How I Improved My Running

Hello Lovelies!

It's been a while since I made a fitness post even though it's probably one of the biggest parts of my life.  I wanted to make a post about something I know very well: running. My next fitness post will probably be about something new I'm starting this year: weightlifting.

To give you all a little background about my running I started running about two years ago.  The first year I was very on-and-off, I was not at all consistent and I didn't run far for long.  My running began more of a walking/jog.  I was out of shape and my doctor told me to start exercising to help my scoliosis and to help my overall health.  So for a long time I did tons of research: what to eat, how to sleep, how running improves health, when to start running, how to start running.

To be honest, the majority of what I found on the internet was complete BS.  To start running, you just have to start.  There is no magic trick.  There is no perfect solution.  Even if you start by walking and jogging, thats a start.

Running is all about endurance.  The more your muscles can endure, the longer you can run.

Okay, so at the start of 2015 I was running a 14 minute mile and I could only run one mile.  Today is the first day of 2016 and I ran three miles at a 9 minute pace.

How did I do this?

Well first, it's all about being consistent.  No matter how hard it is, no matter how much you don't feel like it, you have to run at least three times a week.

Next, you must push yourself.  Part of the reason I was able to reduce my time so drastically and go so much further was because I pushed myself.  It's going to hurt.  You're muscles are going to ache.  Your body will tell you not to.  Do like Nike and just do it.

Finally don't just run.  As much as people enjoy running once they feel the running high, your body will literally yearn to run.  Your body will beg you to run.  Sounds crazy now, but once you start you can never stop.  But as amazing as the feeling is, to be a better runner you have to accompany it with strength and flexibility training.

I hope this helps all of you that plan to start running in the upcoming year.  Running is an amazing hobby and sport.  I love the feeling of being connected to nature, I love the feeling of getting runners high, it is absolutely indescribable.

Happy Running!

xoxo, Ana

Fitness Wish List

Hello Lovelies!

As you all know, I love fitness and running and health and all that stuff.  But just like anything else, you need certain things to continue your "hobby."  Not all of these things are necessary but they are things that I want and desire which is why this is a wish list.  I have no intention of getting any of these things, but if I get the opportunity I would buy these things in a heartbeat.

~ 1 ~

Skechers Flex Appeal Training Shoes in Black/White - $65

~ 2 ~

Nike Comfort Slides in Black/White - $30

~ 3 ~

Zon Ankle/Wrist Weights in Silver/Black - $12

~ 4 ~

Nike Womens Feather Light 2.0 Dri-Fit Hat in Black/White - $25

~ 5 ~

Runetz Chevron Gray Gym Bag in Large - $35.99

~ 6 ~

Reebok Womens Strappy Seamless Sports Bra in Dark Heather Grey - $30

~ 7 ~

Nike Pro Compression Shorts and Capris - $35, $30, $42

~ 8 ~ 

Victoria Secret PINK Apparel - $54.95, $39.95, $49.95, $49.95

Let me know if you guys have any awesome fitness related finds.  I know that a lot of running and fitness things are expensive so if you would like fitness on a budget let me know in the comments below.

Have a super wonderful day!

xoxo, Ana

Sunset Runs and Honey Buns

Hey Lovelies!

As you all know, I really enjoy running as an exercise and a time of relaxation.  They say the key to a healthy lifestyle is moderation in all aspects of your life.  But what happens when you love sunset runs as much as honey buns?

The struggle becomes extremely real.

A lot of us struggle with this same problem, we enjoy certain things in excess and we need to find balance in our lives.  I love, love, love to eat sweets and chocolate and bread and basically anything that is not beneficial to my health.  My mother has to often tell me that I am eating too much chocolate, bread, etc.  but she also to warn me when I am pushing myself to hard physically.

Honestly, there are times when all I eat is junk food and I completely disregard exercise.  Other times I am constantly exercising, but I am not eating a sufficient amount of nutrients to fuel my body.  Only one magical thing, one word, one extremely important part of life will help:

Balance.

