Hmmmmmm….

Deutsch: Gepflügtes Sonnenblumenfeld, Kanton Bern, Schweiz English: Plowed sunflower field, canton of Bern, Switzerland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, so I sort of fell off the wagon here for a bit. But I am not going to beat myself up about it because in my “fallow” phase I learned a few things. First of all, I realized that when I stretch myself too thin, the first thing I let go is taking care of myself. I recently took on another part-time job and am essentially working 2 part-time jobs, plus full-time care of my 2 year old- you do the math there. I also realized that my initial hopes for this blog weren’t going as I had planned. I was hoping this would be like a team challenge, I’d put out the weekly challenge, we’d complete it along with others and then there would be commenting about it. I was hoping for motivation from others and to be motivating to others. But it hasn’t happened this way. I realize now that to build an audience for this I’d have to spend significantly more time on the computer promoting this site, and that’s time better spent exercising or doing something with my family. I was at first disappointed in myself for letting this go, I’m a Scorpio, and letting go isn’t easy for me. But now I see that letting go of a few things maybe exactly what I need right now. So here’s the deal, I’m not going to post weekly challenges anymore, it just doesn’t make sense for me right now. But I am still committing to take better care of myself, to get back to my “Wow.” It may not be in a month, it may not even be in this year. Putting a time limit on it is not realistic for me.  But I will check back in, and if anybody’s still out there reading this, drop me a comment once a while, we can all use a little friendly check in.

Weekly Challenge

Svenska: Dansuppvisning med Tipsy Dance Club i Karlskrona centrum. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello Friends! This weeks challenge involves bustin’ a move! Have you seen the physiques on the “Dancing With The Stars” dancers? There is a reason everyone looks so good- dancing burns mega calories! So this week, dust of your dancing shoes and get ready to cut a rug! You can dance to your own beat at home, check out a local Zumba class, or hit a club- the choice is yours! Or maybe you have a Wii or other gaming device, check out some of the dance and fitness games. One of my favorites is “Michael Jackson Experience,” it really makes you work up a sweat. Courtney and I are chairing a neighborhood benefit and there will be plenty of dancing there to satisfy our weekly challenge goal. So kick up your heels!

Weekly Challenge- Skin Care!

A Facial mask. Português: Uma Máscara facial. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I pleased to have another guest post by my friend Allison! She is studying skin care and leads a very healthy holistic lifestyle. I realize now in my 30’s that I can’t just keep treating my skin like I did in my 20’s- sleeping in make up, not exfoliating, and the most criminal- tanning. Allison wrote up some tips to better care for “maturing” skin, which will kick off this week’s challenge to get serious about your skin care routine. I plan on adding an exfoliating routine, and to make sure I always have sun block on. What are your plans? Please welcome Allison, and if you have any questions leave them in the comments below and Allison will give us some answers!

I am a yogi, vegan and a student. I study Skin Care in Charleston, SC. I grew up worshipping the sun. I did not know the importance of wearing an SPF when I was younger. And now, as I get older, I am beginning to notice the damage from the sun in the form of dark spots/skin discoloration or hyper pigmentation on my face and body. The good news is almost 100% of photoaging, sun induced aging, is preventable! Photoaging from the sun also includes an increase in wrinkle formation, loss of skin elasticity and dilated capillaries.  And with the correct products and knowledge I may be able to make some of the spots disappear without lasers or surgery.

 To help treat my hyper pigmentation and uneven skin tone I am using the Skin Brightening line from Dermalogica. Dermalogica is a great professional skin care line. They do not advertise which helps keep the cost of their products lower than other professional lines. You can purchase Dermalogica products online, in select spas or at most Ulta stores. Just be sure to wear a sunscreen and avoid the sun whenever you are using a “brightening” product or else you can cause more hyper pigmentation to your skin. 

