What I have been loving lately..

Hi Friends!! I thought I would start sharing some things I am loving right now. From workout clothes, fitness classes, products, and more. I will try and update every couple of months with new things I am trying! For now, these are my TOP 5 favorites!

1)      I am currently LOVING the comfort matte lipsticks from Urban Decay. I have been using Tampered and Safe Word. I love mixing colors together. These compliment each other perfectly and create the perfect mauvey tanish color ( neither of those are words lol but you know what I mean). It has a creamy finish and it lasts for hours. Below is a selfie I took with the lipstick on so you can see what it looks like! 

2)      La Mer Soft Cream.  I have been wanting to try this FOREVER. I have read such incredible reviews but it is pretty expensive so I never wanted to try it. For Valentine’s Day my mom bought it for me and I have been LOVING IT. After I put it on my face feels so smooth. I haven’t had dry patches which I was experiencing in January and early Feb with this crazy NY weather.  I definitely recommend trying.  I know it is pricey but give it a shot. You do not need to apply a lot so I think you can make the most of the product.

3)     If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have been loving Gymshark for the past couple of months. Every time they release something I want to buy it all.  I have found the ones that work for me and I wanted to share them. I am in between sizing. Some pants I own I am an XS and others I am a SM. I also LOVE all of their crop tops and crop sweatshirts and highly recommend. They are my inspo to go the gym!

Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle Wide Mouth with Straw Lid (Graphite, 40-Ounce)

Hydro Flask

4)      My new Hyrdroflask water bottle. So my friend ordered one, and of course I wanted one so I bought it and it was the best thing I could have done. I have always been really conscious about the amount of water I drink a day BUT with the hydroflask it makes it even more easier to track how much water I drink. I bought the 40oz bottle with the straw and I try to drink at least 3 of them a day.

5)      FIT Maybelline Matte & Poreless Foundation. Okay I have been using this for a while now, but I just opened up a new bottle and I just love it so much so I had to share. This has been my absolute favorite foundation. It gives you a nice natural finish with medium build-able coverage. It comes in so many different shades, so it is easy for you to find the perfect match. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Let me know if you try any of these out!!

XO ASH

8 Week workout Review + Progress Photos

8 weeks have flown by my goodness. As promised, here is my 8 week transformation from using @krissycelas Tone & Sculpt guide.

My results may not be extreme but I most definitely feel stronger and I have learned a lot through this guide so I wanted to share some of my thoughts!

1)      Activation!! This is something I never did before my workouts. This is the first guide I have purchased that includes Activation warmup exercises for each muscle group. I didn’t realize the importance of warming up your muscles before working out. I would usually just stretch and then jump into my routine but activating the muscles is something we should all do before jumping into it. I definitely have seen an improvement in my workouts because of activating my muscles.

2)      Dropsets & reverse pyramids are two methods I haven’t used before in my workouts. I usually stick to Supersets and trisets but these were cool ways to change things up. You start with a challenging weight, decrease the weights and add more reps.  This exhausted my muscles but in a really good way. 

3)      Since I am being completely honest with you when I do reviews, one thing that I did struggle with was doing the same workouts for 4 weeks straight. The guide is 8 weeks so the first 4 weeks are the same workouts and the second 4 weeks are new workouts but the same for those four weeks. I get bored very easily so I found myself changing some things or adding some things but this is JUST ME PERSONALLY. The guide is broken out perfectly each day and week with the workouts and moves.

4)      My eating definitely could have been better the past 8 weeks but listennn gurls got to live! I have had a lot of birthdays and parties so I indulged a little more than I probably should have but now that is April I will not be doing that as often.

And that is it!! Another guide that I give an A+. I definitely recommend trying it. I just bought @fitgurlmels 8 week guide and I am starting that Monday. So I will use my after here as a starting point for that guide. Remember it is a lifestyle. Ditch the scale and focus on how you feel.

and as promised here are my progress photos !

Trying a new 8 week Workout Guide!

Hi Friends!

Happy February! Can you believe January is over already?! Insane to me.  Joe & I will be married 6 months on the 19th!!!! 6 months. Holy Cow time is flying. Seriously, best 6 months everrrrr. My partner in crime, soulmate, best friend. We are killing the married game LOL

Ok sorry for the lovey dovey, anyway with a new month approaching I always take a step back and reevaluate my goals. I find it so important to constantly check in with yourself to see how you are feeling, what you can change if you aren’t feeling your best, and how you can better yourself.  This applies to everything in life NOT JUST WORKING OUT. January I kicked up my fitness game up into full gear. I have been writing out my own workouts, and really challenging myself when it comes to weight lifting. I have been trying to educate myself more as well. I am watching a lot of Youtubes and reading a lot of blog posts. I am trying to avoid just going with the motion of working out and more focusing on exactly what muscle group I am working. I am constantly on a mission to learn more and more when it comes to fitness.  When I started working out 3 years ago was terrified to even go in the weight room. I felt embarrassed. I didn’t want anyone to look at me. I would get nervous if someone would correct me. Now, I just put my headphones on and do my thing. If I have questions, I ask. It is important to be open minded and willing to learn.

So with that being said, new month.. new fitness goals and challenges. Yesterday I started the Tone & Sculpt guide by @krissycela . If you don’t follow Krissy on Instagram you are seriously missing out. She posts so many awesome workout videos & has great tips and tricks on her youtube channel. I took a step away from guides for a little because I did @paofitworlds guide 3x and needed to switch things but but I am waiting patiently for her second guide to come out! YAY!! But Krissy is another fitness influencer I have been following for a while and when I found out her guide was coming out on Thursday I immediately purchased it.

I have been studying the guide to familiarize myself with it before starting. It is a lot of weight lifting, which I have grown to LOVE. I swear that it has changed my body and has made me so much stronger. Society makes us believe that as a female lifting will make you bulky and masculine. This could not be more false. I encourage you to try it. Stop worrying about what everyone will say and think. Go out there and just crush it.

I am really excited to start this guide!  Can’t wait to see what the next 8 weeks bring! My goal is to become stronger, not skinnier. My goal is to realize how lucky I am that I get to work out every day. My goal is to realize that our bodies are incredible AS IS while striving to become even stronger than before.

This month, I challenge you to go above and beyond. Don’t hold back. You are capable of anything you put your mind too.

Chapter 2 of the new year. Let’s make it a good one :)

XO

"What I Eat in a Day!"

Hi Friends!!

I promised this post a while ago and never got to writing it but lots of you requested it. So here we are..” What I Eat in a Day” Blog post!

When I started working out 3 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I cut out all foods pretty much. I was convinced I could only have 3 meals a day and they had to be protein and veggies. In my head, carbs were no Bueno.

As my knowledge and love for fitness continue to grow, I  realize the importance of nutrition when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Everyone has different goals so what I do may not work for you. My goals are to gain weight and build lean muscle. 

If you know me, you know I am eating constantly. Every few hours I am grabbing a snack. Especially on days that I work out in the morning. I am ravenous the whole day LOL.

