How to Stay Positive When It is so Darn Hard

Hanging in my room this sign is a great reminder for life...

It is so easy to be negative. There are days where I am surrounded by complainers and "woe is me" type personalities, rude emails, work hassles and relationship troubles. It can be hard to look at the so-called bright side. But what does a bad mood get you? Unhappy friends that you're complaining to, headaches and stomach aches, unhappiness and other unpleasant bad mood side effects.

So what to do when a glass half full attitude is so hard to picture? Just the other day, I had been having a relatively good day when one rude email sent me spinning. It got me over thinking, upset and angry. Should I have let those few sentences ruin my day? Definitely not. Did I? Just about. It put me in a rough mood and caused me to complain to several people which I'm sure in turn did not help their moods. The cycle keeps going.

So how do you become one of those people where seemingly nothing affects you? I'm not saying you should be fake. I'm not saying you don't have the rights to complain or get upset. Just don't let it define your day or even your life. When something rough happens, I try to look at it closely. Is this an annoyance or even a catastrophe? Sure. Should I let it rule my mind and my day? No way! I think of all the people who are there for me and that love me, all the great things I have in my life and how it could be much, much worse.

The best advice? They say when a problem arises, ask yourself if you can change it. If you absolutely cannot change the situation, accept it. Accept that xyz happened... maybe your car broke down but you can get it fixed and everything will be alright, etc. Put a smile on your face and watch your luck turn around.

Weekly Workouts 1/21-1/27

Monday 1/21: Just Dance 2 for an hour and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes later.

Tuesday 1/22: Walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes and played some Wii Sports games.

Wednesday 1/23: Day off.

Thursday 1/24: Ran/walked on the treadmill for a mile then did some crunches and arm exercises with my kettlebell.

Friday 1/25: Day off. Worked out of town.

Saturday 1/26: Didn't work out all weekend.

Sunday 1/27: Gotta get back into the swing of things this upcoming week!

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Interesting Shopping Infographic!

Source: FastLoanTree.com

Weekly Workouts 1/14-1/20

My home gym! ;)

Monday 1/14: Did Zumba toning for 30 minutes with 3 lb. weights.

Tuesday 1/15: I did 30 minutes of an Abs of Steel workout DVD! I liked it, but I got really fatigued for some reason and decided to take it easy today.

Wednesday 1/16: Played a little Just Dance but otherwise it was a day off.

Thursday 1/17: My parents got a new treadmill! So I ran on it for about 1.5 miles and did some crunches.

Friday 1/18: Ran/walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes (2 miles). Also did some crunches, sit ups, plank and some arm exercises with the kettlebell.

Saturday 1/19: Day off.

Sunday 1/20: Day off.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Jewelry Ideas for Your Loved Ones

Online shopping has never been easier, with every product imaginable offered online often at discount prices. Jewelry shopping online in particular has its advantages. Despite the fact that you cannot hold the jewelry in your hands before you purchase, you can benefit from easy displays, categorisation and filter searches to ensure you are shown everything said shop has to offer listed by price, making shopping that much easier particularly if you are shopping to a set budget.

If it is jewelry you are after then I’m sure you are familiar with the high street favorite Pandora. Famed for their signature Pandora bracelets and charms, don’t be fooled into thinking this is all they have to offer.

Pandora offer a huge range of rings, necklaces, earrings all intricately designed to suit your own styles and to compliment current trends. Visit their store online or head in to your local store to check out their stunning ranges.

Having said all this, the Pandora bracelet and charms are a bestseller for a reason and what better gift to give a loved one this Christmas than either one of over 600 charms on offer if they already own a bracelet, or even better start someone up with their very first Pandora bracelet so they can begin their very own collection that will eventually become a story to symbolise them and their experiences.

What’s more, you can receive free delivery on any orders over $120 as well as free Pandora hand gift wrapping to ensure that present for a special someone arrives beautifully presented and ready to open.

To buy a Pandora bracelet for you or a loved one, head to their online store, so you can sleep safe in the knowledge your present will arrive safely and presented beautifully, without you having to leave the comfort of your home.

Post courtesy of Catherine M. Thank you!