 Everyone needs to add a Sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF to their daily routine. And anyone over 30 needs to add exfoliation and a product containing vitamin C to their skin care routine. If you do not already exfoliate at home now is the time to start! As we age we are naturally losing collagen and exfoliating helps build collagen in the skin. There are many options when choosing a product to  exfoliate; chemical, physical or at home machines. I recommend using a physical that is gentle enough to use daily. And using a chemical 1-2 times a week. I like Lactic Acid because it will exfoliate and brighten the skin! Also as we age there is a natural reduction in moisture content in the skin. So any products with Hyaluronic Acid are great to use! Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate the skin-thus showing less fine lines and wrinkles. Eating a lots of fruits and veggies and drinking lots of water helps too.

For more tips/information check out my blog: AllisonZimemrman.com. And let me know if you have any questions. I would love to help!

Spring Break!

How were your meditative experiences? I’ve always struggled with the clearing my mind aspect- especially at the end of yoga class. There is a reason they say that Shivasana is the most challenging pose in yoga! I found many of Anilia’s suggestions very helpful and plan on trying to make space for a little bit of a meditative practice each week.

So this week’s challenge?? Enjoy yourself! It’s Spring Break! Take a stroll in this lovely weather, stop and smell the flowers blooming all around us. We’ll get back to “wowing” next week!

Weekly Challenge Guest Post! Meditation

Hello all! I am happy to bring you another guest post this week that coincides with our next Weekly Challenge. Meet Anilia, a health and wellness coach in the Baltimore area. Our challenge is to try out meditating this week. There is no expectation to do it everyday, or every week, just to give it a try. Read Anilia’s post below for tips and “a little inspiration.”

 

I started meditating when my mind stopped being clear.  When I was young, a child and even a teenager and young adult, I always had plenty of mental “space.”  I was never one of those who couldn’t turn off thoughts or focus on the present moment.  I believe many of us are like this from the beginning but the events in our lives and temperament eventually changes us as we age unless we notice and takes steps to stop it.
One day I realized I wasn’t sleeping well any more.  I had trouble listening to friends and co-workers because I was busy thinking about what I was going to say or what I needed to do.  I even noticed that during sex I might just drift away.  Thinking about inane things like laundry and meal plans.  You know it has gone too far then!
When I had a baby, it was so easy.  All I wanted to do was be right there and stare at this amazing creature that my body had made!  Made!  As he got older, especially into toddlerhood, I really had to reconnect with the breath to keep myself present and calm;  Patient and behaving like the mother I knew I wanted to be.
This year I have deepened my practice even farther by joining a sangha, a group of Buddhist, to meditate weekly.
The benefits of any practice are deep.  You can see many studies that show the difference in brain waves between a person who meditates regularly and on who does not.  There are direct correlations between meditation and feeling happier, calmer.  The other nice thing about meditation is it doesn’t discriminate:  you can follow any religion (or none at all) and still meditate.
Here are three easy steps to getting started:
1) Decide that it is actually something you want to do.  This is big, even if it seems simple.  You can read about meditation, think about it, talk about it.  But like exercise, that doesn’t mean you are doing it.  Meditation is all about awareness and intention.  You have to be intentional.
2) Find a time.  This is easy.  You can meditate while doing any number of other things if you can’t find time to yourself.  Washing dishes, you know you are washing dishes.  You feel the warm water, you see the bubbles of soap glisten.  Meditation can happen whenever you bring your full attention to the present.  If you have the time to sit and be still, amazing!  If you already run or walk for exercise, use that time to clear your mind too.  But don’t let the excuse of too little time get in your way.
3) Okay- here is a little practice.  If you are sitting get comfortable with your hands resting gently in your lap.  If you are standing plant your feet comfortably.  If you are doing an activity try to relax all the parts of you not actively engaged.  Close your eyes if you can and helps it you focus.  I prefer to stare at a fixed object.
Breathe in.  While breathing in say to yourself, “I am breathing in.”
Feel the air come into your lungs.  Feel it fill you up.  Feel it want to leave.
Breathe out. While breathing out say to yourself, “I am breathing out.”
Feel the breath travel back up.  Feel the muscles tighten to empty the air.  Feel the desire to refill.
Do this for at least two minutes.  If your mind wanders, it is okay.  Gently bring it back. In.  Out.  In. Out.
You can stay here and do this as long as you want.  Try to build up to ten minutes.  View it as training your mind to stay in your body.  Whenever your mind is elsewhere you change from a human BEing to a human DOing.  And we are human BEings!
After this- if you are sitting- try this.  Without losing the connection to your breath altogether, open your ears.  Listen to the things you hear closest.  Maybe your kids playing or your partner snoring.  The creaks of the house or the rattle of the dishwasher.  Then open up farther.  What do you hear from outside?  Are there cars driving by? Is it raining? Are there birds?  And reach with your ears as far as you can.  Is there a train or construction in the distance?  Slowly come back.  Reconnect to breath.  Open your eyes.
If you are performing a task or walking- try this.  Without losing the connection to your breath altogether, feel what you are doing.  Are your feet in contact with the ground?  How does it feel?  Is there any discomfort?  No judging, not trying to “fix” anything.  Do you feel all parts of your feet as they contact?  Are your hands in the water?  How does that feel?  Are your eyes on the road ahead?  Is the light bright?  Are you shoulders relaxed or are they climbing towards your ears?  Is your jaw clenched?  When you have explored yourself for bit, return to the breath.  In. Out. In. Out.
Feel the space you have just created for yourself.  Enjoy it.  Thank yourself for taking the time.  Promise to do it again soon.

