5 Favorite Fitness Apps That Keep Me Motivated

Can you believe that school has already started back up and that fall will be here before you know it!?  And I hate to be a downer, but winter comes after fall so that means the hibernating months are quickly approaching.  It can be hard to find the motivation to stay fit when you're bundled up under layers of clothing, but you know what?  Spring and summer will be here again after winter so instead of hitting the crunch period to get that summer bod in shape when the time rolls around, why not make fitness more of a priority?  Some of you reading this probably already do, and some of you may have the "I'll start tomorrow" mentality.

 Personally, I don’t really like getting out of my element at the gym so the thought of attempting a new class makes me quite anxious.  I typically stick to what I know and the machines I’m used to.  Also, I prefer to workout solo (listening to music or watching Netflix), so my 5-6 workouts a week have a tendency to get a bit repetitive.  I try to switch some things up daily (yoga, getting outside, etc).  How I stay motivated and working out is because of different apps (and all that “clear your mind” and eat as many tacos as you want stuff).  Here I've rounded 5 of my personal favorite fitness-related apps that help keep me motivated and working out regularly all year round.  Hopefully it’ll help you out, too!

1.  Achievement - Earn money by walking!?  Seriously...The Achievement app links to over 20 other apps (Fitbit, Runkeeper, even Twitter, and Foursquare) and tracks your steps, workouts, health-related posts.  Once you earn 10,000 points, you receive $10!  Cool, right!?  If you're interested in signing up, use my link:  Achievement

2. Runkeeper - Runkeeper tracks your runs or walks (obvi.), from pace, inclines, calories burned, and so on.  The other cool thing about Runkeeper is the ability to manually enter a number of other workouts such as yoga, pilates, elliptical, swimming, spinning, strength training, and more!

3. Charity Miles - This app is really cool because it'll track your steps whether your walking or running, and based on your activity, money gets donated to a charity of your choice!  I have chosen the Alzheimer's Association for my steps to be put towards.

The next two aren't necessarily apps but are YouTube channels...which YouTube can be an app so we're still going to count them :)

4. Yoga with Adriene - Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel of 400+ free yoga videos taught by Adriene Mishler and my personal favorite.   YWA is for beginners to advanced yogis alike, and the classes range from 5 minutes to an hour, so hop on your mat and find what feels good!

5. Tone It Up - Tone It Up is another YouTube channel focusing on fitness with workouts by Karena and Katrina.  There are so many metabolism-boosting and sculpting workouts to choose from with TIU so it makes it fun being able to switch it up daily.  The workout also start at about 10 minutes so there's really no excuse to not squeeze a little one in daily!

What are some of your favorite fitness apps, YouTube channels, or Instagram accounts to follow that help keep you motivated?

How I Keep a Positive Attitude in Winter's Gloom

With gloomy, cold, and short days, the days can seem to drag on yet seem like there aren't enough hours at the same time.  Sometimes finding myself in a funk for no apparent reason aside from the season to blame, there are ways I've figured out how to keep a positive attitude and not completely struggle through winter's gloom.

1.  Fuzzy everything...fuzzy scarf, fuzzy socks, fuzzy blankets, fuzzy sweaters.  Cozy layers make having nowhere to go enjoyable and staying in much more comfortable.

2.  Hanging out and snuggling with my dog :)  

3.  Binge watching tv shows - Stranger Things, This is Us, and Friends are what I've been watching lately

4.  Game night with the significant other.  Farkle has become our go-to!

5.  Skipping the gym and opting for at home workouts...because it's cold out.  Yoga with Adriene and Tone It Up are a few of my favorite YouTube fitness channels.

6.  Homemade soup...or soup out of the can.  I really enjoy soup.

7.  Hot tea and hot chocolate!

8.  Crafting.  I received a Cricut for Christmas so it has been fun getting creative, crafty, and feeling accomplished.
9.  Constantly remind myself that it won't be winter forever.  :)

♥ always
Allison

Resolutions and Goals for 2018

Happy 2018, everyone!  A new year, a fresh start, right?  Up until a few days into 2018, I had no set resolutions or goals for this year.  I had a few ideas that had crossed my mind, but nothing that I was really setting out to achieve.  After the go-go-go of the holidays, hosting a New Year's Eve party, and so on, I took a little time to decompress and jot down goals for 2018.