Weekly Workouts 1/7-1/13

Monday 1/7: Played the Just Sweat part of Just Dance 4 for about 40 minutes.

Tuesday 1/8: Ran on the treadmill for an easy mile, did some kettlebell arm workouts and played Just Dance 3 for 25 minutes.

Wednesday 1/9: Did Zumba for 40 minutes.

Thursday 1/10: Did my yoga dvd for 35 minutes.

Friday 1/11: Played Just Dance for an hour.

Saturday 1/12: Very nice outside today so I ran outside for 1.65 miles. Also played Just Dance with my friend for an hour.

Sunday 1/13: Day off.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

How to Wear Bootcut Jeans

Photo courtesy of Cool Spotters

After years of it being all about the skinny, the bootcut is back and it means business! Seen on celebrities and superstars worldwide, including Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Megan Fox and more, it seems that the fashion royalty have come back around to the body-flattering benefits of bootcut.

In addition to fashion royalty, the bootcut has a fan in actual royal Kate Middleton. The Princess is often seen in bootcut jeans in all shades of the denim spectrum, proving that bootcuts look as good on slender ladies as they do on curvy girls.

So dig out those bootcuts from the back of the wardrobe, or better yet, treat yourself to some fresh new pairs, and start steering your outfits away from your trusted skinnies. Here are some ideas for how to wear this classic and eternally flattering style of jean:

Stylish a la Victoria Beckham

Victoria is likely to pair her classic bootcuts with simple yet stylish block colour tops. A simple black vest top with dark denim, or a white top with lighter blue denim - it’s a wearable and casual look for the queen of high end style.

Sexy a la Megan Fox

Sex it up like Megan Fox by wearing curve-hugging sassy bootcut jeans with a low V t.shirt or vest top – and don’t forget a pair of heeled boots. The bootcut jean is definitely a curvy girl’s friend, as the shape of the jean helps to balance out curves and prevent a top heavy or pear shaped look.

Classic a la Jennifer Aniston

Jen-An loves her bootcuts, and has stayed faithful and true to this shape of denims while others have run away with the bootcut’s skinny sister. The former Friends star is the queen of classic dressing, with a laid back, yet highly polished style. Pair your bootcut jeans with a simple t.shirt in navy, white or black, and a longline cardigan and scarf to keep out any chill.

Dressed Down a la Jessica Alba

Pictures of Jessica Alba running around the park with her two girls in her bootcut jeans are commonplace, and the bootcut really is the perfect style to wear during ‘downtime’. Less restrictive than a skinny or a straight leg jean, especially when worn slightly lose on the leg, the bootcut is fantastic for running, playing or relaxing in. Gorgeous Jessica wears hers with converse and cardigans, for the ultimate low maintenance look.

Young a la Kate Middleton

Our Kate never puts a fashion foot wrong, and manages to wear her bootcuts in a way which is timeless yet still young. Pair blue, navy or black bootcuts with soft, feminine shirts (tucked in, of course), nautical stripes or thin knits for a look fit for a princess!

If you’re a little tired of squeezing into your skinnies, why not join the bootcut revival? You’ll be in good company with a clutch of sassy starlets leading the way, and are sure to find the bootcut jean a versatile buy.

This is a guest post by Catherine M. Thank you girl!

Gotta Drink More H2O...

I've already shared some of my 2013 resolutions. I'm working on making them into more specific goals. One of my goals for this year is to drink more water. I know there are days when I definitely don't drink enough and I know I need to. I don't need to ramble on about the benefits of drinking lots of H2O since I'm sure you know! I also have a history of kidney stones in my family and I definitely do not want to get those - I hear staying super hydrated helps ward them off.

So I finally bought this awesome water bottle I've been eyeing for months - HydraCoach! It tracks your water intake based on how much you should drink per day. They base this on your weight. On my first day of using it, it definitely reiterated how much I need more water! At 4:30 pm, I only drank 26% of what I was supposed to be drinking! I'm guessing it should be closer to 50%. So here's to more hydration and I hope this handy water bottle helps...

