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Archives for July 2014

Why You Started Living a Healthy Lifestyle

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When you are pushing your body to extremes, trying to hit a goal, or preparing for a marathon, or losing weight..it’s easy to lose sight of why you started working out, eating right, and taking care of your body in the first place. However, when you begin to feel ill, it all changes.

This week I had some intense pain in my stomach. It would last about 3 seconds and then subside, then happen again, and again…you get it. I would be fine one moment and cramping the next. Source still unknown. However don’t worry, I feel better and got some medicine from the doctor. It wasn’t appendicitis. Whew!

The short lived aches made me realize how often I take my health for granted. Being in pain for a mere five days simply wore me out. The going to the hospital experience (which was unnecessary since not appendicitis) served as an amazing reminder to myself why I began to work out, eat right, and be healthy. It’s all for your health!! Sure, it’s nice to have a rockin’ bod, but it’s much nicer to be pain free and not suffering from a preventable illness.

It really put perspective on why you make the decision to treat your body right. Don’t you hate how humans are so easily not thankful for something until it’s taken away? I need to be soo thankful for my health each and every day. I should be rejoicing every moment that I can rejoice.

So there you have it, if you ever get discouraged or tired of trying to be “so good” by working out and eating right…remember, it’s first and foremost for your health! Don’t be discouraged when you don’t see outer changes on your body, if you’re eating right and exercising, that’s the most important! It’s so you can have a happy life free from illness and pain.

So if you’re healthy and you know it, do a jig! Appreciate your body and take care of it.

For there are too many beautiful and exciting things in life to miss out on!

Killer Sweaty Workout in 45 Minutes

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Let me preface this workout by saying you will sweat, you will get tired, you will want to crumple in a ball…you will feel accomplished, you will see changes, and you will be happy you finished!

Only 45 minutes of work, then you can celebrate your success!

I haven’t put a workout on here in a while so I made sure that this one will get your body good! 🙂

Prepare to sweat and work your muscles to their max in this full body workout. This workout combines strength, cardio, and endurance. A combination that is sure to shape and change your body. Even that stubborn area.

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Questions to Ask Yourself for an Improved 2014

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You have made it through over half of 2014!…and a couple weeks. Can you believe that this year is already half way over?

I think it’s very important to look back on the first half of the year before moving on to the second half. Ask yourself some questions. What’s working for you? What isn’t? Are you happy with your current situation? Are you proud of yourself? When did you feel happiest? When were you disappointed? Reflect on these things and learn how to make the second half of the year even Better! I hope you are looking back and thinking how it can’t get any better, but remember there is always room for improvement!

Never ever underestimate the power of pushing yourself even farther! Improve and grow the second half of 2014!

Pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone shows you how much you can do. If you stay comfortable, you will never know all that you could have done if you would have just taken that extra step. Take on that extra responsibility! Before you know it, it won’t seem like such a challenge.

This year, I have learned a lot about myself as I transitioned from college girl to working girl. Looking back, the transition was difficult at times but I got to learn all that I could do and accomplish! There were times of course that I disappointed myself, but I also really impressed myself! Never be intimidated, only look forward and learn new things! Your skills, knowledge, talents should be ever-expanding!

This year, I have pushed my body to reach fitness goals while still listening to my body. Beginning of the year I was really into running and was getting pretty good…But my back started hurting badly. I ignored it for awhile (bad call) but soon my smarter self reminded my stubborn self to listen to my body. After all, it is the only one I have. I have gotten more into stretching, yoga, and pilates, while still challenging myself with intense circuits that don’t harm my back.

This year, I have started a blog! And I couldn’t be more in love with it! Blogging has allowed me to share my thoughts and advice. Blogging has introduced me to some amazing women. Blogging has given me a creative outlet to share my passions. I cannot wait to see where it takes me!

Where has your year led you, and where do you want to go?

Health Controversies Answered

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This week I got the chance to interview Lindsey Riddle, a certified integrative health coach from Nourished Coaching. She is an amazing coach full of nutrition expertise! So naturally I thought I should pick her brain and share her genius! I will be doing a series based on her knowledge on eating right, snacking, health advice nuances, and more. Her outlook on nutrition is simply inspiring and beneficial for all of us to know!

