Category: Health

Its Been… A Year…. 2017 Review

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This year has definitely been one for the books. It had some of the most incredible highs I’ve ever experience, but also some of the lowest lows.

Getting engaged, after years of hoping and wishing and praying was probably the highest I’ve ever been (I don’t do drugs). That night is one I will never EVER forget, specifically the adorable look on A’s face when he asked me to be his forever.

My love for him continues to grow on a daily basis, after so many years of being together  we still continue to surprise each other, grow as humans & as a couple. As we grow and experience new phases of life, we learn to work through major decisions together and as a team. Our love continues to grow as we do and I am so proud of him as a man, a partner (in business) and as my soon to be hubby. He pushes me to be a better person regularly and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life & start a family with him!

This year has also reinforced what wonderful friend’s I have. I am so blessed to have made some of the most incredible friendships both old and new. The friendships I made this year are ones I know I will have for the rest of my life, and are something truly special.

I’ve had a lot of personal & professional growth this year as well. Professionally, I’ve expanded my role at MaxExposure and am so grateful for the experiences / knowledge I’ve gained from them. I love my job so much and the fact that I get to continue to grow within our company. Personally, I’ve worked on myself to be stronger as an individual, learning to put myself first, vs always putting everyone else first. I’ve also learned to stand up for myself, my feelings and opinions which has been essential to my personal growth.

This year also brought a new (VERY part time) business opportunity for me in the essential oil company dōTerra. dōTerra has the most incredible Essential Oil, Skin Care and Health products. Finding these oils, was the key to my recovery and I am so very grateful every day for my beautiful friend who introduced me to them and the network of strong women that I’ve met. These oils are gods gift to earth, they offer you pretty much anything & everything you need and can help any aliment or issue. I wish EVERYONE had them, and used them, because they are that AMAZING. If you’re interested, please let me know – (Shameless Plug) Click here to learn more!

For all the wonderful experiences and growth this year had, I also had some of the most painful experiences I’ve personally had to go through.

When they (you know, “they”, the people that have all the sayings) say weddings bring out the best & worst in people… THEY weren’t lying… This year I experienced some of the most heart-breaking, trying, and impossible situations… situations that alone, would cripple a human… but I guess someone (up there) figured I could use a true test of strength, because I got hit with one thing after the next.

As a generally happy person, I saw some of my lowest moments this year, that truly tested my strength, well-being, and mental stability. There were days where I cried every minute I could, days I was just really ANGRY, days I was so hurt I couldn’t function and days where I just needed to sleep since I was so unbelievably exhausted by life.

BUT…

Through the love of my Fiancé, my wonderful parents, my fluffy babies, REALLY good friends (including my sisters and a couple of soul sistas), A LOT of tequila, french fries and a good therapist, I was able to cross over to the other side a stronger person (both mentally and emotionally).

Finally, as the year comes to a close, I am able focus on myself, my health and well-being. I am able to start to lose the weight I’ve gained (because, well, French fries are a coping tool), get back to the gym (which is good for my mental stability… Endorphins and all that) and finally LIVE, just being happy.

So my friends, that is a year in review. Rodney Atkins put best… “If you’re going thru hell… Keep on moving, don’t slow down… if you’re scared don’t show it” I hope whatever you’re going through gets better & that you remember how truly blessed you are. Try to find something good in your day to day life, even if its as small as the smile of a child you pass on the street. Work through it and you will feel stronger and proud once you do.

I wish you all a VERY Happy, Healthy and Wonderful New Year. I know 2018 is going to be even better than 2017…. BECAUSE WE’RE GETTING MARRIED and all the shit has already hit the fan, so its all good from here on out! <3

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by alygrushkin

Kittens LOVE Lavender, they HATE Peppermint

I thrive off being busy. I’m more efficient with my time, I get more done, and I have such a feeling of accomplishment because I am so productive.

Getting married within the next year, and with family planning EVER on my mind, I felt the need to start to think “what will I do for extra income when we want to start a family”. My income will continue to grow of course from my day job, but with my student loans, wanting to be able to give my family the best life possible, I feel an extra side income will be helpful for at least the immediate future.

Currently bartending on the side is very gratifying, I love meeting new people, the hustle and bustle of a busy shift and the energy boost that comes from it… But it is also VERY taxing, tiring and takes a toll when I work late and have to get up at 7 am to work out and then work my normal day. While I will continue to bartend for the next very long while, I wanted to find something that could bring in some extra money NOW before the wedding, and help with a house, savings fund, life, pay off my loans a little more… you name it.

Because who doesn’t want to work THREE jobs???  IMG_4631

In my search for something extra I could do, without taking up too much of my VERY limited free time, and something that would also benefit my life, health and mental wellbeing, I started to look into the new-age Tupperware parties… ItWorks, Beach body, Roden & Fields, Stella & Dot, etc…

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In doing my research, I wanted to find something i truly believed in, could use myself and would feel comfortable “sharing” to my friends, family & strangers.

