The Morning Rush

I can honestly say that I woke up with morning (without an alarm!) at 8 AM. What?! I was beyond tired last night that I fell asleep at around midnight. That is the earliest I've fallen asleep since summer. Anyway, I am sitting here in bed reading articles and writing this post at an incredibly leisurely pace since I don't actually need to start getting ready for another half hour. This is the first time in a long time that I have been able to slowly drink a cup of coffee and eat some Cheerios. This got me to thinking about my nasty breakfast habit that I always seem to form when school is at its busiest.

Somehow I have been successful in reasoning that since my breakfast is usually so small, I really am not going to be at a loss without it. The thing is, I am not the only one here that has been known to skip this ever so important meal! I have 5 1/2 weeks of school left and so I am going to make this promise to myself: Instead of staying in bed in the morning when my alarm goes off, I am going to get up and go through my routine early so that I can make my coffee and get some nourishment from a bowl of cereal or even a piece of fruit!

<3 Ashley

Have you been known to skip breakfast? What is your quick, go-to breakfast?

Pinterest Works Out!

Hello all! It's Thursday and I can practically taste the weekend. It's been a busy 48 hours for me, but also a good 48 hours. I can feel myself catching up on all of my classes and am starting to feel more comfortable and less hectic. I am even finding longer stretches where I can work on this blog or even read a book that isn't for an essay I am writing. Also good, my roommate and I are beginning to get along again...or at least we are talking. That's a start! We did some bonding over re-arranging the dorm. The biggest re-arrangment was bunking our beds. Yes, you heard it here: we have bunk beds and I am sitting pretty on the bottom bunk. Other smaller changes were made, I will be sure to post some pictures later today after class and a late lunch date.

I won't talk for much longer, just wanted to share my ideas for the day. As you well know by now, one of my changes for the year was to venture to the gym more. I do still go to the gym, but there are days when I really don't feel motivated to walk to the gym, but I still want to work out. That is when I turned to my best friend, Pinterest. Recently I have been finding some easy, at-home workouts that do not require any equipment (considering I don't actually have any!) I am going to be creating a new board on my Pinterest for any workouts that I find. Maybe you can follow and find one that caters to you!

<3 Ashley

Do you prefer going to the gym or at-home workouts?

Musical Motivation

I can proudly say that I am still holding onto the promise to work out at least every other day! I have found that aside from the support from my friends who go with me, and the want to be healthier and more fit; what really gets me through a 30-45 minute workout is my playlist. There is a good chance that whenever you see someone at the gym there is a good chance that they have earbuds dangling from their ears. Music is truly great in both motivating and distracting.

I cannot say that I am the most enthusiastic person when it comes to going to the gym (I still love the comfort of my bed!) So I take along my iPod and at some point, I get so into my music that I don't even pay attention to the amount of sweat I am producing. Here is some of the music that I find really makes the time in the gym fly by:

1. "Jump" Madonna
2. "Fighter" Christina Aguilera
3. Any Lady Gaga song
4. "Crank It Up" Ashley Tisdale
5. "Big Fat Bass" Britney Spears
6. "Glory Days" Bruce Springsteen
7. "Girl Panic!" Duran Duran
8. "Into the Groove" Madonna
9. "We Didn't Start the Fire" Billy Joel
10. "Settle Down" No Doubt

There are just a few of the songs that get me through my gym visit. Have a great day everybody! Stay warm :)

<3 Ashley

What songs are on your workout playlist?

My Big Fat Healthy Lifestyle

In keeping with the "New Year, New You" theme that I seem to have this month I want to talk about this new, healthy lifestyle I want to create for myself. This year, I am adamant about starting anew and taking the time to cleanse myself physically and mentally.

First with the physical: healthy diet and consistent workout routine. I would not say that I am trying to lose weight, but rather would like to be healthier and gain maybe just a little bit of muscle. Hopefully, thinking like that will motivate me to continue passed February 1. In terms of my diet, I have completely cut out soda and have cut down on desserts. I am not exactly eliminating much else. I really don't see the point in completely cutting out carbs or meats like some of these diets call for. You still need the nutrients that these foods possess. Instead, I have opted for simple portion control. Much of the time the problem is not exactly what we are eating but how much. For example, if you eat a 1 pound salad you are gaining a pound. So nothing is really cut out, just downsized and sometimes replaced by a salad or some kind of vegetables (I need more of those.) I have also started at the gym. Here's to day 3! I am trying to workout everyday except for Sunday, of course. I have always taken it to heart as the day of rest and relaxation. I am pleased to say that I am sleeping better hours as well and am more energetic lately. The benefits of changing things up are already visible.

