Being Your Best You: Energy

Wake up! Wake up! I need you to get excited with me for just a few minutes. 

I know that's a lot to ask considering that it's Thursday and we are already looking forward to no morning alarm on Saturday morning, but I have another important topic in this month's July challenge. 

To me, energy is like currency. You can earn it the same way that you can spend it.

At the end of the day your energy is something that you can manage if you want to, and something that you can then choose to spend whichever way you'd like to as well.

"Earning" energy is different for everyone and I truly believe that it comes down to your personality type. Introverts recharge through alone and quiet time. Extroverts recharge in the loud and obnoxious company of others. Many of you have never met me, but I'm an introvert through and through so I'm going to share the ways that I, as an introvert, earn energy and refill my tank. 

:: Rest

Seriously, sleep. Get the sleep that you deserve each and every night and get the non-sleep rest too. Netflix binges count.

:: Say "No"

This goes back to our balance conversation that we had last week. The more you say "no" to things you're not 100% wanting to do, the more time and 'energy' you get to put back into your life and the things you find to be the most important and meaningful to you. 

:: Nourish your body with clean and healthy foods

I've never finished a bag of potato chips and thought "Wow, I have so much energy now."

You can avoid that gross-all-the-time feeling by sticking to healthier foods like vegetables and good proteins while avoiding empty calories and "bad foods" that we all know aren't good for us. For me, meal prep is the key ingredient to this effort - but that's something we can talk about a different day!

:: Work out

Okay so I know this sounds like it's a way to spend energy - but it's also a way to get the blood flowing and to "get the fuzz out". If you sit around all day, chances are you're going to feel a little lethargic. Try moving your stuff for at least 30 minutes a day and see what it does for your energy levels and overall outlook on life!

Then from there, spend your energy however you choose! Whether that's being social with friends, going out dancing, putting in a little extra effort at work or going hard on reading blogs!

Chelsea, Rebecca and I would love to hear how you energize yourself in the comments and on your own blog in the July Challenge link-up!

Don't forget, there's more opportunities to join the link-up each Thursday in July!

July 24: Strength

This week is all about health and fitness. Share your favorite workouts, tips, tricks, and ways to reach your peak strength. 

July 31: Total Package 

With this being the end of the month and the last day of the link-up, share with us how you define being the BEST version of you. Get creative; anything is fair game here! 

July Challenge - Being the Best You!

Guys, remember back in May there was a link-up for favorite workouts hosted by three amazing ladies?

If you weren't here, Chelsea, Rebecca and Kait asked us to share our favorite core, arms, legs and blogger's workouts. It was a huge success.

I had a blast and asked when we could do it again. If you're wondering too, here's your opportunity! I'll be helping Chelsea and Rebecca host an amazing series lined up for you each Thursday in July. 

Check out the descriptions for each Thursday below as written by the beautiful and talented Chelsea.

July 10: Balance 

What brings balance to your life? A favorite workout? Book? Specific location? A person or animal? Share with us how you bring balance to your life. 

July 17: Energy 

What gets you going when the tank is running on empty? Share what kicks your energy levels into high gear. 

July 24: Strength 

This week is all about health and fitness. Share your favorite workouts, tips, tricks, and ways to reach your peak strength. 

July 31: Total Package 

With this being the end of the month and the last day of the link-up, share with us how you define being the BEST version of you. Get creative; anything is fair game here! 

This link-up is a chance to join, motivate and share with one another all things health, fitness and life to be the best version you.

Come back tomorrow and link up!

Redefining My Motivation

Hi fitness friends!

Most of my fitness and health goals over the past few months were driven by a serious desire to confidently wear a swim suit on a tropical vacation with my family. This was kept secret from my blog considering the vacation was a surprise, so I’m sorry that I never mentioned that in my goals. Actually I’ve also been training for my flex pose for Instagram sweaty selfies. 

Judge me, I do. 

Both of these goals were purely aesthetic, but approached with patience and done with my sustainable health in mind. 

In my opinion, I far exceeded my expectations for myself and am proud of my attitude toward toning and firming the healthy way. 

For me, the “healthy way” meant ditching the scale, lifting weights, staying hydrated and fueling my body with the good whole foods that it could use for good and not store for bad. 

This is what that approach got me, along with a huge sense of accomplishment and confidence.

This foundation I built was different than crash diets I’ve tried in the past. 