Initially, I was approached by a girl on Instagram, who I didn’t know, to “try her products, because I’m gorgeous & she wanted me for her profile…” #Flattered – Ok… I’ll bite… So she gave me the spiel, naturally it was a sales pitch to BUY her products which were ItWorks – When she wanted me to BUY the products to then try, to then be used on her profile, I immediately said no… because #BudgetLife – I am on a VERY strict budget…

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So then she immediately went into her “distributor life sales pitch” –  which knowing the direct sales business very intimately and how MLM’s work I knew how to do my homework, what questions to ask and also knew that company wasn’t right for me…

In doing my homework, I reached out to a VERY old friend, who I knew used to work for ItWorks and also was/is very into the health world.

I asked her what she thought, she told me and also told me what she was into now.

 

Which is the Essential Oil line doTerra – I did my homework, talked to my council and decided this might be something really great for me, emotionally, mentally, physically and financially.

So I ordered a starter kit… Why not right?

I figured Essential Oils are supposed to be really good for you, and that I can use a little serenity, energy, etc…

When I got my oils, I called my friend, and she told me some immediate things I HAD to try… Lemon in Water…. WHO KNEW that would help with ALLERGIES??? Inhaling Peppermint??? Gives you an IMMEDIATE energy & mood boost! Frankensense & Lavender??? Calms your skin! Lavender?? can HELP relax you, sleep, calm down…

FYI – for those concerned about the kitties... They are my first and foremost thought. These oils are safe for them to be around… They will leave the room if they don’t like the smell, but as long as they aren’t locked in the room, don’t ingest or the oils are used directly on them, they’re A-OK! So far we’ve learned, the kitties LOVE Lavender and do NOT like peppermint, lemon, frankensense.

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So I’m giving it a shot and so far I’m SO IN LOVE… I’ve been using oils for a week and couldn’t be happier! If i’m tired? I inhale some peppermint? I feel sick? I take some On Guard! If I’ve have a bad night and need some calm? I inhale Lavender and rub it on my wrists & feet!

The biggest selling point for me? I’ve had these freaking UGLY AS HELL Dry patches of skin around my mouth… Only on one side…. Nobody knew how to help it, or what it was… So that was my FIRST request, “How do i fix this???” Well… after 3 nights of mixing Frank & Lavender in my nightly moisturizer… My face is 90% better!

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So there you have it. Proof. Essential Oils are absolutely LIFE. Right now, I am just enjoying the benefits and hoping my stories will inspire others to choose HEALTH, serenity, emotional health, and SO SO SO MUCH more!

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by alygrushkin

Eighty. One.

20161104_201757096_iosToday, on SATURDAY…I went to a training session class. After taking 2 weeks off from working out, while plagued with a flu-ish sinus infection, and not loving the 7 new lbs on my body from not working out and eating crap :(. I felt the need to kick my ass into gear, which requires additional classes!

As I got back in my car to drive the half mile home from the gym… I couldn’t help but think about the class I had just had at Synergy and the eighty-one year old woman I just met.

I LOVE working out at Synergy, you get a personal trainer, one-on-one attention and the group atmosphere for a fraction of the cost a single personal trainer would charge. But what I love most about going to this gym is that I have met some incredible women during my classes and am thoroughly enjoying the diversity this studio yields. My town is a large city, but has a VERY small town feel, since EVERYONE knows EVERYONE! Especially working at a neighborhood bar, I ALWAYS run into someone I know / or share a common connection!

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Today’s class had one woman in her 30’s (who actually happens to be the Aunt of an acquaintance, love the small town feel) and a older woman (I guessed in her late 60’s early 70’s). After the 2nd strength and weight segment, which had some mat work, I noticed the older woman was squatting and wasn’t getting up as easily. I went over and asked if she needed a hand up. She gratefully accepted, noting that she was light headed.

I stayed by her for a moment, until she said she was OK, she then told me she had just changed her blood pressure medicine and getting up was difficult sometimes.

We went onto our cardio segment and got to talking. She stated that she recently had a fall, while trying to save a lamp and that combined with the change in blood pressure medicine was making her a little light headed at times… The fact that she was 81 had nothing to do with it!

EIGHTY-ONE… I was blown away! EIGHTY-ONE YEARS OLD and working out with twenty/thirty somethings! I said that I hope to be in as good of shape at the same age, she said, she wished she had started working out like this at my age. I told her I will continue, to aspire to be as fit as she is when I am 81 years old!

*Side bar: she held the plank for 45 seconds without problem… I couldn’t even do that for the whole time without breaking… 

We continued talking, she told us that she has been coming to Synergy for 9 years (coming 3x a week), is a lifetime weight watchers member, does 10,000 steps a day (averaging 30 flights of stairs), does yoga once a week and lives a very active lifestyle. She has 4  grown kids, who live all over the country, several grandchildren, she and her husband have been married for 60+ years and just traveled to Europe this past year. While she is in perfect health, she mentioned her husband, while still VERY active (working until 3 years ago as an engineer) is in very poor health. Which won’t let them travel as much anymore. 20161105_011015470_ios

EIGHTY-ONE!

I couldn’t believe it. She was not only was in impeccable shape and held her own during the workouts, modifying when necessary, but was sharp as a tact and told me she had met some VERY impressive women named Aly… Including myself.

I don’t want to jump the gun, but I may have just made a new BFF… My only regret was that I didn’t get a picture with her…

Oh well, Maybe next time!

What inspires or gives you motivation?

by alygrushkin