Hey just a quick note to say, I'm not dead!
I'm sorry I've fallen off the face of the earth lately, but I have had a few huge changes in my life, and they are still rolling. I will be back next month for good, and I promise I will fill you in on all the exciting details.
In the meantime, please keep checking back, as I will be revamping the whole page, adding new features, maybe even getting a new domain!!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Positive Outlook Experiment
I thought it would be cool to have a bright, colorful post today! Wheeee!!!!
As many people know, I battle depression. Sometimes it gets really bad, to the point where I catastrophize everything. When it gets that bad, I freeze. I can't focus on anything except the problem. I can't hear reason, even when it's inside my own head. I never know when it will happen, there is never any warning.
I have decided to try a new technique, hoping that it helps keep me calm when disaster (or a bad shopping trip) strikes. I also know that I am not the only one in the world this happens to, so I will share my plan, as well as progress or lack thereof.
-Every day, as soon as I wake up, I will be thankful. I will thank my creator for allowing me to wake up. I will be thankful to have a family, and a safe place to sleep, and a job.
-I will look at my "thankful list" and remember that I have a lot to be happy about. (If you do not have a "thankful list" I highly recommend making one. I will share mine in a separate post.)
-I will exercise daily. It's a simple step, but sometimes I feel like I'm not worth the time. By forcing myself to work out, I not only make time for me, but also boost my mood. (Exercise is proven to elevate your mood due to endorphins being released.)
As many people know, I battle depression. Sometimes it gets really bad, to the point where I catastrophize everything. When it gets that bad, I freeze. I can't focus on anything except the problem. I can't hear reason, even when it's inside my own head. I never know when it will happen, there is never any warning.
I have decided to try a new technique, hoping that it helps keep me calm when disaster (or a bad shopping trip) strikes. I also know that I am not the only one in the world this happens to, so I will share my plan, as well as progress or lack thereof.
-Every day, as soon as I wake up, I will be thankful. I will thank my creator for allowing me to wake up. I will be thankful to have a family, and a safe place to sleep, and a job.
-I will look at my "thankful list" and remember that I have a lot to be happy about. (If you do not have a "thankful list" I highly recommend making one. I will share mine in a separate post.)
-I will exercise daily. It's a simple step, but sometimes I feel like I'm not worth the time. By forcing myself to work out, I not only make time for me, but also boost my mood. (Exercise is proven to elevate your mood due to endorphins being released.)
-I will write in a journal CONSTANTLY. I am horrible sporadic with my journal writing. I will write for a few days, then stop for a year. Oops. To remedy that, I will carry it with me at all times. I will write first thing in the morning, as well as throughout the day, especially when I am facing a stressful situation. Not only does this relieve some pressure by forcing thoughts out into the universe, but looking back, there might be a pattern that isn't clear at this time.
-I will remind myself that life is no big deal. It's not the end of the world. I have made it through so much, and I can make it through anything else that is thrown at me. Humans are amazing creatures. They adapt. They grow. And when they aren't crazy like me, they can think logically lol.
This is not all I am doing. I have a whole list of things that I am going through every day, trying to get better. I read a book the other day called Crawling Out Of Darkness. It is written by my mentor. She inspired me to become a fitness coach, and she inspired me yet again with this book. I highly recommend reading it if you struggle with depression or anxiety. Also, NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. It doesn't make you weak, it makes you strong. Do not think you aren't important, because someone thinks you are the most important person alive.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Death to Diets!
Yes, I am a fitness and health junkie.
Yes, I am trying to lose weight for summer.
Yes, I hate diets.
I love to eat. And that is a good thing. I refuse to limit the things I eat (with only a few exceptions, i.e. fast food). I do not diet, I have a healthy-ish lifestyle. I do slip a little, and that's okay.
However, everywhere I look I see diets. EVERYWHERE. Atkins, Slimfast, South Beach, and so many more are on websites, in tv and magazines, even sent in emails! If that's not bad enough, you get skinny rail-sized models looking at you (almost condescendingly) from those same media sources. We are bombarded with this viewpoint that skinny is sexy, and I want to put an end to it.
