Lifestyle: LIVE + Fitness

I've talked before about being alive but not truly feeling alive. It could be that you are drowned out by your career, your lifestyle, bad habits and/or relationships. 

One thing that has had me in this state has been my career, searching for purpose while pursuing passion. One day I woke up and decided that I no longer wanted to feel stressed and on top of that I no longer wanted to feel uncomfortable in my clothes and unhealthy. 

I woke up grabbed my Polar Fitness Watch, threw on clothes and plugged Pandora into my ears and started for a 30 minute walk. Upon that walk I felt motivated, released baggage, and kept pushing and I haven't stopped yet. 

I started March 8th, and it has felt really great. Now there have been setbacks such as this week, I've ate poorly and have had minimum exercise but trust me when I tell you I won't be giving up this time around. To see and feel those small changes is empowerment to keep going. 

Find someone who motivates you or find reasons why you should stay determined and BEGIN! Can't wait to show progress pics, more detailed food and exercise regimens, and workout gear. 

Currently....

Happy Saturday. Just Peeking my head in to let you guys and gals know that I'm still alive. I'm just trying to find my way, make sense of my journey, and feel truly ALIVE without just living. 

I'm working on ME... 

Currently Loading, AGAIN..... 

Talk to you all soon *Kisses* 

What your Skin May Be Telling You

Have you realized that your skin may not be breaking out because of all those new products you have tried? Ever heard of Face Mapping? It tells you exactly what is wrong with your skin due everything that is going on inside of  your body. I stumbled across face mapping a while back when I was trying to figure out why my forehead and cheek area was so problematic. 

Again, if you do not know. I have been suffering from acne for a year or so. It is not severe, but I tend to breakout in spurts and it may progress for weeks at a time. For the past three weeks, I have been having a major breakout. I know that is partially due to my birth control contraceptive. Also a lot of it has to deal with stress and a really poor diet. 

I have been eating lots of red meat, lots of fatty foods, snacks, and plenty of cocktails. The cocktails are there for the stressful days at work and home. Eekkk! According to the face map, my digestive system is a huge problem for me. Which I knew this because of regularity (don't judge, TMI). One thing that I do is take supplements. One of my favorite supplements is Acai Berry Cleanse Pills that I purchase from the Vitamin Shoppe. I also love to drink Traditional Medicinals' Organic Smooth Move Tea, and Yogi's Healthy Skin Detox Tea. When I am drinking my tea, and at least trying to clean eat with things such as my Morning Smoothies I see a huge difference in my skin.

This week's goal is to drink LOTS OF WATER, NO SODAS or JUICES unless it is my Green Juice. To cut out ALL red MEAT, and go for fish, chicken, turkey and such. I also want to exercise by walking at least 30 minutes a day. I will also detox my skin this week with my Bentonite Clay Powder and Apple cider vinegar.

What is your skin telling you? Let us know, and tell us some of your favorite tips to keep your skin healthy. 

Health and Wellness

Sunday is the day that I wind down from the festivities and errands of the weekend  and try to take it easy. I've been wanting to create this post for awhile but I still needed more time for results. So, here we are today. 

Let's talk about health, detox, diets, fads or whatever you would like to name it. 

I've been working on making a change to my lifestyle through better eating habits and exercise since January. I have made progression but nowhere near where I really could be if I stayed consistent. I start and stop and it's usually a continuous never ending cycle. I'm ashamed to say how many pounds I've lost because I'm not past two hands yet. 

 

Let's just talk about this last attempt. So my mom told me about the JJ smoothie cleanse book and I lucked up and found a PDF file on Pinterest that I downloaded.   It's a 10 day detox where you can do a full cleanse or a modified cleanse. Basically you replace two meals a day with smoothies and then the full meal you eat a big healthy salad or something very healthy of your choice. See this is where I went all wrong, I replaced my breakfast and lunch with smoothies but I was not eating a healthy meal of choice but more so what I had a taste for. Talk about discipline, huh. I finished this cleanse Thursday before last and I must say I could see a huge difference in my skin but I managed to only lose 1 pound where if you really work at it you could loose 10-15. I felt so discouraged but I knew it was all my fault. I have to applaud the initial try but I have to criticize myself for not being disciplined. 

Changing your eating habits and incorporating physical activity can be one of the most beneficial things we can ever do for ourself but keeping the motivation and consistency is the hardest. What do you do to maintain your weight or stay healthy? 

One of my favorite smoothie recipes I want to share with you all is called Pineapple Spinach, try it out. I promise you will want to make it over and over :) 

Lipstick & Love, 

Erica. 

