Monthly Archives: September 2014

Use these easy ideas to achieve cute & stylish good looks when you hit the gym

Tell me you don’t want to look cute and stylish while you are working hard and breaking sweat during your workout! Of course you would like to look stylish and polished even when you are in beast mode at the gym!

Here are 7 easy and cheap ideas on how to achieve that stylish look at the gym without putting too much effort and time:

1. Color coordinate workout wear

The easiest to achieve that stylish polished look at the gym is to color coordinate your workout clothes. You can choose colored tops and gym bottoms. Brightly colored sports bras, leggings, capris and shorts are a real hit now at the gym! You can even choose patterned bottoms as your sportswear for the gym.

However, most women like to play it safe and choose black bottoms. Choosing to wear black yoga pants to the gym is easy, simple, and it doesn’t require too much thinking because everything goes with black. I admit, I only own black workout pants too, because it is the only color that I can get away with having a sweaty booty at the gym and not looking like I peed myself during heavy workouts.

So what if you are not into wearing colored sports bottoms either, then what other options are there left to look more stylish at the gym?

2. Match top to gym shoe color

Luckily bright colored gym shoes are also highly popular.  It provides you with the option to pair your black gym bottoms with a bright colored top that matches the color of your gym shoes. If you feel that you are bad at matching different colors together, but still want to achieve a stylish look, simply wear one color in your outfit and everything else should be a neutral color (black, white, gray, navy). Using one color will add a little pop to your workout wear, but won’t clash with other colors – thus making you stylish in no time!

Workout wear in style: match top to gym shoe color!

3. Wear a colorful headband

A cheap solution to become instantly stylish at the gym is to get the color of a headband to match the color of your pants or gym shoes. Easy and it really makes you look stylish in no time! Just be sure to get stylish headbands designed for sports that have a no slip grip or that silicone grip that keeps stray locks and the band itself in place!

Wear colorful headbands for cute and polished look during your workout

4. Wear colorful socks

Match the color of your socks to your top and/or headband!

colored socks
[Image courtesy of holohololand at FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

Socks are an important part of your workout wear (unless you are doing barefoot yoga), because they provide the cushion between your skin and your shoe. Experts say that you should invest in gym sock with cushioning on the sole in the form of microfiber fabrics which are designed to wick away moisture from your skin. So choose some colored socks that match your other workout clothing and hit the gym in style!

5. Colored ponytail holder

Hair needs to get out of your way when you are exercising at the gym! If you have long hair, then getting a colored ponytail holders is an easy and cheap way to pump up your style! You can mix and match here freely. If your bra is visible under your t-shirt, use a ponytail holder that matches the color of your sports bra. Or use a ribbon that matches the color of your gym shoes.

If you are more experienced with matching different colors, then you can use multiple colored hair elastics to accent the colors represented in your sportswear. Feel free to play and become stylish easily!

Personal trick of mine: if you are into active sports like running, for a firmer ponytail use two hair ties on top of each other. They give you the grip and firmness needed.

6. Gym hairstyles

Those with long hair should try different braided hairstyles their next workout session at the gym. There are tons of do’s for active ladies on Pinterest with tutorials on how to achieve the gym hairstyle look. Great thing about braided hair is that you can do it in the morning before work, and it will last all day long! Plus you will look stylish at the gym too! Check out my Pinterest board for some hairstyle inspiration to become stylish at the gym!

Use these easy ideas to achieve cute & stylish good looks when you hit the gym 3
Classic french braided messy bun in no time!

7. Printed t-shirts for fitness

Printed motivational t-shirts for fitness

The ultimate way to look cute and stylish during sweaty exercise routine at the gym is to wear funny workout or motivation prints on your t-shirt! Exercise your creativity by making yourself a custom shirt making a statement about your sweat at the gym:

This isn’t sweat – it’s liquid awesome!

Let your stylish t-shirt do the talking for you at the gym!

Click here for more tips and ideas for motivating you to go to the gym! >>>

How to get motivated to continue Your workout routine after a holiday 1

How to get motivated to continue Your workout routine after a holiday

You’re sitting on a plane flying you home after your summer vacation, and your mind gets depressed thinking about the million things that are waiting for you after your arrival. Need to call parents, let your best friend know your back from vacation, need to take shower, unpack, wash, dry and iron all the clothes from your suitcase, hang the souvenirs you brought home, sort the pictures you’ve taken, and many more. It already seems like hard work, and all you want to do is relax and sleep after the long and exhausting travel home. Plus you’ll need to call in the office, because they already left you messages asking when you will be back and available. Reality is slowly kicking in: vacation is over.

How to get motivated to continue Your workout routine after a holiday 1
Big line at boarding? Instead of waiting, I’ll do 10 push ups!

Getting home from vacation is rather demotivating. It is overwhelming just to think about all the things needed to be taken care of, so no surprise that you don’t want to start. How can anyone expect you to get back on track with your everyday life and workout routine right away?

