The story is about intuition. My intuition is something I think a lot about with or without a yoga teacher bringing it up, because, well… I am a yogi after all, so I think about that kind of shit.

I’m also addicted to connecting to my deep thoughts, and constantly seeking ways to better myself by listening to my intuition & gut as often as I can.

But what the teacher said the other night in class really, really hit me. It hit me for a whole bevy of reasons… which I will get to. In a sec.

She opened the class with a description of intuition, and the voice in which it speaks to us. Not just any description, but Kyle Gray (a best-selling Hay House author who is awesome)’s description.

I am paraphrasing, but it goes something like this: “The voice of our intuition has two main qualities when it speaks to us… it always speaks lovingly and in the present tense.”

Those words, heard in that moment, hit me very, very hard. I was just coming out of a very reflective and introspective weekend of teacher  training, dealing with a massive host of things in my personal life, and feeling incredibly and deeply in touch with my heart and my gut and what I want ever since returning from Hawaii.

But still, even being in touch with my gut… I knew my intuition was trying to tell me more, and I was shoving it down. Telling myself “you always work so hard to figure it all out, just chill. Just let the universe do it’s thing.”

But there in lie my problem… I was not letting the universe do its thing. I was not letting my intuition, gut or heart lead the way. I was way too attached to what my heart wanted, whether or not it was the best for me.

Here’s the thing.

Sometimes it can be so hard to distinguish what our intuition tells us versus what the rest of the things are that we feel, think and believe.

Sometimes we want something so badly that we ignore the voice of our intuition until we can hardly hear it at all anymore, but it’s always there.

The intuition is strong, and what it says to us is based solely on how something feels in our lives… there IS no bias. Essentially, it tells us whether something is meant to be in our lives are not.

What it tells us can be big or small, based on huge life choices or as simple as what we are going to eat for dinner. The intuition does not discriminate on what it does and does not have an opinion about.

But when it knows, it knows.

It’s no secret that I have had a rough few weeks. I’ve been very open about it on Instagram, and perhaps to some extent I have been open about it here too. I discuss it a bit with Sophie in tomorrow’s podcast episode… which, conveniently, already happens to be UP in iTunes if you feel like listening a day early.

Sophie and I discuss how there is medicine in our darkness. She came up with that phrase, and that too has stuck with me — our intuitions know the way, even when darkness is coming, and there is always medicine to be found in the darkness.

So why am I sharing all of this?

Because it finally all came to a head. My intuition was trying very hard to tell me something, but I just wouldn’t have it. Days passed, and my heart hurt. I couldn’t eat. My intuition really felt something and I. would. not. listen.

Couldn’t. Didn’t want to. Refused.

“No, I don’t want to, it will bring too much darkness… I’m strong, I can deal with this so things don’t have to change, I will figure it all out so I don’t have to do what my gut tells me is right,” I kept thinking.

I felt that SO STRONGLY that I even wondered (still do) if my gut & intuition truly DID NOT want me to catch on to what they were feeling so that I wouldn’t have to experience the darkness that came along with it.

And at the risk of sounding way too cryptic… just know, other people’s feelings are involved here too, as you can imagine, so I am trying to be delicate.

Plus, this post is about my intuition… everyone has one.

So what’s the point?

Listen. When your intuition has something to say. It might lead you into some times of darkness, but as my dear friend Sophie so eloquently says… there is medicine in our darkness.

And in all dark times there is SO MUCH LIGHT to be seen, too. We just have to see it, and sometimes maybe even search for it.

Personal life right now is rough. Things are a’ brewing. But other things are great. I’m pursuing a lifelong DREAM of teaching yoga in a very real, very consistent way, and that feels freaking good.

I’m working on my second book, I’m living out my dream job every day, I’m surrounded by the greatest friends and family a girl could ask for.

I get to go to Hawaii and Big Sur and Carmel and Bora Bora and Hawaii again all in the next few months, and that’s pretty exciting for a travel bug like me.

There are a lot, a lot of good things happening. And I’m not saying that to try to convince myself that all is fine… because my heart does hurt, and that’s okay. It’s NOT all fine, and that’s okay.

I’m just putting it out there, because it’s real and it’s the truth and perhaps it’s part of the medicine in my darkness.

I do feel connected to my core and my heart center, and that feels good. I think I can finally create some space to work on what I need to work on, emotions I need to access to write my next book, and that’s cool too.

So, all this to say, thank you intuition for knowing the way. I trust you, even if you’re leading me through some difficulty. XO

Love you guys! …and you wonder why I tell people I write an online diary for a living? Lol.

