stuffy sleepy and sick

I admit it.  I was sick last week.  Despite ALL of my precautions and sanitary behavior the week before, like my uptake in vitamin C for example.  I guess it is difficult to fight a college community teeming with infection.  It did not turn out to be the flu, thank goodness, although Wednesday (at my worst) had me worried.  I am feeling way better now, though still runny nose, my lethargy and head congestion are fading.  So how did I beat this week?  Here are my tips to take care of myself while staying on a fitness program.

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cheat days don’t make you fat

Yes.  I see you glorious plate of homemade Mary’s Mountain Cookies… Yes.  You did overcome my will power tonight.  Yes.  I am talking to cookies.  So I had an off day today–a “cheat day” if you please.  I am human after all.  A human living in a society filled with yummy goodies and sweets that seem to be at the center of every social event.  Even if that event is a Saturday night at home with the roommates and a friend brings over famously good treats.  This cheat day of mine involved a bite of each type of treat (plus a brownie and cookie quarter), 2 processed protein bars, and milk chocolate (with almonds if that makes it better?)  My cheat day won’t make me “fat,” however unhealthy these items are.  I won’t wake up tomorrow with my 7 pounds of fat back on my body.  It will make me stronger, though.  

season switch up

I absolutely love summer and everything about it, right down to the +100° and humid Texas weather.  Summer just makes me crave healthy and fresh foods like infused water (above: cucumber, ginger & lime), raw produce, and salads.  Can you say light and fit foods?  Yummy!  I am such a visual eater, and that aids in “eating the rainbow” to reap all the health benefits from a variety of fruits and veggies.

freedom fun

I hope everyone had a GREAT Fourth of July!  I know I had an amazing and patriotic day!  I absolutely adore holidays, and I get very wrapped up into the festivities.  Everything I did yesterday had an element of red, white, and blue to it, like my Strawberry, Banana, and Blueberry Fruit Bowl!  Yummy!

healthy hydration

The summer heat can seriously dehydrate you, especially in Houston, Texas.  Sure the air may be fully quenched at 99.9% humidity, but that does not mean your body is.  I have never had the problem of disliking the “taste” of water as some people do.  If you ever see me, I always have my water by my side.  It can be plain, with lemon, or a creative infusion of sorts.  Infusing water has been the latest trend it seems, and I have happily hopped on board.  For my birthday, I was gifted a water bottle with an infusion chamber that I have been having much fun with.  I really get creative with the natural flavor pairings I come up with. (See my Raspberry Lemon Water here.)

summer mornings

Despite the fact that summer usually means sleeping in late for most college students, I cannot bear the notion.  Why waste the most beautiful part of the day?  The promise of a fresh start every morning with the whole day ahead of you.  I think my body knows this and that is why I cannot sleep in past 9 am–and that is still pretty late for me.  I average around 7:30 am unless I set an alarm to go for a run.  In Houston, the day heats up pretty quickly, and if I have not hit the pavement before the sun makes its appearance, I am in trouble.