Recent Reads

1.) Lean In- by Sheryl Sandburg 

A great non-fiction book about women, work, and the will to lead. This book points out the struggles women face in the workforce when balancing a career and family. Sandburg gives insight on how to juggle both and encourages women to step up to the plate.

2.) The Art of Power

3.) Finding God in the Questions

4.) What I Want My Daughters to Know

5.) Pride and Prejudice

6.) Scottish Cheifs

7.) Women, Work, and the Art of Savior Faire

8.)The End of Molasses Classes

9.) A Short Guide to a Happy Life

10.) Jesus Calling

Stop the Madness!

Put An End to Stressed-Out Snacking Expert tips for kicking stress-induced cravings to the curb.

By Paige Greenfield; Photography Maya Visnyei

Are you an emotional eater? Here are six surefire ways to keep your emotions – and your waistline – in check.

1. Know your triggers and locations. “Many people have hot spots for emotional eating, such as the living room couch or office desk,” says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of Eating Mindfully (New Harbinger, 2012). “Make a no-eating rule in those places so you have to eat somewhere else. This will help you stop the habit of overeating mindlessly in those spots.”

2. Shop smart. Limit the amount of comfort food you have available so you’re forced to address your emotions when they pop up instead of masking them with food.

3. Stock up on pistachios. They’re a low–glycemic index food that helps keep your blood sugar stable to avoid the double whammy of feeling moody and hungry.

4. Drink water throughout the day. Dehydration is stressful on the body and results in the same neurochemical cascade as emotional stress, which can cause you to overeat, says Albers.

5. Exercise regularly. Choose activities that you enjoy. Not only do frequent workouts help to keep stress in check, but looking forward to your workouts is another way of coping with stress.

6. Soothe your senses. Stress can be over-stimulating to your senses, so seek out other things that bring you comfort – besides food – such as taking a bath, wrapping yourself up in a blanket and reading a book, or turning off your cell phone.
wakeuphealthy.tumblr.com http://oxygenmag.com/Fat-Loss/Articles/Put-An-End-to-Stressed-Out-Snacking.aspx

Motivation!

Sometimes the most challenging part of weight loss is finding that extra “umph!” to get you started and keep you on track long enough to see results. Here are some suggestions for finding out what works for you!

“I just can’t get started. It’s going to take so long.”Starting a weight loss journey can be very intimidating, especially for a beginner. There is so much information to take in, and people trying to tell you the tips and tricks of slimming down. BREATHE EASY - there are no tips and tricks. All you need is exercise and a healthy, balanced diet to reach your goals. If the amount of weight you have to lose is discouraging to you, break your pounds down into smaller goals. It is much easier to face 5 or 10 pound weight loss goals than taking on a 50 lb journey from the start. Every little pound adds up, and will distract from how far you actually have to go. Make your goals realistic, and give yourself enough time to meet them. If you take on too much at once it could be discouraging if you don’t meet your goals right away and you might want to call it quits. 
“I can’t join a gym so there’s no way I can do this.”
You don’t need a gym to lose weight and get fit. Don’t let your lack of a gym crush your motivation and slow you down. Take a walk or run outdoors. Look for work out videos online. Dance, do jumping jacks, get moving! Bench press your bed! Not having a gym is no excuse for feeling defeated and accepting that you have to wait for a gym membership. Make your own, fun, exercise routines and take them seriously like you would a workout at the gym.

“I always start but I give up because I don’t see results.”
Weight loss takes time. You will not drop a jean size overnight. It’s a process, and you have to keep going. If you’re like me, you need a reward for your hard work, and sometimes body progress doesn’t show up in time for that. Set up incentives for when you meet certain goals. For every month you stick with weight loss, buy yourself a new workout shirt, or get a manicure. Give yourself an extra push to keep going. If that isn’t enough and you don’t have one already, MAKE A FITBLR. If you update it often and hold yourself accountable by posting your journey publicly, it’s easier to stick with it. Other people are doing the same thing as you and it’s nice to have the support. Take progress pictures along the way. Sometimes changes happen that the eyes and mirror just can’t show you. Compare the two every couple of weeks to keep yourself going.
“I’ve already lost some weight but I’m just getting unmotivated.”
Take a break, and maintain the weight you’ve reached. If you keep going and you’re just not into it, you risk just giving up and falling back into old habits. Up your calories, keep eating healthy, and exercise for fun when you want to. Weight loss can end up feeling like a time-sensitive issue or an obligation. IT’S NOT. You have your ENTIRE life to get healthy and fit. If you’re not having fun and it upsets you more than it makes you happy, give yourself a rest. You won’t gain it back, and you can take the time you need. Once you’re ready, set new goals and start fresh! Make yourself a list and remember why you started in the first place.
“I’m not in the mood for the gym. Maybe tomorrow.”
Put on your work out clothes, and promise that you’ll give your best for just 15 short minutes. If after the 15 minutes you want to stop, go ahead and call it quits. Most of the time, you’ll want to continue what you already started and keep going longer. Worst case scenario, you put in 15 minutes of work, and that’s 15 minutes toward your goal and 15 minutes is better than none. You’ll be glad you did.
Takeaways:

• Weight loss is not a race. You have plenty of time, so take it slow.
• If you’re not enjoying it at all, take a break until you’re ready to start
• Reward yourself for being persistent and doing your best
• Find support where you can
• Remind your self often why you want this for yourself, and why it’s worth it! 
• (article from Tumblr)

Want some motivation?
Need some ideas for healthy snacks?
Want to spice up your work-out routine?

Follow the link below to our additional blog of quick, simple, easy-to-get to advice on all the above concerns and more.

Click HERE!

Looks Are Not Everything!

With media, magazines, and stereotypes, many girls are pressured into fitting into a certain mold society has created for them. Billboards with hairless women, magazines with glossy skinned girls, and movies with scantly clad heroines often cloud our "reality" filters. Girls- what you see simply isn't true! You may be doubting me, but take it from one of the most famous models in the world. Watch the video above as a VICTORIA SECRET MODEL tells you that looks aren't everything!

Donations Needed!

 Hey girls and guys! I'd appreciate if you'd look at this link for a second of your time and try to help me out. I'm trying to raise money to go on a mission trip!

 I am using this money to cover the tip expenses to Costa Rica for a nine day mission trip. During this trip I will be living in the Maleku tribe deep in the Costa Rica rain forest. I will help build buildings, maintain schools, teach and play with children, tend gardens, assist in construction projects, help in the reforestation effort, and other service activities! I and the Maleku tribe people would greatly appreciate your help!

Help Elizabeth go to Costa Rica for a mission trip!

Stretching Like a Pro

When was the last time you gave yourself a proper stretch?
She Runs The Night is fast approaching on May 3 (there's still time to register!) and stretching will increase your flexibility and means  there's less chance of injury leading up to and during the event.

Gymnast Shawn Johnson shows you how to do it right.


THE PRETZEL: This stretch is perfect for those with lower back pain and is also one that's great for spinal mobility.

How: Start this by sitting on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Cross your left leg over your right and bring your right arm across your body and press it against the outside of your bent leg for support.

Twist to the left and breathe. Now repeat this on the other side.

Visit this site for the rest of the stretching routines!