Tag: fitgirls

Gratitude

I just wrote a longer version of this entire post and then my computer crashed :(. So, I’m going to shorten it up a bit.

Yesterday I spent the day at the beach with my family. We had a great day with perfect weather! There was a slight breeze, huge waves, and the sun shined all day long. 🙂 We got there around 10 AM and didn’t leave until 4 PM. When my family has a beach day, we always make it last as long as possible! IMG_3209

Around lunch time Conor and I took a walk down to a little ice cream shop by the water. I got a delicious chocolate caramel milkshake and he got an ice cream sundae. I can never turn down a milkshake, it’s one of my major weaknesses. On the way back, we ran into my best friend’s dad – what are the chances?! He told us that Victoria and her boyfriend were at the beach too, so we got to meet up with them for a little while.

IMG_3210

 

During Conor’s usual time napping (he can never stay awake at the beach), I flipped through my mom’s O Magazine. Every month I look forward to this coming in the mail. It is so positive and inspirational- it is hard not to feel good about yourself after reading it!

One article that stuck out to me yesterday was a question to readers: What is one small change you have made that has greatly improved the quality of your life?

There were many different answers, as expected, but one specifically stuck out to me. This reader said that she keeps a gratitude journal. Everyday she writes down three things that she is grateful for – regardless of how big or small- and why.

I thought this was a fantastic idea. It really would put things into perspective and help find the positive in each and every day. For the next month, I am going to challenge myself to keep my own gratitude journal and see how it affects my life. I encourage you to take on this challenge with me – I would love some company 🙂

Q: Have you ever made a small change that has greatly impacted your life? If so, what was it?

Keep Switching It Up!

Happy Monday! Today is especially happy because it is only a four day work week, and who doesn’t love that?! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend- I know that I did.

On Saturday I spent the day at the beach with friends for the first time this year. It really was perfect beach weather, though the water was freezing! Around 4pm we got cleaned up and headed into Providence, RI for Waterfire. This was an amazing experience! There are large bonfires floating all over the river, romantic music playing, and even gondolas floating along with the fire. If you have never been I would highly recommend it – especially if you are looking to have a special evening with your significant other. 🙂

PicMonkey Collage.jpg

 

On Sunday morning I woke up ready to get back on track with my workout routine. I dragged myself out of bed, changed into my workout gear, and tried to get myself going. For some reason, I was completely unmotivated. I only was able to complete 1 round of a HIIT circuit that I can usually do 3x! Feeling discouraged, I hopped in the shower and figured I could always try again later in the day.

That evening my aunts called and asked if Conor and I wanted to go for a bike ride with them. They have been biking like crazy and swear by it! After a little convincing, we decided to go with them and… We LOVED it! We rode 13.8 miles in total and it took us about an hour. My legs were killing me, my butt hurt, and I was sweating buckets – but I enjoyed myself. I no longer felt discouraged or upset over my morning setback.

The lesson in all of this is that you cannot let yourself get bored with your workouts! It is so important to switch it up. I had been doing similar circuits 6 days a week for awhile now and the last 3 or 4 had been almost unbearable. I was barely getting through them and working all of the same muscles. After changing it up with just one bike ride- I feel like I am back at the beginning of my journey and 100% motivated!

Don’t let yourself get stuck in the same rut that I did!

xo,

Jaclyn