1. Sexy is a mindset, not a body type. Sexy is how you hold yourself, and how you project yourself to others. Skinny people can have self esteem issues too, which takes a toll on their sexuality.
2. Diets are a quick fix. I love to say, I have a diet. Notice I did not say ON a diet. There is a difference, and its HUGE. When you are on a diet, you limit calories, types of food, even what time of day you eat. But, as soon as you reach your goal weight, you stop, and you start to gain that weight back. When you have a diet, you permanently change your eating habits, and you keep those results for a lifetime.
3.Obesity is scary. All these companies prey on that fact. It not only "looks bad" but it causes a slew of health problems. Your body is not made to carry excess fat. There is no room for it, and it forces your vital organs to adjust.
The way to fix this is not to yoyo diet. You need a full lifestyle change. Work out, eat better at least 80% of the time, and you will see a difference.
To prove a point, for the next month, I will be writing down everything I eat, my workouts, and taking progress photos. If you would like to do the same, please email me, and I will help you figure out a good plan that fits your needs.
Yes, I am trying to lose weight for summer.
Yes, I hate diets.
I love to eat. And that is a good thing. I refuse to limit the things I eat (with only a few exceptions, i.e. fast food). I do not diet, I have a healthy-ish lifestyle. I do slip a little, and that's okay.
However, everywhere I look I see diets. EVERYWHERE. Atkins, Slimfast, South Beach, and so many more are on websites, in tv and magazines, even sent in emails! If that's not bad enough, you get skinny rail-sized models looking at you (almost condescendingly) from those same media sources. We are bombarded with this viewpoint that skinny is sexy, and I want to put an end to it.
1. Sexy is a mindset, not a body type. Sexy is how you hold yourself, and how you project yourself to others. Skinny people can have self esteem issues too, which takes a toll on their sexuality.
2. Diets are a quick fix. I love to say, I have a diet. Notice I did not say ON a diet. There is a difference, and its HUGE. When you are on a diet, you limit calories, types of food, even what time of day you eat. But, as soon as you reach your goal weight, you stop, and you start to gain that weight back. When you have a diet, you permanently change your eating habits, and you keep those results for a lifetime.
3.Obesity is scary. All these companies prey on that fact. It not only "looks bad" but it causes a slew of health problems. Your body is not made to carry excess fat. There is no room for it, and it forces your vital organs to adjust.
The way to fix this is not to yoyo diet. You need a full lifestyle change. Work out, eat better at least 80% of the time, and you will see a difference.
To prove a point, for the next month, I will be writing down everything I eat, my workouts, and taking progress photos. If you would like to do the same, please email me, and I will help you figure out a good plan that fits your needs.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
FitBit Flex review
A few weeks ago, I bought a FitBit Flex. It is a step and calorie counter, as well as a sleep monitor, silent alarm, and a way to pester your fit friends lol. It looks like this:
Sadly, it does not tell time. But, that's what cell phones are for. Which brings me to a huge thing about this product: you can track everything from your smartphone! Some phones are not compatible, so you would have to check the list on their site. If it is not, you can still use the dashboard on the site. the app looks like this:
Super easy to understand. (I'm being a little lazy today, so my steps are not as high as normal.)
So here is the actual review.
What I like:
-I love the fact that I can hide the wristband under my jacket. It is against my work's dress code to wear bracelets, phone clips, etc. So I am pretty sure they would make me take it off. But since it is cold, I wear a jacket at all times, and this is slim enough to be worn underneath.
-It seems to be accurate. I say "seems to be" only because I have nothing else to compare it to.
-The tracker can be taken out. This will be perfect for warmer months. I can just take it out and tuck it in my pocket.
-The wristband is adjustable, and they send two. When I was shopping around, I noticed that some trackers had set measurements for their bands, so you had to guess which size you needed.
-You wear it at all times... sort of. I will explain why I say this in the "what I don't like" section.
-It's comfortable. It doesn't snag on clothing like I thought it would, and it doesn't irritate my skin like most bracelets do.
