Category Archives: Motivation & Happiness

March is National Nutrition Month®

Posted in Food & Diet, Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

March is National Nutrition Month®! (… Something Allie DeLay so kindly brought to my attention last week.) National Nutrition Month® is a educational and informational campaign created annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, formerly the American Dietetic Association.

This nutrition campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. In addition to promoting general healthy habits, the campaign encourages American’s to ”eat right, your way, every day.”

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Personally, I struggle with eating right for MY BODY on a daily basis. Being hypoglycemic doesn’t really allow me to eat the the way that everyone else does. I would love to try the Paleo diet or to just drink a smoothie or super green juice in place of a meal, but the reality is… I will pass out or feel sick all day. I need balanced, frequent meals. I also always carry snacks whether fruit, veggies, granola bars or nuts.

Being hypoglycemic has been really hard to adjust to. It’s not something I can overcome or fix about myself — but I can make the best of it and eat right in my own way. Learn more about what some of my good friends do to eat right, their way, every day:

Cassie Brown, Group fit instructor and SHSH contributor (visit her Facebook page)

My way of eating right is to have a mental checklist of everything I need to consume to properly fuel my body every day. More specifically, I think of all the nutrients I need for my overall health and to support my lifestyle. I choose the amount of carbs I think I need depending on how active I have been/will be. I choose a variety of vegetables to give me my essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system, healthy hair and skin, and a healthy body. And I try to eat fish for the omega-3′s at least once a week. I really like taking the approach of looking for the foods my body needs instead of focusing on what I can’t have. With this mentality, food becomes merely what it is: fuel for my body. And on the occasions when I choose options that my body doesn’t really need, I just look at it as a fuel that’s less bang for my buck. Again, this mentality doesn’t make me feel guilty, but it helps me to focus my attention more so on healthier options the majority if the time.

Ali Cook, yoga instructor (visit her Facebook page)

163372_601220373237963_1341914946_nGo to yoga. Shower. Drive to UMass. Go my class. Send emails. TA for class. Meeting. Teach Vinyasa. Call boyfriend. Homework. Sleep. Where does eating fit in to this day, let alone finding the extra time for a grocery run? As the person regularly at Big Y at 9:45 on a Tuesday night, I know that even if I purchase and intend to eat my vegetables, they sometimes wilt in my fridge and I end up munching on frozen enchiladas more often than not.

At the end of last semester, my body was clearly furious that I had fed it processed food (i.e. crap). I had no energy and looked like the “before” pictures on any makeover show with a rounder belly and dull skin. I’ve been re-evaluating my diet ever since, looking for ways to balance the demands of my body against the frantic pace of work and grad school. As someone who is gluten intolerant, it is easy to get swept away by the new array of products that are available to the wheat-free community but ultimately those foods rarely do me any favors. What I save in convenience, I pay for in terms of my daily I experience. I feel best when I care for my body and feed it good, whole foods. So, for me eating right means shopping the periphery of the store: veggies, dairy, meat and fish. But, another important aspect is also committing to preparing meals. I can save time (and get in QT with my BF) by cooking a ton of good food over the weekend to eat during the week. If I have extra, I try to freeze it. That way, instead of microwaving a burrito on those really hectic marathon days, I can enjoy a (recently) home cooked meal of balsamic tofu, broccoli and rice which will give me the energy to go through my day without putting me into food coma.

Allie DeLay, Spinning instructor and SHSH writer

In our culture food is viewed as more than just a vital necessity, eating has turned into a culinary experience, one that in our American way we like to make as grand as possible. But, that doesn’t mean we need to load up on the fettuccine Alfredo and cheesecake in order to enjoy what we are eating.

Eat Right: Eating right is an understanding that food is fuel. You wouldn’t fill up your car with gasoline that wouldn’t drive the engine right? Same thing goes for your body. You want the best source of energy that is going to make your body function at its best capacity. So that means sticking to naturally grown fruits and vegetables and avoiding heavily processed foods by reading labels. When I read labels and see ingredients that appear to have been concocted by some mad scientist in a lab, I steer clear of those foods and opt for a snack that didn’t take a ride on a conveyor belt before making its way to the grocery store shelves.

