Comparison is the stealer of joy

I’ve heard this quote before after my second pregnancy and birth and it really resonated with me.

Comparison is the stealer of joy

There is zero benefit to compare your life, journey, status, looks, career, circumstances… Whatever to someone else. It really serves no purpose. Everyone is dealt a different hand and everyone has their own insecurities and worries.

With social media is it easy to go down that rabbit hole, thinking someone has it better than you, or if I could just do this like them my life would be better. No joy comes from comparing your life to someone else’s.

Here are some tips to keep the focus on where it should be .. YOU

  • Wake up and tell yourself 3 things you are grateful for
    • When you focus on the skills, knowledge and things you have it helps provide perspective
  • Celebrate big and little wins
    • You got a hot cup of coffee for the first time this week — celebrate it!
    • You got through a to do list — celebrate it!
    • You got an award at work — celebrate it!
    • Don’t be so quick to move to the next thing and celebrate all wins!
  • Be your own biggest hype person
    • If you don’t cheer for yourself root or believe in yourself you can’t expect someone else too!
  • There will never be another you, you are you for a reason.
    • You have skills, knowledge and life experiences unlike anyone; even your siblings.
    • You are meant to be you — embrace what makes you you!

Live your journey, on your timeline because the only thing you should compare yourself to, is where you started to where you are now!

Go make it a great day!

New Year, New Goals

Hey hey! I’ve had this page for a while now and my hope it to be more consistent on this blog!

To kick off the year I want to remind you that you have to do the work CONSISTENTLY to get anything you want. If that’s career related, fitness related, mental health related, spiritually – you need to keep consistent.

What does consistency look like to you?

It is subjective – of course. But for example take fitness goals. Instead of setting a goal to lose 10 lb maybe set a goal to go to the gym three times a week and 10,000 steps everyday. Consistency is the plan.

Maybe you want to work on your mental health in 2022. Consistency could mean meditating every morning for 5 minutes when you wake up. Or maybe you meditate 30 minutes three times a week. You dedicate 10 minutes a day to read a self development book. There are so many options and ways to reach goals but the only way is through consistency.

So here you have it and my goal for 2022 and this blog it’s to post once a week. Sometimes workouts. Sometimes motivation. Sometimes recipes. A little bit of everything. And maybe a little postpartum thrown in for fun since I’m in the thick of it with my 1 month old.

Drop me a comment and tell me what your goals are and what your plan, your consistency will be to reach that goal!

Tuesday Challenge

Tuesday challenge coming your way!
Kinda like this idea so let’s keep it rolling all year!

Comment your time in the comments or tag me in IG and then tag someone to challenge! 2021 we are getting better together! #accountability

5 rounds of 5 reps each
5 hand pushups
5 sit ups
5 squat jumps
5 burpee (pop tart no chest to ground)
5 jacks

Hi again!

Hey everyone! It’s been a little while since I’ve updated this page but I have big plans to bring it back to life!

First let me reintroduce myself! My is Jessica Armstrong. I’m 33 years old with 2 kids, Apollo and Theo, who are 3 and 1 years old respectively. My husband, Anthony, and the boys live about 40 miles north of Dallas, Texas in McKinney. Anthony and I are both personal trainers and love to help others.

Everyone is busy and we certainly are in that same category. In addition to our personal training schedule we have others jobs. I work for Fox Sports Southwest as a producer covering the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony is a Real Estate Agent.

The reason behind MAKETIMEFORFIT is just as simple as it sounds. Make time for IT. We believe your health is your wealth. In this current state of Covid19, it’s certainly ringing true even louder than before!

Workouts don’t have to take 2 hours at a gym. Or be something you don’t like to do. You don’t like running, even dread it? Then don’t do it. Fitness is fun and should be enjoyable! Yes it can be uncomfortable at times pushing yourself to get stronger or faster but big picture, WE ALL NEED IT.

So thanks for following along. Hopefully we can be a resource for you in the fitness world and inspire you to make your health a priority and a part of your everyday life.

MakeTimeForFit – January Fitness

Here’s a great way to keep track of your health and fitness goals to kick off the New Year!

