Tag Archives: work out

Jul5

Celeb Secrets: Staying Young And Beautiful

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Celeb Secrets: Staying Young And Beautiful

Have you seen Tom Cruise lately? The action star is 55, and the guy still looks young enough to have a thirty-year-old love interest! How is that possible? What’s his secret? How about Madonna? She’s 58 and manages to look like she just started her music career yesterday. It’s clear that these celebrities have some secrets that keep them from growing old. But what are they? The fountain of youth, miracle drugs, Scientology? Well, as is often the case, the simplest answer to the question is the correct one. So, let’s look at some of the ways celebs stay looking so young and how you can use their tactics to turn back the clock:

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 He’s a babe! Shwing!

Ah, They Have Personal Trainers: When Chris Pratt started filming Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, he posted a few videos on social media of his new diet plan. It wasn’t a pretty sight, and there was definitely sadness in his eyes as he realized this is what he’d be eating for the next six months. Yes, when they are getting in shape for roles, movie stars go on serious diets and exercise routines. But, some just keep these up all year round. There are plenty of celebrities that hire personal fitness trainers that hardly ever leave their side. The benefit of this is that they never lose their physique. Instead, they always look toned and tanned.

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He’s also a babe! Shwing!

Now, you might be thinking that you can’t personally afford a fitness trainer. But you’d be surprised, because they often come as part of a package deal in a gym membership. For a monthly fee, you can have someone that will constantly tell you what exercises you should be doing to stay in shape and looking young.

Has She Had A Facelift? If you’re talking about an actress or star over fifty, then the answer is usually a firm YES. There’s probably an older star that you’re sure hasn’t had a facelift, because it doesn’t look like she’s had any work done and you can always tell when someone has had surgery…right? Wrong! The stars who look natural have had work done by the best of the best to make sure that there are absolutely no tell tale surgery signs. They’ve paid extra, and they haven’t gone overboard with the cosmetic treatment. If you’re choosing a facelift surgeon, you need to make sure that you get an expert. This is the only way to guarantee that the work looks completely natural. That way, you can make sure that everyone thinks that you just have fantastic genes! 😀

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Facelift or nah?

As Young As You Feel? Can positive thinking actually physically change the way you look? Can feeling like you’re sexy give you the body to die for? While it’s unclear whether positive thoughts actually change your body, they can stop it from getting any worse. The reason for this is quite simple. Stress causes you to lose your hair, your body to bloat, your skin to sag, and wrinkles to grow. All, of course, are signs of ageing, and all can be prevented simply by keeping calm and staying relaxed. Is this one of the secrets of the celebs? You bet it is! Just ask Sofia Vergara, a known fan of acupuncture therapy. Or, how about Jennifer Aniston. She loves her yoga and she should because it will keep her young. The breathing exercises through yoga calms and soothes the body and mind. So yes, feeling young and happy about yourself and who you are could help you stay young longer.

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Love her!

Natural Tips: Of course, some of the celebrities swear by natural ways to stay young. For instance, celebrities with lush, thick hair often speak about their love of using bamboo oils. It’s a great way to re-nourish your hair and ensure that it’s stronger than ever. This might be the secret as to why some celebrities have hair that stays thick well into their seventies. Or, it might be movie magic, who knows! There’s also natural facial scrubs and oils, and other celebrities have mentioned avoiding makeup. Obviously, when they are on the job, they need it to look stunning. But many, like Halle Berry, never wear it offset to give her skin a well-deserved break.

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 Also love her!

So, if the celebs can stay young, why can’t we? The answer is, we can and all you need to do is follow in their footsteps!

Jun29

Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

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Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

Most people pay close attention to their weight, and with the modern prevalence of obesity, that’s hardly surprising. The dangers of obesity are huge, and the condition affects much more than just our looks! Unfortunately, standards in pet care have also meant that this is a very real concern for dogs, as well. If you’re worried about your dog’s weight, here are some important steps for making sure that they don’t become obese:

Knowing Their Healthy Weight: Keeping tabs on your dog’s weight may seem a little excessive to some pet owners, but it’s extremely important if you want to minimize their chances of obesity. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the challenge of getting them to sit still on scales regularly, and mapping this on a chart. Checking a dog’s weight by ratio is fairly easy, barring a handful of breeds. Their ribs should be easily felt, but not visible most of the time. They should also have a fairly well-defined waist. There are many handy guides that you can find on the internet for judging your pooch’s weight.

