It Does Not Matter How Slowly You Go - So Long As You Don't Stop

     Sometimes I still can't believe that, a mere three years ago, I couldn't even run a quarter of a mile -- nor did I want to or enjoy it.  Friends could not pay me to run or workout with them; I used to be completely content with such a lifestyle.  Now, in just two years, I have two full marathons, one half-marathon, an 8k and four 5k's under my [runner's] belt.  I love having goals to constantly be 'running' toward.  Looking forward to the next race or event keeps me moving and motivated; there is always something to work for and room for growth and improvement.  There's nothing I love more than motivating others along with me -- getting a group of friends together to participate in a race is such a positive and uplifting experience.  Today, for example, a group of girlfriends and I participated in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k for Arthritis, hosted and organized by the Arthritis Foundation.  Having several friends afflicted with this condition, I was passionate about getting involved and getting others on our team, as well.  As always, half the fun is looking forward to and anticipating the race, but nothing is more exciting than the actual event.  Seeing the determination and motivation of all the participants, no matter their shape or physical condition, is truly moving and inspiring.  Whether they run, walk, or wheelchair to the finish line -- they get there.  Many participants were afflicted with arthritis themselves (like my friend and the 'captain' and organizer of our team), and no matter how much pain they might have been in, they still made the journey to the finish line.  It does not matter how long it takes you to get there -- the fact that you get there is amazing in and of itself.  It does not matter how fast or strong you are, or how good of shape you are in -- keep at it, one step and one foot at a time, and eventually you will achieve goals you never dreamed possible.
     Today, I placed in my very first race: I came in third place for females in my age group.  It was not a very big event, and there were not too many participants, but still -- it was a great feeling knowing I have come this far.  It reminded me that there is reward for dedication and perseverance, and it reminded me to keep going.

Winter's Beauty 101: A Few Tips For Staying Fresh and Bright

     As you know, with the cold, dry winter months comes dehydrated, dull-looking skin and a somewhat pallid complexion.  Being a self-proclaimed sun worshiper myself, I always dread the coming fall and winter months, where the lack of consistent vitamin D tends to make me look a little pale and sickly.  There is nothing I love more than a fresh, bright-looking complexion, although this is sometimes a difficult feat in the dead of winter, when the sun tends to hide behind clouds and most time is spent indoors.  However, after many cold seasons of trial and error, I think I have mastered the art of maintaining a bright and hydrated-looking complexion, and keeping that healthy glow we all love so much.  Read on for a few of my cosmetic routines and product suggestions, try it for yourself if you so desire, and behold the glow.
     Moisturizing is key during the harsh and dry months of fall and winter, and should in most cases be done twice a day (morning and night).  For the most part, I tend to have a somewhat oily complexion, and usually use light and oil-free moisturizers.  However, I usually switch to a richer moisturizer during the fall and winter in order to give my skin the moisture and hydration it craves.  Right now, I'm using Alba Botanicals Natural Hawaiian Moisture Cream with smoothing jasmine and vitamin E.  This particular cosmetic line is natural, organic, and 100% vegetarian.  It leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth, quenched, and the subtle fragrance of jasmine flowers is luxurious and relaxing.  Also, I have somewhat sensitive skin and this moisturizer never causes any irritation.  
     Before moisturizing, though, is the key step of cleansing and exfoliating.  I used to cleanse twice per day, but found that over-washing can actually irritate the skin more, and may make it prone to breakouts.  Instead, I use a cleanser at night to rid my face of all makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities.  In the morning, I simply rinse my face with warm water.  Exfoliation is an important and sometimes overlooked step in skincare; its purpose is to gently remove dead, dry skin cells and unveil the fresher, new skin underneath the top weathered layers.  In order to combine the steps of cleansing and exfoliation into one, I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub.  This is one of my all-time favorite cosmetic products on the market -- with its naturally derived grapefruit extract, vitamin C, and microbeads, it gently cleans and exfoliates my skin, leaving it bright and refreshed.  For a little extra glow, sometimes I'll use a little Jergens Natural Glow FACE Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 20 -- this is a safe yet beneficial way to achieve a sun-kissed look on the face without hitting the tanning beds (please don't do that)!
     As far as makeup goes, I like to keep it light and simple.  A little Vaseline or petroleum jelly is my go-to product for lips; it's cheap, and gives the lips a full, supple, shiny look -- it looks like you're wearing a $20 lip plumper or gloss, and gives them plenty of moisture and hydration.  A touch of pink or peach blush to achieve a rosy glow is a must, along with curled eyelashes and a little mascara.  Hence, a simple, bright, and fresh face!
     These are a few of my 'tried and true' methods for maintaining a healthy-looking, bright complexion during the cold and dry season.  Don't forget, though, one of the best things you can to is hydrate from within for a quenched appearance on the outside -- drink plenty of water; make sure you are getting at least 64 oz. a day! :)
    

