Tag: health

Reflections on Day 63 of 75 Hard

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

Bish be sweatin’

I’ve made it through a good portion of 75 Hard and I’ve managed to stay quiet about it for a lot of different reasons. For one, this is my FOURTH attempt at it. I didn’t want to put it out there and only to fail again.

To simplify 75 Hard…it’s (2) 45 minute workouts a day. 1 must be done outside. Read 10 pages of non-fiction a day. Drink 1 gallon of water a day. No cheat meals. Stick to a diet. Take a progress pic of yourself daily (the most hated part of it for me). No alcohol.

So, after reading that, YES IT IS HARD. But it is totally doable and the rewards I’ve seen from this mental challenge is BEYOND my wildest dreams.

Thoughts on the Workouts

The working out part is the easiest part for me, besides the days where it’s just a little busy and you think you can’t make the time….but you can always find a way. I have a strict morning workout routine Monday-Friday and I began taking a 45 minute walk around the park in my neighborhood AS SOON as my work day ends for my second/outside work out. The benefits of the walk outside are ENDLESS – I feel like it’s an intention that the work day has ended…you get fresh air…you feel another burst of energy..you connect with nature and your neighbors…I love it. And I don’t think I’m going to stop it after this challenge ends. It’s THAT therapeutic for me.

Weekends are a bit different, I wake up and have a Nespresso Americano (MY FAVE) and do some reading. I do take long, long walks or runs before the rest of the world wakes up down by the marina here or back in the park. (I wake up at 5AM even on the weekends – it makes Mondays easier). I rotate the other workout with yoga, stretching, the bike, weights…whatever my body is craving.

I HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER.

Thoughts on the Diet

I’m vegan – I’ve been staying vegan throughout this time. There’s ALWAYS tons of improvement needed in my diet, but I eat pretty clean, have my daily smoothie and get in all of the veggies. Do your best. It’s all you can do!

The Water

Easy for me – Drink 3 40 oz Hydroflasks a day. Make it work.

The Reading

Okay – the reading…has been SO BENEFICIAL to my brain. I have always polluted my mind with garbage TV after my work day and it has done nothing for me. This has stopped all together and I just can’t stomach reality anymore. It’s trash – don’t pollute your mind. Read. Books. Instead. Some of the books I’ve read during this thing are The Science of Getting Rich, The Year of Yes, Let Love Rule, Awaken the Giant Within and I’m currently reading Game Changers.

No Alcohol

…I’ve been sober 10.5 years… THE END.

The Progress Pic

ugh ugh ugh! I hate this part – but I guess it will be fun to see the progress on Day 75. I try my best to loop it in my routine RIGHT AFTER my work out. I’m trying to wear the same-looking outfit and stand in the same place so there’s actually ways to see the progression.

Very messy bathroom – and not the most sexy pic but hey, it works

Wrapping it Up

My final thoughts of this 75 Hard thing on Day 63 are these… THIS IS A MENTAL CHALLENGE AND IT’S MEANT TO BE HARD. My brain and my body have never felt better. The mind shift I’ve felt in the days of the 40’s, is astounding. I realized that I’m in change of my life and there’s areas in it that just aren’t serving me. I started up this blog again, began a partnership with my best friend to bring women healthy products to support their hormones, and I’ve tabled the stuff that just don’t serve me. I can’t stomach negativity or reality TV, or pop culture news. It simply doesn’t feed my soul fire these days.

I want to live the best life possible and I’m so glad 75 Hard as opened my eyes a little wider. I’m grateful for that.

The Skinny Bitch Gets Skinnier

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Weight Loss ⚠️

Me at OTF preparing for the Transformation Challenge – 125lbs – Jan 2020

I’ll preface this with – I’ve always been a Size 2, I am very proud of my body through all of it’s twists and turns and changes.

I don’t know what happened. I looked at the scale at some point in 2019 and my weight hit 138+. I was shocked. In my mind, I was always 120, so how did this freakin’ happen? Well, I’ll tell you.

Working in an office with snacks everywhere. Unconscious eating. Taking the hormonal birth control pill unknowing of its side effects. Lack of mindfulness and meditation. No self confidence. Being content.

The day I knew I wanted change.

I knew something had to change. Not that I never DIDN’T exercise, but I needed to step up my game. Like majorly. So, I tried Orangetheory Fitness in January 2019 and I fell in love. The HIIT workouts got me, I started jogging, I made friends and it was great. It completely helped me shed a few LBs and I was getting strong and tone – no doubt. But seriously…with all of that vigorous exercise, you’d swear I’d be a twig. I still was not.

Enter 2020 – the year of crazy adjustments of working from home and COVID scaries. I had an epiphany that this was my time to really explore my health once and for all. I started researching the side effects to hormonal birth control and they weren’t pretty. I also dug into nutrition. I wanted to be plant based more than ever – after way too many attempts before. I dug into books, recipes, supplements.