I have been trying to change up my meals more now because I needed a change. So what is listed below isn’t what I eat every day but it is a good example of it. I have gone back and forth with counting macros the past year. I am back on the macro counting train. I personally love counting macros because it allows me to be flexible with my eating and not limit myself to certain foods. Remember it is a lifestyle not a diet. Also, if I didn’t tell you I was counting macros you wouldn’t know! I enter all my food the night before so I know if I need to make adjustments. I don’t carry around a scale but have one home. I can now estimate because I have an idea of how many ounces chicken and turkey are now. Also, if I decide to buy lunch at work.. I try my best to find the restaurant in My fitness pal which is the app I use to count macros. If not, I try to just find something similar.

If  you don’t know what macro counting is, don’t worry! I didn’t either. I reached out to Paola ( @paosfitworld) to calculate my macros. She had me fill out a questionnaire based on my activity level, height, weight, age and what goals I want to achieve.   In return she calculated my macros. Macros are unique to each individual person. If you want to read more about macros head over to www.paosfitworld.com blog to read all about flexible dieting. However, I will just give you a little glimpse of what macros are! Macros stand for macronutrients. The three macronutrients that provide energy are Protein, Carbs and Fats. Based on your body type, age, and goals everyone’s macronutrients will be different. You need a certain amount of protein, carbs and fats in order to achieve your goals. This is why I feel like macro couting is the perfect way to get yourself back on track if you have fallen off. Once you get the hang of it, you won’t even really have to track anymore. OKAY enough of my rambling. See below for my food Diary from this past week :)

8:15am: Post workout Shake ( I use Cellucor Cinnamon Swirl Whey Protein mixed with water)

9:30am: Breakfast: Overnight oats- ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup almond milk, 1 banana, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp almond butter. * Hint- secure mason jar lid and shake well so everything mixes together! Refrigerate overnight) I also had a coffee with 1 scoop if Vital Proteins Collagen Peptitdes, this is new to my routine)

11:00am: Morning Snack- Reduced Fat Wheat Thins ( serving size 16 crackers) + 1 wedge laughing cow Creamy Swiss Light

1:00pm Lunch- Turkey Taco Bowls- I made this for the first time this week and LOVED IT. 3oz Ground turkey with taco seasoning, sprinkled a little weight watchers shredded cheese on top,1 cup jasmine white rice, some shredded lettuce and tomatoes. DELISH! I found this recipe below and adjusted it a little. I am not a big fan of peppers, and I wanted rice so I added it. I also had a Hershey kiss because why not? lol

https://skinnyfitalicious.com/meal-prep-turkey-taco-bowls/

3pm: Afternoon snack: Oikos Tripe Zero Yogurt with Granola and Blackberries

7pm: Healthy Buffalo Chicken Crockpot Meal with Broccoli ( Recipe below)

https://skinnyfitalicious.com/healthy-crockpot-bbq-chicken/

8:30pm: 1 cup Peanut butter Cup Halo Top (FAVORITE)

& that’s it!! My breakfast and snacks are typically the same during the week, Lunch and Dinner are always TBD but I try to make sure I am getting a protein, carb, veggie and healthy fat with those meals. I believe planning ahead definitely makes things easier. It also makes you feel really accomplished and it is the perfect way to start the week.

I hope you find something that works for you!! Nutrition is just as important as the workouts. Make it fun and remember, your long term goal should be to live a healthy lifestyle not just something that will give you immediate results.

Any questions, as always let me know!! This is a learning experience for me as well and I love hearing what other people like to eat and learning new things!

Let's make this a great week ahead!

XO ASH

15 Facts About Me!

Hi Friends!

I realized that I never did a Random Facts Blog Post so you can get to learn more about me.  So here you go!

1. I am 28 years old, born and raised in NY. I lived in my childhood home for 27 years until Joe & I got married this year .

2. I have a passion for music. Ever since I was a little girl, I would love to dance & sing. I took tap, jazz, and hip hop for over 10 years and then stopped when I went to high school. I joined the Choir in High School as an after school activity. My brother in Law had a built in home studio years ago, so I would go there a few times a month to record and make CD's for my family.  I would become very shy if someone asked me to sing on the spot. I used to not want people to know that I liked to sing and now I just embrace it. If you know me, you know that I go throughout my day singing lots of tunes! It makes me happy. Also, take me to a concert and I will be your best friend. I LOVE CONCERTS.

3. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology & studied Fashion Merchandising Management. I met so many of my close friends from that school and it prepared me for working in the fashion industry. I interned my last year of college and landed a job as soon as a I graduated. My advice to anyone in college, I N T E R N. You never know what can come of it!

4. I am OBSESSED with skincare. l think I have dialed it down a little but I would buy new Face Mask's every week. I just love taking care of my skin and trying new products out. I will do an updated skin care routine soon because a lot has changed since my last post!

5. I wish I could say I was as good at taking care of my hair as I am my skin. Since I work out so much I feel like I just neglect my hair by throwing it up. My hair is also on the finer side, so it gets oily pretty fast which makes it hard to leave down every day.

6. I never took a stationary bicycle class before I took Soul Cycle. Actually, I don't think I ever even sat on one. I had no idea I would love it so much, but it is the greatest hobby I have ever had and I am so happy I decided to try something new.

7. Every day after I eat lunch, I have to drink tea. I don't know why but I immediately get up and make tea lol I am an old lady at heart!

8. I love candles and I want to buy a new one every single day and just burn them all at the same time because I just love them so much. OK, I know a little dramatic. I just love walking into a house and smelling a beautiful candle. It makes me happy.

9. It takes me forever to finish a book because I have the worst attention span. However, my favorite books to read are self Help Books. I enjoy reading books that will help me better myself as a person.

10. My favorite flowers are Sunflowers. They are just the happiest, brightest, most beautiful flowers. 

11. I write everything down. My tasks for the day, my meals for the week, my workouts. Whether its on a sheet of paper or I type it in my notes on my phone I love just having lists so I feel accomplished.

12. I think you all know this but just in case- Joe & I dated 9 years before we tied the Knot in August. I can honestly say, I married my best friend. 

13. I am obsessed with Vacations. If I could go somewhere new every month I would lol I cry every time we have to leave to come home. Not because I am sad to go home, but because I just love the feeling of disconnecting from real life. Don't we all?! lol

14. I don't watch much TV but I can spend hours watching You Tube Videos.

15. I LOVE QUOTES. I make sure to read a few quotes once a day. I feel like a good quote can change my whole mood and really put life in perspective.

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me! If you ever have any questions, feel free to Comment Below! 

New post coming soon XO

Hello 2018!

Happy 2018 friends!!

I am excited to get back into my blog. 2017 was insanely hectic. I knew I wanted to start a blog as it was on my list of things to achieve, but unfortunately I didn’t spend enough time on it. So I am eager to jump back into it hoping you all still want to read.

