Fitness

Figuring Out My Fitness Journey

Figuring Out My Fitness Journey

I’ve never been the one to purposely go do something to stay active. But I decided to get my life together and become active. I briefly mentioned this back in February but I started my fitness journey. I wish I could say that since then I’ve been amazing at it but it’s been a challenge. Not in a bad way but it’s been a lot of learning and trying to see how it fits in my life. I’m figuring out my fitness journey because it definitely does not look like some of the people I follow online.

What’s shocking is that I don’t completely hate working out. I love the burn. But I feel like there’s still a lot of things I’m figuring out. Here’s a bit of what my journey has looked like.

Finding Motivation

I feel like finding motivation is something everyone struggles with. I’m the kind of person that loves giving myself a free pass. So it it means doing 10 reps instead of 12 or not go to the gym because of the weather or I wanted to sleep. Excuses are so easy. I literally have to push myself to go to the gym. But once I’m there, I know that it’s exactly what I want to be doing. It’s a lot of reminding myself of why I even want to start getting fit. It’s hard but something you have to constantly keep thinking about because motivation won’t just be there.

Food is Key

You can have the best workout but if you go on eating junk food, it doesn’t work. A trainer told me to that it’s 80% food and 20% what you do. (I’m not a professional so consult with someone who is!) That works for me. Before I was the kind of person that felt like I could eat anything if I worked out. But that’s not the case. Being more conscious about what you eat tends to be more important than what work out you do. I found that I don’t obsessed over meal prepping or legit reading a label but figure out the best food options for me and start from there.

It’s Not that Bad

Not going to lie, I was the person that used every excuse to get out of P.E. in school. Th most activity I did was dance. So working out seemed like torture. But after getting to the gym and seeing how much my body can change and get stronger, I love it. It’s really important to find the workouts that you actually like. It’s not all one size fits all. What works for someone else, may not work for you and that’s okay. You’ll begin to warm up to it when you find what you actually like doing.

What are your tips for those starting their fitness journey?

Lifestyle

My On the Go Essentials

My On the Go Essentials

This post is sponsored by Kleenex but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Everyone that knows me knows that I like using a backpack more than a purse. I’m all about being prepared whenever I head out somewhere. This means I take anything and everything, but hey, I’d rather have extra things than not enough. There are somethings that should be a nonnegotiable for everyone and that is Kleenex Wet Wipes. Trust me when I say you will use them for everything. My lifestyle is currently changing and from the gym to hanging with friends, Kleenex Wet Wipes are a must. Here are my on the go essentials!

My On the Go Essentials

I have two backpacks that I use. One is my everyday, everywhere backpack and the other is my gym bag. Not going to lie, they more or less have the same things. One is just cuter than the other honestly. I make sure they are stocked up with the things I need or might need, you just never know. Besides the usual headphones, chapstick, and water bottles, here are some other things I carry.

One of the things I carry is medical tape. Should I probably add a small first aid kit? Probably. But for now, medical tape gets the job done. I’m paranoid of the back of my shoes hurting me so medical tape helps instead of having to put a bandaid. Plus, it can be used for so many other things! Work smarter, not harder.

If you don’t know, now you know. Kleenex came out with Kleenex Wet Wipes and I’m in love. The wipes are meant for your face and body so they’re strong yet still so soft. Since I’ve been going to the gym more, I use them to quickly clean my hands when moving from equipment and for my face when I need to be refreshed. They’re also really gentle for everyone to use!

My On the Go Essentials

But they’re also great when you’re out and about when eating or just traveling! Kleenex Wet Wipes are not just useful but are making an impact. Kleenex products are made from responsibly managed forests! Plus, buy on Amazon and save up to $2!

My On the Go Essentials

I also carry a journal. Not even a planner, which I do have, a real lined paper journal. It’s not my real journal where I write my thoughts and prayers, it’s literally a journal where I jot down meeting notes, sermon notes, ideas, you name it. I still like writing things down so I have to have a journal with me. And who knows when someone needs a piece of paper!

Finally, I carry hair accessories. I don’t mean hair ties. I mean head wraps, hats, and dry shampoo (which I know is not an accessory but it’s for hair). I’m the kind of person that always finds myself in last minute hang outs. This means I have to look presentable within a moments notice. I should learn my listen and leave the house looking decent, but here we are.

What are some unusual things in your essentials? 

Don’t forget to pick up some Kleenex Wet Wipes on Amazon!

Lifestyle

101 Things in 1,001 Days

101 Things in 1,001 Days

Y’all I did one of these back in 2015 – 2017 and it was a fun challenge. This time around I’m just trying to go with the flow and experience new things. It may be a bit of a random list but it’s things I genuinely want to do. Here’s my list of 101 Things in 1,001 Days.