Changes to Their Diet: In many cases, you won’t need to change the food that you’re feeding your dog. Sure, if one chicken dog treat has less additives than another, then switch to the healthier option. Aside from that, sudden changes to their diet will usually just lead to an upset stomach. The portion sizes you’re giving them are usually the thing that you should be paying more attention to. Try to avoid tossing them scraps from the table, and make sure that you’re keeping an eye on the amount of treats that you’re giving them when you’re trying to decide on a healthy portion size.

While there are a lot of guidelines out there for this, remember that they are only guidelines. You should be trying different combinations with your dog, keeping in mind their weight ratio, and figuring out what’s best for them. All dogs, even of the same breed and age, have different body types and levels of activity. These factors need to come into play when you’re working out the best portion sizes for your dog. If your pooch is acting hungry when you know they’re getting enough to eat, try adding some fresh, steamed greens. These have very few calories, and are a great source of fiber.

Getting Enough Exercise: Finally, try to make time to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Exercise is not only essential for your dog’s mood and mental health, but also a big factor in their physical health, as well. This needs to be more than a walk around the block, depending on the individual dog. Slow, leisurely strolls are nice when you’ve had a stressful day, but if you really want your dog to keep at a healthy weight, you also need to get some more vigorous exercise – power walking, running, and so on. This will be beneficial for you and your dog’s weight! Even an extra 15 minutes can make a big difference to your dog’s weight, so get out there!

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PUPPER!!!

A slim dog is a happy dog (as my vet says). Although chubby puppers look adorable, it’s not healthy or fair to them. Manage your dog’s weight for a longer and happier lifetime with your doggo.

Featured Image By: Max Pixel

Jun27

You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

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You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

We seem to be getting more worried about the effects of aging all of the time. If you’re particularly worried about the aging of your skin, there is plenty that you can do to give yourself a (super smooth) hand:

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle: One of the biggest contributors to the signs of aging? An unhealthy lifestyle! In fact, it’s undoubtedly the biggest contributor. What we usually associate with “unsightly” aging are usually just results of damaging diets and activities.

The fact is, that the things that help you live longer are also the things that help you stay looking younger. What we associate with “younger” are usually just signs of good health. So you need to put a lot of focus on what you’re doing in your life now. Are you a smoker? Smoking prematurely ages the skin in a dramatic way. Are you drinking enough water every day? Eating enough fruit and vegetables? You need all of that moisture and all of those minerals to keep your skin looking bright and healthy!

Consider Cosmetic Products & Enhancement: A lot of people want to go down a completely “natural” route when it comes to fighting the aging process. They seem to think that things like anti-aging creams are basically akin to injecting Botox. This, of course, isn’t really the case! Some of those products that you see advertised on television do actually work quite well. Something as simple as a daily facial moisturizer can help keep your skin cells feisty and fresh. After all, dry skin is damaged skin. If it contains aloe vera, that’s a good sign. You can also look into more advanced products, too.

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Smoooooth.

Of course, you should understand that everyone’s skin is different. What works for some people doesn’t always work for others. You may find yourself more interested in things like Belcara Health plastic surgery. Everyone has their own opinions about this sort of route, but it’s something that you should only consider if you feel truly comfortable with it. Many have been very happy with the results that they get!

Relax More – But Don’t Neglect Exercise: This is actually a continuation of the previous section. But it really deserves its own section because people underestimate its effects constantly. The effects of what, you ask? Relaxation. You’ve probably heard it before: stress is one of the most dangerous things that your body can be subjected to. And yet so many of us are putting ourselves under a lot of stress every day. So how does stress effect skin? You may think that it causes you to frown a lot, which exacerbates wrinkling around the forehead. And you’re actually right! But it also puts particular strain on a number of cells in your body. This all contributes to aging signs in other areas, too. Put aside some time in the evening and have some much needed R&R for your skin’s sake. 😀

Having said that, you should also spend more time exercising. Yes, I know that exercise isn’t exactly “relaxing”. And, in fact, it can often be a source of stress! That’s all short-term, though. In the long-term, exercise helps you sleep better and feel less stressed. It also promotes blood circulation. This helps to make sure that the nutrients your skin needs are appropriately delivered.

