We want results!!!

 We want results!!! Right?!

Well here's the thing. As much as this makes me less then thrilled, results will not happen over night. I know this is kind of a "Duh" statement, but it's the truth. There are things we can do to change that but it pretty much comes down to things like getting Liposuction and not actually putting in any real effort on your part. Lots of money! But no true effort.

Effort is important. . .if you aren't able to put in the effort to get results, then chances are you won't keep any you get. Effort and good habits go hand in hand. You need to find a system that you can follow for the long hall so that you keep seeing results and so you can stick to the things that got you there.

The difference between a diet and healthy lifestyle choices are important to focus on. A diet can be a good start, much like a cleanse can be. However if you don't know how to be after it is all said and done then it isn't likely it will matter. Results come from a combination of what you take in to fuel your body, and how you exercise to burn that fuel.

 Find a workout plan that fits you and your lifestyle. There are so many choices out there. You can't go wrong with any of them!

If you have a lot to loose, and this is a big change in your life, start small. Don't stress your body and heart in a way that can either do damage or just discourage you all together. Set aside 4-5 days a week and walk. Start with half a mile and work your way up. Adding another half mile after every other week or so. You will realize you can walk longer and be less out of breath as you progress.

Once you feel good about that add in something else. Add a yoga class 2-3 times a week, or a Yoga DVD. Start challenging your body to do something different. Yoga is great because it doesn't have any impact and it is all about flexibility and stability.

You can also try a Coach to 5K program if you have a particular goal of being able to run. You can start off first by walking and then ease into the Coach to 5K program. From there you can make whatever goal you want after that. Whether it being to challenge yourself to a 5K with obstacles once you've completed a 5k or two. Or you can keep pushing distance and try for a 10K or a half marathon! Going even farther by completing a full marathon! The goal should just always be to start somewhere and keep pushing yourself after that.

In order to see results you need to keep your body challenged and engaged. You need to go to that breaking point, where you are sweating and starting to breath heavy and maybe even want to quit. But don't quit. This is what you want. You have to push yourself past your comfort zone.

Results will come. If you can promise yourself the time to dedicate to making that effort then you will see results. It won't be right away, and not all results you will be able to see. But you will notice your abilities will grow and your flexibility will increase and your pants will feel loose. Before you know it you can soon SEE the results and then so will other people around you. 

However if you only change your physical activity and not your diet it is likely that the change will be small if any at all. You need to set up a plan that works for you. Make premade meals and put them in the freezer. Spend one day a week prepping your meals based on either a healthy cook book you bought or a special meal plan you want (such as the Paleo diet, a clean eating diet or a gluten free diet). And remember when I use the word diet it is referencing your daily intake of food, not a short lived system meant to have an ending point. What do you want out of your eating plan? Do you want to eat what you like but just learn portion control(If you do nothing else, this is something everyone should be doing regardless)? Do you feel you would benefit from a gluten free diet? Maybe you have noticed you're feel very bloated and you don't feel well after eating products with Gluten as well as desiring the added benefits of weight loss that usually follow this diet change. Maybe you want to cleanse your body of the process garbage and switch to a clean eating way or life or even following the Paleo diet (mimicking what we ate during the days of "cavemen"). There are once again so many options and different choices out there depending on your lifestyle and your desired outcome.

Once you have gotten these two things down (diet and an exercise program) it is time to start seeing results! It might seem small at first but once you see that number changing on the scale and your clothes start feeling better it will validate all that hard work. Stick to it for four weeks! In four weeks you will start to notice your hard work paying off, and after that everyone else will start to notice too. You will become an inspiration in your social circle and you will truly see how worth it, it all was. Don't get down on yourself because after the first week you didn't see any change. If you change your body will also change, it just might take a few weeks at first for you to be able to tell. But it will be worth it all in the end!!!

No Excuses

We can all make excuses to explain why we haven't done the things we have wanted to do, why we haven't reached goals. . .why we gave up. We all have that ability and we have in so many ways over used that right.

