health

How To Speed Up Your Metabolism / Paris Marathon!!

09.17.2013

If you’ve been following the Facebook page, you’ve probably already heard my big news…but I am more than excited to tell you guys that I will be running the 2014 Paris Marathon in April!! This has been on my bucket list ever since I can remember and I am so excited to visit Paris for the first time, AND run my 2nd full marathon!! Have any of you been to Paris? If so, your recommendations for restaurants, shopping or any place to visit would be much appreciated! Can’t wait!!

(photo sources: unknown)

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“How do you eat so much and manage to stay fit?” “How is your metabolism off the charts?!” Aside from a hearty workout regime, building your metabolism takes time, but in turn allows you to constantly eat and burn fat while at rest. Sure, a teeny percent has to do with age and genetics, but it is in your control to increase metabolism and shed the extra weight that you’ve been dying to get rid of! Here’s how to speed up your metabolism:

Build muscle. Get in the weight room and lift those weights ladies and gents! The more muscle you gain, the faster your resting metabolic rate. Burn calories while sitting? Umm, count me in!
Eat every 3 hours. If you eat more often, the faster your metabolism. Strange, but true. Make breakfast your most important meal and add protein! If you want a faster metabolism think protein. Here’s why. Your body burns twice as many calories digesting proteins than it does carbs. Think eggs or greek yogurt for breakfast and chicken or fish for lunch or dinner.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. (and no not with alcohol). Dehydration leads to a slow metabolism! Studies have shown that cold water does the trick. Cold drinks force your body to work to warm up, which builds more energy.
Use spices. Think cayenne, chillis, red pepper. Anything that makes you sweat means your metabolism has increased.
Green tea, full of antioxidants and contains a plant compound called ECGC which promotes fat burning.
Coffee. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system and increases heart rate. Gotta love your cup o’ joe.

It’s important to remember that you can grab control of your future! Stop the I can’t and go with I can do this! Even when it comes to your metabolism, take control of it. Try these tips and don’t use your age, weight or genetics as an excuse. Speed up that metabolism, get moving and get healthy. MUAH!

The Juice Cleanse Diaries

09.11.2013

I did this amazing cleanse the other day and loved it so much I have to share! Juicing seems to be all the rage lately and if you don’t have time to make your own (like myself) there are so many juice shops popping up! This particular juice is from Pressed Juicery here in San Francisco. I did the 1 day cleanse and here’s what it looked like:

There are 3 types of cleanses 1,2,3 depending on experience level. I chose level 1 because it’s the most gentle on my system but eager to try level 2 next! So with this cleanse you drink a juice every two hours. You’re also supposed to chug them so they seem more filling.

#1: Greens– Some of the greens taste really good so this wasn’t too bad (other than craving my daily oatmeal for breakfast). They have 4 different greens to choose from, I went with greens 3 which has kale, spinach, romaine, parsley, cucumber, celery, apple, lemon and ginger. Moderately filling but feeling good at this point.

#2: Roots- definitely doesn’t taste as good as greens but not too bad. There are also 4 roots to choose from, and I chose roots 3: beet, apple, lemon and ginger. Roots is the most filling, so I was still content at this time.

#3: Greens again- this time I did greens 4: cucumber, celery, watercress, lemon, ginger and cayenne.

#4: Citrus– this is a much lighter juice and I was starting to get more hungry at this time. I drank citrus 2: pineapple, apple, lemon and mint. Looking forward to trying the grapefruit and mint next time!

#5: Roots for dinner- Spinach, parsley, cucumber and carrot. At this point I was so hungry. The hardest was definitely towards the end of the day. I ended up going to bed as early as possible so I wouldn’t have to think about it as much. During the day I was more content, but by the end all I wanted to do was chew something.

#6: For dessert: Vanilla almond juice– wish this was more filling, but very tasty!

#7: Before bed- Aloe vera H2O. This aids in elimination as a natural colon cleanser and also good for your immune system. Chugged this along with a couple more glasses of water. Oh yes, I was in the bathroom every 2 seconds. 😉

Throughout the day I also drank Chlorophyll h20 and about 10-12 glasses of water- this is very important and water helps fill me up also! (I am a water fiend!)

