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Spring-ify Your Hydration
Easy Ways to Wow Your Water!
After a weekend escape from the concrete jungle to help my parents with some spring cleaning, I’m enjoying an extra spring in my step on this Motivation Monday courtesy of some much-needed vitamin D. It’s amazing how uncovering the patio furniture and sweeping up the leaves and other remnants of a long, hard winter can do wonders for the mind and spirit. (The bonus: tackling the first stages of a spring spruce up after a killer ILoveKickboxing class helped me burn a few extra calories so I could enjoy some of Mom’s cooking without a side of guilt!) The weekend also marked the first time since last fall that I was able to sit outside to write a blog post. All that fresh air did wonders for my soul!
While I stayed busy helping Mom and Dad, I lost some of my usual writing time. So I hope you’ll forgive this short and sweet shot of inspiration to kick off the new work week. As we all continue shifting our routines for spring, it’s the perfect time to freshen up some of our healthy habits. That includes how we stay hydrated.
As far as I’m concerned, water remains king when it comes to healthy beverages. However, after awhile the same ol’ H20 can be more than just a little bland. Instead of reaching for calorie-loaded sports drinks, why not try these three, easy ideas to add a little “wow” to your water:
- Expand Your Citrus Horizons: Who says lemons should have all the fun? Add a squeeze of lime, grapefruit or even a clementine for some extra zest in your water.
- Chill Out: Mix in some frozen apple chunks, grapes, blueberries or strawberries for instant yum.
- Go green: Add slices of cucumber and a few sprigs of mint for a more savory flavor option.
Once you find your favorite flavor infusion, make a pitcher to keep in the fridge so you can have a refreshing drink at home or fill up your reusable water bottle to bring to the office and wherever your workouts take you. Remember, adding a little zest to even the healthiest of habits can help you stick with your goals to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
It’s Time for Spring Cleaning!
A little spring cleaning for your health & fitness routine can keep you smiling! Photo by Leslie Hassler
We made it to the first Motivation Monday of April! Now’s the time to embrace three staples of the season: Yankees baseball, spring showers and spring cleaning! As you carve out some time to de-clutter the closets and desk drawers, remember this is also the perfect opportunity to get rid of what’s sabotaging your health and fitness goals, too!
Here are my top three tips to help you take stock of what’s working, what’s not and what new things you can look forward to this season:
- Do NOT Skip Meals! It seems everywhere we look at this time of year, we’re bombarded by ads pushing us to get that bikini-body ready pronto. One of the biggest mistakes people make in trying to make that happen is skipping meals. If you’re thinking “Well, if I skip some meals, I’ll consume fewer calories and I’ll lose weight,” think again! The reality is you’ll probably end up consuming the same amount of calories if not more because when you do eat, you’ll be ravenous and consume extra calories you didn’t need. Also, when you don’t eat for long periods of time, your blood sugar levels drop which can leave you feeling fatigued, less focused and less productive in general. Instead, go ahead and use this time to develop the healthy habit of eating smaller meals every few hours to keep your blood sugar stable and control your appetite.
- Clean Out the Closets, the Drawers…AND the Pantry! I know it may hurt, but maybe it’s time to get rid of that college T-shirt with the permanent sweat stains. I’m not saying you should toss your school pride in the trash, but why not treat yourself an order an alumni shirt online? While you’re at it, add a few bright-colored, moisture-wicking items to freshly de-cluttered drawers. We all like getting new duds for the season, so why should your workout wardrobe be any different? While you’re getting rid of old stuff in your closets or drawers, let’s not forget the dust bunnies collecting on those sweet or salty treats that have been hanging around in the pantry since the holidays. I know no one likes to waste food, so if you can bring the leftover boxes or bags of treats to an office or school break room (and you know you have the will power to avoid digging in) let some other people enjoy them. (Assuming they haven’t stuck around past their expiration date, of course!)
- Mix Up Your Workout Routine! Don’t let boredom stop you in your tracks! Check for new group exercise classes at the gym or see what workout opportunities exist in the great outdoors. Whether you bang out some Tabatas in your backyard, play kickball with a community group or take an extra long walk in the evening, now’s the time to use Mother Nature as the ultimate motivator.
With a whole new month to look forward to, now’s the time to explore the many different ways we can all have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
A Fresh Start
I think I lost 10 pounds since last week.
Don’t worry, I didn’t start some crazy diet or workout eight hours every day. The weight I lost was in my mind, and it melted away thanks to a little spring cleaning. Well, in full disclosure, it was really more like spring cleaning on steroids.
I decided to spruce up my apartment with a fresh coat of paint. Anyone who’s been through it knows you might as well be preparing to move. While I wrapped up my fragile knickknacks and made room for the painters to work, I also cleaned out my closets, desk drawers and other storage spots that were surprisingly chock full of papers and plain old junk. I also came across some bittersweet memories – photos and other memorabilia of special people who aren’t around anymore. Even putting those items in a special box and tucking it away in a closet was cathartic. The memories will be there if I want to relive them down the road.
Starting my mornings with a workout gave me a solid shot of those forever-welcome endorphins which only made me more enthusiastic about loading pounds of paper into the shredder and putting other items aside to donate. As I finish putting my photos and books back in their nooks and paintings back on the wall, I feel a little lighter after getting rid of the “stuff” I simply didn’t need anymore. I think I’m truly ready for spring. (Now if Mother Nature will just cooperate, it’ll be a great season!)
So on this Motivation Monday, I encourage you to take stock of what’s around you. Something as simple as eliminating the clutter in your life can have a huge impact on your psyche. Removing any kind of negative energy – things, people, habits – can only be good for your overall health and well-being. Remember, creating positive surroundings can give you a boost when you’re not working out and only help you stay the course on your journey to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
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