My first, I was going to attempt dairy free 3 days a week.  After 11 days into the new year, I'm pretty sure this is my first day without dairy so far (until I just remembered that I added a splash of milk in my eggs this morning, so I'm back at the beginning).  So, I'm going to aim for dairy free 1x a week until the end of the month, then possibly bump it up to 2 in February...January can sorta be a trial month, right?

In the past, I have considered the whole Dry January thing but never ended up partaking.  It's supposed to be good for your health, weight, cleansing, give you more energy, and all these other benefits that I don't know without Googling (also since I've hit my 30's, I can get some absolutely TERRIBLE think I'm legit going to die hangovers and thought it might be nice to have a month without losing those battles) I decided to attempt this month, but the weekends are a little difficult for me.  I had a few drinks last Saturday so I cheated the whole dry MONTH, but figure significantly cutting back and a few drinks one night a week can't really harm anything.

Also, since we're talking about liquids, a resolution is to DRINK MORE WATER.

For Christmas, I received a Cricut machine so made a set goal of how much I would like to sell per month through crafting.

Another goal is to COOK a meal a week.  Like actually find a Pinterest recipe, go to the store, get the ingredients, and make dinner rather than grabbing a Boca Burger out of the freezer, tossing that in the microwave, adding it to greens and calling it a night.  On Monday, I made some Creamy Tortellini Soup and it was SO GOOD.  Here's the recipe I based the soup off of:  Creamy Tortellini Soup

While we're on the topic of food, another goal is fewer carbs, fried food, and reduce sugar intake.  Sugar is a big pitfall for me...I love sweets but find that when I reduce eating them, the craving goes away.  Focusing on upping fruits and lowering cookies.

I always say I would like to read more so I'm aiming for 1 book a month.  :)

And lastly, but probably most importantly:  Be more present.  Put technology down for a bit.  Spend time with my boyfriend, watching a show or movie, and not look at my phone every few minutes.  Learn to take a break from social media.  Stop getting caught in the black hole that is Instagram and Facebook, scrolling mindlessly for who knows how long through things that don't even really matter...and by doing this, I hope to find the time to accomplish all the things that do matter.

Here's to 2018!  What are your goals and resolutions for this year?

♥ always
Allison

37 Simple Ways to Spread Kindness

It's officially December 1st which means the holiday season is in full swing.  While it's a magical, happy, wonderful time of year for many, the holidays can also be hard, bittersweet, and even sad for others, and some may even experience feelings from both sides.  I do feel during the holiday season, people are kinder to others and act happier in general, but it never hurts to spread a little extra kindness whether it's to strangers on the streets or being kind to yourself.  A little something can go a long way and you never know who's day you will brighten by a small deed.  After all, kind is cool, right!?

1.  Compliment yourself.  Our biggest critics are ourselves and we can be negative about us on the daily.  Find something you truly love about you and own it.  Spreading kindness onto others begins with the kindness within.
2.  Hold the door for someone.
3.  Call your parents just because (or grandparents or siblings or anyone else that you love).
4.  Pay it forward (pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru, whether it's their whole order or just a coffee, burger, partial payment.  Anything unexpected will brighten someone's day).
5.  Compliment a stranger
6.  Donate an item(s) that you don't use
7.  Support a local business
8.  Pick up a piece of littered trash from anywhere
9.  Leave an anonymous happy note or inspirational quote for someone to find
10.  Bake cookies to share at work
11.  Rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbor
12.  Buy a bouquet of flowers for someone (a friend, significant other, sibling, parent, cousin, aunt, even yourself...It's a-okay to brighten your own day).
13.  Donate $5 to your favorite charity
14.  Let someone go ahead of you at checkout
15.  Help a friend in need
16.  Volunteer for an hour at a local organization
17.  Plant a tree or buy a cute new house plant
18.  Unplug devices when not in use
19.  Organize a family meal and appreciate being together
20.  Disconnect from your phone and computer for an hour (or longer)
21.  Stop and look around while you're outside to actually appreciate nature
22.  Donate school supplies to children in underprivileged homes
23.  Offer to read or play games with someone elderly or at a nursing home
24. Apologize for something you've done, whether its something big or small
25. Treat a friend to dinner
26. Ask a loved one about their day
27. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, scrubbing dishes, shaving, or take a shorter shower
28. Make one change for yourself that will make you a better person
29. Take food to a neighbor
30.  Bring a hostess a little gift as a thank you for opening their homes and getting everyone together.
31. Recycle any items possible
32.  Help someone older with the internet or learn Facebook.  (After all, my mom has been on the book for years and still has a million questions about it ;) )
33.  Leave a small gift for your mailman/woman.  A box of chocolates, hot cocoa mix with a holiday mug, a gift card
34.  Make homemade gifts to share this season
35.  Invite the girls over for a night of sugar cookie decorating or gingerbread house building
36.  Give blankets, coats, scarves, gloves, socks, mittens to those in need
37.  Continue doing good deeds and spreading kindness through 2018