-Easy to read dashboard. Everything is laid out for you on your own personal dashboard, and you can "compete" with you friends. There are goals for how many steps you take per day, as well as calories in vs out. The calorie intake will change depending on how much you burn each day, which is good if you are trying to lose/gain weight.
-It comes in a variety of colors. I chose black so it wouldn't draw unwanted attention at work.
-It celebrates your achievements! When you reach your daily goal (you can change what your focus goal is), the bracelet vibrates and flashes, plus you get an email congratulating you.
What I dislike:
-The tracking piece is water resistant, but not the bracelet itself. I take mine off in the shower due to my friend telling me that water got stuck in her bracelet and mildewed. This may not be a normal occurrence, but I don't want to take that chance.
-It sadly does not track heart rate... yet. Hopefully the creators of FitBit will eventually make that a compatibility, because it would help me test the accuracy of my manual monitoring (for my class).
-It has a "very active minutes" counter, but doesn't work when I'm doing an extreme workout. I'm assuming it only works for when you are running, or if you are walking nonstop. Maybe if there was a heart rate monitor attached it would be more precise when I am jumping around like a crazy person lol.
All in all, I do love this product. It has a few minor things that I am unhappy with, but I overlook them because it does a great job with everything else. I highly recommend looking into the Flex if you want a step/calorie monitor.
If you already have a FitBit and wish to add me as a friend, here is my profile!
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to write this review. This is just my personal experience, and my own opinion of a product. If you don't like it, bite me :)
Sadly, it does not tell time. But, that's what cell phones are for. Which brings me to a huge thing about this product: you can track everything from your smartphone! Some phones are not compatible, so you would have to check the list on their site. If it is not, you can still use the dashboard on the site. the app looks like this:
Super easy to understand. (I'm being a little lazy today, so my steps are not as high as normal.)
So here is the actual review.
What I like:
-I love the fact that I can hide the wristband under my jacket. It is against my work's dress code to wear bracelets, phone clips, etc. So I am pretty sure they would make me take it off. But since it is cold, I wear a jacket at all times, and this is slim enough to be worn underneath.
-It seems to be accurate. I say "seems to be" only because I have nothing else to compare it to.
-The tracker can be taken out. This will be perfect for warmer months. I can just take it out and tuck it in my pocket.
-The wristband is adjustable, and they send two. When I was shopping around, I noticed that some trackers had set measurements for their bands, so you had to guess which size you needed.
-You wear it at all times... sort of. I will explain why I say this in the "what I don't like" section.
-It's comfortable. It doesn't snag on clothing like I thought it would, and it doesn't irritate my skin like most bracelets do.
-Easy to read dashboard. Everything is laid out for you on your own personal dashboard, and you can "compete" with you friends. There are goals for how many steps you take per day, as well as calories in vs out. The calorie intake will change depending on how much you burn each day, which is good if you are trying to lose/gain weight.
-It comes in a variety of colors. I chose black so it wouldn't draw unwanted attention at work.
-It celebrates your achievements! When you reach your daily goal (you can change what your focus goal is), the bracelet vibrates and flashes, plus you get an email congratulating you.
What I dislike:
-The tracking piece is water resistant, but not the bracelet itself. I take mine off in the shower due to my friend telling me that water got stuck in her bracelet and mildewed. This may not be a normal occurrence, but I don't want to take that chance.
-It sadly does not track heart rate... yet. Hopefully the creators of FitBit will eventually make that a compatibility, because it would help me test the accuracy of my manual monitoring (for my class).
-It has a "very active minutes" counter, but doesn't work when I'm doing an extreme workout. I'm assuming it only works for when you are running, or if you are walking nonstop. Maybe if there was a heart rate monitor attached it would be more precise when I am jumping around like a crazy person lol.
All in all, I do love this product. It has a few minor things that I am unhappy with, but I overlook them because it does a great job with everything else. I highly recommend looking into the Flex if you want a step/calorie monitor.
If you already have a FitBit and wish to add me as a friend, here is my profile!