All in all, I LOVED this cleanse! This is also the cheapest and most cost effective one I’ve found. Some get super expensive, but this was very affordable. I can’t wait to try it again! I saw my stomach lean out FINALLY, and felt energized, refreshed and completely free of processed foods. However, I am not yet convinced I will be able to do the 3 day cleanse. My craving to actually eat something substantial was getting intense by the end of the day. I was also feeling a little loopy and out of it, so I was definitely looking forward to breakfast the next morning. I am a girl who likes to eat and I have also built up my metabolism to be extra fast, so I tend to be more hungry than most. The other thing is that it’s not recommended to workout out while you are cleansing. I can’t help but want to work out!! It is recommended that you move, go for a walk or do yoga, as you need to keep your lymphatic and circulatory systems accelerated. I also love drinking the juices on their own to help avoid cravings in between meals. Thinking of doing another 1 day cleanse this week and cant wait! Everything in moderation of course. AND Pressed is now making home deliveries, yay!

Check out Pressed Juicery: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Question: Do you juice? If not, would you consider giving it a try?

Please note: this post was NOT sponsored by Pressed Juicery and all opinions are my own.

Tips To Getting Your AM Workout On

08.14.2013

I am loving my new routine lately, so much I had to share it with you guys! Since I started a new job I have been waking up early and working out before work. I have been trying to do this for years, but now I am able to get to work just a tad later. Lazy? Nope, not me…but I will admit I am not a morning person! Working out in the am has its benefits! I am full of energy throughout the day and have gained a small amount of my social life back. I LOVE getting it done allowing me to either make it a double day later, or have the free time after work. I have been doing cardio in the am and weights in the pm. It’s all about PRIORITIES and finding the time to squeeze in a good workout. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from this lifestyle is that if you make it a priority, you will find the time to commit. I was shocked at how many people were at the gym at 6am. Go you!

So my dare to you: wake up 1 hour earlier and either go to the gym, go for a run or do some yoga or weight training in your home! Then tell me how you feel. 🙂

Here are some tips to getting your morning workout on:

Sleep in your gym clothes. I know, seems weird but saves time from having to change or pick out an outfit in the morning (which for some reason takes a while for me)
Prep your protein shakes/water/heart rate monitors all together so you can grab and go in the am
Set your coffee timer (if you prefer coffee to get you going)
Think about what you will train in the am whether it be a specific body part, cardio, yoga, spin? More thinking at night and less in the morning seems to work best for me.
Set your alarm
Go to bed early! Get as many zzz’s as possible.

…And before you know it you’re on the road to success!!

This may seem a little uber organized, but this is what has worked for me so worth a try. 🙂

Question: Do you prefer am or pm workouts?

Have a great week! xo

Barbie’s New Look – What Do You Think?

07.09.2013

Did you play with Barbie as a kid? I was probably her biggest fan and carried her absolutely everywhere! There has always been that debate about her body type and whether or not it creates the incorrect body image for young girls. It’s pretty interesting to hear either side.

I came across this article from a Pennsylvania researcher and artist Nickolay Lamm– “What would Barbie look like as an average woman.” Using measurements of an average 19 year old girl, Nickolay created this 3D model and compared directly with Barbie. I wanted to share the images with you.

(It looks like Barbie finally squats!! ;))

First and foremost, I don’t believe in criticizing any body type, shape or form. It is important to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of your skin, body and well-being, no matter what shape that may be. We all have different ideas of “the perfect body” and should never criticize or look at someone differently because of their shape. We need to learn to be comfortable and confident in our own skin and that’s what matters most.

Lets discuss! What are your thoughts on Barbie’s makeover to reflect the average woman?

Do you think Mattel’s view of Barbie gives an unrealistic image for young girls? Do you think they should produce this version of the “real” person? Let me know if the comments!

July Squat Challenge

07.03.2013

Here it is!! The much anticipated July Squat Challenge! Want a firm, tight, booty? Well this is how it’s done. Squats, squats, squats will do wonders for your butt. Be sure to take before and after pics so you can track your progress. Pictures are the most efficient way to do so, so don’t be shy! At the end of the month you will be happy you did.