This is sponsored advertising content for a long term brand ambassadorship with Evereve. All opinions stated are my own.
There have been several different stages in my life as a mom. The long days of staying at home all day with babies, nap times, car seats, and strollers. The days of rush, rush, rush from place to place picking up and dropping off, and homework times. They have all been so crazy, and so hectic, but still overall so rewarding!
I remember the days all too well of being in the thick of it. Knee deep in babies, staying in pajamas all day, not showering or leaving the house for days, just in pure survival mode. Honestly, a lot of it is all a blur! Ha! I blame the lack of sleep with babies, and newborns, and toddlers, and nursing, and being pregnant for so many years!
Over the last little bit, as my kids have gotten older, and are heading off to school I have found myself with just a little bit more alone time. Currently, I have about 2-3 hours to myself each day as they go off to school. As much as it would be nice to kick my feet up and relax, I am usually filling my time with about a million other things. Unfortunately you find as they get older, some things do get easier, but somehow you also get a lot busier!
I have been really trying to take the time to be more intentional. When I set aside the time to do a few things during my day, I have noticed how much smoother things go, and how much happier I feel by just making some simple changes! Here are a few things I have been adding to my daily routine that have really made me feel happier!
Summer is here, and we have been spending a lot of time outside in the heat playing as well as working on our yard. My kids have been loving helping their dad do the yard work, and he has been rewarding them with a trip to the store for a cool drink. I’m one of those mom’s that cringes at any kind of drink that is full of artificial flavors, dyes, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and who knows what else. We don’t drink soda at our house, and I do occasionally allow my kids a sugary drink here, and there, but not without a little pit in my stomach.
I was thrilled to be introduced and partner with Silver Fern Brand who offers healthier options for not only drink mixes, but they also have a great variety of Baking Mixes, Popcorn, and Protein Drinks just to name a few. It has been nice to not feel guilty when serving my kids a fun refreshing beverage, and my kids have been thrilled to have something they consider a treat, that is also healthy for them! I have been most impressed with the fact that their products are free of refined sugar, and are high in fiber and protein, and have prebiotics and probiotics.
Their Wai Drink Mixes have really impressed me! They are flavorful and so easy to just stir into to a tall glass of water, or blend into your favorite smoothie recipe (see my Pina Colada Smoothie recipe below!). What has impressed me the most is the addition of their powerful probiotic blend, and high fiber in their mixes that promote a healthy gut, and a healthy metabolism. We are big fans of probiotics at our house, especially for the kids. In fact, any time the kids aren’t feeling well, get a stomach bug, or have to go on a round antibiotics, my brother who is a pediatrician always recommends that we give our kids probiotics ASAP to help them get the good bacteria going again, and help them to have a quick recovery. With so many people I know suffering from health issues related to their guts, I really want to be aware, and help my family maintain healthy metabolisms, gut, and overall health by using probiotics.
Here are a few facts about amazing health benefits from Silver Fern Brand Wai Drink Mixes:
They contain over 5 Billion CFU of natural Probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system.
Wai Drink Mixes contain prebiotic fiber and prebiotic tagatose. Probiotics can build good bacteria in the gut which will convert healthy macronutrients into healthy nutrients like amino acids, omega fatty acids, quinols, B vitamins, GABA, BDNF, serotonin, vitamin K, short chain fatty acids, and antioxidants.
They help to boost and restore your metabolism by helping your body process fats more efficiently and helps the body absorb vitamins and nutrients better.
They are High in Fiber, which helps to satisfy and reduce hunger, and converts fiber into fat busting compounds known as short-chain fatty acids.
They help support and promote a healthy immune system.
They are all natural. No refined sugar added, food dyes or high fructose corn syrup, with no artificial ingredients.
They come in six tasty flavors in individual serving packets: Pina Colada, Cranberry Raspberry, Peach Mango, Strawberry Kiwi, and Blackberry Pomegranate.
This is a sponsored post by iFit. iFit gives a whole new perspective on fitness with wearable fit bands, iFit powered exercise equipment, and daily workout videos, that help motivate and inspire giving you a brighter outlook on your own unique fitness journey. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting our sponsors that help keep Armelle Blog up and running!
Be sure to checkout the details at the bottom of this post on a Giveaway for an iFit Vue!
Now that I’ve approached my, ahem mid thirties, it feels like staying fit is getting harder and harder. Things that used to work for me before seem to take longer, or not work at all. Getting older is no fun! Ha!