Start: May 18, 2018

End: February 12, 2021

101 Things in 1,001 Days

Personal

1. Learn how to swim

2. Learn how to surf

3. Keep working out

4. Be intentional

5. Turn 26

6. Turn 27

7. Graduate grad school

8. Keep a consistent skin care routine

9. Keep my relationship with God strong

10. Unplug from social media

11. Learn to go with the flow

12. Start jogging

13. Start a side hustle

14. Be content with life

15. Embrace my natural hair

16. Polish up my resume

17. Learn to forgive

18. Have a decent sleep schedule

19. Go to the doctor/dentist/etc for checkups not when it’s a dire need

20. Pay off my debt

21. Learn sign language

22. Learn basic car maintenance

23. Put money into my savings account

24. Get a massage or a facial

25. Get in the habit of praying instead of complaining

26. Donate blood

27. Learn to drive manual

28. Cut out sugar for at least a week

29. Not fast food for a month

30. Learn basic sewing

31. Learn how to do my eyeshadow

32. Genuinely love others

33. Learn motion graphics

34. Go a month without shopping for clothes and makeup

35. Be confident in who I am and remember that “I am a child of God and He is pleased with me.

Travel

36. Go to a different country

37. Go to a different city that I would never expect to go to

38. Plan a last-minute weekend trip

39. Explore iconic places in Southern California

40. Go hiking somewhere new

41. Do a little getaway to Palm Springs

42. Go to Las Vegas

43. Go to a music festival

44. Stay at a bed and breakfast

45. Go to New York Again

46. Do a solo drive somewhere

47. Camp at a beach

48. Helicopter ride over a city

49. Travel to visit another Hillsong campus

50. Go to Seattle

People

51. Make my friends go to karaoke with me

52. Reconnect with people I lost touch with

53. Give out “just because” gifts to people I love

54. Spend a cooking day with my mom and have her teach me her favorite recipes

55. Be intentional with people

56. Have a coffee date with my dad

57. Send birthday cards to my family and friends

58. Buy my mom flowers just because

59. Send a care package

60. Surprise someone on their birthday

Random

61. Have a picnic

62. Try 5 new restaurants 

63. Upgrade my laptop or camera

64. Give a good waiter a good tip

65. Keep a plant alive for a long time

66. Go to at least 3 concerts

67. Empty out my closet and keep the essentials

68. Visit an aquarium

69. Watch 5 classic movies

70. Use my Moviepass and see 3-4 movies in one week

71. Read 5 classic books

72. Take up photography again

73. Come up with 101 things

74. Finish my journal Bible

75. Focus on my blog a bit more

76. Spend a whole day indoors watching a show with a good cup of coffee

77. Visit a new coffee shop per month

78. Go to a wedding

79. Get published

80. Work with a brand/person I love and admire

81. Cover/attend a big event as an influencer

82. Read a book per month

83. Have a successful thrifting trip

84. Pay for the person behind me at a coffee shop

85. Watch the sunrise or sit and watch the sunset

86. Buy something that I’ve been wanting but have been putting off

87. Film a second of each day in a year

88. Take a ballet class consistently

89. Go apple picking

90. Go rollerskating 

91. Go paintballing

92. Actually watch a new show on Netflix

93. Keep a consistent feed on Instagram

94. Meet the kids I sponsor through Compassion

95. Do vlogmas

96. Watch a movie at a drive-in

97. Do a 23andMe test

98. Write a short story

99. Go to a farmers market

100. Fly a kite

101. Finish everything on this list

Follow along on this journey! What’s on your list?

 

College

The Truth About Grad School

The Truth About Grad School

Going back to school after undergrad was rough. I was mentally checked out in every way but I knew I wanted to get my master’s. It was quite a journey but I made it. Grad school was an interesting experience. I loved being part of a school again but at the same time I questioned it a lot. So here’s the truth about grad school.

Is It Really Needed?

I think this is the biggest thing people ask. My answer is that it depends on what career you want. I got my master’s in public relations, which I feel like in this field it isn’t really needed it. I personally just wanted to get it. But there are other fields where you have to have it to move forward. So make sure to research thoroughly and analyze why you’re trying to do it.

Is It Harder?

Yes and no. There is a bigger level of expectation because, in my program at least, we were expected to know a lot of the things and were merely building from it. Speaking from my experience, my professors presented us the material and we did the work. Yes, we learned but they expected us to already know all the foundation. This is important because I went from journalism in undergrad to PR in grad school, so I had to teach myself some things. I would say it is a bit more challenging and moves at a faster pace.

Compared to Undergrad

Undergrad teaches you all the main tools for your field. For me, I felt like grad school builds upon that and makes you dig deeper. So instead of learning a concept, we are taking the concept and analyzing it in how it’s supposed to work. Again from my experience, my program was more about the application of it and gathering the research, whereas undergrad was learning about them. It may depend on the program as well, so it’s important to look into that.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed grad school. I personally wanted to do it because I wanted to earn my hood and see how far I can take my education. If you value education and/or need to get ahead in your career, I say go for it. But don’t sweat it if you don’t think it’s for you.

Let's Talk

Let’s Talk: Pride Can Get Ugly

Let’s Talk: Pride Can Get Ugly

No one wants to admit that they are prideful. We try to navigate ways to be prideful. For example, being proud about someone can seem like pride we’re okay with. Then there’s the pride where someone is constantly trying to show off. I’m going to speak from a personal place because as much as I hate to admit it, this is something I struggle with. Let’s about about why pride can get ugly.

Let’s Talk: Pride Can Get Ugly

Handy Google defines pride as “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” See it doesn’t seem bad. I recently got my master’s and I’m proud of myself, especially because I didn’t think I would finish. So when is it that pride gets ugly?

In a world where doing things for the ‘gram is a thing (again, speaking from experience) this is where it gets tricky. Putting things out there just to show off and make people jealous is just wrong. You can be genuinely excited about something and that’s great but when it becomes simply about showing off and gloating then that’s when it needs to be put on check.

I’m a pretty flawed person who is trying to correct my mistakes as I go. This has been a big thing for me to learn. Sometimes I wonder if something needs to be said or posted because I question my motives behind it. I can be excited about something but if I’m only doing it to shove it in people’s faces, then I’m doing things for the wrong reasons. Be excited for your life because you truly are happy. Not just because you want to show yourself better than others.

How do you handle pride?

P.S. Want to submit a topic or question for the Let’s Talk series? Submit something here!