On Fear

Daydreaming has always been a strength of mine. I've filled up countless notebooks full of thoughts and ideas, written thousands of to-do lists, set out a hundred different goals that I wanted to accomplish right away. Or, more like yesterday. Patience has never been my strong suit.

I then found myself opening up those old notebooks, re-reading those lists, and while some things did change, a lot didn't. It's the sad (and harsh) truth.

What was I waiting for? Am I not really passionate about those dreams of mine? Am I really just that lazy?

It hit me. Fear. For the most part, it's my own fear that holds me back. Like so many others. Fear of sounding stupid. Or just not saying the right things. Fear of looking ridiculous. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. 

It was just as Paulo Coelho described in The Alchemist; there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. If I really stopped for a second and thought about what my dreams really are, I'd notice a voice ringing in the back of my head. It's that voice that's filling me with a fear over something that hasn't even happened yet. And you know what? It may never happen. It's there, poking at my insecurities, knowing exactly what buttons to push. That little voice can be quite the bitch when I come to think of it. 

What if we all - together - told that voice to shut the hell up? Who invited her to the party anyway?! What a downer. Let go of those negative thoughts and fears and replace them with encouragement and love. Love for yourself. Because you're an unstoppable force of nature. 

If we start loving ourselves unconditionally, could you imagine what could happen? Things worthy of glitter explosions and fireworks so bright, you could see the sparks dancing from space.

I've decided to make a pact, with myself and with you. These type of life-changing events are better shared and supported through a community, don't you think? The next time you dream up something fabulous - something seemingly so far out of reach - and that voice creeps in and tell you, you can't do it, I want you to stare straight back, say "Watch me", and believe it.

If your fears were no longer a factor, what would you do? Better yet - share a time where you've conquered your fears and succeeded, I'd love to hear!

The Juice Cleanse - The Finale

(The Juice Cleanse Intro can be found here, and Part One of my experience, here)

Here we are, waking up on the second day of the juice cleanse. Like any normal person after sleeping for a whopping 12 hours, I felt rested. I looked over at Sebastian and secretly hoped he would tell me we could put all of this behind us and pretend like it never happened. 

But if you knew anything about him, you'd know that's just not his style.

Off we went, spending about half the day preparing the juices not only for that day, but for the next too. It was time to reclaim our kitchen back - and when you live in a tiny shoebox apartment, you really need every inch of space you've got available. 

While I juiced, I drank. And whaddya know? The Green Juice wasn't half bad. (Okay - maybe half bad, but believe it or not, the taste improved!) Down the hatch it went. Followed by the second juice, and the eventual third. The headaches, the grumpiness, no where in sight. There was a little procrastination when it came to the fourth (beets, carrots, apple, ginger), which Sebastian actually enjoyed, but I spent my time practicing my breathing techniques until I finished it completely. 

Which makes you realize why the sixth and final drink of the day is Cashew Milk, because, let me tell you, this drink is liquid gold. It gives you that bit of fat and protein your body needs, but also tastes like dessert. I promise you I'm not just saying that because I know the ins and outs of The Green Juice. Literally.

For the most part, the second day of the cleanse went along without any problems. If I had any complaints, it would be the cravings. Our friend stopped by for a visit and mentioned a new burger joint that we should check out, and I swear, if he let me gnaw on his arm, I would have. All I wanted was junk. Cheese, fries, chocolate, candies, you name it! If it was bad for me, I wanted it. 

It made me realize just how much my body is addicted to all these sugars and fats. At times, it would really consume my mind, and even though I didn't actually feel hungry, I wanted to eat. It felt like I was putting myself through junk food rehab.

So what did I do to take my mind off it? I watched Hungry For Change. A documentary that deserves a whole lot more than a quick mention, but that's another topic for another day. (Seriously - just watch it. It will change your life!)

The third (and final!) day was more or less the same - a lot of craving, a lot of peeing, and the taste of each juice was better than the day before - but I won't bore you with the details.

My final thoughts? After completing the full three days, I didn't have any jolts of energy, I didn't feel more alive, and well, I didn't feel very different at all. What I can tell you, is that while I don't feel like a different person, I do notice the difference in my body.

In those three days, I lost just over 4 pounds (and I'm consistently maintaining my new weight), I no longer look and feel bloated, and just in general, everything is functioning better. 

