30 Day Challenge - It's Over!

30 Day Challenge - It's over!

Hi guys!

Our 30 Day Challenge is over! Life got a little crazy... okay, life got a LOT crazy for me (which I'll tell you about later) and I wasn't able to blog the end of our challenge as soon as I wanted to. : ( I'm really sorry guys!! Family emergency!

Alright, here we go!
First, you guys need to take your final picture, if you haven't already. Put your starting picture next to your final picture and see the difference. You can also line your progression photos up and see the gradual transformation. If you're happy with your results, give yourself a pat on the back, you worked hard for this! If you're not happy with your results, still give yourself a pat on the back because you made a big step by trying! Now just keep up the hard work and don't stop, you'll get there! : )

This is my  2nd 30 Day Challenge

So now, depending on your goals, you can switch up your workout schedule. Working out 3-5 days a week is definitely a good idea, no less though! I will be working out 5-6 days a week.

I really like HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts!! I changed my workout routine during the last week of the 30 Day Challenge and I really noticed the difference right away. My next fitness blog will be about my new routine and how great it is!

Now as far as food goes, stick with the rules of our Challenge, just add one cheat meal per week in the mix. It should be a planned meal. Planning the meal will insure that you are making it worth it to you, something you've been craving, it will also help avoid binge eating! These cheat meals are important. You don't want to feel like you're on a strict diet and can never enjoy the foods you love again (without feeling terribly guilty). Just make sure to remember your portion control. Keep in mind that this is not a "diet", "diets" fail. This is a lifestyle and healthy way to live.

Honestly, I like to let myself have one cheat "meal" per week PLUS one dessert per week. My desert consists of frozen yogurt with fruit and a little bit of chocolate (from Orange Leaf). Mmmmm! It does not consist of a huge piece of cake covered in disgusting icing every single week! BUT, if I know there is a birthday party or an event that I'm going to that week, I will skip the frozen yogurt and plan on having a very SMALL helping of a yummy sweet served at the event. Just be smart guys, use your better judgement and common sense. Remember that you have to live with the consequences of your decisions. You're the only one that can let yourself get out of shape and you're the only one that can get yourself in shape.

If you have a long road ahead of you to reach your goals, you might not want to have dessert every week, but if you really struggle with a sweet tooth and tend to binge and regret it, maybe you should plan a small treat each week, something to look forward to and won't ruin all your hard work. Just. Be. Smart.

After my first 30 Day Challenge I was so excited, happy and proud of myself! So much so that I wanted to do it again... so, I did! If you feel that you want to do this challenge again and aim for even BETTER results, have at it! No cheat meals and workout 6 days a week with no excuses!

If you need a refresher on what to eat and what not to eat, or if you're new to this blog and would like to try this 30 Day Challenge, click HERE to start from the beginning. :-) Happy getting fit!!

As always, if you need any guidance, advice, motivation, etc along the way, just let me know! I'm here to help! : )

Until next time!
Kaysi

Top 10 Favorite Beauty Bargains

 

There are so many (amazing) makeup videos, beauty hauls, tutorials, top favorite lists out there for top brand makeup, but for a lot of products, there is really no need to spend your entire paycheck on it! Although I do have a lot of expensive make up, and yes we all love the expensive make up but if I can get a great beauty product for way less than what I can find at places like Sephora,… sign me up! These are all products that I’ve gotten at Walmart and absolutely LOVE!

 

1. Maybelline Baby Lips        

This is a perfect tinted chapstick for summer. I’m completely obsessed with these. Whenever I see a new color is out, I get it right away! Although I love the orange one “Coral Crush”, my favorite is the bright pink one “Pink Punch”. I’m already on my second stick! It’s my go to color, above all my lipstick or lipstain. Since it is a tinted color and not a solid stick, it is perfect for the summer by the pool or beach too. Aren't the tubes cute too?

2. Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer  

This is great if you’re looking for some coverage that is much lighter than liquid foundation. It gives a nice dewy bright glow to your skin and evens your skin tone without being cakey. Perfect for summer AND it’s SPF 30. There are two different shades, one for lighter skin “Fair to Light” and one for tan looking skin “Medium”. I use the darker one. I use this product everyday. I personally don’t like how heavy foundation is, so even when I want more coverage than this tinted moisturizer, I mix it with my foundation to lighten up the heaviness.  

3. Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch – Highlighting Concealer  

  

This is a wonderful highlighter, which comes in many shades. I use the lightest one “Ivory - 310” even though it does not match my skin tone (it’s a highlighter so it needs to be much lighter). I apply it after my foundation, in the areas indicated in the picture above. I draw it on just like the lines in the picture (I fill in the triangle on my forehead and under my eyes, by drawing light zigzags), then pat it into the skin (don’t smear or rub), then I set it with a translucent powder. I love the light glow it gives and it says on all day.

4.  Loreal Voluminous Mascara 

I have always used Maybelline mascara but after watching some makeup tutorials by women who use this Loreal brand, I decided to try it. I am in love and will continue using it. It could just be me, but I feel like it makes my lashes appear longer. I use “Carbon Black” – 335 and I apply 2 coats. The only downfall is, it’s not waterproof so this may actually not be my summer mascara, at least not when going to the pool or beach. Then I will go back to my waterproof Maybelline mascara (I love both “Falsies” and “Colossal” in Very Back). Even though the Loreal isn’t waterproof, I have never had any problems with it!

5.  Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub  

Oh my gosh I can’t begin to explain how much I love the smell of this stuff! I get the “Coconut Lime” and I am just obsessed over the smell of anything coconut anyways so this stuff makes my showering experience AmAzInG : ) It’s a sugar scrub so it’s a great exfoliant, especially for my shower before applying any self tanner.  Just get it, it’s a refreshing summer treat!

