Guest Blogger Fall Into Fitness: 4 Great Ways To Stay Motivated 5:00 PM Fall Into Fitness: 4 Great Ways To Stay Motivatedr Staying on track is hard enough year-round, but fall provides an easy means to backslide on all your hard work and progress. The chill, cozy weather is tempting you to stay in bed. And with the holiday season lurking, you tend to let loose. Never fear. You can have your pumpkin pie and eat it too!Here are 4 great ways to stay motivated and to help you shift your mindset into fitness this fall. 1. Take time to enjoy the scenery. Crisp air, autumn leaves falling, the thought of pumpkin carving and apple picking… Fall is an intoxicating time of year! What better way to get a jump start on your exercise than by enjoying the outdoors? Plus, it makes it easier later on when the weather gets MUCH colder to work out outdoors if you have gotten your body adjusted to the cooler temps. Remember that it gets darker earlier. So if you’re running outside after work, for example, make sure you wear some sort of light-reflecting clothing. 2. Make a commitment. Fall is a reigning champion of fun-themed runs, costumed runs, and Turkey Trots. It goes on forever. Making a commitment by registering for a run is a great way to motivate and lock yourself into a fitness plan this fall. Not only will you be already signed up, but you’ll also want to get training beforehand - which means you’ll need to get running. Be sure to train in conditions similar to the actual event, which probably means you’ll need to follow the tip above and run outside. If you still feel like you’re struggling to get moving, here’s a great list of motivational strategies for you to try. 3. Turn your TV binge into a workout opportunity. There’s no debate about it - fall television is king! It’s so easy to get lost binge-watching the newest season of our favorite shows that we leave ourselves no time to get in any form of exercise. But there’s an easy, convenient way to get yourself off the couch. Throw in some squats with your Stranger Things! Seriously, an episode is a great length of time to get in a good core workout. You can even make commercial breaks your time to do quick moves like push-ups or a plank. 4. Take advantage of fitness apps. So much knowledge is already in the palm of our hands. Use your smartphones to start on the road to a healthier you. Not only are fitness apps cheaper in a lot of cases than taking boutique classes or getting personal training, but they are also an awesome resource for keeping track of your progress, staying accountable and becoming more knowledgeable about your own body. Here’s a list of some of the top-rated fitness apps for you to try. Online personal training companies like CALIBER are another great option for fine-tuning your workouts and getting that 1-1 expert advice that can make all the difference. Hopefully, these tips will help you feel motivated this fall, take on the holidays, and emerge a healthy, fab new you! About the Author: Nicole Kennedy is a fitness enthusiast by day, Netflix aficionado by night. Fall is her favorite season.
Dating 6 Good Reasons Why Adult Friend Finder Is The Top Adult Dating Website 4:50 AM Love is a beautiful thing and dating could be fun!It's a great experience to share with someone you have a lot in common with. But meeting someone you're compatible with can be quite challenging especially since people are busy building their empires nowadays. There are also single parents who got no time to date or meet people as they're juggling being both a mom and a dad and being their own person.The chances of having that eye-to-eye special connection seem unachievable now.This is where dating sites and apps come in. Here are 6 good reasons why you should consider using top adult dating websites like Adult Friend Finder. Check out this adult friend finder review. 6 Good Reasons Why Adult Friend Finder is the Top Adult Dating Website 1. Getting started is easyOnline dating is a good solution for busy bees who want to meet people.Create an eye-catching online profile.Adult Friend Finder makes it easy to control the types of people you want to be connected with.You just need to log in and give out a little information about yourself and the rest should be easy. 2. No rushYou can meet people at your own pace. When you're just meeting people online, you can go out whenever you want to or just stay home to chat.You can disconnect and spend time with yourself without anyone bothering you.You're free to take it slow if you're not ready to meet up yet. 3. There's freedomIt's easier to pick the next person you want to be with. And you're free to decide if you want to meet up or move on to your next prospect. It's free to browse through profiles and there's no limit to seeing people with different religious beliefs or locations. 4. Better matchesThe better you create your profile the higher your chances of meeting a good matchProvide small information about yourself, and the site will try and match you with great potential dates. When you randomly meet someone at a social event, you'd take time to get to know them---do they drink, smoke, what are their hobbies and interests, and the like. With dating sites, this information is readily available (as long as they disclose it) when you check their profiles. In Adult Friend Finder, for example, pet lovers will be matched with another fur parent. This means that you're going to meet someone with the same interests easily.There are also dating websites now for vegans or eco-conscious individuals. Check out VeggieConnection.com for vegetarians, vegans, raw-foodists, fruitarians, and macrobiotics seeking romance and friends/activity-pals. 5. Chance to meet new people Gaining a new friend is a cool thing but it's challenging to meet new people when you've just moved into a new place. This is also true for finding a partner. You can't rely on your friend setting you up with their friends all the time.Online dating gives you an opportunity to meet people who aren’t part of your social circle (school, work, or community). 6. Transparency Online adult dating websites usually try to make their platform more transparent. Though catfishing is rampant, you're not allowed to use some dating platforms without a proper user profile. This is to keep away spammers and to help keep the community safe. Conclusion Everyone dreams of finding true love and meeting their better half. Since finding adult friends online or meeting "the one" could be time-consuming and challenging, some people end up settling down with just anyone. You should first try online dating if you're not having luck with face-to-face dates to explore more options. Check out adult dating sites before you give up on your quest to find love. It could be your chance to find your soulmate and have a happy love life.Gifs from Trending GifsThis post contains affiliate links so I'd get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. This helps me maintain my site. Thanks in advance!
