Gear Up and Go!

Nothing makes this chick happier than cute workout gear -- definitely gets me excited to work out! If you find yourself feeling sluggish and so not up for the gym, invest in some cute workout clothing and accessories. I found tons of favorites that are available for my kind of budget -- minuscule  So do yourself a favor and indulge in these cute pieces that will make you want to get up and go!

tops by lavudeemia featuring a pullover shirt

bottoms by lavudeemia featuring xersion

Scheduling

If there is one thing I am not, it is a morning person. Getting out of bed barely seems attainable and the thought of exercising right after is enough to make me cry.

With a new job in tow (yay DSW!), I'm in a bit of a pickle. I try my hardest to work out at least 5 times a week with 2 off days -- pretty attainable for a college student. But now with a job, am I going to stick to my schedule? Scheduling is something I've never been entirely great at. If I have homework that needs to be done, it will most certainly wait until after I've napped. Napping always comes first, right?

I haven't started the job yet but the beginning of next week will, no doubt, be a tough one. I just hope I can carve out my daily hour-long workout! I think with my determination I will be able to figure it all out. Wish me luck!

By the way, have any of you checked out Reasons to be Fit? Such a great site for inspiration!

A Setback, A Problem, and A New Discovery

A Setback:

I recently (and thankfully!) started working more days.  BUT, while my bank account is starting to look healthier, I am not.  It's not as if I am really, truly, honestly tired when I get home from work, but rather I have let myself cave to the excuse, "I've been working all day...I deserve a break...and a snack...." 

Last night before bed I did some pilates, jumping squats, and the fan-squat-side kick- squat sequence.  This morning I went to the track and ran 2.5 miles, averaging a 9:30 pace.  This is a decent start to a better workout routine, but I'm not there yet.  I plan to alternate running days and strength/muscle-toning days.  

I also need to get back to writing down everything I eat during the day.  My problem isn't eating healthy, but rather OVER-eating healthy.  Which, ironically, is unhealthy.  If I make myself write down everything I eat, I will realize just how many calories I consume during one day.  Also, I find I get tired of writing it down, so sometimes I will choose not to have a snack simply because I don't want to log it.  Finally, laziness working to my benefit! 

A Problem:

My BF just came home with 4 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.  

A New Discovery:

I love trying out homemade health tricks.  From egg-white face masks to apple cider vinegar compresses.... you name it, I've tried it.  My newest discovery is coconut oil.  I've been reading about it and finally decided to buy some when I read that I can make my own deodorant from it.  I am allergic to antiperspirant (it usually has heavy metals in it which are unhealthy for everyone!) so I have to find ones that only say deodorant.  Degree used to make this amazing smelling deodorant with honeysuckle and tea tree oil, but it has disappeared from every single store! Anywho, I mixed some coconut oil with some eucalyptus vanilla oil (you can use any essential oils you like) and poured it into an empty deodorant container.  I have to keep it in the refrigerator since it will melt at 76 degrees, but it sure does smell nice, and it was way less expensive in the long run.

I also put some coconut oil in my hair for an hour.  After shampooing, conditioning, and blow-drying my hair, it looks super shiny, feels silky soft, and even somehow seems thicker.  

I also put this on my face.  And in a smoothie.  Okay, I went a little nuts.  But coconut oil is amazing!  It has so many beneficial health properties, functioning as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, metabolism-boosting, hair-strengthening, skin-moisturizing phenomenon.  Get some!

Picture: Google images

White Bean Dip

White Bean Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp hot sauce (or to taste)

Directions:

In a food processor, combine ingredients and pulse until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with carrot sticks or pita triangles.  

                                                                                                                       

Picture and Recipe: http://www.pauladeen.com/

                                                            

Unfortunately, I don't have a food processor, so I had to use my blender.  Not ideal, but I made it work.  I had to add a little more lemon juice (yes, I used lemon juice instead of a lemon, it tasted fine) to get the consistency that I wanted.  Then I had to add more hot sauce to get the flavor that I wanted.  Feel free to add more to this recipe... the original called for cumin, but I don't like that flavor so I omitted it.  I munched on this stuff with baby carrots... yummy and super filling!!