Mid Week Motivation 6 (fitness series): To get back on track, get back to basics

Hello my lovely readers,

Happy first day of April! Make sure to watch out for any April fools jokes today. You all know how that goes! Someone already tried to get me with some "pregancy news" those seem to be popular on days like today :).

Before I continue on, just want to share my yummy dinner from last night:

Mushrooms, peppers, onions, steamed mixed vegetables, grilled chicken

So, anyways, I am here with another edition of Mid Week Motivation. I am continuing the fitness series by sharing with you all how I personally get back on my "fitness track" whenever I need that extra boost of motivation.

I dont know about you but whenever I start feeling like things are out of control, bringing myself "back to basics" always helps tremendously. I am not only talking fitness-wise but life in general. Sometimes we need to mentally, emotionally, and physically start from 'scratch' in order to reach new highs and accomplish new breakthroughs.

Today, I'll share the top five "basic" lifestyle adjustments that can help get you back on the "healthy wagon". These are tips I personally incorporate in to my fitness life. Hope they can help you as much as they've helped me through the years:

1. Write out your end goal, and some steps to achieve them: I personally take a piece of paper/journal/notebook and write out my health and fitness goals. I like to focus on the idea that in addition to "looking good" I want to feel better inside and out. I don't necessarily weight myself nor do I set any strict regimes. I simply write out a personal commitment to eat healthier, incorporate at least 30 mins of daily exercise in to my life, drink more water, and snack smarter. As time and days go by I measure my progress by how I feel, how my clothes feel, how my skin improves, how much more energy I have, and the list goes on.

2. Don't go crazy with exercise: One thing I have noticed some people like to do when they are "determined to get fitter or healthier" is that they go from not setting foot inside a gym in 6 months to wanting to work out for 2 hours straight or incorporate ridiculously exhausting exercise routines from one day to the next. In my personal opinion, this is a horrible idea. The only thing that will get accomplished is getting burnt out by the 3rd day and loosing all hopes of motivation. I personally recommend people start walking at least 30-45 minutes per day (speed walks would be best) either on the treadmill or outside. I also recommend breaking out those DVDs from your closet and finding those you feel the most motivated by. I personally gravitate towards my Gilad DVDs. 

3. Keep visual track of your daily activities: As you all know from my previous MWM post, I am a huge fan of food diaries/journals and Ive also been keeping track of my daily exercise accomplishments by using a calendar which sits in front of my desk and I see on a daily basis. I place a star each time I go to the Gym or complete a full workout. For the days I dont get to the gym I simply write out what I did-- either miles walked/jogged or whether I completed a workout DVD for the day. As you can see, March was a huge success :)

4. Be careful when grocery shopping, focus on staples: If you have been off the healthy wagon for a while, dont go crazy at the supermarket stacking up on every single healthy item you find. The reason I say this is because is important to start slow and steady in order not to get overwhelmed and end up giving up. So, for instance, do not purchase tons of vegetables, fruits, items that go bad quickly. This may not make sense but what I mean is that you should focus on maybe buying enough healthy items for the first week ahead, rather than the entire month. Buying too much "healthy stuff" at once could 'psychologically' put too much "pressure" on ourselves. You don't want to just throw in the towel and your hard earned money going down the toilet because half the items you bought went bad. 

5. Take it one day at the time, one meal at the time if necessary: Don't overwhelm yourself. Remember that fitness and a healthy lifestyle is a journey not a single destination and there will be ups and downs along the way. However, if you keep your eyes on your end goal, you'll be able to overcome any obstacle that presents itself. 

And there you have it! 

What are some changes YOU personally incorporate in to your life that help get you back on track? Doesnt have to be fitness related.

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Mabelle

March Goals!

Hello my loves,

Happy Monday. Another month has begun.

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, mini multigrain pancakes, cafe w/ soy milk. 

A new month represents a blank slate where absolutely anything can happen:

Besides my posts on 2015 objectives released back in January, I haven't really talked about month-to-month goals. However, I was inspired by other bloggers whom shared what they wish to accomplish in the next 31 days. So, here is my list:

1. Continue working out consistently and making a conscious effort to nourish my body with foods that are going to make me feel and be fabulous inside and out. Is totally okay to splurge from time to time but overall, I want to continue making good choices. 

2. Make a dentist appointment! and actually go in for a consultation. This is so long overdue I cant even begin to tell you.

3. Continue feeding my mind and "eyes" with inspirational podcast and TV/Online shows. I already have my 'set' shows but if you have any recommendations, please share.

4. Start decluttering my apartment one step at the time. Clean at least one of my closets and/or "messy drawers".

5. Continue my work in running and growing a profitable business, continue making time to do the things I love. Taking it one step at the time, one project at the time. 

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Lets do it. 

What are YOUR plans for this month? 

What I know for Sure Sundays II: On the Topic of Happiness

Hello my beautiful followers,

Happy Sunday! As I do every Sunday, I start my day with a delicious breakfast, some reading, and then grab some tea to enjoy another episode of Super Soul Sunday (one of my favorite shows). I should be getting reading to head to church but wanted to leave you guys with today's 'what I know for sure Sundays' post. If you missed the first one from last weekend, you can check it out here.

The other day I was taking a shower after the gym and the following thought popped in to my head:

"I want to be the sole creator of my happiness. Anything else should be icing on the cake". 

Wouldn't you agree that often times we give the power of our happiness to others? I've read (and heard)  countless times that if we depend on outside forces to determine weather or not we will be happy- that is grounds for inevitable disappointment. Why? Because we don't have the power to control others. As the saying goes: "Each head is their own world". Thankfully, we have 100% power over ourselves and that is fabulous. 