So here I am !! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and that you were able to spend time with the people you love. I sure did J I was off from work for about a week and was able to get a lot of things accomplished. I took lots of Soul Cycle classes and spent the time doing things I love. 

Getting back into a routine is difficult for everyone. Whether you had time off or not. We all are so busy running around doing things for the holidays and eating all the delicious food it makes it very easy to fall off track. You are not alone. I thought about what I wanted to share with you guys and I immediately thought about Goals for 2018 as well as tips on trying to get back into the swing of things.

When it comes to setting a goal or “resolution” for 2018 try not to make it about losing weight or gaining weight. It seems that when we set a goal like this, we tend to get frustrated when we don’t see immediate results. Instead, aim for following a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. At the end of the day, we all want to make sure we are making long term decisions to keep us healthy and happy.

Has anyone completely ditched the gym the past few months? or you haven’t pushed as hard as you know you can? THAT’S OK. Starting a new year helps us to take a step back and start over. So if you fell off track, or maybe you never were on track now is your time. Did you know 3 years ago on Jan 2nd  was the kick start into my love for fitness. I decided to take my first Soul Cycle class. It was a new year, I figured why not try something NEW. Best thing I have ever done. I started to fall in love with moving my body, being able to push myself, and I started to see how strong I was becoming. 2 months later, I started working out in the gym to challenge myself a little more. Who knew that taking one cycling class would start a love for living a healthy active lifestyle. So my advice for you is to go for it! Get out there, try something new, meet new people and challenge yourself. The worst thing that can happen is you won’t like it. If you don’t- try something else until you find what you do. 

Grab a partner. I am so fortunate that my husband is a huge advocate for health and fitness. It makes it easier to stick to my goals.  I also met so many friends through the fitness community that keep me accountable and constantly motivate me. Surrounding yourself with people that have like interests is an awesome way to stay on track.

As we start the new year, remember that you are capable of whatever it is that you put your mind too. Set yourself up for success by making realistic goals and work hard to achieve them. We are all working towards something so let’s support and encourage each other. 

Let’s make this the best year yet!

XO

Our Wedding Day 08.19.17

Yayayay!! I finally had the chance to sit down and write a post about our wedding day. It has been 2 months since Joe & I got married. As corny and cliché as this might sound that day was the best day ever and I wish I could replay it over and over again.

We had a two year engagement which was the greatest thing for us personally. We were able to plan our wedding without being on a time crunch and save up for our new home and future together. Some background on our relationship- Joe & I started dating when we were 18 years old. You know when people say they just know that they want to spend forever with someone? Well, I knew right away. Joe is the most loving, caring, positive, hardworking, family oriented person. He treats my family with love and respect as if they are his own. He encourages me to be myself and go after my dreams. I am so lucky to call him my soulmate and best friend. 8 years later, we were engaged and now 10 years of dating we are married :) Time flies doesn’t it!?!

Our ceremony was at my childhood church. It meant so much to me getting married there. I didn't care about a long aisle or beautiful decor, I just wanted to marry the love of my life at my favorite little church.

The venue search was a long one. We looked at pretty much every venue in Long Island  and then decided to go up to the Westchester area after hearing such amazing things about one particular venue, Glen Island Harbor Club. My friend ( thx Katie!), got married there and told me to take a look at it. The minute we drove up to the venue we both fell in love. You drive into a park that is surrounded by water and pull up to this beautiful venue that is lit up and had the most gorgeous flowers and greenery. It was tranquil and it made us both feel at home. We met with Rocco who was our banquet manager and he made the whole experience just seamless. ( ROCCO IS YOU EVER SEE THIS, THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR DAY SO SPECIAL). Anyway, after leaving the venue we both decided that it was “the one” and we took our families back to see it. If you don’t know us, Joe and I are EXTREMELY family oriented so they are involved in all aspects of our planning. August 19th 2017 was the date we decided on… and it will forever be my favorite.

Joes tux is John Varvatos

When it came to picking a photographer, I knew exactly who I wanted. Actually, I knew I wanted him before we even picked the venue. Ricky Restiano. Have you heard of him and his team? If not you need to check then out @rickyrestianophotography on fb and Instagram. I had fell in love with a particular wedding he shot on his facebook page and was sold instantly. We actually decided on his team before we even dropped off the deposit to our venue. We booked both Ricky & Chris to shoot our wedding. We were really nervous about the photos. We both had never been in front of a photographer before so naturally, its nerve-racking. However, when you are working with really talented, creative, amazing people they just make you feel so comfortable. I trusted Ricky & Chris to capture every moment and they did the most beautiful job. I would be lying to you if I told you I do not look at these photos every day. They really mean so much to me. It is so heartwarming to see the smiles on everyone’s faces and the love shared. It is just so special.

The dress. Oh ladiessssss, picking your wedding dress is just the most magical feeling. When I tried on this Inbal Dror dress for the first time, I was the happiest. It almost felt like the dress was made for me, even though it wasn’t lol but I just LOVE THAT DRESS.  With my skin tone, I realized white really wasn’t my color. I wanted lace, but after trying on a few all white lace dresses they weren’t for me. This dress was the perfect combination of what I wanted. If I could put it on every day, I would. Thank you to my Mom for making it all possible and allowing me to get the dress of my dreams. I am forever grateful. When it came to jewelry I wanted to keep it simple. We went to a Maria Elena trunk show and I picked a beautiful headband. It almost looked like a little crown. I then picked matching earring and a bracelet which I LOVE and can't wait to wear again. Everything felt very beachy and summery. Rosegold & Gold were the colors I was aiming for.

This is one of my favorite accessories on our wedding day. This gorgeous pendant of my grandmother given to me by my Sister in Law.

When it came to my hair I wanted it off of my face just because it was the summer so I wasn’t sure how hot and humid it would be. Cristina was my hair stylist and she made my vision come to life. You all know how important makeup is right? Well I was so nervous because I wanted to make sure I looked like myself on my wedding day. Fitore, who was our makeup artist was phenomenal. It was the perfect combo of glow and bronze.

For flowers, I knew I wanted all white and fluffy flowers. Since peonies, weren’t in season we used garden roses as suggested by our florist. We used Arcadia Floral Co. & they were so lovely to work with. The girls wore navy gowns because that was my grandmas favorite color and their flowers were white with a pop of blush pink. Simple, yet elegant :) They all looked so beautiful.

I decided to have a grooms cake made up for Joe since his birthday was 3 days before the wedding. Since we both love to work out, and he works for a forklift company I wanted to combine both of those ideas to one. Britany created a masterpiece and Joe absolutely LOVED it. Check Britany out on Instagram for her talented baking skills. (@littlecakebaker)

On our wedding day, I was so calm. I kind of can’t believe how calm we both were. I always told Joe I didn’t want us to lose focus of the meaning of the day. Yes, there are so many people and all eyes are on you. You want to make to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves but at the end of the day it’s your day. Details might not always go as planned but it doesn’t even matter. Our wedding day was just perfect. I have no other way to describe it. No matter what happened, I was marrying my soul mate. I will cherish every single memory made, every smile and tear that was shed and I will forever be thankful.