There are no excuses. . .Challenges? Yes absolutely. There will always be things that get in our way and make us have to work twice as hard to reach our goals. We won't be able to easily complete each task we put ahead of ourselves. But we can. Absolutely we can.

I have a very soft spot in my heart for the men and women of our military. Between family members and friends there are a lot of people in my life who have or are serving our country. The thing I have learned most from our men and women in uniform? Never Quit. EVER!

After seeing a video of Team Xtreme doing a Spartan Race, I chose to sign up for one myself. Because with tears in my eyes, I knew this was a group of men I wanted to follow. The dedication and determination of these Wounded Warriors was just aw-inspiring and reminded me that your physical abilities start and stop with your motivation and determination to do them. 

I mean what excuses do we make?

"I just don't have the time"

"I'm not in the shape I want to be, and it's hard"

"I just can't get motivated"

"I have a sports injury from high school that slows me down"

"It all costs money"

"I have kids and I am super busy all the time"

"After a long day I just want to go home and relax"

There are hundreds and thousands of reasons and excuses we can all make to not do something. Whether it be competing in a fitness competition, partaking in a run of some sort, or just working out and getting of the couch. We can all find those reasons to quit, give up or not do them at all. But is that how you want to live your life? Or do you want to be that person that people look up to and admire?

Watch this video and see exactly why quitting isn't an option

These men have run into war with their brothers and given the ultimate sacrifices. Some gave their lives, some gave their limbs and I am sure all of them have suffered in much deeper ways none of us can begin to understand. What have they done about it? . . . They got right back up, pushed forward and are now setting new goals for themselves and motivating others in the process. 

I went on a run yesterday actually, with my step mom. And it was hot and we were tired. We had run earlier in the week and we knew we didn't want to just run once. My step mom is training for a half marathon and until I decide to sign up for one myself we are determined to run as often as we are able. We completed the run, only 3.75 miles that day. And as we were by our cars a couple came out of the same trail we had been on. The man running was an amputee and had a blade runner. We asked how far they were running, they said they were about half way through their 9 mile run. . . We wished them well and they went on their way. It reminded me that our minds can trick us into thinking we can't do something, but our bodies are much more resilient. I felt humbled at this nonchalant answer from the man. He clearly thought nothing more about his injuries, only about the miles ahead of him.

We can learn so much from the people who have come out of the ashes and rose to become even greater then before. We can't keep finding these excuses and letting them define our success in life. If you want to do something, just do it. That simple. No one is stopping you but you.

10 DaY Smoothie Cleanse

So four days ago my boyfriend and I started another 10 day smoothie cleanse. A few months ago I purchased the Nutribullet on Amazon and it has paid for itself twice over already! We successfully completed one 10 day cleanse and we are now on day 4 of our second cleanse.

There are a lot of great benefits to doing a cleanse of any kind, and I have talked about them in the past. Everyone has different reasons to do them as well. I am looking to undo some unhealthy eating and cut down on the bloat it has caused as well as helping get my eating habits back to a better place. Other reasons to do a cleanse?

Weight loss of course!

Lowering your blood pressure

Detoxifying your body

Help with digestion

Take in more fruits and veggies in your diet

Clearer skin

Increased energy

Take in antioxidants

Fighting and preventing illness

Changing the way you look at food

There are just so many reasons to not only do a cleanse, or more specifically a smoothie cleanse. You can also add it to your daily diet once you're done to keep those benefits in motion.

When I started with smoothies, I had been using a juicer for about a year already. But I felt like I was getting rid of too many essential nutrients by removing that roughage and only extracting the juices. I knew that there was a lot of fiber in there I was cutting out and honestly it was just a lot more work and prep so I was juicing a few times a week instead of every day and I had lulls where I didn't at all.

After getting my Nutribullet I have used it almost every single day aside from travel days here and there. It is so fast and easy that even when I am running late to work I know I can get a good smoothie thrown together for myself and my boyfriend and I don't have to worry about what we will be having for lunch. We have saved so much on eating out because of this as well! No lunches out or breakfast out and when we eat dinner out we have a much better way of ordering, because we have put in all this effort to be healthy in all of our other meals and we know what our bodies NEEDS verses what we think we WANT.