Home 5 Simple Tips To Keep Your Home Fresh 5:27 PM 5 Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Fresh If your home is clean, you don’t just see it. You smell it. Your home should be your safe haven where you can leave your worries outside the door, relax, breathe, and carpe diem. It should not be reduced to a dwelling place where you eat and sleep. Instead, your home should be your little oasis. But how can you relax at home if you not only see grime and dust but also smell it in the air? Ugh.With your busy schedule, you can’t find the time to clean.My house never smells fresh!Is that your constant complaint? Don’t fret. Here are 5 fresh-smelling home tips you can follow. 1. Dispose of the things you don’t need.Keep the things you NEED and eliminate the items just gathering dust. To make it easy and fast, get 3 boxes. Label them: Throw, Give, and Keep.The lesser stuff you have, the easier it is to clean and organize. A minimalist home makes it easy to move around. When you see clutter, it signals to your brain: There’s chaos!So, you can’t get that fresh, relaxing feeling. Dispose of your unnecessary stuff to keep your house looking neat. This can give you more space for your house to breathe. Follow the Marie Kondo process of disposing of clutter: If it doesn’t spark joy, let it go. Giphy 2. Add greens.Get an indoor plant for your home. Plants are nice and refreshing to look at and help keep the air clean and fresh by producing much-needed oxygen. When choosing a potted plant, consider these things: Size. Will it be too large for your space? Maintenance. Will it thrive indoors? How often do you need to water it? How much time in the sun is required? Aesthetics. Will it go with your interior? Most people opt for bonsai or succulents because they’re smaller. They don’t take up much space, and they’re cute too. Others create their own vertical garden planting their favorite herbs. This is both creative and sustainable. This is a practical way of decorating and keeping your house green and healthy while creating a fresher atmosphere. Adding fresh herbs for cooking makes the food taste better. Gifer 3. CAYGOClean As You Go. This is especially helpful for people with busy schedules who can’t find the time for cleaning. Instead of piling up chores and putting off what is needed tomorrow (which always gets postponed anyway), why not develop a system where you don’t pile up your to-dos? Clean the dishes and kitchenware right after cooking and eating. That way, there’s always a clean plate waiting for you during mealtime.Wipe water spills on the floor. Clean the bathroom after using it.Most importantly, take out the garbage regularly. Garbage left inside for several days or more can make the house smell filthy. It could attract insects and pests, a whole new set of problems. Keep your home smelling fresh by emptying your trash bins regularly. MakeaGIF 4. Add fragrance.How can I make my house smell good all the time?The answer: Scented candles and potpourris can give your home a sweet smell anytime. If you had a long day, whiff some lavender to stay calm. Wild orange, Cedarwood, and Frankincense can give you that warm Autumn-like feeling. Fir or pine scent if you want to be reminded of Christmas, even in August. It’s your home. You create your own kind of world however you like. The bottom line is that it gives you that fresh aroma that transports you into your own realm. A simple life hack: simmer water, add lemon slices and herbs (preferably mint), and inhale the smell of freshness. It will keep your home literally smelling fresh. You’re welcome. Giphy 5. Clean the air.How to keep your home smelling fresh?Remove the unpleasant smell of dust and dirt by cleaning your windows, air vents, fans, or AC unit. Get an air purifier. Pet hair, pollen, dust, smoke odors, and home construction particles could hang in the air and pollute it. Air purifiers cycle the air in the room and remove these contaminants so you can breathe cleaner, fresher air. This is extremely helpful to people who are sensitive to smell and suffer from environmental allergies. Families with newborn babies especially opt for a high-quality air purifier because they are more sensitive and susceptible to air-borne diseases.Keep your home ventilated, and make sure the air circulating is clean. Giphy If your home is clean, you don’t just see it; you smell it. It doesn’t end in a spotless exterior. Even those that are not visible to the eyes, like the air, should also be clean and fresh. How do you keep your home fresh? Share your tips in the comments below!
