Zara, Gymwear please.

Zara.. our little addiction now has a gym wear collection! The best thing about working out is to buy a bunch of new workout essentials! The workout clothes are not only cute but also actually functional. They are extremely comfortable and still stylish. The material is super lightweight! I recently start working out again after a bad knee injury and this new collection gave me motivation to workout so I could shop! Here are a few of our favorite items so far! Please check out their new launch of gym collection at Zara.

 

images provided by Zara.

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Dry Skin is the worst.

So do you suffer from dry skin in the wintert season? Oh, the cold weather is the worst for me! My skin hates it!! This weather causes these nasty dry patches around my nose and forehead area. 

Here is why dry skin comes out in the winter:

While the harshness outside might bring a rosy glow to your cheeks and nose, the freezing temperatures and low humidity can also leave your skin dried out, flakey or itchy. This being said, the worst culprit when it comes to seasonal dry skin isn’t the temperature outdoors; it’s inside your own home. Cold weather outside results in you turning the heat on inside, which ultimately dries out your skin regardless of the way in which you heat your home.

My favorite wellness and beauty blog HBFIT.com has gave some tips on how to help your skin look amazing in the winter! Hannah Bronfman, will always be our favorite blogger! Here are a few tips! Hopefully this will help you and me!!

Winter Dry Skin Remedies

Dry skin isn’t something you can prevent, exactly, but with a few smart tips in mind, you’ll notice it’s looking brighter during those long, dark days.

·       Switch to an oil-based or gel moisturizer: While a water-based moisturizer is perfect and lightweight for the spring and summer months, it might not be enough to get your skin through the winter. Instead, switch to an oil-based moisturizer like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

·       Wash with warm water: It might feel nice to wash with hot water and steam your pores after a day in the cold, but this can actually lead to a breakdown of your natural oils, which will only make your dryness worse. Instead, stick with comfortably warm water.

·       Moisturize more frequently: While you may be used to moisturizing twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, it’s completely normal—and recommended—to moisturize more frequently during the winter months. Consider adding a mid-day moisturizer to your routine.

·       Dab instead of rub: If you haven’t started this yet, now is the perfect time! As it turns out, rubbing moisturizer into the skin actually results in the majority of your cream penetrating into your fingertips, not your face. Instead of rubbing, dab your moisturizer onto your face.

·       Exfoliate lightly: Exfoliate your skin, but do so sparingly and gently. Exfoliating can help combat dry skin during the winter as it removes the layer of dead skin from the surface, allowing your moisturizer to penetrate deeper into the skin. Over-exfoliating, however, can lead to more dryness and irritation. Try exfoliating once a week during the winter and consider using a professional at-home tool like the Clarisonic.

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My Best Friends Would love this..

Christmas is this week!!!! If you are a last minute shopper like myself.. you are in a panic! I have a few last minute presents to get and those are for my best friends! Luckily two of my best friends are fitness and wellness addicts! Co-Founder Melissa aka Skinny Affair Muse Icon and Contributor Collette aka Mom on the Run Muse Icon are my fitness and wellness idols!

Here are a few gift ideas I found that would be great to add to their lifestyle collection!!

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Flat Tummy Tea Time. Again.

Flat Tummy Tea Time. Again. Yes, we all want a flat and tight tummy. I don't mind a little jiggle once and awhile, but we have holiday and birthdays to prepare for VERY soon. After much Instagram stalking we find a tea that is suppose to generate a flat tummy cleanse. After much research and talking to actually friends who tried these products we found one! Flat Tummy Tea was chosen. I personally have the worst problems with bloating and energy levels mid workday! My friends said after trying several tea diets that promise to get rid of all the issues they all agreed that Flat Tummy Tea was the one that actually worked. So of course after hearing that my friends tried it.. I just had to join. 

I purchased the two-week trial to see if I can totally do this! I personally have extreme bloating issues and fatigue. Hopefully this tea will be beneficial in my life! I will update you every few days to let you know how it is really helping me! Please check out our social media for daily updates!! 

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Lets Reset.

HbFit. has provided some great tips on how to reset your life every night before you lay your head on your pillow. Without having a nightly routine you can really cause harm to yourself in the morning. No one wants to wake up feeling sluggish and gross. Here are 5 tips on how to make sure your morning will feel refreshed.

Drink a glass or two of water. Hydrating before bed not only gives you a head start for the following morning, but also leaves your skin healthy and luminous.

Stretch. Unwind from your day by stretching your muscles and soothing your mind. This is also helpful if you have trouble falling asleep; relaxing muscles boosts relaxation and helps beat insomnia.

