Inspired

 In 2 1/2 weeks I am moving.
From a town I don't care for, to a town I know nothing about.
From the comfort of friends and family (aka built in babysitters), to just me and my "Things" 1,2,& 3.
From the oppressive heat to the sultry humidity.

And I feel inspired.
I can imagine the outdoor life we can now lead with our girls. The running and bike riding on the boardwalk. The playing on the beach. A yard all our own. "Go outside and play kids!" I feel like June Cleaver already.
I am inspired to be the super mom I have always wanted to be. Now don't get me wrong, I think I do a pretty good job right now, but I want to do more for my girls.
The seafood...Ahhh the fresh from the ocean seafood. I'm drooling already.

But mostly, I feel inspired to take better care of myself. I want to partake in all the joys of beach living in flowing maxi dresses and cute cut-off shorts.
Now I know this is an old song and dance of mine. I know the tune, but have yet to master the steps. I'm getting there. My calfs are sore from yesterday's post AND the workouts prior. My cleanse is going well, and the healthy eating as it should be; lite, refreshing, and yummy.

So I want you to be inspired too.
Take a few moments to do something for yourself. I recommend a detox bath to jump start everything*. Run a hot as you can handle bath and add up to 1 cup of sea salt and baking soda ( that's 1/2 cup each). Let it dissolve and slip on in. If/when you start to feel nausea's it's time to get out. rinse off in a cool shower , drink a big glass of water, and hop straight into bed. If you are toxic, yes I mean literally, you will feel nausea's and shaky. This is the toxins working out of your body. repeat the bath every night for 7 nights.
Try to limit processed foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol during this time.
Even after the first bath you should feel a bit lighter the next day. By the end you will probably have more energy, sleep better, and may have dropped a little weight.
*If you are regnant, have a heart condition, or any other medical condition please check with doctor prior to this bath. You must get out the minute you start to feel sick!


You can also try body brushing as well. You literally take  a special dry bristle brush and starting at you feet working up to your heart brush your skin in short strokes. It's pretty cool. You will feel like you just took a few shots of expresso. The brushing stimulates your circulatory system, removes dead skin cells, and stimulates your bodies natural detoxing centers. It is possible to lose a pound a week with daily body brushing. I like to do mine before my detox bath to get the most out of both practices.
At the end I slather on organic coconut oil for supper soft skin. Plus the fats in coconut oils are EXTREMELY good for you.


        

Mini

While full blown workouts are required to be healthy, there is a lot to be said for small mini workouts.
They can be muscle group specific.
They can fit into any schedule.
And they make you feel like you accomplished something.


Here are a few of my favorite mini's


Calf Raises
Do them whole brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or standing at the stove. Position your legs in parallel or external rotation ( think wide V). Do them with your knees straight or bent.


Counter Push-Ups
Anytime you walk into a designated room you "drop" and do 10 or 20 or 100000000. (just kidding)
Place you hands on the edge of the counter and step your feet back so that you are in a straight line from head to heels. Drop your chin down towards you chest so that you don't stick your neck out of alignment with your spine.  And begin! Just remember to keep the abs tight.


Booty Work
Perfect for in the car or at the computer. 
Just sit up nice and tall with both feet on the floor.  Think of tucking your tailbone by rolling your weight back slightly. You'll feel your lower abs kick in. Now squeeze those cheeks and hamstrings. 
Have you ever seen a dog or cat drag its bum on the floor?? Thats kinda the movement. You want to squeeze your glutes and push them towards your knees without lifting off of the chair. You are tucking your pelvis. Now squeeze your inner things together like they are holding a winning lottery ticket... and it's a windy day in Chicago.


Mostly just move. Almost every moment can be made passive or active depending on you. By choosing to be active you burn more calories. Fidgeting is a good thing!

A Little Bit of Love

I was featured Here this Friday. Every week Crystal introduces her readers to an inspirational, fun, crazy mom type. We met through another blog written by a woman I went to high school with. (talk about 6 degrees.) We chatted a few times and I offered her a few tips when I read a blog posting on Crystals site Wanna Be A Balanced Mom about her abs after babies.
I love giving tips on exercises, food options, wallpaper, shoes...
Enjoy!