There is something very important to know and keep in mind however when it comes to smoothies!!! YOU CAN'T JUST USE FRUIT!

Fruit is what helps sweeten your smoothie and give it that flavor we love, however remember while fruit is healthy you can have too much of it and the sugar will actually have the opposite effect you are looking for. The suggestion with smoothies is you want about half and half, but if you can help it throw in more greens and veggies (as you get more use to the smoothies you can change the ratio). I ALWAYS have either kale, spinach, mixed greens or some kind of leafy green in each smoothie. About two big handfuls. Then I use water not milk. Other veggies that I enjoy mixing in to change up, for both the benefits and flavors?

Cucumber

Carrots

Tomato

Zucchini

You can also add things like Flax seed, protein powder, a multivitamin powder, chia seeds, nuts, peanut butter (i suggest powdered, both for ease of use and less fat) along with many other additives. However what I use is my Shakeology. I don't like the flavor of a lot of those other things but I still want the benefits of them in my smoothie. Normally I have Shakeology every morning anyway so now I just add it to my breakfast smoothie and I have everything I could possibly need in one!

 

  Other things to keep in mind during a smoothie cleanse:

Drink A LOT OF WATER!!!

Set a goal and stick to it! No quitting!

Take down your begining weight and measurements

Snack on raw veggies as much as you want

No processed food!

No diary or sugar!

I allow myself up to 2 hard boiled eggs a day

Don't over do your workouts during a cleanse

Sleep, your body will need it! (7-8 hours!)

It helps if you do it with someone

Don't jump right back into your old habits!

Remember you are doing this cleanse to start off on the right foot, this isn't so you can get right back into eating unhealthy crap and not working out regularly. Diet and exercise are hand in hand and you won't see results if you don't do these together. This is the beginning of a lifestyle change. It isn't a crash diet. You can do this!!!

Smoothie Recipe I enjoy!

Just Peachy:

One bottle of water

A cup of frozen peaches

A cup of frozen blueberries

2-3 Big handfuls of Spinach

Some kind of multivitamin mix or Shakeology

Standard Go-To:

One Banana

1 1/2 Cup strawberries

One bottle of water

2-3 Handfuls of Spinach or baby kale

Some kind of multivitamin mix or Shakeology

AND DRINK A LOT OF WATER ALL DAY LONG!!!

Dogs and Your Work-Out

Having a dog is a great way to get out of the house, but it doesn't just stop at giving your dog a 10-15 minute walk to do their business! There are so many fun ways to include your dog in your active lifestyle. You can even learn and take part in new activities together!!!

A lot of these activities you might already do with yourself, but now you can get the pup out of the house for some fun too! Some activities include:

Running

Paddle Boarding

Kayaking

Hiking

Riding a Bike

Swimming

Rollerblading

5K Races for you and your pet

Agility Dog Training

Hunting

Mushing

Day Trips

Frisbee

Dog Parks

Surfing

Dog Friendly Events

Beach Trip

After waking up this morning to a very bored dog that wanted nothing but some good old fun it crossed my mind that we could easily make the things we enjoy, things we can enjoy with our pet. I mean it isn't anything new! I stumble upon these photos and videos of dogs partaking in fun outdoors activities all the time. Activities that can help you stay active and fit while also bonding with your furry friend. It's a win win!

It is nice for people who maybe don't have that gym buddy or a significant other also. It isn't always easy to be excited about doing things when you don't have someone in your life at the moment. If you have a dog though, you can be there for one another! You can explore and get out and try new things! We live in a world where people make their animals the center of there lives, so there are so many pet friendly places, activities and events. Make a point to make time for man's best friend, they will enjoy the time outside and the time with you as much as you if not more.

Remember of course when you are keeping your pet involved, there are things to keep in mind. You want to make sure your dog can swim if you are doing any water activities or make sure you have a life vest for them. Also when taking your pet for a hike or a walk make sure they have the correct foot wear. Sometimes if they are walking on ruff surfaces the pads of their feet can get torn, to avoid this you can get a pair of dog booties, which is also good for colder weather activities as well. Also for the cold weather a jacket or sweater is good depending on the breed and what kind of coat they have. Of course you always want to carry food and water with you for when they need a break, just like we do! 