Another resolution I didn't write much on is expanding this crazy little blog right here. I love blogging, writing and sharing thoughts with other bloggers! I am hoping to reach more people, connect with more bloggers, write more, use more of my own photos instead of googled ones, etc. If I could make some money from it, that'd be the icing on the cake!

Keep posted for more specific goals in 2013... I plan to track my goal of training and running a 5K, eating healthier, finding my passions, etc.

What are your goals/resolutions? Tell me about it! Let's chat on Twitter too!

P.S. Thanks Melissa Rose Design for the awesome new signature for my blog!

Weekly Workouts 12/31-1/6

Monday 12/31: I did the kettlebell workout that came with my kettlebell - it is only about 15 minutes but it makes my legs shake! I also did some yoga for 20 minutes afterwards.

Tuesday 1/1: Happy New Year! Day off. I was pretty sore from my kettlebell workout and of course recovering from NYE so I decided to have a lazy day.

Wednesday 1/2: Did Zumba toning (30 minutes) with 3 lb weights and did some crunches and stretching. Still sore from those dang squats!

Thursday 1/3: Did a Zumba DVD for 35 minutes and did a few sit ups and a plank.

Friday 1/4: I ran on the treadmill for 1.25 miles then did some crunches, a plank and some arm exercises with my kettlebell.

Saturday 1/5: Ran on the treadmill for about .8 miles and went on the recumbent bike for .8 miles. My knees were bothering me a bit. I also did some crunches, sit ups, plank and used the kettlebell for squats and arm workouts.

Sunday 1/6: Made my boy play Just Dance with me for a while otherwise I'd count this as a day off. :)

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Let's Feel Passionate About Ourselves This Year

Recently I read this blog from Kris Carr, wellness warrior and health advocate. I love her enthusiasm for health and life and recently devoured the book "Crazy Sexy Diet". Her article uncovers the myth that your passion should be your job, career or even hobby.

(Read it here!)

She says your passion should be your relationship with yourself and others. I'm always fighting with feelings on passion and my relationship with myself. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I beat myself up when I get any criticism or make an error. When reading a book or article, I always think... I'm a writer but I'll never be able to write as eloquently or creative as this. I have my moments of... I'm not smart enough to do this job, I'm not pretty enough, I'm not funny enough, I'm not outgoing or assertive enough... the list can go on and on. I'm sure, unfortunately, that you have your own list.

Sometimes I am lucky enough to have people rip up my lists. Amazing reminders that there are plenty of people out there that find me to be a kind and loving friend or family member, boys who will stare and tell me I'm beautiful, and bosses that praise my work.

While it is nice to have recognition, praise and compliments, I do realize that the only person that can really help me to love myself for all of my flaws, weaknesses, strengths and amazing qualities is myself. I have to work hard every day to realize that I am enough. My style of writing is my own, I am beautiful in my own way, I work hard and have to realize mistakes are only stepping stones and I care deeply about those I love. So join me and stop making "I'm not..." lists and start making "I am..." lists.

My 2013 Resolutions

1. Work out 5-6 days a week! Some weeks my goal is to exercise every day and other weeks I need more rest, so I think 5 days is pretty realistic. I have lots of choices: Zumba, running (probably more on a treadmill than outside in the winter), recumbent bike, elliptical, kettle bells, Just Dance, etc.

2. More specifically to my fitness goal: run a 5K. I'm thinking in the spring... Color Run? Any other suggestions?

2. This is my main goal: eat healthier! I'm thinking of only allowing myself to have sweets one day a week or something like that to cut back on unhealthy treats. I'll keep you posted on this.

3. Make more money and make work more enjoyable. I love working from home but not all of my jobs are ideal. I'm hoping to get raises this year (I recently realized that most consultants or freelancers charge much more than I do and I haven't had any raises in the two years I've been doing this...)

4. Find my passion. While number 3 is a more short-term resolution, I also hope to find my passion in a career. I know that I love working from home with flexible hours, I love writing/social media/marketing, health and fitness, etc. I'd love to figure out a career to connect all three.

5. Grow my blog!

6. Finish my online classes. I was plugging along pretty well and enjoying it, but in the past few months I've gotten busy and/or lazy and haven't worked on them.

What are your goals or resolutions for 2013?