In terms of fitness, balance is not easy to find.  People are constantly trying to change their habits, but they go cold turkey.  That is not the way to go, but neither is trying to exercise while stuffing your body with an insane amount of unhealthy foods.

So, I suggest starting small.  Begin by trying to increase your intake of water.  You can read more about the importance of hydration in my older post.  Once you have that down {this should take about a month} then try switching your snacks for equally satisfying, smaller substitutes.  And continue this until you slowly build up and try incorporating light exercise at first and then building it up, always doing something you enjoy.

This is not going to eliminate the ups and downs that come with enduring a change in life.  As I stated before, I am dealing with a really big craving for unhealthy foods right now mixed with my desire to do exercise.  Take my advice into consideration, but don't be discouraged if you have setbacks if not use those to improve in the future so you don't make the same mistake twice.

xoxo, Ana

Hydrate Yourself

Hey Lovelies!

Today I have a really important message about your health, an aspect that many people neglect to pay attention to: hydrating yourself.

According to a report by CBS, 75% of Americans may be dehydrated.  More likely than not, that number includes you, the reader of this post.  Water makes up a large amount of the human body and it is necessary for many of our bodily processes.

But this does not mean that you cannot change your habits.  It is not easy to change bad habits, but it is the first step to living a much healthier and fulfilled life.  Water is such a simple, abundant aspect of everyday life that many people do not take advantage of.  Especially in America, many people do not realize that we have such a blessing for having clean, available water.

Considering I used to drink barely one cup of water a day, I have worked a lot to increase my intake of water on the daily.  So I wanted to share with all you what I did over the past year to drink more water.

~ 1 ~

Have Water On Hand

When I started to decide to consume more water, the first thing I did was buy myself a really cute water bottle.  It came with me everywhere and it was a commitment I had to make.  When you do this, it ensures that you always remember constantly and always have access to it.

~ 2 ~

Wake Up and Drink

A great way to get lots of water into your body is to drink a whole bottle of water the moment you wake up.  This is a very important step that gives you a great start to your day.

~ 3 ~

Water = Energy

Many people drink caffeinated drinks in order to boost themselves up.  But those drinks actually sucks up all of your water supply and can hurt you more than help.  I'm not saying that a cup of joe is a bad idea every once in a while, but it is important to note the impact that water has on our energy levels as well.

~ 4 ~

Substitute Bad Drinks

We all know about those "bad drinks."  Sodas, juice, etc. all of those sugary drinks that do not add much nutritional value.  Just like coffee, these are not bad as long as they are kept at a minimum.  The problem results from when people excessively drink these.  So whenever you can, substitute those drinks do so.

I hope this helps you guys out because I definetly think drinking water is super important to our health.  Water affects all aspects of our health from your digestive system to your skin, it is very important and we should never neglect it.

xoxo, Ana

Fitness: Best Ab Exercises

Hello Lovelies!

I have yet another fitness post for you all!  Today I want to talk about basically my favorite part of my body to train. ABS!  I know lots of people hate ab day, but I love it because it gets me pumped up to eat healthier and strive for healthier me.  BIG DISCLAIMER: Training your abdominal muscles will not guarantee success.  You also have to eat a well balanced diet as well not neglect the muscles behind the abs you actually see. Please see my Best Leg Exercises post for my other disclaimer.

With that said, my favorite ab exercises are..

~ 1 ~

Crunches

What?  How could these horribly, pain inflicting, deadly monsters be number one? Well I think they are the most effective, in my opinion.  I personally am not the number one fan of average crunches because they hurt my neck and back, but there are many variations of this simple exercise.  I love using an exercise, doing toe crunches, and adding weights.

~ 2 ~ 

Plank

I have always loved planks because I, personally, am really good at them.  Something about the challenge of holding such a difficult position for longer increments of time excites me and is almost a competition against myself.  Make sure when you attempt a plank you keep a straight line from your head to ankles, keep your elbows/hands under your shoulder, don't move your booty up/down, and don't let your ankles slip and slide.