Make sure you also arm them with flee and tick medication as well as keeping them up on all their shots such as rabies just in case!

It's important to know where your dog stands with other dogs. A lot of these activities could put you in a situation where there are other dogs, so you want to make sure that they get along with other dogs and won't be aggressive. Also be aware also of the other dogs around you and their behavior. Your dog might be friendly but that doesn't mean everyone else's is.

Make sure you also have a nice long leash so your doggie can explore a bit without letting them off leash. If you do feel comfortable with letting your dog off leash make sure you have your dog trained well, so that you can call them back and they stay close. Also make sure it's an area where it is permuted. 

DON'T FORGET THE POOP BAGS!

Of course. . .you always want to make sure you are equipped to clean up after your pooch. Anywhere that allows dogs, usually require this. However they don't always have poop bags. You never want to ruin things for other visitors by leaving a mess behind. It could end in a rule of NO DOGS ALLOWED. And that isn't fun for anyone.

Enjoy your time with your dog, their life isn't long. . .make it a good one! Show them love and affection and remember they get cabin fever and board too!

You are BE-YOU-tiful!!!!!

That's right! And you need to hear it!!!

Is it important to be healthy and active? Yes of course it is! You should want to be those things because it is what will allow you to play with your kids, and live a long happy healthy life where you can check EVERYTHING off your bucket list! . . . Is it important to be a size 2 while doing so? HELL NO!!! You don't need to be any size. . .just be happy with who you are. God made you in his image!

It doesn't make you a bad person to want to loose some weight, to get back into your wedding dress, to lose that baby weight, or maybe even be a size you never thought you could be. But you need to remember one thing! If you don't love yourself. . .it doesn't matter what size your jeans are, and it never will!

We are all different, and we can't judge anyone else because of that. You are a beautiful person, there are things about you that people will be jealous of and you will always have it better then someone else just like someone else will always have it better then you. . .In some ways of course! Not in all ways! We can't keep comparing ourselves to one another!

Media has poisoned us and our images of ourselves and each other. No one is perfect. Could we starve ourselves and work out 2 hours a day, 6 days a week and change that? . . . Well I suppose we could do that. But do you want to? Don't you just want to be good enough as you are and be able to better yourself at your own pace to the point where YOU are happy with yourself and your accomplishments? You don't need to win a fitness competition, you don't need to fit into this small group of people who have dedicated their life to fitness and 5% body fat.

Take up a hobby that benefits you, do yoga because you want to increase your flexibility and find peace in your life. A way to escape from the daily grind. Take walks to create some good habits and chat with a friend you have been wanting to catch up with. Make that time for yourself! You want to treat your body with love and respect, keep your heart and lungs healthy and be able to feed your body things that give you strength and balance. But don't ever make it about the way you look. Because you will always find a picture somewhere that makes you think "oh great. . .what's the point, I'll never look like that. . ."

Stop worrying if your butt is big enough, or your boobs are big enough, or your waist is small enough. . . It doesn't work like that. Would you want us all to look the same?! There is someone out there who will see you and love the crap out of you and just stare at you as you get dressed and say "You're beautiful". . .THAT is what it's all about. Don't let the media or anyone else for that matter take that away from you. No one is perfect! NO ONE!

This is an entertaining spin on ads I've seen of women, and it is 100% right!!!

Men feel the pressure too! We talk about muscle bound men, well endowed men. . .tall men, tall dark and handsome men. . .Tan men, men without body hair, men with thick hair, men with big hands. . .We list all of these things that are seen as important, and no one realizes that this is just as hard for men to hear as it is for women to hear about big boobs, and big butts and a number on a scale.

Men are suppose to be strong and manly. Survival of the fittest! And yet we do not live in a world where every guy is going to be a body building 5% body fat, well endowed Greek God. And when you stop and think about it. . .is that really all that important anyway?

