Category: Fit & Body

Fit & Body

Weight Loss for Runners | What I Eat In a Day – Morning Edition

May 10, 2018

Training for the 2018 Boston Marathon, I ended up losing some weight. Actually, I lost more inches than anything. Don’t believe me?!! Look at this before my training and during me during my Boston training?! Whoa!! Right?! When I posted this side-by-side while ago on my Instagram, I was flooded with questions of how I lost weight, what my training was like and much more. A post shared by Alexandria Williams (@alexandriawill) on Apr 15, 2018 at 6:33pm PDT I was to busy and focused mainly on Boston to answer everything, to be honest. But I made it through the Boston craziness sooooo now, I am back at it and am doing a series where I answer your questions about running and weight loss. Focus on Your Morning Time Breakfast and your first few hours of the day are vital to your overall health and well being. If you start with proper fuel it will help you stay on track for the day. This was critical for me so I wanted to start with a few videos on the importance of morning. In this video, I break down the importance of fueling my morning and what I eat from the time I wake up to about midday. Weight Loss for Runners | What I Eat In a Day – Morning Edition List of Foods & Supplements I Mention – Download the Meal Plan Sheet for Free – http://bit.ly/mealpreplist – Alkaline Water: Santevia Kit – https://amzn.to/2Iuhz9P – Sprouts Hummus: Everything – Genuine Health Products https://amzn.to/2rAdBlA – Yerba Mate: https://amzn.to/2KSqu2Z – Harney & Sons Black Tea https://amzn.to/2rzebAQ – Milton’s Crackers https://amzn.to/2Iac5S7 Proper Foundations Helps Me Achieve My Goals! Want more details? Truly everything I discuss is really in my book. I wrote the book and seriously applied all the principles and foundations in it finally!! Having the proper foundation allowed for me to achieved being a sub-3 hour half-marathon finally lose 3 dress sizes trained for the Boston Marathon battled my on-going fight with depression. Yep! It’s the foundation that matters! Don’t start tomorrow or on Monday, start now! Check it out for more details on how to have the proper foundation and healthy hair and body from the inside out. Grab your copy right now!