Three book recommendations for anyone who wants to go further:
Peace is Every Step and You Are Here, both by Thich Nhat Hanh
Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali
Find a sangha to practice with by typing your city and the word mediation into a google search.

Find more of me at A little inspiration…

Wax on Wax off vs. Theading??

Sherry “Before,” scraggly and scary! How did I walk around like this!

Courtney before the “ripping”

During the threading, yes it is uncomfortable, but relatively quick and the “recovery” is super easy.

Sherry after, much better! Neat, tidy and no redness!

The weekly challenge was to have “something waxed,” eyebrows, lip, bikini- what have you. Courtney and I headed to Usha Salon for our experiment to compare waxing and threading. Courtney’s experience was a little more… longer lasting than mine, so here’s her version of events!

I walked into Usha with no eyebrow threading experience and a history of waxing inconsistencies.  I was encouraged to sit down and get right to it, the technician seemed eager to work her threading magic on me.  I was hesitant (sissy) and wanted to watch Sherry’s threading first…. and I secretly reserved the right to go with a waxing based on my observations.

Sherry’s technician got right to work.  She tilted her head and looped the thread through her fingers with the grace of a musician playing the harp.  I was impressed, this actually seemed “beautiful” in a way.  Then I saw Sherry’s eyebrow crinkle in pain as the first group of hairs were pulled out.  Although Sherry’s initial expression of pain faded, I was becoming more nervous about the procedure.  It seemed to be taking so long.  What once seemed like the beautiful act of a harpist now seemed more like waterboarding.  “I’ll go with the waxing” I informed my technician.  Wimp.

I sunk into the chair and went through the process that most women are familiar with.  Hot q-tip, cloth strip, RIP!  It hurts, but it’s over quickly.  As we left the salon the sense of burn on my brows and upper lip started to rage.  By the time Sherry was pulling out of the driveway I had my head hanging out the window like a dog needing to feel cool air on my face.  I spent the rest of the day looking like Bozo the clown, and feeling like I had singed my eyebrows off.  Meanwhile Sherry showed no lingering irritation and was even trying on eyeshadow at Sephora shortly after!  I wouldn’t have dared to touch my eyebrows given the sensitivity.  Final thoughts:  Next time I’ll try the threading.

