Get out of bed and DO that workout!

The alarm clock went off at 6 o’clock this morning, and I rolled over to shut it off without even opening my eyes. How many times have you done this? If you're anything like me, this is probably a daily habit. But here’s why it is a little sad for me to do this- I am not waking up early to go to work. I am waking up early to go running.

I love starting my day off pounding my feet on the pavement; the sound of my running shoes against the blacktop. My iPod pumping a good song in my ears. It is better for you to exercise earlier in the day rather than later in the day. Not just mentally but physically, as it will "rev" up your metabolism for the rest of the day to burn more calories, and to increase your energy level. It also gives you time to think about the day ahead of you and even to go back and think about the day before. It is "your" time to think about whatever you want. Why would you want to give that up?

Trust me, I know - getting out of bed and putting those sneakers on is not fun when that bed is nice and comfy!

Once you begin a routine your body will get used to it! It takes time, but it will happen. Right now, your body is probably used to you sleeping until a certain time and getting up to get ready for work. To begin the day with your workout, you will have to re-train your body. This sounds more complicated then it is but once you begin those early morning workouts, your body will thank you for waking it up so early!

So, set that alarm clock for a reasonable time. Don't set it for 5 AM knowing that you will never wake up that early. I set it for 6 AM with the intention to get up at that time, however I often do not. But I also know that I gave myself time just in case I wanted to sleep for an extra fifteen minutes. So, I wake up at 6:15 AM instead. Those 15 minutes sure do wonders!

The next step is to put those sneakers on, which can be the hardest part for some people. When I get out of bed I put on the clothing that I am going running in and tie up my sneakers fast. I do not even think about it anymore. Sometimes a new pair of sneakers helps with this.  I was getting bored a few weeks ago on my runs, and my sneakers were just so old that I ordered a new, fun pair of PUMA Faas 550.  Once they arrived I felt like a kid on Christmas day and could not wait to go out for a run in a new pair of "bouncy" sneakers. 

Then I go to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a glass of water. Those sneakers must be on my feet when I leave the bedroom that way there is NO excuse for me not to get my butt outside! Once the sneakers are on, it is much easier to finish the process of a morning workout and that is simply, by doing it. Whether you are getting in your car to go to the gym or going outside for a run. Start stretching in the house on your way out the door. This will start to get the blood pumping making you ready to go!

Because exercising gets the endorphins flowing, when you finish, you are relaxed and in a good mood afterwards- so why not do it in the morning and be in a good mood for the rest of the day? Your body will be full of energy and you will be ready to go!

Feel good post- breakup!

Can't sleep at night? Wondering what went wrong with your last relationship? Asking yourself “what did I do to make him not want me anymore”? We all have had this feeling before - this feeling of rejection - but how does one recover from it? It is hard!

You may miss him and resent him because at one point, you thought he was the "one.” But lets face it; we all hate to be alone! I know I do!! It is hard and scary, and after being with someone for months or even years and then not having that one person to talk to everyday anymore is a huge challenge.

So what can you do to make it easier on YOURSELF? Well, to start, stop thinking those negative thoughts. It was not your fault! Just because he cannot see how wonderful you are does not mean you should forget it! Now say it with me - "It is not my fault! I am a beautiful person inside and out and deserve better for myself!!"

How can you stop feeling down because he hurt you?

First off, do something for you- a manicure/pedicure; spa day for yourself and a close girlfriend; go for a run; take a ZUMBA class to de-stress yourself. Doing something for yourself, like getting a massage or doing some sort of exercise  will release endorphins in the brain that will make you happier. So not only are you enjoying this time to yourself, but your body is getting what it needs and in return you can smile, even if it is just for an hour.

Make a list. Even better - make two. Write a list of all the things he did wrong. Write what didn't you get to say to him because he hung up on you. Write the things that annoyed you while you were together. Call him names. Get nasty! Re-read it. Then tear it up. Breath! Now make a list of things you want to do for yourself. Make a set of goals- 3 of them. Whether it is to quit smoking, loosing weight or finding a new job. Write them down. Now underneath them write some way to make your goals a reality. How you can quit smoking for example- even by cutting down the amount of cigarettes a day, you will be saving yourself! BE REALISTIC.  ‘I will smoke 5 cigarettes instead of 10 today and work my way down.’  Or, ‘I will go on the patch and not cheat this time.’ Whatever it is- make sure you are doing it for yourself. Go over these goals. Re-read the list over and over again. You can do this and you will do this!

Get out of the house! Your body needs the sunlight!

Vitamin D does wonders for the body and the sunlight is the only natural way of getting it! Vitamin D will fight depression, and lets be honest: we are all depressed after a bad break up!

I know that not everyone gets over a breakup at the same speed, but you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and start feeling good about yourself.

It is not easy. It is work - but it is worth it! You are worth it! You are always worth it!

Why a green smoothie to start the day?

Do you feel tired and run down in the morning, even though you had a full nights rest?  Like many of us, you may have gotten your 8 hours of sleep, but because you are not getting enough of the right nutrients that your body needs, you are feeling it when you wake up and throughout the day.  Yes, it can be difficult to eat the recommended servings of food a day, so why not start the day with a healthy dose of vegetables and fruits in a delicious green smoothie? Sounds gross, I know, but I can tell you that it is a tasty drink that will have you feeling more energetic for the rest of the morning and day!
Green vegetables are high in vitamin C, chlorophyll and fiber. They contain vitamin A, calcium, iron and antioxidants.  Because we are not getting a lot of these in our regular diets, drinking green smoothies on a daily schedule builds a healthy habit of eating greens. By adding 2 to 3 cups of organic or locally grown greens you do not have to eat all the salads with the oily dressing on it.  There are many greens that you can add including kale, parsley, spinach, bok choy etc. Or as an alternative to leafy greens you can try spirulina or wheat grass. I would recommend starting off with fruits and a green you know you like and slowly adding different leafy greens, or the alternatives, once you become more comfortable with drinking something green.  But once you taste it you will realize they are tasty and I was not lying! One of the greatest things about the green smoothie habit is that not only is it easy to establish, it naturally and gradually helps you change bad eating habits. You will soon be craving a green smoothie rather then a bag of chips! It’s an excellent first step towards a healthier you.

Greens make about 40-50% of a green smoothie, but you can start with less and build the ratio up slowly at your own rate.  

Recipes-

1 handful lettuce leaves, 1 handful mint, 4 bananas, 1/2 cup water

4-5 kale leaves, 4 apples, 1/2 lemon juiced, water

Choc-mint – 2 cups spinach, 10-12 mint leaves, 3 bananas, 2 Tbs. carob powder, 1 cup water

1 handful wild greens (e.g. dandelion), 1 small handful mint leaves, 3 cups honeydew melon

1/2 bunch romaine lettuce, 1 cup strawberries, 2 bananas, water

Blend and enjoy!

Alternative with Spirulina-

You can blend up your ripe fruit with ½ - 1 tablespoon of spirulina and receive all the benefits of leafy greens in a much more convenient form. Build up your spirulina dosage gradually though (start with 1 teaspoon).