Bring Your Sexy Back...it hasn't gone very far!

Written with love, by Nikki Lian

Ever get that feeling of being un-pretty?  I mean, you know you’re gorgeous.  Your beauty from the inside seeps out of your pores to the outside, giving you an illuminating glow that radiates positive energy, attracting the most amazing people and experiences into your life.  However, there are those days where you feel like you’ve let yourself go rather than let yourself glow. 

Get a Manicure

And throw in a pedi while you’re at it!!  Being on your feet all day can build up some serious calluses.  Obviously dead skin cells don’t weigh much, but when your cuticles are cut and your feet are scrubbed you may actually FEEL ten times lighter—and cleaner!  Your hands are one of the first things people notice.  Sometimes I let mine go a little too long and gross myself out.  Make some “me” time, and get some color on your claws.

Dress Up (or Down)

Some of us have schedules that are so absolutely exhausting and demanding, and we forget to look in the mirror before we leave the house!! Or, your career may call for you to be in business attire the entire day (ugh, heels) and your self-presentation means everything!  I know as a trainer I’m constantly in sneakers and workout clothes.  When I start to slip and feel just “ugh,” I like to put on a dress and some shoes for an evening on the town, or even to lounge with my friends or myself.  But if you constantly have to look picture perfect and you’re tired of the business suits, fancy shoes or just wearing underwear in general, throw on some sweats!!  You’ll still look amazing because you’ll feel amazing (and less constricted) and you can completely relax!

Exercise…outdoors!

Spring is just around the corner (for some of us), and according to everwell.com, studies show that the more time people spent outdoors in the warm weather, the more their mood brightened.  And if you’re spending that time exercising, you’re releasing those feel-good brain chemicals.  Meeting exercise goals, however big or small they are, can boost your self-confidence.

PMA All Day!

We’ve all heard this before.  Contrary to the laws of science, positive attracts positive when it comes to a good energy and a happy mood.  If you’re having one of those mornings where you look in the mirror while brushing your teeth and just want to mentally bash your appearance, try saying five NICE things about yourself.  You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel leaving your house.  Another exercise you can try is to give one (genuine) compliment to a coworker or stranger per day.  We all know how it feels to receive nice comments from people, so pass it along!!  Positive Mental Attitude will take you into a higher level of happy.

3 Foods that May Be Affecting Your Mood

Written with love, by Nikki Lian

Trying to fight the winter blues?  The weather may not be the only reason you’re in a funk.  Although Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real deal, it may not be the shorter and colder days that are affecting your mood.  Sometimes you have to ask yourself, “What exactly am I putting into my body?”  Here are a few ingredients you may be adding to your diet that can lead to a depressive state:

Refined Sugar

From breads to sweets to my personal favorite, jelly bellies… refined sugars-- sugars that are stripped of impurities and color components—are full of empty calories that lack nutrition.  Not only can the extra calories add to your waistline, but it can also deplete your body of nutrients such as Vitamin B.  Vitamin B helps turn food into energy.  If your body is depleted of this mood enhancing nutrient, your energy level will sink to a low, making you not want to do um—anything—but eat more sugar.

Alcohol

You’ve had a long day and want to settle down on your couch to catch up on a few episodes of your favorite TV show or watch the Yankees beat the Red Sox.  A beer probably sounds good right now, or four.  Drink much? Although a cold one or cocktail can make you feel on the “good” side if you’re out partying with your friends, too much alcohol can cause depressant effects such as losing coordination and control.  Alcohol affects the chemistry of the nervous system, specifically your brain.  I’m not saying not to enjoy a tasty, adult beverage every now and then.  But watch your intake!

Artificial Sweeteners

It’s heartbreaking when you finally find something to kick your soda habit.  I, for one, miss my diet coke breaks that I used to take.  How can this all go so wrong?  We find a product we think is an amazing substitute to curb our sugar habits, and low and behold it is not only not good for you, but it is bad for your mental health!  Aspartame actually messes with your brain’s neurotransmitters which causes a reduction in your serotonin levels, which modifies your mood and appetite.  Bummer!

I’m not saying I don’t indulge in a glass of wine or a handful of jelly beans once in a while, but remember it’s all about moderation.  If you’re fighting off a sad state, your intake of these three Debby Downers can be your problem.  Reduce the amount you’re eating, and add some fruits and vegetables to your meals to boost up your mood and fight off the funk!!

Fun for Thought: Enjoy your Valentine's Day on the move!

Written with love, by Nikki Lian

Just when we are finally getting back into good eating habits and our workout routines from the holidays, February 14th hits us hard!  Whether you are single or in a relationship, we all have to deal with seeing displays everywhere of those pesky boxes of chocolate and those spicy, little red-hearts candies. 

Last February my wonderful, thoughtful Valentine bought me a dozen gorgeous, long-stemmed roses—along with a SHOPPING bag full of candy.  Conversation hearts are my absolute favorite (specifically the white and pink), and they only come around once a year!   We all know sugar isn’t good for us and are full of empty calories, but if we indulge for this one day of celebrating with our soul-mate, loved-one, friends or self, here’s a little compilation of a few “date” activities you can do to keep it movin’ and burn off some of those sweet treats this Valentine’s Day!

Take a hike!

I know it isn’t really fair to throw this out there considering I’m in the sun-shiny city of Los Angeles, but if you are where the weather is beautiful, take a hike to the top of a mountain or take a few laps in the park before you sit down to an outdoor meal.  You won’t feel so bad when your Love is feeding you those chocolate-covered strawberries he or she made you from scratch.

Snowball Fight!

Here’s one for the locations that get to have fun in the snow.  Snowball fights and creating your own version of Olaf can burn some serious calories (up to 350 in one hour depending on how hard you go).  Wouldn’t it be nice to recover by a hot, romantic fire drinking a warm beverage of your choice?

Roll Around…

Work up a good sweat and burn up to 450 calories in one hour rollerblading or ice-skating.  And if you and your partner fall a lot, getting up is a good workout for your core.  Blading on the beach is always fun if you’re into outdoor activities.  Sorry for those that have to wait until the snow melts, but ice skating is just as fun and effective!

What’s Cookin’ Good Lookin’?

If you’re rolling solo this year, grab a bunch of your single friends and find a healthy cooking class in your area.  It’s not an active sport, but it will be some great insight on how you can change your eating habits or add on to your already-healthy lifestyle, and a great way to catch up with your friends you haven’t seen in forever (and also a great way to…ahem…meet people).

Just Dance!

Salsa anyone?  Using apps like Groupon and Lifebooker are an easy way to find inexpensive dance lessons or even group fitness!  Guaranteed during this season of love they will have some great deals on intro classes in your area.  But it doesn’t have to be a class!!  Grab a group of your favorite people, find a dive bar, and take over the place with you sick moves!  You got skills!!

All in all, the best way to celebrate V-Day is to have fun, be safe, and remember why this annual tradition started in the first place.  And most important… keep it movin’!!!