Not to sound like a broken record, but to remind you of the challenges I have been doing: I’ve been doing the barre3 Challenge all month with online workouts and a nutrition guide, I’ve been training for the LA Marathon with Team NutriBullet, I have been meal prepping every Sunday so that I can eat at home for at least 90% of my meals throughout the week, I have been doing a secret self-discovery challenge type of thing that I will talk about once I finish it mid-February, and I have also been doing the extreme challenge of cleaning out all of the excess from my life in order to live essentially, minimally and have space to BREATHE. Oh, and I’ve been doing a lot more yoga (thanks to barre3 for inspiring me to get my flexibility back after all this running) and of course barre online workouts in the program have helped me with my flexibility too. 

So yeah, I’m detoxing my life. In a very lifestyle-esque kind of way… not in a January cleanse kind of way. I have also challenged myself to have no alcohol and no refined sugar for the month of January. Barre3 Founder Sadie Lincoln has shared a bunch of tips to help stay on top of that particular goal without feeling deprived. To name a few: Drinking fizzy water at night with unsweetened cherry juice instead of wine (even though I am not a wine drinker but you get the picture) AND making these Chocolate Donut Holes. YUM. This has all been LIFE changing on top of the physical and emotional challenges I’ve set out on.

Basically, what I’m saying here is that in order to make legitimate, lasting changes in your life and find the healthiest version of yourself you have to PUT IN THE WORK. Committing to this barre3 challenge at the beginning of the year really set my mind on the right track to make some legit changes in my life and my routine. I now wake up a lot earlier, have put some new nutritional guidelines into place, have been a regular at all of my favorite workout classes again, and have learned to say “NO” to things that I don’t necessarily want to do. The reason that last part is important is because saying no to the unnecessary stuff leaves way more room for me to stay on top of my own goals and intentions.

It might sound scary and intimidating, but honestly it’s a lot of fun. If you find the perfect routine for you, a great workout / meal prep buddy, and / or find your own groove and what you need in order to make the challenge an enjoyable process… You will love it. You’ll love feeling better from the inside out, and ultimately you’ll love finding confidence and feeling downright sexy in your own skin.

I want that for ALL of you, in case that wasn’t clear. And that’s what I’m here for — to help give you tips and tricks to achieve that level of health and happiness. I try a lot of things so I can report back… All sorts of things from fitness programs to workout gear to natural supplements to workout clothes to clothes to wear when you’re not working out.

Speaking of workout clothes, the “Balance” tank from the barre3 online store that has made several appearances on my Instagram in the last few weeks has gotten more attention than anything I’ve worn on my IG in a LONG time. How awesome is this?! It’s practically like it was made for me. Do you love or do you love? The necklace is from their online store too!

If you missed this particular challenge, you can still do it because barre3 is keeping the Challenge Hub live through the end of Feb! All you have to do to get access to the program is subscribe to barre3 Online.

I am going to be sharing my everyday healthy moments and tagging them with the hashtag #b365 for the rest of the year — so keep an eye outfor those pics and join me!

Here are some recipes that I’ve fallen in love with lately that will help keep ya on track…

The Food:

As important as it is to develop a consistent workout routine and challenge yourself to try new things physically, I would be lying to you if I said nutrition wasn’t also a huge component of changing the way you feel from the inside out. That’s why I’ve chosen to focus today’s post about my barre3 experience on a few of my very favorite meals from the nutrition side of their challenge.

Making these recipes was one of the main motivators for me to get back in the kitchen and start meal prepping each week. If you follow me on Snapchat (username jojoyounger), then you know I have been cooking at home like a FIEND. It’s pretty much been simple, super healthy recipes that have interchangeable ingredients (think chicken, veggies, salmon, lemon kale, nutty banana oatmeal and protein breakfast cookies so I can switch up my meals with on-hand ingredients as I go along through the week) — BUT when I make recipes from the barre3 nutrition guide I feel like I am making legitimate gourmet stuff that still somehow keeps it simple. It just includes spices and a few variations that I probably wouldn’t think of on my own if it weren’t for their guides.

My favorite breakfast from their program is by far the Cherry Almond Vanilla Smoothie — YUM! It’s so nutty and delicious, and the texture sort of makes you feel like you’re drinking something more dessert-like and “sinful” than it actually is. Plus, you get your sneaky greens in there which you know I love. I love to have it for breakfast or even for a mid-afternoon snack if I’ve had a rigorous workout that day. Here are the deets for making it…

INGREDIENTS

2 cups pitted cherries (preferably fresh)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 Tbs. almond butter

1 1/2 cups spinach

1 Tbs. chia seeds

1 cup almond milk

5 ice cubes

Option to add in 1 TBS of raw cacao nibs to turn this into a healthy sweet treat.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients into a high speed blender and whirl away until smooth and creamy. Easy peasy!