I think it's important to not think of this as a "quick fix" - do it, be done with it, and go back to your old ways. If this cleanse is something you're seriously thinking about, do it to give yourself a kick start to an entirely new way of living. Throw your bad habits out the window, and adopt a new, healthier lifestyle.

Are you thinking that you would never have the willpower to do something like this? Well, you do. If you immediately think you can't do something, you've already put the nail in your coffin so-to-speak. I, for one, have approximately 5% of willpower, and 95% of "I do what I want!" So if you're like me then here's two simple things that worked for me...

1. Find a friend - Having Sebastian as my support system made all the difference. The first day was, without a doubt, the hardest thing to go through and then actually continue with the original plan. Without him, I would've given up. Plain and simple. Find someone who will push you and encourage you. And maybe even yell at you to finish that damn drink already. 

2. Get Motivated - When you're in a moment of desperation, or in this case, a moment of "hunger", it's easy to think of how amazing it will be to crack open a bag of chips and cheat just a little bit. Motivate yourself to stay on track. Watch Hungry for Change, read Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet, and understand all the real reasons why you're doing what you're doing.

By taking three days out of my life to dedicate to my health, I not only completed the juice cleanse, I educated myself on food, nutrition, and the power of thought, which has given me an entirely new outlook on what I put into my body and how it's going to effect me. This is, by far, the most fantastic "side-effect" that could have happened. One that's already changing my life for the better.

If you're interested in getting started, click "Read More" for a start-up shopping list and a quick peek inside my fridge...

The Juice Cleanse - The (True) Beginning

(If you missed the introduction to The Juice Cleanse - you can catch up right here:)

Let me preface this post by saying that before I began this cleanse, I was incredibly stoked and figured it would be a walk in the park. After all, it was only three days, and I was nurturing my body more than I ever had before. I wasn't suppose to be hungry. It was going to be all rainbows and butterflies and I'd have wonderful life-altering epiphanies and I'd wake up full of energy and ready to take on the rest of my life!

Oh boy, was I ever wrong. In fact, I don't think I could have been more wrong about anything else in my life than in these moments.

Now, let's take a trip back in time. The day before the cleanse was about to begin. I had everything ready - all the necessary tools, the shopping list, and most importantly, a plan. Sebastian and I set out to the nearest grocery store and stocked our cart full of everything we would need for the three day cleanse. My eyes widened as I looked down at it all - I knew it was going to be a lot, especially because everything was being doubled since we were doing this together - but, whoa. I thought the cashier's eyes were going to pop out of her head and wonder what sort of crazy people we were. But she didn't. Which left me slightly disappointed.

I wanted to proudly shout, "Hey! Look at what we're buying! Yea, that's right. I'm buying kale! And beets! And ginger! And 9 batches of celery! And 42 green apples! Did you notice there's no junk food?" And continue to bask in my own pride.

...But I withheld.

Once we got home, I had time to whip up the first three juices for the next day. "This is going to be awesome." I smugly thought to myself and with a great sense of pride, I packed them up, stuck them in the fridge, and anxiously awaited the following day.

At the sound of the alarm, I shot out of bed and was ready to get started! (Keep in mind, this was the day of Sebastian's surgery to get his wisdom teeth out, so since he couldn't consume anything before it, he started with the second juice later on.)

I grabbed my first cup out of the fridge, The Green Juice, took one swift jug, and... what the...

It was repulsive. I made this blatantly obvious by making "yucky" faces while I slowly sipped on this leafy concoction, which only made Sebastian even more excited to give it a try later on. Obviously. But seriously, did I really expect all of this to taste good? Maybe being an optimist isn't more beneficial after all. It was a struggle to get down. From beginning to end it probably took me about two hours to finish completely. With attempts like, "plug your nose, take a drink" and "inhale completely, take a drink, exhale completely. Just like a shot." It wasn't my finest moment.

I will also add, since this is the honest account of what happened, that it made me pee. A lot. While I waited for Sebastian's surgery to be over, which took a grand total of 45 minutes, I had to run off to the bathroom three times. Three times! I'm pretty sure the dental staff thought that I had some serious bladder issues but moving on...

