Today's Fitness Motivation

Alright! Time for a lesson in all-around fitness.

In order to truly be a fit force of nature, you need to hit each of these groups. Need some clarification? Here is a simple run-down of what to do to target each one.

1. Cardiovascular Endurace: long distance running/biking/swimming, any cardio machine for an extended period of time

2. Muscular Strength: heavy weights, few repetitions. You know when you see those giants in the gym lifting weights bigger than your house for one rep? They are working on their muscular strength.

3. Muscular Endurance: light weights, lots of reps. This is what will give you long, lean muscles.

4. Flexibility. Simple enough! Stretch!

5. Body Comp. Alright, this isn't really something that you can work on, but just be aware of your fat to muscle ratio. Make sure you've got enough of each! (Yes, you need fat. If I really need to tell you this, please move out from the rock you've been living under.)

xoxo,

Todays Fitness Motivation

Today's Fitness Motivation

The word of the day is:

There is no point in getting fit if you aren't going to be consistent! You can do a super intense workout once every two weeks and I promise you you won't see significant results. You have got to aim high!

You can do it!

xoxo,

Healthy, Healthy, Healthy!

Hello my lovelies!

This blog is going to be focused on something quite different for the next few weeks: health!

Okay, it isn't that different, but I have been struggling to be my best self forever and I really want to actually realize my goals for once in my freaking life.

The I had a moment of clarity today: food has one and only one purpose.

NUTRITION.

The taste is just a side effect. A distractor. Really, the purpose of food is to nourish you.

Now, I know there has always been a lot of talk about food that will make you lose weight, and for a long time I would be like, "Oh, I'll eat these disgustingly salty, greasy cheese fries, and it'll be okay if I have half of a grapefruit later!"

No. Ladies, that's not a thing, as much as we would like for it to be.

The right food will neither make you gain or lose weight (unless you are legit overweight, in which case eating right will make a huge difference). It will maintain your weight. You begin to see a difference in your physicality when you combine these foods with regular (hear that? REGULAR) exercise.



One thing that has held me back in my endeavor to be super fit is my strong notion that women should be comfortable in their own skin. And as much as I would like to say that I am, I am not. So, in a way, getting fit would be kind of like giving in to that social pressure.

However, I also believe that we should be, like I said before, our best selves. Because we should be happy.

So, I am turning a new leaf. I am focusing on being the best possible me! No more copious amounts of junk food, and more exercise. However, I refuse to starve myself! Or deprive myself! I am still going to have some sweets, but that thing called MODERATION is going to come into play.

There is one more thing I want to say before I get started.

It won't be easy.

I won't be swimsuit-ready in two weeks, or maybe even two months.

I think a big problem with society these days is that we want results immediately. Well, that won't happen with health. As they say:

So, no, I am not going to try to do one of those crash diets or crazy 7-day fitness plans. Because any "progress" that I make that way won't last. 

Being truly healthy is about forming a habit--a lifestyle. So, like I said, it isn't going to be quick or easy. 

But it will be worth it.

xoxo,

OSCARS

OH MY GOODNESS THE OSCARS.

Obviously, a big part of the night is the discussion over what everyone is wearing. These are a few of my favorites that I saw!

1. Jennifer Lawrence in Dior
It is hard not to love JLaw with her intense relate-ability combined with her knack for consistently wowing us on the red carpet. Her dress tonight was so gorgeous, starting out simply enough and then erupting once it passed her hips. Do you know what I loved the most about her outfit, though? The long pearl strand hanging down her back. That was the icing on the cake for me.

2. Sally Field in Valentino
Sally knows how to age gracefully. She has been beautiful through each phase of her wonderful, talent-filled life, and yet I was still surprised by how perfect she looked tonight! That gorgeous red hue was perfect for her coloring, I think, and the bottom of the gown just killed me as it fluttered behind her.

3. Catherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad
Oh my God. This gilded nude dress made me go blind for a minute, and in the best way possible. She looks like an Oscar herself! It had a very 20s-esque feel to it, with the exception of the neckline which was slightly reminiscent of the '50s bodices to me.

4. Maria Menounos in Romona Keveza
THIS BITCH. She always looks perfect. It's those damn Greek genes. Seriously, have you ever met an unattractive Greek? But that is beside the point. This dress makes me want to scream, it is so amazing. The color, the shape, the ACCESSORIES. Ahhhhhhhhh I am legitimately swooning over this dress.

And the Man of the Night goes to....

Bradley Cooper.

Apparently, Kristin Chenoweth got so frazzled at one point before the show that she lost her shoe in the vastness of her dress. Bradley Cooper, being the teetotaler gentleman that he is, bent down, lifted up her hemline, found her shoe, and put it on her foot for her.