And then there is the Savory Oatmeal w/ a Fried Egg Recipe from the guide that is TO DIE FOR!!! This one I seriously died over because I love everything in it, and I couldn’t believe someone other than myself was suggesting eating oats WITH eggs WITH veggies. It renewed my love for scallions and sesame oil too, so those have been staples in my kitchen lately…

INGREDIENTS

1 cup old-fashioned oats (gluten free, if preferred)

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts only, finely chopped

1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

6 ounces mixed mushrooms, such as shiitake, chanterelle, or button, roughly chopped

1 cup spinach

2 Tbs. low-sodium tamari or soy sauce, plus more for serving

2 eggs

1 Tbs. sesame oil

Minced cilantro, for serving

Pepper, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until fully cooked, about 10 minutes. (Times will vary depending on your specific brand of oats)
2. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet set over medium heat, warm 1 ½ tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the scallions and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until the scallions start to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms start to soften and brown, about 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the spinach and tamari sauce. Cook, stirring often, until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat.
3. In a small nonstick skillet set over medium heat, warm the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil. Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your liking, about 3 to 7 minutes depending on your preference.
4. Meanwhile, divide the oats between two bowls. Top with the mushroom-spinach mixture and drizzle with the sesame oil and additional tamari sauce. Top each bowl with a fried egg and garnish with the cilantro and pepper. Serve immediately.

So basically, joining this program has been above & beyond one of the best decisions I could have made for myself this January. It reinvigorated my love for cooking, stretching (thank god because of all of the running) and for being motivated by a supportive community of people working toward the same goal. The challenge is lead from beginning to end by founder of barre3 Sadie Lincoln, and she is one awesome and inspirational #girlboss.

I plan on continuing this challenge allll throughout the year but is that a surprise? I don’t necessarily commit to things that are a “one stop shop,” if you will. I like to commit to challenges that will be sustainable lifestyle changes and add value and positivity to my life. I will probably incorporate the online barre classes into my weekly circuit of workouts 2x a week on top of yoga, running and HIIT. And rest and downtime of course. I’m not encouraging you to be a fitness maniac… Even though I kind of am, haha.

How did everyone else’s resolutions go this January?! My friends are cracking up because I have always been very anti “resolution” and more about GOALS because I feel like resolutions usually fall by the wayside… but I have been pumping out my resolutions this year and falling on top of the world because of it! I guess there is something to be said for everything. Would love to hear about your journeys. XO

Why Being a Fitness Addict is the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me. That’s a pretty serious statement, I know. And it’s so TBB of me to call myself an “addict” rather than an enthusiast or a passionate person or simply interested (ew, boring word)… But I am an addict and I am proud of it. I think it’s okay to be wholeheartedly addicted to something that aids in keeping you mentally and physically healthy. You wouldn’t want to be addicted to the point of giving yourself an injury, but that’s a whole other story.

There’s a way to be a BALANCED exercise addict. Ya feel me? You can’t run 20 miles every single day (even if you want to), but you CAN run 20 miles on a Saturday and wind down with some restorative yoga that night or the next day. (Depending on where you are in your fitness journey — don’t go out and run 20 miles if you haven’t been training!) It’s all about learning how to be kind to yourself and make decisions that will leave you feeling wonderful in the long term. We’re not talking about short term health and fitness here. When you start thinking in the short term, that’s when you make drastic decisions that result in crashing and burning in the worst of ways. Trust me, I’ve been there.

I have thought a lot about why being a fitness addict has shaped who I am in every aspect of my life, and as all of my reasons came to fruition in my mind I legit typed this all out on my phone while walking from my apartment to OrangeTheory the other morning. For your reference, that is about a 3.5 minute walk. Less than a quarter of a mile. That is how crazy I get when a blog post (or any writing, for that matter) is ready to pour itself out of my brain and into this space. My friend and I call it “#EPlife,” short for “extreme personality life”… and if you’ve read my book, then you know exactly what I am talking about.

 ( *BTW, this post was semi-inspired from my 24 Reasons Why You Should Date a Girl Who Practices Yoga post from 2 years ago. I rediscovered it the other night and have been reading and re-reading it. I love writing real talk, detailed lists that those of you who are also “addicted” to fitness can relate to. Expect more of these this year! This is what I’m talkin’ about with organization. It requires doing research to the point of reading my own blog posts years back. Weird? Yeah. Necessary? Yes.* )

Why Being a Fitness Addict is the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