Here are 3 steps on how to continue your workout routine after a holiday:

1. Make the first small step

Do something very easy first. Make the first step. Don’t over think it, just do it. If it is that easy, you will not be able to say no in your head. Fill that water bottle. Put your dry fit t-shirt on. Get those running shoes on your feet. Go out the door. Run. Easy!

Once you get started, you will feel more motivated to do it. You’ll get back on track in no time! Trust me, give it a try!

2. Get 8 hours of sleep each night

How to get motivated to continue Your workout routine after a holiday 2
Your bed is waiting for you!

Vacation should be relaxing, but it can end in exhaustion after the long travel. So you will need to rest at night in order to get back on track. Try to sleep at least 8 hours every night, or if you have a chance have 20-30 minute naps in the afternoon to get your full energy and motivation back.

3. Weigh yourself

How to get motivated to continue Your workout routine after a holiday 3
My scale is a lying bastard.

Poor eating choices while on vacation just happen. Every day of your holiday. Sweets, soft drinks, dessert, ice-cream, cocktails, that one more plate of juicy steak. The pounds will also stack up on you. So what better motivation than weighing yourself after vacation? Oh the horror! I bet you’ll be running to the gym the moment you see those numbers on the scale moving up up up! It pissed me off so much that I’ve gained 4 kg/8 lbs in just 10 days that I’ve immediately hit that Zumba Fitness class that evening and sweated like a donut at a police station!

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Tips to keep body fit while on summer holiday 1

Tips to keep body fit while on summer holiday

Did you know that the fitter you are the faster you will lose your fitness? I know, so unfair!

You will lose your cardio capabilities way faster than your achieved muscular strength.

Tips to keep body fit while on summer holiday 1Enjoying your summer holiday it is almost impossible to watch what you eat and keeping it only healthy meals and watch you weight while being away from home. If you travel abroad, there will be the temptation of trying all those delicious and yummy local specialties you just can’t miss out! If you are lucky, they will be healthy foods, exotic fruits that you can enjoy without feeling remorse. However, if you are unlucky like me, the delicacies you try while on your summer holiday will mostly be on the unhealthy but delicious side of the food pyramid. This means that by indulging in new meal specialties during your summer get away will have an impact on your weight.

So what can you do about no gaining too much weight and lose your fit body while on a holiday?

1. Monitor water intake

When it’s hot outside, and you are enjoying yourself on the beach, many times you’ll think that what you crave is ice-cream or keeping it a best case scenario, fruits. This craving that you feel may just mean that you got dehydrated because you simply forgot to drink water. So instead of standing in line for ice-cream, just have a glass of water. It will keep you hydrated and if you still feel hungry afterwards you can always go for a snack. But drink water first!

2. Get creative!

There are various opportunities waiting for you to take them in order to get an exercise! Surely you will not be able to stick to your regular workout routine while on a holiday, but that is no excuse for you to completely skip exercising! If your hotel has a pool, problem solved! Swim 20 fast laps and then 3 slow laps for cool-down. Rent a bike to check out the tourist attractions! Put your walking shoes on and hit the road! Go for a run in the morning when it’s still not that hot outside! Exercise on the beach by using your own body as weights!

3. Go dance those calories away!

Dance on the beach when you hear your favorite summer song! Go to a bar or a disco and dance, dance, dance! There is no better way for you to get moving and enjoy yourself with your friends! It is a great opportunity for you to get to know the foreigners while abroad and learn new dance moves from the locals.

4. Choose the stairs

Instead of using the elevator, opt for the stairs every time. Use stairs to get to the top of that tower for a pretty view of the city’s skyline!

5. Play games

Have a ping-pong tournament with your friends! Play frisbee or volleyball on the beach, or go golfing. Mini-golf counts too! Or just play tennis in the hotel’s court. All these a great activities to get yourself moving!

6. Plan the exercise activities for every day

It might just be a long walk on the beach, a medium intensity aqua aerobic class in the hotel’s pool or a sight-seeing bike tour, but be sure to do something that will keep you active every day while on a vacation! Hike up a mountain or go scuba diving or snorkeling: it will give you new experience, great memories and raise your overall happiness.

7. Pack travel friendly healthy snack for the road

Tips to keep body fit while on summer holiday 2
I have 9 carrots, 3 kohlrabies and 5 peaches in that bag.

Bring fruits and veggies with you while traveling instead of cookies, chips and chocolate bars! A plastic container filled with sliced carrots and kohlrabies and other veggies of your choice takes no time to prepare, and it will provide you the vitamins during your travel. It is a great solution for keeping your regular daily bowel movements.

Remember: doing something is always better than not doing anything at all.

