T-G-I-F.

April 7, 2017April 7, 2017Leave a comment

{Pressed Juicery: Vogue Magazine Lemonade Flavors}

{Top of the morning with the Santa Cruz Surfers}

Khloe girl – I promise she is happier than she looks!}

TGIF! Happy Friday Ya’ll! I had quite an adventurous week- well last 2 weeks to be exact. In between working a little I had some time to take Khloe to the dog beach (which she loves) and spend some quality time with a couple friends. Don’t be fooled, when Monday mornings roll around it’s business as usual. The alarm goes off at 5 AM, 5:15 and 5:20 when I finally force myself out of bed for one of my favorite workouts of the week: Boxing! I take this class at 6AM Monday’s and Wednesday’s. Since leaving my 8-5 people always ask why on earth do you still get out of bed so early when you don’t have to be up?? The truth is I am a morning person to begin with so I would rather be up early initially then sleeping in late. The second reason is the MOST important when any life changes happen…..DON’T BREAK YOUR HABITS! I emphasize that because your habits are what sustain your success whether it be working/career, working out, relationships etc. It is necessary when any goal is in place to stick to it and remember your WHY through the journey. I love to workout because it makes me feel better. I know that when I get up early (sure it sucks to wake up before the roosters) but not only will I feel more alive throughout my day but I will be inspired to inspire others.

Earlier in the week I stopped at Pressed Juicery to check out their new Vogue Magazine lemonade flavors. As usual they have the 5 juices for $29 so I went for it. I chose 2 of the pink, 2 of the blue and my favorite the coconut water, cinnamon flavor. I think it’s great throughout the week to switch out your alternative beverages for a healthy juice that doesn’t contain a lot of sugar. Sometimes we tend to think we don’t drink much (soda, alcohol, wine, coffee, etc – yes I am guilty) but we actually overload more than we should. So what should you do instead? Change it up!

With that said, I encourage you to find your favorite workout that gets you moving! After all, the hardest part is always starting. You can do it! Have a great weekend!

xo Sarah

6 Months in and Killinnn it!

June 14, 2016June 14, 2016Leave a comment

squad

I am happy to report that it is now June 14 and I am beyond pleased with my fitness routine the last 6 months. It’s amazing the changes that happen to your body when you put the time and effort it. It’s hard…..like really hard. Sometimes I am really tired from work, and other times I would rather just go home and cook dinner instead of get home at 8 and try and manage a few hours before bed. But guess what? I love it. If I didn’t I would’t do it. Fact. I think the most important key component to a successful everyday life is to simply GET MOVING! Don’t think of it as an extravagant workout but rather you are just getting out of the house or work for a bit.

CHANGE it up!

walk
play basketball
spin class
circuit training
go for a run/hike

2. Meditate

Take 5 minutes of your day to separate from all the chaos we go through daily. Between work, school, kids, bosses and heck at this point world news, we can all be a little stressed out here and there. Acknowledge your distractions and pay attention to your breathing. It helps.

3. NEWTRITION!

Think 80/20. Start with the basics. Don’t eat processed foods. Fruits, veggies and grains are okay but make sure they are good quality. Nourish your body so that you can in fact maintain a healthy/active lifestyle. On the flip side- don’t ever not enjoy yourself. It’s ok to splurge ONCE-IN-A-WHILE. Don’t get crazy and ruin every single workout but know it’s ok to have a great dinner and glass of wine here and there. We are all about moderation here.

4.Workout Partners

This is so important! Find that person that will motivate you and kick your butt. If you’re like me you aren’t exactly a fan of partner workouts. I know, it’s just who I am….and mostly because I am the least competitive person (in terms of working out). Although I would rather workout by myself I know that if I do go to the gym by myself I am not going to get even half the workout I should be doing. Accountability is necessary. I am sure of it. The picture above is this last Sunday of our “Run Club”. We tackled an interval workout. 5 minutes run hard- 1 minute rest. 4 minutes run hard- 1 minute rest and so on until 1 minute and then on the way back it was the same- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. I encourage you to try this….it’s a burner!

Fit Tip: How to get a Flat Belly.

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016Leave a comment

bare bowls

Here is a glimpse of my weekend in a nutshell. It seems like working out is more on the rotation than anything else these days! Saturday morning’s circuit training workout was so freakin hard, but I survived(barely haha). Yesterday I hit up Soul Cycle per usual on Sunday to end the week with a great ride followed by an amazing acai bowl from Bare Bowls in Palo Alto. Can we say yummm! I am here today with some tips for a flat belly. Ladies, I know you’re ready for this one!

You gotta Move it to Lose it.