Your Way: Make sure that you are eating what you enjoy. Just because health fanatics and dietitians tell you to eat certain things, doesn’t mean you should force-feed yourself food you don’t like. Everyone is different. Personally peanut butter makes me gag. I do not enjoy it covered in chocolate, with fruit, in smoothies, on sandwiches, mixed with cookie batter, etc. No matter how amazing it is supposed to be for me, I am not going to eat it. Instead I opt for other healthy snacks that don’t make my stomach turn. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice but it’s your life, so do it your way. 

Every Day: A commitment to eat right is a commitment to your self. Monitoring what you eat is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. You’re showing your body you care. You wouldn’t show a loved one affection for a month and then quit and give them the cold shoulder, right? So why do that to your body? Eating right every day allows me to feel energized day in and day out. Adding variety to the way I eat, committing to eating right, and doing it on my own terms allows me to maintain my healthy lifestyle. And no amount of fettuccine Alfredo and cheesecake can make me feel as good as Eating Right, My Way, Every Day.

Lauren Duffy, Zumba instructor and SHSH writer (visit her Facebook page)

There was a time in my life when I hated my body: I turned away from mirrors, sucked it in, hid in baggy clothes, and wished with all of my heart that I would change. The problem was, I did nothing about it.. I relied on wishing and hoping for a change but never actually tried to anything that may help me. Now as I sit here several years later having found a love for healthy living and fitness, I realize that my past is what eating right, my way, every day means to me. I eat right so I never have to feel the way that I used to about myself, I eat my way so that I can enjoy being healthy, and I do it every single day so that I can continue my happiness with my change and my new self. To be healthy is to be happy, so be healthy every day.

Eliza Rose, Kick instructor and SHSH writer (visit her Facebook page)

Eating right to me means taking in foods that not only taste good, but will benefit me. I am not overly obsessed with my diet, but I do make sure I consume smaller amounts and have at least a little bit of fruits and vegetables every day. There are so many methods on eating healthy that it can be overwhelming. I stay very selfish in that I eat what I think is right just for me, not necessarily following any strict diet or method. There was a time when I chose to make a change in my eating habits and I got rid of all sugars and most carbohydrates. Ever since then, I have been more cognizant of what really contains sugar and what contains carbs. Those few months helped me eat those kind of food less frequently and substitute them with healthier choices. As long as you are staying happy and staying healthy, then you are on the right diet!

What does eating right, YOUR WAY, every day mean to you?

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POWER HOUR: Spring Break Edition

Posted in Fitness, Motivation & Happiness by

By Eliza Shirazi

RUN, CRUNCH, LIFT, SWEAT, VEGGIES, PROTEIN, WATER, SCALE, SWEAT SOME MORE, and then drink everyday for a week straight…wait, WHAT?

This is all I have been seeing for the past couple of months: students working at a rapid, but healthy, pace to slim down. It is inspiring to be encompassed by these healthy lifestyle choices, but I cannot help but use my Public Health/Communication mindset and critically analyze it as, what is the root of the motivation for students? Why is that girl running for her life on the treadmill? Why is that guy doing extra crunches during breaks in my class? And WHY do I hear that same girl making a healthy lifestyle choice say how she cannot wait to drink more than she can handle on spring break? I have about 3 beers and I am all set so I don’t want to lie and write that I can relate to the endless drinking for hours on end, but I do agree that getting buck wild from time to time is just good for the soul and a part of the college culture. What really irks me is how hard students work to look fly in their bikinis only to throw it away during one week of binge drinking. Go ahead and let loose on your spring break; cheers to how awesome being a college kid is, cheers to celebrating how hard you have worked, and cheers to making memories with your friends! It is true, WE DESERVE IT. 

My wish for everyone, including myself, is to do a power hour filled with not your favorite beer, but your favorite healthy lifestyle choice. Let’s be real, you aren’t going exercise in a traditional way every day, but take a stroll down the beach, work that pole in the club (MizzFit proves its benefits), swim a little bit longer in the pool, pick two healthy meals a day. Even better, if you feel inclined and confident to do a booty shakin contest, you better work those quads, control those glutes, sit back in those heels, and make it burn, mama!