Dainty and Delectable: Food Loves

If you are a girl like me you love a good meal, snacking, smoothies and such. I enjoy cooking when I have time, finding new recipes to tweak into my own personal style, and dining in at the best restaurants to enjoy delectable meals. 

Food/ Restaurants/ Healthy Living

Since I sit at a desk for most of my day it is so easy to just snack, snack, snack and gain those extra pounds. Snack day at work, lunch breaks, and outings don't make any of it better. Since January I have been trying to be more educated with what I eat and put into my body, it's not about being supermodel skinny but living a better lifestyle to feeling more healthy and having more energy, looking good on the outside and the inside. Now don't get me wrong I do not ignore my cravings for sweet and salty snacks, nor a filet mignon with scallops and mashed potatoes. 

Some of my favorite things to have are a smoothie for breakfast which may include almond milk, bananas, frozen peaches, and pineapples. I like to replace one of my meals with a smoothie just as a better option, and usually my evenings are more heavier meals. I don't incorporate a lot of greens into my smoothies but I am looking for a tasty green drink to have soon. 

Snacks that I put together may be tortillas and wholly molly medium salsa. Aaaahhhh, this is so delicious that I probably could eat it everyday. Fruit is always in the mix somewhere such as green grapes, pears, and honey crisp apples being that it's refreshing and tasty without all the added calories. *thinking of a snickers as we speak* Can I just be honest with the people? I'm human right... Frozen Yogurt pops is an afternoon pick me up as well. 

I think that it is great to eat clean and live a more healthier lifestyle, I have tried being a pescetarian for a few weeks before but I don't think I was as serious about it as I would be now and I would love to really give it a try again. 

I don't know about you but I could eat crab legs, lobster, and scallops every day of my life. My seafood steamer pot has been one of the best inventions for seafood and I love to turn that big baby on and get the party started. 

Before I go I just have to mention one of the best healthy living recipe websites called Skinny Taste. I promise you would be on there for hours thinking about cooking your next meal for the family.

What do you enjoy indulging in healthy or your cravings? Leave your thoughts....

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

via Google Images 

Fab and Fit: BGWT New Workout DVD

Now *Lunge* and *Squat* and *Lunge* and *Squat*. Let's get that Booty Right Ladies! I began to laugh after I wrote that because when doing the first Black Girls Workout Too dvd I'm almost out of breath coaching myself and gulping down a bottle of H20 stating "I can do this". Last week I was on the roll working out 3 times and trying not to eat out, while making better food choices. This week I'm back in the fatness house, I haven't done a thing but look at my workout gear and climb into bed.

So how do you all stay motivated and determined to put forth the effort each week to accomplish your fitness goals? I know that It all starts within yourself and if you want to get things done, you just have to do it. Do you think having a partner to workout with is a great idea to stay motivated? What are your fitness tips?

Vitamin Ellen and Lana Ector have released a new dvd TODAY. You can buy it over on Amazon at a price of $29.99. They are snatching it back and getting you to do those SQUATS NO SHOTS in this DVD and it also comes with a new meal plan. I am contemplating on buying the dvd because I yet to do what needs to be done with the first one but I've also thought far ahead and said what if I switch out my routines between both. Such a good Idea huh.

Are you setting fitness goals and clean eating habit goals for the new year? Let us in on your secrets too!

Lipstick & Love XOXO

Fit & Fab

With all the health guru and fitness people we come across nowadays, the new fit and fab talk of the town is working out with Waist Trainers or simply wearing them to achieve that coke bottle figure. I have seen many celebs, and individuals promoting them or showing off their frame captioning the title "What's a Waist" he-he :) While we ladies all want that small waist and to look amazing in our midi dresses and crop tops, question is how great are these corsets and trainers? I've seen some BOMB.COM ladies who stated that the waist trainer is how they achieved that sexy slim figure, but I sometimes wonder did they have work done, do they even need this, or is it all true. Will you or have you tried it yet?

In other news, some women go the other route with exercising regularly and clean eating. Celebrity Fitness Trainers Lana Gem and her mom have been snatching bodies back since releasing their DVD BGWT "Black Girls Workout Too". I, myself have tried this DVD and I must say I seen some results while trying to eat clean and working out to their 45 minute plan. I must say you have to be very dedicated and disciplined, OH and PATIENT (covers eyes) to see the results. What are you exercise tips to get us all in shape? Do you meal prep?? 

Lipstick & Love XOXO