****Note: There is no after pic for Courtney due to the unfortunate, yet temporary Bozo resemblance.

Weekly Challenge: “Wax On, Wax Off!”

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then our brows are the curtains. This weeks challenge will involve a little bit of pain, but it’s fleeting. I admit, over the winter I usually “let things go,” including my eye brows. I don’t let them grow together like in middle school (thanks Mom), but they are by no means “defined.” Well groomed eyebrows define your eyes, and plucking them out bit by bit just doesn’t always cut it. So this week, Courtney and I are heading to Usha Salon in Towson for some eyebrow maintenance. I am actually going to check out “threading” which is the ancient art of unwanted hair removal. Here’s Wikipedia’s definition:

“Practitioners use a pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over usually untidy hairlines, moustaches and other areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing, where single hairs are pulled out one at a time, threading can remove an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line.”

Ouch.

So check back to see about our little adventure!

Guest Post!! The Great P90x Experiment!

Welcome to Laura, our guest blogger! She is going to detail her experiences with the P90X exercise program.

Laura’s Beginning Stats:

Date: March 10, 2012
Weight: 188.5
Left thigh: 23.5
Right thigh: 23.5
Waist 39
Hips: 43.5
Left arm: 12
Right arm: 12.25

Wow. How’d it come to this? When I was in my 20’s, premarriage and prekids, I remember looking at women somewhat disdainfully in the line at Target as they stood there in their stretchy mommy pants, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and thinking, “ how do they leave the house looking like that?” Now, two kids later, married and with a closet full of mommy pants I get it. Working, parenting and wifeing; it all gets to be a lot. So much, that I’ve gotten away  from taking care of myself.

I know you’ve all seen the P90X infomercials, promising what seems to be impossible results in 90 days. Here’s the deal. I’m going to test whether the program really works. I’ve posted my embarrassingly unflattering photo and statistics to force myself to stay on the program. I will update at 30, 60 and 90 days with (hopefully) better photos and stats. My plan is to do P90X and Weight Watchers for the next 3 months and post my journey on this blog.  If anyone wants to join me,  please feel free. Take your own photos and  commit to yourself for the next 90 days.  I’ll check back with you guys in 30 days!

–Laura

Weekly Challenge- Get Moving!!

Image via Wikipedia

The name of the game is movement! This weeks challenge is to try a new exercise, give yourself the opportunity to discover a new and fun way to burn some calories. Is there a class at the gym you would like to try? Or maybe checking out a Zumba class with a girlfriend is a good idea. Classes are popping up everywhere, check your local YMCA, or community center to see if they hold them. Trust me, Zumba is a work out, but it’s so much fun! Or how about a yoga class? Lot’s of studios offer new student discounts to get you in the door. Wondering which style of yoga you would like? Why not try an online class? I’ve been taking classes at home through Yogis Anonymous, they have a great library of classes, and many of them are free. Or if you have a smart phone there are lot’s of different fitness apps that act as “trainers” to lead you through different workouts. I just down loaded Nike’s trainer app (it’s free!) and will be working out with that this week.

Also, this week we will have our first guest blogger! Laura will be joining us to write about her experiences with P90X. She just began the program and will write a few posts as she goes through the 90 days of it! We are excited to have another friend commit to go from Frau to Wow!

Week 4 Challenge: Slim Down Now!

Instant results guaranteed!

 

How can such a claim be made?  I can slim down instantly?!?  Yes!  You can!  Feeling better is about more than what you eat and what you wear.  Happiness has a lot to do with your environment too.  Do you feel messy and disorganized at times?  Do you stare at the same stack of papers on your dining room table night after night?  Is last year’s phonebook still sitting in a bag on your front porch?  

 

The Frau to Wow challenge this week is to lighten your load!  Take a large trash bag (..or 2… or 3… or…) and FILL IT UP with stuff.  Slim down your home and declutter your life… one trash bag at a time!