1. It’s how I’ve met some of the best people that I know. And no, it is not a coincidence that I have chosen to make this perhaps unexpected reason #1 on the list. At the end of the day, this sole part of the equation is reason enough to be addicted to fitness. It’s the way that I spend a good portion of my time, so naturally I have met a lot of really fantastic, inspirational, likeminded people through the various studios that I belong to and wellness events that I go to. But it really goes beyond that… It’s not just about knowing these people, it’s about developing relationships with them in and out of the fitness world. It’s about surrounding myself with people who are interested in the same things that I am — so I don’t feel alone or like the “odd one out” for prioritizing fitness and wellness the way that I do. When you surround yourself with people who understand the vast benefits of maintaining a solid fitness routine, you are inevitably surrounding yourself with people who have a good outlook on life, will challenge you to be your best and will GET you in a way that some others just can’t. They are prioritizing their health — meaning they are prioritizing their own happiness in one way or another… They aren’t allowing themselves to get lost in the shuffle or get swallowed up by the sedentary life that is so socially “normal” in our society. They will encourage you to be the best version of yourself, and you’ll always have a workout buddy and someone to lean on when you need extra motivation. I’m not saying that people who are addicted to fitness are all awesome people and/or more likely to be inspiring than people who are NOT into it, but I am saying if you look for them in the fitness community you will find them, bond with them, and align yourself with them. It’s a pretty magical quality — and that bonding is certainly sped up in the yoga community because of the overall inclusive vibe of yoga itself.

1. A) And as a small sub-category of #1, because I got very general there for a minute: the reason why I personally put this at the top of the list is because once I actually got involved in the fitness community rather than just being into it for a long time but walking in and out of every studio pretty much with blinders on to the people I could meet… that’s when everything changed. I credit part of that shift to my yoga teacher training in 2011, when I realized that there were tons of people who were looking to transform their lives through fitness and yoga, and in part to joining OrangeTheory last year and meeting so many incredible people through that studio. One person in particular that I met through OTF has become my marathon coach, and several others have become some of my very closest friends. I have found a lot of support in that community of people and I also love having people to share my passions with (or addictions, lol) — it helps me stay on track with my goals and intentions in life — wellness being at the top of that list!

2.  It prevents me from being an addict of unhealthy things. If you have an addictive personality like I do, there is a lot of room to potentially develop addictions or obsessions in not-so-healthy areas. I have been there, like when I was addicted to restricting my food intake and also addicted to eating nothing but pure, healthy, clean, organic vegetables from the earth. It might sound twistedly sort of healthy, but it wasn’t. I was depriving my body of necessary nutrients, healthy fats, protein, and ultimately calories in order to survive and thrive. I don’t think that I personally would be the type to become addicted to alcohol or drugs, mainly because I really dislike both of them, but you never know. I have also become addicted to sugar at different points in my life which has been particularly upsetting and frustrating, because it gets in the way of my fitness routine! When you’re bogged down on sugar, you don’t feel good and don’t have the same type of energy and stamina to workout. Being addicted to fitness has sculpted my routine into a very positive one all around.

3. I have to fuel my body properly in order to have the energy to train and recover. In regards to what I mentioned above, it has taken quite a bit of diligence for me to find a new normal when it comes to fueling my body in the RIGHT way. First I was borderline anorexic with orthorexia, then I let go of the restrictions and forced myself to eat unhealthy foods to prove to myself that I was recovering/recovered from my eating disorder. Now that I am finally back in the swing of my fitness routine, eating well and eating enough is not a problem. I have to make the active decision to fuel myself properly every single day, eating nutrient-dense foods that replenish my body and give me energy to recover from my workouts. There is a science to it, and I have done more research than I can explain in order to find out what works best for me and also what works best to help me recover from and train for the different types of workouts that I do. This is a truly awesome aspect and it’s high up on this list because nutrition and fitness go hand in hand with one another, and when practiced in a smart and balanced way, you will find the healthiest version of yourself.

4. I sleep better. Well, this is huge because without physically working my body to the bone every day I suffer from serious sleep issues. It can be hard for me to turn my anxious mind off at night, and for some reason I tend to think about everything I need to do for the next 38473849 days the moment that I lay down to go to sleep. When I am exhausted from a long run, a sweaty yoga sesh, a HIIT class, Pilates, etc. then I actually for once in my life sleep like a baby. I also know that I need to sleep well in order to have energy for the next day’s workout, and it’s like a test for my subconscious to figure out how worth it it is to allow my brain to slow down so I can fall asleep and wake up to do what I love. It turns into this weird mind-body brain exercise where my whole body starts working as one (as it should) to allow me to get a good night’s sleep for the greater good of being able to maintain my daily routine. It’s amazing when it actually works — and it always works if I’ve worked out hard enough.

5. I stay more hydrated. We all know the importance of good hydration. It’s pertinent for the optimal functioning of our digestive system, it’s necessary for our skin on both a surface and cellular level, it keeps us alert and high functioning, and also keeps our hunger in check when we are properly hydrated. I drink a ton of water upon waking up so that I will be hydrated for my workouts, and while I workout I chug. After I workout I chug, too. Working out certainly helps in the hydration department.

