And just like that, January is almost done.  And what do you guys think – did it fly by or crawl along?  I’m pretty torn on that one to be honest, and as I type this, it feels like New Year’s Eve was 100 years ago.  As I’m sure lots of you did, I made a few health goals wayyyy back here at the beginning of the month, and how are those working out, you ask?

Well the “drink enough water” thing is still a work in progress (go figure), but in the exercise department, I’m happy to say that I’ve been moving this month.  I’ve been a fan of pilates for years (check out my favorite local studio here), so I took a few classes at the beginning of January.  But when my package ran out and I went to purchase more, I started to think about ways to get in a quick workout at home before taking Weeze on our daily 3-mile walks.

A quick scroll around Amazon and I had these weighted medicine balls and this exercise ball delivered to my door in two days.  Of all the millions and squillions of things I’ve purchased on Amazon recently, these have by far been my favorite.  It’s something easy I can do while the dogs run wild, with the tv or music on in the background for distraction, without ever leaving home.  I’ve loved the weighted balls for both arm and core workouts, and they’ve been so key on the (usually rare) rainy days we’ve had around here lately – with four more coming at us this week.

I’ve found different exercises to do online but also just kind of mimic things that we do with weights in pilates classes.  And so far, so good.  Will I be going back to pilates or Orangetheory classes?  Definitely.  But now I can buy a few less classes and get in a quick workout whenever I can at home.  I’d say that’s a definite Amazon win for the month.  Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

Well, guys, it’s officially January 2nd and time to kick off some of those “new year, new me” goals.  Sure, the new year did start yesterday, but everyone knows that January 1st is for useless hours on the couch and takeout Chinese food.  Bonus points if you actually Postmated two meals yesterday.  Not that I’d know anything about that.

But today’s a new day, and it’s time to get yourself together, girl.  I’ve made a few fitness and overall just healthy goals for the new year and for going into spring in particular.  I’m not the kind of gal who wants to give up every sweet, snack, and splurge trying to attain some unrealistic goal weight.  I didn’t even do that before my own wedding and still have no regrets about it.  I did set a few goals to look and feel my best, healthiest self, though.

Exercise – I want to make sure and get in some type of workout five days a week, whether it’s a pilates or Orangetheory class or just taking the pups (well, solo pup until Wilma has all of her shots) for a long power walk.  It really is just about getting moving, and before the holidays, I was more than on top of this.

Eating – I generally cook pretty healthy, and we’ll have dinner at home 3-4 times a week.  For the other nights, we try to grab sushi or something with actual nutritional value and save the cheat meals for the weekends.  After a November and December filled with travel, parties, and holiday treats, I’m SO ready to get back to healthy eating and plan to share more meal and recipe ideas with you guys here and through Instagram stories.

Alcohol – Eric and I are hosting one last Christmas party with friends this weekend, and after that, we’re planning to have a dry January.  We haven’t done one before, but I think it’ll be great to reset, recharge, and save all those calories!

Water – Good God I say this every single year, but perhaps 2019 is the year I finally start drinking more water?  It’s seriously something I have to push myself to do, but when I do manage to drink enough water, I notice a difference in how I feel and how my skin looks.  (One might think that would be motivation enough, right?)  Well, with my current post-holiday breakout, it’s bottoms-up on the H2O currently.

And so this morning I woke up bright and early (to the sounds of a screaming puppy ready to make a jailbreak out of her crate) and scheduled my first pilates class of the new year.  I threw on my new workout gear (No better motivation really.  The husband got me these capris for Christmas and I’m OBSESSED.) and soon realized that my car battery was dead.  Sweet.

