How to Make Fitness a Lifestyle and Not Just a Routine

How to Make Fitness a Lifestyle and Not Just a Routine

I've walked the fine line of working out and healthy living, and working out to lose a few pounds and working out obsessively, that for over a year, I never took a rest day.

Extreme exercise was ever present after having a child. I typically ran 6 days a week, about 28 miles a week. I also included an additional 60-90minutes of strength training on top. Occasionally I'd add a hot yoga session in on days that I didn't strength train. I was the fittest I'd ever been. I had energy that allowed me to play with my daughter and went to work happy that I had exercised. However, on days that I woke up late, or didn't get lots of rest (this happens from time to time as a parent). I found myself grouchy and frustrated, thinking "I have to get a run in." Then 1-2 after a run, I'd be a happier person.























However, I knew this wasn't healthy, in the back of my mind I often put exercising over personal health, I devoted EVERYTHING to making sure that I was able to wake up in the morning an fit into my jeans (which is ironic, because I worked out so much that I usually just stayed in fitness clothes all day).

Eventually, I have come to let it go and be more moderate in my exercise. Instead of size being my motivator, it is more about endurance. Do I have enough endurance to run 3 miles? Am I getting stronger? Can I do the splits? Focusing on cardio, strength, and flexibility, seems to be a better overall achievement when it comes to fitness and healthy living.

I have read several books on myths of exercising, and I'm sure you have seen articles boasting about shorter jogs being better for you than long distance. Sure you will shead more pounds the more you work out, but are you compromising your health as you are doing it?























Here are a few tips on how to focus on staying and keeping fit, while making time for other things.

1. Create a morning routine: I usually wake up, get coffee, read my Bible, and then make time to workout. Occasionally, I will meet up some of my friends for a stroller run, so on those days I have time for cleaning, blogging, or other activities that need my attention in the morning. I enjoy working out in the morning because there are still quiet moments and then I've already exercised and can actually put on those jeans.

2. Make time for other activities in your life: This past Christmas I got a Kindle Fire, and was so excited to be able to read on the fly, without working about a giant book fitting in my purse.

3. Have REST days: REST is just as important as exercising. Not only is it physically healing, but also mentally rewarding. It becomes part of your routine more when you have the availability of have a few days off. If you need to schedule them do so. I operate the fact that I plan to workout everyday, os if something comes up and I'm not able to, then I have a rest day, and something ALWAYS comes up. :)

4. Have fun: Look for activities that are fun. Incorporate some thing new into your routine, whether it is a new workout, location, style of exercise, keeping it new and exciting will help your will power on those difficult mornings.

5. Find a friend to workout with you: As I mentioned I have friends who run with me on occasion. We strap up our kids in the stroller and head off on a 3-5 mile route. It is so much more fun having someone there to keep you entertain as you climb hills or burn those thighs.

6. Self-evaluate: Check in from time to time about how you are feeling while working out. Try to step back and look at the overall picture. Are you spending too much time? Are you not spending enough? Is a part of your life suffering due to this schedule? This helps keep fitness in perspective. and that it is a journey and not a finish line.


I hope you find this helpful. Share in the comments below ways that keep you motivated and in check about your fitness.






 (This post was originally posted on The FIThusiast)

Taste Test: Rau Chocolate

Rau Chocolate

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this delicious and unique treat. While enjoying a similar product, Pressed Juicery, Drink Rau Chocolate encouraged me to give it a try. I was lucky enough to have a Whole Foods nearby that supplies the product. When I first went in, I found that Whole Foods was carrying their Cold Brew Mocha and Mint. Since I had already consumed my fair share of coffee that day, I selected the Mint. At first taste it was a bit chalky and similar to the taste of cacao bits, which is a large ingredient in the drink. The mint taste was very present in the drink and stronger than most mint chocolate products I've tasted. I believe that the chalky taste that I experienced was due to my not shaking the product enough. Sediment does occur and it is necessary to make sure that any sediment is mixed in the product to ensure a smooth taste.