To those of you planning a wedding, it will get stressful but things will work out and you will have the best day. Make lists and check things off as you go. Create a timeline so you aren’t bombarded or overwhelmed.

This is the happiest time, filled with love- enjoy the process.

Tips to Getting back on Track

Hi Friends!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the rest of the summer! It has been quite some time since I last wrote on my blog.

As you all know, Joe & I got married last month, moved in & went on our honeymoon. ( Full wedding blog post coming soon !! ) Anyway, It has been an adjustment and trying to get back in a routine has definitely been difficult. However, I am back in action & ready to blog and post more.

When I created this blog, I wanted to be able to share my personal experiences with fitness & how I keep on track, as well as other things going on in my life that I think other people can relate too. I am by no means a professional blogger but I wanted this to be a place that I can jot down my thoughts and hopefully help someone.

With that being said, today's blog post is on how to get back on track. It has been a roller-coaster for me. I went from working out 6 days a week, eating really well & counting my macros to barely working out and not caring so much about what I ate. Time was limited. While working full time, planning a wedding and preparing to move into our new home I was mentally & physically exhausted so I decided it was time for me to take a break and that is OK. I know that I shouldn’t be making excuses but it is what it is. We are our own biggest critics.

So step 1 to getting back on track is to STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF. Whether you took a month off from working out, or ate horribly for the past year it is time to just move on from it. You will not achieve your goals if you continue to dwell on the fact that you fell off track. The good news is, you can get right back on. Write down your goals. It can be as simple as working out 30 mins 2x a week, go for a walk every night or cut out sugar from your diet during the week. Whatever it is, write it down and look at it every single day to make sure you are sticking to it. It’s all in the mindset, so be positive!

Speaking of positive mindset, that leads me into my Step 2. Stop looking at yourself in a negative way. You have one body. This might sound cheesy, but it is a gift so you should treat it with the best care not just physically but mentally. Start complimenting yourself and stop bashing yourself. You WILL achieve your goals you just have to believe it.

STEP 3 is something that I am guilty of not always doing but it is one of the most important ones.. PLANNING AHEAD. Your nutrition makes up 80% of your fitness goals. You can be working out like crazy but if you aren’t fueling your body with the proper food unfortunately it will take you much longer to achieve your goals. We all get busy but there are ways to plan ahead. Go to the store buy healthy snacks and stack them in your desk at work instead of running to the store and buying junk during lunch. Bring your own lunch. If you bring your own lunch, you are most likely going to pack something healthy and nutritious. Drink lots of water! Water is key to flushing out all the toxins in your body so drink up. Also, do not restrict yourself of things you love to eat. If your friends ask you to go to dinner don’t say no because you don’t want to eat bad. Live your life!! Just find the balance. This should be a lifestyle NOT a diet. Since I just moved out of my house, prepping is something that I am trying to do more. I no longer have dinner ready for me on the table when I get home ( I know I was soooo spoiled BEST PARENTS EVER). By the time I get home from work it is after 7pm and the last thing I want to do is cook, so prepping beforehand is going to be a lifesaver. I will post more on meal prep and what I do once I establish more of a routine :)

These are my top 3 tips for getting back on track. Taking care of your body should be something you enjoy doing. Don’t we all want to live long healthy lives?! So make sure you are treating your body 100%. We all fall off track.. it happens but it is up to you to make the change. You can literally start right now. As in, this second like as soon as you are done reading this ……. :)

Go crush your goals. Let’s do this together!

Learn to Enjoy Every Minute of your Life

It’s been so long since my last blog post! Time is flying by & in all honesty my mind hasn’t really been all there when it comes to sharing my thoughts, feelings or ideas with everyone. As most of you know, Joe & I get married next month. On top of that we are getting ready to move into our new home so there has been a lot going on all at once. Today I wanted to write about how I have been dealing with all the changes that are happening in my life + managing my hobbies, family & friends. I think it is safe to say that we all go through periods in our lives where we feel overwhelmed & have a hard time finding time to just BE. So if anything that I suggest or recommend can help even one person, then I will be happy J

For my fellow brides out there I have one piece of advice for you *E N J O Y. T H E . P R O C E S S * Wedding planning can be really stressful especially when it gets closer to the date. You will have one vendor appointment after the next & will have to make a lot of decisions. At the end of the day, you have to remember that this is supposed to be the happiest time in your life. So yes, at the moment you might be super overwhelmed with everything you have to do but in the blink of an eye it will be over. So enjoy the craziness & don’t lose sight of what it is all about.

For those who are getting ready to move out of their homes for the first time ( Yes, I am 28 & still live at home & love every bit of it) *E M B R A C E. C H A N G E* I feel so lucky to have been able to stay at home with my parents until the wedding. They have been the biggest supporters & I thank God every day for them. Although we are not moving far, leaving home is definitely really hard for me.  I get so sad thinking about leaving the house I spent my whole life in. However, I keep telling myself that this new chapter will be amazing, my family will ALWAYS be there, that house will always be there the memories there will be in my heart and new memories will be made.

Find an outlet. For me, it is clipping into a Soul Cycle bike or plugging in my headphone at the gym and escaping for an hour. It is the time that keeps me grounded when everything around me is happening so fast. Everyone deserves to have that. So no matter what that outlet might be for you, find it. Whether it is reading, listening to music, yoga, running, writing..make sure to give yourself the time YOU need.

Check in with your family & friends. I never like the excuse “ I am too busy”. It takes two seconds to reach out to someone to see how they are. Sometimes life gets in the way & we can see our family & friends as often as we like but always find the time to check in, it can brighten someone’s day.

So guys, this is most likely my last blog post until August ( I will try to blog beforehand). In case I don’t though, I wish you the best summer. I hope that you laugh endlessly you,  you do what you love & that you live life to the fullest.

All my love,

Ash

Ps: full wedding post when I return!!!

Tips to Stay on track this Summer!

HI friends! 

Summer is around the corner! Can you believe it?! This year is flying by. Life starts to get really hectic right about now, at least for me! The next three months there is so much going on but all really exciting, life changing, fun, memorable things! 

With summer just a few weeks away & all the craziness going on it is important to stay motivated & remain accountable for your goals. It is very easy to give up. I have heard a few of these things the past weeks. " Oh, summer is to close now I will never achieve my goals." " I am too busy, I have no time to workout." " I am surrounded by so much bad food, so I just have to eat bad". WRONG, WRONG & TRIPLE WRONG FRIENDS!

Here are my tips to getting yourself back on track & staying motivated this summer:

1) Do not set a time limit on your goals. Allow yourself to organically achieve them. I have never found deadlines to help me personally. All they do is make me anxious and angry if I don't achieve them. Work hard & work smart- that is my motto!