Lastly, all of this incredible work that you have been doing and hopefully will continue to do past this epic week should not be done to impress other people. Work towards a strong body for YOU. Sure it is only natural to want to impress others or compare yourself to other people, but let that be motivating in working towards your goal, not discouraging. Look at spring break as an opportunity to applaud yourself for all of the dedication and showcase that confidence. Furthermore, let that poise guide you into the suggested power-hours so you complete spring break not feeling like a train wreck, rather like the beach babe you know you are.

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Beach

ERose here telling you a couple of things I will be squeezing in as I bask in the sun:

A lemon in my delish oversized martini, and a power-hour to feel good in that bikini.

{Monday Motivator} Primal Junction on paleo

Posted in Monday Motivators, Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy writers are all about paleo right now. Personally, I can’t seem to give up my oats, rice and yogurt, so I remain off the paleo bandwagon. Regardless, with all of my friends and readers tuning into their inner caveman, I sought out another pale {Monday Motivator}.

Up this week is Lizzy Marsh, an exercise scientist (B. Ex. Sci.), CrossFit coach, personal trainer and real-food lover. Lizzy’s website, Primal Junction, is based in Melbourne, Australia, and provides great resources for all you pale peeps.

I asked Lizzy a few questions about why she made paleo a lifestyle. Here is what she had to say:

headshotWhy did you choose Paleo? 

My brother was actually the first one who introduced me to the ‘Paleo diet’ and it was during my degree in Exercise Science. What he told me was very contradictory to what I was learning in nutrition and it took me a while to open my mind to the possibility that mainstream nutritional guidelines may not be all that truthful when it came to health, fat loss and disease prevention. After researching the diet of our ancestors (the Paleolithic diet) and starting to question the impact of the agricultural revolution, sugar consumption, and ‘low fat’ foods (to name a few) on obesity, disease, infertility and overall wellness – I was shocked to uncover that most modern food production is harmful to our health. Foods that we consider staples like bread, milk and pasta are, in fact, making us sick. With more reading, researching and self-experimenting, it didn’t take long before I could see and feel the benefit of removing most grains, dairy, sugar and processed foods from my diet. The results were incredible. After my first 30-day ‘challenge’ I had lost significant body fat, had more energy in the morning, clearer skin, was happier, recovering more quickly and no longer craved bars of chocolate and afternoon sugar-hits. It was a life-changing 30-days.

How long have you been on the Paleo diet?

I don’t really consider myself strictly on the “Paleo” diet, but more that I eat real food and try to source sustainable and naturally raised meat products and avoid pesticides as much as possible. I have been eating this way off and on for the past 2 years and generally don’t eat dairy products, grains, refined sugar or poor quality food. I replace all this stuff with piles of veggies, grass-fed meats, eggs, nuts and seeds and I love to get creative in the kitchen and share my recipes to inspire others. In the modern world, I feel that it is extremely difficult to classify this as “Paleo” unless we can hunt and gather our food and live off the land.

Do you wander off diet occasionally? If so, what breaks your Paleo diet most frequently? 

Of course I do! I live by the 80-20 rule and definitely believe in enjoying food and the occasional glass or two of red wine. The way I see it is that I know where North is – and when I veer off a little, its way easier to get back on track if you know where you’re heading. I have found that the longer I eat real food – the less likely I am to want to wander because I am learning more and more about how these foods impact my body and I hate waking up and feeling bloated, headachy and sluggish. Most often, my treats might be dark chocolate, cheese, wine, home made gelato and fresh corn tortillas.

What is your advice for Paleo-newbies?

Make sure you eat ENOUGH food! The hardest thing about cutting out the usual sweet treats and packaged snacks is that these are great “filler foods.” They are cheap, filling and empty of nutrients. When we take these out – it is really important to replace them with piles oveggies and regular high-protein, high fat snacks like nuts and seeds. Eating Paleo is not about dieting – you shouldn’t really need to limit how much you put on your plate as our bodies know what to do with real food and we will learn to stop eating when we’ve had enough.

On a day where your pantry and fridge are looking empty, what is your primal go-to? 

