Happy Hump Day all!

Spring is the perfect time to get your body moving. Working out doesn’t mean you are trying to lose weight.  Many plus size women work out because they LIKE IT and the other benefits exercise brings.  Exercise can help improve your stamina and strengthen your core.  There are emotional benefits to regular exercise too.  Exercise is known to increase the production of  endorphins in the brain.  This increase can help with combating depression and anxiety. I can attest to this.   Working out instantly boosts my mood especially if I’m having a blah day. Another benefit of  exercise is that it helps with stress reduction and increases concentration. 

Now that you’re motivated, Lane Bryant’s active line Livi   will help you fashionably achieve for fitness goals. Livi’s capri power leggings  are so comfy you can go from a power walk to a coffee date without missing a beat.   I worked out  and ran a few errands in them to test them out.   I’m no fan of leggings but after wearing these for a few hours I have become a convert. Paired with this comfy tunic and cardigan/overpiece I’m ready to take my indoor workout outside this Spring!

Have a wonderful day!Af

Disclaimer: Lane Bryant sponsored this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Cardigan: c/o Lane Bryant (here)  Tunic: c/o Lane Bryant (here) Leggings: c/o Lane Bryant (here)  Sneakers: c/o Lane Bryant (here)

Happy Hump Day!

If you had told me last year I would be celebrating my 49th birthday during a pandemic I would have thought you were nuts.  But alas here we are!  Despite COVID I’m blessed to see another year of life. I refuse to allow it to dampen my birthday spirits.  I’m entering my 49th year of life feeling physically better than I have in years.   The love of my family and friends continues to uplift and encourage me.  I have a good life and little to complain about.  Of course I wish things were different but I’m learning how to accept the things I can’t change.  Now trust me, next year I promise to party harder to make up for this year! 

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Monday all!

I remember reading about people hitting the “COVID wall” a few months ago.  While I too was frustrated by the ongoing pandemic I didn’t count myself as one of those people.   After contracting and recovering from COVID last month I’ve hit the “COVID wall”…hard.  Coupled with my complete dislike of Winter and a bout of seasonal affective disorder my struggle has become very, very real.  While it’s easy to give into feelings of hopelessness I’ve been intentional about keeping my head above water.  Here are some tips I’ve been using to help me scale the “COVID wall”:

1. Exercise: Yep, exercise.  I’ve found that after I finish working out I feel so much better. It puts me in a better mood and end up feeling really good about myself. 
2. Journaling:  I haven’t had a journal since I was in graduate school.  I remembered how cleansing it felt writing down my thoughts.  While I don’t journal every day but when I do I find it helps release my burden.
3. Therapy: Some issues can’t be journaled or exercised away.  I was already in therapy before the pandemic hit so it felt comforting to have something “normal” continue in my life. Therapy keeps me focused on my journey and committed to improving myself. 
4. Weekly Errands: While there are still restrictions, I (safely) go out twice a week to run errands.  Running weekly errands helps me feel like I have a routine and not so isolated from the rest of the world.  Also feeling the sun on my skin reinforces my belief that “this too shall pass”. 

Have you hit the “COVID wall”? If so, how have you been coping with it?

Have a wonderful day! 

Sweater: Ann Taylor (here) Skirt: H&M (old, similar here) Boots: Dolce Vita (old, similar here)

Happy Monday all!

To say 2020 has been a dumpster fire is an understatement.  Anything and everything that could go wrong did.  Although 2020 was rough I learned more  about myself than I had in a long time. In alot of ways 2020 has been a year of growth for me. I know the popular refrain is to only attribute negative things to 2020 but for me there was a good amount of positives too.  So here is what I’ve learned from 2020:

• Friends & Family are EVERYTHING: I’ll be the first to admit prior to 2020 I assumed my family & friends would always be there.  I remember being asked to visit family or hang with friends and I would quickly decline.  Now I look back at those moments wishing I would’ve accepted. There isn’t enough Zoom calls that could ever take the place of being in the physical presence of my family and friends.  I’ve vowed to never decline invites by family and friends to hang out once it’s safe to do so. 
• It’s Okay Not To Be Okay:  During the quarantine I struggled with feelings of isolation.  Feeling isolated was new to me so I tried to be “strong” to cancel it out.  Eventually I had to realize that it was okay not to be okay.  I’ve acknowledged my struggles and continue to work through them in therapy. 
• Working From Home is a Privilege:   Since March when the shut down began I’ve been working from home.  I’m not a  fan of WFH. I like going to work & interacting with people everyday. Despite these feelings, I know that WFH is a privilege that millions of Americans do not have. I fully recognize I am blessed to continue to work full time during this crisis.  So instead of belly aching about WFH I’m learning how to appreciate it.

Now it’s your turn. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?  

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Cardigan: Banana Republic (old, similar here)/Skirt: c/o Eloquii (sold out, similar here)/Cami: Lane Bryant/Belt: Lane Bryant/Earrings: Lane Bryant/Shoes: BCBGeneration (old)

Happy Monday all!

To say that Christmas this year is like none we’ve ever seen is an understatement.  If you had told me last year that we would be celebrating the holidays during a pandemic I would’ve thought you were nuts,  But here we are still holding on during these unprecedented times. With COVID looming over our heads many of us have altered or cancelled our Christmas plans out of safety concerns. While it’s extremely difficult to be away from family during the biggest holiday of the year, there are ways to still connect. Here are a few tips to keep safe and connected during Christmas:

1. Online: By now we are all Zoom experts after months of practice. Schedule a holiday sing a long meeting on Christmas Eve via Zoom.  Invite friends and family to a virtual ugly Christmas sweater party on Christmas day.  Host a Netflix watch party and watch your favorite holiday movies (“Elf” is my fave).  
2. FacetTime: If you and your loved ones have Apple products, FaceTime is another great way to connect with them. Bake Christmas cookies with one another via FaceTime on your iPads.
3. Christmas Drive By: If you and your family live near one another coordinate a drive by your relatives home.  This is an excellent way to socially distance and see your loved ones outside. Make it festive by decorating your car & playing Christmas music when you pull up.  Just remember to keep 6 feet apart and wear your mask.  

I hope these tips were helpful! I want to wish everyone a merry and safe Christmas! Have a wonderful day!

Blouse: Who What Wear (here)/ Skirt: Rainbow Shops (N/A; similar here)/ Shoes: BCBGeneration (old)