Healthier skin starts with simple changes to your lifestyle. Which one will you apply today?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun23

Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

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Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

For one reason or another, we can all find ourselves in stressful circumstances in life. Sometimes, we can handle them. But sometimes, they stick – and that’s when it hits us hard. When you’re dealing with stress, not only can your health suffer, but your self-esteem can, too. At times like this, you feel like you’re never going to be able to make things work and feel good about yourself again. But you can. There are so many different ways that health and self-esteem are connected, you just need to find them.

You do have the option to tackle your health and self-esteem separately, but you might find that you enjoy it better if you create a connection between them both and hit them head on. When your health suffers, it can harm your energy levels, your mood, and then eventually your self-esteem. Likewise, when you’re suffering from low self-esteem, you may find that other areas of your physical and mental health start to deteriorate. So, you’re going to want to work on boosting your health and well-being in a range of different ways to improve how you feel in life:

It’s A Mental Thing: First of all, it’s going to help you to acknowledge that your current concerns about your self-esteem are a mental issue. Your worries may not be anything to worry about, but by acknowledging them, you’re going to get yourself one step closer to feeling better. When you ignore your thoughts and try to avoid them, you’re not solving them. To push past the negativity that you’re dealing with in your own mind, you need to be able to acknowledge it first and then work past it. Sometimes, working past these issues can be way easier said than done. It might be a good idea to seek help from a professional like those at Wisemind Counseling or a similar practice in your local area. They will be able to provide expert guidance to help you to get back to feeling like yourself again.

Trying Out Yoga: To work on boosting both your health and your self-esteem, you should seriously consider trying out yoga. It’s a great workout, of course, but it is also amazing for your mind. There are so many benefits to yoga, that you’ll definitely be working on improving things like your flexibility and posture, but you’ll also be clearing your mind and relaxing at the same time.

Drinking More Water: Our bodies are made up of a huge percentage of water, so we need to be able to stay on top of that in order to improve your health. When you do start to drink more water, your body will be able to function better and that, in turn, will boost your mind. You’ll notice that you have a bit more energy and the more energy you have, the more positive you’re likely to feel.

Eating A Balanced Diet: Next up, you’re going to want to start prioritizing your nutrition. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while, but when you eat a lot of junk food, you may find that it makes you feel worse. There’s a lot to say for mood food because what you eat does impact how you feel about yourself. When your body feels sluggish, you will feel sluggish. And who wants to do anything when they’re feeling lethargic? The answer is nobody.

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Yummmm

Getting More Fresh Air: When you’re cooped up inside all day or you find yourself always heading from the office to your house and back again, you’re probably exhausted. Your mind will always be running with the things that you have to do. So, take a break. Getting enough fresh air is always good for your mind and your body. Going for walks or just sitting outside to remove yourself from stress can really clear your mind and help to keep you calm.

Accepting & Improving: Sometimes, you won’t start to feel a change in the way you feel until you encourage that change to come about. You can do that in two ways. First, it’s to work on improving whatever it is that is getting you down. Whether you need to lose weight and decide to see a fitness expert to feel happier in yourself or you want to improve your teeth with professionals like the Harrell Dental Implant Center so that you can confidently smile again, take action. Your other option is to accept who you are and what you look like, and be happy in your own skin. Either way, accepting or improving will help you to take a huge step forwards.

Committing To Exercise: Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and get healthy. No matter what it is, whether it’s a fun dance class or running on the track, by doing something, you will start to do something about how you look and feel. When you work out, you will find that you have more energy and will start to feel more positive and confident in yourself.

Trying Out Mantras: When you struggle to accept the skin that you’re in, you may need to take an additional step towards making that happen. Even if the idea makes you feel silly, you should try out positive affirmations. They can often boost your self-esteem and even train you into positive thinking. Either way, you will find that the effects work in a positive way towards your general levels of health.

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Think she’s thinking her mantra?

Switch Off & Step Back: Sometimes, you might find that your obsession with being on all of the time is holding you back. It’s something that we all struggle with at some point or another. But, the negative effects of social media are real. They can change the way you feel about yourself and your life, and drastically lower your self-esteem. So take a step back and learn to switch off. A social media hiatus might be just what you need to start focusing on yourself instead of others.

