How to Exercise When You Have Arthritis

I found out that I have arthritis eight years ago.  When I was diagnosed, I lived in constant pain that would cause me to be nearly immobile for weeks at a time.  There were days that I couldn't get off the couch and couldn't walk up the steps to go to bed.  By the time I got my arthritis under control, I had gained a significant amount of weight due to being sedentary for so long.  I knew the only way I would be able to lose the weight was to get active.  I know my body, and I have to work out to lose weight.  Clean eating alone doesn't give me very fast results.  Unfortunately, I could barely move let alone exercise.  

A few years before that, my husband was in a car accident and had to see a chiropractor for several months.  The chiropractor gave him some samples of Biofreeze® to use, and he bought it regularly for a while after that.  I learned how to exercise when you have arthritis and used Biofreeze® to help relieve the pain.

Post Workout Hair Care

Since this is fitness week here at Everything Pretty, I want to talk about fitness and beauty.  Specifically post workout hair care.  I used to wash my hair after every workout, but I just can't do it.  My hair got so dry because I had to use a hair dryer and flat iron almost daily.  I got my hair done last week in my usual brown with blonde and red highlights, and I want to preserve the red.  I just can't wash it daily and style it without having extremely dry hair.  

I also have a limited amount of time.  It takes me an hour to wash, dry, and flat iron my hair.  I was working out for 30 minutes a day, but now that I've learned some fitness hair care tips, I'm up to a 45 minute workout and about 15 minutes to redo my hair, so I'm saving a lot of time by not washing my hair.

Post Workout Hair Care

Pre-workout Styles

As women, we are great multitaskers.  You can use your gym time to style your hair.  Pull your hair back in to a bun or a braid before you exercise.  This keeps your hair out of your face, and when you're done, you'll have volume fro the bun or waves from a braid.  If you get really sweaty, zap the sweat with a hair dryer before undoing your hair for more volume and staying power.

Dry Shampoo

It's nearly impossible to do anything with sweaty hair, so it's best to start by drying your hair with a hair dryer.  Flip your head over and hit the roots with the dryer.  This will dry out your hair and add some volume to your hair.  

Once your hair is dry, spray with dry shampoo.  Don't use dry shampoo on wet hair, so it's really important to dry your hair before you use it.  Use your fingers to get the dry shampoo on your scalp and then brush your hair.  

Rinse

If your hair is really sweaty and you really need to freshen up, try rinsing your hair in the shower and letting it air dry.  This is best for straight hair that won't frizz.  Don't do this all the time because the salt from your sweat will move to your ends and dry them out.  

Preworkout Tips

Keep your hair in great shape by following these tips before and during your workouts:

• Try a moisture wicking headband and avoid thin ones because they can cause creases.
• If you wear your hair in a ponytail, use a gentle elastic band and vary where you wear the ponytail to avoid breakage.
• Use a gentle shampoo to keep your hair healthy.
• Consider using dry shampoo before you workout to absorb moisture as it happens.  
• Brush your hair often to distribute your natural oils to the rest of your hair.  
• If you workout outside, be sure to use a UV protector on your hair.  

If you like this post about post workout hair care, then you'll love these posts:

13 New Uses for Dry Shampoo

How to Wash Your Hair

How to Reduce Hair Breakage

Benefits of Probiotics for Women

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Hyperbiotics, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HealthiestDaysAhead  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I'm on a journey to get healthy, so I've been making some lifestyle changes.  The first thing I did was change my diet so I was eating less sugar and fewer carbs.  Then I started working out.  Finally, I added some supplements to help my body on this long journey.  I started taking Hyperbiotics Pro-Women for its many health benefits, which I'll talk about more in a minute.

It's been two months since I started making changes.  The scale hasn't moved as much as I would like, but I am seeing results.  I feel a lot better and have more energy.  Between working from home, homeschooling, being a mom, and volunteer work, I have full days.  The boost in energy is most definitely welcome.

