Feeling Down and Turning It All Around

“Just one of them dayyyysssss, that a girl goes through…”, thanks to Monica, no truer words have ever been spoken or sung. As women we wear a variety of different hats. On any given day we have to be a mother, a daughter, a sister, a cheerleader, a doctor, psychologist and house keeper all rolled into one. Life is not like the glossy photos you see on Instagram or Facebook day to day, people are only posting their best most perfect selves in perfect lighting, highlighting their perfect worlds, but in actuality life is a little more messy than that, and even though it may not mean all that much, I am here to tell you that it is ‘OK’, it is perfectly normal and tomorrow is another day.

Over the past few months I have been on the road for work and helping my husband transition into his new role as regional manager for a medical device company. We are both living our dreams, and are so fortunate and thankful to be successful in our respective fields, but if we are being honest here, and that is what this blog is about, the place we would choose over everything isn’t on separate airplanes in separate cities, but on our couch, in our sweats, snuggled up watching movies like the homebodies we are. We live a beautiful life that I am so thankful for. We have a great home, thriving careers, a true friendship in each other, our health and a wonderful support system to help us along the way, but that does not stop me from having a semi-rediculous cry session in the kitchen explaining to Cory that some days, it would just be easier to walk away and start our family.

So why do I feel “off” today and sometimes for days at a time?   Well, for a number of reasons, as mine may be different from yours, I would like you to take a second to think about what causes you to feel a little ‘less than’ the beautiful being that you are. For me, modeling is a roller coaster ride, and for my close friends who know me understand that it takes so much rejection day after day only to get the “yes” when you least expect it. Imagine going on a job interview 2-3 times/week 365 days a year. You are constantly fighting for someone to think you are the right person to represent their brand or… the day after a three week trip on the road you finally get home only to get called away again two days later. Over the course of the past few months it has been really hard to establish a routine, one that I am extremely accustomed to following when I am home. When I am back in New York, I love spending time with family and friends, and most of the time that means making not so healthy food choices that leave me feeling less than my usual happy-go-lucky confident self.

This week I flew back from New York to Miami, hopped in the car and drove four hours so that I could see my husband for a day and a half, crazy I know, but some hubby time is better than none. After weeks apart when all you want to do is be together can start to drive you a little cray. Right?  He left for California this morning, and I made a promise to myself that a week from today, hopefully only a couple of days from today,  I will be back to my old ways, and the happy, slightly less bloated, quaffed and the content Taylor I know and love.

So how am I going to get there?

1-Exercise

Changing up my workouts and exercising Every. Single. Day!

Classes:

Yoga-Helps to Detoxify the body and Center the mind

HIIT- Really challenges me, I love Bootcamp and Metabolic Meltdown classes offered at my gym

Kickboxing-helps me get out any aggression lol

Teach 2-3 classes of Barre this week-I love to teach and inspire, plus it’s a great workout!

2-Drink Water All Day

Start the day with hot water and the juice of one lemon

Drink at least 60 ounces per day or one half your body weight in pounds to ounces.

ex 120 lbs drink 60 ounces of water per day

3-Have Girl Time or Go on ‘Date Night’

Laughter is the key to happiness and I already have a girls night planned for tonight!

Surround yourself with people who you can be yourself with. Yes, it’s OK to have a glass of wine. Just utilize some self-control and if a DJ and dancing is involved more power to ya!If you have ever been to Vegas, it is always mesmerizing to wake up after a night of shakin it with your besties. You barely sleep, but wake up feeling thinner than ever. That is, if you can resist the late night pizza and unlimited cosmos.

Have a non-traditional date day/night-Plan a special date. Go on a bike ride or buy rollerblades, find a laser tag center or a bounce house. Have fun, be active and laugh, laugh, laugh!

4-Eat Three Square Healthy Meals Everyday and Two Snacks

I like to have a Nutribullet for breakfast on the way to the gym

high protein snack after the gym or lunch

Mid-Afternoon Snack-Almonds, Ezekiel toast with natural peanut butter or bowl of fruit

Consume a sensible dinner

Take a trip to the farmers market this weekend. Stock up on  fresh produce and see what you can create in the kitchen.

5-Drink Tea

My favorite is from your yourtea.com and it is called Tiny Tea, but anything that is calming like chamomile or teas that contain ginger or mint will help decrease bloat and eliminate toxins. It may be hard, but try to swap your morning coffee for green tea.

6-Get Outside

Summer is here for all of us! Get outside and get some of that Vitamin D we have have been waiting all year for. You do not need to go for a hike, but a twenty minute walk outside or a lay by the pool or on a beach can help push your ‘reset button’.

Pick up a good book…I just started Chelsea Handler’s “Yugana Be Kidding Me” and I cannot stop laughing.

7-Get Quaffed

Get waxed, painted, polished and plucked! Beauty is pain, but when I got about a 1/2 inch of winter buffed off of my feet yesterday I quite literally felt a little extra pep in my step. Up next, eyebrows, monthly brazilian, blowout and nails before we leave for literal Brazil next week.

8-Take a Social Media Break

It has been proven that social media can crush ones self-esteem and cause unnecessary sadness and jealousy. If you need to, delete Facebook and Instagram from your phone for a day. Make it a point not to check it as soon as you wake up. Set yourself up for success and just let it go for a little while.

9-Sleep

There is probably nothing more important  than sleep or getting enough rest. New mommies I am sorry for you on this one, but I hear it gets better.

10-Appreciate Your Life

We have all been given so many gifts to be thankful for in this life. Define them and appreciate them today.

Ladies…and gentlemen for that matter, again, it is OK that every single day is not perfect. I have compiled this list over time and I would love to hear what helps you get back on track when you are not feeling perfect. It is not always easy to open up and be honest, but I have to tell you, even after writing this post I feel a little bit better and if anyone else is feeling a little down like me, try following these simple steps and let me know how you feel after a week!

Love, Honesty, Feeling Down and Turning It All Around,

Taylor