I WENT OFF THE PILL in July 2020. I thought, I’m home, I really think this is the culprit to me hanging onto excess weight and if shit hit the fan and I felt like ass or mood swings would slap everyone around me in the face (ahem, my husband), I’d be home and in my comfort zone. I also alerted my boss to my potential health crisis. I read so many horror stories in all of these women’s Facebook groups, that I was prepared for anything and everything. I was transitioning my diet before I did all of this for a few months getting off the pill – which helped A LOT)

The results were astounding. Weight shed off me, I felt lighter, I felt so human that I actually had emotions and I was present. My anxiety was at bay – or at least I can pinpoint what was causing it (like, a sudden work issue, COVID, etc.)

Today, I’m at around 117lbs. That’s 23 pounds of the old me shed. I am healthy, happy, and lighter. I’ll save my fitness, diet, and mindfulness routine for another post and I will admit that I’m doing the 75 Hard challenge that has given me more mental results than physical – I’m on day 56 today.

Present day progress!

I owe my success to: MY DEDICATION AND AMBITION, Dr. Jolene Brighten’s Post HBC Protocol and supplements, Peloton’s bike and app, daily meditation, reading books of inspiration, goal setting,75 Hard and as cheesy as it sounds, positive mindset. CUT. OUT. THE. TRASH. BEHAVIOR. IN. YOUR. LIFE. (reality TV, IG feeds that don’t fuel your fire and trigger judgement and comparison, even friends that don’t serve you etc.) Oh, and try to SLEEP 8-9 hours a night. It’s more important than you think!

Wherever you’re at in your journey, I’m sending you love and self confidence. If you’re looking for inspiration, let me be your guide. Set goals and write them down.

Ode to 2020

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

Yep, it’s old news that 2020 is a shit year. It’s out there and this post isn’t going to rag on 2020 any more. So, if you want more bad news or more negativity to glob onto, move along and click to exit this page on your browser.

All things Corona virus related not included in my love of 2020, but it’s been a really great year.

I started with high intentions, which I always do on every New Years Eve night. I did what I always did. I worked out, continued my mostly-vegan diet and was going into 2020 with a bang as my best year yet. And, honestly, it has been!

The first time a caught a glance at the Eiffel Tower – PURE BLISS. (unedited and pure)

Late February, 2 girlfriends boarded a plane to Paris. We began the trip and strangers and returned sisters. I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe. My longing began when I was in college and I kept putting it off and had every excuse in the book. BUT! I took the plunge, booked a solo ticket in August and convinced the gals to join me. The first one to join asked if I wanted company and I said HELL YEAH! These ladies were not even the least bit reluctant to book, so I knew we were all in for a great time, and that it was. Together, we all popped our Europe cherries, walked probably about 20 miles a day through the streets of Paris, learned how to make croissants, went shopping, explored, took photos, shared stories, bought souvenirs and pretended to be the chicest of chic Parisian women. The 10 days with 2 in London were magical and I am so grateful. Present day, we’re all landlocked back in the states but the 3 of us send each others share photos of our trip often and we’re totally grasping onto faith that our next European adventure happens in 2021. All 3 of us have our credit cards and passports ready!

How my engagement ring was delivered…

Post European rendezvous, Steve and I got engaged. March 17th – exactly 1 year after we adopted our beloved little Jagger Fergus. Another great day in the books. I’ve kept this private and off of social media because I’m totally not one of THOSE people. (YUCK! – and you TOTALLY know the ones I’m talking about) If you know Steve and I, you know that we are quiet and private people – so this night was perfect. We had a quiet dinner from our favorite local Thai restaurant, he prepared dessert and out came little Jaggy with the ring. A gorgeous channel cut diamond band! (that I totally picked out)

Work: I got a raise this year – and also developed pure work/life balance. I started a brilliant routine! And I’ve written about it. For 2021, I’m working on purpose and passion and achieving financial freedom.

Joining the Peloton family was another great thing that happened in 2020. Never did I ever think I would be a workout from home person, but as I got into it, I LOVE IT. Every morning at 5am, I’m working out with THOUSANDS of like-minded folks just like me getting their morning sweat on. Our house now holds so many weights and work out gear, you’d sweat we had a massive garage to put it all in but we’ve made it work in our guest room/office/now gym/meditation room. I LOST 21 POUNDS AND COUNTING. (please, judgements aside, I’ve always been happy with my body, but this was a goal I set for myself and a lot of it was hormone related and being on the BC pill for so long — more on that another time). Buy a Peloton here and save $100!

MARRIED LIFE: Steve and I tied the know on August 14th. Fast, furious and private. Exactly what we wanted. No circus, no fairy tales, no princess dresses and NO weird posed icky pictures. Those things are all for a different breed of people, NOT US. It was a hot summer day in Norfolk, Steve wore his suit, I wore separates inspired by Olivia Palermo and Carrie Bradshaw’s courthouse wedding. My flowers were from my beloved local Vons Grocery store and my shoes were electric blue and designer… Yes, THOSE shoes.

