Skip the Diet

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Okay, seriously this has been sort of annoying me.

"Well I have to starve myself for this...blah blah then I can eat whatever I want again."

Aka still feel like crap all the time again.

Here's a secret. 

YOU DON'T HAVE TO STARVE!

Gasp!

You know I eat MORE than I did when I wasn't healthy.

I eat 4-5 times a day with smaller meals packed with protein, complex carbs and healthy fats.

I run 3-5 days a week.

Strength train 2-4 times a week.

There is no easy fix. 

It takes hard work. Trial and error.

Motivation to keep going!

When I look at my before and after pictures I am amazed at my results.

You're not going to lose 50 pounds in a month.

That's not realistic, healthy or a long term solution.

I eat about 80-90 percent clean.

Moderation for the rest of the not so healthy stuff.

Exercise.

Drink tons of water.

Sleep!

You have to decide how you want to feel everyday.

Nobody can make that choice for you.

When I eat healthy I feel better.

My brain wakes up.

My body works at full function the way it was made too.

I have more energy.

I feel alive & refreshed!

Empty calories ( fats & sugars) are killing Americans & leaving you feeling hungry because your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs.

I speak up because I know how much easier it is to grab the doughnut, fast food and soda because it's convenient. It's way easier.

It's not easy for me to meal prep my meals for all day while I'm gone at work.

However, I choose to because I know I am giving my body what it needs.

You can't expect something to work without giving it 100 percent & giving it exactly what it needs.

I encourage you to try.

Try for one week & see how you feel.

I promise you won't regret it.

No one said it was going to be easy but its worth it.

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Love Forever, Chel Chel || Remember I am having a beauty giveaway once I hit 30 followers on Bloglovin! You are all so great & I LOVE hearing from you and getting a glimpse into your world! ||

Good Afternoon!

A few ramblings.

First. Google friend connect, from rumors I hear, will no longer be.

awww. 

However,
There are two ways you can follow me!

You can follow with Bloglovin:

or  by e-mail:

 This is on the right side of my blog in the toolbar. Type in your email. It will have you type in a letter code to make sure you're not a robot. Go to your email and click confirm to start receiving my blog on your e-mail! Ta-da! You can now peek into my life & keep up with me! I also will keep posting on my Chelzz Chats page on Facebook. If you haven't already liked me there to stay updated you can HERE Make sure to "like" my page to see my posts on your news feed. Second. I am really feeling empowered lately.  I started exercising, getting healthy & running to help myself. I never thought I would inspire others to get up and get moving. I cannot believe how many people have come up to me and said, "You inspired me to start moving." I feel incredibly blessed to be looked up to. I am not the fastest, the best, the most fit or super healthy. I am making choices everyday though to eat better, run farther & feel better inside my body.  You can do it! Everyday is a choice about how you want to feel! No one else can make that choice for you. I started by walking 3 times a week for 20 minutes. That's it. I slowly moved up to walking longer distances, jogging, adding running and now full on running for at least 20 minutes or longer 4-5 days a week.  You never have to be a runner if you don't want to. Find something you like to do & stick with it. Eventually it becomes a habit you can't live without. It's a lifestyle not a short term fix. Try it! I guarantee you will feel a whole lot better! Go to my Fitness board on Pinterest for inspiration & how to start moving from that couch! Love forever, Chel Chel  Linked up with: Style Elixir

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{Housewives run in the early afternoon}

{ FYI I'm dripping sweat as I write this post}

Ain't nobody got time to run at 5am! I'm busy getting my beauty rest people!

Okay I'm not knocking 5am workouts. I wish I had that willpower to get up that early. 

My motto right now is I'm a newlywed, I don't have children right now therefore I sleep until I want to. I work in the afternoons at an after school program so there is literally no reason for me to be up early. 

I know your jealous.

I would be too.

So, I run when I get up.

Usually between 9-10:30 I'm laced up and moving.

I guzzle some water because I haven't had in during my beauty sleep so it gets my metabolism going. 

I don't know how some people drink soda in the morning. 

My stomach would HATE me.

Then I usually get some protein in me. 

Egg, Yogurt, Whole wheat toast with PB.

Something. 

Otherwise I get so exhausted by the end of my run and I don't finish strong.

I'm on a 10k training schedule.

I run 4-5 times a week.

I do strength training at least 2-3 times. (I'm trying to get better)

I do circuit training 2-3 times a week.

My schedule says to have 3 rest days but I only do 2.

Which even then I still ride my beach cruiser around town.

Also, I stretch a lot! You really need to because otherwise your muscles get tight and it's harder to get active right off the bat.

I'm really happy that a little over 8 weeks ago I decided to get active and healthy again.

I can't be the only newlywed who put on "love" weight.

Andrew and I would eat out alllllll the time when we were dating and engaged. It's kind of annoying thinking back about it. I just let myself go because I was happy. I didn't go super crazy but I was headed down that road pretty quick if I didn't changed something.

