Get motivated!

So, no matter who we are we all get in a slump sometimes. Whether it's after an accident or just not working out for a while. Here are 16 tips to get motivated and kick some butt!

1. One Goal - Sometimes we take on too much. We try to get too much done ourselves and sometimes that can be overwhelming. A good thing to do is set one goal at a time. Once you accomplish that goal, then go on to the next one.

2. Find Inspiration - I like to find inspiration usually from others who have achieved my goals. I like to read success stories and look at before and after pictures if it's fitness results or remodeling for instance.

3. Get Excited - You must get excited about a goal. That is a little difficult when you're not motivated. What you have to do is find inspirations from others. Research your goal as much as possible and visualize your success. See the results in your head and get excited. After that just carry it out!

4. Build Anticipation - This may seem hard but it is important. Most people after they get excited they want to start right away. Don't! Set a date whether it's is a week from now or even a month. Mark it on your calender and make that an important date. By delaying your start you are building anticipation. So, get focused and prepared!

5. Post your goal - Print your goal in a big font, keep it short like "Exercise 30 minutes a day". Post it everywhere... by your computer, the fridge, at work... everywhere! You can even post a pictures of results (like a picture of someone with nice abs for example if that is what your goal is). That helps to keep you focused and excited!

6. Commit Publicly - None of us like looking bad in front of others. That is why it is important to commit your goals publicly. Therefore you will try harder so you won't look bad. Tell your friends and family and take to the next step. Keep them posted on a weekly basis on your results!

7. Think about it daily - the more you think about your goal and it's results the more likely it will come true. Set reminders on your calendar or phone on a daily basis reminding you to work on your goal and furthering your goal.

8. Get Support - Sometimes it is hard to accomplish your goals without a support system. Reach out to people or family who have reached their goals and will give you an extra push in keeping you focused and motivated.

9. Realize that there is an ebb and flow - It is important to understand that motivation isn't a constant thing. It comes and goes and comes and goes some more. You must stay committed and stick it out until it comes again. Read about your goals and even ask for help.

10. Stick with it - Don't give up! Even if you don't feel motivated today or tomorrow, don't give up. Think of your goal as a journey and that slump today is just a bump on the road. You can't let every bump derail you. Stick it out!

11. Start Small - Sometimes you may have a hard time getting started but that is probably because you are thinking too big. For example you may be thinking that you have to do hours of exercises per week to get results. Start small! Commit to 10 minutes a day for a week so you can't fail. Any little bit helps. Start small and work your way up.

12. Build on small success - Again, start small. Therefore you'll be successful. If you started with 10 minutes a day, the following week add 5 or 10 minutes more and slowly build on your success.

13. Read about it daily - When I feel like I am loosing motivation I like to read about my goals to keep me inspired. A good way to do that is read about it daily!

14. Call for help when your loosing motivation - Loosing motivation? Ask for help. Email me, talk to your family or friends, join an online forum, whatever it is ask for help. Ask for advice and stay motivated.

15. Think about the benefits - Not the difficulties. Exercise sounds so hard (just thinking about it makes me tired). Instead of thinking of the negative, think about what you'll get out of it. Think of how good you'll feel when your done and how much healthier you're going to be.

16. Remove negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones - Monitor your thought. Squash the "It's too hard" with "I can do this!". It works!

Now... Go set your goal!

Mustard may help you build lean muscles!

If you’re trying to go from fat to fit, or from fit to even better fit you might want consider adding mustard to your diet. A recent research from the Human Health Institute, FBNS at North Carolina University in Kannapolis, N.C. has found that a compound called homobrassinolide (found in plants like mustard) helps proteins synthesis in muscles cells. This leads to increases in lean body mass, muscle mass and physical performance (less cramps too).

So, pass me the Mustard please!



Yummy Snack!

Here is a mid afternoon pick me up!

Recipe:

1 Kiwi

1/2 Orange

1 Watermelon slice

1 Coconut slice

1/3 banana

Cut up into bit size pieces and drizzle with fresh lemon juice and honey.

In the picture above I cut fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, green apple,  pineapple, grapes, watermelon, kiwi, and coconut.



After I cut everything up, I separated it into several bowls/ containers. I placed them in the fridge and when I am on the go I grabbed one to take with me. It's a much better snack than a bag of chips :)



Some must-have face BRUSHES!

129 Powder/Blush Brush - is your best bet for general blush application. It can apply blush, highlighters, and do a little bit of buffing in a pinch. 

138 Tapered Face Brush - is a domed-shaped brush, much more tapered than many powder brushes. It’s great for both highlighting, shaping, and contouring the face.

165 Tapered Cheek/Highlight Brush - is a smaller version of the 138. I love this one for highlighting. 

168 Large Angled Contour Brush - is the brush to have handy if you ever want to sculpt your face.  It is great for making cheekbones pop, jawlines thin, and finishing the face.

182 Buffer Brush - buffer brushes are designed to finish your face, whether it’s blending contouring and blushing colors together, applying loose powder, or just blending all your face products together. 

187 Duo Fibre Brush - is a must-have brush if you like mineralize skin finishes. The way the brush is designed uses a blend of goat and synthetic fibers and it allows for softer, lighter application of product. It’s also known as a stippling brush. Great for highlighters too!


195 Concealer Brush - pretty new brush, and it is better then the 194 Concealer Brush. It’s great for easily applying concealing products, but it is also great for dabbing liquid foundations. I find using a concealer brush to apply liquids onto the face helps waste less product than directly applying liquid to a fluffier face brush or sponge.

Last but not least... the BEAUTY BLENDER! A must for any make up enthusiast. Perfect for an airbrush finish look. Blends foundation, concealers, and cream blushes perfectly. Love, Love, Love!

Keep in mind you don't need MAC brushes to get great results. Stigma, Bobbi Brown, MUG, etc. have excellent brushes as well.

Hair Care

My poor hair has been so fried by straighteners and curling irons. I've been using a hair care line called Alfaparf which I love. I usually use Semi Di Lino Diamante Illuminating by Alfaparf. It leaves my hair so shiny and glamorous.

Lately, I've been using Midollo Di Bamboo by Alfaparf. It's advanced bio-reconstruction builds healthy, shiny hairs with proteins, lipids, and oligo-minerals. I'm using the restructuring shampoo, daily repair, recharging mask, and the pro concentrate treatment.

For healthy hair, trim your ends every 6-8 weeks or up to 12 weeks depending on how much damage your hair has. Also, please keep in mind these are my own opinions of products I've purchased and use.

About Face

So, it all starts with the face! We must take care of our skin no matter what age we are. Whether it's cleansing our face at night or doing those little extra night regimes to avoid those crows feet. Every night after I take a shower (wash my face of course) I moisturize my face and neck with a good moisturizer. I also apply an under eye serum to my eyes and a lip moisturizer to my lips to keep that pretty little pout. Lately, I've been using an amazing skin care line called KollagenX. It it made with 24 carat GOLD! I felt like I was Cleopatra putting gold on my face. They focus on the Nano Gold Technology which is a million times smaller than a grain of sand. Being that small it penetrates deeper into the skin, boost production of new cells, and promote Collagen and Elastin synthesis so that the skin becomes healthier, fuller, and has less wrinkles. It is also an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, reduces the size of pores, reduces under eye bags, wrinkles and fine lines. Phewww.... now you know why I'm using this.

They have a 24KT Gold Collagen Mask that I use once a week. That mask is amazing! I leave it on for 30 minutes and once I take it off my skin feels so refreshed. I look kinda crazy for 30 minutes but it's well worth it. (Sample picture below)

It is good to also take care of your lips. They are important too! A little tip: Exfoliate! Use your toothbrush on your lips when your brushing your teeth to remove any dead skin. BeautiControl also has a really good lip exfoliant you can buy that is like a scrub. It's called Skinlogics® Lip Apeel. Its double sided with a scrub on one side and a lip balm on the other. KollagenX has a lipgloss that you can also use at night (or during the day for some shine) to help reduce and prevent the lines on your lips. Plus, your hubby is going to love you going to sleep with shimmery lips.

 

Finally, take care of your face! Moisturize and wear an SPF in the sun. (FYI: These are all products I've purchased and use)

Hola

Hey pretty ladies!

This is my first post and just wanted to tell you a little bit about myself. I LOVE makeup! Yes Yes Yes.... Fashionista at heart! Anything that has to do with new make up tricks, products, or little gadgets to make our lives easier (and take less than 2 hours getting my face on) I will be investigating. I will keep you updated with the newest fashion trends and styles. Also, you can see some of my actual work. I make bikinis! (swimwear line coming soon... well, maybe not too soon but in the future). You'll see me try out some funky hairdo's (and possibly don'ts lol). I'll post some DIY videos and tutorials as well. Please feel free to let me know anything you will like to see and I will do my best to help out with that. Well, this is all for now. God bless!