Wash + Moisturize. We can’t stress the importance of fully cleansing your face and using moisturizer before you hit the sack! While you’re asleep, a clean and hydrated face will help target specific issues like acne and dryness, so take this opportunity to treat your skin! 

Turn off all electronics at least one hour before bed. This might be the hardest tip to follow--we know that the temptation to constantly scroll through Instagram or respond to emails is too real. Allowing your mind to unplug is so important to achieve optimal relaxation so switch the smartphone for a good book or magazine!

Make a daily list of 5 things you are thankful for. It is so important to end your day feeling optimistic, so take a couple minutes to jot down things that you are thankful for that day. By appreciating anything as small as the short line at your favorite juice bar or a promotion at work you allow yourself to put things in perspective. 

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So I have to Workout in the Morning huh?

Personally, I hate the idea of getting up early before work to get in a morning workout. I know I need to do it because after work I will make up so many excuses. Also I am the person who has become jealous of the people running around my neighborhood at 5am looking all refresh while Im dragging around looking for coffee. Here are a few tips I got from PopSugar (of course) on how to make my morning workout easier.

1. Set multiple alarms

When I say I set multiple alarms, I don't mean two — I mean five or six, starting half an hour before I want to get up. If I'm not in the habit of getting up early to hit the gym, my body is not ready for the rude awakening, and I find myself hitting snooze and missing my workout. When you're just getting into the habit, bombard yourself with obnoxious alarms and know that while you're totally miserable in the moment, you'll thank yourself later.

2. Lay out everything the night before

Shorts, check. Sports bra, check. Water bottle, keys . . . check, check. Scrambling around half delirious in the morning is not the most effective way to start the day. I've found that when I can plan ahead and have everything ready at arm's reach, it's much more likely I'll make it out the door and to my 7 a.m. Spin class on time.                                                              
3. Make it a date

Some days it can be so difficult to get out of bed, especially when I know that there is nothing stopping me from staying snuggled under the covers. But when I know that someone is depending on me to show up, it's much easier to get out of bed and get my act together. Convince a friend to meet you for a morning run, and you won't be able to skip out.
4. Cut travel time

My gym is a 10-minute walk from home (or five-minute jog, if I'm feeling ambitious . . . ), and the quick commute means that I can sneak in every extra minute of sleep possible. Since a longer commute would mean getting up even earlier, finding a gym that was literally around the corner meant that making an excuse about travel time was no longer an option. Even if a nearby gym isn't an option, running outside or doing a video in your living room can help you sneak in a workout, no matter how short on time you feel.
5. Leave no escape

At my gym, signing up for a class and then not showing up is a major no-no that can lead to a ding on your account. So to get myself out of bed and into the gym, I've started signing up for morning classes the night before. If I know there are consequences for not showing up, it's more likely that I'll get up and get my act together. If your gym is more forgiving, make your own ultimatums. Live with a roommate or a significant other? Pay them $5 if you sleep in — when your money is on the table, getting to the gym will seem easy.
6. Don't sweat a slipup

Some days I miss the mark and end up skipping my workout, especially after indulging a little too much the night before. It's important to accept that I'm not going to make my goal every time. If you miss a workout, don't beat yourself up; just pay attention to what went wrong — were you up too late the night before? Did you just turn off your alarm instead of getting up? Listen to your body, and learn from what didn't work instead of getting upset.
7. Plan a reward

Call me crazy, but one of my favorite treats is a refreshing, rich iced latte. Since they can be pretty pricey, I try to keep this delicious treat to something I enjoy on the weekend only. But I've found that if I promise myself a slightly sweet, strong, and milky cup of deliciousness on the way to work if I hit the gym first, it's easier for me to face the day knowing that a treat is coming my way.
8. Crash early

OK, I admit it — this is the puzzle piece I consider my weakness. I'm a night owl, and as hard as I try to hit the hay at 9 p.m., I'll just toss and turn until my body decides it's ready for sleep, usually around 1:30 a.m. I've found the longer I work at adjusting my schedule, the easier it becomes, but there are still days I wish that I was able to magically pass out. I've learned that turning off the TV and closing my laptop an hour before hopping into bed does seem to help, so be sure to shut off the screens when you're trying to go to bed earlier than normal.
9. Remember the results

I never expected that switching my workout routine from after work to before it would affect my mood throughout the day, but I swear it has. Though I may feel sluggish getting out the door, once I've sweated out my morning weariness, I leave the gym feeling seriously refreshed and invigorated. Maybe it's the endorphins, or maybe it's the fact that the day is now full of possibilities — but I am ready to hit the ground running. If you're struggling to find the motivation, just remember the energy you will feel pulsing through your body as soon as you step out the doors and start the rest of your day.