6. Endorphin highs!! This is a fun one. It’s so fun that it gets two exclamation points! I am sure you’ve heard the Legally Blonde quote, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” — Good ol’ Elle Woods. (Lol). But it’s true. If you’ve ever experienced a workout rigorous enough to give you that rockin’ endorphin high, then you totally know what I am talking about. I thrive off of those endorphins, and actually when I don’t work out in the beginning part of my day I really miss that adrenaline high. It gives me alertness and energy for my day and also point blank makes me happier. It also has something to do with feeling accomplished, and endorphins certainly do make you feel like you’ve accomplished something.

7. It’s a great way to see LA & a great way to travel. I have a whole new appreciation for this after running 18 miles on foot last Saturday with my LA Marathon training team (#TeamNutribullet, represent!). I ran from West LA / Brentwood through Century City, down Rodeo Drive and deep into Beverly Hills close to West Hollywood before I turned around and ended back in Brentwood. Some of my teammates got all the way to the Chinese theatre before turning back around! I have also had this experience when I have been traveling. Even if I’m not running, checking out a workout studio in a new city is a great way to experience what life is like as a local. One of my best memories doing that was in the tiny town of Carmel by the Sea in Nor Cal, when I went to a local yoga studio with my brother-in-law on Thanksgiving morning. It was SO COOL for us to see how all the yogis in that tiny little town came together to practice an awesome flow that morning, and a bunch of them even brought their little kids since it was a holiday. I’ll never forget how charming it was to see them all interacting with each other and getting a glimpse into what it would be like to live there — it was such a cool sight because most of the people I’d ever observed in Carmel were tourists on vacation like us. I love to feel like a local and get a glimpse into what life is like in little pockets around the world… It’s the hyper-observant (or nosy?) writer in me. (Side note: I did the same thing in Florence, Italy but it was less enjoyable… Yoga there is not like yoga here! The other cool thing about this is you find what works for you and what doesn’t.)8. Being in shape is a huge confidence booster. It’s the truth, and I’d say this to anyone. Whenever someone asks me how I achieve happiness and feel comfortable and confident in my own skin, I say WORKOUT and get into shape. Everyone has their own definition of being “in shape,” and for me of course since I am an addict I take this idea to a whole other level (without putting pressure on myself, I swear — I have fun with it). But getting into shape for you might mean going on walks after dinner instead of sitting on the couch and eating ice cream, or trying a new studio or routine that has scared you for a long time because you don’t think you’re ready enough for it. Let me tell you: there is no perfect time to try something new. You have to just DO IT. Tomorrow won’t seem any easier than today. Do it now, and be stronger than your excuses. It will be so worth it.

9. It is a de-stressor and will add more compassion to your life. Exercise is an obvious de-stressor. This is both science-based and experience-based. Working out gets your heart pumping and helps lessen your anxiety levels if you suffer from anxiety, and it gets you out of your HEAD. I believe working out has brought a whole lot of compassion into my life for a lot of reasons. I have been in a position many times where I come back to a particular kind of workout after not doing it for a long time, and it’s very frustrating. I have had a lot of health problems over the years that at times have knocked me down… And it’s intimidating to start from the bottom again. Every single time. Then you work your way back up. I’ve also seen a lot of other people do this, and in many cases I’ve seen people do it who come from a very unhealthy background and have absolutely nothing to lose and everything not to. When I see someone taking the plunge to exercise when it clearly intimidates them, I want to cry from happiness / give them a huge hug and a high five / write them a letter to tell them how awesome they are / tell their family to be proud of them / help them track their progress / on and on. It may sound like a little much, but I KNOW how hard it is to just START. That’s why I am always encouraging you guys to just begin. It has added a major layer of compassion and appreciation for others’ journeys to A) have my own fitness addiction/journey, B) be in the presence of so many others who are working to transform their lives through fitness.

10. IT HELPS SHAPE YOUR ROUTINE! Have you noticed that the word “routine” is my word of the YEAR so far? I am obsessed with it. I am in the process of transforming my routine and it has been so life changing I could cry just thinking about it. I have been running a lot more, (#marathontraining), waking up earlier, going to bed far earlier, carving out chunks of time to spend with the people who REALLY matter and who support my goals and intentions, doing as much yoga as I used to (or trying to), and giving myself more “me time” to hone in on what I really want out of this precious and awesome life. It really all circles back to the wellness factor and having this fitness routine that helps shape not only my days but my weeks, months, and year. It shapes my travel schedule, my relationships and my nutrition/sleep/hydration/blog work/creativity flow/etc. And not in a bad way or an obsessive way… It gives me structure where I otherwise may not have it. I have an alternative job, remember?! Fitness helps me structure my day in a very positive way.