It’s no secret that in order to get that weight off you have to move. You can do all the crunches in the world but a healthy body is a result of a healthy and active lifestyle. Cardio helps with burning calories but weights and core workouts help build muscle to show dem babies off. It’s also important to stick to a routine. When you are consistent you will see results.

Eat Real Food.

Believe it that the food you eat usually more often than not is in direct correspondence with the way you are feeling. Are you tired, sluggish, or bloated? Or the opposite- energetic, alive and ready to take on the day? Depending on what you eat will determine how you feel. Also note, if what you are consuming doesn’t ever go bad, well then, you probably shouldn’t be eating it. Fact.

Bad Carbs

Everything in moderation, including moderation. Anything including white flour, bleached flour, sugary cereals, breads should not be in your usual grocery store rotation. These types of foods can hinder your way to a flat belly. I know, I know, I am human too and I love pasta, toast, bagels etc. Do I eat them regularly? No. Why? Because I want to look good! Yes, sometimes I have them but it’s a treat not a necessity. Once it becomes a routine to ditch these foods you won’t feel such a need to think about them.

Planks & Crunches.

It’s a must. Planks are all the rage! Any crunches, oblique workouts, medball exercises and stability will all help with your core strength. With better core strength comes A…A…..ABS!

Drink H20.

You have to do it. Drinking water daily not only helps reduce bloating but also helpe eliminate any waste or toxins in the body. If you aren’t a fan of plain water add some mint, basil, lemon or fruit to help with your consumption.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your journey to a flat belly!

Feels Good To Be Newtritionsavvy!

February 25, 2016February 25, 2016Leave a comment

sarah

Friends! It’s Thursday. You know what that means? Almost the weekend. I am happy to report after two months of diving into the new year my workouts and progress have beeen quite succesful. I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to planning my week and where my time is spent. I mention all the time that I don’t have alot of exactly that….time. Between 2 jobs, you really have to be disciplined and strategic when it comes to planning 5 workouts a week. I have managed to maintain 3 circuit workouts, one yoga class and one Soul Cycle class a week. At first, I was like holy cow this is alot but the more you do it the more routine it becomes and the better you get. Who can argue with that?

Here are some tips to Track Your Fitness without jumping on that scale we all love so much.

But first….take a selfie. There is nothing better than documenting progress. Yes, we all want to look great after our first workout but is that realistic? Probably not. What is realistic is seeing the progress you make in just 2 weeks, a month, 2 months etc. I always take pictures to remind myself that my workouts actually ARE working and I am seeing a shift in the way my body looks. Side by side pictures are a great way to track the changes being made. Also remember, you actually DO have to TRY to put in effort to see change!! Don’t forget that!
Tracking is the name of the game. If we don’t remember we didn’t do it, right? Wrong! It’s so important to not only track your workouts but also track the food you are consuming. It’s easy to think we are commited without holding ourselves accountable, but in the end when you write down the action you are completing you will start to see the results. A detailed calendar of your week ahead can really do wonders for your workout/eating routine. I know for myself, when I have things come up during the week- I rearrange ahead of time which workout will work best on each day. Pre planning. Like they say, Fail to plan…plan to fail.
How do your clothes fit? This can be the ultimate tell all of how your progress is coming along. Yes our clothes fit all the time, but the way they fit is the real question. There’s nothing more exciting than putting on your pair of favorite jeans that fit just a little less snug then a few weeks prior. Maybe the scale lies(I think it does haha), but your clothes never will. Let’s face it….they make us! Sometimes we feel sexy, frumpy, athletic all based on how we feel in our clothes. Am I right ladies??
Increasing Strength. I have noticed in the last 8 weeks that my strength and ability to life heavier and go longer during my workouts has significantly increased. The ab circuit no longer makes me feel like I want to die! The barbell cleans are no longer a fear because I can actually add 10 lbs to the bar and do them right! What a rewarding feeling. Progress not perfection. I remind myself of this all the time. If you can do more today than you did yesterday than you are on your way. Believe that.
Stop stressing. The scale is the scale. I speak for myself when I say my weight has nothing to do with the way I look and feel. (Within reason). In the last 2 months I haven’t really lost weight but if you see a before and after picture from January 1 to February 25 you will see inches gone and a major strength increase. Changing my perspective to “where I want to be and am I putting in the work to get there?” has also helped with my confidence. Any success in life takes time and hard work. Your body rewards those that dedicate time to take care of it. It’s your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.

How do you track your fitness progress? I would love to hear!

5 Things This Week.

January 8, 2016January 8, 2016Leave a comment

5 Things This week.

5.New Year, First Week. We survived! I hope all of you have had a chance to get your goals in tact because I have. This is definitely a perfect opportunity to reflect on all the thing we can ADD into our lives to be more successful on a daily basis.