The second juice was apple, pineapple, and mint which was (thankfully) delicious, and I downed that one pretty quickly. By this point I had a mild headache (which is pretty common for me if I don't eat) but I wasn't hungry at all and was just drinking so I could keep up and finish all the juices for that day.

The third juice, and this is where it went all down hill - was The Green Juice again. I'm not going to sugarcoat this - I wasn't looking forward to it. Not even a little. And once it touched my lips, I cringed. All of a sudden I felt extremely nauseous and my headache was only beginning to amplify. I tried to stay strong and keep going, and managed to get down about half of The Green Juice when...

...let's just say that no matter how repulsive you think it is going down, the reverse is about one hundred times worse.

Here I was, supposedly "playing nurse" for Sebastian after his surgery, and here he was rubbing my back and consoling me, asking what I needed. Great job, Allie. I never thought it would be possible that I'd actually feel worse than he did. (My conclusion? He is clearly a freak of nature:) 

And so, I cheated. At around 4pm, I had half a bagel to try to calm my stomach down. Which only kind of worked. Afterwards I sipped on my Spicy Lemonade and that mild headache was slowly turning into a mild migraine. The kind where it feels like your brain is pulsing and your eyes feel like they need their own personal massage. So much for my life-altering epiphany. 

The final two juices of the day were sipped on but never finished. The day was spent on the couch. The plan was to spend the evening making more juice for the next day, but true to form, plans rarely ever stay perfectly on track. I had zero energy, was grumpy, my body was aching all over, and I'm pretty sure somebody smashed a hammer over my head. I wanted to give up. All I could think about was giving up.

And yes, while I realize that I'm being a little dramatic over here. I mean, hello! It was only the first day. I felt defeated and disappointed in myself. At this point, I didn't think I could continue, and well... I felt so bad that the thought of ending it didn't even bother me anymore.

...Then I passed out at 8:30pm and slept for an entire 12 hours. 

To find out what happened, you'll have to check back tomorrow for the final post! (This ended up being way longer than originally anticipated and I don't want to completely bore you to tears:) 

UPDATE: Click here for The Finale.

The Juice Cleanse

You may not know it, but we can be pretty hard on our bodies. Day after day, we’re not eating enough vegetables, not getting enough vitamins, and pumping ourselves full of sugar. It’s hard to avoid because the products we’re being sold are full of ingredients that really aren’t that great for us. Overtime, those toxins can build up and cause much more harm than good. For this reason, and many, many others, cleansing your body is an awesome way to keep you happy and healthy!

For months now, I’ve been wanting to do something. I knew my eating habits were not up to par and by the time I hit that 2pm wall, I’m left feeling tired and sluggish. I needed to treat my body the way it should be treated, I needed more energy, I needed that extra spring in my step! But alas, the thought of doing a cleanse is a little daunting. Do you remember when Sebastian did The Master Cleanse? Yea, not for me. I need food. Sebastian calls it “the fat aches”. I just don’t function without it and bringing me to the point of extreme hunger can be scary.

Then, miraculously, I was inspired by a post over at The Daybook about The Blueprint Cleanse. Have you heard of it? The jist? 6 juices a day for 3 days. Full of everything your body needs so you’re not left feeling hungry. The juices are designed to supply you with “vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are quickly absorbed and easy to assimilate.” It looked perfect. For three days I would fill my body up with the nutrients that it was being deprived of, and get rid of all that crap that’s built up over time. I’d feel more energetic, more alive, and I’d wake up knowing that I was doing something good for myself.

Then I saw the price tag. Not that I don’t think it’s a great service, but whoa. It is freaking ex-pen-siiive. I couldn’t justify spending that sort of cash and was left feeling disappointed and defeated. Until I realized that Google is everyone’s modern-day best friend.

And so, I hacked The Blueprint Cleanse. The “Renovation Cleanse” to be exact, which is the beginner’s step. The order of the juices are: Green Juice, P.A.M., Green Juice, Spicy Lemonade, C.A.R., and Cashew Milk.

Interested in giving it a go? Here’s how the program starts off:

GREEN JUICE

This is six pounds of leafy wonder packed into this powerful selection of celery, cucumber, green apple, kale, lemon, parsley, romaine and spinach. This is easily replicated like the other juices as well.