Every time I run I think back how active I was. I used to do two-a-days during water polo. I don't know if you understand how hard that sport is. It's one of the hardest in my opinion. We had 5am workouts (see I used to do them) Then afternoon workouts. That would total 4 hours a day of dry land workouts & in the water workouts. 

It was nuts & I couldn't get enough carbs in my system to keep up.

What i would do for that body again!

Anyways, my point is I know I can do this. 

I know I can push through painful moments because they make me stronger. 

And you know what?

You can to!

Love Forever,

Chel Chel

Oh, Weekend.

Friday: Well first I got my hair done! Yipee!! I was  looking forward to Friday night. My friend Rachel had a post Valentine's party planned. All day I was itching to go & enjoy a fun evening with friends. I didn't run that day because it was my rest day.

Saturday: Started the day with a 2 mile run. Wasn't my best run but I don't freakin care beacuse I did it and I am doing it. I am a runner now now matter how slow or fast and I go. My goal is to be running 3 miles by the end of March.

Andrew & I were off the afternoon to see some of our favorite people for lunch! We met up with Brian & Andrea & my friend Amber lives with there family & she came along too! I was so happy to see all three of them!! They are such amazing, genuine people that I truly am blessed by their friendships. We met up at five guys which was super yummy. Andrew also let me sneak in a little Lush trip before we met up with them! Love that store!

After I took Andrew to the church for band practice and I ran a couple errands before church.

Sunday: Sunday, I loathe you Sunday. I am really mad at you Sunday. Every Sunday I do a 3 mile hike with my mom but not this Sunday. No from 1am to 4am my body said no. You're getting sick and I am going to make you miserable for a couple of hours. Oh, and forget the dinner you ate that's not staying in your body for long. Ralph. 

You get the picture. I got really sick and there was no way I could get up at 8am to go hike. I was so mad. I already was feeling like my running was slacking and I'm not doing any other strength training or circuit training so I was like well cool I can run but I'm not doing anything to improve it. Well besides hiking but obviously my body was mad at me and took that away from me. I mean I am running 4-5 days a week. Which is way more than like half of America. However, for me that's not good enough. I know how I pushed myself during sports and this isn't good enough for me. 

Unless I take a step back and realize only 6 weeks ago I was sitting on the couch doing nothing. I mean I would walk a little here and there but really nothing. Now I can run two miles no problem. I should be happy & really I am but I am mad that I have had this little setback & also feeling like I am running to slow.

Source: fitsugar.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Okay, enough ranting but this week is a new week and my goal is to run 5 times this week. Whether its 1 mile or 3 I just want to actually run 5 times. Also, I want to start adding some strength training in. I am not brave enough to do the pool yet. Which is stupid because I love swimming and I know what I am doing. Maybe I will get brave who knows.

Any strength training tips? Pinterest helps a lot but I like hearing what real people do.

& P.S. I just laced up my shoes and went for a run. & I freakin bossed my mile & got under 12 minutes. I don't care that it was only one mile. I did it & I ran with my heart.

WHAT WHAT!

Okay have a great Monday ( even though we all know Monday's suck.)

Love Forever,
Chel Chel

Oh, How Pinteresting

Well I am really feeling like an athlete again. Last night I ran 2 miles and didn't stop. Not once. I pushed through and I felt so proud after. I have really been working my way into running. I literally started by walking around my neighborhood just shy of 6 weeks ago. Now I can run miles & know I can push through and keep going. 

My friend Tiffany asked me to think about doing a 10k with her in August. She also asked my best friend Kristina. Kristina is Tiffany's and I connecting friend. I have known Kristina since pretty much elementary school. Kristina and Tiffany met in college a few years back and they became best friends. Now all three of us are like three peas in a pod & have become a lot closer as a group lately. It's really been great and I am very thankful for their friendships! 

Anyways, we have a little group chat on our iPhones and we are always cheering each other on in our fitness goals! Of course we talk about everything else but I am focusing specifically on fitness today. So yesterday Tiffany's parents bought her registration to do a 10K. So she asked me and really encouraged me that I could do it. Especially since in a short amount of time I can run 2 miles and the race isn't until August so I have plenty of time to train. Well Kristina doesn't live in CA right now but in August she will be in town so it worked out perfect for the three of us to challenge ourselves and train for a 10k! I am really excited and looking forward to training & accomplishing something that seems so big to me right now. Anyways, on to the Pinterest inspiring fitness photos!

Source: Uploaded by user via Chelsea on Pinterest

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Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: fitsugar.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: fitsugar.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Also I am really excited to start adding swimming into my workouts. I was a swimmer in high school and it is seriously the best activity to train all your muscles. It's low impact and such an easy calorie burner. I love swimming more than I do running but I want to really work up to being good at both so I have options and variety. 

My water polo picture in high school. Would love to swim like I did then!
Link up Here Love Forever,  Chel Chel

hello Tuesday!

This post will be a little random with good & bad but it's just some thoughts & experiences lately.

