Love + Health = Happiness

I can’t believe we are already into the 3rd week of January. It doesn’t help that I spent almost the first 2 whole weeks sicker than a dog. That expression is weird, cause my dog is never sick so I’m not even sure what it means.. but yea starting the new year off sick is no fun! I’m happy to say that I finally feel like I’ve got 100% of my energy back. I feel happy and alive again!

Today I want to talk a little about loving yourself and being healthy! I have found in recent months that making sure you truly love yourself is how you will find the ultimate happiness. What makes me love myself is by working out and eating healthy. Doing both of those things makes me feel good and when I feel good I am happy! When I’m happy and have positive energy then I notice that work gets easier and the people in my life seem to be happier and drive off my energy. This just motivates me more. I want to lead my example so those closes to me can be positively effected by my happiness.

Here are few tips to live a healthier, happier lifestyle:

• create a workout routine and stick with it
• never plan more than a week out in advance, take your goals just one week at time
• plan your meals every week, prep ahead of time so your less likely to eat out when your in a hurry
• pack your own lunches
• cut the negativity
• follow people that inspire you to be a better you

My goals for the week are to workout every day with an active recovery day on sunday and to drink more water. I decided I wanted to try and go to crossfit all 5 days of the work week. I’m going skiing on Saturday so that will be my workout for Saturday and for my active recovery on Sunday I plan to either go to hot yoga or take my dog on a walk. Maybe both depending on how sore I am from my first day up skiing this year. My schedule has been all over the place this week, but I have managed to make it to crossfit both monday and tuesday and have mapped out the rest of my week so I can make sure to fit in a class each day. Now I just have to remember to drink more water! That seems to be a harder task, but I’m finding creative ways to remind myself to drink more water and I’ve started out every morning with drinking a full glass of water before I do anything else.

Day 15…. It’s that Tiger Blood

“Goodbye cravings, hello Tiger Blood! This must be what everyone is talking about! You’ve hit the downhill slope of your Whole30 and life is beautiful. Your energy is through the roof, you’ve kicked the cravings, you’re experimenting with new, delicious food, and you’ve finally got the time to notice that your clothes fit better, your workouts are stronger, and you are generally more awesome”

Above is a quote from the whole30 timeline of how you might be feeling Day 16-28 and I absolutely feel all of that. All day long I was focused at work, my mind didn’t wander about food or cravings. I couldn’t get the smile off my face if I tried and I had so much energy that just kept going. By 6 o’ clock I was ready to leave work and hit the gym. I had the best workout, maybe ever! I felt so strong and so powerful. I had a really great routine focusing on each muscle group and could really feel the energy in my muscles as I pushed the weights. I must have been glowing because I had a few people ask what I was working out for and why I was in such good shape. I don’t want this feeling to ever go away. I craved Steak and Broccoli for dinner, not pizza, sushi, tofu, pho, or anything else ‘less healthy’ that I usually crave. I’m a strong believer in the whole30 and I hope the next 15 days go as perfectly as today did.

A few days ago I talked about wanting to make the Best Chicken Ever from Melissa and if anyone doesn’t believe her, I’m telling you that was the BEST CHICKEN EVER. I made it that night with a Mediterranean side consisting of sauteed broccoli, sundried tomatoes, garlic and artichokes. I couldn’t believe how moist the chicken was, I will forever brine my chicken now. And as much as I loved her seasoning blend, I’m excited to mix my own seasonings and preparing it the same way. By the way the moroccan dipping sauce she list was amazing on my mixed green salad that had tomatoes, avocado, blueberries and walnuts. I’ve had the chicken for lunch the last two days in a salad with the dressing and have been loving it. Sad it’s gone and I’m going to have to have something different for lunch tomorrow.

I ran 6 miles last night and struggled to get through it, after the energy and power I had today at the gym I’m really curious how my 6 mile run will go tomorrow morning. I only hope I worked my legs enough to give them the strength and I wake up with the same energy I’ve had today.

Cheers to day 15 and making it half way through the program!