~ 3 ~

Bicycles

This is one of the exercises that kills me concerning abs.  For some reason they tire me out super quick.  But that is more of a reason to love this awesome exercise.  There is not much to it, but they are still extremely hard on your abs.  I think they work your abs more than mountain climbers.

~ 4 ~

Leg Lifts

These killer yet simple little lifts can be absolute killer to your abdominal muscles.  The worst part is that in my school the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) instructors will use them when the class is misbehaving.  Remember with any exercise on the floor in which you are using your abs ensure your back lays flat on the floor.

~ 5 ~ 

Oblique Crunches

This move is portrayed in several different ways.  Honestly, they all work about equally.  They tighten your waist and make you look slimmer, plus your obliques {the side of your tummy} will work super hard during this.  Even just holding a plank on the side makes them work to keep you stable and help you balance yourself.

~ Bonus ~

Russian Twist

I just had to add this because I really love ab exercises and this is one of my favorites {hence why it is on this list}.  I typically do these with my legs up and a weight of seven pounds.  They are super awesome and you definitely feel these rotations the next day.  As you get better you can slowly start lifting your legs up, then adding weight, and then doing both.

I hope you all try these exercises out.  Let me know in the comments what your favorite part to exercise is!

xoxo, Ana

Fitness: Tips on Starting to Run

Hello Lovelies!

As you know I am a runner.  Now what does that mean, it means that although I don't run all that fast, or all that far, I enjoy running and I enjoy going outside and going for a run.  I am still starting as a runner, and I want to share with you all my tips on starting out and the beginning stages of running.  It is not easy to begin a new sport, especially if you are not a very athletic person {ding, ding, ding, moi}, but this particular sport is something you must focused on and takes a lot of personal motivation.  I'm not going to make another disclaimer, but I am no professional this is from my personal opinion.

I am not the best at completing things I set my own mind to, but running is the best sport for someone who is very controlling, organized, and meticulous.  Because of this, not many people enjoy running or continuously commit to running.  My blog is my place to share my opinions and I honestly do not think running is for everyone.  Running is not easy and it takes massive amounts of dedication.  With that in mind, let's get on with the tips.

~ Tip 1 ~

Stick to it. No matter what!

When I first began running many people told me I couldn't do it and that I was too little to run very far.  Running takes dedication and you have to keep going no matter what.  This includes when your feet hurt, your back aches, and your legs feel like falling off.  I am not saying that you should keep going if you feel immense pain, but running is a mental sport and you have to keep going no matter what.

~ Tip 2 ~

Get Proper Gear

The other day I went running with my running socks, I usually save them for when I run extra long distances.  I had not realized how much of a difference they make.  Not to mention proper shoes.  You will have to splurge on a pair of running shoes, I currently have the Sketchers with Memory Foam.  Lastly, when you really start running you will realize that cotton is no longer your friend. You're gonna wanna buy some shirts and pants made of moisture-wicking fabric.

~ Tip 3 ~

Don't Push Yourself Too Far

You don't want to start of running a fourth of a mile and in a week progress to a mile.  Especially if you are starting by walking you want to slowly increase the amount you run or walk.  If you push yourself too far you could actually hurt yourself in the end.  So know your limitations and work around them to reach your goal.

~ Tip 4 ~

Make Tiny, Medium, and Big Goals

For example my tiny goal is to run three full miles by the end of summer {don't really know if it is possible...}, my medium goal is run a 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon.  My Big goal is quite large, but I want to run my first marathon before I finish high school.  So three more years to run 26.2 miles...  Yeah I am a bit ambitious but meeting these goals or getting close is needed to push yourself and really necessary.