For the same 16 ounces, gather organically-grown:

§  5 Ribs of Celery

§  1 Cucumber, Halved

§  2 Large Green Apples of Your Choice

§  3 Kale leafs

§  1 Ounce of Lemon juice

§  1 Handful of Parsley

§  3 Romaine leafs

§  1 Handful of Spinach

Just blend the ingredients together with a bit of water. This is to aid in loosening everything together, but not to change the consistency. When draining the mixture, use the pouch to catch the fiber, as we are only interested in the juice part. Make sure you press out all the juice. Fill that glass!

Click here to unveil the rest of the recipes for yourself. Keep in mind, it’s a lot of hard work and will take a fair bit of dedication to do it yourself. Sebastian and I did the cleanse together, so everything was doubled, but we ended up saving ourselves more than five. hundred. dollars. Totally worth it.

Check back for an inside look into my fridge, the shopping list you’ll need to get started, and exactly what my experience was like. The true, no holds barred version of my experience.

Have you done The Blueprint Cleanse before? Or any cleanse for that matter? How was it?

 

The (True) Beginning - The Finale

You Create Your Own Universe

I looked at my reflection and saw someone else staring back at me. I saw my future self. Full of happiness, joy, and gratitude. I saw someone who painted their own way, not the way that was paved for them. And then I realized something...

Have you guys heard of The Secret? Don't worry if you haven't, because I'm going to tell you all about it. And I will tell you how it can (and will) change your life.

Everything you've ever experienced in your life, you've attracted. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It's all because of a little something called The Law Of Attraction. It's something that's been known for years, a law that some of the most influential people of our time have come to know. And if you make the choice to take it and use it to your advantage, magic will happen.

What's it all about? To put it simply, our thoughts become things. If you focus primarily on the negative aspects of your life - guilt, resentment, depression, what we don't want - it will manifest into your life. If you choose to focus on what you already have to be grateful for, and accept feelings of love, joy, excitement, and gratitude - it will manifest into your life. Seems pretty easy, right? It is.

If we learn to control our thoughts, shift our emotions, live in possibility and hopefulness, it will change our lives forever. If we learn to accept those positive feelings and celebrate them, they'll be drawn to you.

Now, it may seem impossible to control your thoughts. Sometimes it can feel like your brain is on overdrive and you don't have control over anything. I mean, researchers say we have around 60,000 thoughts a day, so I bet you're wondering how the heck you're suppose to do it. The answer? Stop being so afraid of your thoughts. Everyone has good days and everyone has bad days. I don't expect you to walk around being all sunshine and roses all the time. It's unrealistic. The good thing? An affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought. And of course, our thoughts don't come true instantly. (And thank god for that. Otherwise, I would've ended up in some seriously sticky situations.)

"You create your own universe as you go along"

-Winston Churchill

Once you understand and master your thoughts, that's where your freedom is. And here's three simple steps on how to do it:

1. ASK. What is it that you want? Success? Money? Happiness? Ask for it. Say it out loud if it helps.

2. BELIEVE. You don't need to know how it will be done, just believe that it's already yours. It's easy to become doubtful - just recognize that feeling, and have faith that it will happen.

3. RECEIVE. This goes back to embracing those positive feelings. The feelings of happiness, joy, excitement, and gratitude. Feel as if you have what you want. Visualize that it's already yours.

Most people think about what they don't want and wonder why it keeps showing up. We look at what we've done or what we currently have, and think it's who we are. You are not your past. That's who you were. It's time to throw those type of thoughts out the window. And get rid of those excuses too. (We really are the master of excuses, aren't we?) Don't delay, don't second guess, just do it. 

TIP: I read an article recently about gratitude lists, which is just like what it sounds. All you do is write down what you're grateful for. It can be one thing or five things. And the results can bring so much more into your life. Since then, I've been making a conscious effort to recognize what I have to be grateful for. And I came upon an amazing (and easy) idea on how to do. It's called the gratitude rock.

A gratitude rock is just a small rock (any rock, really) that you can carry around with you. Every time you see it, you have to think of something you're grateful for. Every time you touch it in your pocket, see it in your purse, set it down on your dresser at night, pick it up again in the morning. Think of something, anything.  You will begin to notice how much happier you've become, all because you've accepted those positive feelings into your life.

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."