The biggest ticket to success is being organized and trying to not let this happen! However, we all get busy and will run out of healthy options at some point. When I need food fast, I tend to reach for a free-range roast chicken from the supermarket, grab some nuts, whole carrots, and of course – eggs. Find ingredients that keep well and stock up. We always have some grass-fed meat portions in the freezer, nuts to eat or for making milk, frozen veggie options and I’ll usually have frozen bananas, mango, watermelon and berries for desserts and healthy ice-cream.

What is Primal Junction all about, and why did you start blogging? 

After exploring the benefits of both clean nutrition and functional movement for myself, I was so excited to work with clients and individuals to show them how easy and delicious clean-eating could be. I get so excited when others explore their own diets to improve overall health, skin, sleep quality, body composition, recovery and zest for life. After presenting a number of seminars and working with individuals, I wanted to create an online community where I could share recipes and inspire others to think about food ingredients and question the commonly accepted nutritional practices. I hope to grow this community to create a ‘junction’ where people from all over the world can come together to share recipes, fitness tips, gardening advice, health and wellness info and join the conversation. I believe that the more we can learn about our food and the impact that it has on the body, the more we will start to grow our own veggies, share with friends and family, inspire others and create masterpieces in the kitchen.

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Thank you for the tips, Lizzy! Learn more about what Primal Junction is all about here.

The Fooducate Challenge

Posted in Motivation & Happiness, Year of Challenges (2013) by

By Allie DeLay

In the spirit of the Year of Challenges, I have decided to not only challenge myself but to put a part of the diet and fitness world to the test this month. For my March challenge, I will be using an app known as Fooducate.

Fooducate is an app that you can download to your iPhone or Android cell phone. The general version of the application is free but other versions, such as “Allergy & Gluten Free” and “Diabetes Nutrition” are available for a fee. (These have specific settings for the program to alert you of gluten, lactose, peanut, shellfish, sugars etc.) The Fooducate app allows users to create their own profile, input specific goals, and use a “Health Tracker” to document their daily eating habits along with their activity level.

Under the Profile tab, users input information based on gender, date of birth, activity level, height, and weight. Fooducate uses this information to calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI and explains what range (underweight, normal, overweight, or obese) you fall into. The Goals tab allows users to specify their weight loss goals by implementing their target weight. Based on your activity level (sedentary, somewhat active, active, and very active) recommended daily calories, carbs, and foodpoints are calculated.

Users can go one step further and indicate settings such as:

  • Eat Heart Healthy
  • Lower Cholesterol Levels
  • Lower My Blood Pressure
  • Avoid Processed Foods
  • Eat Vegetarian
  • Eat Vegan
  • Warn me about GMO’s

All of these features are AMAZING but what really sets this application apart from others is the “Scan” feature. Fooducate uses modern day technology to turn the Diet world on its head. Fooducate offers the widest database of universal product codes or UPC’s with over 200,000 different products. With the app, you can simply scan the barcode of any product found within the database and Fooducate will grade your food and explain what ingredients are found in it.

Fooducate’s grading system is a scale of 10 grades ranging from: A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C, D+, and D. Grades are calculated based on the product package information, nutrition label, and ingredient list. Products that are rich in nutrients with little to no processing receive high grades allowing items that exist naturally to score above processed food. The application also offers “Daily Tips” which cover topics regarding food safety, kids nutrition, nutrition label analysis, or general food and diet news.

My goal for the next month is to get to know this application inside and out. I’ll be using it daily tracking my food intake, activity level, and keeping notes on how I’m feeling. In order to truly reap the benefits of this program, I will commit to using the calorie tracker, recommended daily food points, and even go so far as to brave carbs again (Ahh!) by sticking to the recommended carb intake. My personal goal for the next month is to lose 5 lbs. I’ve chosen this number because given the progress I’ve made recently I believe it is not an unattainable number for me. But, I will need to actively work to reach this goal. I’m hoping that through using Fooducate and keeping a daily record of my health, I’ll be able to meet this goal.

Each week, I’ll be sharing more details on the app’s features, a daily tip, a surprising food grading, and a little bit about my experience with the application.