Fitness

My husband and I started taking a tai chi class three months ago.  If you're not familiar with tai chi, it's like meditation in motion.  Not only is it relaxing for me, but it also helps boost strength and flexibility.  I wanted more cardio, so I started doing an at home walking program and using the punching bag.  The punching bag is a lot of work, but it's great stress relief!  

Supplements

I like Hyperbiotics because they are non-GMO and don't have artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives.  It's very important that I avoid these in my food, so I don't want to have them in a supplement either.  It can also support energy, and that's something I always need more of with my crazy schedule.  Supporting a healthy immune system is another bonus because I really don't have time to get sick with everything that I do in a day.

Hyperbiotics has several formulas, but I use the Pro-Women formula.  I like it because can aid in weight loss, which is a big goal for me right now.  Most people think of digestive health when they think of probiotics, but Pro-Women promotes good health in other ways, too.

Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in your gut, and they play a big part in your immune system.  Not only do they work to promote your digestive tract, but they also boost your immune system and help your body absorb more nutrients from the food you eat.

So what makes Pro-Women different?  It also has cranberry extract and D-Mannose to promote urinary tract function.

Pro-Women can also help balance microflora to balance yeast growth, which can help you maintain good vaginal health as well as your digestive and urinary health.

Pro-Women and all of the Hyperbiotic supplements are now available at Target, so #followyourgut to get some for yourself.

Healthy Eating

I haven't been eating perfect, but I'm doing better than I was a few months ago.  I've been limiting my carbs, opting for breadless sandwiches, and eliminating pasta from my diet.  I've definitely boosted my water intake and stopped drinking soda.

It's been a little over two months since I really started on this journey.  Considering my eating hasn't been as healthy as it could be, I'm pleased with my results.  I'm wearing jeans that were a few inches too small, and I have a lot more energy.  My body just feels better and healthier.

Visit www.hyperbiotics.com to learn more about Hyperbiotics

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Probiotics support many facets of overall health when taken regularly as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

My Fitness Motivation Technique

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PureLife35pk #CollectiveBias

Two months ago, I made a decision that will change the rest of my life.  I made the decision to get healthy.  That means fewer carbs and more cardio.  I started a tai chi class twice a week and do cardio at home on my own 3-5 days a week.  It's only been two months, but I feel great.  The pounds are starting to come off, and my body feels so much better.  I have more energy now, so I don't need that afternoon can of soda.  I swapped my diet caffeine filled soda for Nestlé® Pure Life®, and I don't even miss the caffeine.  

Even though I am starting to see results, I still struggle with motivation.  I know I feel better after I work out, and I know I'm starting to look better, but some days I just do not want to do it.  After years of behavioral therapy with my son, I realized that a reward system may help.  Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean that a reward won't motivate me or that I shouldn't use one.  Keep reading to learn my fitness motivation technique.

How to Use a Happy Planner As a Blog Planner

I'm a planner girl.  I wouldn't be anywhere on time or have anything in by its deadline without having my paper planner.  As much as I love my iPhone and electronics, I just can't get used to a Google Calendar.  I have used a Google Calendar in conjunction with my planner, but I always go back to my paper planner.  

I've used a few planners over the last three years.  Last year was my first year using the Happy Planner, and I love it.  I'm definitely buying another one for next year.  That's a big deal because I have never used the same planner two years in a row.  

When I got my Happy Planner, I was a little overwhelmed.  There are women who spend hours decorating theirs and have the perfect system.  I admire their work, but it's not for me.  I just don't have the time or desire to decorate it.  I have customized mine, but it's more of a do it once and be done kinda thing.  Another reason for this is that my craft room is in my basement, so it's not always practical to go there where I have my washi tape and stickers.  I need to make it easy because I'm busy, so this is how my planner has evolved.  Keep reading to learn how to use a Happy Planner as a blog planner.  