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to write this review. This is just my personal experience, and my own opinion of a product. If you don't like it, bite me :)
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
And The Winner Is....
Emily Horsfield!!!
Congratulations, Emily! I have already sent an email to you.
Please keep a lookout for more giveaways as well as reviews in the future!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
How To Eat Healthy... On A Budget
One of my friends recently asked me how to eat healthy when you have a small food budget. I realized that a lot of the people who follow me on Facebook are going through the same things I am, so why not share with everyone?
-Read!
I recently purchased a book called America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right On The Money. The authors tell you how they manage to feed and cloth their family of seven while still saving money. While it doesn't talk specifically about health foods, it does provide amazing tips about getting the most out of your money.
-Buy In Season
Produce is going to be more expensive if it is out of season. It is harder to come by, and the transportation and preservation costs show up in the price. Find out when produce is in season here.
-Make A List & Stick To It
This may seem like a simple thing, but I have found myself slipping from time to time. When you make a list, you don't have to worry about other items being on sale, or those impulse buys that end up costing you way more than you intended to spend.
-Shop Around Part 1
Do not buy the first thing you notice in the supermarket. I have noticed that some stores split up their produce so that you see the most expensive items first. Walk through the whole department before touching anything. That way you can see sale prices and compare.
-Shop Around Part 2
I have found that Target and Save-A-Lot have amazing produce departments with decent pricing. I used to shop at Shoprite and Walmart. Shoprite has fresh produce with steep prices, Walmart has limited selection (and not as fresh) for okay prices. This may be different depending on your locality, so shop around, and don't be afraid to buy from a few different stores. It may take a little more time, but the savings will be worth it.
-Shop Sales
Most supermarkets will send sales fliers out every week. LOOK AT THEM. Make your list based off of who has the best prices for each product. Also, invest in coupons. You don't have to be an "extreme couponer" to save money. Many places will allow you to use a coupon even if the item is on sale. Check your local stores for their rules. Here is a video that helps you learn more about couponing. (I love Sara's videos. If you have time, check out some of her other ones, she's awesome)
-Blogs??
There are so many people who have blogs about saving money and eating right. You just have to know where to search. One of my favorites is Blissful and Domestic. She talks about meal planning, couponing, as well as buying in bulk. You can also do a Google search for "saving money blog", "healthy eating blog", etc.
-Buy In Bulk
I highly recommend becoming a member at a wholesale club. You can buy produce in bulk and freeze it or can it to make it last. I buy meat, milk, bread, and freeze it all for later use.
-Shop The Perimeter
Avoid the inner aisles as much as possible. They are loaded with junk and impulse items.
-Search For Recipes
Buy things on sale or in bulk, then find recipes to fit what you have. Don't shop for specific recipes, or you will end up buying stuff for only one meal
-Do Not Indulge a Picky Eater
I know numerous parents who will make separate meals for their family because they don't like certain things. STOP IT!! It's a waste of money, and not helping anyone. My daughter eats what everyone else eats. I try to make things she will enjoy, but if I find something on sale, her butt will eat it. (To be fair, she's only really picky about mushrooms... I fed her EVERYTHING at a young age.)
I hope this list helps at least a little. Please check out the links, they have way more than just shopping advice.
-Read!
I recently purchased a book called America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right On The Money. The authors tell you how they manage to feed and cloth their family of seven while still saving money. While it doesn't talk specifically about health foods, it does provide amazing tips about getting the most out of your money.
-Buy In Season
Produce is going to be more expensive if it is out of season. It is harder to come by, and the transportation and preservation costs show up in the price. Find out when produce is in season here.
-Make A List & Stick To It
This may seem like a simple thing, but I have found myself slipping from time to time. When you make a list, you don't have to worry about other items being on sale, or those impulse buys that end up costing you way more than you intended to spend.
-Shop Around Part 1
Do not buy the first thing you notice in the supermarket. I have noticed that some stores split up their produce so that you see the most expensive items first. Walk through the whole department before touching anything. That way you can see sale prices and compare.