~ Tip 5 ~

Stretch and Cross Train

Stretching and Cross Training is very important for your body to endure running.  Make sure you know which stretches to do when, for example dynamic stretching before and static stretching after.  Cross Training is basically doing other forms of training, particularly strength training for your muscles.  I suggest beginning cross training when you start running to get your body used to the training and to build up the muscle you need to do endurance running.

Make sure you do your research before beginning to run and do any type of exercise.  Like I said this is a sport that takes a lot of dedication and you have to really be self-motivated.

I hope this helps you out if you want to start running.

xoxo, Ana

Fitness: Fitness Blender

Hey Lovelies!

I really quickly wanted to share one of my absolute favorite free fitness videos.  This website and their videos are probably the best free fitness videos and advice you can find out there.

I have been using their videos for about two years now, and I always go back to them when I try other fitness type things and training plans.  I think they are awesome, they have super professional videos, and they work really hard to get their videos up and they have a super amazing website.

I promise they are not asking me to do this post or tell you guys about them, I honestly really enjoy their videos and they really make me sore and make me sparkle {because I don't sweat}.  Sometimes I cannot do everything correctly because they are more flexible and I have to do things at a beginner/intermediate level, but they still kick my butt.

Because of my recent decline and break, I didn't do much working out.  So now I have to start from the beginning again, which is the worst.  I have to start over with running as well :(.  But they are super encouraging and their videos have taught me a lot.

They also have amazing programs that you guys can try out, I have not personally tried them out. Honestly, I find training plans stress me out and I prefer to do my own thing, especially because I do use their videos for cross-training when I run.

This is a link to their website:  http://www.fitnessblender.com/

I hope you guys try them out and tell me what you think about them and how you find their videos.

xoxo, Ana

Fitness: Best Leg Exercises

Hey Lovelies!

So, I haven't done too many fitness posts because they kind of scare me.  So before we get started I just want to make a disclaimer:  I am not a professional and anything I say is from personal experience; I am just sharing to let you know what works for me.  As much as I enjoy learning and researching about the body, I am not a professional on the human body. We all have different bodies and our bodies react differently to exercise and diet.  Please be cautious before making any drastic changes in your daily routine and ask a physician if you are ready for any change.

Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you all about leg exercises.  We all want nice, toned legs for those shorts during the summertime.  But, some of us don't have gym memberships {that would be me} and a lot of us are just starting to progress into the "toning wagon".  If you seek major weight loss, I will be making a future posts/videos about cardio and the importance of this on all of our bodies (weight loss or otherwise).  Here is just some of my favorite leg exercises.  I don't have any specific routine, I usually just find something on YouTube or Pinterest, these are just the specific things that work best for me.

~ 1 ~

Squats

We all hate them, but we all love them.  They are so amazing for toning your thighs and your booty and, if done properly, can even be a core exercise.  I will occasionally add a little wight by holding dumbbell(s) to supplement this exercise, but alone it is still amazing!  All types of squats are amazing and each work a specific muscle group in your thighs and booty.  From sumo squats  to pistol squats to ski squats, they are amazing!

~ 2 ~

Lunges

Another exercise that seems to repeat among anyone who talks about legs.  But, they work.  I recently found out there are more than just a few forms of lunges, including the curtsy lunges.  I looked crazy yesterday as I stepped forward and kept putting my hands out as if I was wearing a dress from Titanic.  This exercise works a different muscle in you booty than a squat and is amazing for those thighs.

~ 3 ~

Bridges

Who would have thought that lifting your but from the floor could cause so much pain?  Bridges are awesome to perk up that booty and tighten those hamstrings.  Try doing them on only one leg, you will be in pain for days!  I love this exercise and think it is just amazing.

~ 4 ~ 

Kickbacks

This super simple exercise consists of standing near a wall and using your booty and thighs to kick your legs back.  It sounds so simple and so easy, but it is more difficult than you could imagine.  There are several forms of doing this, you could even do it laying of all fours.  As long as you don't cheat yourself and really squeeze those muscles, you will get amazing results from simple, little pulses.