Keep an eye out & until next time,

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, Stay Fooducated

Stay True To You

Posted in Motivation & Happiness by

By Allie DeLay

When we think about health, we automatically think diet and exercise. And why wouldn’t we? It has been drilled in our heads that if we eat the right thing and work out for X amount of time each day, we will live a long life. And rightfully so, diet and exercise have proven to be key to remaining physically fit and healthy. But, what is that long life without family or friends, without laughter, and without a little love? Being well is about avoiding “unhealthy” foods and making sure you have a regular exercise routine, but it is also about being in touch with one’s emotions and developing strong social relationships. These aspects of wellness are our mental and social health and they play just as big of a role as their physical counterpart.Image

Like many others who are in their early twenties, I have spent much of the past decade trying to discover who I am and I’m not so sure there will ever be a clear answer. But, what I have learned is that your relationship with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever be in. You’ll spend every day of your life with yourself so you might as well start loving the person you are. And if you don’t its time to figure out who it is you want to be and become that person.

In high school, you could easily take the back seat to a friend or blend in with your social clique, but the real world isn’t interested in this subservient version of you. You owe it to yourself to love the person you are and share that individual with the world. Expressing your emotions, loving yourself wholeheartedly, and managing stress (whether its through physical exercise or any other positive outlet) are what mental health is all about.

Once you have confidence and positive self-esteem, it won’t take long for the right people to come your way. Building relationships, getting along with others, and offering support by being selfless are aspects of our social health. Regardless of how much of a recluse you may consider yourself, we all yearn for some social interaction. We all need it to be healthy. Being wrapped up in your own thoughts 24/7 isn’t going to do you any good. You need to get out and spend time with other people. You need to build a support system that you can rely on and it doesn’t hurt to learn how to put others needs before your own.

All of these things are easier and said than done. However, it’s not about reaching these goals immediately but more about the journey you’ll take getting there. Like I said, I’ve spent most of my adolescence and young adulthood trying to figure out who I am. I have an idea of who it is I want to become but in no way am I there yet. On my way I have learned to love who I am every day. I’ve surrounded myself with people who share the same positive outlook on life. And while each and every person I know has their own quirks, making them a bit off beat, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t laugh and appreciate the life I’m living.

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It is possible to have that long life we are all striving for. But, make sure you fill that life with happiness, love, and laughter. Surround yourself with people that like you for you. Take care of yourself because your relationship with you is one that lasts forever. Most importantly, being well isn’t just about your nutrition, it’s about enjoying the life you live.

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, Stay True to You.

{Monday Motivator} Erica’s inpirational transformation

Posted in Monday Motivators, Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

In 2006 I was morbidly obese, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day, hadn’t exercised in years and lived off a diet of overly processed ‘Frankenstein’ foods. I was depressed, lethargic, sickly and ashamed of my appearance. After I turned 21 I gained an excess amount of weight through constant drinking and horrible eating habits. I began to see how differently people treated me based on my appearance and it drove me to recess further into alcohol and unhealthy behaviors. For the years I was overweight I felt like I was wearing a fat suit – I was in there, hidden, but became lost trying to find my way back out again. -Erica D. House

This week’s {Monday Motivator} has endured quite the transformation over the past several years. After struggling with weight as a teen and young adult, Erica decided to make some big changes to help lose the weight and keep it off.

Since 2006, Erica has lost 50 lbs, become a non-smoker and taken on a vegetarian lifestyle. Learn more about Erica’s transformation here, and read our interview below to learn what keeps her motivated.

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From EricaDHouse.com

You went through quite the transformation over the past couple years. What kept you dedicated and focused as your worked towards your goal?

 Knowing that I want to be around, and healthy, for a very long time in life is one of the best motivators I have to get my butt, out of bed, and to workout in the morning. I also know exactly how it feels to be morbidly obese and not wanting to struggle with that again is a great push for me to stay on the healthy track!

What diet/healthy eating advice do you have for a person looking to undergo a similar transformation?