Those are the highlights – I am really looking forward to a fresh start to the New Year!

I’m in the process of setting goals that I’m excited to share!

Wellness Wednesdays – Feeling Brave

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind and I am really starting to feel brave in my ripe age of 30. Last week, I posted this blog to my network of friends which I was deathly afraid of. I’m going for an opportunity at work that I never thought would come available and never thought I’d be supported on – and I faced my fears of health and got blood work done to see if I am indeed healthy. 

ImageBeing Brave by releasing my blog: I decided I’m really going to put myself out there and not be embarrassed of who I am. I’m spiritual. I’m sober. I believe in God. I pray every night and meditate in the morning. I used to be afraid to admit these things to people – because I was afraid of judgement. With putting my fear aside, I may actually be able to help someone – which is a miracle. 

Being Brave at work: I get really uncomfortable with work stuff because I had a few rough spats in my career over the past 15 years. After a long journey, I’m in a job and company that I love and want to grow with.  After talking the talk of wanting to move up – I’m going for a new opportunity. Pretty rad, huh? Wish me luck! 

Being Brave at the Doctor’s: I was lucky to meet the fine folks over at Bloom Natural Health through my job.  It led to me doing a full bloodwork panel that I’ve never done before – because I was deathly afraid I was going to find out that I’m dying. I faced my fears and got my results back today. Surprisingly, I am not dying – and I am one healthy young lady, but I do have areas to work on. My brave face paid off and I feel so much better! 

So,  beautiful people, I encourage you to be brave.  Take chances. Face your fears.  In the end, you feel a hell of a lot better. Life is too short!

Release your fears in the comments section (and to the universe). 

What Motivates Me

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

ImageIt’s so easy to get dragged down by life – your job, your friends, family drama. It’s like going down a rabbit hole and not being able to breathe. 

I try so hard not to get sucked into a booby-trap of negativity by focusing on what motivates me. Here’s just a few… 

Doing things that make me feel good…. For instance, I took a mega-hard hot yoga class tonight. I had no idea what to expect and it’s been a while since my last intense yoga class.  I suited up and faced my fears (sweat my brains out) and completed the practice. Guess what? I loved it – and now I’m inspired to write tonight! Other feel-good things to me are – walking, cuddling up and watching TV with my BF, late night calls with my sister, mid-afternoon naps, much needed mani/pedis, etc. 

Motivated people (also filed under ‘People who walk the walk’….)… I love people that inspire me.  It’s the people who work really hard around me on a daily basis that keep work fun and creative.  Also – top notch people making a difference like Marianne Williamson, Josie Maran, Summer Rayne Oakes, Krishna Das, Kris Carr… I can go on and on. All of these individuals have passion and do good for the world. 

Do-Good Companies…. There’s so many out there right now, but off the top of my head I can think of Toms, The Giving Keys, Acure Organics, Nika Water, Whole Foods Market, Charity Water, etc. All of these big and small companies are motivating me.  That’s what I want to be a part of.

There’s lots more – but maybe this post will motivate you too. What inspires and motivates your spirit? Tell me in the comment! 

Summer Solstice

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

Happy Summer Solstice, Beautiful People. I’ve had a pretty awesome day today – and I hope you have too. I put in a hard days work – but it’s what happen afterwards that matters.

ImageWhen 4PM hit, I headed out of the marketing world and into the natural health world. I went to Bloom Natural Health‘s Summer Solstice party in Encinitas. It cleared my mind completely. The evening’s activities were mediation, planting intentions on seed paper, releasing negative stuff in a fire, and healthy drinks galore from Beaming Vitality Bar. I had a great time!

[Beware: I’m going to get really real here] I planted my intentions in the Bloom garden for Imagesuccess. Financial, career, relationship are my goals for this year. For my release, I wrote down in crystal clear ink – Jealousy, Greed, and Judgement. Things I really need to let go of for sure. I’ve struggled with it for years. Now is the time I must let them go – for myself and those around me – and I’m ready to do it. Hello, Clarity – I’m ready for you!

So, now is the time where I turn it over to you – what are your intentions for the summer solstice of 2013? What are you releasing?

I appreciate BLOOM for having me at this wonderful gathering!

Wellness Wednesday

by graceisthenewglam, posted in Uncategorized

Image

So, I have to ask you the simple question – what did you do to make yourself feel good today? I’ll start – after work, I rallied to my gym (LA Fitness) and went for my most favorite spin class with Jay [spin instructor extraordinaire]. 28 miles later and over 400 calories burned, I feel amazing. 

It’s about pushing yourself to your limits, trying new things, and putting the pedal to the metal [quite literally]! 

I chose fitness as my ‘feel good’ thing today – now it’s your turn – Leave your comments below! 

 

PS – Make sure you listen to Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke while getting your fitness on!