~ 5 ~

Calf Raises

I cannot explain my adoration of calf raises.  I love them so very much because they seem to be the only exercise that really work on my calf, especially when adding weights.  Of course you can add weights to any of the other exercises, but this one really kicks my butt.

If you have any other super, awesome, totally amazing leg exercises, let me know about them in the comments.  These are not the only things I do, but they are just my very favorite.

I hope you learned something from this and like learning a bit more about fitness, pertaining to the legs!

xoxo, Ana

P.S. - I have been obsessed with reading, so expect lots of posts about books!  I don't typically bye books, I will just go to the library or buy them online {my kindle doesn't work anymore so the library is my only solution} but I love reading and will be sharing my opinions about some of the books I have checked out recently.

Classy and Sassy: Your Beauty Sleep

Hello Lovelies!!!

So, it is finally summer {Ahhhhh!!!} and a lot of teenagers enjoy staying up late and sleeping until one in the afternoon.  For my family, staying up means waking up at ten in the morning, but to each their own.  But, what a lot of people don't realize is how important sleep is not only for your beauty but also for your health.

I am starting another "series" of just small tips and advice for you guys, to help all of us stay Classy and Sassy {see what I did there?}.  Why is sleep important, how does sleep help me, and why would I take time out of my day to sleep when I could rest when I'm dead?  These are all questions that make a lot of sense.  Especially if we are trying to justify a lack of sleep to working or having fun.

What a lot of people don't realize is that we need sleep, not just two hours per night, but at least seven hours of sleep every single night.  Not only do you feel amazing when you wake up, but sleeping has many hidden health benefits that people are not aware of.

~ 1 ~

Improve your memory.

The brain is still working while you sleep.  A lot people say to study right before you go to sleep, you are more likely to remember information this way, but why?  Our brain continues to function as we sleep and stores information, like you would file papers into a cabinet.

~ 2 ~

Increase metabolism.

If you are trying to lose weight, sleep more and better.  Our bodies will feel hungry when we are tired and will try and create extra fat storage.  As we sleep our bodies release hormones including metabolism.

~ 3 ~ 

Better physical conduct.

Fatigue and exhaustion will cause your physical performance to decline.  Studies have shown this is truw including a study by Stanford University on college football players.

~ 4 ~ 

Natural stress relief.

Our bodies release melatonin while we sleep.  Melatonin not only combats cortisol or stress but also has been found to help high blood pressure.  This hormone also regulates our biological clock, so sleep in complete darkness when you want to tell yourself it's time to sleep.

~ 5 ~

Help your immune system.

People with "low-quality sleep" or really bad sleep have increased cortisol levels.  What is cortisol?  Cortisal is a stress hormone.  Basically, your body becomes stressed with lack of sleep.  These increased levels also cause us to get hungry and eat even more.

Sleep is very mysterious and its' reason for existing is still unsure.  What we do know is that sleep is vital to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Sleep also decreases inflamation, allows blood flow for radiant skin, and releases growth hormones necessary for healthy skin and hair.

Not just that, but you wake up feeling refreshed, with a clear mind, and a new beginning.  Don't skimp on your beauty sleep!

xoxo, Ana

My "Health Story"

Hey Lovelies!

You might be wondering what a "health story" pertains to.  Don't worry I am alright if that's what you are wondering! Well I cam up with this idea to share my story about how I became interested in health and fitness.  I would also like to do this for fashion and crafts.  So here it is!

My love for health and fitness began about two years ago.  But, this story really begins when I was about nine or ten.  This is when I lost gymnastics {that's another story}.  I felt lost in life, like I had no meaning and could never pursue anything ever again.  At this point in my life I was sad and didn't care anymore about what I ate, what I did to my body, how I treated myself, how I treated others, in fact I focused so much on school and what others expected from me, that I completely forgot about myself  and my well being.