 Eat colors, don’t drink calories and exercise 5 days a week. It’s so, so simple but finding the motivation is what most people will struggle with. List all of the reasons why you want to be healthy and refer to it often. Think of a specific goal you want to reach and create a plan of attack for how to get there. Don’t just say, “I want to lose weight.” That’s to vague! Set a specific number, then make mini-goals for how to get there.

Do you have a go-to workout or method of exercise for a day when you really, really want to sweat?

 Running! After giving up smoking 2 years ago (I smoked a pack a day for almost 10 years), I started running and it has changed my  life. It’s the best way to burn calories and relieve stress. It has helped flatten my stomach like nothing else has (combine with core strengthening workouts!) and the natural high I get off a good run is better than anything else I’ve tried to manage my anxiety.

What made you want to organize a month-long, plank-a-day challenge?

 I love the plank because it requires zero equipment, can be done anywhere, and is accessible for all range of athletic abilities. It’s amazing for getting buff arms and a tight mid-section! I decided to do a one month challenge because I noticed so many readers deciding to incorporate planks into their normal workouts and I wanted to find a way to help keep them motivated by committing to a challenge.

What the best piece of advice you have every received?

 My old boss used to say –  ”Improve or Approve.” If you don’t like something change it or get used to it. I’ve found that I’ve virtually stopped all complaining over the last few years in my life since I’ll now either do something about it or realize I don’t have the right to complain!

Be sure to follow Erica’s journey to fit on her website, EricaDHouse.com, on Twitter @Erica_D_House and on Facebook. Thanks again for the great interview, Erica!

Yoga Teacher Training: Raw edge

Posted in Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

Week one of my yoga teacher training was snowed out thanks to Nemo, Boston’s blizzard of February 2013. Our first official week was last weekend… and I haven’t really blogged about it because I can’t seem to get my head around everything that took place in the first 3 days.

Friday we had a 75-minute practice, followed by mediation and some more formal introductions. We sat in a big circle and randomly introduced ourselves, why we were there and some of our passions outside of yoga. I went second to get my nervous jitters over with, telling the group that I am really excited to become a certified yoga instructor. I explained that I had taught yoga-inspired classes before (Dance pilates, Yollet, and subbing for yoga here and there), but really want to work on bringing a more emotion and spirituality to my classes. I mentioned that I was a recent grad, Zumba instructor, wannabe runner and an assistant site editor for a CIO/IT strategies group in the daytime.

Going around the circle, I realized that not everyone was there to be a yoga instructor, but maybe for personal reasons, to grow spiritually, to escape something, to bring more to their careers, etc. We were all there for very different reasons, but the important thing was that we were there. We all had at least one thing in common: This studio, this practice and this training felt right. It didn’t matter why we were there, we were all going to get what we needed from this teacher training. Whether we get what we thought we came for is another question. I think we are all going to make some surprising discoveries.

Saturday was a long day. We started off with a 90-minute practice and then practiced some more Ujjayi breathing and meditation. Roman, the owner of the studio and one of our trainers, began the more educational aspect of our training by going over some expectations. We were each given a 1-inch white binder full of information and worksheets to complete over the course of our 200-hour training.

On that first Saturday, we talked a little here and there about each “pillar” of the training.

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The emotional pillar is probably going to be the most difficult for me to work through. Yoga is all about getting to your “raw edge,” on and off the yoga mat — then helping your students do the same. I am not great at this. I psych myself out a lot on and off the yoga mat. You know those moments when you feel like you have been holding warrior 2 for hours… when you feel like you can’t get through that final mile of your run… when you are .5 pages away from completing a term paper and think you have nothing left to say? That is your raw edge. What is important, is realizing that you have the strength within you to push through. You can take two more deep breaths to get through that warrior 2. You can shake off your doubt and get through that last mile. You can grab a quick brain snack and finish that paper.

It’s easy to let your mind doubt your abilities… but the truth is… you are strong enough. You have it within you — it’s your inner strength. Nonetheless, this is where I will struggle. I know that I can push through that warrior 2, but stretching my leg straight just feels so great! I’m going to work on controlling my emotions and pushing to and beyond my raw edge.