Tulsa City Guide for Runners

May 2, 2018

This year, I am headed to Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa for my 35th Birthday. I am so excited and counting down for not only another race but also some great fun in Tulsa. I spoke at Social Media Tulsa, which is a great conference by the way, and while there got a chance to scoop the Tulsa scene. Here is my Tulsa City Guide for Runners! Tulsa City Guide for Runners! Don’t want to read? Check out this video where I go behind the scenes and show off the city digital and virtually. Where to Stay Double Tree: I stayed in the Double Tree Hotel downtown in Tulsa but it is not right on the strip of downtown. This meant I had to walk 10 minutes to everything. This is a great if you are headed down to the Route 66 Marathon and want to be connected to the expo or a little away from downtown. Other Hotels: My recommendations would be the Aloft and Marriott – Fairfield Inn or Courtyards, which are right downtown and in the heart of everything. Hard Rock Cafe: This is a casino and hotel but I would only recommend this for gamblers mostly and not specifically runners. It’s not very close to much of the downtown attractions so you would have to drive to the race on race morning. Still a must see place. Need Last Minute Running Gear? Route 66 Marathon Team: If you have any questions about running in Tulsa, Route 66 is beyond helpful. I had a long run to do while in the city and they were able to connect me with ambassadors, Fleet Feet Tulsa and much more. Route 66 also host the big marathon every year. It’s known as a top 10 best marathon for a reason! Oh yeah they have a cool App too that is very helpful! I used it while I was. in the city as a secondary reference. Fleet Feet Tulsa literally has everything and will help you with open arms. They host several different races, pop-up runs and much more in the city year around. What To Do In Tulsa Greenwood District: Is the hub of Black Wall Street, and local African- American exhibits. Additionally, it has local popular restaurants and is where the baseball and soccer fields/arenas area. Sports: From the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Tulsa Drillers baseball team, you can cheer on just about any and everyone here. Arts & Museums: From Reconciliation and Healing Walkway to the Woody Guthrie Center and, the arts are all over the city. There are at least 5 museums within the downtown area for you to quickly explore. Tulsa Jazz: Tulsa is known for producing some great artist over the last century – hello Charlie Wilson & the GAP band! It also holds the Jazz Hall of Fame. Jazz still is flowing through the city so Tulsa Jazz is your hub for all things related to music in the genre. Gambling & Hard Rock Casino: DUH! Just minutes away are the casinos so enjoy and check out the Hard Rock Casino. Center of the Universe: This is a mysterious phenomenon that no one can really explain. Located downtown and on a small hill, if you stand in the middle of the circle and make a noise, the sound is echoed back several times louder than it was made. It sounds brining when I type it but it’s really cool when visiting. It’s literally as if you were standing in the center of the universe. Where to Eat & Drink in Tulsa for Runners So Tulsa has no short of dinning places in the town. From craft beer to custom pizza, there are a plethora of dining spots. Here are some of my highlights. Glacier Chocolate: Vegan truffles. Gold Chocolate. Need I say anymore?! Valkyrie: Nothing like a good ole Old Fashion and a chill atmosphere for Class Cigars & Lounge: Did you get a PR and want to celebrate with a cigar? Classic cigars and lounge is right downtown just for you. Laffa Medi-eastern: I love Mediterranean food, which this Laffa is sooooo good! Great for my vegan or vegetarian folks and also includes some African infused dishes. All About Cha: Tea drinkers unite! Need to grab some good wifi and just relax? Looking for great tea or a bento box? All about Cha is more than just Chai tea, it’s a perfect hub for relaxing and hanging out. Pizza & Pasta Are Popular: There are a million pizza places but the one I heard a lot about was Upper Crust Wood Fired Pizza. I didn’t eat there because I had pasta instead at Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano. The food was really good at Ti Amo but my service was super slow. Manager was cool and made up for it but it had the best eggplant parmesan I have heard had in my life soooo. This post is sponsored in part with Route 66 Marathon.

3 Tips to Picking Running Shoes

April 23, 2018

There are thousands of different types of shoes. Picking up a pair of shoe that may fit you takes a little bit more thought than just picking up any old shoe off the rack. Body shape, posture, foot style and exercise all are major factors in picking out the best shoe for your needs. Without the proper shoe, you could cause many issues such as back pains, knee problems and even be a result of an injury. Knowing what to look for in shoe will help your feet stay happy from heel to toe. Here are three tips to help you pick the right shoe. 3 Tips to Picking Running Shoes How do you sweat? A person training for a marathon verses a person training for a 5k often wear two different shoes. A running shoe is made for running specifically. Pick a shoe based on how you exercise the most and stick with it. Get a Foot or Gait Analysis. | It is important to know how you run, walk, and shape of your foot. There are many different options of shoes based on your foot needs. Head to a professional speciality store such as Luke’s Locker, Fleet Feet or try this online test with Brooks to find your foot signature. Know the different in your fitness and regular shoe sizes. After running on for several hours, my feet expand quiet a bit. Nothing is worse than running in shoes that are two small. Avoid this by knowing your fitness shoe size, which is often 1-2x bigger than your regular shoe size.