I believe this quote (one of my favorites) may put things in to perspective:

"...The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.” 

― Charles R. Swindoll

So, remember this:

"....Tie your happiness to goals not people or objects" 

With that said, this is what I know for sure:

"We are the sole creators {and destroyers} of our happiness. Everything else is icing on the cake".

Tell me, would you agree with this? Why or why not? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Fortunate Fridays! {proud of my friends} Edition

Hey All!

 

Hope everyone had an amazing week! My week had a lot going on but I am glad is finally Friday! I just had a chance to sit down and write this post. I should really consider being a "real" blogger and writing these things up in advance. However, until that happens, here is what I feel fortunate for this week:

 

1. My amazing friends, whom I am so proud of!!!

 

I believe I mentioned on my previous post that I spent last weekend at my friend's lake house up in Syracuse, NY. She bought the house a couple of year ago and I missed her house warming party due to a family thing I had going on during that time. I FINALLY had a chance to go up to see her this past weekend. When I walked in to her gorgeous home (with a gorgeous lake to match) all I could think about how immensely proud I am of her and all she has accomplished over the years. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my friends succeed and see the fruits of their hard work. Congratulations Lejla! and I wish you much more amazing things!

 

I took a gazillion pictures but here are a few:

 



Us on the boat (one piece borrowed from my friend because of course a forgot a bathing suit).

View toward the lake

View of the house from the lake

Osvaldo and I (thanks for driving :)

Lamija and I :)

The girls

 

2. My dad!!! It was my dad's birthday yesterday and I know I've probably said this several times on the blog but I love my dad to the moon and back. He's been such an amazing role model in my life and all good things I have I owe not only to my hard work but to his never-ending support in my life. I am so blessed to have him around and was a little sad I wasn't with him for his birthday. But I hope to make it up to him soon. Love you dad <3

 

 

3. My new found "hobbie"--Running!-- So I am living in a dorm room within GWU for the summer (long story on that one). I am not necessarily ecstatic to have a roommate or to spend every waking moment in a room without a television so, I have this new "thing" where I just go out and run. I like it and I feel my stamina getting better and better. Yayy!

 

4. An amazing lunch (and trying chicken pad thai for the first time)-- One of the executives from my job took the time to take me and another analyst to work and shared so much knowledge with us! I was just listening to him absorbing as much as possible. Its quite the amazing feeling when you have a chance to talk with smart people and take the time to listen, engage and just learn so much from them. Cheers to educational lunches:

 

 

 

 

..and ps: pad thai is delicious...yes. I've been living under a rock this whole time.

 

I'll keep it short today considering is late and I am tired. But, never forget that no matter the challenges we may face in life, there is always something to feel fortunate for.

 

I leave you with some random selfie I took yesterday before work:

 

...and with my favorite "meme" of the week:

Tell Me, How did you spend 4th of July weekend? anything exciting coming up this weekend?

Fortunate Fridays: The {I have good people in my life} Edition

Hey lovely people!

Hope everyone had a great week! Welcome to another edition of fortunate Fridays. I am so happy the weekend is finally here and cant wait to relax for a bit. This coming week is my spring break so I am super relieved to finally have a little bit of time off from full time school & work which has been quite the challenge to balance out.

How was your week?

Here is what I feel fortunate for this week:

1. Lunch trips to the farmers market and getting Red Mango with my favorite co worker

2. Having someone else give you their perspective on things

3. Homemade food after a long day (thanks mom!)

4. Bloggers that lift up my spirits. Favorite blogger these days--- Erica D. House

5. Warmer days (need I say more?!) can’t wait to run in this nice weather!

6. My amazing dad whom took it upon himself to take my car to the mechanic and fix some major issues it had (this definitely made my week). My car feels like new!

7. This amazing post

 

Favorite saying this week:

 

What do YOU feel fortunate for this week?

*Birthday Highlights*

Just had a chance to sit down and share some of the highlights of my wonderful 30^th bday.

First of all, as planned—I took off from work and it felt amazing not to wake up rushing to catch the bus/train. Oddly enough, I woke up at the crack up dawn without an ounce of sleepiness in me (most of the time around that time I am usually dying of exhaustion). I think that’s when I fully understood the phrase “Cant keep calm, is my Birthday!!!”.

I had a light breakfast (had brunch plans for later on that day) and then went to get my hair done-- which usually only happens for special occasions. After my hair appointment I met up with my best friend and we took the train towards the city.

She chose an amazing brunch spot called Sanabeth.

 

The atmosphere was amazing and the food was beyond delicious. I cant wait to go back and try some more of their breakfast/brunch items. We also had a couple of mimosas to celebrate. I could have not asked for a better way to start my birthday. My best friend really went all out with this! Love you Christina!!

 

After a nice brunch and a few hours of conversation about our past, present, and all of our amazing goals for the future we headed our separate ways. It was also her brother in law birthday so she had some other plans that day. I had to head back to my parents house to continue the celebration! Before leaving the city I did a little shopping at H&M (which had so many cute clothes, by the way) and then headed towards to the subway back uptown.

Let me just say one thing: The love I have for my family is beyond words. Those are the people that have been there for me 24/7/365 and whom I can always count on. I had a low key/super amazing birthday dinner, received gorgeous flowers, and then was surprised with the coolest birthday gift I gotten to date: An IPad!!! I know I may be late to the ‘IPad’ world but I could not be more excited. It is something I’ve wanted for a while.

Below are some birthday pics for your viewing pleasure:

 Birthday Flowers:

Make a Wish:

My Lovely Sister and I:

 

 

Thank you for reading! Hope you all have an amazing and super fun Halloween and be safe!

Tell me, what was your favorite birthday gift ever?