So I Ubered to my first workout of the year, popped into a nearby grocery store for a few vegetables for the fridge, and Ubered my butt home to these wild-ass pups.  No complaints over here, but perhaps the universe could cooperate when a girl’s just trying to make it to the gym?  Here’s hoping everyone has a great rest of the week.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

New year, new me, y’all.  This is my year for working out, eating right, drinking way more water, and getting more sleep, yada yada.  But then you help throw a friend’s chicken and waffles birthday dinner on Friday night because his favorite food is fried chicken strips and adding in waffles only seemed natural and you obviously had to bake a Funfetti cake to top it all off.  Naturally.  Add in a couple of very rainy days spent on the couch, and this Monday is feeling a little extra sluggish.

Buuuut, I suppose there’s no better time to get back on track, so I’m kicking things off this Motivation Monday with a green juice and some of the cutest new activewear from lucy.  Nothing like some sweet new sweat duds to get my booty back in motion, and lucy is always my favorite.  This year I’m looking to add in a few new workouts (suggestions welcome!) as well as sticking with my normal routine of walking a couple of miles along the beach path – just as soon as this cuckoo rain lets up and stops flooding our construction site house and ruining the wood floors, but that’s a story for a different day.  For today, I’m just going with this little tidbit of advice and couldn’t help but passing it along:

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hope everyone has a great week ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

(c/o) Athleta pants, tank, sweatshirt;  Nike sneakers

Well, we’re officially a full week into the new year, so how are those New Year’s “get fit” resolutions working out?  Finally having a fitness routine after several years of, well, not, I’m excited to see where this year will take me, and I’ve got plenty of fresh gear to get me excited about working out.  I stopped into Athleta this week to check out their newest collection, and you guys, it’s so good.  Bright colors, softest fabrics, throw-back styles, and so many pieces to take you from the gym through the rest of your day in a snap.  If your own workout wardrobe could use a little help, join me today at Athleta at Fashion Island from noon to 3:00 to “Refresh, Revive, Remix” your fit style.  I swear, it’ll give you that little boost you need to get moving this new year.  Hope to see you there today!
xoxo

lucy Perfect Core Legging, Workout Bra, Workout Racerback, and Yoga Girl Long Sleeve (all c/o)
http://www.lucy.com

I’ve never really liked working out.  Seriously, never.  It seemed like a hassle, like an extra thing to worry about in my day.  I’ve always gotten by with the occasional jog or long bike ride up until recently.  About a year ago I started to make it a priority to get out and move at least a couple times a week, and more recently I’ve started working out with the help of Erica Ziel, a fitness expert based here in Newport Beach.  She specializes in prenatal and after-baby fitness (two categories I do NOT fall into, FYI), but she really just knows a woman’s body well and targets specific muscles through her workouts for your desired needs.  She’s so good at what she does, tough enough to kick my butt into shape but also understanding of my less-than-stellar strength, and she’s helping me to fix my horrible posture.  (Should’ve listened to my parents all those years ago…)

For the first time, I actually really look forward to these workouts and am so glad that I’ve gone afterwards.  We normally do a mix of weights, mat exercises, and reformer machines in a local gym, but it’s been so nice here lately that outside is also an option.  (It doesn’t hurt that Newport Beach provides us with a lot of really great outdoor scenery.)  Now, a workout isn’t a hassle or something extra to worry about in my day.  It’s a necessary part, a time to kind of clear my head and enjoy a little break from my computer.  The time away has actually made me more productive when I start my day.  And let’s face it – if I’m going to work out, the clothes are key, right?   My go-to pieces are leggings and easy racerback tanks with something that I can throw on over it when I’m headed home.  (Or, more likely, headed to three errands before home.)  These basics from lucy.com are beyond comfortable and gym-to-street appropriate, perfect for days on the go.  Now, lucy is giving one lucky winner a little more “me time”.  Head over here to enter the “This Is For You Giveaway” where one reader will win one year of housecleaning, babysitting, or meal deliveries.  Good luck!
xoxo

P.S. – Huge thanks to Erica Ziel for getting my butt moving.  If you’re in Newport Beach, she’s amazing.  If you’re not, head here to check out her DVD’s, digital programs, and online training.

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by lucy through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about lucy, all opinions are my own.