Pilates: Strengthen Your Body and Mind

     Last night, feeling a bit low on energy and not much in the mood for a long run, I decided to try an old faithful favorite -- pilates.  For those of you unaware, pilates is a body conditioning routine that places emphasis on stretching and strengthening the entire body, particularly the legs, back, hips, and core.  It's somewhat similar to yoga, but not quite as relaxing -- I like it because there is a bit more strength training involved, and my heart rate seems to get up there when I do pilates more so than it does during yoga.  If you are anything like me, then you might carry all your stress, anxiety, and tension in your back, which can be a debilitating ailment.  After a particularly difficult and emotional several days, I definitely felt in need of a good stretch and effective workout.  Pilates did not let me down.  With focus on back strength, stretching, and alignment, I felt like a whole new person at the end of the hour-long class.  There were plenty of core and ab exercises, which are areas I sometimes tend to neglect on my own.  The instructor also dedicated a portion of the class to legs and glutes, so those were nice and sore today, as well (I love that next-day soreness -- it reminds me that I got a great workout).  Additionally, with a lot of weight and support being placed on hands, forearms, and shoulders, it's a great upper-body workout.  Last night's pilates session was a win-win for me -- I got the stretching and relaxation I needed combined with the awesome full-body workout I wanted.  If you've never tried it, I'd recommend you do so asap; you won't be disappointed!

Leave the Past Behind... Just Run Away.

     One of the hardest things we'll endure in this life is a break-up, or the demise of any relationship, for that matter.  Most of you have probably experienced the bleak, drained feeling to which I am referring -- if you haven't, consider yourself lucky.  Relationships end for all sorts of reasons, but no matter the reason, they are nearly always difficult and painful.  The dull, aching feeling inside of you feels like it is never going to cease.  You feel like you can't get enough sleep, and that your appetite will never return.  Energy and motivation to workout are not even on your wavelength.  The hardest thing for me is that feeling where I simply do not want to get out of bed, no matter what time of day it is.  I can't find that energy within which I am usually so accustomed to.  Usually, I look forward to my workouts and runs more than any other part of my day -- now, I dread anything that requires physical and mental energy.
     Today, despite the dreary, rainy weather, I forced myself to get out of bed and go for a run.  In that moment, I felt that if I could do that, I could get through anything, so difficult the feat seemed.  It was hard at first, I'll admit, but with every step I gradually felt my energy return and begin to revive me.  As the rain began to fall and the moonlight shone through the dark, stormy clouds, I somehow managed to feel the faint light of hope and optimism.  I kept running, and concentrated on the rhythmic sound of my breathing, the feeling of my heart pumping blood through my veins.  I felt alive, and that I was running toward something new -- away from the pain. I kept going, just as we need to keep going in life, no matter what it throws at us.  Just keep running, moving, praying, loving, hoping... Leave the past behind.

Just Because You Go On Vacay Doesn't Mean Your Fitness Has To...

