My first attempt at Orangetheory

Posted on by
Reply

I had a friend talk me into trying out Orangetheory with her. She’s had a membership for a while and loves it. She’s also the one who talked me into going to SoulCycle. I knew nothing about Orangetheory so I figured why not give it a try.

If you’ve never been it’s basically circuit training. They had us using the rowers, treadmills, bosu balls and free weights. Apparently it’s different every class. For the first twenty minutes I would say I hated the class. I like knowing what I’m in for and what to expect. I felt like I was trying to find my way for the first part. After a bit I got into the flow of things and started to relax and get into my workout.

There is a large screen and it shows everyone stats as they’re going. I like but hate this. I like being able to see my own stats but seeing others compared to mine brought out my competitive side. They have colors for heart rate zones. Grey(lowest), blue, green, orange and red(highest). The goal is to keep your color in the orange. Every so often the instructor calls out everyone’s names who are in the orange to praise them. I didn’t hear my name one of the times which pissed me off. (There’s my competitive side.) No I wasn’t pissed at her, I was pissed at myself so I pushed harder to get my heart rate in that orange target zone.

After the class ended my friend asked how I liked it. I honestly felt indifferent. I really feel like I need to go again and give it a second chance. The confusion at the beginning, trying to find my way, really threw me off. However, like I said I did start to like it eventually. So it looks like I’m going back to give them another try. That way I can really give them a fair chance now that I know what I’m in for.

As I said before, I HATE group classes. I didn’t love this group setting but it definitely could have been worse. My class was small (8 people) which I didn’t mind too much. Apparently during busy times the class can have up to 20 or so. That would not work well with me. Too many people to “compete” against. Lol 😂 At least I’m honest right!?!

If you’re thinking about trying Orangetheory I’d say go for it. Again, I’m indifferent. Hopefully once I give them a second try I’ll be able to decide whether it’s something I could continue doing on occasion or just push of to the side as a “well I tried.” So for now my opinion of them is to be continued……

Natural detox

Posted on by
Reply

Did you know you can detox your body without buying expensive teas, pills, powders, etc? Don’t believe those ads that tell you you HAVE to use their product in order to properly detox. That’s a lie. You use the food you eat! Or aren’t eating in some people’s cases! 😂 Adding certain foods to your diet and eliminating others can help your body ramp itself up and get your organs naturally detoxing itself. Here are a few foods to help naturally detox:

1. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, wheatgrass, etc: these greens give your digestive tract a detoxifying boost of chlorophyll

2. Lemons: lemon juice supports the liver and kidneys

3. Garlic: helps filter toxins from your digestive system

4. Green tea: increases liver function

5. Omega 3 oils: absorbs toxins and eliminates them from the body

6. Turmeric: helps to detoxify the liver

7. Nuts and seeds (not including peanuts): high in omega 3 which promotes liver function. Also contains vitamin E which protects the body against oxidative stress.

8. Ginger: helps with liver function and boost your immune system

9. Grapefruit: packed with antioxidants and fiber

10. Artichokes: increase bile in the liver. Bile is responsible for the breakdown of foods, helping the body process nutrients efficiently.

11. Beets: these are an anti inflammatory. They also help your body to digest better neutralizing toxins forcing them to exit through urination

12. Watercress: helps your body release enzymes to clean it out and rid it of toxic buildup

13. Herbs: Dandelion root, burdock root and cardamom. These herbs support the liver and aid in kidney function. I found a “detox” tea that’s cheap and has all 3!

Things to avoid while naturally detoxing:

1. sugar

2. Alcohol

3. Processed foods

4. High fat foods

5. Fried foods

6. Starchy white foods

7. Soda and juices

Skip the expensive teas, pills, etc that claim a quick fix. Go with a more natural, less expensive route that will actually fuel your body in the process! Happy detoxing!

Progress

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve pushed hard at workouts these last few weeks and I’m finally feeling like myself again! My muscles are rebuilding, I feel stronger and I’m more energetic. I’ve been detoxing and clean eating this week so that’s definitely made a big difference! I swear my body is just all around happier!