What acts of kindness will you be practicing this holiday season?

♥ always
Allison

8 Things to do for Valentine's Day

Don't get me wrong, I love love, but Valentine's Day has never been especially special to me.  If you love someone, you love them 365 days a year not just that one day, February 14th to be exact, that Hallmark threw out there for everyone to be all lovey dovey gushy about their significant other.  I guess there's some religious history to it, but we have a tendency to forget that part.  Cutesy hearts, love notes, and the day after Valentine's Day when all the candy goes on sale are all great things.  I've just never felt it to be necessary to get all dressed up, go out to an over priced restaurant and pay an arm and a leg for a dozen roses on a specific day.  Well, also partly because I don't even like roses, but if fancy dinners and roses are your thing, that's awesome.  Ignore the rest of this post.  If you're more anti-Valentine's Day like me, here are 8 things to do for Valentine's Day that aren't the average "Valentine's Day" dates.  Whether you're with a significant other, single, or celebrating with Galenine's, there's an option for everyone

1.  Go to a museum
2.  Buy wines.  Buy cheeses.  Make the ultimate cheese board and have a date night in.
3.  Binge watch classic love movies - Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gone with the Wind
4.  Get creative in the kitchen.  That saved recipe you've been dying to try?  Create it.  If it fails, pizza delivery is only a phone call away.
5.  Single(s)?  Treat yourselves to manicures and pedicures.
6.  Map out your next travel adventure.
7.  Go the old school game night route with board and card games.
8.  Fuel your artistic side with a craft or coloring night.

This year, I'm planning on going with option #2.  I'm curious, what are your Valentine's plans?

always allison

A new direction.
Back in 2013 (which OMG, I didn't realize it was that long ago) when I started my blog, Sparkles and Flamingos, I wanted to do "fashion".  As the time passed, I realized that there is SO much more to my life than fashion.  There's family, relationships, traveling, thrifting, foods, fitness, work, crafting, living LIFE for crying out loud.  Yes, I may still be fashionable (I don't know, maybe not), but I don't have to be obsessed.  After a while, "Sparkles and Flamingos" didn't feel like me anymore.  The name reminds me more of "Palm Springs socialite drenched in diamonds sipping bubbly on the reg" rather than "Midwestern gal styling a thrifted $2 blouse enjoying a vodka water on the weekend".  I stressed because when a title doesn't fit a "theme" and lifestyle, it just doesn't work.  "Rules" and "ways" of blogging got the best of me and I felt like I was doing it all wrong.  In the end, it seemed pointless and like more of a "chore" to blog than something fun that I enjoyed.  Being overly critical on myself, I figured if I wasn't satisfied with how the blog was, who would read it anyways?  It's funny how the internet can get into your head like that ;)

Well, acquaintances would randomly ask me if I was still doing the blog thing.  After a reluctant "yeahhh" with a shoulder shrug type thing, I was floored by the fact that people actually did take the time to look at it.  This would lead me to open up a Sparkles and Flamingos window while the insecurities mentioned in the first paragraph built up enough to leave me staring at this scary blank page.  What should I post about this time?  What type of post would people care about?  Is this dumb?  Am I wasting my time?  I would leave my blog tab open for days at a time hoping it would inspire me to "get around to it" only to be defeated by the computer shutting down and bye-bye blog tab.  ::Phew, off the hook::...kidding...sorta.

