Fat Shredder Treadmill Workout

So I know I haven't updated in a while but this is a new workout I have started this week. I am one that prefers to run outside to get a variety of scenery but the weather doesn't always allow me to do that. I also am one that gets bored on treadmills unless I mix it up. I came up with this workout earlier this week and thought I would share. You can definitely feel the burn in your legs as well as will sweat like crazy.

A 130 lb individual will burn about 400 calories in the 35 minutes at using this speed and incline pattern. Obviously depending on your weight you will burn more or less. Additionally I like this workout because you can follow the same incline pattern but put it on a lesser speed if you are a beginner or a higher speed if you are more advanced. For example an individual who is trying to work up to a 10 minute mile could follow this speed pattern: 3.5, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 4.2, 4.5, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, & 3.5.

I promise you will feel the burn and feel very accomplished after this workout. I love it and will continue to do it in my treadmill workouts and work up to higher speeds and in the future greater inclines!

Cyber Bullying

A topic that I hate but am so passionate about. The internet is great for so many things, yet it is a curse at the same time. We have free range of access of information, the information is provided right at our fingertips, we can meet people online we otherwise would have never known...the lists of benefits goes on and on. However, there are so many downfalls to the internet* and social media one of the huge issues being cyber bullying. Bullying is something people usually associate with elementary school, the playground, or pushing and teasing. But the truth of the matter is, bullying has gotten worse and worse over the years, resulting in the suicides of too many young lives. It is not just happening at schools on the playground, it happens at home, on the street, over texts, over emails, and over social media. Social media and the internet have allowed people to hide behind a computer screen and say some of the most disgusting and degrading things to individuals, some who they never have even met.

My first question to anyone who has cyber bullied is "Would you ever say that to the person's face?" Most likely the answer is no. People find comfort in hiding behind a grey face or fake username, just to tear people down. Secondly, have you never heard the expression "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all?" Why are derogatory and horrific comments needed? What is the purpose of telling someone "Go kill yourself!" or "You are worthless, I hope you die."? Are you really living such a sad and pathetic life that you need to seek enjoyment out of tearing others down? Third, do you know everything that the person is going through? No. Do you know why they behave the way they do? Most likely not. Then why in the world is your negative opinion needed? I can tell you something, it is not.

I wish that with all the media attention that cyberbullying and suicide has received in recent years it would decrease the rates that cyberbullying is occurring, but unfortunately it is not. I have seen grown adults in their late 20s and 30s post some of the most horrific things on social media calling individuals "deadbeat whores" or saying things like "I hope you overdose on drugs and die." You would think by adulthood individuals would be able to understand right from wrong. Your frontal lobe develops by age 25, this is the part of the brain that is involved in decision making and executive functions. You would hope that individuals over age 25 would realize that cyberbullying someone online is not a smart decision, but apparently many don't.

I have also heard people claim that when individuals complete suicide because they were cyberbullied it is because they are "too sensitive" or need to "toughen up." How would you feel if every day you logged online and had numerous messages taking about how you should kill yourself, nobody loves you, the world would be better off without you? Even for the strongest person after a while it would take a toll on them. These same people then claim that these individuals should just "log off." I think what these critics fail to realize is that social media, especially in the younger generations, has become a staple. It is how everyone communicates. If you get harassing text messages every day are you going to just not use your cell phone? No, because it is one of the main forms of communication. Times have changed and so has bullying, but laws against bullying and action towards stopping it need to keep up with the times.

So even if nobody reads this post, I know it is out there. If you are thinking about cyberbullying someone, I challenge you to take a step back and evaluate your life. Why do you feel the need to send a hateful message to someone online or through text? What good is going to come from sending this message? Is sending this message really going to make you feel better? If it is, you need to evaluate what is lacking in your life and creating that void in your heart that can only be filled by hatred towards another person. If you are being cyberbullied, tell someone. IP addresses can be tracked. People can be found. Suicide or self harm is not the answer. And never believe what they say. And to anyone else, feel free to spread awareness about cyberbullying. It is a step that needs to be taken if anything is ever going to get better.

*(Side note: if you want to read a great book on the internet and its shortcomings despite all the wonderful advances it has provided us, check out "The Shallows" by Nicholas Carr.)

No Makeup Monday

I started wearing makeup at age 13. Makeup always made me feel prettier and it was always fun to try new techniques. I went to an all girl's high school where I rarely wore makeup because I didn't find it necessary and I would have sports after school all 3 seasons anyways. As I got into college and grad school, I found myself spending more time wearing makeup whether it was to go to class, go to work, or go out on a Friday night. Truth be told though, I would rather not wear makeup. I would rather save the time in the morning and as someone who is prone to acne, even at age 23, I would rather let me skin breathe.

However, when I do not wear makeup I usually look tired. I can't tell you how many times people ask me what is wrong or if I am okay, simply because I am not wearing makeup. My eyelashes are really light and my complexion is horrible because of acne scars. But I am at the point that I am not self-conscious anymore about not wearing makeup.

There are certain occasions where I always definitely wear makeup. Going to work, meeting with clients, when I have an interview or a presentation. But at this point, it is to look more together and awake rather than making myself feel confident. I feel like so many women and girls only feel pretty when they wear makeup. They can hide the imperfections in their skin, make their eyes look bigger, their cheekbones more defined. So I am starting what I like to call "No Makeup Monday". I am going to try to not wear makeup on Mondays for as long as I can. I understand if I have an interview on a Monday or have to meet with a client I will probably end up wearing makeup to look more "put together" but if I have no "real" reason to wear makeup I won't.

For at least one day a week, I will let my pores not get clogged with makeup. I will save time in the morning when I get ready. I will wear my bare face confidently. I am honestly doing this to save time and let my skin have a break from all the cosmetics, but then I decided I would post about it and see if other girls and women want to join in. I feel if done right, this can help women who are self conscious without makeup gain some of their confidence back. I do not know how long I will do this for, I will try to do it all year, maybe longer but I challenge you, if you always hide behind makeup, to do this until you start feeling confident in yourself and realize how beautiful you are without makeup on!