Cowtown Marathon Recap

March 1, 2018

This past Sunday, I had the awesome experience of running the Cowtown Half marathon! The Cowtown is one of the largest multi-event races in the state of Texas and was voted favorite marathon by Competitor Magazine readers in 2015. It’s held in Ft. Worth, Texas, which is about 30-40 minutes outside of Dallas. Not only did I get to complete my 7th half marathon, I ran it with a group of my running friends who are more like family. Check out my Cowtown Marathon recap and experience how I hang with my running crew. The Cowtown Marathon Recap Travel Information to the Cowtown Marathon I live in Dallas so I didn’t travel per say to the race. I wanted to offer tips since I do live in the city and in case folks want to travel here. The closet airport to Ft. Worth is DFW airport. Love field airport is at least a 30-40 minute ride away. That can be a pretty expensive uber for you so I highly suggest renting a car for the weekend. The city doesn’t have the best public transportation for most travelers so this is my cheaper and best option for most. I stay in Dallas and wished I would have gotten a hotel just to stay in Ft.Worth. I had my friends in town for the weekend so I was basically an uber. Tim is a dear friend and like a running brother of mine that is on the board of the St. Louis Marathon and is a Running Influencer there. Yal know I got manners and southern hospital so I picked him up from Love Field airport and showed him around Dallas. The City – Funky Town Ft. Worth is unique and folks that live there love, Love, LOVE the city. There is a lot to see and do in Ft. Worth but it’s very different than Dallas. You can expect cowboy boots, trailers and western stores every few miles in Ft. Worth. They are the true Western Texan over there. There is a lot to see in Ft. Worth so take advantage of walking around the various sections of the city such as Magnolia, Fairmont and Sundance. Places to Eat in Ft. Worth In Dallas/ Ft. Worth, we love to eat on a good patio. Patio’ing is a thing around here so you have a million options with great Southern food, craft and local beer, strong cocktails, good service and more in the warm weather. Here are a few of my favorites in Ft. Worth. Heim BBQ: If you can, get there early or be prepared to stand for a bit. This BBQ joint always has a line but it’s worth the wait. Nothing like some good old fashion Texas BBQ. Istanbul Bar & Grill: I am a big fan of Mediterranean food. Their baba ghanoush, and gyros are perfect anytime of the day. This location has a bar so you can grab a tasty beverage if you desire as well. Mash’d: If you can go for brunch, go!! They have a 14inch pancake called the “Manhole cover pancake,” which is stuffed with blueberries butterscotch chips. Yeah! It’s that serious there. Oh should I also mention the mixology bar and they serve moonshine??!! Gus’s Fried Chicken: It’s a Memphis-based spicy fried chicken joint that has juicy fried chicken and the best sweet tea ever! Nammi at the Farmers Market: Head over the Farmers Market and roam around. When you do, stop at my favorite food truck Nammi, which serves Vietnamese food. My favorite dish is always their veggie tofu tacos and basil lemonade. Tom Thumb off 7th Street: Sounds really crazy to put this on here but this Tom Thumb is like a restaurant. You can grab a drink at the bar and watch a game, order pho, pickup toilet paper and so much more in one store. This location is also right by a lot of other restaurants as well. Weekend Socials With My Running Family Friday Night Since Tim was in town, we ended up having a happy hour for him and my local running groups We Run Things and Pint Striders. Founder’s beer came out and gave some swag while chatting about a few local things with me. After that, we enjoyed beer, laughter and good times through the night. Beer is rather normal for us runners to drink as it’s technically just a bunch of carbs and we need it run. Saturday Night Saturday I opted to ditch the 5k and go for a walk with Tim and my other running friend Alex. We ended up wakling to the the Alamo Draft House, which isn’t to far from house, to go see Black Panther. I probably have seen this movie at least 5 times now and can’t stop still! Also this is my favorite movie theater and they had a great Black Panther food and beverage menu too! After that we showered and ran to the Black Marathoners Pre-race dinner. It was great time to just meet folks from all over the country before we lace up for the following day. I had a great time meeting al to of fellow runners who live in Atlanta and I will be seeing again in October at the Baltimore Running Festival. The Cowtown Marathon Race day started bright and early at 4:45AM and it was greatness. I made it there at 6am and was able to get a close free parking space and wait inside in the warm building. I didn’t start until about 7:30 because I switched to a later corral but let me say, all 9,100 of us truly enjoyed the morning jams and tunes while waiting. I always have a mantra song of each race, so for this race, Anita Ward’s Ring my Bell was it! The race was everything! This has been one of my favorite races and I truly mean it. It was really cool to start the race with my