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Pour it up, pour it up

Sometimes you just need to put down the glass of wine or that favorite bar drink and sip on some H2O. Our favorite lifestyle blogger Hannah Bronfman from hbfit.com has provided some reasons you need to step up your water game! Trust me I've learned on how to drink water on the daily. My favorite thing I do is to cut up some lemons and cucumbers each night added them to my water in my mason jar and keep it overnight! The next day it’s fresh and detoxes my body! Just keep refilling it through out the day!

  

You Have Bad Breath

Coffee breath now has a whole new meaning! “If you’re not producing enough saliva in the mouth, you can get bacteria overgrowth and one of the side reactions of that is bad breath from chronic dehydration,” says John Higgins, MD, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Texas in Houston. Being hydrated can help with saliva production, so the more water you chug, the better.

You Get Headaches

Headaches are a symptom of many ailments, but if you’re experiencing headaches alongside other dehydration symptoms, consider this a sign that you need more H20 in your life. "The more water you lose, the more your blood volume drops, which causes less oxygen flow to the brain. That causes your blood vessels to dilate, which can make your headache feel even worse," says Greg Justice, an exercise physiologist and author of Mind Your Own Fitness.

Your Pee is Bright Yellow

A random, but very true fact. Monitor the toilet bowl and note when your pee appears extra yellow. If you're not taking a B vitamin or antibiotic, this can be a direct sign of dehydration, reflecting an over-concentration of waste, which is more easily flushed out when you’re fully hydrated. Simply put when it comes to pee, the clearer the better. 

You’re Constipated

Not the most fabulous topic of conversation, but still a very serious sign that you’re dehydrated. A properly hydrated digestive system allows for waste to easily pass through your body—not enough fluids makes this simple task much more difficult on your body.

Tips for Rehydrating

If you’ve noticed any of the previous symptoms, you’re most likely dehydrated. But don't worry, it can be reversed. Be careful to notice when you experience them, this way you can take some proactive steps to keep your body feeling good and looking great.

Here are some helpful tips to get hydrated and stay that way:

• Drink more water, but not too much! Drinking too fast may cause stomach upset and drinking too much water can cause you to expel large amounts of urine, slowing the rehydration process.
• Eat foods high in electrolytes and water. Vegetables and fruit are great for rehydrating.
• Be sure to get a healthy dose of sodium and potassium. Try coconut water for an alternative source of electrolytes and bananas are always a potassium staple.
• Stay away from alcohol and caffeine, both of which make it difficult for your body to retain fluids.  

Whether you're a firm believer in 8 cups of water a day or a connoisseur of bubbly water, we can undoubtedly agree that it's important to stay hydrated. Before your next sweat sesh, remember these tips and ensure hydration is part of your daily wellness.

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Avid Yogis.

Yes, we are avid yogis at MuseMe. We love a good yoga sequence and our favorite now is Restorative Yoga. This restorative yoga sequence will help open your heart and relieve tension after a long day. If you're feeling stressed out, then you might notice that your breath is a little shallower than you'd realized. Place emphasis on deep, full breaths, and each of these poses will feel easier and easier. Here are a few of our favorite ones! 

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A Commendable Comeback.

Before my son was even born, I set a fitness goal to ensure I wouldn't fall victim to using my new baby as an excuse to be out of shape. Go big or go home: I decided to run a half marathon, with my eyes set on the Rock and Roll Seattle Half Marathon! It would be 9.5 months postpartum, almost equal to the time it took me to create this little life that would now be pushing me to achieve such a feat! Perfect!

I have been running since I could walk, and this wouldn't be my first race or my first half marathon, so I figured, "No problem, this should just be mind over matter...". Let me tell you, it was hard. My body had a much easier time giving birth the second time around but a bit of a harder time recuperating! My joints just didn't seem to want to tighten back up, making my early runs wobbly and hard! It took many miles, light weight lifting, cycling, yoga and heart (in addition to all the support from my family and friends) to literally reach the finish line, but I did it! On June 13, I crossed the finish line in Seattle, 6 minutes faster than my goal- 9.5 months after giving birth! 

Now on to the next: heavy(er) weight lifting! My new goal is to tone up and build some muscle, maybe even call myself having some defined abs by summers end! 

Follow me on Instagram @mom__ontherun to get some inspiration, laughs and see my progress! 

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