New Year, New YOU! Part 2

5 more tips on how to make 2014 your best year YET!

6. Know The Enemy- "Willpower is overrated. According to a recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, people were more likely to be successful if they avoided temptation altogether rather than expecting superhuman self-control to kick in.5 So figure out what changes you can make to sidestep your biggest roadblocks—can you take a different route to work that doesn't pass a bagel shop? Can you block Facebook on your computer to free up more time for new projects? Can you switch from your usual hangout to a non-smoking bar? A few small lifestyle changes can prevent big pitfalls." --from teambeachbody.com  I thought this one was too good not to share!

7. Invest in Yourself - Whether that be purchasing a new personal development book to learn about self-discipline (No Excuses by Brian Tracey is my current fave!), a workout program to follow, or a group fitness class pass for the semester, take at least 3% of your income and invest it towards YOURSELF! So if you make even just $300/month, use $30 of that to buy a new book or something that will help make you a better person. Because honestly, your body will be around a LOT longer than that expensive handbag or cute Michael Kors watch! 

8. Treat Others Like Gold - 'Um, what? I thought we were talking about ME here!!' I know what you are thinking, but have you ever had someone do something nice for you when you didn't even ask for their help? And it made your life a heck of a lot easier? Treat others like rare diamonds no matter who they are or how you met because you never know the impact they may have on your life (or you will have on theirs!).

9. Review Your List EVERYDAY - Look back at your goals every single day, or better yet REWRITE them everyday! This way, they will become so ingrained in you and the person you want to become, you will subconsciously think about these goals until you master them. If you can't be bothered to write them everyday, at least write them every week. I set an alarm in my phone to rewrite my goals every Sunday night (because in college that just seems like the perfect time to get your ish together for the week).

10. Accept That You Are HUMAN - it is inevitable that you will slip up and make mistakes. The most important thing is to brush that dirt off ya shoulderz and pick up where you left off! Recognize what triggered you to go off track, and resolve to be better next time. Like they say, aim for PROGRESS not perfection! *insert hey girl hey emoji here*


And while it is not going to be easy to top 2013, you already know I am all about those challenges, and plan on making 2014 my best year YET! Stay tuned, and who knows maybe I will share some of my own mystery goals for 2014 :)

Because if I see one more flipigram on instagram I am going to FLIP! jk you do you HAPPY NEW YEARS!

New Year, New YOU! Part 1

Tis the season for New Year's Resolutions! January 1st the gym is packed with everyone getting fit for Spring Break, but come April it's a ghost town. Whether your resolutions be fitness related or not, here are some tips to make sure you are part of the 8% that actually achieve their New Year's Resolutions!

1. Write Down 10 Goals or Less  finishing this sentence, "Wouldn't it be crazy cool if...." What are 10 things that would be CRAZY awesome if they happened this year.
2. Write it Down - Yes, I am actually telling you to take a pencil to paper and physically use your hand (not just your thumbs) to write down your goals. It doesn't hurt to put them in your phone, but only after you have hand written them first!
3. Make it SMART - Specific, Measureable, Achieveable, Realistic, Time specific. For example, not just "I want to lose weight" but indicate how much, and set a deadline. Instead, "I have lost 10 pounds and decreased my body fat percentage by 5% by March 2014."
4. Find an Accountabillity Partner - Find someone who also has goals to reach and will motivate you each day. If weight loss is your goal, find a workout buddy, hire a personal trainer, or tell someone you are close to. It  is easy to let yourself down, but much harder to let someone else down!
5. Write the Small Steps it Takes to Reach the BIG Goal - If you want to lose weight, you must research and learn more about nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. If you plan on losing 10 pounds by March, how many must you lose each month? Each week? Work BACKWARDS from your goal and figure out exactly what it will take to get there!

*Stay tuned for New Year, New YOU! Part 2 with more tips on making your New Year's Resolutions stick
*Still space in my New Year, New YOU January 30 Day Challenge Group. Message me for details or email hake.katherine@gmail.com

No Gym? No Problem! Part II

Here is today's at home circuit for CHEST, TRICEPS, SHOULDERS, and ABS!  Lots of push up variations with a few explosive moves to get your heart rate up and keep you sweating. Comment below with any questions about the moves. And this workout takes less than 30 minutes soooo only 2% of your day :)

• 15 Burpees
• 15 Push Ups
• 15 Tricep Push Ups
• 15 Down Dog Push Ups

*Repeat 3x's

• 20 Kettlebell Jumps
• 20 Tricep Dips
• 20 Front + Lateral Raises
• 20 Plank Jacks + Push Ups

*Repeat 3x's

• Push Ups to fatigue
• Overhead Tricep Extension to fatigue
• Overhead Shoulder Press to fatigue 

• 20 Hip Drops
• 20 Mountain Climbers
• 20 Plank Pikes (elbows to down dog)
• 20 Mississippi Count Plank Holds

Repeat 3x's

No Gym? No Problem! Part I

Now that the dreaded finals are over I am back in Fort Wayne without my beloved Co-Rec. So, I just don't have to work out for 3 weeks, right? HA, WRONG! While I could easily Pinterest, Netflix, and Blog all day (watch Blackfish if you haven't, great documentary about Seaworld), I figured I would instead create simple and effective workouts for all my fellow gym-less college friends.