2) Find balance. The summer is here and you are going to be attending lots of great BBQ's, spending time with your friends & family, drinking some delicious cocktails & being lazy laying in the sun. It is so important to enjoy all of these things. We need to appreciate the moments we are given. However, it will not benefit you if you give up taking care of yourself just because the weather is nice now. So go for a run outside, go swimming, make being active fun, then go attend your BBQ. Put some music on & dance. Enjoy all the good food in moderation.

3) Check in with someone who motivates you & keeps you in check each day. I find that staying in contact with my friends who are just as into health & fitness as I am, helps me stay accountable.

4) PLAN PLAN PLAN your meals during the work week. To all my friends who work, bring your breakfast, lunch & snacks to work. I find it so much easier for me to eat healthy when I do this. Of course it is okay to eat out too, just think smart when choosing what you want. 

5) Create a life of self care not just a month to look a certain way. Once you do that, I promise you will enjoy the process so much more.

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!! Have the most amazing week!

" We Rise by Lifting Others"

HI MY FRIENDS!

Hope everyone is doing well :) I have been a little busy bee. It is a rainy Tuesday night so I really wanted to dedicate some time to write this blog post.

I want to speak about kindness. I know I know- you might think that is boring, or you might not want to hear what I have to say but it is something I am really passionate about so I knew I wanted to do a post on it when I started this blog.

I have always been a strong believer in surrounding myself with kind, genuine, caring people. I have vowed to myself to always treat others the way I wish to be treated and I make sure to spread kindness every single day. The world is so full of hatred and negative energy that it is so important to make sure that you are spreading even the littlest act of kindness.

Listen, not every day you are going to wake up in the best mood and want to smile at everyone you see, compliment someone or just say something nice. I totally understand that, BUT it literally does not cost a thing to be kind- so why not do it more? Smile. That is my first rule. SMILE. Why are there so many people walking around with frowns on their faces? Life is too short. One simple smile can change someones day. So next time you are walking around with your head down, look up & smile at someone. 

Giving compliments to people is probably my favorite thing. I will never understand how people do not say the nice things they are actually thinking. Think about it. How do you feel when someone tell you " You look so nice today", makes you feel good right? So if you are thinking that about someone else, why not tell them? Why not make them feel good too? You don't know what they are going through, it could turn their whole day around. LISTEN. Listen to others. When you are talking to someone, really listen to what they are saying. Cut out the JUDGING. I am telling you, once you stop judging those around you, you will see an instant change in your attitude towards life and others.

I believe in living a "healthy lifestyle". However, living a healthy lifestyle is way beyond just what you see physically or what you eat . It is way more than that. It is about your outlook on life & those around you. I have always been a very positive person, but over the past few years since incorporating more fitness into my routine, I feel like I have found even more happiness in my life. The reason is because I have found a greater appreciation for the life I have been given, for getting up every day and being able to move my body, and for waking up and breathing. When you start to appreciate yourself, you start to show appreciation towards others.

So do me a favor, do something kind tomorrow. Hold the door for a stranger, say "thank you" to the Barista at Starbucks and tell them to have a nice day. Call a friend you haven't spoken with to check in and see how they are, tell someone how proud you are of them, if someone you know is having a tough day; ask if they need someone to talk to. T

"Remember if you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up"- Booker T. Washington

xx ash

"Fall in love with taking care of your body"

12 weeks ago I started a new workout guide by Paola M. It is called Strong Sexy Body Method. You can check Paola out on instagram (@paosfitworld)

After two years of doing mainly HIIT workouts, I decided it was time for me to overcome my fear of lifting.My progress was stagnant. I wasn’t seeing much change & I was getting bored with my workouts. I was skinny with no muscle definition. Some of you may read this and say "but you were skinny, why do you work out?" My answer always is, being skinny does not mean you are strong. I don't work out to be skinny, I would out to build my strength and take care of my body.

I decided it was time to incorporate something new to my routine & step out of my comfort zone. I have always been worried that lifting weights would make me bulky. .For the past 12 weeks, I committed to working out 6 days a week. A lot of early wake up calls to the gym.I have pushed myself to increase my weights, to step onto the weight floor, & to try machines I haven’t used before.I have gained muscle, and I can feel how much stronger I have gotten from using these guides. Not just physically but mentally. I feel empowered. I focused on myself and didn't compare my progress to others. I zoned into each and every workout. Working out has become much more than the physical progress to me, its my hobby. It makes me feel good inside and out. It took a long time to get here though, I didn't always enjoy working out.  I didn't like that I would put in the work and wasn't seeing results right away.   I didn't like that I couldn't keep up with other people, or that I didn't know how to do something. After a while though, I realized that this isn't a race. That you do what you can, and as long as you are trying that is all that matters. There are days when I totally sleep through my alarm and miss the gym. There are days that I go to the gym and I have no energy to push through. It happens, we are human just get back up and try again.

I think it is important to change up your workout routine. Be open to trying new things. Do not feel discouraged when something isn’t working. Keep trying until you find something that works for you. Paola's guides were perfect for me because she lays everything out for you. Each move has videos that you an watch if you are unsure how to do something. She gives you a range of weights to use, and she also answers emails so quickly, so if you have a question she is there to answer.

Oh & of course Soul Cycle is a part of my routine. I take 2x classes a week. I find it therapeutic and I sweat more than any other workout. It’s by far my favorite place to be.  I actually find myself now a days to be a stronger rider because I added weights to my workout routine.  Working out is a commitment to yourself. Only you can get yourself do it, and put in the effort. Nutrition is also key to success. It is so important to make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs. When starting this guide, I also started counting macros. If I didn’t tell you, you wouldn’t know. I don’t weigh my food but I track everything in my fitness pal to make sure I am getting the proper protein, carbohydrates & fats that I need. I do not obsess over my food or caloric intake. Instead I just track to make sure that with all of the working out I do, my body is properly nourished. Paola calculates my macros and has been a huge help during this journey. It is all about BALANCE. So make sure to treat yourself. You deserve it :)

My advice to you if you are still reading this, is too have an open mind. Try new things. Ask questions. Make friends within the fitness community they will push you and inspire you.

Most of all, realize what you are doing for yourself. You are bettering your body & your mind. Get up and get your body moving. Even if its just 30 minutes. Your body will thank you! 

"Be Stronger than your Excuses"

Hi Friends!

I can not believe it has been a month since my last blog post! Time just goes so quickly I can't keep up. However, I am committed to this blog. It's something I wanted for a while, so no matter how much time goes by, I will be posting!

I have been asked a lot lately, how I keep my motivation to work out. The answer is simple. I love it.I have learned that once you make working out less of "Omg I have to workout" & more of a "Yay I can't wait to do something great for my body today." It gets easier.

Flash back around 5 years ago. I hated working out. I had "no" time & I was "skinny" so why would I need to work out right? I think that is what a lot of people think when they look at me. To me, weight is not the reason why I work out. I work out because I want to be strong. I work out because when I am anxious or stressed it is my outlet. I work out, because I have one body & I want to take care of it. I work out because I want to feel challenged & to grow. You do not need to go to the gym for hours & hours at a time. There are so many things you can do at home, or so many guides that you can do that do not require so much of your time. Just all your energy while you are doing them!