-Albert Einstein

Visualize and you will materialize. The power within you is greater than you know.

And besides, even if you read all this and still think I'm full of it, could it really be that bad? I think the world would be a much happier place if we all learned to flush away our cynicism, don't you?

Finding Balance + Never-Ending To-Do Lists

Balance is a tricky thing. And finding that balance is different for everyone; what works for one person may be detrimental to another.  A big part of that feeling of being overwhelmed is because of how busy we all are and how much we're trying to take on.

Especially as women, I feel we put that extra pressure on ourselves to accomplish it all, don't you think? We're all striving to be the best of everything. The best girlfriend, wife, mother, friend, blogger. Have the nicest home, cook up the most delicious recipes, and actually get around to creating all those things we've pinned on Pinterest.

Most of us (myself included) are trying to create that balance between having a full time job, maintaining relationships with loved ones, sustain some sort of social life, while fulfilling our passions and hobbies. It's tough. And sometimes, it's easier to look at that never-ending to-do list and just say "Screw it. I'm grabbing a bag of chips and sitting on the couch instead."

And it's true. Our to-do lists really are never-ending. Is it just me or doesn't it seem like just when you think you have everything under control, it spirals out into chaos? If it's not one thing, it's another.

Maybe that's why I've constantly written out my goals and "things to do" and never gotten around to them. Actually, yes. I know that's why. Those lists have been thrown at the bottom of the heap of paper on my desk, where they've suffered the ultimate death of not being checked off and never being thought of again.

Now, here I am, searching for that balance that works for me. And I know a lot of us are in that same boat, waiting and searching for those same answers.

So what is the answer? To put it simply - I don't know. But you better believe if when I do discover it, I'm gonna do my best to bottle it up and share it with the world. Until then, I'm making this my mantra.

What do you do to keep a balance in your every days? Do you feel the pressure to keep up with it all?

Appearances + Pressure

As women, we are constantly feeling the pressures of our culture dictating what is and isn't considered beautiful. Let's face it, we've been told that we have to do it all, do it well, and do it while looking our best.

And it's hard not to succumb to the pressures of every day life. To the pressures of what's surrounding us. There's always someone who (seemingly) has it all. And we all know that we've seen enough photoshopped images of women in circulation that's bound to get under our skin. And even though we're all intelligent, successful women and know these harsh realities, there are times when it feels like we're not pretty enough. Or our wardrobe isn't fashionable enough. And why can't I get my hair to look like that. And why am I not accomplishing enough?!

And of course - this is all pressure that we put on ourselves. It doesn't have to be there. But sometimes - well, sometimes it just is. We all have those days.

But what if we lived in a world where these outside influences and pressures didn't exist? The advertisements, the media, the scrutiny. Women's bodies are being analyzed and picked apart all the time, and we're all guilty of joining in. Does it have to be this way?

I recently read an article written by Ashley Judd, after she received criticism and speculation over her "puffy face" from an appearance she made. You can read it here, if you'd like.

Essentially, she takes a swift back hand to the face of the media while bringing up some crucial problems our society faces in an effort to start the conversation. The conversation of how to end our obsession with appearances. An issue that affects each and every one of us.

Here's an excerpt from the article itself:

If this conversation about me is going to be had, I will do my part to insist that it is a feminist one, because it has been misogynistic from the start. Who makes the fantastic leap from being sick, or gaining some weight over the winter, to a conclusion of plastic surgery? Our culture, that’s who. The insanity has to stop, because as focused on me as it appears to have been, it is about all girls and women. In fact, it’s about boys and men, too, who are equally objectified and ridiculed, according to heteronormative definitions of masculinity that deny the full and dynamic range of their personhood. It affects each and every one of us, in multiple and nefarious ways: our self-image, how we show up in our relationships and at work, our sense of our worth, value, and potential as human beings. Join in—and help change—the Conversation.

I, for one, fear that we're missing out on a life of meaning, a life of ideas and being valued for our thoughts and accomplishments over something so superficial.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts! xo

P.S. Thirty things to stop doing to yourself.

(Photo by Richard Avedon)

Try Something New: Take a Picture Everyday

At the beginning of the month, I challenged myself to try something new. (You can read the original post here.) 