Looking back at pictures of myself over the years from when I was competing and “ripped” or when I was living at the gym eating minimal and skinny as a rail, I see what look I like best in pictures. I like a balance. Muscle with a little softness. That’s my look. It’s fitting to my height and frame but also decently easy for a busy mom like me to maintain. There are always going to be challenges like how and when to get to the gym. I have a little one and a husband that works a lot. So I have to be creative with my workouts. Sometimes I can get to the gym, other times I’m up in our guest bedroom squeezing in a quick at home workout while Ryder naps. As for diet, that isn’t always the easiest either. I LOVE food. So for me, I refuse to deprive myself just to have a “good body.” I prefer to reward myself. Eat clean during the week, then on the weekend I’m a little more flexible. It’s all about finding your balance (and happiness). Do what’s best for you not what everyone else is claiming you should do. Listen to your body. It talks to you! Maybe not in a verbal way, but your body gives you cues telling you what it needs (rest, fuel, movement, etc). You’re only given one body in this lifetime. Enjoy it, love it, and fuel it!

Group classes

Posted on by
1

Yesterday I went with a friend to try out SoulCycle. I am one of those people who HATES group classes. I am extremely competitive by nature so I am always internally competing with everyone around me in the class. While this sounds like it might be a good thing, it’s not. I’m so focused on pushing harder or doing better than the others that I lose sight of the actual workout. I end up being more stressed during the workout than when I actually came in!

Surprisingly this wasn’t the case at SoulCycle! I LOVE how the room is kept very dark. You can just make out figures of people so it can be kind of hard to see how fast or slow others are petaling. This was great for me because not being able to see everyone else forced me to focus on myself! I had a blast! The workout was intense but not draining. I don’t know that I’ve ever sweated that much in my life! I was honestly impressed with myself for keeping up as well as I did. I seriously can’t wait to go back! It’s actually got me wondering if other cycle classes are similar and if I’d like them to! I’m still not into the idea of group classes (due to my own competitiveness) but this style I may stick with! 😉😂

If you’ve never tried SoulCycle, it is a little pricey compared to other cycle classes. It’s because you’re paying for a class and the shower facility. If you use the showers and all the fancy soaps, razors, etc that they have available you are definitely getting your money’s worth. If you just go for the class and leave then yes it’s a bit over priced. I won’t go multiple times a week but a few times a month I would totally do!

Apple Cider Vinegar benefits

Posted on by
Reply

Growing up, my dad had me taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for as long as I can remember. I never understood why except for that it was “good for me.” Now having gone to school and learning a thing or two about ACV, I understand the real reasons why my dad had me taking it. Yes I’m short it’s healthy for you, but there are SO many health benefits to taking it. To this day I still take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (3 times a day) in a bottle of water ever day! Yet another fantastic healthy habit my wonderful holistic father instilled in me at an early age! Below are just a few benefits of ACV!

1. Relieves symptoms of acid reflux: Acid reflux occurs because of low stomach acid levels. ACV helps to balance this back out.

2. Helps reduce constipation, bloating and gas: ACV helps control the growth of unwanted yeast and bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

3. Lowers blood pressure: ACV contains potassium which helps balance the body’s sodium levels. This helps you maintain regular blood pressure levels

4. Helps detox the body: ACV detoxes the liver by helping remove harmful toxins from it. It also helps stimulate circulation within the body.

5. Improves skin health: The antioxidant properties in ACV help prevent skin aging.

6. Aids in weight loss: ACV helps you feel full.

7. Helps reduce night time leg cramps: Cramps can be caused by low potassium levels. ACV is high in potassium and can aid in reducing and eliminating leg cramps

There are so many more benefits but these are the ones I mainly take it for!

Posture when working out

Posted on by
2

My mom used to harp on me the importance of posture. Mind you she was referring to me sitting upright in a chair, not slouching forward. However, some people don’t think about posture when working out. Did you know there’s a right and wrong way to lift in regards to posture?

When you do most exercises, you should have your spine aligned. That means you can draw a straight line from the top of your head down to the lower part of your back. (Mind you this does not relate to EVERY exercise) You’ll often see people in the gym leaning over, lifting weights while looking in the mirror. Their neck will be bent and head turned. This is not good posture/form. You are actually putting strain on your back and neck. I understand looking over to check your form, but don’t watch yourself in the mirror the entire time you lift. Keep your spine aligned and make your muscles work without straining them due to bad posture.