Staying true to Paulina and I's lifting schedule, where we work a different muscle group each day, Monday was my favorite...LEG DAY! All you need is an optional weight, a space to move, a timer, and yourself! This workout will be sure to have you sweating and hating the stairs tomorrow ;)

• Squat Jumps + Overhead Press
• Alternating Reverse Lunges + Dumbbell swing
• LOW Squat + Kick R & L
• Burpee + Tuck Jump
• Skaters

*45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest, then move to next exercise
*Repeat 5xs through

• 25 Sumo Squats
• 25 Stationary Lunges R
• 25 Stationary Lunges L
• 25 Single Leg Glute Lifts R
• 25 Single Leg Glute Lifts L

*Repeat 5xs through

•  Wall Sit --> 2 minutes or to failure

How to Stay Sane During Finals

This stressful time of the semester usually consists of no sleep, junk food galore, never ending caffeine, and enough reading to make you rip your hair out or strangle your neighbor (it's cool Maddy and I are still friends ;))! While I can't give you the answers to your exams, I can give you some tips to help stay SANE and make it to break feeling healthy, happy, and alive! What are your favorite finals week rituals? Share your tips below!

1. EXERCISE - Bet you didn't guess I was going to say this one huh? You don't have to spend hours at the gym, but be sure to do SOMETHING to keep you active! Do a quick 20-30 minute HIIT workout, take a yoga class, or just take some time to blow off steam at the gym. Working up a sweat will distract you, relieve stress, and give you more energy to stay focused and hit the books again. The hardest part is getting there, but trust me, you will be glad you did after!

2. MAKE A SCHEDULE & STICK TO IT! - Write out a block schedule of how many hours you will dedicate to not only each exam, but each lecture/chapter/etc. Planning out what you have to do beforehand will help you feel more prepared with a plan of action. The key to this tip is to stick to your plan, in order to stay on track and ahead of the game. If you want to talk about to-do lists, holla atcha girl because I am obsessed.

3. EAT GOOD, FEEL GOOD - Let's be real, if you eat an extra large mad mush cheesy bread, you will FEEL like an extra large mad mush cheesy bread. Fuel your brain to keep you focused, full, energized, and content. Choose nutrient dense foods, including fiber and protein to keep you full. Plan ahead for your long days at the library by packing a healthy wrap or salad. Pack snacks like fruit, veggies, trail mix, yogurt, granola bars, almonds, etc. Avoid all the free study traps like cookies, candy, and chips. It is likely you will over indulge and feel stuffed, bloated, greasy, blah, gross, you get the gist. Do NOT skip meals, even if you are too busy, whatever!

4. STAY THIRSTY - Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated, awake, and avoid mindless snacking. Try adding cucumber, berries, or lemon to zest up your agua. If you need that extra caffeine jolt, do your best to drink it black, or with skim/soy milk. Too much sugar and cream is no bueno. Tea is also great to sip on while studying...warm with lots of antioxidants! Sleepy tea with chamomile is my favorite to help calm my nerves and get me to sleep.

5. SLEEP - Try to get AT LEAST 6 or 7 hours in (8 is ideal, give yourself a pat on the back if this is you!). Sleep deprivation will only make it more difficult to concentrate, retain information, and increase stress levels. If you are too stressed/nervous to sleep, drink tea or take melatonin, a natural, non-addictive sleep aid.

6. CONTROL YOSELF - If you know Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are your pitfalls, then stay FAR AWAY. Delete the apps off your phone, and only study with your computer if you absolutely NEED it. Macs can use a website called self-control that allows you to block these addicting websites for a certain amount of time...pretty cool! Know your down falls, and avoid them.

7. CREATE MINI REWARDS - Tell yourself, if I finish this lecture, or if I don't check my phone for the next hour, I can take a 15 minute break on Facebook or read my celebrity gossip. Create mini motivations, challenges, or goals in your head to keep you going.

8. FIND YOUR MOJO - Pick a quiet space to study with few distractions. Be wary about study buddies...pick those who will motivate you to be quiet and focus, not those who chit chat and rub their procrastination off on you. Use 8tracks to find a killer playlist, and create an environment where you are as productive as can be!

9. BREATHE - aaaand exhale! After you turn in that exam, there is nothing you can do! Do your best, forget the rest. The rest is out of your control, so REFOCUS, move on to your next subject, then BREATHE and celebrate when you are finally done!!!

10. BELIEVE! - Positive self-talk makes a huge difference! Tell yourself you're a rockstar, and finals ain't got nothin on ya! YOU GOT THIS!!!

Peace and Protein, Katie