Sunday’s teacher training session flew by. We started with a 90-minute practice followed by a beginners’ class observation. We watched Lauren, another trainer, instruct a class of beginners (or yogis looking to take it slow). After the observation class, she asked us to reflect on what we saw. We noticed that not everyone in the room was moving through the poses perfectly and when Lauren assisted them she didn’t necessarily fix everything that was wrong. She explained that as teachers we must “assist towards progress, not perfection.” No one is perfect on (or off) the yoga mat. There is always room for improvement. Little adjustments go a long way.

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So…

My first weekend was great! I haven’t had any crazy yoga-related breakthroughs yet, but I know that I made the right decision in joining this training. I want to give another shout out to the great support system I have. My friends and family have been amazingly supportive — couldn’t ask for better. <3

… More to come.

Stay healthy, stay happy, namaste.

Haterz.

Posted in Fitness, Motivation & Happiness by

By Eliza Shirazi

Have you ever seen those people who have their noses up in the air? Walk around like they not only run the treadmill, but the entire gym? Like they have not just two, but three weights up their ass? Yeah, I have too! It is particularly uncomfortable when you are at a new gym or class and you can feel the intimidation fume off of people. It may be a territorial thing for them or they could have their own insecurities. Either way, do not let people deter your goals or make you think you are not worthy of shakin’ your booty in Zumba, bending in half in yoga, or pumpin’ iron with the guys on the floor. You can do it all.

I used to feel this when I would lift weights at the UMass Rec Center and I refused to go with out my partner in crime, Rachel. I was always nervous, hesitant, and constantly thinking about what everyone else thought — Can that guy see me nipping? Shit, I think I’m doing this machine wrong. Wait, did that girl hear me fart? (No, but really.) And now I can’t help but think what a waste it was to be worrying about others when I came to the gym to work on myself. College gyms can be especially stressful due to the fact that everyone you go to school with has access to the gym, aka you just might run into that one nightstand or your dreaded enemy, but do not let this rattle you.

Now that the gym is packed because of New Years resolutions, which almost always consists of leading a healthier lifestyle, remember that in order to succeed you need to focus on you. So smile at that biddie giving you a dirty look, waive to the meathead who is laughing at you and close your eyes for a quick second to envision your goal which includes none of them and all of yourself.

The same goes for your eating habits. If you are a healthy eater you may get criticized in the college culture we are in. Do you get dirty looks when you pick up greens, tofu, or anything that may be remotely good for you? Well GOOD. Think of it as envy because it is not easy to do what you are doing. Treat your body with nutritious foods and offer it to the person who is shooting you the devil eyes… Chances are they need more of it than you do.

Eliza Rose here telling you to never look down on someone unless you’re helping them up… Or complimenting their cleavage.

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YOU CAN DO IT ALL!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my SHSH followers + Giveaway!

Posted in Food & Diet, Giveaway, Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my favorite followers. Most of you are my good friends, some of you are mere acquaintances and a lot are complete strangers — but in the spirit of this lovey-dove-y holiday I wanted to say, THANK YOU. I think I speak for all of the SHSH contributors when I say we really just want to help you feel good. If you take at least one of our posts to heart , or make at least one healthy change, you are on your way to a healthier and happier life.

Whether you spend this highly commercialized holiday with the love of you life, you best friends, a beer at the bar or on your couch watching Sex in the City gorging chocolate alone, take a minute to appreciate what you have. I know… I’m starting to sound preachy, so I’ll stop. Take today in stride and remember to give your body and soul some lovin’ and appreciation .. oh, and eat some gosh darn chocolate! Here are some (healthier) chocolate-y foods that are my personal favorite: Chocolate quinoa muffins, cocoa bites and anything with chocolate protein in it (I’ll be getting creative later on). Also, anything dark chocolate is good to eat in large quanities, right?

There are a lot of things I love in my life right now… one in particular is my luck in the giveaways department. In the past couple months I have won a number of giveaways:

1. ENERGYbits

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I haven’t consumed all of my bit yet. I’m saving them for something special. Not sure what that special event is yet, but I know there will be a time when I have a long run planned or I need an extra natural energy boost to get through a workout, so I am saving them. ;)

2. GoodBelly

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I won some coupons good for a FREE 12-day GoodBelly challenge. These mini drinks were so delicious and really made me feed good throughout the day. They were the perfect way to finish off a healthy, hearty breakfast, but I don’t know how often I will be buying them in the future. I have a few $1-off coupons to pick up a couple 4-packs at Whole Foods, but even with the coupon they are still $3.50. Okay, this isn’t actually that pricey, but I would rather spend that money on yogurt (Hi, I’m Emily and I am addicted to yogurt).