And this is true for your exercise regimen while spending your summer vacation away from home. Be proud of yourself if you manage to maintain half of your usual routine while on vacation! Just stay positive, be creative and mix it up! You’ll get your daily dose of exercise while being away from home in a fun and entertaining way!

anorexia vs phantom fat distorted body image

Unexpected results of completing Maria Kang’s 30-day no excuse water challenge

It was summer, it was hot, and I knew I should be drinking way more liquids. That’s when I stumbled upon the call for Maria Kang’s no excuse water challenge, so it was the perfect opportunity to make myself drink more water. I was skeptic about keeping up daily drinking 1 gallon a water for a month, but I started anyway.

Rules of the 30-day water challenge
Rules of the 30-day water challenge

You hear everywhere about the benefits of drinking plenty water, but if you are anything like me, you know that it is good for you, but during the busy and hectic workweek and eventful weekends, you just don’t remember to drink. So I started by creating a plan to drink that 1 gallon a day. Got a 50 oz bottle sitting on the table of my office desk which had to be drunk twice during my office hours, and then I only had to fill and drink my 26 oz workout bottle during my workout to drink a gallon a day. Sounds easy? Well, like everything else, it is challenging at first, but then you get used to it. I was really curious about all the positive things that consuming more water and keeping yourself hydrated would do to my body.

The unexpected results of completing Maria Kang’s 30-day no excuse water challenge are:


1. Wrinkles around the eyes are gone

After 5 days of drinking plenty water the wrinkles under and in the corner of my eyes visibly reduced. 25 days into the challenge I did a 2-step wrinkle test with strips. The test shows how deep your wrinkles are, and mine said that I am wrinkle free! I have to admit that lines under my eye are still visible, but their length and depth is reduced. Not bad at all, especially if you consider that all I had to do is keep myself hydrated for a month!


2. Pesky pimples and acne free face

If you suffer from cystic acne, you pretty much know how irritating and depressing regular monthly flare ups can be. Nobody needs to tell you how uncomfortable it is. I am a 33 year old female and until recently I also struggled with acne. I’ve seen improvements in the last year after an active year of trial and error and finally I’ve found the best skin care regimen for myself – 3 months ago I have finished developing an ultimate home skin care routine that made a difference (see how: use your brain to help your face). However, once a month the start of my period still marked another monthly event: a total skin freak-out.

So imagine my surprise when only after 6 days of drinking plenty water I noticed an improvement in my overall skin tone. Even further, when that time of the month arrived and for the first time in my life I had no breakouts! It’s been 30 days, and I am pimple free!

My honest confession: after finishing the 30-day #noexcusewaterchallenge I stopped watching my water intake and drink less than 1/2 a gallon a day. After only 3 days 3 pesky pimples appeared. Bummer.


3. Perfect poop every morning

unexpected results of completing Maria Kang's 30-day no excuse water challenge Are you a perfect pooper? Research suggests that the range of “normal” pooping is typically 1-3 times a day. And it should look like a snake (see the Bristol Stool Chart Type 4 ). You should not push hard for the perfect poop: it is a balance between not having to push or strain, but also not having so much urgency you barely can hold it. Thanks to the water challenge, my bowel movements became normal and I make the most perfect snake poop every morning. This alone was a motivation for friends around me to start drinking more water each day, and now we are a bunch of happy friends creating perfect snake poop!


4. Lost almost 9 lbs in 30 days

I never believed that I could lose pounds by not changing my habits and by not incorporating more exercise into my current routine nor by consuming less calories, but it became a reality! On day 11 I weighed 4 pounds less than when I started the challenge! It was quite a surprise for me! Although the weight loss did not continue in this initial rate, I still weighed 9 lbs lighter at the end of the challenge! I have to emphasize that the calories I burn on a day-to-day basis remained the same as well as my healthy eating habits.


5. Highly energized and well rested every single day

I resent waking up early and walking to the office. My only motivation is the first and only fresh cup of coffee that I drink at the office. Then on the last week of the 30-day water challenge everything changed. I haven’t slept more than usually, but after I woke up I felt refreshed and full of energy. It wasn’t just a one-timer: this was the case every single morning, and the fully energized feeling lasts throughout the day. I have tons of energy for the gym after my workday, and I Hulk smash every single workout!


When I spot a woman on a street walking towards me with dark circles or wrinkles around her eyes, I can barely hold myself from approaching and shaking her, screaming:

“Start drinking more water, woman!”

Completing the 30-day water challenge and seeing the positive results it has made me crazy, I know. Although I wanted to scream at and shake women when I found out what a difference a perfectly fitting bra makes, so maybe it’s just me reacting weirdly to new things that make me prettier and my life easier and healthier.

Any of these benefits alone were enough motivation for my friends and family to start consuming more water, and they experienced after a few days the advantages themselves! The 30-day water challenge is over, but this should not keep you from starting your own water challenge and see the benefits for yourself!

Here is a list of 4 alarming things you need to know before you start a 30 day water challenge. Click here>>>

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