-Shop Around Part 2
I have found that Target and Save-A-Lot have amazing produce departments with decent pricing. I used to shop at Shoprite and Walmart. Shoprite has fresh produce with steep prices, Walmart has limited selection (and not as fresh) for okay prices. This may be different depending on your locality, so shop around, and don't be afraid to buy from a few different stores. It may take a little more time, but the savings will be worth it.
-Shop Sales
Most supermarkets will send sales fliers out every week. LOOK AT THEM. Make your list based off of who has the best prices for each product. Also, invest in coupons. You don't have to be an "extreme couponer" to save money. Many places will allow you to use a coupon even if the item is on sale. Check your local stores for their rules. Here is a video that helps you learn more about couponing. (I love Sara's videos. If you have time, check out some of her other ones, she's awesome)
-Blogs??
There are so many people who have blogs about saving money and eating right. You just have to know where to search. One of my favorites is Blissful and Domestic. She talks about meal planning, couponing, as well as buying in bulk. You can also do a Google search for "saving money blog", "healthy eating blog", etc.
-Buy In Bulk
I highly recommend becoming a member at a wholesale club. You can buy produce in bulk and freeze it or can it to make it last. I buy meat, milk, bread, and freeze it all for later use.
-Shop The Perimeter
Avoid the inner aisles as much as possible. They are loaded with junk and impulse items.
-Search For Recipes
Buy things on sale or in bulk, then find recipes to fit what you have. Don't shop for specific recipes, or you will end up buying stuff for only one meal
-Do Not Indulge a Picky Eater
I know numerous parents who will make separate meals for their family because they don't like certain things. STOP IT!! It's a waste of money, and not helping anyone. My daughter eats what everyone else eats. I try to make things she will enjoy, but if I find something on sale, her butt will eat it. (To be fair, she's only really picky about mushrooms... I fed her EVERYTHING at a young age.)
I hope this list helps at least a little. Please check out the links, they have way more than just shopping advice.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Work, work, work!
Today is my day off from my "for now" job. So what am I doing? WORKING! But in this case, working is fun and awesome.
Here's how my day has gone so far:
1. Wake up
2. Eat while watching the best webinar ever
3. Touch base with people in my accountability group
4. Post to Instagram
5. Eat lunch while posting of Facebook
6. Surf the web for fitness related posts
7. Look up recipes (yum!)
8. Contact a few friends I haven't talked to in a while
9.Look for workout videos for my customers
10. Write blog entry!!!
Later, I will work out and talk to a few more people.
And I get paid to do this? Really?!?!
I love my job, I love my business, and I love my coworkers. I could not be more blessed to have been given this opportunity, and be able to share it with others. Plus, I get to help people lose weight and eat healthier.
I CHANGE LIVES.
That is amazing. Beyond amazing. It is a beautiful gift. I change lives, but I also have been driven to change my own. I have goals and dreams now, which before I would have never thought possible. In my mind, I was stuck where I was, and might as well not even try to move forward. With the help of Beachbody. I have discovered the potential to grow, and learn, and be truly happy. Now, I get to offer that same possibility to you, my readers.
Do you want to change your life? Do you want to help others do the same? Email me, and I will tell you how.
Here's how my day has gone so far:
1. Wake up
2. Eat while watching the best webinar ever
3. Touch base with people in my accountability group
4. Post to Instagram
5. Eat lunch while posting of Facebook
6. Surf the web for fitness related posts
7. Look up recipes (yum!)
8. Contact a few friends I haven't talked to in a while
9.Look for workout videos for my customers
10. Write blog entry!!!
Later, I will work out and talk to a few more people.
And I get paid to do this? Really?!?!
I love my job, I love my business, and I love my coworkers. I could not be more blessed to have been given this opportunity, and be able to share it with others. Plus, I get to help people lose weight and eat healthier.
I CHANGE LIVES.
That is amazing. Beyond amazing. It is a beautiful gift. I change lives, but I also have been driven to change my own. I have goals and dreams now, which before I would have never thought possible. In my mind, I was stuck where I was, and might as well not even try to move forward. With the help of Beachbody. I have discovered the potential to grow, and learn, and be truly happy. Now, I get to offer that same possibility to you, my readers.