You might not see me above unless you look hard… I’m hiding behind Mike’s shoulder! Working it out at OTF.

So, fitness addicts — what do you think?! Am I accurate? Is there something big that I missed / any points that you agree or disagree with? Would love to hear your thoughts! Soon I want to do a post on all of the fitness gear that I love / feel is necessary to developing a serious fitness addiction and workout routine. Let me know if you have any suggestions! Lots of love!! Xx 

We can also use this beautiful clean slate moment to visualize the goals we’d like to accomplish this year, and the healthy lifestyle changes we want to create and maintain in our lives. As for me, my goals for the year go from very general to extremely specific, and I will share those with you later on in the week.

Today I want to tell you about a few things I am planning on cutting out of my diet this month in order to feel my best and find the healthiest version of myself. And I know what you’re thinking… Yikes, cutting foods out seems like a recipe for disaster. It sounds like too much pressure and restriction and like the exact type of thing that makes someone want the things they’re cutting out even more. I will address that fear in a minute, but first I want to tell you what I am giving up for the month:

1. Alcohol

2. Sugar

WHY?!

I know, it might sound a little strange for me to be giving up alcohol when I don’t have any sort of alcohol problem, per se. I went through a phase when I had orthorexia where alcohol was basically off limits to me. I hardly ever drank, because when I did I felt like I was tainting my perfectly pure and healthy body. Since that time, I have come a long way. Over the last year and a half I have worked really hard to develop a healthy relationship with alcohol where I can sip on some cocktails when I’m out with friends, have a lot of fun, and not feel guilty about it in the morning. I even started to enjoy having a glass of wine with dinner from time to time — something I never would have done when I was super restrictive.

And now that I have found my way back to having a normal relationship with alcohol, I find myself to be drinking more often than I’d like to. I am a very social person, and many nights a week I go out to dinner with friends/family, attend events and go out on the weekends. Even though its not in my nature to drink several nights per week, I sort of end up doing it anyway just because I am going with the flow and enjoying myself.

Nothing wrong with that! But I had several nights over the holidays where I drank a liiiitttle too much. You know when you’re with all the people you love and the drinks are flowing, and you just end up having three, four or five drinks too many (lol). That’s not always a bad thing… But the hangovers definitely made it hard the next day to exercise, eat well, be productive, or feel my best. I am ALL about feeling my best and making it easy to stay on track with my health and fitness routine, so I just want to cut out alcohol for the month of January to see how I feel. I have a feeling I will be super proud of myself and love this alcohol-free life, but I don’t want to get carried away and never drink again (you know I’m extreme like that), so this month is sort of just a test and a fun little challenge.

(BTW, if you follow me on Snapchat — username jojoyounger — then you know I got pretty wild on NYE. I was basically still hungover until yesterday. Really ready to let that side of me go for the month.)

And then there’s sugar! My reasons for cutting this one out are a little more obvious. In working with my nutritionist Kelly of Be Well by Kelly, I have learned a lot about how sugar spikes our blood sugar levels, making our hormones go all out of whack and messing with our hunger cues. I also have a major sweet tooth, so when I crave sugar I crave it pretty ravenously. Like, if I have a craving for frozen yogurt I absolutely need to fulfill that craving within a short window of time or else I’ll feel like I’m going crazy.

It’s pretty nuts to think about how much food can affect our bodies like that. I hate the thought of being dictated by my cravings and feeling like I have no control over what my body wants. I have had to be very careful about this for the last year and a half because my main priority has been to recover from my eating disorder. Now I feel like I am finally in a place where I can start saying “no” to a lot of those cravings and previously off-limits desserts/foods, because I know I am not depriving myself but rather just trying to feel my best and be my healthiest self.

There is a huge difference between straight up restriction and just creating boundaries so that you can feel awesome. If I didn’t feel like I had a problem with sugar, I wouldn’t cut it out. But I do feel like I am so extreme and that cutting it out will work wonders on my energy levels and how I feel overall. Plus, it’s a great way to challenge myself in a healthy way without going overboard and putting another label on my diet.

Now, for the question you are probably all bubbling over with right now… How to do this without getting super restrictive again?