6. Bed Head After Party  

 

This product I got years ago and have loved it ever since. I don’t even know about other products because I have loved this stuff so much I haven’t tried anything else. Lol For me, this product has many different purposes. I have very staticy hair, this helps it! I like my end to be smooth, this does the trick! I apply it by rubbing it all over my hands and fingers and grabbing my hair on both sides, at neck level (like low pigtails) and pull downward, then I run my fingers through my hair, only from neck level down (under the earlobe). It leaves my hair shiny, smooth and static free. It’s not greasy or oily either. My hair does tend to get oily very easily so, I completely avoid my scalp / crown / any area above my earlobes and I wash my hands after applying. If you have the opposite problem, then you might not care as much to get it higher than your ears.   

 

7. Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Gel 

I dab this baby on at the first sign of a pimple. I wear it on the area overnight. It quickly helps the swelling and inflammation under the skin. Sometimes it doesn’t make the really stubborn ones disappear but it definitely makes them less angry. Honestly more than not, this product makes the pimple completely vanish before it even breaks the skin. Awesome, right?!

8. NYC Long Wearing Nail Enamel   

This polish is sooo inexpensive, easy to wear one coat and doesn’t chip easily. I use it with a quality clear top coat. They have great colors to pick from for the summer too! As far as inexpensive nail color, I really like ICE and Rimmel London 60 second polish too!

 

Tangerine Creme

French White

(Rimmel) Mintilicious

  

9. Revlon Just Bitten LipStain 

This lipstain is so pretty and kissable,… seriously, it does. not. come. off. I tried wiping it, washing it, everything… it wouldn’t come off, even when I wanted to take it off, lol. Quality here! I have the color “Gothic”. I want to get some more colors, for sure! Apply to dried lips and I do recommend exfoliating your lips before applying (if needed).

Wearing "Gothic" Just Bitten

 

10.  Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel   

Secret Trick!

I USE THIS AS A FACE PRIMER. Yes, you read that right. I use this as a primer. Monistat anti-chafing gel has some of the same active ingredients as Smashbox primer. $36 dollars for the premium brand primer or $6 for this product at Walmart? I use this every day and it seriously works just as good, if not better than the expensive brand! If you’re wanting a tinted primer then just add a tad bit of your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer to the gel before applying.

I hope you enjoyed my Top 10 Favorite Beauty Bargains! If you’d like to know more of my favorite inexpensive products, let me know… I have many more!!

My next Top 10 post will be Summer Time Favorites! So stay tuned! : )

Tomorrow is Fit Friday! I can’t wait to hear how you guys are doing with our 30 Day Challenge! If you haven’t started yet, you can still start now! It’s never too late to get fit!

xoxo

Kaysi

Day 15 - 30 Day Challenge

We’re on week 3 and it’s day 15 guys! HALF WAY THERE!!

Now that we’re at our half way point,... I want you to really step it up. Is there anything you’re eating that is stretching the rules at all?... Quit it! This is a 30 Day Challenge. CHALLENGE... it’s not suppose to be easy. Give it up! You can do it, I promise.

Do you want to lose fat and get fit? Don’t cheat yourself in this challenge. Whatever you eat in private you wear in public, you’re only disappointing yourself. Remember that the next time you try to sneak a cookie.

Don't forget your weekly picture!!!

An update on me:
 

Well I feel great but I’ve hit that wall... that you all are going to hit at some point. It’s normal and expected for your body to make big changes in the beginning. Eventually, your body is going to peak out for a while. It WILL start improving again so be patient and stick with it. It is really frustrating though. As you know, I take pictures of my progress and I feel like I don’t look any different anymore. Ahhhh!! Well, I upped my workout intensity and am making sure I’m getting plenty of water. Gotta push through this stage!!! If you’re there with me, DON’T WORRY, WE CAN DO IT! : )

Here is a reminder of our food rules for the month!

Absolutely NO:
- Sweets
- Salt (or seasoning full of sodium)
- Sauces (such as ketchup, mayo, etc)
- Dressings (yes, even low fat!)
- White breads and potatoes (I really recommend staying away from all breads except for one slice in the morning. For lunch, at most, a wrap… no more after 3pm!)
- Pasta of any sort!
- Cheese (dairy)
- Carbs from grains after lunch (or at the latest, 3:00pm)
- Soda (yes, even diet), carbonated beverages, sugary juices and sports drinks, etc
- Alcohol

Absolutely YES!:
- Water, water, water! - You should be drinking no less than half your body weight in ounces of water!
- Green tea
- Pure juice (made with juicer, nothing added, just fruits and veggies)
- Veggies
- Lean meats

How are our workouts going? During these 30 days, you should be working out at least 6 days a week. Are you doing that? Feels good huh? : ) Step it up if you can! You only have 15 days left, make them count! Or if you haven't started it, START NOW!

We’re half way there... if you’re needing any help please let me know. I would hate for you to make it through this whole thing without trying as much as you wanted to or not getting as much out of this as you could. Don’t be afraid to ask for some assistance. I would love to help,... that’s why I’m doing this!
*I’m currently studying to become a personal fitness trainer

I’ve been doing this awesome interval workout and my entire body is ridiculously sore (which I love, btw!). I’m going to work on it a bit and do my first workout video. I’m so excited!!

I’m gonna try doing a new “Tasty Tuesday” thing too! So, tomorrow I’m going to post a recipe or two. Stay tuned.  ;-) 

Keep up the great work guys!

Xoxo