How to Label Soap For Sale

This post is brought to you by StickerYou.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own.  

Before I started blogging here,  I made soaps, lotions, and other bath and body items to sell.  I sold on eBay and on my own website before Etsy was even a thing.   I loved experimenting and coming up with new scents and recipes.  When my middle child was born, he had a lot of health problems, so I wasn't able to keep up with orders.  I quit selling products, but I never stopped making them.  

During the eight or so years that I wasn't making anything for sale, I decided that I liked writing and blogging more than selling, but I do still like creating things.  So I started writing and blogging about making bath and beauty items along with health and beauty topics.  Now, I have so much stuff that I've made and requests to have it for sale, so I've been thinking of selling some things locally.  When you sell soap and other bath and beauty products, you have to learn how to label it for sale.  For this post, we will just talk about labeling soap for sale.  Labeling cosmetics and other products is a completely different topic, so this only applies to soap.  I'll also introduce you to StickerYou, who made the labels I'll be using.  

What You Need To Make Natural Beauty Recipes

Making natural beauty products is a lot of fun.  Not only is it cheaper to make your own, but you know exactly what is in the product.  And more importantly, you know what is not.  Many people want to make their own beauty products because they want to use natural ingredients and leave out chemicals and other products for their own safety.  I also like the fact that I can use the ingredients that work best for my skin and hair for a custom product instead of using products that aren't right for my needs.

I've been making bath and beauty products for 11 years now, and there are some products that I just can't live without.  I use these to make sugar scrubs, lotions, and soap, so they are very versatile.  I'm not a big fan of clutter, so I don't buy things that only serve one purpose unless it's absolutely necessary.

Plus Size Fitness Clothes For Women From Amazon

Do you want to know what irks me?  What really gets me is that society tells women that this is better and we should all do whatever we can to be thin.  Then when we want to get thin, there are no good plus size fitness clothes.  The ones that I did find at a local big box store are so tiny.  I had to go up three sizes to get clothes that weren't skin tight.  Obviously, I'm feeling a little vulnerable here, so why make it worse?  But I digress.  

Lately, I've been working out.  It started with a tai chi class my husband wanted to take, and he asked me to join.  As I have arthritis, I thought it would be a perfect way for me to get some exercise and boost my strength and flexibility.  I really love the class, but it doesn't provide much in the way of cardio.  I started adding my old standby of Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds and Just Walk.  I'll write a review of the four sets that I have in a few weeks.  When I'm at home working out, I usually wear anything but jeans and a shirt.  I might even be in PJ bottoms if I work out early.  But when I do tai chi, I'm in a class with other people.  I need something comfortable that will allow some modesty.  I turned to Amazon for their large selection of plus size fitness clothes.

Herbal Facial Steam Recipe

If you're looking for an easy and inexpensive spa quality treatment that you can do at home, look no further than a facial steam.  These herbal facial steam recipes can do wonders for your skin, no matter what type of skin you have.  The steam opens your pores to draw out impurities, improving your complexion.  It also improves circulation by increasing blood flow to your skin.  I have large pores, and few things work as well as a good steam to reduce my pore size.  You can customize the herbs to suit your taste and needs.  These recipes are just to get you started.  You can even steam your face with just plain water, but using the herbs gives you the benefits of the herbs without using expensive essential oils.

I received a complimentary sample of Baby Foot to try, but I was not compensated for my review.  All enthusiasm is my own.  Links may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission.

Sandal season is coming.  Are you ready?  My feet are most definitely not ready!  I've been wearing my sandals and flip flops, but my feet need some major TLC.  It wasn't as cold this winter, so I seriously slacked on using lotion every night.  Now I'm paying for it.  I've got some calluses on my heels, and the skin isn't as soft as it should be.  I've heard rave reviews for the Baby Foot Exfoliant Foot Peel, so when they contacted me about receiving a sample to review, I was happy to oblige.  Keep reading for my Baby Foot review and how it worked for me.

