5 Reasons to Run

It is snowing today, like accumulation of 1-3 inches snowing. Unfortunately this weather is bringing my spirits down too, I mean, there one can only handle so many pictures of a snow-covered rotunda in March!

That being said, this snow is not going to change when beach week happens or the fact that I am not confident traipsing around in a bikini right now. Since that's still the case and I am pretty sure I am not alone in this (aka I've already had countless conversations about this topic with friends and sorority sisters), I am going to start a bit of a Project Fit campaign for myself because those two half marathons aren't going to run themselves! My exercise routine is going to focus primarily on running, but I will add in other exercises as well so that the plan is more well-rounded.

I am focusing on running because I do want to run two half marathons by October, and also because there are so many benefits to running!

ONE: Strong Muscles

There is no doubt that running is a great workout. This is especially helpful if the area of your body that you aren't comfortable with is your lower half (like me!). If you run outdoors, work towards getting to a point where you embrace running hills!

TWO: Weight Loss

You will absolutely shed some weight when you run. However, if the scale doesn't always reflect this, don't worry. Look in the mirror! As you get in better shape, the fat will turn into muscle and we all know that muscle is denser (weighs more) than fat!

THREE: Disease Prevention

Running brings down your blood flood, makes your heart healthier, boosts your immune system, and can even reduce your chance of some cancers. It's sort of like a jumpstart for your body that is 100% natural and healthy

FOUR: Stress Relief

Exercise releases endorphins, Elle Woods taught us that. Going for a run can help relieve stress and put you in a better mood. If you've ever gone for a good run, I am sure you've felt a "runner's high," that euphoric feeling that comes after a run. I know, it sounds weird, but it's a real thing and it becomes addicting.

FIVE: Time To Think

I love running because I get to clear my head, listen to music and just be lost in myself. I have always preferred running alone, though I enjoy running with friends too. If you're someone who is busy all the time, scheduling in 45 minutes to go for a run can provide you with a nice break from hectic life and it will help relieve stress, it's a win-win!

Who else is getting in shape this Spring? I'd love to know what y'all are doing so I can keep up with your journey, too!

xoxo,

SSP

Beach Body in One Week

So you are leaving for Florida on Saturday and that whole "beach body" routine you'd been planning on doing sort of fell off to the wayside thanks to Girl Scout cookie season and those winter blues? No worries. There are still ways to improve your body in the last couple of days before your big vacation for you to kick it into gear. No, I am not promising some sort of crazy weight loss pill or diet...that is unrealistic and unhealthy. If you want to lose 5lbs by Saturday, my only recommendation would be a stomach flu, kidding, but you get the idea.

These are some tips on how you can improve your beach body in the last couple of days before the big vacation. And if you still aren't happy? Wear a PFG and let's get in shape after Spring Break as we prepare for Beach Week (this is my plan...those Girl Scout cookies get me every time, whoops)

1) Drink More

Drink more: water, tea, detox water.

Drink Less: caffeine, carbonation, and alcohol.

Essentially keep yourself hydrated. Detox water can be as simple as adding any combination or one of the following things: mint, lemon, cucumber. It makes the water even more refreshing and will help flush out your system. You should always stay hydrated, but it will especially help this week. Oh, and as for the drink less section, if you think I am not going to drink my morning coffee just so that I look good at the beach, you're crazy.

2) Exercise

Well, this should be self-explanatory. Even if you aren't going to magically transform your body in less than a week, exercise will stimulate blood flow and help kickstart your metabolism. Plus, have you ever noticed that you look more fit after working out, like if you do a killer ab routine that you seem to have flat abs for a few hours? Well, that is because the blood is going to your muscle tissue during the workout and it will hang around for a bit. So, if you want to look like you're in better shape than you are, get a workout in before you head to the beach. (disclaimer: you will probably be sore if you do this after not regularly working out...)

3) Eat Right

Stick to those leafy green vegetables and stay away from the fast foods. There are dozens of lists of "detox" foods out there and basically those are the ones that are less likely to make you bloat and easier for your body to break down.

4) Spice Up Your Life

Add some cayenne or jalapeño peppers to your diet! There are so many studies that show how adding spices to your diet will jumpstart your metabolism so just throw them in with your normal food and you'll be good to go.

5) Stress Less

I realize this isn't totally possible. I mean, I am stressed about the exam I have today and the two papers I have due tomorrow. However, I need to plan it out and know that it is all going to get done...and be thankful that yesterday's snow day caused my Friday exam to get moved back. So on Thursday, I am going to do a personal at-home spa day, but I need to keep calm all week. Just use a motivational quote or a to-do list to remind yourself that you can do it!

Obviously, this plan isn't perfect, but there isn't any plan that will get you the perfect beach body in a few days. And anyways, you should love yourself and the way you look regardless...there is always room for improvement, but don't let that stop you from loving yourself and your life right now. 

xoxo,

SSP

Struggles with Stress

"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere."