Life Lessons This Is The Word I Choose For 2020 5:45 AM If you don't do resolutions like me, how do you gear up for the new year? It's more powerful to choose a word and let it guide you. I have proven this through the years. This 2020, the start of a new decade, I have chosen the word to define my year. A quick throwback! But before that, a quick look back at the words I chose for the past years. Last 2014, I picked the word "more" to define my year and it ultimately changed my life. I'm happy to report that it was indeed the year I did more, became more, achieved more, traveled more, read more books, had more fun. I discovered more things about myself. Words are powerful. Since then, I would choose a word to be my theme or compass. A guiding principle of how I would live that year. Giphy My 2015 was all about getting better. I did things differently last 2016. It was unorthodox. I was winning last 2017. Winning over my doubts and fears. Winning over uncertainties. Winning over my critics. Winning over that inner voice that keeps on telling me I can't. Well, I can and I did. 2018 was a spontaneous year. I am such a control freak and I overthink a lot. But last 2018, I learned to let things be. It was a year of total and complete surrender. It was a year of leaping in faith. More than anything, it was a year when my heart was overflowing with gratitude for God's faithfulness in my life. It was when I have proven yet again that God will deliver His promise. We only have to wait in faith because His timetable is different from ours. It was when I was glad that I didn't listen to what others say and calmly trusted the process. I didn't listen to the facts people threw at me. Hey, I worship a God who can do the impossible after all. Last 2019 was a year of milestones. I did a lot of firsts. Isn't it amazing that year after year life has an incredible way of surprising us, shaping us and giving us opportunities that bring us from glory to glory? And now for this year...This Is The Word I Choose For 2020: Premium Merriam-Webster dictionary defines premium as of exceptional quality or amount. Or higher priced. According to Cambridge Dictionary, premium is something extra given or an extra amount charged, a great amount of importance, of higher than usual quality or value. Why am I choosing Premium as my word for 2020? Out of mediocrity and into a premium life Let's just say that being a middle child, I grew up receiving hand-me-downs. I was conditioned to always give way and I've learned to be content of what's being given to me. I was never a demanding child. Or adult. It's good that I find joy in the simplest things. I am fine with having my needs met and I don't have excessive wants. Thus, I never envy others. The downside of being content to what is good is missing out on what is great. I know I can do more and be more but I don't see the urgency when I'm already happy in my little corner. Ah, let them clamor for attention and promotion. As long as I get paid enough to buy my basic needs and have some extra left for a little self-indulgence, I'm good. That's how I used to think. But I fell in love with traveling and I know I want more of it. I desire a premium life that will enable me to travel more and conveniently at that, thanks to my husband who made me see the difference between sleeping inside a tent and on a soft comfortable mattress. Yes, I've traveled in a shoestring budget and it was fun when done with friends. But it's a whole new different experience to spend the night in a luxurious hotel and be chauffeured around. Giphy Premium health If you don't care about your health, the planet and the life of animals, your food option seems endless. But if you want food that nourishes your body, good for the planet and does not involve killing animals, you need premium food. It takes a lot of research, reading of labels and expanding your network to find these kinds of food. That's why a lot of people prefer to buy what is easy to prepare and cheap. But if you're not careful, you'll pay for it soon enough. Why be careless now and regret it later? Have you heard of a person who got sick because he's eating fruits and vegetables? Broccoli doesn't catch a flu. Kale doesn't have foot and mouth disease. Duh. The food you eat can either nourish you or make your sick. The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. -Ann Wigmore Other things I've started doing for my health late last year which I plan to continue are stretching and meditating first thing in the morning. A healthy body starts with a healthy mind. My husband and I also goes to a weekly spa date. You can be healthy without depriving yourself of good food. There are a lot of healthy options out there. With the help of the internet especially YouTube cooking shows, what you need to know is just one click away. Giphy Peace of mind What could be a more premium gift you can give yourself than the gift of peace of mind? I've always been talking about getting rid of toxic people in your life. Don't be sorry about cutting off people who don't contribute to your well-being. I've burned bridges that lead to nowhere. Last year, I've made the mistake of checking the comment section on socials. Gosh it's like seeing a speeding bus and jumping in front of it anyway. It's bad for the mental health. I also tolerated who have been abusing working with me since I was a newbie writer and made me believe that I'm getting a just rate. These are the kinds of clients that will make you feel bad for charging them higher than usual and call you selfish or greedy. For 2020, I'm staying out of the comment section and will be hitting that 'block sender' button as often as needed. Giphy How about you? Have you chosen a word for 2020 yet? Let me know in the comments below.