Put Yourself First: And above all else, you’re going to need to learn to prioritize your health and happiness in order to feel better. Doing the right things to boost your health will be good for your mind. Vice versa, doing things for your mind will positively effect your body. So rekindle that love you once had with a hobby and allow yourself a slice of happiness – for your body and mind’s sake.

Happy Friday!!!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun20

Over Thirty? Time To Start Taking Care Of Your Body

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Over Thirty? Time To Start Taking Care Of Your Body

Life’s all pretty well and good when we’re in our twenties. Eat too much food (Always!)? No worries, your body is on hand to make sure that it doesn’t do too much damage. Overindulged at the work party? Somehow, you’re able to get up as if nothing happened (well, almost). However, that all begins to change as we slide towards our thirties. Once we pass the big 3-0, our body stops playing ball and starts to give us a little bit more trouble than we’d like. However, if you take of your body, then there’s no reason why you can’t feel as energetic and full of life as you did in your twenties!

Exercise:

There’s no getting around it, unfortunately: you need to start exercising. This doesn’t mean you have to start visiting the gym every day, but it does mean that you need to be making sure that you get enough physical activity each day. The key to this, is to find an activity that you enjoy. If you find that you really enjoy long distance running, then it won’t feel like work when you set off on those early morning runs: it’ll be fun!

Treating Your Body Well:

Part of having a healthy body in your thirties is remembering that you can no longer push your body to the limit. You need to be taking it at ease, and making sure that it gets everything it needs to be well. For example, you can’t go out late into the night and then expect to get up early in the morning. You’ll also need to curb the amount of alcohol you’re drinking, and if you’re a smoker, then hitting thirty is a good time to quit!

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And eating well, of course!

Nipping Problems in the Bud:

Some issues will happen to you regardless of how much you work out because they happen to everyone sooner or later. The key here, is to take steps so that the issues that might not yet have presented themselves are kept at bay. Take bone loss, which usually begins at age thirty. You should be taking supplements to keep your bones healthy. Take a read of AlgaeCal plant calcium side effects and ask your doctor for advice; if given the all clear, you’ll be able to help increase bone strength. Back pain is also common in our thirties, so avoid doing anything that might cause your back to start giving you trouble.

Happy Mind:

Our thirties can be very happy, but they can also bring with them a fair few mental woes. It’s really important that you stay on top of your mental health, and don’t let all of those freshly acquired worries build up. Make sure that you’re doing the things that make you happy, and talk about your problems should they arise.

If there are aspects of your life or body that are making you unhappy – you have the tools to fix it. This could be scheduling an appointment with a therapist or seeking a consultation with a breast augmentation surgeon in Ashburn (or your local area). A life lived with insecurities can really drag you down and there is no shame in seeking changes out if that is what you truly want. Remember, your thirties are a time to thrive and targeting the issues that make you feel insecure can set you on a far more positive trajectory.

Annual Check Ups:

Most problems can be avoided if we go for an annual check-up – teeth, hearing, and eyes, as well as screenings for any problems that might be hereditary and potentially passed down from your parents.

No matter your age, keeping yourself in good health is always important. And no better time than the present to start!

Jun8

Live Well Today To Avoid Illnesses Tomorrow

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Live Well Today To Avoid Illnesses Tomorrow

So many of us associate old age with bad health, but actually, it doesn’t have to be this way at all. Unfortunately some people are struck down with illnesses and diseases that have nothing to do with their lifestyle, however many of us could massively increase our life expectancy and live a far more happy and healthy life when we’re older just by making simple changes today. Here are some of the ways that you can live well today to avoid preventable illnesses and have a healthier tomorrow:

Eat A Healthy Diet and Exercise: Heart disease, high blood pressure, and type two diabetes. These are all very serious illnesses and in many cases are fatal – and can be avoided simply by eating a healthy diet and exercising. You don’t have to be ‘perfect’ and give up everything that you like, just practice moderation. Every day aim to get your five portions of fruit and veggies in. A glass of orange juice in the morning, some dried fruit in your granola, a side salad with your sandwich at lunch, and two portions of vegetables with your dinner and you’ve reached it. Things like tinned fruit and vegetables, smoothies, and nuts all count too. Aim to eat clean as often as you can– which is eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. Then, treat yourself now and again to something that you really like.

Now, onto exercise, which helps to strengthen bones, muscles, and increase endurance. Living an active lifestyle and staying fit helps to set you up for good health later on in life. Don’t see exercise as a chore and try to make it part of your day. You could walk instead of taking the car, have active hobbies, and socialize with friends by playing sports, running, or hiking together.

