Gym Bag Essentials

I know for a lot of people the beginning of the year is the perfect time to commit to getting fit. For some people, that may mean a new gym membership or actually using the one they already have. I thought I would share what I keep in my gym bag so if you are new to the gym, you know what to bring with you when you go.

The gym is not too far from our house so I rarely ever take a shower there. I carry things that are essential for me to get a workout in and head home after. My gym bag is a tote bag (similar: nike tote bag). I like it because it looks like a casual purse so if I have to run an errand before or after the gym, I can just throw my wallet in there as well. I always carry a towel to wipe my sweat while working out because I am usually dripping (yea I know TMI lol). The hubby got me some of the Beats x Nike active wireless headphones for Christmas and I am obsessed. I used to have the wired kind (which are great too) but its much more convenient to have them wireless. I always carry workout gloves in my bag that way I don't forget them. It's much easier and hurts so much less to use gloves.  And of course there are a ton of germs in the gym so mini hand sanitizer is a must! I find that when I am doing cardio or an intense weight workout and I sweat a lot, I will tend to break out from the sweat clogging my pores. I always carry face wipes so I can wipe my face before I leave the gym.  I have been enjoying the Yes to Cucumber brand lately. It's very refreshing and calming after I workout. I of course will wash my face when I get home, but it's nice to get the sweat off as best as possible before. I find that I break out a lot less by doing that. I also always carry a lip balm or neutral lip gloss and a sample perfume in case I need to run an errand after leaving the gym. In that little pink pouch, I keep women's products just in case I happen to need them. Always better to be prepared than not.

If you're getting ready to be an avid gym goer, I hope this helps you pack your bag so you have everything you need. I keep my bag packed and these things stay in there so I can just grab my bag and some water and go.

Spring Cleaning...

Okay, okay it isn't quite spring yet but who says we can't get an early start. The new year always brings that feeling of urgency to get a fresh start. This year I want to figure out a better routine for cleaning and keeping the house tidy. Right now there is no method to my madness and I always feel like I am doing laundry every single day, etc... I want to have a schedule and do certain things each day. Of course with a two year old nothing is guaranteed but a mama can dream right?

I just picked up a new book and I am excited to start reading it. It's called: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing  I've heard her method can be a bit extreme but I plan to read it and take the points that apply to me. Have you read it?

This month, I plan to do a deep cleaning of the whole house. I am going to try my best to tackle one area each day. T went back to school today, so I plan to reorganize and clean out his room. His room is always very neat but I want to wipe out all of the drawers, move the furniture and vacuum under there, etc... A clean space leads to a more productive mind, at least in my opinion.

So if you are ready for  a fresh start in your home as well, then join me for an early start!

2017: We Got This!

It's a new year, which always brings re-evaluation of what we want or need to change in our lives and gives us some new mojo to get it done. This year, I've made some changes in how I've wrote the things I want to change and I wanted to share a few of those tips with you.

1. Be More Specific
Sometimes when we make our goals to general, its hard to track whether we are accomplishing them or not. Last year, I wanted to read more but that's all I wrote. Does that mean, one book every two months, every six months etc? This year I've made the goal more specific and changed it to reading one book a month. Now with a more specific goal, it's easier to stay on track and easier for me to keep up with it.

2. Realistic Goals
When we make our goals too lofty as the year progresses we realize the goal is next to impossible and we give up on it. Yes you may have every intention to work out every day but life happens and you have to account for that.

3. Look Back At It (pun intended lol)
It's not enough to just write your goals down and then never look at them for the rest of the year. Reread your goals every day. Its a daily motivation to keep going and keep working. As you accomplish things it will increase your motivation. SN: I've started a bullet journal and I am pretty obsessed so far. (Journal I am using for mine: http://amzn.to/2ivBCFl)

4. Change Is Ok.
In a course of year, life can change drastically. A goal that you wrote down at the beginning of the year may not be applicable by the middle of the year and that's ok. Its ok to change and modify things as life changes. Adjust your goals to fit your new path and keep working.

2017 we're coming for you, let's get it!