I consider myself very lucky in the fact that I am with someone who takes care of his body, simple because if I wasn't with someone who did, I wouldn't either! We both have our flaws and things we would like to change, but I am no less attracted to him and he is no less attracted to me. We are not the perfect couple, body image wise or in any other way. We don't always see eye to eye and we butt heads at times. . .but when we look at each other across the room we check THE CRAP out of each other! And not just that. . .we have common interests, A LOT of them. And I know that when I get home from work and he has off, he is just as excited to order a Domino's pizza and sit down and watch and episode or two of Dr. Quinn Medicine Women as I am. I mean how lucky am I?! Those are the things that matter!!! Not making sure you both don't have love handles, or a "belly".

I mean by all means, working out is great! Working out as a couple is GREAT! But don't let yourself or your significant other ever forget how beautiful they are! Tell them every day! EVERY DAY! We have to stop this madness. . .this isn't the real world. We are REAL people, and we shouldn't be made to be ashamed of ourselves because we don't fit into this mold set by society and media alike.

Yes, it's true. We use fitness "motivators", pictures of people who are fit. Hoping to reach our own goals and be smokin' hot! But how about this. . . Don't use those images to motivate you to change your body. . .use them to change your attitude. OWN IT! Rock what you've got! The sexiest thing a person can have is confidence! So go out there, live your life and be the sexy confident person that YOU are!

Just be Active!!!

You want a fun and fit lifestyle?! Just be Active!!!

This is the easiest way to stay in shape and even lose weight! Pick an activity, pick several! Try something different every weekend! There are so many fun activities out there, that are great for every season and every location. Try something that you've never done, make a bucket list of activities. That's what I did! I just wrote down everything I could think of that I would ever want to try and now I just have to make a point to start checking them off. And guess what?! It's fun! It isn't an hour and a half in the gym on a beautiful day. It isn't "a job" you feel you HAVE to do. It's you living a fit and active lifestyle and making the most of your time here on earth!

So make a list!

Here are somethings I have on mine, and maybe you might want to put on yours!

Learn to Paddle Board

Run in a Spartan Race

Go cross country Skiing

Hiking somewhere new

Kayaking

Whitewater Rafting

Take a couples dance class (salsa and swing)

Rock climbing gym

Finish a half marathon

Horseback ridding

Zip Lining

Ice skating

Jet skiing

Snowmobiling

Go Hunting

Fishing

Dog Sledding

Camping 

Anti Gravity Yoga

You can literally do anything! Be active, have fun! Make everyday a challenge and an adventure. Put down new places you'd love to walk. Maybe there is a nature trail by your house you just never got a chance to check out. Maybe you want to go hiking and camp out. Maybe you've always wanted to run in a 5K or a half or full marathon even! Mud runs are so popular right now, and they aren't all super intense. Most of them are just a lot of fun, and cool to say you've done. There are no limits to what you can do.

Sometimes it is hard to jump right into a fitness oriented lifestyle, maybe that has always seemed boring to you and you just wouldn't be able to stick to it. But that doesn't mean you have to be unhappy with your body. The gym isn't the only place you can lose weight. In fact I have found that the gym is the least effective place for me to lose weight. I have my workouts I do at home through Beach Body, and then I just do my best to constantly stay active and be fit in other ways. 

Do you have dogs? Dogs need exercise too. Take your dogs for a walk, once a day is ideal. This is a great way to start making a fit lifestyle change. Try going to new places, jump in the car with your furry friends and pick a nice canal path close by. The options are endless! Don't give up, there is always something you can be doing to get results and better your health and your life.

Combative Pistol Course with Dynamis Alliance

Epic Weekend! Course Review

https://www.dynamisalliance.com/

Ok, I will start of by saying that while this blog is centered mostly around fitness I am also a firearms instructor and firearms enthusiast. I know that this can turn some people off and interest others, so I choose to be selective about what I discus on the topic unless someone requests otherwise. However my life is very balanced with both fitness and firearms so I felt a strong desire to share my experience this weekend.