I’ve recently changed some of my workout routines, and I’m hoping to get into better shape! As I talked about it in this post, I used to do the whole running for exercise thing over the past several years, which is an amazing workout, but I recently decided that I also need to switch things up and add some strength training and other things to the mix.
I recently got an iFit Vue to help track my calories in and out, how many steps/miles, workouts and sleep easily on my wrist with their new bright touchscreen display. Seeing all the information right on my wrist has really helped me to stay motivated!
The iFit Vue syncs up to the iFit app on my phone to be able to set goals, and track everything and add the calories you have consumed. It even has a reminder to get up and move with a little buzz to the wrist, and the screen says MOVE! If you’ve been idle too long during the non-sleeping hours. It has helped me to stay aware of how active I am being, and I am trying to hit a goal of at least 10,000 steps a day. I never realized that just doing some of my daily tasks like grocery shopping, climbing up and down the stairs to chase my kids, and cleaning up my house all day long was logging so many steps, even miles worth! Kind of motivating!
So, back to the staying active part! I have had a good routine and healthy outlook on staying active since I was a teen, I talked a little bit about it in this post. But, I didn’t realize that as I was getting older, I was staying active, but feel like I was letting myself get a little “soft” for lack of a better term. Now, I don’t want to be a ripped muscle head, but healthy lean toned muscle, and maybe a little definition would be nice.
I try my best not to compare myself to others, and maintain a healthy outlook on my body image. I’ve always been lucky be able to have a healthy body image about myself, not in a I think I have the best body or that I’m in shape way. But, in a I don’t think it’s healthy to be down on ourselves too much about our bodies and what we think may be the perfect body kind of way. I know that I have flaws, and sometimes it does get to me and I get down on myself, especially when you see an unflattering photo of yourself, or see yourself from a new angle and wonder, if that is really you? But, I try not to let that eat away at me, and focus on what is in my control. My hips, thighs, stomach, arms, back won’t be just like someone else’s, and all body types are different. So, even if we’d like what they have, sometimes it’s just unattainable! I guess I am more realistic when it comes to my body type, and at 5 foot 5 inches, I have to deal with what I have. And, really I have a healthy body, so what more can I ask for?! That is a miracle in itself that I thank God for everyday!!
Another reason it is important for me to stay in shape is for my kids. I want to be able to run around with them, hike with them, swim with them, and be an example to them of how to take care of these amazing bodies we have. And, for my daughter especially, I want her to have a healthy attitude about her body, and love it for what it is, and keep it healthy and strong. I want them to establish routines, and lifestyles that involve staying active and healthy.
So, back to working out.
The past few months I have been trying something new with my workout routine. I joined a gym, what?!! I haven’t had a gym membership in over 9 years!
But, I found that I’ve really enjoyed some of the group fitness classes. It has been more motivating for me to have a trainer in your face telling you to push harder! I have been working out and changing things up in ways I haven’t ever done, which has been really great! I’ve been working hard, and trying new things. And, frankly I haven’t lost a pound. In fact, I’ve gained weight (10lbs to be exact), which I am hoping is my body gaining some muscle and shedding the fat! I think we all get in a fitness rut sometimes, and it is nice to change things up and challenge your body. I still haven’t completely found the mix I’d like, and I’m hoping to add a little more weight training into my routines, but frankly that scares me to death! But, it’s always a work in progress!
It’s been fun tracking my workouts on the iFit Vue and seeing how many calories I’m burning and steps I’ve taken. I’d also like to get the iFit Smartbeat heart rate monitor to add to the iFit app and the wristband to get an even more accurate idea of how many calories I’m burning, and see what is working for me.
I am the worst about counting calories, but the iFit app and the ifit Vue wrist band sure makes it easier. It has been eye opening for me to see how little things I am blindly eating are adding up. So, while I’m not a huge fan of counting calories, I generally eat healthy, I think it’s nice to check yourself every now and then to get a realistic view of what you are actually consuming and adjust your intake to some healthier options.
So, here’s to making goals, and improving ourselves bit by bit. I know I always can improve, and hope to continue to work hard toward my goals and feel great about myself and continue to feel healthy!
I am also so excited to giveaway an iFit Vue to one of my lucky readers!!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS!!
Be sure to head over to my Instagram and follow me, @armelle_blog and @ifit and tag three friends to enter!!
