No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #34

You know I love Jessica Smith!  Here is one of my favorite workouts from her YouTube Channel.  I love cardio kick boxing workouts.  I love any workout that is going to get my heart rate up while working my entire body at the same time!  The next day you’ll feel this workout in you arms, back, and abs.

Take 15-30 minutes and improve your day! Your heath and wellness is worth it!  Remember to keep good proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!  No excuses, Just do it!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits · Health/ Fitness

6 Ways to Ditch Dieting For Good

It’s Not About Dieting It’s About a Healthy Lifestyle

1)Find healthy foods you love:  Since I have changed my eating habits I have found so many foods that I thought I hated, but I actually now love.  Eggplant, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Roasted cauliflower, Baked Kale chips, Sweet potatoes, Mushrooms. (I still hate cooked peppers, don’t think that will ever change.)  These are all things that I never would have eaten 18 months ago, yet they are now part of my every day diet.

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2)Get a routine: Make it easier on yourself to make better choices.  Have your fridge stocked with fresh fruits and veggies.  Set regular meal times and don’t let yourself graze and snack. Keep yourself accountable with a food and fitness journal.  Make a plan and stick to it!  It is not about perfection it is about consistency.

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

3)Do exercises you enjoy:  I don’t like to run.  So you know what, I don’t do it.  There are sooooo many other way to get in a great cardio workout without having to pound the pavement.   The more time I have spent doing different types of physical actives I have discovered things that I love and things that I don’t enjoy: I hate lunges, but I love squats.  I hate pushups but I love plank ups.  I love to lift weights and strengthen my muscles. Find what you enjoy and do it!

3-Week-Plan No Gym? No Problem! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

4)Always have a goal: The scale is not the only place to have goals.  There are so many other ways to stay motived and push yourself. Recently I have been pushing myself to increase my reps as well as my weights.  It is so satisfying to reach a goal and set a new one!

Flab to FAB Progress | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

5)Indulge: You know I love sweets!  If you know you are going to a birthday party or a friends BBQ let yourself indulge within reason.  Denying yourself can lead to unwanted binges.  Instead be strict with your diet leading up to the time before the indulgence. And do not, I repeat DO NOT make yourself feel guilty about it later on. Occasionally enjoying a sweet treat or special meal is an absolutely necessary part of a feasible healthy lifestyle plan.  This leads me into my next point…

M&M's chocolate chip cookies | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

6)Don’t focus on denial: How true is it that all you want is what you can’t have!  If you want a french fry, have a fry or two, you don’t need to eat an entire large fry, but a fry or two might be just the thing to keep you from derailing your entire healthy plan.

After a few weeks you won’t even have to think about these changes.  Making a lifestyle change is worth the time and hard work it takes. Remember, It’s Not About Dieting It’s About Lifestyle! Long lasting results are so much more satisfying than short ended quick results from a fad diet. You and your health and wellness are worth it!

Focus on health | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

If you want to read more about the benefits of lifestyle vs dieting check out my flab to fab post about Balance.

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #33

If you want to do a workout that you will feel the next day, this is the one for you!  My sister recommended this one to me and now I am passing it along to you.  I love how pilates is low impact yet it works deep into the muscles of the body.

Bikini Body Pilates – 27 Minute Abs, Butt and Thighs Pilates Workout by FitnessBlender.com

Take 25 minutes and improve your day, your heath and wellness is worth it! Remember to keep good proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!  As always… No Excuses! Just Do IT!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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Health/ Fitness

Plateau!!! Why Can’t I Lose Weight?!

Hitting a plateau is so annoying!  Every body is different, there is no magic formula or just one specific answer to how to get over a plateau.

you-are-here

Sometimes it feels like you are doing everything right and still not losing weight. You might need to ask yourself a few simple questions…

  • Are you really taking the best care of your body and health or are you just going trough the motions?
  • Are you being patient giving your body time to respond to healthy changes?

Or maybe you think you are doing everything right but in actuality you are missing something in one area or another…

  • What you are eating? (Are you eating too much? Not enough?)
  • How you are sleeping?
  • Are taking care of yourself?  How is your stress level?
  • What types of work outs are you doing? (Are you working out too much? Not enough?)

Losing weight is not just a simple formula, it is a very personal thing.  You may be working out and eating right but you are not sleeping enough or maybe you’re always stressed out.  Our bodies love to hang on to those extra few pounds just in case they need it later on.

I know that it is so annoying to be doing everything right and not see the scale moving. Remind yourself that even if the scale isn’t heading in the direction you want it to, your body might be changing in a positive way internally.

Listen to the signals that your body is giving you. Also, just because you have that perfect goal weight in your mind doesn’t mean that number is where your body can comfortably maintain itself.

Personally, I had a goal weight in my mind that I wanted to reach.  Once I reached that goal I was so proud of myself, but when it came time to maintain my weight at that weight it was really hard. My body wanted to rest about 3 lbs heavier than that goal number.  Instead of fighting it, I have embraced those 3 lbs, and because of that decision I have not had any difficulty with my weight maintenance.  (I even indulge with a small bowl of ice cream every now and then, I couldn’t do that when I was trying to keep those 3 lbs off.)

