Day 31 of New Year New You

CONGRATULATIONS!  You made it to day 31!

This may be the last day of the month but this is not going to be our last time together.  This is not the end of a New Year New You as I said yesterday this has just been the beginning.  I will certainly be sharing lots of stories, recipes, interesting facts and more as the days progress.  You have inspired me to continue to write consistently so please keep coming back!

So here we go Day 31:

Fitness: 

Let your inner child out!  Do some activity that makes you feel like a kid inside.  Its time to show off that fun side you keep hidden behind the desk.  Take a dance class, go skating, jump on the trampoline in Rebounding at Crunch. 

Just have fun!  My favorite inner child thing is dancing to my favorite playlist or song.  And I am not afraid to do it in public.  :O) 

Food:

Try Again!  Didn't get an opportunity to cook one of this months recipes, like me.  The hubby cooked tonight so hopefully I will do the Spinach Pasta tonight.  :) 

Here is another opportunity for you to go back over one of those recipes and give it a try.  Oh and THANKS! I finally received a recipe email.  Whew Who!!!  Remember I'd love to hear from you and it doesn't have to be anything hard or gourmet.  Each of us has our own little flair or twist on something.  Just share something you like.

Self Growth:

Let your success inspire you!  Hopefully you are on your way to making exercise, eating and doing things for self improvement a regular part of your routine.  I am sure you are looking and feeling better.  Take time today to reflect on your successes:

• The recipes you tried
• Taking time Off
• Accepting Change in your fitness routine
• Sharing with others
• You take the stairs more

Remember this: "Allowing yourself to take on this challenge for the past 31 days will benefit you in more ways then one."  Yesterday your Self Growth was to Set New Goals, If you didn't do it, do it NOW!  

Until Tomorrow, 

Taj 

photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/caliorg/6141737562/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 7 of New Year New You

Well it's been one week!  I hope each of you are diligently following along.  I am having fun setting up the daily challenges. MY apologies for the late post... Today is my birthday and I was out last night with some friends.  :)

My Day 6: Got in my plyometric exercises and put an apple in my salad!  I wasn't able to invest in my workout yesterday... But there is ALWAYS today.

Here we go with Day 7:

Fitness:
Surprise its your day off.  Yeah!  Everyone needs a day off from work and so does your body. ENJOY, there are no physical moments you have to perform today.

Now if you weren't able to complete one of the other days fitness challenge and you want to get it in today, be my guest.  I am keeping it leisurely today.

Food: 
Go GREEN today!  Make today about adding more green veggies to your diet try:

• Collards Greens
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Spinach

Green leafy veggies are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Grab a freshly made glass from your local juice bar, make your own at home.  Steam them for lunch or dinner or  stop by a local raw food restaurant like: Quintessence in Manhattan. 

Self Growth:

Take advantage of your day off! Restore your body with one of of the following: 

• Massage
• Sauna or Stem Room Treatment

If getting to a spa is too late notice for today, bring the Spa to you!  Prepare a hot bath with the following: 

• Candles to set the ambiance
• Epsom Salt
• Drop in some Lavender oil (if available to you)
• Bubbles are always nice too

Afterwards give your body a nice self rub with some lotion or baby oil.   Take your time and move with the muscles, long strokes. 

Enjoy!  I think I see a Spa Treatment in my near future :) 

Until tomorrow

Taj 

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicehenneman/5849718391/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 6 of New Year New You

Wow, its day six already!

My Day 5:
Got in 20 pushups :0)  Had a yogurt- 1st day back from vacation my day was full so I didn't get to the store for the mix...BUT I am going tomorrow I really want to try it.  Set a date with myself on Jan 27th!  Can't wait, yoga and spa day.  Yippee!

So here we go Friday-Day 6:

Fitness: 
Put down the weights its Plyo time!  Follow this plyo-metric routine to shock the body, increase agility and speed all while building endurance.

Here we go:

• 1 min Mock Jump Rope
• 1 min Jumping Jacks
• 1 min Speed Skaters
• 30 second - 1 min Jump Squats
• 30 second - 1 min Switch Lunges
• 30 second - 1 min Burpees (more intensity add a push up to it)
• 1 min Wall Sits
• 1 min Calf Raises
• 1 min Mountain Climbers
• 30 second - 1 min 180 degree turn jump squats (this is the best pic I could find, don't use a weight and looking at the picture on the right you literally turn around into a squat to face the other side of the room) 
• 30 second - 1min Fighter Stance punch and Switch  (Punch left- right, turn 180 degrees, repeat) s

Rest for 2 mins and repeat!

Food:
Add an Apple to your diet!  Yup its true and apple a day could help keep the doctor away AND a little bit more!


No peeling please, the skin on apples is jam packed with an antioxidant called quercetin which may protect your lungs from pollutants.  So start today, eating five or more apples a week can improve lung functions

Need a little scalp rejuvenation:  Massage a few tablespoons of Apple Cider vinegar directly into washed scalp leave on for 1 minute then rinse.

Use Applesauce in place of half the butter or oil when you make your next cake. Enjoy less calories, fat and naturally sweeter dessert.

Self Growth:
Invest in your workouts and get yourself something new:

• A pair of Socks
• Sports Bar
• Shorts
• Pants
• Sneakers - You name it

We all feel better when we have on something new so go for it, and strut your stuff. 

See you soon! 

Taj 

Day 4 of New Year New You

Happy Wednesday and welcome to Day 4 of the New Year New You Challenge.

My Day 3:
Did my abdominal workout before bed.  Had lunch by the pool... it was the longest time out ever! Listened to some new music and the sounds of the sea.

I hope you are enjoying the tips and starting to feel better about how you approach change this year.

So let's get started:

Fitness:
If you are a member of a gym take a NEW class.  It's time to step outside the box and shake it up a bit.  Don't be intimidated just show up and enjoy.  If you are a hardcore yogi - try a weight bearing class or dance.  If you are a spinner - try yoga or get groovy with ZUMBA!

If you don't have a gym membership, pull out the bike, take the dog for a long walk, or look into a gym near you and see what the day rate is.  Hey you might even join after a good experience.  Of course I have to plug my favorite gym CRUNCH they have lots of amazing classes to experience.

Food:
Replace something in your meal today, for example:

• Agave instead Sugar
• Tea instead of Coffee
• Brown Rice instead of White
• Veggie Burger instead of Beef
• Fruit instead of the cookie
• Two servings of Veggies in place of Carbs

Self Growth: 

Guarantee yourself support to keep you fired up:

• Enlist a Friend and make frequent calls to each other - CALL don't TEXT 
• Spread the word about the Challenge - there is power in numbers
• Log onto the Face Book Group and leave comments, read what other people are saying. 
• Leave a comment here and feel free to check back 
• Email me, I don't mind 
• Sign up for some daily inspiration on sites such as My Daily Insights or Inspirational Quotes 

Until Tomorrow

Taj

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42931449@N07/5187987248/sizes/s/in/photostream/