Fast forward (reallyyy fast because time seems to FLY by) to the now and let me introduce you to "Always Allison".  Here you'll find me being me, like always.  "Who is Allison?" you might ask.  Well, let me introduce myself.  Hi!  I'm Allison, 30 years old, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  My dog-hter is a rescue monster-like little dog.  I'm a part owner of my family's business, Style Your Space, and recently became a Fair Trade Partner selling handcrafted jewelry with Threads Worldwide.  I'm at the gym 5 times a week, practice yoga, and don't eat much meat (I've actually attempted practicing a pescetarian diet since January 3rd).  Thrift shopping is a favorite hobby, shiny shoes are a weakness, and my brain typically has a million tabs open.  I love tacos, a good vodka drink, and supporting local.

This is where the transition from Sparkles and Flamingos to Always Allison comes in.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still a HUGE flamingo enthusiast and have a deep love for all things sparkly.  But my "fashion" related blog isn't just fashion anymore...it's...waittt for it...this really cool thing called LIFESTYLE.  Change is good.  What I hope to share with you include thrifting hauls, styling ideas, fair trade companies, shopping local, recipes, stories, travel adventures, things that were really good, situations that may have not gone my way, feelings, inspiration, music, anything, and overall a little bit of me.

Even if no one is reads this, this is why I'm blogging.  To express creativity.  To share these things with you.  To document these times.  To inspire.  And more.  And maybe if you don't relate to me, my posts, my writing or expression, maybe someone somewhere out there does, and that's a pretty cool and amazing thing.

So anyways, I hope you're not too torn up about the name change and that you'll follow along on this new direction.

♥ always
Allison

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones.

Hey guys!  Phew, what a busy month and a half it's been.  Since I feel like I've been slacking on the blogging spectrum, I'll catch you up to speed.  Due to technical issues (i.e my laptop finally blew up on me) and trying to just blog from work, it hasn't been working.  Okay, so anyone that works with family knows that when you're at work, your off time and break time is not really being off nor a break.  Try to hide in the break room, you might but countless distractions and interruptions make it nearly impossible to focus on just about anything.  Don't get me wrong, I love it but it can be difficult to get much done...at all. 

Also, my sister moved in with me!  That was exciting and has been fun doing sisterly things like moving furniture around, unpacking boxes, getting dinner and donuts and all.

I also had a birthday.

Then I spent 8 days in Los Angeles, which was spectacular (don't worry, I'll post about my trip).  I've been known to spend a few hours at the gym per day, so leading up to the trip, I was spending a little bit more time at the gym than the norm. I mean, come on...Everyone in California is beautiful and living that healthy lifestyle.  After being there for a second time, that assumption still holds true.

Within the past few months, I've taken up yoga and pilates, which I love so going to classes along with my normal cardio sessions, personal fitness is a large priority of mine.  Due to said technical difficulties, I'm actually currently writing this on the elliptical machine.  So, hi from the gym!

After spending 8 days eating, shopping and getting all inspired jaunting around LA, I took a red eye flight back, touching down in lovely STL at 5 am.  Napping on a plane and a 2 hour time difference may not seem like much but it messes with your schedule more than you would think.  Thursday night, I was eating dinner at 10:30 pm, still being in that West Coast time zone. (In case you're wondering, my dinner was a Sloppy Joe done from Strange Donuts with some tater tots.  I wasn't too upset with that being my first meal back).

As if that wasn't enough to throw your sleep out the window and put exhaustion in full gear, we had a surprise 30th birthday party for my BFF's hubby (so Of COURSE there was a huge celebration on Saturday) and then my bestie for life competed in Alive Magazine's Top Chef Burger Battle on Sunday.

Last but not least, we announced that we're expanding Style Your Space.  This exciting new adventure is basically the icing on the cake for all the chaos I came back to.

Due to seemingly never ending social obligations, working my little tail off, unpacking, getting back in to my normal gym routine, and lack of reinforcing my attempt to get more organized, it's clear to see that blogging has taken a back seat.  This week, I'm determined to get back in the swing of things and post more of what I've set out to blog about.

For now, I'll leave you with a photo I snapped on vacation, since I feel this one is especially fitting.

xoxo, 

Allison

Currently listening to: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

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