CINDERELLA, ANYBODY?!?

In addition, when JLaw fell on her was to accept her award for best actress, Bradley immediately showed up with a hand outstretched to help her back up. She didn't utilize his offer, but still. He wins all the award in my book.

xoxo,

February Wishlist

I'll make this short and sweet: I want things. 

Yes, I am a shameless shopaholic. I can't help it.

Well, I could if I wanted to, but I don't. So.

Here are the things that visit me in my dreams...

1. This ADORABLE bow from ColorDrop on Etsy.

2. Also from Etsy, these killer shades from txpgrove. 

3. Beach Glass Chuck Taylors.

4. Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette from Sephora.

5. This Mercedes from Heaven...

That is all for now! 

xoxo,

My Tried-and-Trues

I am not one to buy the same product over and over again.

I'm constantly trying out new products, rarely re-purchasing.

But there are some things that I can't deny are simply the best, and I have found myself buying them time and time again!

Here they are, my tried-and-true products:

For my face:

Trader Joe's All-in-One Facial Cleanser. Trust me, I am the last person to expect anything good from a generic, simple facewash, but WHOA. I don't know what it is about this one, but it leaves my skin clean, smooth, and clear! Like, WHAT?

Nelson's Pure & Clear Nourishing Moisturizer for Acne Care. This is yet ANOTHER health foods store purchase! I got this from Whole Foods, and again, my skin feels instantly smoother and clearer. Good stuff!!!

For my hair:

Loreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-in Spray. Guys. I hate buying the same hair products. Trust my, I have tried to stray from this stuff, but I keep crawling back. It makes your hair soft, tangle-free, and shiny! For real! Look, I have some really annoying hair--some of it is super kinky and coarse, some of it is super fine, and the rest is in the middle. This line is the only thing that smoothes the kinks, hydrates the brittle ends, and leaves my hair feeling super healthy. Ever since I started using it, I keep getting comments on how healthy and pretty my hair is!

For my body:

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion of Stretch Marks. I started using this stuff a few years ago when I realized that I had stretch marks all over my butt and upper thighs. I had tried Bio Oil and Mederma and just about every other stretch-mark treatment there was out there, but this one worked the best, and the fastest. I still use it to prevent more of those pesky purple lines from showing up, and I have started using it all over my body just because 1) it smells so good and comforting, and 2) it seriously leaves your skin even-toned and glowing. A must-have, even if you don't have stretch marks! And if you do, I have a quick word to say: Don't be ashamed. Our bodies cannot be perfect. Those lines show that you are becoming a woman or a mother. Both wonderful things. They show how hard it is to be a woman, and that you are tough. Love your body, stretch marks and all!

Caress Passionate Spell Body Wash in Passionfruit and Fiery Orange Rose. I originally bought this because I was out of soap and wanted a super cheap one. This one happened to smell really good, so I nabbed it. First off, it leaves your body smelling SO sexy, and also I've noticed that my skin feels even and smooth. It isn't advertised as anything other than a good-smelling soap, but I really think it does good things for your skin!

Other:

Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Paste. Ever since I started using this toothpaste, I've noticed that my teeth are significantly whiter! My smile is brighter and my teeth feel so, so clean. 

A+D First Aid Ointment. Okay, this one goes way back. My mom used to use this on my sister and I for DIAPER RASH. Like, that's 23 years ago. (My sister turns 23 today!) I use it on literally everything. You know how, in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the dad believes Windex can fix everything? That's how I am with A+D. I put it on my eyebrows and eyelashes to make them grow (seriously it works. SERIOUSLY.), on my lips to moisturize them, and on scars to fade them. I literally swear by this stuff. When I die, I want to be buried with two things: my Guns 'N Roses CD and a tube of A+D.

Alright, there you have it! My favorite products of all time. I would not post about them if I didn't believe they are the best of the best. Try them out, let me know what you think!

xoxo,

Layla Hologram Effect Nail Polish in 08 Flash Black

Holy crap you guys.

I am obsessed with this nail polish. I got it on sale at Ulta and and hardcore in LOVE.

Like, it is my valentine.

It is...drumroll please...

Layla Hologram Effect! Usually it is super pricey (I think like $20), but I got it for $6! So I obviously bought two.

Here is my favorite: 08 Flash Black

Look at it.

LOOK AT IT.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I applied two coats and a topcoat of Seche Vite Dry Fast TopCoat, which is another reason in and of itself to celebrate. It dried so quickly and my nails are super shiny!

So, here is my advice: If you can find Layla nail polish for cheap anywhere, GET IT. It doesn't look very promising in the bottle, but I swear to Chanel it is worth it!

xoxo,