To be a part of the "Try Something New Challenge" all you have to do is: for 30 days, try something new and keep up with it each day. Simple as that. There's no link-ups, no invitation, or special rules, you just do it. For you. Some of you told me you were going to write something each day, or ignore that dreaded snooze button and wake up. For me, I wanted to take a picture. As a sort of visual record of what went on during the month that I'd be able to look back on.

Here's some of my favourites...

Me acting like a tourist; The TD Financial Tower & A random street band.

Home Sweet Home & The crazy things that can happen here. 


Girls Night Out.



My Dad and brother make Sebastian smoke cigars and drink scotch.

&

Mother's Day hangouts with Seb's Mom (And George, the goose)


Richard Avedon & Dates to see The Avengers



When we have friends over, this is what we feed them.

&

Cute kittens in store windows that give us kisses.


Walks with my nephew & This guy likes to hang out while I get ready in the mornings.



Our Hotel in Rome! & Sebastian started a checklist for Europe. He knows me so well.


***
The whole purpose of this challenge is to shake up your regular routine, and add something new and fufilling to your life. Something you've always thought about doing, but for whatever reason, just never gotten around to.

As for what I've learned? Well...

1. I feel very aware of my surroundings. When it's your goal to take a photo Every Single Day, you want it to be good. Because let's be honest, nobody really cares to see a picture of my cats each day. I actually really enjoy this new perspective. I'm always on the search for something unique and different. Something I would have normally walked past and thought nothing of, I look at in a new light. Now I have the photos to look back on and remind me of that time, instead of simply forgetting it.

2. My life isn't nearly exciting enough to have photographic evidence of it each day. For the most part, I did a pretty good job keeping up with it, but there were days when I would go to bed and think "Crap!" (The snapshot I took of the Richard Avedon photos were a result of this very thing. We have them hung in our bedroom and I'm not going to lie, I took the picture while I was laying in bed.)

Photography has always been a passion of mine, and in the past I've made it a goal to take more photos in my everyday life but never did. So for me, this was a great kick start and definitely something I'll be keeping up with as time goes on. That's what I love about the Try Something New Challenge - these are things that as the month goes on, you're developing habits and you don't have to suddenly drop it when the 30 days is up, you just learn to incorporate these new things into your life.

What's next? For the month of June, my new challenge is to write down something about each day. Whether it's one line or pages worth about the adventures I'll be going on.

Will you be trying something new? It's so easy and you can do whatever your heart desires! I urge each and every one of you to join in!

Don't Settle

(my fortune:)

We all face obstacles in life. Whether those obstacles are big or small, we are all given choices in life. We can choose to chase after our dreams, we can choose to let something break us down, and we can choose to rise above and shine. If nothing else, we have the power to set out what path we want for ourselves. Nobody else in the world can do that for you.

It's not always easy. (Doesn't it always seem like the best things never are?) Sometimes we make the wrong choices. And that's okay. Sometimes we don't even know what we want yet. That's okay too. It'll come to you. Even if you veer off the path, don't let it discourage you. Work hard for what you want. And don't stop fighting until you get it.

Inspiration is everywhere if we're paying attention; art, people, history, stories, the city. But throughout my life, nothing has had the same impact quite like the power of words. I recently read this quote and it really stuck with me. I've found it incredibly encouraging whenever I've doubted myself and my own path.

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
-Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

Be positive. Smile often. Embrace change. Aim high. Work hard. Never, ever give up.

And remember...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! :) 

Working Out + The Effects

If this doesn’t motivate you to hop on a treadmill and start working out, I don’t know what will.

What you’re seeing here is an MRI of leg muscles of a 40 year old triathlete compared to a 70 year old triathlete and a 74 year old sedentary man. Pretty shocking, wouldn’t you say?

Old age, to me, is a scary thing. Not because I’m worried about a couple of crow’s feet, and more defined laugh lines, but I’m afraid of the possibility of a deteriorating standard of living. I look around and so often see older people with a lack of mobility, less energy, aches and pains, and not to mention, a long list of health issues. I’m afraid of forgetting what it feels like to feel good, healthy, and full of life. And if I’m being blunt about it, I don’t want to suffer.