Well first I had an awesome hike this morning with my friend Jordyn! We have been friends since childhood and we have recently reconnected since we are both in the same spot now. There are tons of trails around where we live so we did one today called Mt. Wanda. It's a little over a mile up & then we just make our way down. I think my Nike app said like 2.30 miles or something. 

Instagram this morning: chelzz08

Gorgeous right?! Felt so good at the top staring all around at God's beauty.

So Sunday Andrew and i did some shopping as you saw in my previous post. He bought me that new Kate Spade phone case. Well.... let me tell you, don't buy that case. I was holding my phone at work yesterday on the playground and a jr high kid totally pulverized me with a huge ball! (which they aren't supposed to throw them like that anyways) 

My phone fell barely 2 feet and it got so scratched up! I should have taken a picture but I was so bad I didn't. I am surprised for a 30 dollar case it didn't hold up better. Although, honestly like most overpriced material items they never hold up well. It's always my inexpensive items that last me seriously forever.

 I was so upset though because Andrew and I have been really good with money since we got married six months ago so the one time we really can let loose a little and treat ourselves my dumb case gets ruined. Well I went to go take it back because I couldn't believe how horribly this case was made. I just wanted to take it back but I couldn't and I only could exchange so I got a silicone case instead. They actually paid me .27 cents to to get that one. So at the end of the day I can't be that upset and my old manager helped me so it all worked out. However, I am now sticking to my gut & budget from now on and I am not buying unnecessary expensive items. 

Here's my new case:

Still cute but honestly it's not really worth 30 dollars in my opinion. I will stick with the inexpensive one's on amazon! 

Last, my best friend just got back from Canada! 

Isn't she so gorgeous and stylish! She went to visit her family and cousins up there & from her pictures she looked like she had a blast! I hope I can visit one day and she can show me around. 

One day though she texted me a picture of this crazy hat! 

However not so crazy because we both love England. We went there when we were thirteen on a missions trip with our church. ( not missions like the Jehovah witness do. ) We had the time of our lives! We still can't believe our parents let us go & we were the youngest on the trip. We swear when were 30 we're going back so I hope we can make that happen. Maybe the hat will bring us luck!

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Happy Tuesday Everyone! Love Forever, Chel Chel

{Oh, How Pinteresting}

I'm feeling athletic again. Im starting to feel better about my health, my eating habits and my life in general. I have been working my way up to running and so far pretty good. My right foot in my arch has been hurting so I think I may need an in-sole but other than that I'm really trying to push myself during the weekdays and during the weekends I like to go hiking.

So here's some fitness related pins I have been pinning lately.

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: superskinnyme.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: fitpinupdiva.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: homemadediva.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: soon2befit.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: skinnyms.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Chelsea on Pinterest

Currently in the middle of week two. Hoping to do the Color Run in San Francisco March 2 which is the day before my birthday! What a way to start my 23rd birthday off! Link up with Michelle here.
Love Forever, Chel Chel

Getting my Fitness on!

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I think it's fair enough to say everyone wants to be in shape. We all want to feel good about ourselves, be able to get dressed with ease and all together live healthy so we can have a long life. Fitness to me cam easy as a child. I played soccer for 12 years, swam for about 3 and played water polo for 3. I know what it feels and looks like to be in shape. I know the work it takes and the dedication to keep at it everyday. 

It's not easy.

With all these new fad diets and different ways to exercise there really isn't any excuse. ( However, I do find some of the diets absolutely dumb and ridiculous. Like juicing? really? You need more than plants to keep you alive people!)

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Anyways, I am a firm believer in hard work, eating a balanced diet and staying motivated to keep at it in the long run. 

Also, by balanced I mean don't deprive yourself. My mom lost over 50 pounds in a year because she kept up her exercise, not restricting her food. I think it's so ridiculous when people feel so guilty over eating a brownie, a cupcake or a burger. Give up people! It's okay, just keep moving your butt everyday and in the long run it won't matter when your metabolism is always up and movin. When I was playing water polo I HAD to eat. If I didn't, well lets just say my head would probably be under water. Seriously though please don't beat yourself up over what you eat. Try to balance everything out and treat yourself. It ain't gonna kill ya.

Okay, back to the fitness stuff. So lately I have been trying to walk everyday ( except Sundays ) for 30 minutes. So far it's been pretty good. Last week I did maybe 3 or 4 days because it was really busy and I was getting over being sick. Now mind you where I live is on a hill. Everywhere around me is hills. So my walks gets pretty intense because I try to power walk up this gigantic hills. I feel good though. I know my body is starting to feel good too. It may just be about 30 to 40 minutes but it's something. It's my starting point to really get going again. I know that feeling of being in shape and I crave that everyday. Fitness is a lifestyle not a fad. Everyday I do it I know it's becoming my lifestyle.

My view this morning after walking up a massive hill.

What are some ways you stay in shape? 

Love Forever,

Chel Chel