Each day add the challenge to whatever you were planning to do for the day. These challenges, either a workout or nutrition challenge, will keep you accountable throughout the month. Soon you’ll form healthy habits that align with your goals which will lead to results!

Once you complete each challenge post a picture on instagram, twitter or Facebook and tag me @maketimeforfit with #maketimeforfit. I’ll add your name to pot each time and raffle off a MakeTimeForFit T-Shirt at the end of the month. The more you stick with it and post the more chances you have to win!

Happy New Year!

DOWNLOADABLE LINK: JANUARYFITNESS

MTFF_JanuaryFitness

 

You are what you eat!

Food has so much effect on your feelings, attitudes and your appearance! Here are few foods that are good for skin!

  • Tomatoes
    Why: They’re full of lycopene, a phytochemical that provides red pigment and health benefits. Lycopene helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays – in other words, it protects against sun damage. To reap the most benefits, heat them up: A half-cup of cooked tomatoes, for example, packs 16 milligrams of lycopene. A daily dose coupled with sunscreen will help block the burn.
  •  Mangoes, Papaya and Apricots
    Why: Got that washed-out look? Load up on some fruit. Mangoes, papaya and apricots are full of pigments called carotenoids, which are stored in the layer of fat directly beneath the skin and can improve color. “They peek through, giving you a rosy glow,” says registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and co-author of “The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life.”
  • Cocoa Powder
    Why: Flavonals, the antioxidants in dark chocolate, reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who drank cocoa fortified with 326 milligrams of flavonals a day had better skin texture and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who didn’t get as much of the antioxidants. Just a few ounces a day – or a standard Hershey’s Dark Chocolate bar – is sufficient. Another tasty way to get enough? Spoon some cocoa powder into your morning coffee, Ansel suggests.
  • Flaxseed
    Why: Think of these as tiny wrinkle fighters. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which erase spots and smooth fine lines. In one study, participants who had about half a teaspoon of omega-3s daily for six weeks had less skin irritation and redness, as well as better-hydrated skin, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition. That’s likely because fatty acids attract water to skin cells, plumping the skin and reducing wrinkling.
  • Sweet Potatoes:
    Why: They’re full of vitamin C, which smooths wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found people who consumed 4 milligrams of vitamin C – about half a small sweet potato – daily for three years reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 11 percent.
  • Spinach:
    Why: Want to protect yourself against skin cancer? Take a page out of Popeye’s book. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that folks who ate the most leafy greens (more than four times a day) developed half as many skin tumors over 11 years as those who ate the smallest amount (once a day or never). That’s likely because the folate in spinach helps maintain and repair DNA, reducing the likelihood of cancer-cell growth
  • Canned Tuna:
    Why: It’s packed with selenium – a nutrient that preserves elastin, which keeps skin smooth and tight. Selenium also prevents free radicals that are produced by UV rays from damaging skin cells, protecting against sun damage.
  • Safflower Oil
    Why: If you have dry, flaky or itchy skin, take note: This common cooking oil doubles as a moisturizer. It contains omega-6 fatty acids, which keep cell walls supple, allowing water to reach the skin. Some research suggests consuming safflower oil can help ease skin problems such as dermatitis, inflammation, acne and dry skin.

August Abs – MTFFplank Challenge

Here are days 3, 4 and 5 of the #MTFFplank challenge.

DAY 3 #MTFFplank is the plank shoulder taps. Start in high plank with shoulders over wrists, hips square and in a straight line with your spine. Keep feet a little wider than shoulder width and a neutral neck don’t look down or up. For the shoulder taps alternate tapping right hand to left shoulder and left hand to right shoulder.  SQUEEZE your belly button to the spine and spread weight evenly through the plane hand and feet. Try not to rock side to side.
Challenge:  50 shoulder taps, easy count; counting each tap. Rest for 20 seconds and repeat 4x.

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DAY 4 #MTFFplank is the side plank. Start on with right arm on the floor shoulder over wrists and hips stacked. Keep you core tight and hips high.
Challenge: Hold right side for 30 seconds switch to left side for 30 seconds. Then increase holds by 10 seconds, so 40 seconds each side, 50 seconds, then 60 until you can’t hold it any more!
We are still in week 1 and just getting started – challenge a friend and get your #augustabs with me!