This weekend my boyfriend and I took the Combative Pistol Course run by Dom Raso, former Navy SEAL and owner of Dynamis Alliance and personal friend. In the almost two years I have been with my boyfriend I have met some really great people, and I have had some really amazing opportunities presented to me. This being one of them.

I am a very friendly easy going girl. I would never be explained by someone else as angry or aggressive. But that doesn't mean I don't understand the need to know how to handle yourself if ever put in a bad situation. I have always had an interest in fighting, and martial arts as well as the art of self defense and anything that falls into those categories. I have heard hundreds of stories told by my boyfriend who has been a police officer for 23 years, as well as seeing all the craziness going on in the world today. You might not want to hear it, but we don't live in a perfect world and the truth is you might be found in a situation where you need to defend yourself and do whatever you have to, to stay alive.

This course blew my mind. Knowing Dom, I went into it with the mindset that I was probably going to walk away with some bruises, as well as training that would be hard to beat by most standards. I walked away with both!

The training was over the course of 2 days, both days being 8 hours long. Where we went over a countless amount of situations involving defending yourself against an attacker and accessing your firearm. We paired up and ran drills all day long, learning just how quickly we could better our situation and situational awareness with the proper training and know how.

My boyfriend and I partnered up in the class, figuring when we got home we would be training with one another. My mindset was also that I knew he wouldn't hold back like someone else might have and I would get the most out of the class. The one thing I always disliked in taking classes in the past is when I was paired with a girl (unless training with a female instructor of martial arts) I wasn't pushed nearly as hard and never got the full effect of any of the holds. I mean nothing bad by saying this, but I know how much I can take and I know that if I don't go 100% and my partner doesn't go 100% I am not getting much out of the course at all. Dom didn't let up knowing I was a girl, he pushed me just as hard. His team as well. I didn't feel short changed at all like I have in the past with other courses I have taken.

Mind you, this makes for a very intense 2 days. You walk in not knowing what to expect and maybe you're even intimated by Dom and his team because of how well trained and experienced they are. But those are the guys you want in your corner! Those are the guys you want teaching you how to do it. Dom, his partner Dylan and Dom's brother Brian are amazing, they push you and give you the tools you need and they are there every step of the way to make sure you have a complete understanding of the course and why they want you to do it the way they do. 

I walked away feeling so confident and strong. I knew I had shown up to give my all and the money spent was worth it and then some. I also walked away with not only the skills to fight, but also with THE WILL TO FIGHT. 

Great course Dom, I WILL be taking it again, and I will recommend anyone else to take it as well!

21 Day Fix!

It takes 21 Days to make or break a habit!

So if your goal is to lose weight, get fit and eat better. . .you need to make a habit of it, and knock the habit of eating the wrong things and the wrong amount as well as not making exercise a part of your everyday.

21 Day Fix gives you a variety of workouts and the ability to monitor your portions so you know what you should be taking in every meal. Base what you eat off the portion controlled containers they give you and follow the workout plan while using shakeology and you will have no choice but to loose weight and see results!!!

Everyone has 30 minutes they can dedicate to a workout every day. There is  no excuse! This is time for you! Time you should be spending because you deserve it! If you make those healthy choices and this step into a new healthy lifestyle you will see results!

 

Everything you need is included and you can loose on average 15 pounds in that 21 days! What a great jump into your fitness goals right?!?!

Better yet join a challenge group and find other people doing the same workout or something similar and make sure you are being held accountable for pressing play every day and sticking to that portion control plan! In 21 days you will understand what your body needs, you can see exactly how much you need to be eating of what, and you will be able to make better decisions in the future!

AND DON'T FORGET THE BEFORE AND AFTER!!!

This will let you know how far you've come!!! Take down your beginning weight, beginning measurements and before and after photos so you can see at the end of the 21 days just what kind of results you got out of it! Knowing you have that to looking forward to. Seeing the transformation will give you the motivation you need to keep pushing forward and stay on track. Plus if you go through Beach Body you can submit those photos and receive a free T-shirt for the program you completed as well as being able to enter to win between $500-100,000!!! Why not give it a try!?!?

