5 Easy Ways To Become A Runner

Hate running? You are not alone, my friend. I have loathed running for many years and always said it "just isn't for me."This year as part of my "30 Before 30" (see original post here) I decided to challenge myself to run a race. Originally I set the bar very low and said I just wanted to complete a 10k. Well, in January I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in Denver with my best friend, Annie. She is doing her own 30 Before 30 challenge and has 1/2 marathon on her list. So in just 3 short months I will head to Denver, CO and attempt to run 13.1 miles. Eeek!

I would not say that I have fallen in love yet with running but over these past 2-3 months I have learned a few things that might help someone who also dislikes running but wants to give it a try.

Here are 5 easy ways to start becoming a runner:

1. Confront Emotional Barriers.
In order to complete any goal you must look at potential emotional barriers in your way. I never felt like I was athletic enough to be a runner. It was a case of lowered self-esteem. I say "lowered" because I don't have low self-esteem in general but I think we all have those things that make us feel down on ourselves. I also worried that I would fail or embarrass myself. You have to acknowledge your emotional barriers and make a conscious choice to set them to the side where they belong. You may even use self talk to motivate you past these barriers. The most popular form of self talk would be giving yourself daily affirmations.

2. Do Strength Training & Stretching
If you have a strong core, butt, and legs it makes running much easier. I attend a weekly Piyo (pilates/yoga fusion) class which has really strengthened my thighs, glutes, and core. Piyo also helps firm your booty and who doesn't want that?! I also recommend you stretch very well the night before a run and also right before running. Consider doing a 20 minute yoga routine each day. There are a ton of yoga routines you can find on YouTube.

3. Make A Great Music Playlist
You know those songs that makes you jump out of you seat and dance? Add them. Make a playlist filled with your favorite hits. I like to add songs that I know I'll never skip. I also like to add some songs that have motivational lyrics so when I hit mile 3 and I want to stop I have someone literally yelling in my ear to "Don't stop. Get it. Get it.....You can do it put you back into it." That's just an example from a  90's Ice Cube song but you get the idea.

4. Set Markers
Make small goals to complete and then when you complete it just keep going. It sounds a bit insane to say to yourself, "Ok, I'll just run to that tree and then I can walk." but when you get to the tree you just keep going. It's insane but it works. I like to challenge myself to run until the next song comes on. Then when the next song comes on I challenge myself to run for 2 more minutes and so on. This is the thing that has helped me the most. I always feel successful after a run because I have complete so many mini-goals. It's great!

5. Start Walking
You have to start some place. There is this woman I have seen on the street in front of my house. She walks a 3 mile loop everyday from 3-4pm. She has been doing this for at least a year. A few months ago I noticed that she was jogging in between spurts of walking. That's the way to do it. Start walking and then build up to walking and jogging a little. Then walk and jog a lot. Then walk, jog, and run!


So those are my top 5 tips to start running based on my own personal experience. I may update or add to this list as I continue on my own journey into running. Let me know in the comments section your tips or advice. You can also contact me with your tips at the social media links below.

Have a great day!

Other places to find me:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Blog: http://www.imperfectpearl.blogspot.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com

Healthy Breakfast Muffin Recipe

Good Morning!

I hope everyone's week is starting off great. Today I want to share a recipe I made while doing my weekly meal prep yesterday. I am really trying to get into the habbit of prepping all of my meals for the week each Sunday. These muffins are a combination of a few different recipes I have seen, including the amazing Tone It Up protein pancake recipe. (find it here) I also got inspiration from Sarah fit (find her recipe here). Below is the final recipe I created. These are paleo, gluten-free, low carb, high protein, and low fat. Yippee!

This makes 4 big muffins or 8 small muffins.

Ingredients:
~2 medium bananas, mashed.
~2 Scoops protein powder of your choosing (I use a plant based one)
~4 tbsp flax seed meal
~4 tsp of cinnamon
~4 egg whites or 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg
~2 tsp of baking powder
~1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
~Pinch of salt
~1 Tbsp of almond milk (you could use any milk you prefer)
~1-2 Tbsp of agave nectar or honey. This depends on how sweet you want them.
~Add in your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds. In the ones above I used golden raisins and sunflower seeds.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (176 Celcius)
2. Combine all ingreidents except the agave nectar and fruit/nuts.
3. Mix well.
4. Fold in nuts/fruit.
5. Add agave nectar and mix again.
6. Bake for 35-45 minutes, checking them every 20 or so minutes. When a tooth pick comes out clean you are good to go.

These can be stored for 2-5 days in the fridge. When you are ready to eat them just pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Enjoy!


Other places to connect:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheImperfectpearl
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com

L.A. COLORS Lipstick Swatches (Updated)

Hello!


My updated L.A. COLORS lipstick swatch video is now live on my YouTube Channel.

Below are some additional swatch photos so you can better see how each color looks.

Color order: 

Natural Shine

Satin

Mauve Glaze

Sorbet

Dusty Rose

Luscious Wine

Berry Red

Bright Pink

Frozen Berries

Coral Sheen

Pink Frost

Tangerine

Lipstick swatches with indoor light:

Lipstick swatches with flash indoors:

Lipstick swatches with natural light:

Next I have some additional lip swatch photos:

Natural Shine: 

Satin:

Sorbet:

Pink Frost:

Mauve Glaze

Bright Pink:

Nectarine:

Coral Sheen:

Luscious Wine:

Frozen Berries:

Berry Red:

I hope these swatches will help you decide which color is right for you. Overall I really love these lipsticks and they are really easy to apply. Like any lip product I think it is best to exfoliate your lips and apply a light lip balm before applying the lipstick. 