This was the game-changer and a huge positive because ‘quick fixes’ don’t exist usually mean exhaustion, fatigue and quicker re-gain because the body wants to store and secure anything and everything to prepare for hibernation. Sorry body, I’ve been an asshole to you in the past. Never again. 

Now that I have this foundation down, I have my sights on much more than ‘looking good’ in a bikini. 

I have my focus on strength. 

I have my focus on push-ups.

I have my focus on testing my boundaries. 

I have my focus on inspiring others. 

I have my focus on fitting workouts into a busier work schedule. 

I have my focus on broadening my paleo food horizons.

I have my focus on maintaining and improving the work I’ve done. 

I have my focus on being kind to my body. 

I don’t need a race to train for, or a third Tough Mudder under my belt. 

I just want to keep health, fitness and balance at the forefront of my life because I’ve found that doing so brings me great happiness. 

Happiness from the stress-relief I gain, happiness from the way I inspire others, happiness from the way I feel - inside and out. 

What’s your motivation?

Linking up for Tough it Out Tuesday with the rest of my fit-fam ladies!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Hello, my name is Jessi and I'm a Trader Joe's addict.

It's a problem and I'm addicted. 

You'd think that a girl with very little "free" time would like to be more efficient about her grocery shopping. The truth is that I intentionally self-sabotage when I go to Trader Joes. Instead of going there and buying groceries for the entire week, I'll "oops" and forget one thing.... on purpose! Just so that I have an excuse to go back another night during the work week.

It's sick. It's twisted. I know.

No it's not because I want their sample snack and sample coffee - because the snack is never paleo and the coffee is usually too hot.

No I don't have a crush on any guy that works there or any missed connections (that I'm aware of).

No I don't get a thrill out of swiping my credit card and staying under the signing limit.

No I don't bring my re-usable bag (I'm a bad Portlander!)

It's just the feeling I get when I walk into these stores that has me smitten. Everyone's in a good mood, there's bright colors all around, the displays are beautiful and I feel like I always see something new, even as a 3-4 time per week shopper.

My bill averages around $14 and I'm happy about that. Even the trip I made last night - I didn't need these groceries urgently. I didn't need them today for a lunch. I just went and bought. They won't go wasted, but they could have waited if I wasn't an addict. 

Also confessing that the looks I got as a single female shopper buying that cucumber made me uncomfortable. Snapchat friends, you know why(!)

Does anyone else have this addiction?

One more confession for the road: It's also mayyyybe partially due to my fantasy that I'm going to meet the man of my dreams there in the wine aisle. A girl can stalk dream.

Linking up with Kathy!

Loving the Process

The more I think about it, the more I like this long fitness journey of life that I'm on. 

Sure, the amazing thing would be to have quick results and my dream body in less than a month. It's that which I've unhealthily sought out several times in my life, and always paid for it with more pounds back and less confidence in my ability to really live a healthy life. 

This time around my approach toward the whole "weight loss thing" is different. 

I've chosen to work smarter, not harder. I've chosen to make lifestyle changes, not quick fixes. I've chosen to toss out what I used to think I knew about fitness (run more, run farther!) and instead continue to find ways to enjoy sweating (dance class!) and how to build a stronger and more efficient body (weight lifting/T25!). 

What's been so rewarding and satisfying about this approach has been the surprising things that happen while I haven't been concerned with the number on a scale.

Just a little over a month ago I remember sending a snapchat to some friends confessing that it was the first time I'd worn a tank top in public in my adult life. That feeling of success was unlike anything I'd felt in a long time because the symbolism of wearing something that revealed one of my more insecure spots gave me reassurance that my system was working. 

The "process" has taught me patience. 

The "process" has taught me that there's some places in life where you don't want to take short-cuts. 

The "process" has taught me to not panic and fret over progress.

The "process" has taught me that a lot of little victories add up to big victories if you give them time. 

On that note, this weekend had two big successes.

1. The loose waist fit on a form-fitting tank top.

2. Successful execution of a tricep push-up (just one, but it's a big step for me)

Yes, mom and dad - I took some selfies downstairs in your bathroom, the lighting was good.

What I'm saying is that I like being surprised by these results that I'm not really "searching" for. The results that come from working one day at a time doing things that I know make me a healthier and happier person. Eating right, drinking water and sweating because I love it - not because I have to do it.

What choices are you making toward being a healthier and happier you?

Paleo Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In years past, tonight has meant a feast of tacos, margaritas and all the tortillas, guacamole and salsa I can fit into my mouth. Same for you guys?

Well not this year. 