4. Made some yummy cannellini bean soup. It’s been raining this whole week so if you’re in a rush for the week soup is a great meal to have for leftovers.

3. Mushroom medley tacos. Add some cumin, salt, pepper, lime and garlic powder and BOOM! They were bomb.

2. I will have managed 5 workouts this week. Some circuit, one yoga class and I will hit up Soul Cycle on Sunday to end my week on a positive note! Feels good to start off the year on the right note.

1. “Don’t Be Busy. Just Be Productive.” It’s such a thing that we create this “too busy” for our lives, tasks and people around us. Are we really too busy, or just wasting time on non essential things? I am going to go with the ladder. New goal: Be Productive! Get things done NOW!

Hope you all had a great week!

The Sweetest Goodbye | HELLO 2016!

January 6, 2016January 6, 20161 Comment

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Outside Lands 2015

Kent Avenue Photography

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Hawaii

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Putting in work creates results! Boom!

T-Swift

Entering 30 with my favorite chicks

First Barry’s Class

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Highschool Besties

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Free Passes to Disneyland…score!

Brophy Bros. for lunch!

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New Years Day Sunset 2016

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Ok, let me just start off by saying this was an AMAZING year! I traveled all over, made new friends and lived through the first year in my 30’s!!! YES! Looking back trying to gather all these pictures really puts into perspective how lucky I am. Don’t get me wrong, I hustled my ass off when it came to work and I can’t tell you how many times people would ask over and over if I even worked! YES! I worked, alot but so worth it when I look at all these amazing pictures. I love to travel and I love to enrich my mind of positive things. If anything I have learned this last year is that time really is money and when you don’t have it you make the most of it. I don’t recognize my friends enough that make me laugh on a daily basis or my family that is always there to create a great support system that comes in handy during the 365 days of each year. Take a minute and take a breath to say thank you for everything that occured in 2015. Good AND Bad, because without the bad we aren’t challenged to be better.I have learned, I have loved and most importantly I am a wiser me because of these things.

10 New Things I did in 2015.

10. Went to New Orleans for a Bachelorette…best beignets EVER!

9. Committed in June to serious workouts.(You know what I mean, there is working out to say you went, and then there is dialing in and really hustling to the max capacity and let’s not forget eating clean in addition). Jillene and I sort of found each other after running after class a couple times and decided we would work as each others accountability partners. I have two jobs so it’s not always easy to get to the gym ALL the time, but commiting to 4-5 days a week made a huge difference.

8. Traveled to Hawaii for my first time. It was a week of bliss for the mind and soul. I can’t wait to go back!

7. Discovered that alternate workouts like Soulcycle are good for exactly that…your soul. I enjoy waking up early on Sundays and getting my day started with the right mindset.

6. While in Hawaii I jumped off a 20 ft cliff. This was beyond scary and like anything the more you wait to do it the more anticipation you build up in your head that is totally unncessary. Life lesson learned: JUST DO IT NOW!

5. Went on another bachelorette to Miami with my best friends from highschool. Aside from the celebration aspect it was so nice to get together to reminisce as well as be with my girls as we are entering our 30’s. Comparing stories and realizing we aren’t the only ones going through struggles. Between families, careers, relationships and where society tells us we are supposed to be…don’t believe it! Be YOU….the BEST you!

4. I discovered Cheryl Strayed. She wrote the most amazing book, “Tiny Beautiful Things” and I reccomend every person read this book. Life, lessons, imperfection, growth and satisfaction. If you feel any discontent in your life or are looking for a good read check it out. It’s beyond awesome!

3. Went to Boston and climbed the Bunker Hill Monument Steps. Also visited Harvard University….Talk about inspiration!

2. Did my first photoshoot with Kent Avenue Photography. Tara, you are amazing and your ability to capture natural beauty is insane. I have never been happier with photos of myself…you are magical.

The best thing I learned and did new was practice that perfection is not reality! I am letting go and have let go of the idea that being perfect is of any kind of normal. What is normal anyway? To me it’s putting in the work. Like I said before I have two jobs beacause I LOVE to travel- and well, with that it’s expensive. I also love to be busy and keep my mind motivated. This last year I have become extremely fond of Brene Brown and her life lessons. Perfection is a sign of insecurity and at the end of the day we only have control over ourselves and ourselves only. What you see online daily:Facebook, Instagram, Bloggers pretend lives are not real it’s only a perception. Just put in work in YOUR life and you will most definitely see the results you want to see. I say this with the upmost honesty and integrity. It’s not always easy. Some days I am tired, some days I really wish I had a million dollars and could do whatever I wanted. Some days, lets get real I wish I was born with a supermodel body but guess what? I don’t have a million dollars or that body (I love cheese and chocolate too much) and depending on our life some days are good and some are REALLY good! It’s all about perspective. Can’t emphasize that enough. Thanks to all the people apart of my 2015.

“Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.” -Brene Brown

60 Day Challenge: My Truth!

April 1, 2013Leave a comment

Friends! Here we go. It’s April 1 and you know what that means? The beginning of a 60 days to summer challenge. It’s been a year now that I started my blog. Hard to believe the time has flown by. You know that saying. “Where has the time gone??” I’m feeling it! As I reflect on the last year I am amazed at all that has been accomplished in my own life and in the lives of others around me. I attended a Wayne Dyer conference a year ago and remember it like it was yesterday. This was the pivotal moment that I would allow my creative passion for health and nutrition to no longer be just a dream but actually manifest into reality. To my surprise the people in my immediate life were ready to hear what I had to say. With this said, I have completely transformed my lifestyle. When I look back at a year ago I think of all the things that have changed for the better. Of course when we stop and evaluate our life we assume everything is on track (hopefully or somewhere close), and that we are always the best we can be. Ha. I wish this was true. In the last 5 years or so I have always considered myself healthy. When I refer to healthy I am talking about food, life, relationships, work, etc. It’s always easier to justify where we are due to some event that happened in the past and “made us who we are.” I have come to learn in the last 365 days this simply is not the case. Whatever the situation is, or story that we create to be our own can be changed at any moment you make the choice to live, NOW. I joined FNS training center last year with the intent to try a workout that would actually change the way my body looked. I had the diet down, but never really pushed myself to workout where I felt like I was going to throw up. Don’t get me wrong I liked to go hiking, run and occasionally lift some weights but I think I was lifting the same amount of weight for the last 3-4 years! Sound familiar?? During this type of workout I have learned to really step outside of my comfort zone. I started the workouts because eating healthy is easy for me (not for many) and working out on the other hand was not something I ever exceeded at or felt like needed to be pushed to the limits. As I look back I know that every single workout is so much more than the physical aspect. It’s getting your mind right in order to then tell your body A- you CAN do this and B- you are SO strong enough!!!! Who was I kidding. When I started I could barely even do a single pushup or pull-up for that matter. It’s not like I would just break down while watching TV and do either of those…how was I supposed to know?? I started with the intent to change my body and this is exactly what has happened. I became committed to doing something I actually hated(this extreme workout). The split jumps, the squats, and the rowing are all things I still have to force myself to do to this day. (Just being honest!) On the contrary, I have become faster, lost some weight, lost some inches and have changed my confidence level beyond words. I have a frequent habit in my life to start something and not commit if I don’t like it. This workout regimen helps me to overcome this barrier I sometimes set in my mind. We’re not always going to like the things that make us better, it’s a fact. Simple as that.

I am doing this 60 day challenge as a commitment to be better. My passion for life is not just about food and nutrition but about being better than we were yesterday. It’s so easy to make an excuse and get stuck in our ways because it’s easy (trust me, I am guilty) but where is the growth and reward in that? My intent for the next 2 months is to step up my game. I want to be fit and I want to be full of muscle. I want others to know that No- it’s not easy to get in shape and look great but the easiest things DON’T TEACH US ANYTHING. I want a six pack, let’s get real! I will post an after picture June 1 so watch out! This will be a before and after from May 2012 to May 2013. I am proud of myself for staying committed and changing my body and mindset over the last 365 days. It’s not always easy, and I don’t always want to wake up at 6 AM to workout but I can definitely say I never leave and feel like I shouldn’t have come to the workout. It’s commitment, lifestyle and making my health a priority. What are you going to do in the next 60 days to change your life??

THE 60 DAY CHALLENGE

As we start our “60 Day’s to Summer Chall…enge” is imperative that we are setting ourselves up for success. One of the biggest ways we do that is by Setting Clear Expectations not just for ourselves but also those we surround ourselves with most. Here are a few questions to ask yourself in order to reach your goal over the next 60 days.

1. What are you willing to give up to be successful?

2. What are you willing to add in to be successful?

3. Who are going to ask for extra help, support, and accountability to be successful? When you let others know what you need and what you are trying to accomplish they will either support you or leave you alone. In either case both will be beneficial.

4. What are your “Non-Negotiables”? No matter what the circumstances, what are the things you WILL get done everyday in order to take a step closer to reaching your goal.

5. WHY is this important to you? “If it is important enough you will find a way, if it is not you will find an excuse” KNOW YOUR WHY!