After having a yummy experience with Mint, I decided to give the Cold Pressed Mocha a go, but when I got to Whole Foods, they had Drink Rau Chocolate Original and Mayan Spice, a new flavor I was longing to try. I decided that the Mayan Spice was a must. This was a delicious treat in the morning, much smoother with a spicy kick after each swig. It tasted much more chocolaty and really was a fusion delight, my taste buds were extremely happy. The serving size is for 2 servings and I would agree that consuming a whole bottle is overkill, it ruins the experience and you appreciate the flavors melding together more, especially with Mayan Spice, my mouth was needing some reprieve, surprisingly Annie's Cheddar Bunnies is a great compliment.

Finally, I tried the Drink Rau Chocolate Original and was so satisfied. This is truly delicious, it tastes like chocolate milk, but it's dairy free...INSANE!! It's super smooth and creamy. It really was my favorite out of the other two I tried. I would definitely start with this one prior to try the fun other flavors.

At 5 bucks a pop, I'd say that this is an extremely great deal.  Drink Rau Chocolate is vegan, dairy free, sugar free, and organic. I can't express how much I truly enjoy great products like these. I am a believer that whole food does the body good and although it's not practiced all the time in my life, it's great when it does. Finding products like Drink Rau Chocolate are typically expensive and I usually forgoe them all together, but this is a great buy and product.





Pros
Healthy
Clean Eating
Sweet and Creamy
Delightful Flavors
Affordable
Sold in many stores
Low amount of ingredients
Raw
Sugar Free
Dairy Free



Cons
Shaking is necessary or can lead to an unpleasant experience.




Have you tried Rau Chocolate? What other health drinks do you enjoy?














I was not compensated for my review or sought out to do it. I paid for these products and this is my honest opinion.

Fitness Friday

Welcome!!

Health

We've been eating pretty well. I've given up my meal planning and began to rely on Emeals to provide me with help. Being back at work is difficult. Kiddos to those of you that love to cook and plan meals. It was just too much stress!! Check out emeals though, it's a great investment. 

Cod tacos

Tailgate chili!!

Here are our meals for next week:

Monday: Weeknight Enchiladas and 

Tuesday: Sweet and Spicy Chicken Breasts

Wednesday: Broiled Tilapia

Thursday: Turkey Meatloaf

Friday: Turkey and Provolone Meatloaf Sandwiches

Saturday: Salisbury Steak

Sunday: Family Dinner

It also includes a shopping list with most items discounted. Love, love, love it!!

Fitness

I just finished another half. I decided this was the year I would run a half once a month. So I've got two more to go!! I've been trying to incorporate more weight training and stretching into my workout routine. I've also started two challenges for the month of October!!

Join in!! 

Here is my week in fitness:

Saturday: 20 minutes yoga

Sunday: 13.1 Urban Cow Marathon!!! PR time 1:48:33

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 3 mile run, 60 squats, 5 push-ups  

Wednesday: 20 minutes yoga, 15 minutes blogilates video, 60 squats and 5 pushups

I'm so excited for some new things!! (1) today I get to help up at my nieces school warming up kiddos!! I love setting an example of how important staying healthy is. I know that running isn't for everyone but fitness IS fun!! It's all about ATTITUDE!! (2) I get to help run this lovely blog hop!! I'm so excited!! I've got some fun ideas but am open to challenges and themes!!

Keep staying fit and healthy!!

What is your biggest struggle when it comes to staying fit? Is it time, money, motivation?

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Book Review: The Heavy

WOW!! 

What a book.

If you haven't heard about this woman, she hasn't gain the best reputation in the media.

Media, shemedia...we all know how they blow things out of proportion.

This book hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was convicted on my ease of being that judgey parent.

You know that parent that measures herself against everyone.

That not only feels like she's not doing a great job, but justifies that she is upon seeing another parent.

This story is about a mother who puts her daughter on a diet.

WHAATTT?

a seven-year old on a diet, she must be crazy.

Well I have to admit that I was judging this momma like crazy.

But it's not really my place to judge. Her daughter was diagnosed obese.

This is a very touchy territory, but one that hasn't really been touched upon

What do parents of obese children do?