The biggest thing to remember when starting anything is to START IT!

We can all make excuses as to why we can't stick with a workout or a diet plan. Time. We have kids. We just don't have a schedule we can stick to. Holidays are coming up or we have vacations planned.

This is meant for all of those things! You don't have to stop your life, you just have to be held accountable. Make the time for the workouts, IT'S ONLY 30 MINUTES! And use those portion control cups with whatever it is your eating until you become comfortable with what amount you should be eating of what. You can do it! Don't get yourself down because it seems outside of your lifestyle to loose weight and eat healthy. It really isn't! This can be your new lifestyle and you can be the best you possible!

Fit Couple

Ok now I know that there is gym etiquette about working out with your significant other (rightfully so), but other then making sure you don't have a full on make out session in between sets it might be the best way to workout.

Why you might ask? Well it might go without saying really. . .but here are some reasons anyway. . .

The Buddy System

It is always easier to stick to a regular workout system when you have someone to go with you. If this person is also your special someone, there is no need to feel like you are sacrificing that time you could be spending with them to go and workout. It is also very much fun to check each other out from across the room while you are doing "your own thang".

If you come home from work and your boyfriend is on the couch watching reruns of CSI eating a pizza, the likely hood is you will join him. If you have it planned that when you get home from work you head to the gym then together you are being accountable for one another and the follow through is that much more likely. 

Great for the Bedroom

Well duh! You have more energy when you are working out and you look smoking hot!

Seeing each other workout and sweat and make that effort to look good for one another is very attractive. We aren't attracted to lazy people for a reason. We desire to be with someone who we know will carry their weight, and when we see them not only carrying their weight but also bench pressing a crap tone more weight. . .we can't help but to be more attracted to them. It means they are healthy, and able to protect the home and provide. Survival of the fittest right?!

Not to mention we feel 100 times better about ourselves and our bodies! We feel great and look great and the fear of getting naked is little to none when you are fit and trim. You also have the energy to go longer and even have a better response to one another because of your bodies over all health and wellness.

Dinner for Two

When you workout with your partner, it is also likely that you both desire to eat better and healthy as well. Remember, it's 50% what you do at the gym and 50% what you put in your body. If you are both geared towards the same goals you can keep each other in check and you don't need to worry about your partner bringing home fast food for dinner or filling the fridge with soda and processed crap.

Most likely you will decide on some kind of diet (paleo, low-carb, clean eating, gluten free) and you will hold each other accountable to it. 

If you decide to do a cleanse together you are more likely to complete it. My boyfriend and I did a 10 cleanse of smoothies together and it was tough. There was no way we would have gotten through it on our own. But on the second or third day my boyfriend said "I will stay true to this cleanse, the same way I will always stay true to you" and from there on out he knew he had to finish it haha. It's true though, you count on what each other says, you take promises seriously and it means a lot more with all that being said. Needless to say while it wasn't always easy we stuck to it and we helped each other when it got hard. We finished and we both got the results we were hoping for.

At the end of the day fitness and a healthy lifestyle needs to be supported by the people you surround yourself with. We can't always pick the healthiest group of coworkers, and sometimes we have friends who just don't care what they eat or if they ever see the inside of a gym. Maybe even our family will laugh at our attempts to get into shape. But if you want something out of life there is nothing and no one who can stop you. Picking your partner based on those goals and desires, will help keep it that way as well.

People who don't care about fitness, are usually people that have already tried and failed to many times to count. So reach out to them, see if they need your support. If they refuse, then it isn't your problem to fix. You need to worry about you and your own health. This isn't about vanity, or being narcissistic. This is about feeling good and being able to get the most out of your own life. Find someone who will support your way of thinking and the rest is cake! (you know. . .low calorie. . .sugar free cake. . .oh screw it! We all have cheat days, make it ice cream cake for me please!)

This Isn't Just about Diet and Exercise!

This is about be the best you possible!

