summer feet...

My feet having been loving all this warm weather we've been having.  It's summa time!!

Here are some of my summer feet tips to ensure your tootsies have a good summer just like you:

*Pick a fun nail color...branch out from your go-to selection and try something new.  I would normally stick with neutrals or pinks on my toes, but I found this great aqua color today and I love it.

*Give yourself a foot massage, or have a buddy give you one.  I always tend to focus on my neck or shoulders when I feel like a massage would help, and I forget about my feet.  I love to sit cross-legged on the floor and massage my top foot, and flexing my ankle to help release the built up tension.

*Balance on one foot.  Not kidding!  Yoga has taught me that standing on one foot during balance moves can help tone and strengthen, and make your feet feel great.  My favorite balance pose is tree pose.

*Stick those feet up!  Another great pose in yoga that rejuvenates the feet is legs up the wall pose.  It's a great way to relax as well.

*Wear comfy shoes.  I love my Sanuk flip flops...they are so soft and supportive while keeping my feet cool in the hot weather.

*Moisturize.  I always pay attention to my face, and hands, but I forget about moisturizing my feet.  I love using coconut oil for my all over moisturizer.  You can get it at your local health food store.  Just scoop some out and rub it in (maybe while you give yourself that foot massage!)  Coconut oil is really great for your body, and it gets deep down into the layers of your skin rather than sitting on the surface.

*Exfoliate those heels.  Mine get dry if I forget to exfoliate, and I love using my pumice stone to gently rub the bottoms of my feet.  You can also use a mixture of brown sugar and olive oil to scrub as well.

I hope you have a great start of your summer, and your feet enjoy a little pampering!

calm...

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Kristen on Pinterest

So I have been practicing yoga regularly for the last month, and I am loving the effect it's having on my life.  One of my New Year's aspirations was to practice it regularly, and I am happy to be somewhat consistent so far.  Working out has always been a love/hate relationship for me.  In college, I struggled with self-image (as I'm sure a lot of girls do) and working out and watching my food intake became an obsession with the wrong motivation.  After getting married, my perspective began changing for the positive.  Being pregnant was a huge change as well.  I knew that after giving birth, my body would be slightly different than before.

Now, more and more, I am learning to accept my body for what it is...flaws included, and embracing who I am.  Yoga has been a huge help to me.  It's the one workout where I feel like I can fully commit and dive in totally.  The best part is that it's a mental and emotional workout along with the physical.  I think any workout can be that way, but the calmness and rhythm of yoga speak especially well to my mental well-being.  Learning to breathe properly has helped tremendously, and ironically, it's the same type of breathing I learned to use while in labor.  It's meant to relax, remove stress, and calm the body.

Tonight at class, which I have been attending once a week, our instructor asked us to think of a goal we have in our lives right now and focus on that during practice.  I love how anyone can use yoga as they need it, and it can affect their lives right where they are at.  I feel like I am on a slow path to a better body, life, and mind.  My perspective is changing, and I welcome that so much.  Personally, I am aiming to use yoga as a spiritual means in my life.  My goal is to become closer to God, and the quiet moments of practice help clear my mind of busy life stuff, and help me focus on Him.  It's a way of meditating on the ways I see Him working in my life, and a quiet way to speak to Him after a long day.

I hope that I am able to continue practicing and learning, and becoming fit too.  I hope that I can use what I learn in yoga and apply it to my every day situations where I'm faced with stress and conflict.

a few healthy tidbits...

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Landon and I have been trying to get more healthy lately.  It's not always easy, but we've tried to make some small changes and turn them into habits to work towards our goals.

We try to make it to the gym at least 3 times a week.  We don't kill ourselves on the treadmill or bike, instead we work on a full body weight lifting routine.  It's 30 minutes and since we do it together, the time goes by so fast.  Also, when one of us doesn't want to go, the other usually helps make it happen. :)

One thing I've started doing is more yoga.  All I use is a dvd with four 10 minute workouts and I'm already seeing results.  I feel better after yoga, my flexibility is increasing, and I visibly see toning happening.  If you don't like yoga, or don't like gyms, try doing simple weight lifting and toning exercises at home, or go on a brisk walk each day.

Another huge thing to work at is drinking more water.  It may not feel like a lot, but if you opt for a glass  of cold water rather than a pop, your body will thank you. You don't have to stop drinking everything else, just add water in a bit more to your daily routine.

When you snack, be a bit more thoughtful about what you're snacking on.  We have started to love munching on raw almonds.  They are delicious and filling, so after only a small handful, you won't be hungry for awhile.

The thing that helps us is knowing we're just working on small changes...not a lifestyle overhaul all at once.

What are your favorite ways to stay fit and healthy?

xo