I’m not going to name names or anything, but there are people in my life who I look at, and I think “Only if you took care of yourself, would you know how amazing it feels to be healthy and fit.” It’s as if they’re completely unaware of their suffering because they’ve adjusted and made room for their type of pain. As a bystander, it’s hard to watch someone you care about live like that. It kind of makes you want to shake them out of it. But I guess the same goes for healthy living as it does for a smoker, only the person doing it has to want to change.

My only hope is that they will shake themselves out of it before it’s too late. I can’t help but be reminded of a quote I once read that went something like this: "Those who think they have no time for fitness will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”

The MRI scans show us that it’s possible to make the most out of old age. We don’t have to worry about deteriorating muscles, bone loss, and other harsh effects if we just work for it. I’ve always been completely fascinated by the fact that if you don’t like your body – you can mold it into whatever you want it to be. You and only you. With hard work and determination, you can lose the fat that stares back at you in the mirror. You can sculpt your arm muscles so when you wave your hand, your arm doesn’t wave with you. You can lift and tighten your bum, you can define your abs. Whatever you want, you can do. And it doesn’t take a magic pill, or some fad diet. It takes time, sweat, and maybe even some tears.

And I confess: I’ve been finding it extremely difficult to get motivated lately. You know how they say you gain “happy weight” when you start living with your significant other? Yeah, it’s not making me very happy. Which is part of the reason I’m putting this out there; to hold myself accountable. I have to practice what I preach, right?

Believe it or not, I woke up at 5:30 (in the morning!!!) today and went to the gym. Yes. Me. I did that. (I didn’t even hit snooze.) Excuse me while I dance around as pride and excitement flows through my veins like unicorn blood.

So c’mon, join me! Let’s all motivate each other and start living healthier lives today!

What are your fitness goals? Do you have any vices? (I admit, I’m a true Canadian with a love that runs deep for poutine)

P.S. An awesome app that helps you track your calories easily. (Warning: If you add in poutine, it might blow up:)

(Via Swissmiss)

Trying Something New

Is there anything that you've always meant to do, or wanted to do and just... haven't? It's so easy to get caught up in our every day routines... coasting through our days, going along with the motions, and sticking with what we're most familiar with.

But there's those things. You know them. They're the same things that keep popping up on that treacherous, ever-growing to do list. And you just keep thinking to yourself, "Oh, I'll get to that eventually." Then eventually never happens. I'm pretty sure I've had "learn to play guitar" on my to-do list for the past...oh, three years.

Then I came across this TED talk, which is about this incredible concept - trying something new for 30 days. Yup, that's it. Really. It could either be trying something you've always wanted to do, or eliminating old habits. Some of these habits we've developed over time aren't even necessarily bad, they're just what we're accustomed to. For example, each day you get home from work and wind down by watching something on TV. Instead, how about going for a walk outside? Or reading that book that you've had your eye on?

And did you know that 30 days is actually the perfect amount of time to turn something into habit? Doing this could drastically change the way you do things.

So shake up your usual routine and force yourself to try something new. How about writing a novel, stop eating sugar, visit a new website each day, compliment someone everyday, ride a bike to work, paint a picture... it can be whatever you want! Big or small. The most important thing is breaking away from what we're familiar with and enriching our lives with new things to look forward to.

Personally, I'm so inspired to challenge myself! Sebastian and I are each going to take a picture of something everyday. Simple as that. I'm so excited to see what we come up with at the end of the month. We start tomorrow! If you'd like, you can even follow me on instagram to see how it's going!

Are you going to join in on the challenge? What would you like to try?

(Photo Source: Amanda Mabel via Le Love)

Working Out (And Burning Fat)

It’s no question that exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. After all, the human body was made to walk, run, jump, and dance… we were made to move! It’s not about being the skinniest, or the fittest, it’s about feeling good in your own skin. As simple as that.
Unfortunately, most of us (myself included) spend the majority of our time being stationary. Sitting in front of the TV, or behind a computer. And if we don’t take our health into our own hands, it could be extremely detrimental.