Lux Thinking Aloud 2019: My Year Of Firsts And Milestones 10:49 PM 2019 has been my year of first and milestones. It's amazing that even in my thirties, my life is still fun, full of surprises, twists and turns, and I still get to experience some firsts. Allow me to share some with you. 2019: My Year of Firsts and Milestones 1. I got hitched! Just when I was at peace with the possibility of growing old with my dogs, life threw a wonderful surprise. This 2019, I got married. It was not a perfect wedding, but it was beautiful. It was a testament of God's faithfulness not only to me but also to my husband. We both waited in faith. Sometimes, we question God's purpose and plans. Waiting may be bitter, my friend, but the fruit is sweet. Use waiting as your time for learning, improving, exploring, and enjoying. I always tell my single friends to enjoy every moment of being alone. Cherish the life of being single. Embrace even the loneliness and emptiness. Because it will be over before you know it. 2. First time to kayak. This may seem trivial for some, but this is a big deal for me. Because though I love going to the beach, I have an irrational fear of the open water. We went to Palawan for our honeymoon. It's dubbed as the most beautiful island in the world. And it didn't disappoint! Minus the influx of tourists that's causing traffic in some roads, pollution (not as bad as Metro Manila for sure), and some locals milking on tourists, the island itself is a paradise indeed.Stunning view, gastronomic experience, bonding with my better half. It's an experience I will never forget. 3. I transitioned to Veganism. I've never been a big fan of meat though I grew up in a carnivorous family in a culture that LOVES meat. Living on my own, I most often than not prefer less or no meat in my meals. 2016, I declared that meat was back on the menu. That was because I was testing different restaurant foods due to our plan of putting up our café. Thus, I believe that it is due to culture or tradition that our minds have been conditioned that it's okay to eat meat. But we have a choice. We should listen to our conscience. What weighs more? Your cravings or your compassion towards the innocent? Supporting cruelty against animals or showing kindness to all creatures? Science supports the idea that humans don't need meat to be healthy and survive. Spiritual (vegans) believe God gave us plants for food in Genesis 1:29: Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Personally, science and religion aren't my reasons for this decision. My dogs made me do it. One day I realized that if I will never ever eat dog meat because for me dogs have souls. So, why do I keep eating other dead animal carcasses? What's the difference really? Farm animals are just as innocent and sentient as pet animals like dogs and cats. via Alba Paris Art Did you know that pigs are smarter than dogs? My other reason for going vegan is the condition of our planet. Earth is estimated to be 4.54 billion years old. It was thriving before us, supposed intelligent and superior species abused the resources it generously provides. There is nothing wrong with progress. I love how technology has been making our lives better. But to sacrifice another creature's life to satisfy a fleeting craving or in the name of fashion when there is a plethora of alternatives that do not involve suffering and death is crazy and selfish. It's never too late. Go vegan for the animals and for the planet. Whatever we give to Mother Nature, she gives us back a hundredfold. When you go vegan, your body will thank you later. 😉 Check out these athletes who were surprised about a huge (pun intended) improvement they've experienced shifting to a vegan diet. 4. Got premium clients. I've been working for years with cheapskates. I have encountered fakers or fraud. Lesson: don't believe every product review you see online. Especially if they're about 👉 these brands. On the last quarter of 2019, God finally answered my long time prayer to bring me to the right people who can help me grow. I've found a tribe of freelancers who give premium quality service and earns premium in return. It's my first time to pay for an online membership. And the money I invested was not a joke. I prayed a lot about it and I had to pep talk myself into hitting that enroll button. I enrolled literally on the last minute. Lol! I'm a frugal person. But if I have to be honest with myself, I'm also scared when it comes to taking risks when money is involved. I've made a lot of wrong investments and decisions in the past. I don't want to repeat those mistakes. But I also thought, "Why am I stopping myself from taking a leap if the result is what I've always wanted to achieve?" Why do I let fear hold me back from trying something new and expect to get a different result doing what I've been doing for the past years? There are proofs from real people that this method works. How can I prove it myself if I won't try? I said I must see results in three months! I will follow the teaching inside the tribe and apply it otherwise I just threw away the money I worked hard for. A little before three months was over, I closed a deal with a premium client. And I know it's only the beginning. You are the only one stopping yourself from moving forward. Take calculated risks, my friend. Or you'll miss out in life. How was your 2019? Was it also a year of firsts and milestones? No matter, I wish you had a memorable one and I hope this 2020 will be even better for you.