Now for the mental health: DEADLINES are my key. I figure deadlines are my educational and professional life from here on out and do have their benefits. I have invested in a calendar for my desk and now keep a notebook with me at all times to jot down assignments and important notes throughout the day. This has really freed up my thinking space not having to remember dates and everything! I am working on completing things in a timely manner as well (right as I get them!) Part of my mental health cleansing is to both have my relaxing, quiet "me time" and keep myself busy. I am in the process of performing an early "spring cleaning" and redesign of my dorm to fit me a bit more. Out with the old and rarely used! Also, in an attempt to do something with my time, and make up for the fact that while I am in school I have no income until I go home for breaks, I am going to start making, designing and selling bags. I used to be really into sketching designs and I have actually made bags for myself and friends. I am currently in the design process which is being extended since I do not know where I can get fabric around here (anyone familiar with the Pittsburgh area?) Anyway, that is something to look forward to; my prime selling grounds will be on this campus and on this blog.

I just wanted to share my promise to myself and my plans with you all. I find it to be beneficial to write this kind of stuff down and share it with a bunch of people. Subtle motivators. Like I said before...I want this to stick!

<3 Ashley

What motivates you? Are you going to try any of this for a healthy lifestyle?

The Final Countdown

Well it's here: finals! Yes, the dreaded f-word is upon college students nationwide. As this semester comes to a close we spend these next few days up late in the library, chugging coffee by the gallons, and driving everyone around us crazy or even shutting themselves in and keeping everyone else out. While being in the throws of it all for the past few days as a newcomer I have compiled this list of steps to success when you go into the test room. Let's call it The Final Countdown.

5. S-L-E-E-P! This is possibly the most neglected thing during finals week but it is also the most important. I am not going to tell you that you should get 8 hours of sleep. While that would be absolutely ideal, I recognize that it almost completely impossible. However, it would be a huge mistake to spend all hours in the library when you could be sleeping. This week, aim for at least 4-6 hours of sleep per night. Your brain works a lot better when it has time to rest and process information.

4. Don't overdo the studying Yes there is such a thing. You can only study so much before all the information becomes muddled together and you can't tell chem from calc. Be realistic and listen to your brain when it says "We've hit the wall." 

3. Make time for fun This goes along with overstudying. If you don't break up the reading and outlining, your brain may explode. What I like to do is reward myself for 5-10 minutes after every full hour of studying. I use that time to check Facebook, get on Pinterest, or anything besides worry about the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

2. Watch the caffeine intake All I will say is, keep it under six cups! Eventually that stuff will begin to get toxic. 

1. Be healthy Sleep well. Drink PLENTY of water. Exercise (do jumping jacks after every chapter or practice test you complete) Eat something that is recognized as food and doesn't come in a crinkly bag (I'm talking about you, Doritos!)

Happy Finals and may the odds be ever in your favor ;)

<3 Ashley

How do you get through finals?

The Holiday Bug

Well it really is that time of year...I have fallen ill. :| Conveniently right before Thanksgiving, right? I am currently dealing with a sore throat and slight fatigue. If I know my body well enough now, I am willing to bet some vital parts that this is going to be a raging cold tomorrow. Luckily, I did not have many classes today so I had all the time to rest a bit in bed (while doing some catch-up on my work!) I have also been blessed with some amazing friends out here that have popped in and out to check up on me.

This entry is devoted to some ways that you can either fight off the dreaded cold or at least effectively fight it off.

1. Sleep! Sleep! Sleep! - Sleep really is a very good way to help along the healing process. When you are asleep your body actually works to repair itself. And let's be honest...being sick really does take a lot out of you and can make you a very difficult person to be around. So for the safety of everyone else around, you may want to follow this rule.

2. De-stress - Being constantly stressed out can really make you more susceptible to fall ill when you come in contact with that virus. Make sure that you let off some steam and relax once in awhile. Take up meditation!

3. Be a social butterfly! - Some studies have shown that people who interact with a more diverse group are actually healthier than people who have very narrow social circles. This could align with the fact that the more that your body is exposed to various germs, the better defense your immune system can offer since it is more familiar with those bacteria.

4. Stay fit and healthy! - I feel like this one is a no-brainer :)

5. Vitamin C - While it is not as effective as you have probably been told, it does not hurt to maintain a healthy intake of vitamin C.

I have also taken my mom's advice and concocted a mixture of hot water, lemon juice and honey to sooth the sore throat. Hopefully this does not last very long. If there is one thing I hate....it's a trip to the doctor! ;)

<3 Ashley

Is there anything you to get better if you're sick? Any home remedies out there?