How to Find Balance & Not Go Overboard When Cutting Things Out of Your Diet:

There are a few ways I plan on doing this…

• Sharing my experience openly on the blog with you guys, so that I can hold myself accountable and also talk about it and not keep it all to myself. I often feel that when someone has a goal and they don’t talk to people about it, that’s when the obsession and guilt starts to kick in. I don’t want to obsess about this at all, so I am just going to remain honest and open about how it goes for me. A lot of my restrictive thoughts during my eating disorder were ALL in my head… And if I would have shared them a lot sooner I could have nipped them in the bud before they got really bad.
• I am not going to be a psycho about it. If I am in a situation this month where I truly want to sip on a cocktail or have a bite of a dessert, I am not going to FORCE myself not to. If the desire is legitimate and the situation is right, then I can feel good about my decision. What I am trying to eliminate here is the mindless snacking on sugar and the overindulgence on alcohol when I may have not even felt like drinking in the first place. I am going to be confident about saying “no” when I don’t want it, but if it’s going to get in the way of my life in one or two situations I can let up on myself.
• Remembering WHY I am doing this. I am not doing this for any extreme reason of being sober for life or sugar-free for the rest of time… I am doing it to see how I feel and to give my body/liver a little detox for the month. These things aren’t off limits to me for all of time, and that’s the extreme mentality I will have to push back against if I start to feel those old thoughts of mine creeping up on me.
• Filling the “empty” space from no sugar/alcohol with all sorts of other healthy, flourishing, awesome things so I don’t feel their absence. I will have more nights in doing things I love like writing, reading, watching documentaries about serial killers (yes, I am serious), AND I will get up early to exercise more frequently because lately with all the nights out and drinking waking up early has been nearly impossible. And I have my MARATHON to keep training for that’s coming up in February, so I couldn’t imagine a more perfect time

SO! What do you think? Does anyone want to do this with me? I know it might sound a little extreme for someone like me who is already extreme… but I feel that it’s time to prove to myself I can make healthy, sustainable changes in my life without having to worry about developing orthorexia again or becoming obsessive. Perhaps that’s my overarching reason for doing this and the huge reason why I am so thrilled to do this and proud of myself for taking the leap.

Would love the support of any/all of you who want to join! I will also be sharing more details of my experience in my TBB Tribe Newsletter — so sign up there if you haven’t yet!! XO 

You probably know by now that I am very careful about New Years challenges, resolutions, holiday detoxes, etc. And by very careful I mean I don’t do them myself or recommend them to you guys unless I see a very important sustainability factor & some serious benefits to be gained and to keep under your belt long after the “New Year” has passed.

I see too many people getting stuck in the rut of mapping out their health and fitness goals every January and then falling off the wagon when results aren’t immediate or when maintaining the healthy choices gets too tough. That’s why learning how to make healthy lifestyle changes instead of trying to “detox” and/or change drastically overnight is so much more important.

On that note, I am way more into goal setting versus giving in to a “quick fix” as far as New Years resolutions go. But that doesn’t mean that I am anti-resolution! I think that the beginning of the year is a wonderful time to wipe your slate clean, set some new goals, get re-inspired and give yourself an extra boost of confidence to CRUSH YOUR GOALS instead of just thinking about them as a part of your distant future. “Ohhhh… maybe next year” is not an option around here. Sorry. Won’t let ya get away with it. I care about you too much to let you do that.

In order to make lifestyle changes, you need guidance, inspiration and a maintainable fitness routine and nutrition plan. So I have done the dirty work for you and have done a little digging to find a program recommendation for those of us who do best with structure and having a group to hold ourselves accountable. I know I am all about structure when it comes to a fitness and nutrition plan.. Which is why my marathon team has been a godsend for the growth of my running over the past several months!

Barre3 January Challenge

Get Strong. Find Balance. Feel Good.

A Lil’ Overview For You…

•  3 Pillars of barre3 (and the Challenge): Exercise, Nourish, Connect
• The challenge includes taking four 60-minute classes and one 10-minute do-anywhere class per week, led by barre3 founder Sadie Lincoln and her team of Master Trainers.
• Each week, you will make one recipe from the program that is designed to help you sustain energy, tone your bod and balance your blood sugar. (My personal fav is the Green Detox Smoothie… Recipe later in this post!). There’s the nutrition factor! Yes!
• Beyond the challenge, you will have access to over 200 workouts that you can do in the comfort of our own home. (SCORE.)
• You will have direct support the whole way through from barre3 founder Sadie Lincoln through weekly podcasts, four live Q&A sessions & more.
• Everyone participating will have access to Challenge workouts, recipes, and podcasts through a special website just for them. The website will go live on January 1 — AKA TODAY! Exciting. But even before the challenge starts on the 4th, if you join you will be able to check out the 200 workouts on their site, yummy seasonal recipes, and guided exercise and nutrition programs so you can get to familiar with barre3 before the Challenge kicks off on January 4th.
• (MY FAVORITE PART:) You will make the challenge your own by learning how to customize the food and exercise elements of the program. In this way, you’re able to tailor the program to get the results that you are looking for. Some people will be looking for weight loss (check out link for a transformation story!) while others may be looking to detox and get back on a cleaner diet after the holidays, while others may be looking to tone. You can have it all, but we are all different and this program celebrates our unique needs and fitness goals.
• Through the Q&A sessions you will also learn the super valuable and sustainable techniques of time management, avoiding shame (huge!), and finding balance beyond the challenge.
• You will have access to a functional nutritionist in the live Q&A’s and also with a time-management coach
• Beyond the challenge, you will have access to over 200 barre online workouts that you can do in the comfort of our own home. (SCORE.)
• Personal tracker available to track your progress
• Grocery List
• barre3 gear available to keep you motivated / reward your hard work with!
• Only $10 to subscribe online & have access to the challenge

