Health and Style Survey

I ended up having two cancelations in my schedule today. I took it as a sign to breathe a little, and also took a long lunch while catching up on the stack of Health magazines that have been gathering dust around our house lately!

I stumbled across an interview with Rachel Bilson from last June (I told you… my magazine browsing was long overdue), and enjoyed reading the questions and answers. I started thinking how I would answer some, and I thought it would be fun to share them with you guys in the form of a survey.

Since I have more sponsored posts than normal coming your way this week (sorry!), I thought it would be nice to enjoy something lighthearted without much content this afternoon. Because surveys are fun, right?

I sure think so!

 

What’s a perfect healthy day for you?

To me, healthy is a mix of activity and rest, like a long run on the trails or yoga class on a Saturday morning followed by an afternoon of hanging around the house or spending time with friends. If we’re talking a perfect healthy day, this would all take place on vacation, preferably somewhere tropical where my “hanging” is on a hammock.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: taking vacations are absolutely healthy! Time away from your busy life keeps the mind and soul sane, which I think is completely necessary for an overall healthy life!

 

When do you feel your all-time unhealthiest?

Gosh, probably after a huge holiday meal or three days into a vacation where there is a lot of heavy eating without much working out. That, or when I eat an entire bag of Salt ‘n Vinegar chips by myself in a day or two. It happens way too often.

 

How confident are you about your body? Do you feel different now that you’re in your 30s?

(Well, I will be in my 30s soon enough. Yowza!)

Honestly, I am at a point in my life where I’m probably the least confident I have ever been about my body.

Maintaining a perfect “bikini” body was such a huge part of my life and job for many years, so it’s taken some adjusting to back off from that mentality since I stopped dancing in 2014.

I am currently 5-7 pounds heavier than my ideal “court ready” body, and I am embracing it. Eventually, I need to be fully comfortable with whatever my body morphs into if I want to even think about giving birth to another human!

That said, I am not fully confident, but I am content with where I am. I don’t stress about missing a workout like I used to, and I have really been enjoying life (and more indulgent eats!) instead of daily trips to the gym I used to have to make. It’s a nice feeling.

 

What’s your idea of a hot style?

Do leggings and comfy zip-up hoodies count? Because that’s pretty much what you will find me in these days.

Ha! On a more serious note, I absolutely love and live by a theory I heard from Jessica Simpson while watching Newlyweds so many years ago:

“Legs or cleavage, you have to pick one.”

Showing off more than one at a time always makes me feel a little self-conscious, so I’m right with her on that rule. I also love the idea of subtly showing off skin, like a low or open back to a dress or shirt.

 

If you ever have days when you look in the mirror and think, Eh, how do you snap out of it?

First of all, we all have those days. If you don’t, then you must be Jessica Biel because she’s pretty close to perfect.

Second, you can only go so far by giving yourself pity parties in the mirror. If you don’t like something about yourself, only you can change it! A big part of being healthy and looking good for me is feeling good. If I am having a week where I just don’t feel awesome, I will eat more veggies, drink more water, and even make a point to get more rest at night. Those things, paired with a healthy amount of exercise, usually get me back on track to feeling my best.

 

What’s your secret to getting in such great shape?

Consistency! Get on a training plan that is attainable and works for you and stick to it.

These days (which has changed in the last six months), I like to get in 2-3 days of strength training or HIIT workouts and pair it with 2-3 days of running or another type of cardio. I used to do 3-4 days of strength training and pair it with 3-5 days of cardio, but I am starting to learn that the lower amounts are more ideal for my life right now.

If you overshoot your workout plan, you can become easily discouraged and end up skipping most of your workouts. That never feels good. Instead of shooting for someone else’s goals, make your own that fit your lifestyle!

 

What’s your dream workout?

I would love to take a yoga class outside somewhere really neat or exotic. Like at the top of a cliff or on a beach in Hawaii!

 

Do you have a trick for getting yourself back in the moment?

I used to hate Sunday nights. I would literally count down the hours and dread going to bed that night knowing I had a full work week ahead of me. I did that for years! Looking back, I realized how much time I wasted worrying about something that wasn’t even happening instead of enjoying my last “free” hours of the weekends. It’s so silly.

Whenever I find myself frustrated or annoyed at a situation that is happening in the future (like how much laundry I have to do when I get home or five tasks that have to be done before I go to bed), I try to flash back to those dreaded Sunday nights and remind myself to take advantage of what is going around me instead. If there’s nothing you can do to help the situation, don’t worry about it until you’re faced with it. Live in the moment!

 

How do you shut off your brain?

I actually have a hard time winding down at night. I know I need to put down my computer or phone screen and trade them in for hardcover books. Maybe I should keep these magazines I never get to close by too! I love reading, but I never make time for it. Whenever I read in bed, I am usually out within a couple of minutes, so I guess that would be a great way to shut down!

 

What is your biggest health regret?

Years and years of (willingly) burning at the beach and visiting tanning beds. Geez. Eventually, I learned to love spray and self tanning, but I wish that concept came to me earlier on. It wouldn’t surprise me if I ended up with some funky moles or spots that need to get checked out down the road! Scary stuff.

 

What do you have too much of in your closet?

Gym clothes and sweatshirts. It’s fine.

I have acquired quite the collection through blog events, campaigns, and reviews, so I do my best to purge as much as I can. A couple times a year, I do my best to sort through what I really don’t wear and give my barely-worn apparel and shoes to friends or charity. Even though I have an embarrassing amount of leggings and workout attire, I still want more. It’s a sickness.

 

What is on your bucket list?

So much! I shared my Fitness Bucket List last year.

Things that aren’t fitness related include traveling to all the continents (besides Antarctica), becoming a mother, and going on a mission trip with Scott!

 

Tervis Giveaway Winner

Before we wrap up, I want to thank everyone who entered in the NCAA Championship Tervis Giveaway over the weekend.

Congratulations to…

Rebecca P., you have been emailed and will need to respond with your shipping address to claim your prize!

 

Your Turn

Answer any one or more questions above in the comments section!