Now that I'm Paleo, I have zero desire for any of it. I never thought I'd say I don't feel like tortilla chips and salsa but here I am - not planning on having any tortilla chips or sugary margaritas this evening. I minored in Spanish just for the margaritas so now I feel like it was a waste of money (only kind of kidding).

While I don't want to say "skip the holiday", I do want to offer some healthier options for you to still celebrate in a sombrero and not sacrifice the hard work you've been putting in to change your lifestyle and health. 

Quick and easy tips:

- Stay away from tortilla chips - if you're at a restaurant as for them to hold the chips till the entree.

- If you can't hold the chips, put your portion on a plate and avoid grazing. 

- If you must have a margarita, drink 2 glasses of water for every one margarita.

- Try to substitute lettuce for your taco shells.

- Use greek yogurt rather than sour cream.

- Skip anything fried.

If you're staying in, here are some amazing paleo recipes for you to try tonight!

Good luck and let me know your Cinco de Mayo plans!

Water Drinking Tips from the Pros

Two weeks ago I asked for your help on how to drink more water throughout the day and you had suggestions!

Here are your tips and tricks that I've been sampling to see what works for me:

:: Use self-challenges. For example, "finish this bottle before my coworker comes back from a meeting" or "Have 3 bottles before lunch". Also - I hate cold water, give me all the tap water. - Kristen

:: For me, drinking out of a bottle makes a huge difference. I have one of those Contigo Waterbottles with the straw and now I finish three of those bottles before I leave work! - Jen

:: I try to swap Cold and Hot water choices. I'll have 16 oz of Ice cold Water.. then next is Decaf Green Tea.... It makes me want to drink the next 16 ounces of Cold water. So, usually 10 ounces of Green tea.. I do this 2 or 3 times a day.... It works for me. - Kateri

:: Put aminos in your water every other time you fill up. Healthy delicious juice basically. Makes drinking water way easier. - Sarah

:: Fruit in yo water! Lemon slices all day! Apple slices! Orange slices! Grapefruit! - Marisa

:: What helps me is I have a bubba 32oz mug that has a straw. You can change the straw out to fun color. - Amy

:: I bring a fun tumbler cup from home and keep that thing full of water. I try to make it a point to get up once an hour or hour and a half and use the restroom and refill my water. By doing that, I get my recommended daily amount in basically at work. - Nadine

:: I aim for half a gallon by noon-1PM and then I have the rest of the afternoon/evening to get in the other half. I've found it's easier if I knock out the first half earlier in the day. I feel less pressured in the evening. - Jordan

:: Get an ulcer (she didn't really say this, but kind of.) - Amanda

THE single most helpful thing that came out of this post was finding a community full of awesome bloggers / instagrammers and snapchatters who keep me accountable daily on my 80-100 ounces goal.

Every single day I have ladies who are telling me how they're doing on their water that day, racing me and being honest that they're slacking. I've noticed being more mindful of my water intake and really owe it all to you guys. Comment below if you want in on the fun!

Although, if you've seen my sweaty selfies you know that I should probably add another 20oz. to my day because I drip sweat.

My face sweats, my arms sweat, my shins sweat. My eyeballs sweat.

It's beautiful.

Productivity Worth Celebrating

Welcome back to Monday!

This weekend I felt crazy productive toward my health and fitness goals and I want to share some of the work I did. To many that probably means "oh, she worked out for five hours and made some food." Wrong! That's not what it means at all!

Sure, the old me would have put in four hours of weekend running, maybe 20 minutes of stretching and possibly a shortcut on some meal prep with some pre-cooked meats. Not this new girl you see.

Here's some things I did this weekend for me (and only me!)

+ Only two 30 minute sweat sessions (21 Day Fix Cardio & T25 Total Body Circuit)

+ Got to see this pretty lady who I go way back with!

+ My daily dose of dense nutrition in smoothie form (don't be afraid of Spinach, kids.)

+ Foam rolled those weary leg muscles of mine

+ Treated myself to a pedicure

+ Switched back and forth between two books I'm loving - Push and The Paleo Coach

+ Read these books out in the sun!!

+ Had a little mirror flex sesh but this happens every day

+ Laundry (is it a fitness problem to have to do a full sweaty load per week?)

+ Started keeping a "To-Do" List to keep myself more organized in blogging, social media & workouts.

+ Massive round of meal prep including my very favorite, Paleo Meatloaf

And last but not least, I was lights-out in bed on Sunday night by 9pm!

See? There's much more to health and wellness than just working out - although a little sweat never hurts!