Baby Foot Review

What Is Baby Foot?

Baby Foot is so named because it will make your skin as soft as a baby's skin.  It removes the dead skin cells that build up on your feet.  Over time, these dead skin cells can get thick due to pressure and friction.  Your skin can even crack and bleed and become painful if the dead skin gets too thick.

One way to remove this dead skin is to use a foot file, but this can actually make the problem worse.

Baby Foot works differently.  It has 17 natural extracts that exfoliate and moisturize your skin.  It has fruit acid to gently break down the desmosomes, which is the "glue" that holds the layers of dead skin cells together.

After you use Baby Foot, the dead skin will painlessly peel away from your body, leaving beautiful, soft skin.  

How to Use Baby Foot

Each package of Baby Foot has two booties, enough for one application.  You want to use them as soon as you open the foil packet.

Before you use it, be sure to clean your feet.  For best results, soak your feet too.  I used mine after a shower, so my feet were clean and had a nice soak.  

One you lay them out, you still have to cut the top off of each bootie.  Mine dripped a little bit, so it's best to do this over a towel.  

You can't walk around while wearing Baby Foot, so find a comply spot where you can sit or lie down for about an hour.  Slip the booties on and use the included tape to fold over the plastic and secure it in place.  

Now comes the hard part.  Sit back with your feet up for an hour.  The kids and husband will just have to fend for themselves for an hour because you've got important work to do.  

After the hour is up, untape the booties and slip them off.  Wash your feet with soap and water.  If your feet feel dry, use a moisturizer.  

That magic doesn't happy for about a week, so you won't see immediate results.  For the first 5 to 6 days, you might even think that nothing happened at all.  No worries.  It's coming.  On day 5 to 7, your dead skin will start to peel.  Mine started peeling a little bit and then all over.  It was disgustingly awesome to see the dead skin just fall off of my feet.  

Now my feet are finally ready for sandals.  Well, almost.  I still need a pedi before summer officially begins.

Do you need to get your feet ready for summer?  Try Baby Foot for yourself!

Michael Todd Sonicblend Review

I love the airbrushed makeup look, but I always struggled with the application.  I could never get it completely even for a flawless look.  Enter the Michael Todd Sonicblend.  This wonderful device uses sonic technology to apply makeup for a perfect finish.  As a Michael Todd ambassador, I've tried the Sonic Eraser Pro and the Soniclear Petite, and I love them both.  I use them both daily, and I'm sure the Sonicblend will be in my daily beauty tool arsenal as well.  

Relieving Stress In Cats

This post is sponsored by Single Edition Media on behalf of Ceva Cat.

Adding another cat to a home with two cats, a male and a female, was a challenge.  Luie has since passed away at the age of 17, but he was a grumpy old man who didn't want young whippersnapper around.  Carly is very aloof and keeps to herself, so she had no desire to let Chloe share any of her space.  My cousin, who is a vet, suggested that we use Feliway® MultiCat to help Carly and Chloe get along better.  Keep reading to learn more about Feliway® MultiCat and other products that we use for relieving stress in cats.

Sunless Tanning Tips + DIY Whipped Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyJergensGlow #CollectiveBias

When I was a teenager, my grandmother, her brother, and her sister had minor surgery to remove skin cancer on their faces.  Although none of them had to undergo chemo or more treatments for the skin cancer, it still left a lasting impression on me.  I stopped visiting tanning beds and started wearing sunscreen on my face daily and all over when I would be outside.  Now, almost 20 years later, I have to say that was a smart move.  My skin looks great for my age.  Most people can't believe I have a 15-year-old son because I don't look my age.  I still want to get a healthy glow for summer so my skin doesn't have that winter pasty look, so I turn to self-tanners.  After using them for several years, I learned some sunless tanning tips for a smoother application.  Keep reading for my tips and tricks and a whipped coconut sugar scrub recipe.