Let me know if you have tried any of these lipsticks and how you like them. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Other places to connect:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/

Twitter: @courtneywval

Email: courtneywval@gmail.com

Youtube: Click here

Bunnies For A Cause

Hoppy March!


Since Easter is right around the corner I decided to do a little project to raise money for the House Rabbit Society. This organization does amazing work to help rescue abused and abandoned rabbits.

Last night I posted this picture below on my Instagram  showing super cute little bunny keychains I have made. I am selling these for $5 each and if you live within the U.S. I can ship them to you for free. Proceeds from these keychains will go to make a donation to the HRS so they can buy food, litter, blankets, and other necessities. If you would like to purchase one please email me at courtneywval@gmail.com. I can only accept paypal at this time because it's the safest and easiest method for us both. Also, if you live outside the U.S. and would still like one just email me with your country code and I can find out the shipping cost. These are really lightweight so I can't imagine it will be very much to ship internationally.

Choose from these three color options: Black, White, or Teal. If you have a different color you would like just let me know and I'll see if I have it. :)

If you would like to make a donation to House Rabbit's Society directly you can do that 

here. 

They also have an Amazon Wish List of things they need. You can donate from that list 

here. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Courtney

Other places to connect:

Twitter: @courtneywval

Email: courtneywval@gmail.com

YouTube: Click here

REVIEW: Freeman's Facial Sleeping Mask

Happy Friday Eve!


I just posted a new video on my YouTube Channel. If you are looking for a product to soothe and rehydrate your skin this winter then you might try the Freeman brand Facial Sleeping Mask with honeydew and camomile.

It also works well for men too. Hey, hombres get dry skin too, right?

Check out the video here and let me know if you have tried it. Also let me know if you have a favorite face mask.

I found this particular one at Rite Aid but it was the only one there. I have also seen the sample packets at Walmart but not the full size.

You can also find it on Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1Fyls21



Thanks for stopping by and I hope this review helps!

Update #2- My Journey Into Running: 30 Before 30

Buenos Dias!

Today I want to give you a quick update on my 1/2 marathon training progress.

This week I got in 3 training sessions: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Monday I did an hour Piyo (Pilates/yoga fusion) class for strength training. It is always very intense and pushes me to my limits. I love it though and I can feel myself getting stronger. I have never been a very coordinated person so group fitness classes were something I usually stayed away from. Then I just decided I didn't care if I looked goofy to other people because it's not about them. It's about me and my fitness. When I started Piyo a few months ago I was a hot mess and I probably looked like a crazy person flinging my arms and legs about. Now I have built strength and I am able to control my movements better. It also helps that most people in the class are beginners so we are all learning together and there is no pressure to be amazing.

On Wednesday and Friday I did indoor treadmill runs. I know outdoor running would be better but with the windy, 20 degree temperature we have been dealing with this week I had to take it indoors. Like I said in a previous post, I have a plan and a back-up plan. My back up plan is to walk one mile and run one mile until I finish the race. I am taking a similar approach to my training.  I start by walking .5-1 mile and then running 1 mile. Both days I  completed 3.1 miles (5k). Next week I hope to complete 3.5-4 miles each session. I know that doing too much running in a short amount of time can lead to severe knee injuries so I want to build up my distance gradually. According to several training plans, a runner should not increase their distance by more than a mile each week. I don't want one race to ruin my knees and rack up a lot of physical therapy bills. Slow and steady wins the race.

Overall, I am feeling really good. My time is not very fast and right now between walking and running I average a 14 minute mile. That is with walking though. Yesterday I tracked my running mile and it took me about 11 minutes to complete. My goal is a 10 minute mile because I think that is feasible for my age and experience.

That is my little update for this week and I hope you enjoy following me on this journey. Leave me any questions, comments, or advice down below.

Have a great weekend!


Other places to connect:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/courtney.val
Twitter: @courtneywval
Youtube: Click here

One Photo A Day: January 2015

Woo-Hoo, 2015!

Here are my photo-a-day pictures for this month. 

 I do post almost every day on my Instagram (courtney.val) but sometimes I choose different photos for this post. Honestly I probably take several photos each day so I try to post the one on here that best represents that day or mood of that day. I hope you enjoy! 

January 1-Celebrating a late Christmas with my family (this is my 1 yr old nephew, Alex)

January 2-Unplanned spine scan after auto accident today.

January 3- Girls night with my mom and sister. We kept it classy. Haha!

January 4-Seaweed face mask and duck face. Enough said. 

January 5- Inspiration while shopping. 

 January 6- Back home to Miss Luna.

January 7- New book and snuggled with a scarf on a cold night

January 8- Planning and getting caffeinated

January 9- Hand x-ray at the hospital. (related to car accident)

January 10- Saturday Spa night with my homemade "Thin Mint" body scrub

January 11- New Lululemon Yoga mat!

January 12- First day of Raw 'till 4

January 13- Filming make-up tutorials

January 14- Migraine blues

January 15-Day 4 of health challenge and going strong!

January 16-Editing new videos for my YouTube channel

January 17-Planning and organizing my life

January 18-  Uploaded a new Dollar Tree Haul video to my channel.

January 19-Banana- raspberry smoothie!

 

January 20- Planning my next 10 reads for my 30 Before 30 challenge.

January 21-Piyo at home

January 22-Smoothie of the day: Apple squared.

January 23-Getting ready to film YouTube videos

January 24-Sipping champagne while learning to knit

January 25-Migraine cure experiment=gin and golden raisins

January 26- Turning trash into treasure

January 27-Half marathon training

Jan 28- Overnight work shift essentials

January 29- Free lipstick with coupon? Yes!

January 30-A rose from my husband on a stressful day

January 31- Luna plays with her new toys

Thanks for joining me here. I hope you have a great February!