BTW, if/when you sign up for this program, use the promo code b3balancedblonde to be entered into a sweepstakes to win 6 months free barre3 Online + a signed copy of Breaking Vegan. Consider it a post-holiday gift from us to you.

WHAT KINDA WORKOUT IS IT?!

I know the above was just a little overview and you probably still have questions about what the workouts actually look like. All barre3 classes are inspired by a combo of ballet barre, yoga and Pilates. The instructors will guide you through a specific sequence of movements that tone and lengthen all major muscle groups, rev up your heart rate, and strengthen your body. Each class mixes athleticism, grace, and the latest innovations designed to balance your bod. Pretty cool, huh?

BARRE3 ONLINE DEETS:

Your subscription to barre3 Online includes access to hundreds of effective, do-anywhere workouts ranging from 10 to 60 minutes (SO AWESOME!), delicious and easy to make recipes, as well as exercise guides and nutrition programs to help you shed weight, tone, balance your body and gain energy.

THE CHALLENGE ITSELF & WHY I, TBB, AM DECIDING TO TAKE PART:

Beyond what I mentioned in the list above about the challenge, I am a huge supporter of it because of the support that each challenger gets the whole way through. You will have access to weekly podcasts of Sadie, live Q&A sessions (first one is at 5pm PST on Monday 1/4! So soon!!!), and 200 workouts online. This is such a great challenge for the busy, on-the-go person because you can do these workouts at home and not have to worry about consistently making it to a studio. It’s a great combo of personal motivation + group motivation, because you have access to instructors, coaches and a nutritionist, but you also have to be on yourself to do the workouts each day… And I believe that learning to hold yourself accountable is the best way to truly make a change.

The workouts included range from rigorous to short and sweet, including 10-minute stress relief workouts, a desk workout, and a “kitchen reset.” The reason why I love all of this so much is because it teaches you to make a real change… It is not just a month long challenge. It’s an investment in your health & feeling BETTER from here on out!

My favorite recipe from the challenge…

Green Detox Smoothie

This refreshing smoothie gets things moving within your digestive system to help you beat bloat. Cinnamon and ginger increase circulation, while parsley acts as a mild diuretic to help reduce excess water retention. The hemp hearts and ground flax seed are not only a great source of complete protein and healthy fiber, but they also feed your good gut bacteria. As an added bonus, the balanced nutrition in this smoothie makes this an easy meal on the go.

Ingredients:

– 2 cups almond milk

– 1 pear (or apple)

– 1 frozen banana

– 1 knob of fresh ginger

– 2 Tbs. hemp hearts

– 1 cup parsley

– 1 cup spinach

– 1 Tbs. chia or flax seeds

– 1 tsp. vanilla

– 1 tsp cinnamon

– Several ice cubes if you like it colder

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients into a high speed blender and whirl away until smooth and creamy.

SO!!! If you want to make a healthy, sustainable & maintainable lifestyle change this year involving fitness & nutrition… I highly encourage you to check out this program by signing up for barre3 online. Don’t forget to use the code b3balancedblonde when you sign up so you can enter our sweepstakes for 6 free months online + a signed copy of my book!

The barre3 Challenge is free with your subscription to barre3 Online. So, if you just want to access barre3 online workouts but you’re not sure about the challenge yet, just opt in to the Challenge anyway so you can tune into the kickoff live Q&A session with Sadie and functional nutritionist Andrea Nakayama on 1/4 at 5pm PST. They will answer alllll of your questions from “Can I drink alcohol during the Challenge” to “Is barre3 cardio?” AND you will learn more about barre3 and what it really is.

Lastly, all the best things that have ever happened to me in life have been when I challenge myself to do something out of my comfort zone. Maybe this is it for you. Let this be YOUR YEAR. I will be detailing my journey and results on my blog & Instagram! LMK if you have any questions and comment below if you plan on joining me! Love you guys!!
Join the barre3 Challenge with me using the code b3balancedblonde at checkout!

Join the barre3 Challenge with me using the code b3balancedblonde at checkout!