Beauty is a Beast

I can't believe that it's MARCH already!! As I get older I feel like my life is flashing right by me. Like I'm standing in place but the world keeps changing around me and I'm still an awkward little girl just watching in awe. What happened? Where did it all go and what do I have to show for it?

I've been contemplating these kinds of things lately. I'm a grown woman and I need to take control of my life. If I'm unhappy I need to do something about it. Honestly this blog was something I had been wanting to do for awhile now but just never took the steps to make it happen. I vowed some weeks ago that I would be more proactive in my life and things that I want out of it.

Accountability is key... and so is putting things out into the universe. I feel that with this blog I have more of a reason to continue moving in the right direction with my life. No excuses, no bullshit, just me, being real and owning up to my shortcomings. It's therapeutic in a way.

So this week I really hit the ground running. I set goals for myself and I achieved most of them. It happens, we can't always win right? If you follow my stories on Instagram then you would have seen me hitting the gym every morning for that fasted cardio workout. I made it through 4 out of 5 days (this morning I felt really ill). The first day seemed fine, the second day I was sore and sluggish but I still pushed through. Wednesday, I almost didn't make it because I felt so tired, but I just got up and did it anyway and Thursday was a breeze. I think I finally got used to the routine.

I also made the salad I posted about at the beginning of the week and it was bomb.com and nourished my booty for 3 days straight. I've included photos of how mine turned out. I didn't have parsley, I didn't follow the instructions too well either because I cut the veggies all kinds of fucked up, and I took my own initiative and added tuscan herb infused organic olive oil and italian seasonings instead of just olive oil with salt and pepper. Regardless, if you haven't tried the salad you should, in whatever manner it may please you.

I've got a lot more ideas in the works for how I would like to move forward in my life and what I feel is going to make me happier, so stay tuned!

Shantece G.

Cucumbers, Avocado, Mozzarella, and Tomatoes.

Lemon juice, Tuscan Herb infused organic olive oil, salt, pepper, and my rebellious italian herb seasoning.

So, I'm trying to do this whole weight loss journey thing once again. I think I'm at attempt 37,645... but who's counting right? I've never had this much trouble in my life getting back into shape. A lot of it has to do with me having PCOS, as well as straight up being lazy and unfocused or driven. I mean, I know that I am unhappy and uncomfortable in my current state, but sometimes it's still not enough. You have to mentally be ready, you can do that in two ways... forcing yourself until your mind eventually gives in ( about 3 weeks into a solid routine) or one day it just happens, you are ready, willing and able. Well for me that day has finally arrived and I hope that it continues. I feel like I've turned over a new leaf and I am in this whole process of improving my life in a more positive direction and that includes being comfortable in my own skin. So every week I am going to add 5 songs that I personally have on my work out playlist aptly titled "Get it Tight", a new recipe and a new exercise. Hopefully it will inspire and encourage you to try them out for yourself. If you do, let me know what you think. I'll be posting my thoughts as well.

Shantece G.

Me 5 years ago and what I would like to go back to being.

Music:

David Guetta - Dangerous (Ft. Sam Martin)
Omarion - Post to be (Ft. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko)
B.O.B - Raybands
Above and Beyond - Sun and Moon (Ft. Richard Bedford)
French Montana - Pop That (Ft. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne)

Workout:

Try fasted cardio. Basically what I've been doing is waking up in the morning and heading to the gym to do 30 min. of cardio. Now I personally don't like to do the same thing for 30 min straight. What I do is get on the treadmill for 10 min, the bike for 10 min, and the elliptical for the last 10 min. I also increase my speed for a 30 sec. sprint by 8:30 and then cool down at 9:00 min. I don't eat anything before the workout that includes any protein drinks and stuff like that, just plain H2O for me. I've seen a significant reduction in my weight within my first week of trying this and I'm going to see how it pans out in the long run. Last week I was only able to make it to the gym on 3 mornings so I am going to attempt this again for 5 days this week.

Recipe:

http://sugarapron.com/2015/04/28/avocado-salad-with-tomato-cucumber-mozzarella/#more-906

This is a link to a delicious looking Avocado salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and mozzarella! If you're vegan then maybe replace the mozzarella with a vegan cheese of your choosing. I honestly love salads and especially all of these ingredients so I think I'm definitely going to enjoy this one!

March right in why don't ya...

Never Miss a Monday Pt. 1