My friend Megan said to me " It takes 21 days to make or break a habit" that is something that has stuck with me. If you commit to something for more than just a few days, it becomes easier. However, only you can commit to yourself. Here are a few of my recommendations on how to start & feel motivated.

1) Find a community of people with like goals & interests. For me, this started with Soul Cycle. A community of people who are so supportive & motivated. I couldn't get enough and I just wanted to keep going back ( this has not changed at all!) It also started for me when I created my instagram and met so many people through Kayla Itsines Meet ups, as well as other fitness classes I have taken. I have met some pretty badass women who inspire me every day!

2) Set realistic goals. Small goals sometimes are the best ones. They can turn into some of the most successful ones. This might sound cliche, but write those goals down. Every morning when you wake up, look at them because only you are going to push yourself to go after them.

3) Be easy on yourself. There isn't a finish line. Remember you are doing this for you. It takes hard work & dedication. If you aren't seeing the results you want try not to get discouraged. Just take a deep breathe and re evaluate yourself. 

4) Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. If there is one thing I have learned, it is how important asking questions is. I also turn to youtube when I need some motivational videos to watch! 

5) Last but certainly not least, don't forget to acknowledge your hard work & dedication. We all have ups & downs but its important to know recognize the work you are putting in. So reward yourself when you start achieving those goals. 

I am always here! This is a team effort so whenever you feel like quitting please message me! We are in this together xx

"No ones life is as perfect as their Instagram feed"

Hi Friends!

Hope everyone had a beautiful, fun filled, relaxing weekend!

When I decided to start this blog, I wrote down some topics that I wanted to talk about. This one immediately came to mind. Being that social media is such a huge part of this generation it is important to realize that there is life beyond it.

When I started my instagram around two years ago, I started it to hopefully help motivate and inspire someone out there. Being the I was a skinny girl, trying to start a fitness journey to live a healthier active life style, I thought that someone might be able to relate. Sometimes we think that skinny is healthy or skinny is strong but in all honesty neither of those things are true. 

One thing I have made sure of since day 1 is to always stay true to who I am, and not try to change based on everything else going on around me. I post about my bad days. I post about my good ones. I post quotes, a lot of them. I post about the times I can't get out of bed to workout or I eat horrible. I post videos on my stories of me singing, because I love it and I don't care what people thing.  I am myself. The same on screen as I am off screen. On social media we look at others "perfect pictures" and believe that they have "perfect lives". We wonder what we are doing wrong. Why doesn't our food look so beautiful when we photograph it, or why our bodies don't look like all the girls we see on our screens? We start to compare ourselves. We start to lessen our self worth & we start to "filter" our lives. 

Believe me when I say that, being imperfect is beautiful. Being real & having struggles make you humble. Don't compare your life to others, instead appreciate what you have and everything that you are. Don't pretend to be something you are not. Be YOU, Genuinely yourself. Spread love and not hate. Speak kindness & make the world a better place. Show the real you, so that young people out there can relate. That they realize that life isn't all rainbows & butterflies and that things aren't just handed to us.

Remember this, you are not measured by how many followers you have, or how many likes you receive. You are measured by the imprint you leave on others.

Social Media to me can be used as a platform to help others. If used the right way, it can be a really great tool. Don't use it to impress people, use it to impact them. 

Rule #1 to happiness:

Stop comparing yourself to others.

you are beautiful.

xo

Ash

SKINCARE ROUTINE

HI Friends!

I am constantly taking notes on what I want to blog about. Finally, I want to touch on what is probably one of my favorite things EVER. Skincare. Anyone else as obsessed with facial cleansers, moisturizes, face masks, primer and all that good stuff?! Good, then you came to the right place. A lot of people ask me what my skin care routine is, which is shocking to me but I would love to share :) I have listed all the links to these products at the end of this post!

I definitely stand behind certain products but I do like to switch things up. After using the same products for quite some time I always like trying new things.

Last year, I started using Rodan & Fields products through my friend Danielle. Her skin was looking amazing and she swore by it. I am always willing to try new things so I decided to give it a shot. I have to say, the products DO work. I was using the Sooth Regimen which is for sensitive skin. I felt like my skin was less red, not oily, and I felt confident not wearing makeup on a weekend. They have all different products for different types of skin so if you are considering trying something new, definitely give it a shot! My consultant Danielle's link is at the bottom of this post!

I used the Rodan & Fields products for about a year, but like I said I tend to want to change things up. Once Jan 1st hit I decided to switch up my routine. This is what my routine is today:

Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Wipes. My mom and I have been using these wipes for as long as I can remember. One piece of advice, don't rub your skin harshly when taking of your makeup. That is something my grandma taught me growing up. Be gentle.

Facial Cleanser-Clean & Clear Skin Brightening Facial Cleanser. I LOVE THIS STUFF GUYS! First off, its super affordable but also I feel like it really does brighten my skin. It has these small little beads in it that help exfoliate your skin but are not harsh. I know this says morning burst, but I use it Morning and Evening because I love it so much.  I also use the Mia2 Clarisonic in the evening. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS YOU NEED TO GO AND PURCHASE IT IMMEDIATELY. Please??!?! You would be surprised how much makeup we leave on our faces at night just by washing our face with a cleanser. This little gadget gets all that unwanted makeup right off.

Moisturizer- For Christmas my sister bought me the Hope in a Jar moisturizer from Philosophy. I have combination skin ( more on the oily side) so when it comes to picking a moisturizer I am extremely picky. I personally love this stuff! I put a little on my finger tip and apply to my face both in the morning and in the evening. Switching to new products can be a tough decision because you never know how your skin is going to react. I had no bad breakouts when switching to this & I love how my skin feels. It isn't heavy and not oily. Definitely try to get your hands on a sample and try it out :)

Eye Creams- Yes I know I am 27 years old and use eye cream, BUT did you know that your eye area ages 5 to 10 years faster than the rest of your Face ?! ( I read that in Cosmo and it totally stuck with me) Listen it is never to early to start taking care of your skin, so why not now? I have been using Shisedio anti dark circle eye cream for the days where I feel like I have dark circles under my eyes. Most nights, I am using bareMinerals renew & hydrate Eye cream. My friend Erika told me about this product a while ago, and I have been using it every since. Just tab a little on your finger and SMOOTHLY apply under your eyes.

Face Masks- Okay so if you know me, I AM OBSESSED with face mask. Literally, my favorite thing ever, I love trying new things especially the face mask sheets that you can get in Target ( i will list them below) they are cheap and easy to apply. However, my all time favorite face masks are the Glam Glow masks. I have tried every single one of their face masks and I love all of them. Glam Glow is on the pricey side, but definitely worth it. You can also get the smaller samples from Sephora if you want to try them out but I highly recommend them. Another favorite of mine, that I received as a gift is the Bubbly Clay mask. This mask is so refreshing and leaves your skin glowing. It also tickles when it is on your skin so if you are having a bad day and just want to laugh, end your day applying this to your skin lol. Sometimes on nights when I feel like I need a little more hydration I use the Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE. This was also a gift from a friend that I fell in love with. I wake up feeling refreshed and hydrated.