Today, there are so many confusing articles and research on how to lose weight, be healthier, and feel better. Yet, many of them contradict each other and end up being a confused jumble in your head! Let’s dive into all of these health controversies (breakfast, cleanses, Gluten, vitamins) and find some answers!

Vitamins – To take, or not to take?

In light of current controversy over this topic, are you a fan of taking vitamins?

I don’t suggest a lot of vitamin supplements, or any supplements for that matter, in my practice. When a person is consuming adequate amounts of whole foods — vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc. — in their food routine, they are often covered. There is a lot of research out there that shows that the nutrients found within whole foods often work together to enhance the benefits of one another — they team up to help you get the most vitamin/mineral bang-for-your-buck, so to speak. When you isolate a vitamin into a compound, you miss out on that.

Having said that, there are definitely circumstances where a person will benefit from enhancing their diet with supplements. I recommend working with a health practitioner in determining what’s best for you, your health state, and your bio-individuality before implementing them though.

Breakfast- Largest Meal?

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

That depends. (Nutrition is so fickle!) There was a recent study in the Journal Obesity that showed that participants who ate most of their calories in the morning lost more weight than those who ate most of them at night. Then again, I have some clients who have proved the opposite — not to mention there are probably studies out there stating the opposite, too.

I believe and work from the premise of bio-individuality. Simply put: one person’s food or lifestyle routine is another person’s poison. What works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. Is breakfast important? Heck ya! But is it the main meal you should focus on? Maybe not. This is where I would recommend that you get really curious about your food routine and do a little experimentation to see what fuels you best.

Cleanses

What are your thoughts on cleanses?

I’m skeptical to recommend them because the body is a delicate, complex machine that works hard to maintain constant balance. That balance can be very easily thrown out of whack. I have tried various cleanses and have had some scary side-effects that I didn’t feel equipped to manage on my own. I think if they are regulated by a health-care professional that can monitor the body (for example: blood work), then they are definitely helpful for the body. But I think they are a little too unregulated for my liking.

Go Gluten-Free?

Thoughts on everyone going gluten free if not gluten intolerant?

I am not a fan of gluten as it is a highly inflammatory and difficult to digest food substance for celiacs, gluten intolerant individuals, and non-gluten-intolerant individuals alike. It’s a complex subject, but the way in which wheat (i.e. gluten) is grown today is totally different than how it was once grown. This has changed the protein so much so that it’s difficult for our bodies to 1) recognize and 2) break down. Most people experience noticeable changes in their bodies when they reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets.

More posts to come with Lindsey! Connect further and check out Nourished Coaching here, and here.

How Climate Affects Your Skin

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My skin is drastically affected by the climate, almost to an alarming level. Needless to say, residing in Oklahoma is a challenge since weather changes on a day to day basis.

My skin unfortunately doesn’t fare well in dry climates. Breakouts, dryness, and rashes all grace my skin when it’s super dry. I even get crazy intense heat rashes after a sweat session outdoors. Heat rashes are most common in infants but also can affect adults when in dry/humid climates. The rash occurs when sweat ducts are closed off causing moisture (sweat) to stay in skin. Ick! The best way to prevent heat rash is by staying hydrated! Also by not sweating, but that isn’t an option when exercising outdoors.

Elements that affect your skin most: dry heat, dry cold, humid head, humid cold. It’s important to be armed with some knowledge prior to a change in climate. No one enjoys going on a relaxing trip to find that their skin is not quite as chill as their attitude in that particular weather.

Remember that when the climate changes…your skin care routine should too!

Things to Remember in Different Climates::

  • When it’s winter, don’t take long steamy showers
  • When it’s dry/cold, moisturize with a serum to create a skin barrier that goes deeper into the skin
  • When it’s summer, use a salicylic acid cleanser to reduce oil and breakouts
  • When it’s windy, pack on the heavier moisture wind dries your skin!
  • When it’s humid/hot, use a face mask weekly to help the pH balance of the skin because of perspiration

What’s your favorite skin product in Summer?