3. Chobani

Yep. Count 'em. 6!

Yes, I literally won 6 giant cartons of Chobani. Yes, I totally ate all of it as of this week. I used three for granola cereal, smoothies and other snacking. The 2% was used mostly for cooking. The plain 0% was used in place of sour cream and mayo on burgers and in tuna salad. Finally, one vanilla flavored Chobani was used in a (bad) attempt at frozen yogurt.

4. Mila (Chia seeds)

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Click for more info!

These weren’t a giveaway win, but more a gift from one of my former dance teachers. She RAVES about the health benefits of these little seeds, and I’m starting to feel it. I tend to put these in smoothies, in my oatmeal and baked into my granola cereal (she drinks them with H2O). However you eat them, the benefits are great. They keep you full, satisfied and energized throughout the day. I love ‘em.

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In the spirit of all of these great giveaways, I would like to do one for all of you! This will be a complete gift, not sponsored by any organization or company… just another way to say thank you for reading and following SHSH. :) You’ll receive a little care package, similar to what I’d send to a Foodie Pen Pal.

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To enter:

1. Comment with your favorite SHSH category or post. What do you like to read about? Recipes? Fitness tips? Motivational anecdotes?
2. Earn an EXTRA ENTRY by following me/SHSH on Twitter and leaving your @handle in the comment box.
3. Earn ANOTHER ENTRY by “liking” SHSH on Facebook! Let me know you already do/just did so in your comment.

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That’s right, up to three entries! A winner will be chosen on Monday, Feb. 18th. at 12:00 p.m. EST using a random number generator  Get your entries in before then and stay tuned!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Thank you for following SHSH. :) <3

{Monday Motivator} Creative soul in sun salutation

Posted in Monday Motivators, Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

Erin234Since I just finished my first weekend of yoga teacher training with Inner Strength studios (more to come), I thought it would be appropriate that our {Monday Motivator} is a practicing yogini. Erin of Creative Soul in Motion describes herself as a “Boston-based, yoga-loving, whole-food eating Warrior Goddess empowering people to find growth and happiness through active + mindful living.” I had a few questions for Erin — follow along below and find some inspiration for your practice. Namaste+.

Why did you start practicing yoga?

To ground myself. To find space. To connect with my soul, my spirit. To slow down, breathe deeper, live brighter.

What did you think after your first yoga class? Why did you go back?

Wow, my first yoga class changed my life. Breathing deeply opened my spirit and reminded me what it was to feel good. Then the class itself helped me find balance and joy in a time where I was struggling to make it through everyday. I went back because of the community, the benefits, the feeling, the beauty of practicing. Yoga is part of my life now.

How has yoga practice slipped into your every day life?

Sometimes I’ll be walking down my hallway and just flow into Half Moon (one of my favorite poses), or move into Downward Dog in the middle of cleaning. Yoga isn’t just what happens in class or on the mat. Yoga is part of my every moment and every day.

Is there a piece of yoga gear or attire that you could not live without?

Gaiam yoga mats are the best – not too thick, but still provide cushion. I LOVE both of my Gaiam Yoga mats and would be very sad without them.

What is your advice to the yoga newbie?

Think of your mat as an island – you’re not in class to compete or hurt yourself, you’re there to connect, to open up, to breathe. Focus on yourself, on your inner thoughts, on your actions, movement, flow, breathe. Challenge yourself but don’t push too hard. Listen. Listening and connecting with your body, mind and spirit will give you all the knowledge and guidance you ever need – on and off the mat.

This yoga-lover is also a runner, check out Erin’s {Monday Motivator} from last month. Be sure to follow Erin’s journey on her blog, Creative Soul in Motion, on Twitter @IamCre8tiveSoul and on Facebook.