Winter Weather in Maryland

If you live in the Mid-Atlantic you know that snow isn’t a common phenomenon here. If you live in Boston, you’re wishing it wasn’t common there either. For the rest of you who aren’t experiencing these little problems, you can live vicariously through us. Snow is so beautiful until you’re housebound by it. Here are a few pictures from the other day full of snow-shoveling, which, by the way, burns 400-600 calories an hour! This is my new winter workout.

The above picture is a shot of the street I live on. Yes, it’s one way. I live in the middle of a little forest and we have to plow it ourselves. The county government doesn’t legally have to do it for us. Luckily, my neighbor has a four wheeler with a snow plow on the front of it, God bless him!

Don’t I look great with a shovel? I’m trying to break up the slush/ice so that it doesn’t freeze overnight creating a mess to drive on. P.S. A great snow-shoveling outfit is always necessary. I’m wearing LL Bean insulated snow boots, New York & Company leggings (they’re really thick), Aeropastle puffer vest (found it for $10 last year), a Forever 21 sweatshirt, and J Crew head warmer.

This is my driveway people. The only way we’re getting up or down it is if we shovel it by hand. My little red Toyota is at the bottom. I can honestly say that I didn’t know what “back-breaking” work was until my dad decided I was old enough to shovel snow like an adult. I also didn’t know that a heating pad works miracles! In all honesty though, being outside and breathing in the fresh air is so good for your mental and physical health.

Our pups like to race around in the snow, usually scaring the birds away from their winter bird feeder. Rude. The chocolate lab is named Riley and the little, squirty beagle is named Reagan.

I can’t complain about where I live. It’s private, quiet, and really beautiful. As a kid, I could ride my bike, play outside, and just have fun without having to worry about too much. I grew up in the house I still live in and I’m blessed to have all my memories stored in one place.

How to Get Motivated for the Gym

Fitness by oceangirl15

Summer is coming and it has crept up on us yet again. As I look in the mirror I can see a few improvement areas, particularly around my thighs (a trouble spot). However, I know better than anyone else that getting your bum off the couch and getting to the gym is one of the hardest things you will do in an average day. Some people live for the gym and I’m forever jealous of them! 

What can we do to motivate ourselves to hit the gym? I think I’ve come up with a few ideas. Read on. 

1. Get a gym bag

Seriously, who doesn’t love getting a new bag of some sort? I’ve been browsing Dick’s Sporting Goods and they seem to have quite the assortment of awesome gym bags to choose from.

2. Put together a great gym outfit

Girls (and guys) should try and look presentable at the gym. I enjoy looking cute though. Go find some athletic shorts in your favorite color and a new tank. While you’re at it, indulge yourself in a new pair of running shoes. They don’t have to cost hundreds but fresh kicks can do a world of good!

3. Make a routine

You won’t want to go to the gym if you have no idea what you’ll do when you get there. Find a routine that you are comfortable with but will also challenge you. The Tone It Up girls run a Youtube channel with hundreds of workouts to choose from. Go take a peak!

4. Make a playlist

For a really good workout you need a really good playlist of songs that motivate you. A few songs on my playlist are “Angel” by Akon, “Cool Kids” by Echosmith, “I Love It” by Icona Pop, “I Made It” by Kevin Rudolf, “Runaway” by Mat Kearney, and “I’m Alive” by Shinedown. 

5. Hydrate

Water is an important part of any workout routine. If you’re like me, you find water rather boring. Rethink this with adding fruit to your water! I love strawberries and limes in mine. At a spa I went to in Disney World, they added lemon and cucumber to their water. It was a refreshing drink that truly made water exciting! 

6. Find a workout partner

Having someone that will meet you at the gym will motivate you for two reasons: 1. You won’t want to be rude and cancel on them and 2. You will challenge yourself to keep up with your partner and meet your own goals.

7. Find a fitness app 

I like to record my progress, calorie intake, weight, and water consumption on my phone so I can remember and have it handy. Find an app that you like to record the same things. I use My Net Diary to keep track of these things but there are many others! 

What do you do to motivate yourself to go to the gym? Any tips? Comment, like, and share!

-Liz