I decided about a year ago that I didn't just want to start eating healthy and get in shape. . .I also wanted long healthy hair and smooth soft skin and to look 25 when I was 45! It wasn't just about being fit. . .It was about being the best me possible!

It all comes back to it being a life style choice! Deciding what you want out of life! My motivational quote was "I want my body to be my temple!" With that in mind I did my best to figure out exactly what I wanted out of my body to get it to that point.

So I Started With My Hair

My hair has always been long, but it hasn't always been healthy. Long unhealthy hair. . .looks gross. Let's face it! It look like you just don't care. Long HEALTHY hair looks amazing! It shows your dedication and that you care for your body. And its true! You do! 

 That's me ^^^ ! Doing a Coconut Oil Hair Mask

All you have to do is get a tub of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (http://www.gnc.com/GNC-SuperFoods-Coconut-Oil/product.jsp?productId=17440856) and put it throughout your hair, focusing on the ends, and message it in so that your scalp is stimulated. You leave it in your hair for as long as you want. An hour or over night. I always leave it in over night. Then all you do is wash it out. What I do is I sleep with a towel on my pillow (so it doesn't get my bedding greasy EWWW) and then I wash it out, usually two rounds of shampoo. AND THEN PRESTO CHANGE-O you have soft shiny hair that over time as you do the oil treatments will be healthier and longer as well!

I also use good quality shampoo and conditioner, I like Wen myself and a few others I have tried are nice. You can save money by shopping on Amazon! (http://www.amazon.com/Chaz-Dean-Almond-Cleansing-Conditioner/dp/B0089AA8RS/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1407952038&sr=1-1&keywords=wen), and get my hair trimmed ever 4-6 months. Just enough to get ride of the dead ends but still allow growth over all.

Now it's time to spend some time on your skin!

For me this is important! My skin can get very dry and I have had problem in the past with very itchy dry skin, even hives. For anyone who doesn't know how this can impact your life. . . .Imagine your skin itching like a million bugs are crawling under your skin EVERY TIME you shower, swim in a pool or the ocean, get caught in the rain. . .sweat a lot. . . That's right. That was me. And it brought me to tears more often then I can remember, it hurt that bad.

What did I do to stop it? Well honestly I tried just about everything! What I found worked best though? A 32oz, $2 a bottle Cocoa Butter Lotion (http://www.queenhelene.com/skincare_product_detail.php?id=38) I found in. . .wait for it. . .Walmart! I have been using it now for 3 years and my skin is amazing! I don't have those little bumps I use to on the back of my arms or legs. I don't have dry patches and most importantly I DON'T ITCH! For such a small investment It has changed my life! I literally use it on my entire body every single time I shower! Even my face!

An added bonus to using this or a product like this? When it's time for me to start having babies my skin will already be well hydrated and supple making it a lot easier for the skin to stretch, without leaving stretch marks! It also helps fade ones you already have! There just isn't a bad thing to say about it!

Face it!

Aging isn't something we want to do. . .however the alternative isn't much better. So lets make it graceful shall we?!

In addition to Cocoa Butter I first put on a Vitamin C serum on my face (http://www.amazon.com/OZ-Naturals-Hyaluronic-Neutralizing-Satisfaction/dp/B00DPE9EQO/ref=sr_1_14?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1407952161&sr=1-14&keywords=derma+roller) to help to fight the signs of aging. YES I am only 26 but it is said that you need to start anti-aging around the age of 25. This will allow your skin to be healthy and smooth longer without having to back track and try to "undo" the signs of aging. My beauty routine isn't complicated. It's honestly very simple!

I also do not use any foundation or powder or cover up. The goal should be to get our skin looking good without all that. All it does is create more breakouts and dries our skin out. Get a good SPF Lotion, an anti-aging creme or serum. . .basic essentials you can stick to. But your over all goal should be to better the blank slate. . .not add more paint!

And once in awhile throw in a facial! Use a derma roller! Exfoliate! You need to get rid of that dead skin and help replace it with new skin! Keep your body turning over new skin cells and keeping that blood flowing! Take that little bit of time for yourself and it will make a world of difference!