As two or three years went by, all I cared about was school, school, and school.  I am not saying I regret anything I did in my life and I wouldn't change a thing.  This is how I coped with the loss of something that I truly loved and cared for.  Anyway, two or three years passed and I began noticing that my body wasn't working the way it used to.  I couldn't go up a flight of stairs without going out of breath, and I was having symptoms of hypoglycemia.

This scared me, it really did and still does.  To this day, I am afraid that one day I just won't have the fuel in my body to continue and that my body will shut down on me.  So around this time last year I began to research everything I could on the body and health and how I should be treating my body, what I should eat, how I should exercise, etc. etc.

Summer before freshman year of high school I began to work out and start trying to eat healthier.  I found many alternatives to the bad foods I was eating and made an effort to start a food journal again and track my progress.  This continued and my love for health and fitness grew and grew.

This was me beginning high school,
before everything went downhill.

Freshman year of high school began and things got complicated.    I thought I would be able to juggle it all and I thought I would be like super woman and do everything and be everything.  It turns out that life isn't all we expect it to be.  High school was a big, HUGE let down for me.  In fact this has been one of the worst school years ever!

I stopped my effort to eat better and increase the diversity of foods I eat, I wouldn't track my progress, I began eating ice cream and cake in large amounts and eating tons of fried foods.  I let all the people telling me I was weak and small and telling me I could never be strong, I let them get to me.

Today I look at myself in the mirror and for the first time in my life I am disappointed.  Not by the way I look or the fact I am not as skinny as I used to be, or the fact that I am short.  I am disappointed in how I act, how I treat myself, how I treat others, my lack of motivation!

To be honest, I am not sharing this to make anyone pity me or feel bad for my lack of energy and motivation to move forward.  I am doing this mostly for myself.  Here is a little something I have decided to say to myself when I feel like I am not in control:


I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT TO DO!  NO ONE SHOULD DICTATE MY LIFE OTHER THAN MYSELF.  I HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS THE GUY NEXT DOOR, I SHOULD NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED. GOD LOVES ME AND HE WILL HELP ME GET THROUGH THE ROUGH PATCHES IN LIFE AND ALLOW ME TO PREVAIL.

I know that this journey has not been easy for me.  I took all the information I learned and dumped it out the door.  But tomorrow is a new beginning and I don't want to stay stuck with the person I used to be.  Not just in the physical aspect but also just myself.  It is okay to have a bad day, but don't have a bad life.

I want everyone who reads this to smile and focus on the positive and wonderful things we have! I still have time to develop a better diet and train my body.  If you want to get better grades this semester in school, do it. Just work hard and don't let anything stand in your way.

I think my biggest mistake has been not taking the time I have and using that time wisely.  I sit an watch TV until late at night, I made stupid excuses not to help my mother, and I let other people tell me what is right and what it isn't.

Personally, it is very hard for me to develop new habits and change my lifestyle, but if others can do it, why can't I?

I hope that you got something out of this, I know that this was something I really needed and although it is 1 in the morning, I am glad that I wrote this for you guys and maybe now you know how I got into health and fitness and how I plan to continue my journey and not give up {like I have on many things}.

Remember, you can do anything!  Just work hard to get to where you want to be and you will get there!

xoxo, Ana

P.S. - I apologize for this odd post, I was having a rough day and just randomly started writing! I still hope you got something out of this post and  hopefully I did too.

Work It Wednesday: Running Jacket

Hey Lovelies!

Today I have a short post for you guys.  So, I have been wanting a track jacket for a while now.  I came home one day and this beauty was on my chair!

This track jacket is from Danskin Now.  I love this as a casual everyday wear.  It has the thumb holes {tbh: I was most excited for thumb holes!}, pockets, and a hot pink lined hood.

It is lightweight, but still warm for the colder seasons.  I haven't decided if I want to use this specifically for exercise or for casual use... I am still debating.