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 Annnd break!

Avoid Pesticides and Other Chemicals: Another food and drink related point is to eat organic and drink filtered water whenever it’s possible. Non-organic food is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides which have been linked with cancers, ADHD, infertility, and even Alzheimer’s. While there is excellent private duty care for those with the condition these days, it’s a serious issue and, of course, something to be avoided if possible. Around one in ten people over the age of 65 have the condition, it’s complex and there are many causes, but pesticides in food could be one of them. Knowing this information, it only makes sense that you would pay a little extra for foods free of these chemicals to help your chances for a healthier adult life.

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Yummm

Attend All Screenings That You’re Invited To: As we age, we become more susceptible to different cancers and illnesses. Screening processes help to make sure that everything is as it should be, and if there are any problems, that they can be picked up early. They’re not a test, just a preventative measure. Screenings can be a little uncomfortable, but for a few minutes out of your day for peace of mind, it definitely seems like a no brainer.

A healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to make drastic changes, just smaller day by day alterations to help improve your overall health.

May7

Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

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Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

Now that spring has seen it’s last few days and summer is finally on its way, it’s time to talk about health. Our health matters differ from winter to summer. When the months warm up, we have certain things that we need to prioritize over others. With the sun coming out in full force and the days lasting longer, we can often focus on having fun over looking after ourselves. But, with these key areas, all you have to do is take precautionary steps now, and your health will be covered all summer long:

Protect Your Skin: When we’re exposed to the sun, our skin can suffer. So, it’s important to take a few precautionary measures before you head out for the day. Along with trying to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, you should aim to take breaks in the shade as much as possible. When your skin is exposed to the sun, regardless of how cloudy it may seem, you need to make sure that you wear sunscreen. That way, you’re protected from harmful rays and have a better chance of staying safe and sun burn free.

If you find yourself craving summer heat, but don’t want to risk burning, a trip to the sauna can help scratch that itch. There are distinctive benefits to a traditional sauna experience and one that uses infrared sauna light therapy. Explore both options to find the setting that is right for you!

Tackle Those Allergies: Having allergies can be hard during the summer months. Whether you’re suffering from a blocked nose, itchy eyes, or painful sinuses, the sooner you work on tackling your allergies, the better you will feel. Sometimes, taking a mild antihistamine is all you need. However, if you’re still suffering, then you might want to think about speaking to your doctor about the alternative options you may have, like natural remedies or surgery.

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Pretty!

Prioritize Hydration: As the weather gets warmer, we’re more likely to suffer from dehydration. What you would drink in winter may need to be increased for summer, because we tend to sweat a lot more. So if you drank four glasses of water a day on average in the winter, you might need to make that six for the summer. But everybody is different, so what ‘hydrated’ means to you might be too much or little for somebody else. Some great tips on staying hydrated can be found here in case you feel like you need an extra H2O boost.

Control Circulation: Poor circulation can happen for many different reasons, but when the weather warms up the effects can worsen. Whether you experience numbness in your legs, pain, or even a high level of fatigue, it’s time to take back control of your circulation. You may need to seek advice from your doctor, but you will often find that when you buy compression socks, you can not only promote good circulation again but ease the pain.

Get Active: Exercise is important for a balanced lifestyle. But when it comes to summer, stepping up your activity levels could not only improve your well-being, but give you more energy, too. Now that the sun is shining more, it’s time to get outside because cold winter days are no longer an excuse! Walk rather than drive and head out to enjoy nature parks around your area. Not only will you feel better for it, but you’ll also look it, too.

Summer is a time for fun, sun, and some much needed R&R. When you’re in the best health that you can be, the care free summer vibes will only be intensified!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May2

Work Out Jams

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Work Out Jams

Hellooo everyone! So as you guys know, I’m making an attempt to get my walk/run/rawk on throughout the week and it’s going pretty good so far. If you’ve read my recent Monday Update, then you will have seen that I’ve recently started to bring my iPod with me during my excursions even though I have to carry it because no arm band. I’ve been getting my emo on more often than I care to admit during these jaunts but I feel like I enjoy myself so much more with my music playing. For that reason, I compiled some of my favorite tunes together for your listening pleasure the next time that you get your work out on. Take a looksee (and, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!):

Lol, so as you guys can see, I definitely go for either old school emo or fairly recent rap when I’m running and I think that this list is the most funny, random compilation ever. But hey, it really does get the job done when I’m hitting the pavement because the emo-ness gets me angsty and the rap gets me hyped and the result is a much needed extra energy boost!