When doing things like a shoulder press or curls, face the mirror so you can see yourself. Are your shoulders square and are you sitting upright in a “proud” stance? Make sure your shoulders aren’t rolled forward with your back hunched. You can feel a major difference when you hunch forward vs sitting upright.

Posture may seem like a minor thing to some but it can drastically affect the success of your workout. Next time you’re in the gym focus on your posture. See if your workout feels any different!

Foods you should always buy organic

Posted on by
Reply

Some people buy everything organic. This isn’t necessary. However there are a few foods you should always buy organic. Not sure which you should buy organic and which you don’t have to? It’s easy. If it has a thick skin that you don’t eat, like an avocado, you don’t need to buy it organic. Pesticides cannot penetrate the thick skin of an avocado so it’s protected. Same for bananas, spaghetti squash, oranges, etc. Foods like tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, etc with skin you do eat, you should always buy organic. It is also recommended that you buy meats and dairy organic to avoid any added growth hormones that are given to the animals.

Materials and practices not used in organic farming include:

1. Synthetic fertilizers

2. Sewage sludge as fertilizer

3. Synthetic pesticides for pest control

4. Irradiation to preserve food

5. Genetic engineering

6. Antibiotic or growth hormones in livestock

Organic tends to be a little pricier most times than the non organic. But wouldn’t you rather pay a higher price to protect your body from unnecessary and harmful chemicals you could potentially ingest?

To learn more I recommend reading the USDA blog post on organic foods!

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means

Reduce Cellulite Naturally

Posted on by
2

Everyone battles cellulite. Some more than others. There are a few natural ways you can minimize its appearance:

1. Apple cider vinegar: Elements found in ASV such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and minerals, play a key role in flushing out toxins from your body. It helps reduce bloating as well.

2. Clean eating: Reduce or eliminate processed foods and sugary foods from your diet

3. Hydrate: Drinks lots of water. Water helps to naturally flush out impurities from your body.

4. Build muscle: Muscle toning helps to act as a “filler.” Your skin will look less dimply with muscle.

5. Massage: Increasing blood circulation to areas with cellulite will help minimize its appearance.

Toilet paper, baby and a dog

Posted on by
Reply

Never in my life did I think I would come to hate the sight of toilet paper. Don’t freak out I’m not about to discuss anything gross.

What do you get when you have a baby, a dog and a roll of toilet paper?…….a HUGE mess that you are stuck cleaning for days.

So recently Ryder discovered the toilet paper holder in the guest bath. He loves to pull the toilet paper off the roll. I don’t know how he does it. I turn my back for just a few seconds and a full roll of toilet paper goes from the roll to the floor. I’ve learned that while this happens, he shreds a few pieces too and keeps them in his mouth or hands. He then distributed these little pieces all over the house without me looking!

This is not where it ends! My dog LOVES the cardboard part of the toilet paper roll. So she will take it and “burry” it in random places in the house. Guests have found toilet paper rolls between the cushions of our sofas when visiting.

Needless to say, this game of theirs goes on for days. I say that because I’m the one cleaning up the little pieces of toilet paper and hunting down the hidden cardboard roll. It was cute the first two times. Not so much anymore 🤦🏼‍♀️

My Job

Posted on by
Reply

In my opinion I have the best job in the world. Never did I think I would say that about being a stay at home mom. Now do note, I didn’t say anything about it being easy. I just said it’s the best.

I spend every day with my little man from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be a stay at home mom. I was always someone who was so career driven. I worked in marketing for 7 years designing digital marketing pieces for the automotive industry. I then went on to follow my true calling and become a teacher. I loved teaching. Being in the classroom can be so rewarding (and such a beat down at the same time). But when given the option to continue teaching and put my little one in daycare or stay home with him, I of course jumped at the thought of staying home with him. Nothing against people who’s kids are in daycare! My parents worked and had to do daycare so I totally understand. However, the idea of being with my little guy every minute of every day was exactly what I wanted. I never miss anything. Every little milestone I’ve been there to see (and gotten most on film for my husband).

When people ask if I miss working I make sure to correct them. I am working. Raising a child isn’t easy. There’s so much that goes into it. I swear you’re constantly following them around or chasing them to make sure they don’t injure themselves too bad. Unfortunately I don’t get paid to do this job. But it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever done in my life. Do I miss working in marketing and teaching? Absolutely. There were fantastic things about each of those I loved. But nothing compares to the job I have now.