& thats really is folks. Those are my favorite skincare products. I will list all the links below if you are interested in trying. Please know that this is NOT a sponsored post. I genuinely love all these products and would recommend them any day. If you decide to try them, please let me know! I would love to hear what you think.

Have a great day everyone! xo chat soon

SLEEP MASK:

http://www.target.com/p/laneige-water-sleeping-mask-70-ml/-/A-14897252?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9004410&gclid=Cj0KEQiAw_DEBRChnYiQ_562gsEBEiQA4Lcssiexsur3d7KxhRGrv2enYyWzMD89uFL47lk2efP6-mAaApAL8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

FACIAL CLEANSER:

https://www.cleanandclear.com/facial-cleansers/morning-burst-skin-brightening-facial-cleanser

MOISTURIZER:

http://www.ulta.com/hope-in-a-jar?productId=xlsImpprod1490044

GLAM GLOW FACE MASKS:

http://www.sephora.com/glamglow

BUBBLY FACE MASKS:

https://www.amazon.com/Elizavecca-Milky-Piggy-Carbonated-Bubble/dp/B00MWI2IS0?th=1

BARE MINERALS EYE CREAM:

https://www.amazon.com/Bare-Minerals-Renew-Hydrate-Cream/dp/B005FPN0MA

RODAN & FIELDS REGIMEN I USED. Below is the link to the consultant I used Danielle!

https://danielleloughran.myrandf.com/Shop/Soothe

CLARISONIC MIA2:

http://www.sephora.com/Clarisonic?products=all&publisher_id=255779&sub_publisher=g&sub1=e&sub_keyword=clarisonic%2Bmia%2B2&sub_campaign=700734674&gdevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAw_DEBRChnYiQ_562gsEBEiQA4LcssjRdXHL0wNogvAYnbCBeplSMVC4TCdeXAvzzL7u2274aAkit8P8HAQ&node=1050055&site=us_search&om_mmc=ppc-GG_700734674_38298920084_aud-89368447817%3Akwd-28442933171__160678835920_9004410_c&sub_ad=160678835920 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE SHEET MASKS:

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Miss-Spa-Hydrate-Pre-Treated-Facial-Sheet-Mask-0.88-oz/47308143?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227038518030&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=90377089112&wl4=pla-182517575312&wl5=9004410&wl6=&wl7=9004425&wl8=&wl9=pla_multichannel&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=47308143&wl13=&veh=sem 

 http://www.target.com/p/pretty-animalz-by-look-beauty-panda-calming-facials-sheet-mask-1-ct/-/A-50831797

"BREATHE IT'S JUST A BAD DAY, NOT A BAD LIFE."

Let's talk about bad days. We all have them. We all hate them and we all try to avoid them but it is pretty much impossible to not have a bad day.

Yesterday, I just wasn't having a good day. Couldn't really tell you why but I just felt off. So I was working on something for the wedding and found mistakes that I had made. I was getting so frustrated and started to cry. Literally it was so small and it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed but being the emotional person I am, tears immediately started running down my face. Joe, who was helping me, so calmly said to me " Will this matter in a month, a year, 5 years." He said "Ash it really isn't that big of a deal." I thought about it for a second and stubborn little me said " It will matter." When in all honesty, I was already over it because I came up with a solution lol

Have you ever just had a bad day that all those little tiny things that can be fixed just bother you. You make them out to be bigger than they actually are. We automatically react as if is the worst thing that has ever happened. When things don't go as planned, it ruins our whole day. We overanalyze every little situation. We pick out all the things going wrong in our life and forget about all the things that we should be thankful for because in the moment we are just so sad, upset and frustrated.

We cannot control bad days. Life gets in the way and things happen. However, the way we react is something we can control. Here are a few things I am trying to work on when having a bad day. Sometimes you just need to try and find the good in every situation even when you have to dig a little deeper to find it..

1) As Joe said.. will this matter in a day, a month a year? If it is something that is so small and irrelevant take a deep breath and try to come up with a solution rather than dwelling on it. Obviously this depends on the situation!

2) We all go through hard times. Regardless of your definition of a hard time, as human beings we all experience them. Although we go through struggles and at times we feel weak we need to remember that those hard times help us appreciate the good ones.

3) It is OKAY to cry. Don't hold it in. Crying does not make you weak it means that you are showing your emotions. It isn't good to hold back. So if you need a good cry, do it. Release it..You will feel so much better afterwards. 

4) Think about everything that you have been through and how much stronger you are today because of it. Life is a learning experience you live and you learn. Close your eyes and remind yourself this.

5) NO ONE HAS THE PERFECT LIFE. Do not compare yourself to others. We all have different paths and are at different points in our lives. Comparison prevents us from being happy with our lives.

These are the top 5 things I am reminding myself when I have a bad day & I hope you do too.

I want to leave you with this quote because it is one of my favorites..

" & if today, all you did was hold yourself together..I am proud of you."

xx ash

TAKE YOUR JOURNEY. CHANGE YOUR BODY. FIND YOUR SOUL

Obviously creating a blog, I knew right away how badly I  wanted to write about Soul Cycle.

If you know me, you know how much I love that place. Soul Cycle was the reason I fell in love with fitness 2 years ago. It was the jumpstart to me taking care of myself. In January of 2015, my Aunt had a gift card to take a class and we decided to go. I will never forget how nervous I was walking into that studio. I had heard so many things about Soul Cycle but I was always so scared to try. I didn't want to hop on that "cult" bandwagon. 

During my first class, I was confused. Everyone was doing this crazy choerography and I was just sitting in the last row freaking out that my feet were clipped in and I couldn't get out. I made it through the class. I remember as the last song was coming to and end I was so excited that I made it through.  I wanted to cry because I felt so vulnerable. I wanted to cry because I was exhausted & I wanted to cry because I knew right away that this was going to be become a crazy (expensive) obsession. :)

I was determined to learn the moves, to ride to the beat and build my stamina. I started to ride more often, taking many instructors and feeling so amazed by how different they all were- each making the class their own. OMG THERE ARE SO MANY BUT ( SABINE, JADE, CASI, JO, TRAMMEL, SUNNY, KARYN, ELLE-YOU GUYS HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS. YOU INSPIRE ME BEYOND WORDS & YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT)

Every class that I rode in, I allowed myself to get lost in the rhythm to get lost in the instructors words and to just escape from the outside world for 45 minutes. Soul Cycle became my therapy, it IS my therapy. It is the place that I go to when I am having a bad day. It is the place I go to when I want to celebrate and its the place that has made me such a stronger person.

Over the past 2 years, I have met some I N C R E D I B L E people. Every time I walk through that studio door my heart is flooded with love & I am overwhelmed by the amount of support that is there. It was definitely hard to explain the obsession with people who either hadn't tried it or maybe didn't feel the same way that I did about it. I couldn't put into words what I loved so much about a "cycling" class because you just had to experience it yourself to understand.