Do you want to change your life? Do you want to help others do the same? Email me, and I will tell you how.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Giveaway Time!!!!
Good morning everyone!!!! I am so excited today, because....
It's time for my giveaway!!!
For those who are not on my Facebook page, my goal was to get 100 likes. Once I did that I would have a giveaway. Well, I reached it yesterday! YAY!!!
So, without further ado, the awesomeness.
For this giveaway, you will have a choice of to Beachbody programs. If you are trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or even maintain what you have now, this is the best giveaway ever for you!
Here are the choices:
21 Day Fix
This is a BRAND NEW program. It's coming out in early February. It is created by a brand new trainer to the company, and is completely different than any of the other programs we offer. It is only 21 days long (hence the name). Unlike our other programs, instead of a meal plan, it comes with color coded portion control boxes. If it fits, you can eat it!
Les Mills Combat
Combat is a GET UP AND FIGHT kind of workout. If you are trying to get some frustration out, this is the way to go. It's like kickboxing on steroids. It's hardcore, just like your body will be when you are done!
(The links are so that you can see the videos and info for the programs. If you are interested in ordering a program or Shakeology, please contact me directly.)
Requirements: You must be subscribed to my blog, as well as like my Facebook page. Please go through the Rafflecopter box to do so.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway ends on February 5th. Please leave a comment below saying which steps you have done, as well as which program you would prefer.
It's time for my giveaway!!!
For those who are not on my Facebook page, my goal was to get 100 likes. Once I did that I would have a giveaway. Well, I reached it yesterday! YAY!!!
So, without further ado, the awesomeness.
For this giveaway, you will have a choice of to Beachbody programs. If you are trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or even maintain what you have now, this is the best giveaway ever for you!
Here are the choices:
21 Day Fix
This is a BRAND NEW program. It's coming out in early February. It is created by a brand new trainer to the company, and is completely different than any of the other programs we offer. It is only 21 days long (hence the name). Unlike our other programs, instead of a meal plan, it comes with color coded portion control boxes. If it fits, you can eat it!
Les Mills Combat
Combat is a GET UP AND FIGHT kind of workout. If you are trying to get some frustration out, this is the way to go. It's like kickboxing on steroids. It's hardcore, just like your body will be when you are done!
(The links are so that you can see the videos and info for the programs. If you are interested in ordering a program or Shakeology, please contact me directly.)
Requirements: You must be subscribed to my blog, as well as like my Facebook page. Please go through the Rafflecopter box to do so.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway ends on February 5th. Please leave a comment below saying which steps you have done, as well as which program you would prefer.
Monday, January 6, 2014
My 2014
Happy new year!!!! Yes, I know, it's already the 6th. Better late than never. Which seems to be my new motto.
I am a horrible procrastinator. I have been putting tons of things off lately. I was supposed to start an early morning workout routine today. I pressed snooze and said I'll do it tomorrow. Same thing with my sugar detox. And cleaning. Not a good thing for me to do. So I decided that as extra accountability, I will list my goals for 2014, as well as a few small things I should be doing. This way, any of you can email me (pcruse55@gmail.com), hit me up on Facebook or on my page and yell at me for not doing what I am supposed to.
For my small things, I want to start my early morning exercise regimen, do my sugar detox, and reorganize my game room. I will check in daily on my fb page with my progress, and post pictures on instagram.
Now the list of my yearly goals!
-make Beachbody my main income source
-become personal trainer certified
-pay off student loans
-pay off credit card
-consistently make $4000 a month
-become Piyo or P90X certified
-get another tattoo
-create a working budget
-renew my Shakeology autoshipment
-complete Focus T25
-pay off gas and electric bill
-learn to hoop with one leg
-go to 5 new restaurants
-go to NYC
Obviously some of my goals are easier than others. However, if you only set small goals, you will only get small results. As I make it through this list, I will post updates. Hopefully I will inspire at least one person to push harder towards their dreams!
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