While I am not a wellness coach, nutritionist, or personal fitness trainer, I am a nurse who loves to learn as much about health and wellness as I can!

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #32

Sometimes you just need a good stretch! My muscles have been so tight and sore lately that I actually thought I had injured myself!  This Short and Sweet Stretch from Jessica Smith only takes 15 minutes and it is perfect for stretching out those tired tight muscles!

Take 15-30 minutes and improve your day! Your heath and wellness is worth it! Remember to keep good proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

Let me know in the comments below if you have tried out any of these No Gym? No Problem! workouts I would love to hear what you think!

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Flab to FAB

Balance ~ Flab to FAB

It has been a while since I have written a Flab to Fab post.  Thankfully, I can report to you that I have been staying closer to the “FAB” side of things and have not returned to Flab. Staying “FAB” is not easy, it is an every day task!  I have to work at eating right every day! I still LOVE cookies and ice cream, oh and french fries… cheese burgers too!   I don’t always feel like making the right nutritional choice.  Sometimes the thought of another healthy salad makes me want to scream!

One At A Time | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Despite having long since reached my goal weight, I still have good days and bad days.  I have found that maintenance is a lot harder than losing.  I kept myself to a pretty strict routine while trying to drop those last few pounds.  Now while maintaining, I have more freedom.   Freedom is not always easy.  While losing the weight, I retaught myself how to eat properly. I knew that I would never return to my old way of eating.  But. once I reached my final goal and loosened up my diet, I also knew that I couldn’t allow myself to let those bad habits slowly creep back into my life.

I attribute my success to BALANCE! I try to eat a mostly healthy diet, consisting of mainly fruits, veggies, complex carbs, and lean meats, making mostly healthy choices.  One of the most important things I do is I let myself indulge.  A sweet treat every once in a while helps me to be successful the next time I have to decide what to eat.  

FlabToFab | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
While I am actually trying to be funny in this above picture, I really am quite proud of the accomplishment I have made.  There was a time not too long ago that these jeans fit me a bit too snuggly.

My diet is balanced and not overly restrictive.  It doesn’t just consist of  kale and celery.  Every once in a while I will let myself have a bowl of ice cream or piece of a huge reese’s peanut butter cookie.  The key is to not eat the entire pint of ice cream or the whole cookie all by myself.  I love to eat and I love to exercise, but all diet and no exercise is not right, just as all exercise and not eating a healthy diet is also not best.

Consistency is more important than perfection! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

When I decided to make a drastic dietary change in my life, I knew I didn’t want to be on a “diet”.  I wanted to make a lifestyle change that would last forever.  Since reaching my final goal weight I follow the 80/20% rule. Eighty percent of what I eat is healthy, and I let myself splurge the other 20% of the time.

Eating healthy is not a chore, it takes thought and preparation, but it isn’t a chore.  I have given myself permission to enjoy food.  Being able enjoy a special meal with friends and family or have a piece of birthday cake at a party is all part of enjoying life.  I allow myself to go on vacation and fully enjoy foods at restaurants that I will not be visiting again for a long time (or possibly ever). It makes the whole balanced healthy diet attainable for a lifetime, not just to reach a specific goal.  I don’t want what I do and don’t allow myself to eat to hold me back from living my life. Once again it is all about BALANCE.

Reese's peanut butter cup chocolate chip cookie! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Some days I eat celery, spinach, cabbage, and kale. Other days I eat a huge Reese’s peanut butter cup chocolate chip cookie! It’s all about balance. 👁 ❤ 🍪 (Clarification: I also eat celery, spinach, cabbage, and kale on the days I eat the cookies.)

out exercise a bad diet | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Trust me I have tried to only exercise and not eat healthy! For 5 years I diligently worked out so hard, but I always ate whatever I wanted to. It wasn’t until I improved my diet that I finally started to see all the awesome results I had been trying to achieve with exercise only.  Going from flab to fab includes both diet and exercise.  I also follow the 80/20 rule with exercise.  80% diet 20% exercise.

If you would like to read more about my journey from flab to FAB, you can do so by clicking HERE.

What about you?  Have you been on a journey from flab to FAB?  Have you made any major lifestyle and diet changes? What do you do to keep yourself on track and accountable?

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #31

I love workouts that use compound movements with weights. Two birds with one stone!  This is a great 18 minute workout that uses both a set of lighter and heavier weights.  Take some time today to improve you health and well being. You are totally worth it!  As always, no excuses, just do it!

Remember to keep good proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on FacebookLookin Joli Good

Love and Life

Happy 1st Birthday Looking Joli Good!

I cannot even believe that it has been an entire year since I started blogging here on Looking Joli Good!  Some of you have been with me right from the start and I really appreciate you!  Some have joined along the way and become friends.  Thanks for making this first year a great one!

Here’s to another year of Looking Joli Good!

Happy 1st Birthday to Looking Joli Good!

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Love and Life

A Little More About Me Tag

Hello everyone! I thought that since I have been blogging for a just about a year now and several of you have joined in a long the way I would introduce myself a bit more. So, today I am doing this “A Little More About Me” tag that I have seen floating around the beauty blogger world.