I was told I was strong when I felt like I was being knocked down. I was told that I was beautiful on the inside and out even when I felt my worst. I feel like I have this huge family that is there supporting me each and every day. 

I can't sit and name all of you because it will take to long. So if you are reading this and our paths have crossed at Soul Cycle than you have changed me.

My advice for anyone out there who is hesitant to try something new ( not just Soul Cycle) do me a favor and just GO FOR IT  & don't just try it once, go back a second time. If you don't like it after the second time than maybe it isn't for you but at least you can say you tried. 

If I had listened to what everyone said about Soul Cycle and all the reasons why I shouldn't go than I wouldn't be where I am today. So go out of your COMFORT ZONE & TRY SOMETHING.

Be open to change, be open to possibility and be open to falling in love with something new.

So yes, I have an obsession & it's with a class that you ride a bike that goes absolutely no where but to me I go absolutely everywhere I want to be.

IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED SOUL CYCLE, PLEASE CONSIDER IT & LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE IT AFTER. YOU WILL THANK ME!! XOXOXO

"CREATE A LIFE THAT FEELS GOOD ON THE INSIDE"

Hi Friends!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! It goes so fast, doesn't it?

Since it is the beginning of the year, a lot of us have decided to get back to the gym, change our workout routines and start eating healthy again. These are all amazing changes! Way to go for wanting to start fresh :) 

One thing I feel very strongly about when it comes to working out is progress. We all want amazing progress. Prepping for the summer months we want to feel confident walking around in a bathing suit, shorts, dresses whatever it may be. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but it is so important to not get so obsessed with your physical progress.

In Feb 2015, I started Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it. It was a kickstart to me working out and falling in love with taking care of my body. Progress pictures are always very important when it comes to these types of guides because you want to be able to see how you are progressing along the way. However, the way I was taking these pictures was not good. Every Saturday morning, I would jump out of bed to take a picture and see if there were any changes. I became obsessed with seeing results. Some may say that it is not a bad thing to be obsessed with your results, but looking back at it I definitely disagree. 

Progress pictures are great. I am not saying to not take them, but when you become so obsessed with your physical progress you forget how important the mental progress is then you are doing it for the wrong reasons. I was becoming stronger mentally & emotionally as well but wasn't really speaking about that. Instead, every Saturday morning I would post my progress picture hoping that people would recognize my hard work.

Like with any program, I had my highs and lows. Weeks where I was eating well and working out regularly and weeks where I was half fasting my workouts and my eating was not the best. It was actually then that I realized how important it was for myself to find balance. It is okay to have off weeks, it is okay to not always feel 100% about yourself and it okay to mess up. Now when I take progress pictures, I take one at Week 1 and at the very end of whatever guide it is what I am doing at that time. I am no longer defined by those pictures. I LOVE working out. I love challenging myself, I love seeing results but I also love how strong I have become over the past few years.

I have made fitness my hobby. It has helped me grow. I have met so many incredible people who have inspired me so much. The community is indescribable. I have tried so many new things and I have seen so many changes in myself over the past two years.

So next time you judge your progress by a picture, take a second to think about how this journey is making you stronger.  Think about how you have become dedicated to making yourself better. Think about the people you met, the things you have decided to try that you never thought you would  & most of all give yourself credit for all the hard work you put in. It is never an easy process. So I APPLAUD YOU. Yes, YOU!

Fall in love with taking care of yourself.

MIND. BODY. SPIRIT.

Have an incredible week ahead friends!

so much love,

ash xx

NEVER STOP LEARNING.

Hi there friends! 

I found this quote & I wanted to share with you all.

"The first step to receiving an answer, is being brave enough to ask a question."

Don't you love that? I do.

Something I have always been nervous about is asking questions that may make me sound "stupid" or that I don't know anything. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to ask questions. There are so many things I do not know. Approaching the next chapter in my life  I am trying to soak up as much information as possible. I am asking a lot of questions because I know that is the best way to learn.

Everyday we are given the opportunity to learn. Don't let those opportunities slip away. Ask questions, read about something that interests you & listen when people speak ( I MEAN REALLY LISTEN).

It is easy to get overwhelmed with life. We are faced with different decisions that we need to make each day. Yes-we want to be superwoman/superman and do everything on our own but sometimes you just can't. You need to ask for help and ask for guidance when you need it most. That is something that I am 100% working on this year. Between planning a wedding, and preparing to move in with Joe we both have a lot of questions. Our families have been beyond supportive during the whole process. 

I am in the process of registering and there are literally a bazillion brands of every kitchen appliance on the market. How in the world do you know what to pick? You call mom and ask. Don't sit and pretend you know what is going on because odds are you don't. At least I can speak for myself, I sure have no idea what is going on. & You know what?

that is okay. It is all a part of the process. Learn something new each day. We all have to start somewhere.

Do me a favor and take a second- Look at yourself now, and look at yourself 5 years ago. I can guarantee you that you have grown so much over that period of time. Things take time. You aren't expected to have everything figured out overnight. Actually let me correct that, I don't think we ever have everything all figured out.

So keep asking questions, keep being curious, and keep wanting to learn.

If you want to know more about something, educate yourself.

Goodnight friends!

xx ash

2017-NEW YEAR. NEW ADVENTURES

Hi!  I am so excited to write my first blog post. I have been wanting to start a blog for a while but was always worried that people wouldn't understand why I would want one. I always find myself writing down my feelings or turning to music to express them. So why not share them here! I didn't tell anyone that I was starting this because I didn't want anyone to discourage me. 

A goal of mine this year, is to go after what I want, regardless of what people may think or say. Starting this blog right now, just feels right. I am not starting this blog so that millions of people will read it. I am starting it with the hopes of having even one person relate to me. I have a lot of exciting things happening this year. In August, I will be marrying the love of my life (Hi BABE!)  Planning our wedding has been so fun, but also super stressful. ( I am sure any brides reading this can relate!) I want to be able to share my experiences with you, both the exciting ones & the challenging ones. 

I turn to fitness as an outlet everyday. It is the time that I get to work on myself. Some might think that sounds selfish, but I believe that if you give yourself the proper attention, overall you will be so much happier. This doesn't have to be for 3 hours a day, literally it can be a 30 minute workout at home. Taking time for yourself to decompress is so important. It took me a while to realize that, but I am so glad i did. The past year I have been more open to trying new things & pushing myself further than I thought my body could go. It is amazing what our body can do. Have you ever stopped to think about that? You can do anything you put your mind too. I truly believe it.

I am excited for all that 2017 has to offer. Between prepping for our wedding, moving in together, balancing working out in between, and learning along the way I am so happy to share my experiences with you. Let's support and motivate each other. Encourage and inspire each and every day. Thats the whole point of this!

Thanks for joining my journey. Can't wait to crush this year with you all. I am excited for this new little hobby :)

So much Love!

Ash xx