-anonymous

Thank you, Pinterest, for that quote. That was actually one of the first quotes that I ever pinned and I still remember thinking about how accurate it was and how much it pertained to my life. I am such a worrywart. I stress out easily and then lose sleep and nothing good comes of it because I am too tired and stressed to produce at my full capacity. I am trying to really work towards embracing stress management tactics because I know that I am as guilty of this rocking chair life as anyone else.

Worrying is pointless, stress can be crippling, and life still goes on. Somehow out of all the messes that I have gotten myself into one way or another, a quote that a wise man once recited to me rings through:

"Some of the worst things in my life never even happened"

-Mark Twain

This is a quote I tell myself daily now. We are capable of spending so much time worrying that we forget about the here and now. I am not saying that stress will ever disappear, and sometimes a crunch deadline is just the motivation I need, but I am saying that we can manage it. For example, I am pulling late nights in the library this week preparing for next week's exams so that I can enjoy my brothers' visit to UVA this weekend. I am managing my stress, sure it will still come around, but there is no sense in hoping on my rocking chair of worry for what the week will bring

1) Plan Ahead: Take your syllabus or important work email and put all the deadlines in your agenda, google calendar, etc. Make sure that you know what's coming up so that you're prepared for the weeks ahead and that you don't get caught off-guard and have to scramble to get all the work done.

2) Make a List: No this isn't the same as number 1. Making a list means that you should make a to-do list of everything you need to do to prepare for an exam, work presentation, etc. If you have a checklist, you can benchmark your progress and feel more productive as you ensure you get everything done and having a plan means that, while it may be overwhelming at first, it is doable.

3) Relax: Do not spend so many hours in the library that you go cross-eyed if you can help it. Read a book, watch Netflix, or just do something that will let you decompress from the stress and pressure of work or school. 

4) Release Endorphins: Let's take a page from Elle Woods on this one. Exercise is such a great tension relief and it is also a nice study break. Take a break for a run or to go to the gym and come back feeling reinvigorated and ready to take on the rest of the day's studying.

5) Sleep: There are several studies that show if you are sleep deprived, you may as well be drunk. Well, that doesn't sound particularly conducive to effective work or exam taking. Get some rest, you will be far more productive in a few hours of alert studying than that crappy prep we have all done at 4 in the morning...it just doesn't work!

6) Eat Well: Start your day with a balanced breakfast. Get some brain food, jumpstart your metabolism, and take on the day. No one wants to be hungry and stressed...especially if you're a stress eater (totally guilty of this one).

Essentially, the key to stress management is staying on top of your game. Falling behind is when stress really tends to seep in. There is no point in worrying about something that we cannot change, but it will probably happen all the same. Just try to manage this stress and make it a mild motivator rather than a crippling burden.

How do you manage your stress?

xoxo,

SSP

2014 Resolutions

Happy 2014, y'all!!!

I hope everyone had an amazing time on New Year's Eve, I know I had...great plans. Yeah, unfortunately, I was too tired to go out when the time came so I ended up introducing my momma to "North and South" (that miniseries I watch on repeat) and spent the night cuddling with Luther, my black lab.

Now I am back at school to take a J-Term class on Political and Social Thought in Modern China and then recruitment and spring classes will start right after that. Sometimes I wish I'd take a breather, but I don't regret this at all!

I promised a post of my New Year's Resolutions and the delayed posting of them has given me some time to think. Self-improvement is necessary and healthy, but it can be hard to do, and sometimes we overcommit (story of my life). My resolutions are pretty big picture, seeing as I do have a 22 by 22 list to follow as well. So, without further ado, here are my 2014 resolutions, let's see if I can stick with them!

1) take a "me day" once a month

  This may seem small picture, but in fact it is not. The only way that I will maintain my sanity and still get to do everything I want to do is to understand when to let go. This can be a day of watching TV in my pajamas, going to get coffee with a friend, or just doing whatever it is that I want to do that day. I sometimes get the chance to decompress at night, but planning this once a month will hopefully prevent me from burning out.

2) be more positive

I think this one is directly linked to my exercise (and therefore #3) and these attitudinal changes tend to be harder to implement. Essentially, I just need to more consciously think good thoughts and try to reduce stress...both of which will be aided by exercise.

3) be smart about exercise

I want to run more and further, therefore I need to be realistic about my feet. I have several problems with them and while I can still run, I need to train smarter. Adding in some other cross-training exercises would be great too. This is less of a commitment to exercising as it is to doing it in a healthy way that prevents me from hurting myself and my progress.

4) finish my 22 by 22 list!

This is self-explanatory and I will be so happy once I've done it.
5) be confident in myself

I am definitely one to worry about how people perceive me and I wish that wasn't always the case. This year I really want to work on what I talked about in this post and focus on being happy with who I am and what I have. There is always room for improvement, but writing this down is definitely going to be a helpful reminder.

6) build my blog

I have come to really love blogging over this past year and while I definitely fail to give it as much attention as I could, so I am going to try that now. On that note, there are no words to thank you enough for your support and for reading my blog this past year!!!

I am planning to write these down somewhere and frame them or something so that I am reminded of them and how much I want to accomplish them. If anyone has any solutions for a way to remind myself, I would love to hear them! What are your resolutions?

xoxo,

SSP