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DAY 5 of the #MTFFplank challenge is the reverse plank. This plank engages your shoulder, triceps, glutes, hamstrings and core.
Start by sitting on the mat place hands under shoulders finger tips to toes and press hips up. Your body should be in straight line with yourweight even distributed. Be sure to keep your hips up by squeezing glutes, hamstrings and core. 
Challenge: Hold for 20 seconds, rest for 20 seconds, then hold for 30 seconds, rest for 15 seconds, then 40 up and 10 rest, 50 and 5 and end with 60 seconds straight. 

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Be sure to tag #MTFFplank so in follow  your journey to get #augustabs!

Start today! Email maketimforfit@gmail.com for your personalized workout program!

Remember to stretch after your workout!

You finish your workout and are ready to walk out the door. Just before you leave you see a few people stretching and you think “I probably should, but i just wait to get home.” Well well well let me tell you that just because you can’t SEE the results of stretching – it is just as important to help reach your goals, whether it’s losing weight or wanting to compete.

Stretching can lead to better posture, fewer aches and pains, greater confidence, and EVEN a cheerier outlook on life (yep! sure can!). Sitting can be hard on your glutes and your back. Stretching helps keep from these muscles from atrophying over time. If stretching hurts – it’s cause you really need it. Breathe through the stretch and imagine your muscle tissues releasing. Practice makes perfect. The more you stretch the easier it is and better you will feel over all.

Here is my cool down stretching routine. Find whatever works for you! I promise with consistent stretching you will feel like a new you!

Walk on treadmill til my heart rate is down (wear a heart rate monitor so you are always aware of your heart rate). Then legs a little wider than shoulder width apart, stretch down feeling it your hamstrings, go to the right side then the left and finish back at center – holding each for about 10-15 counts.

Hip flexors right leg back in a lunge position and press hips forward and squeeze right glute, then straighten left leg and lean forward to feel the stress in your hamstring. I do this 5 times alternating hip flexor and hamstring holding about 8 counts for each stretch. Then do this same thing with the left leg back squeezing that glute and pressing hips forward then straighten right leg out for hamstring stretch on that side, again holding for 8 counts each.

Next I sit on the mat and stretch my glutes by bringing my right ankle to the top of my left knee and you’ll feel that pull in your glutes. The closer the leg is to your body the deeper the stretch. Then do a spinal twist turning to the right – repeat this on the left side.

Then I lay on my back and do some spinal twists with bent knees.

Stretch out my neck from side to side then reach high then I’m done!

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Reference here

Day 2 #MTFFplank challenge – Low Plank

Day 2 of #MTFFplank challenge is the low plank. Just like the high plank keep your weight spread out evenly.  Keep forearms parallel, body in a straight line and neck neutral. The low plank is more challenging because it recruits more of your core muscles to do the work.
Can you do a low plank for 60 seconds?  Challenge friend and get #augustabs together!

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Start today! Email maketimforfit@gmail.com for your personalized workout program!

August Abs MTFF plank challenge

Hey hey – are you up for a challenge?
Each day in August I’ll post a plank variation with directions on what to do. Get your summer abs and tighten up your core with me!  #MTFFplank so I can follow along with you!

Welllll since today is August 1, let’s get started!

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DAY 1 #MTFFplank is the high plank.

Form is key to make planks effective. Shoulders over wrists, hips square and in a straight line with your spine. SQUEEZE your belly button to the spine and spread weight evenly through hands and feet. Keep a neutral neck don’t look down or up.

Now how long can you hold it?
× Beginner – If you are new to planks start off with 10 seconds on and off for a minute repeat 3x

× Intermediate try holding 30-45 seconds rest 30-15 secs and repeat 3x

× Advanced try holding for 60 seconds, rest 10 seconds and increase 70 seconds on, 20 seconds rest and 80 seconds on, 30 seconds off and 90 seconds on, yes 4x – you’re advanced right?

× Pro do a max hold – hold til you can’t hold any more!

We are just getting started – challenge a friend and get your #augustabs with me! Be sure to #MTFFplank so I can follow you!

Start today! Email maketimforfit@gmail.com for your personalized workout program!