The best part is that it was on sale and my mom got it for only $7!!!! What? I know, super affordable.  Not only is it comfortable, adorable, useful and something I have wanted for a while now, but it because winter is practically over, it was super inexpensive.

Speaking of saving money, I am debating buying clothes for Washington.  I still am not entirely sure, I might save my money.  I have had lots of expenses lately, and until summer I can't really get a job, so for now I am leaning towards saving my $$$.

I hope you guys enjoyed this quick fashion find {I don't know what to call it}  and have a wonderful day!

xoxo, Ana

P.S. - Have you guys visited frillyandfancy.blogspot.com Kalel is super cute and has such amazing style!!! I love shabby chic like just like her.  Don't worry, I don't know her personally I just really love her style and thought I would direct you guys toward her page!

Fitness: Food Tracker?

Hey lovelies!

So over the past couple of days, I have been quite the busy bee.  This has really deteriorated my "healthy lifestyle" goal.  I haven't been paying much attention to my overall health, or to anything but school really.

I am going to try something that I used to do religiously, but since I got busy I stopped doing this. {I had to give up lots of things to focus on school. :( } So this thing that I was doing for several months is a food tracker.  There are a lot of names for it, but it is just where you can write down what you eat.

Some people do this on their phones, I like to keep a notebook, it is very flexible.  The overall concept is that you write down everything you ate, this allows you to visualize the changes you can make in your diet in order to live a healthier life.

Since I have done this before I decided to gibe you guys some tips and tricks to this a food tracker:

~ 1 ~

Write down everything!  We all have had this slice of cake (or two), we have all had those greasy fries, we have all had eaten unhealthy foods.  Don't cheat yourself by not writing down what you ate.  This is for you to improve, not to judge yourself on what you can't change.  The damage is done.

~ 2 ~

Don't show your notebook to anyone.  It seems harsh, but someone might judge you, or try to give you advice, or try and make fun of what you eat.  This is something personal and something that is helping you, not anyone else.

~ 3 ~ 

Include your exercise regimen.  This is going to allow you to either see what you are doing wrong, or allow you to track your progress.  How do you know you are doing something wrong?  You eat a doughnut after a really harsh workout.  How can you track your progress?  If you stay committed to your tracker you can look back and see how you used to walk a mile, now you run two miles, for example.  You can really see the impact your diet has on your physical well being.



I hope that this post will encourage you guys to start a journal, I know that physically seeing what I ate really aided me and acted as a guide to how bad my diet really was.  We need to remember that before helping anyone else we must help ourselves first.  Don't try and eat almost nothing, this should help you better portion your meals and allow you to make better choices.

Today is February 6, and in two weeks, February 20, I will give you guys an update as to how I have been doing with my food tracker that I will be starting tomorrow.

Have a healthy day!

xoxo, Ana


P.S. - Yesterday was my birthday {Finally 15!} and I will be doing a post on my day and also what I got.

Fitness: Motivation Board

Hi Lovelies!

My day has consisted of getting myself back on track today.  I have really felt like this year my goals have not been accomplished and I have been really stressed lately.  So, I took the day off and focused on cleaning, getting stuff done, organizing, etc. I still have lots to do.

Anyways, I wanted to show you guys one of the simplest ideas to get you encourage and motivate you to meet your fitness goals.  Or any other goal for that matter.

This is a MOTIVATION BOARD!!!

I first got this idea from a post on pinterest.  It is was a simple dry erase board with quotes and motivational ideas, reminders, etc.  For me, my goal was to be in the habit of eating well and living a healthy lifestyle by my birthday.  {I can't believe its only 18 days away!}

This is my motivation board:

Super inexpensive (I got the board at the dollar store!), super chic, and super easy.  Anyone can accomplish this and if you can customize this to suit your needs.  If losing weight is your goal, you can track the pounds, if you want to include a calender, you can do this as well.

If you make your own motivation board make sure to let me know in the comments below.  I hope you have a fabulous day!

xoxo, Ana