They are either lazy for allowing their children to 'eat too much,' or looked at as indulging their children too much.

Its really hard!!

But Dara-Lynn summed it up with this comment "Parenting is hard enough without worrying about what others are thinking.

I give this book a 6 out of 6 hearts

Please read this! Its a beautiful story about a mother's love for her daughter.

 

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Book Review: Crazy, Sexy Diet

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!
No seriously you must!!!

Kris Carr is phenomenal!

This book is full of great information, colorful pictures, great recipes, and encouraging words.

It made wanting a colonic fun?! Is that possible.

Kris' has a great story. She found out she had cancer and made a 360 degree turn with her eating and was able to stop her cancer growth.

Her book is solely based on a vegan/vegetarian diet.

I keep running into this concept. 

To eat meat or not.

If I raised my own cattle, I would definitely eat meat.

But she is right when she discusses its issues with digestion.

My favorite thing about her is that she has a 60/40 encouragement of this diet. 

A diet isn't really a quick fix, its a lifestyle change. I like this 60/40 because it allows you some freedom, but she also mentions working toward having an 80/20 goal of this diet.

Looking at my diet, I will say that I am very close with this, maybe 70% following and 30% not.

I've gotta work on eliminating carbs out of the diet. But they are cheap and easy.

I definitely give this book 6 out of 5 hearts. Get it now!!

I've also read the book above and it is filled with lots of quality recipes I am very excited to try out!!

How are you a clean eater?

 

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Book Review: The Little Book of Diet Help

The Little Book of Diet Help was definitely little. It could fit in your purse with no problem.

Which also made it a super quick read.

There were definitely some interesting points in the book, but I found it to be lackluster.

It focused a lot on acupressure.

While I found this interesting, I also found that it was a little overkill.

The pages of this book were filled with either quotes, acupressure, helpful hits or information about a hormone.

Although thought-provoking, it was no more that a quick read. 

It won't waste your time, but I wouldn't put it on the top of your reading list.

I gave it 3 out of 5 hearts.

Not a horrible book, but just not what I was looking for.

Although if you haven't read many health books.

This would be a great one to start with because it is not filled with a ton of information.

Alright...I'll give it 4 out of 4 hearts.

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Vegan: To Healthy

Yes, Yes, I know it should say "Vegan: Too Healthy" But I've changed my diet. AGAIN!! I know so indecisive. But the more I really thought about why I was vegan/vegetarian was not because I don't think meat is healthy or that I think I am a PETA activist (I'm not), but because of how meat is handled. That includes fish. As I begin to read about pregnancy (I'm not, I'm just also not a procrastinator) and diet, I have been reading horror stories about the meat industry. EWWW Gross! (If you wanna know check out Skinny Bitch/Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven). Whether I'm pregnant or not, I refuse to eat non-organic, hormone raised meat. I'll venture out and eat hormone free meat, but I'm really relying on my friends who hunt to stock me with some awesome yummies (Last week, we enjoyed venison sandwiches and elk burgers). I've also been buying organic and still avoiding dairy. I might splurge if I received home grown eggs. Thanks for being patient with me on my journey, I've had to eat more meat because I believe I'm anemic (I did that penny test: run a penny down your cheek. If there is a black line then you have anemia, if their is no line, you are fine).


I can't wait to find more yummy recipes and share them with you!!

OOOPPPPS! Minor setback

First day I ate meat and it hadn't even been a week. Last night we had family dinner at my in-laws and I caved. I had a chicken sausage. I know, I know...HORRIBLE! But I have to allow myself some slack when I go to people's homes because otherwise I'll starve.

And I should say that I'm not actually vegan, more like vegantarian. I not all hardcore about animal protection rights (but it is disgusting how they harvest meat). I am actually more intense about excluding dairy from my diet. Meat is a choice that I have made to exclude from my diet. Every now and then I will have a slip up and I figure that is okay. If I go cold turkey, I'm doomed to fail. I also know that when I become pregnant (whenever that is) I'll have to give up fish, so I'm starting now (I'm so not a procrastinator).

Wish me luck! And send any advice this way :)

I also got in some yoga in the past two days!