Here is a list of  31 questions to get to know a little more about me…

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
My hair is perfectly naturally straight, and I absolutely love how easy it is!
2. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?
I have never dyed my hair.  It is still the same exact color that God gave me.  If I do need to start dying it, I will definitely let a pro do it.
3. Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?
I am a pretty routine kinda gal, so pretty much stick with the same general style, but usually when I mix it up I am not even that far from my usual.
4. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?
I get my feet done at the salon (not as often as I would like to), but about every 4-6 weeks. I don’t get mani because I don’t like to have my cuticles pushed back, so gross!  Just writing about it now makes my fingers hurt!
5. How often do you change your nail polish?
If you have been around Looking Joli Good for very long, you already know the answer to this question.  Never, I don’t polish them.  It drives me nuts if my polish chips at all!  So instead of having to redo them as soon as that happens, I just don’t polish them. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
6. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?
My toes are always polished,  so yes, I definitely polish my toes in the winter! I like the way my feet look better with polished toes
7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?
Depends on what look I am going for. If it is just a more natural face then 1oish minutes, but if I want to take my time and be more detailed then probably around a half hour.  Don’t ask my husband though, he’d say I spend 3 hours every day putting makeup on. (I wish I had that amount of time.)
8. What do you do first? Face or eyes?
Usually face because I take the most time on the eyes, so I don’t want to spend too much time in the beginning and then end up running out of time to do the rest of my face.
9. Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?
I love makeup, but I also like to save money and get the best price possible.  I get overwhelmed by too much stuff.  I would say I am a makeup wearer, but not a makeup collector.
10. How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Never, and I don’t ever plan to start.  I think that they look good in certain situations, but as a mom to two youngish kids, totally not necessary in my life.
11. Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?
Not every single day, but usually I am out and about, so I put make up on almost every day.
12. Do you wear makeup when you’re home alone or with family?
Not usually if it is just my husband and kids at home all day, but if we are possibly going somewhere I always put it on just in case.
13. Will you leave the house without makeup?
Um, well…yes, I don’t really like to, but I will if I have to.
Hello! I'm Laura Joli from Looking Joli Good! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Are you still with me? Haha!
14. How many high-end products do you have?
I love a great deal, and don’t like to spend a ton of money, but I really do like nice things.  I don’t have a huge collection of high-end products, I’d say off the top of my head less than 20.
15. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you’re getting dressed?
For church, special days and work, I plan ahead and get it ready at night, but usually otherwise it just depends on how I feel that day.
16. How often do you change your handbag?
Quite often.  Generally when I find a great purse I will use it for a while, but if I am wearing something nice and it doesn’t match my outfit I will switch to another one.
17. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?
It depends on the day and the season.  During the school year most days I wake up at 6 am to work out usually, 7 am during the summer if I want to work out before my kids get up, pretty much never after 8. I go to bed around 10:30pm each night (in bed by 10:24 to be exact), but on the days I work I am usually asleep about 9:00pm on the couch next to my husband.
18. How often or when do you workout?
Six days a week in the morning. (I am pretty obsessed!)
19. Left handed or right handed?
Right handed
20. How tall are you?
5″4′ …ok, ok, ok…5″3 1/2′
21. Do you speak any foreign languages?
Nope, but I have been trying to learn French.  It is going pretty slowly though.
22. How many pets do you have?
You all know about my sweet 10 year old Boston Terrier Tessie.  She is the sweetest, kindest, most loyal dog in the world!
23. How often are you on WordPress?
Every day, probably too many times a day!
24. Do you read comments posted on blogs?
Yes, but not always. Usually it depends on what the blog is about whether I read the comments or not.  Of course I always read all the comments on my blog.
25. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
Yes, I do.  If more than one person I trust recommends a product I will add it to my list.
26. How did you come up with your blog name?
My last name is Joli (said Jolly) and I’m sure you have already heard the saying “Jolly good”.  Joli/Jolie in French means pretty/beautiful so I just put it together and came up with Looking Joli Good.
27. What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?
I have a Nikon D3300 and sometimes my phone a Nexus 6P.
28. How often do you clean your house?
Every. Single. Day. Feels as if that is what I spend the majority of my time doing…(although if you ask my family they will say I spend all my time putting on makeup and talking.)
29. What’s your favorite color?
I am a girly girl all the way and as unoriginal as it probably is, my favorite color is pink.  I also like tealish blue as well
30. Do you swear?
Nope, never.
31. What are you doing with the rest of your day?
Hanging out with my dog and my kiddos

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #30

A few weeks ago for “No Gym? No Problem” I shared a 15 minutes to burn 150 calorie workout.  Today’s workout you can burn 200 calories in 20 minutes. Do you have 20 minutes to improve your health and wellness? Yes, You Do! No Excuses, Just do it!

Burn 200 Calories in 20 Minutes With This Quick Workout

Take 15-30 minutes and improve your day! Your heath and wellness is worth it!  Remember to keep good proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on FacebookLookin Joli Good