Normally when I’m working out, I will just have one album playing the whole way through. For example, last night I was listening to Yelawolf’s “Trunk Muzik 0-60”. But, when I’m feeling saucy or bored as I’m running, I’ll switch up my music every so often to my inner emo kid jams or anything Kendrick Lamar because he’s my best friend in my head.

Despite my sweaty palms from having to hold my iPod while I run, it’s so worth it because my Work Out Jams definitely make for a much more enjoyable experience! What music do you listen to when you work out? What is a song that you play to get you hyped? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May1

Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition

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Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Monday!! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and fun weekend. So, if you remember from last week’s Monday Update, I started *gasp* running/walking AKA rawking and it’s going okay! I’m actually feeling pretty happy because I was able to add another lap to my time at the track since last week, meaning that I am now rawking for a mile and a half.

I have still been going to the track with my mom (in fact, we just went last night), but when she can’t go, I have taken to running around my neighborhood. This is actually kind of fun because it gives me a change of scenery, especially when I venture into the neighborhood below mine. I have also decided that even though I don’t have one of those snazzy arm bands to hold my iPod in place, that I am okay with carrying my device as I run so I can have some music to keep me company.

As you guys know, I am an emo kid at heart, so my running soundtrack has consisted of a lot of AFI and My Chemical Romance. But, I also have been enjoying listening to Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West when I’m feeling saucy. Having my music playing while rawking definitely seems to make the time go by faster and even though my hands sweat profusely while carrying my iPod, it’s been worth it!

I’m feeling really proud that I was able to add an additional lap to my little evening jaunts and my next goal is to rawk two miles within this month. Getting my pre ex-boyfriend body back is a big fat pain in the ass, but I kind of like it – so here’s to getting to the two mile mark soon!

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition! How are you getting your beach body in check? What music do you listen to while working out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr24

Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition

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Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fantastic and relaxing weekend. So, technically, this Monday Update should be called Take A Walk/Run Edition (a rawk?) but Take A Walk sounds a bit more snazzy so we’ll just go with it. ANYWAYS, this past week, my mom decided that she would like to give walking at the nearby middle school track a go and asked if I would like to join her. Because I am a loving daughter and also because I’m trying to get my beach body in check I said, albeit a little grudgingly, “sure”. ALSO, the “comfort” few pounds gained when I was still with my ex-boyfriend are no joke so, I repeat, I really want to get my beach body in check.

So, my mom and I made our way to the track and because simply walking bores me, I thought that I would try to run as much as I could before taking a walking break. And LET ME TELL YOU, the ol’ smoker’s lungs were on FIRE. Despite this, I walked/ran (rawked) a mile and a quarter and felt pretty happy about it. Granted, it felt like pure and utter torture, but it was sort of fun? Can torture be fun? I guess the answer is YES.

My mom and I have gone to the track five times within the week during the evening and each time, I’ve been able to run a little bit longer than I was able to the last time. This is exciting to me. For those of you who don’t know, I was a competitive figure skater for a long time but gave it up when I was about sixteen (I’m 22 now). I miss doing things that involve athleticism (even though shopping is a sport, damnit), so it felt really good to be able to do something to get the blood pumping again and put my legs of steel to use.

Am I going to be the next Usain Bolt any time soon? Absolutely not. But I would be ecstatic if I could make it around the track once (which is a quarter mile) at a run without stopping to walk. It’s nice to have goals to accomplish even if they’re small and it’s also fun being able to be with my mom even if we’re just waving at each other from our different locations on the track.

I never thought that I’d say that I was actually looking forward to going for a rawk and getting sweaty, but I definitely find myself looking forward to it during the day. I even want to start hitting the ice again, although it would be just for fun. Being motivated in an athletic way for the first time in a long time feels good and I know my beach body goals will be achieved sooner or later. So here’s to bikini shopping not being a total pain this year!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this song or video (I wish I did!!).

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition! How do you plan on achieving your perfect beach bod this year? Who else enjoys a good walk, run, or rawk? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah