Why I Needed a Blogging & Social Media Break…

I swear I never thought I’d get back to the point of being excited about blogging again. Quite frankly, blogging had become more of a chore and pretty much a bore…no “bars” intended lol.

If you’re a blogger of any kind, I think you can probably relate to how ruthless the blogging world can be. Since I hate drama and am content in my own little bubble, putting myself “out there” got me more than I bargained for. I expected more comraderary from fellow bloggers but ya’ll competition is real out here…even if you’re not competing. I won’t spend much more time on that negativity but to say with real things going on in life, I couldn’t fathom letting trivial bits of pettiness and mean girl personas to move me in any way. I had to focus on getting me back to my best self.

In the midst of blogging, I think I neglected myself more than I realized. Truth is, I neglected myself a ton! I spent a lot of time researching info, growing my Instagram and social media influence and that left little time to really take care of me. I’ve talked about some health issues I have before and not putting myself first was having a negative effect on those pre-existing issues. The oxymoron of it all is that all you saw was me writing about what I was wearing, my skin, my self care solutions. Sadly, I let…myself…go.

As if my own self sabatoge wasn’t enough, our family suffered a few losses last year. One loss this year. Yes I said a few and then one. Mentally, everyone who loses a loved one needs time to reflect and gather themselves to be emotionally fit to move forward. That’s just reality. When you have children, you need more time because children need consoling and nurturing. Ours (hubby’s and mine) are at the age where they are “aware” and have questions, legit ones, about the situation surrounding the death. After they are “okay”, us parents need to usher into self care.

I’m currently on that journey of self care. I suffered extreme hair loss, skin flare ups of all kinds including hives, acne and eczema, headaches, joint and muscle pain and more things that I’ll not have to mention because the above is enough. I had to get these things in order and fast! To resolve these issues calls for more than just some sort of salve or serum. Deep research, medical help and just re-acquainting myself with my body again was essential. Now while I am still in process, I am discovering other fruits that need pruning or plucking from my life. Not that they’re necessarily bad but they provide no enrichment or “nutrition” to me as a person or to my life.

Folks…rid yourself of people, habits, so called goals, mindsets, platforms, loves and hates that don’t help you to be a better person. We grow physically but mental health and growth is just as important…actually more important. Social media is social. It’s not essential in order for us to survive. If IG was shut down for good, if YouTube was outlawed, where would that leave you? I had to ask myself if I was too deeply enthralled with something that encourages faux realities. I actually became a part of it. I looked like I took better care of myself that I actually did. That’s the long and short of it. And look, we all neglect ourselves from time to time but I was extreme. I saw problems and put them off making excuses of not having time. Buy out time. (I got that straight from the Bible lol.) It will cost time from something else but its worth it.

Where am I now? Well I am still a blogger and I have some posts that will be coming out but I am pacing myself. I don’t have to post a new look every day or every three days. I’ve decided on once per week. Maybe a lookbook in between. I’m working on my social media plan but it can not overtake my life. Perspective is important and I’ve put things in perspective.

That being said, I am working on some things that I will share a little later. Hopefully, you guys will be as excited as I am about them!

Fitness, Food and Future Body Goals

Warning: Long Post!

2015. January 1. A significant date for so many people because it marks the first day of a new beginning and that includes new fitness and body resolutions. I don’t believe in new year resolutions. I try to resolve that I will improve on me every day of my life. That being said, last year hubby and I decided that it was time to really invest in ourselves. We took our butts to LA Fitness and got ourselves memberships. I think I was most excited because we previously had memberships at Planet Fitness and I hated it!! I won’t even honor them by giving details of my experience, let’s just say THEY couldn’t pay ME to go to their gym. Anyhoo, we also had a very short experience with Fitness19 (I won’t even call it a membership…long story). Anyhoo, on to my experience with my membership at LA Fitness. I am truly enjoying myself. I love that the environment is nice and bright, there are various different equipments for each body group, personal trainers, saunas, a swimming pool as well as a kids center. I find all the amenities make it easier to WANT to go and work out. That being said, on to what I’ve been doing.

Working Out….

I typically go to the gym AT LEAST four days a week. I love to “confuse” my muscles because I want the max results from the workout that I do when I strength train. Each visit, I change up my routine, the exercises as well as weight amounts, reps, sets and so forth. I spend two days working on one body area and two days for the two others and then I switch up each week which body area I will work out for two days. For instance, I may do my arms and shoulders on Monday and Tuesday then I will work on my abs one day and legs the other day. The next week, legs will get two days and the others one day and so on and so forth. I always like to push myself past what I think I can do. Every few days, I incorporate some cardio and HIIT (high intensity interval training). I intend to start attending spinning classes, I heard they are very intense and that is what I love.

Moving on to my nutrition….

I happen to love “healthy foods” by nature so it is not very hard for me to eat clean. I tend to stay away from fried foods as well as sweets and a lot of salt. I drink tons of water (which happens to be my favorite beverage) and as a treat, I have sparkling water of different flavors. I don’t buy sweets, chips and other tempting foods that can sidetrack me from my goals. My fave snacks are non-sugar dried fruits and nuts, steamed shrimp, soft boiled eggs and popcorn. If I can’t purchase fresh vegetables, I buy frozen because they contain less salt content. I drink tea and not as much coffee as I used to. I am then able to avoid cream and sugar.

Words of advice: LEAVE THE SCALE ALONE! The scale is not the only way to measure progress. Measure your fat percentage as well as inches and “before and after” photos. Find an item of clothing that can help you gauge your progress. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS! All of us are different and our paths will be different as well. Compare yourself to your old self, bad habits and all and you will feel encouraged.

My goals: I plan to be at my ideal body by April 2015. I started in November. That gives me six generous months to get to my goal. I see progress and I will keep going. I hope to once again have my 25 inch waist!