little taste of what it would be like with no music as halfway through Body Pump class last night the sound system quit working.  The instructor kept going and it was clear the whole class was struggling without the sounds of something other than each other's breathing to get us through the routine.

I'm continuously on the hunt for new music.  I don't care if the artist is popular or still trying to break through in the music scene as long as they spark something in me, I'm all ears.  Literally.

Here are a few tunes that get me through my workouts...and sitting in traffic.

1. Count On Me by Chase & Status

2. Neon Lights by Demi Lovato

3. Burn by Ellie Goulding

4. Turn Up The Love by Far East Movement

5. Amnesia by Justin Timberlake

6. Money and Power by Kid Ink

7. Hell and Back by Kid Ink

8. Touch the Sky by SoMo

9. King and Queens by SoMo

10. Replay by Zendaya

...and for my fellow Body Pumpers...

11. Tonight by Jessica Sanchez ft. Ne-Yo

12. Only You by Ellie Goulding

13. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody by Fergie, Q-Tip, & Goonrock

Question & Comment:  What songs and artists are you currently listening to? 

Friday Favorite: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/159/1343/Products/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish-Natural/index.tmpl

From one girl to another, I swear by this stuff.  It does it's job - covers up blemishes, zits, etc. - all while making your skin look even and flawless!  At $30.00 a pop, some would say it's expensive, but one day of wearing this powder and the compliments you receive will make those dollar signs disappear. 

I recommend going to a MAC Cosmetics store near you to see exactly what color you should get.  They even try out the product on your face to match it perfectly!  Nothing worse than make-up lines and having your face look a completely different color than the rest of you!

Question & Comment Below: Have you tried or do you use this product?  What other makeup products do you swear by? 

Is This Garbage Can Regulation Size?

I was "bit by the bug" around 2am on Tuesday morning.  After having no work on Monday, I was determined to make it to work on Tuesday.  So, I did what every "I think I could vomit at any second" person does and went to my morning class at the gym - Step & Strength.

Yeah...I'm stupid.  In between side lunges and bicep curls, jumping up and down and squatting, I felt faint, sick to my stomach, and just plain BLAH.  

Long story short, I stayed home from work. 

After laying in bed most of the day, I did my nanny duties (it was only an hour) and returned home for a quick cat nap before going downtown for my roommate, Anna's, birthday dinner.  I was feeling better and thought yes!  The bug has flown away!  

Wrong. 

I woke up this morning still feeling nauseous but already feeling guilty that I missed work the day before.    I did my usual morning routine and by 8am I was still doing "ok".  I arrived at school and was "bit"...again.  And again....I tried to be a superhero but the hot/cold spells were just not cutting it for me so I went home.

I would be fine with a day at home to rest, blog, catch up on little tasks like cleaning my closet, if only I WASN'T GOING TO THE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE CONCERT TONIGHT!  I mean it's happening, I'm going, and my 13 year-old self would hate me if I didn't, but let's hope they let me bring in a garbage can just for emergency purposes! 

The things I do for the men I love.