     For many of us, the holidays are a time of joy, excitement, and indulgence.  Others, however, tend to stress over the lack of time, endless hustle and bustle, and ceaseless social and familial obligations, among other things.  If you're like me, you might even fret over the abundance of extra calories consumed throughout the holiday season, with even less time available to dedicate to exercise.  Many of us might even resign ourselves to the fact that a few extra pounds will be added on during this time of joy and celebration.
     Between holiday guests, family trips and vacations, and other various commitments, sometimes working out makes its way to the bottom of our priority lists.  It's especially difficult to fit exercise into travel and vacations, as you're away from home (and your gym) and your normal, daily routine.  Rather than use vacation as an excuse to slack on your exercise, why not take it with you??  Use vacation as a chance to escape your usual, boring routine, and instead try something different, fresh, and perhaps specific to the area in which you are traveling.  This way, you can turn working out into a fun, anticipated activity rather than a dreaded chore.  Last Thanksgiving weekend, for example, I traveled to Arizona to visit my grandparents for the holiday, and had been somewhat dreading taking five days off from my standard fitness routine.  A few days before my departure, I started researching local hikes and other outdoor activities to do while I was there.  I began looking forward to the warm, sunny weather and clear blue skies which awaited me, and planned to take full advantage -- which I did.  Even Southern California weather does not compare to the perfect, 78-degrees-and-sunny conditions of the Arizona desert in the fall.  Knowing I had five glorious days off work ahead of me, I planned to spend as much of it as possible outdoors and in the sun.  Using the city's website, I planned two beautiful long hikes in the desert red rocks of Sedona, as well as planned a day to walk around and explore the town (not drive) -- three days of exercise taken care of.  I even found the local gym and worked out there as a guest for one day.  The best part about vacation is it gives you the chance to get out on your feet and explore some place new and different, which is an adventure in and of itself.  There is no excuse to spend your vacation indoors watching TV (unless of course you are sick or injured).  So, no reason to let a holiday vacay stand in the way of your fitness routine -- if anything, look at it as a chance for novelty, variety, and adventure!  :)

These are some of the fantastic views I enjoyed on my desert hikes -- what more could you ask for in exercise?!

 

 

 



You Know What They Say... Exercise is the Best Medicine

    

     For many of us, 'that time of the month' is an excuse to lie around, binge on junk food, and neglect our exercise routines (I'm not always exempt from this).  Energy levels are low, irritability is high, and pain and discomfort still higher -- sometimes, the last thing you want to do is get up and get your butt in gear.  However, next time you find that cramps and fatigue are getting the best of you, resist the urge to curl up in a ball with a hunk of chocolate, get up, and get active.  Believe me -- exercise is better than 800mg of Ibuprofen when it comes to menstrual woes.  Take today, for example: I was tired, cranky, and slightly nauseous with an achy lower back and a constant dull pain in my uterus (I'm sure I don't have to describe this feeling to you).  I had made plans earlier to go for an evening jog with a girlfriend, and I could not have been less interested in keeping that date -- I just wanted to go home and curl up in bed in self-pity.  However, I told myself that [maybe] I'd feel better in the end for it and forced myself to get moving.  As it turns out, it's true what they say -- exercise really is the best medicine!  I started my run feeling lethargic and hardly motivated; I ended feeling refreshed, energized, and pain-free!  Headache, cramps, fatigue -- gone!  As hard as it was to get going, I'm glad I pushed myself.  It was definitely worth the struggle.  Remember, the next time exercising is the last thing you want to do, it might be the one thing you should do!  Tried and true.  :)

Cycle of Life

     You may be aware of a more recent trend in health and fitness -- the intimidating, but all-the-more rewarding, spin/cycle class.  It took me a while to jump on the bike, but once I did, I was hooked.  I had always been extremely intimidated by the hour-long, intense workout that people were raving about -- I didn't think I could do it!  A friend finally convinced me to give it a try, though, and I am so glad I did!  I was beginning to plateau in my running, and knew I needed to try something different and perhaps more challenging.  Well, different and challenging it was!  As I mentioned before, I did not think I'd be able to withstand an hour of strenuous and fast-paced cycling.  However, in a class full of motivation, encouragement, and constant coaching by the instructor, an hour turned out to be not only doable, but fun and exhilarating!  I definitely found myself much more sweaty and out of breath than when I run, which told me I was getting the cardio boost I was looking for.  Additionally, no two instructors' methods are the same; therefore, no two workouts are the same level, pace, or rhythm -- this in turn prevents plateauing (a very undesirable and somewhat inevitable workout result).  On average, I find that I burn about 500 calories per spin session, and feel great afterwards!  There is always loud, upbeat music to keep your energy up and your blood pumping.  If you are looking for a thorough and effective workout, cycling class is the way to go!  Even if you're a novice, you'll get the hang of it after that first class, I promise!  :)  Go get your spin on!