I've made it my goal to get fit and get back into the shape I use to be in. It seems as though my body and metabolism just isn't what it used to be. Apparently, I can't eat mass amounts of junk food anymore and not gain weight. Weird! Anyway...by doing so, I've had some time to do some serious research. What I found most interesting, is that so many people didn't know what I didn't even know. And that's how to burn fat in the best way.
When I first starting heading back to the gym, I would hop on the elliptical (my go-to cardio choice), and just give'r. And to my surprise, if you're actually trying to lose weight, this isn't what you should be doing. Instead, slow it down. Yeah, I know. I'm telling you to not work out as hard. And here's why...

words: Top 5 Regrets of the Dying

Usually I like to keep this space light and uplifting, but today I'm going to share an article with you that's more on the serious side. I read this a while ago, and for some reason haven't quite been able to get it out of my head.

The same theme keeps repeating itself in my head... Never stop dreaming. When you think you've reached the top, aim higher. Do the things you love. Surround yourselves with the people you love. And let them know just how much you love them.

After all, you only live once.

“For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five...

found: 'Before I Die' Project

It’s all too easy to jump on that proverbial hamster wheel and just keep going and going, sticking with our everyday routines. And it’s been proven that people actually do function better with a regular routine. But sometimes it can feel like my days mesh together, never changing, and then become increasingly difficult to differentiate.

How often do we stop and examine why we do the things we do? We’re all driven by different factors; working to provide for your family, putting in overtime to get that promotion, wanting to become your own boss, saving up for a vacation, the list can go on and on. But it’s all very simple and comes down to this: our hopes and dreams. Don’t you find that sometimes you get so caught up in your life that you actually forget them?

Candy Chang is an artist who turned the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans into a giant chalkboard where the community can write on the wall and remember what is important to them. This is why I love art. It makes you think. The Before I Die movement is an interactive art project that invites people to share those hopes and dreams that they may have forgotten or brushed to the side.

The wall is painted with chalkboard board and stenciled with “Before I die I want to _________” and the responses have ranged from thoughtful to heartbreaking to downright hilarious. Before I die I want to… write a book, be ok with not understanding, explore this world, understand why I’m here, tell my mother I love her, travel the world, see my daughter graduate, be tried for piracy, save a life, plant a tree, abandon all insecurities, be the exception to the rule…

This project has expanded to cities all over the world including Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Querétaro, Almaty, San Diego, Lisbon, Brooklyn, London, and beyond and is being called one of the most creative projects ever. Even “O”, The Oprah magazine had this to say about the movement “Through a series of large-scale projects that combine installation art with social activism, Chang has encouraged people to engage with public spaces to let their voices be heard.”

Not only does this amazing project give us insight into what really matters to our neighbors and the people around you, but it connects you to them, helping us all realize that a lot of us aren’t so different after all. It forces us to reflect on our own lives, ultimately helping us to live a better life. A more fulfilled life. Encouraging us to chase the dreams that float around in our minds.

What do you want to do before you die?

P.S. Now, you can even transform your own community with the Before I Die toolkit! Or take a little piece with you and remember your dreams at home. (I just might have to order one for myself!)

(Via Candy Chang)

The Master Cleanse

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to willingly stop eating food for days at a time? If you're like me, such a crazy thought has never even entered your mind. And if it has - it's quickly brushed off to the side.

You may or may not be familiar with my boyfriend, Sebastian, who I've mentioned many times in past posts. For those of you who don't know, Sebastian is the type of person who is always thinking out of the box, he can whip up a gourmet meal in no time, and has a passion for things with two wheels. He's an adrenaline-junkie who designs bicycles for a living.

And today, he's going to tell you about his experience with the Master Cleanse. (Make note that he tried to convince me to hop on board with this idea, and I quickly turned him down. My justification? "You do not want to live in this little apartment with me if I haven't eaten food. Trust me.")

__________________________________________________________

I have jumped out of a plane from 5500ft, bungee jumped from 200ft, and travelled at 275 km/h on my motorcycle, yet none of these experiences compare to how difficult and challenging the Master Cleanse was...

Life By The Lake...

This is what I drive past every day. It's amazing how much living by the water can lift your spirits. Even just hanging out by the lake can make me feel like I'm miles away from the busy city life even though I'm still smack in the middle of it all.

I don't know how to explain it but there's just something about it; hearing the sound of the waves move and crash, seeing the reflection of the sun glisten on the surface. It never ceases to instill an overall sense of calm within me, leaving me feeling more refreshed than ever.

I just keep reminding myself to soak it all in, it's all too easy to take things like this for granted. The little things.