Essential Fitness Gear & Run Happy Ambassador

February 9, 2018

Last year, I opened up about how running helped me with my depression, my work with the Black Marathoners, and even showed you guys what it took to cross the finish line of the New York Marathon recently. My passion for the running and health community is authentic and true no doubt. I have made a lot of big goals for the year. I am all about goal setting and just simply asking and working hard for what you desire. Last year, I was accepted into the New York City Marathon on the first try, which is super hard to do, I tweeted I wanted to know what it took to be a part of the Brooks family. If you guys have been following me, you already know I am a huge fan of their bras as well as I have been running in their shoes for countless years. A year ago, I tweeted about this moment and it is happening! Now with less than 3 months until Boston Marathon I am excited to share what is another dream come true. I am now a part of the Brook family as a #runhappyambassador. What is a Run Happy Ambassador? Until last year, this title/role was reserved for most elite runners and coaches, which I am totally not at all. Most elite runner – the fast ones – run a marathon (26.2 Miles) in less than 3-4 hours. I – Alexandria – ran NYC in over 7 hours. Yep. Child! I am more like an elite slow runner. HA! But, that’s the great thing about the Run Happy philosophy. It’s not about speed but about the heart. I am honest about being a runner who doesn’t fit the typical mold but that’s exactly why I run— well happy! Running has opened up so many doors for me including helping me battle depression and literally run happy. The words Run Happy remind runners everywhere why they fell in love with running in the first place. Foundational Workout Gear You Gotta Have I am a giver so I am even more excited to share that I will be able to pass along some benefits to you guys!!! So to celebrate, I decided to answer your questions about what workout gear should I invest in or what items you must have to get started when working out. I created a cool workbook book of the essential pieces you must have and to invest in. Having improper fitness attire is TERRIBLE! From incorrect sports bras to pants rolling down or tearing up while running, these are all things that will hinder you from getting active. Anywho, scroll down to see my pick and also grab a copy of the free workbook for details. And also get into these looks! Grab The Full Look Book Today! FTC: I received this gear complimentary as part of my Brooks Run Happy ambassador partnership and to produce this workbook guide. As always, all thoughts and ideas are my own. Yal know I keep it real. All images were shot by the lovely and talented Phoenix Michele Photography.

ELDERBERRY 101 | DIY Daily Tonic

January 15, 2018

Everyone is sick and or has the flu. With training, I cannot afford to have a single day dedicated to being sick. With my close family all having the flu, I had to quickly take action and boost up my immune system with my favorite daily elderberry tonic. Benefits of Elderberries Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant used for years to help fight diseases such as a cold and flu. Elderberry is known for its ability to boost the body’s immune system and is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, which are crucial in helping the body maintain optimal health. Elderberry may help treat cold and flu symptoms by reducing congestion and possibly making you sweat more. One study suggested that using a standardized elderberry extract, Sambucol, could shorten the duration of flu by about 3 days. It was also said to help treat the Panama flu epidemic in the 90s. Benefits of Echinacea & Goldenseal Echinacea used to be called a “blood purifier” and is considered one of the most effective for infections such as strep throat, infected wounds, cold and flu, bronchitis, and much more. Goldenseal is also known as a natural antibiotic, helps ease stomach issues, kill bacteria. It is often combined with echinacea and promoted as strengthening the immune system. Recommended Elderberries Products Below are a list of products I am using and or recommended. These are pretty good sources and brands that have been around for awhile. Sprouts Elderberry Syrup – Purchase locally at sprouts stores Gaia Elderberry Syrup http://amzn.to/2FFRa4m Source Naturals – Wellness Herb Resistance http://amzn.to/2EH5DMs Quantum Elderberry Liquid Extract http://amzn.to/2D4xYfa Gaia Echinacea Goldenseal http://amzn.to/2DcoWku DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal Here is my DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal. For my tonic, I use a 5:1 ratio of Elderberry to Echinacea Goldenseal. 5 drops per day x 5 days = 25 Drops of Elderberry 1 drop per day x 5 days = 5 Drops of Echinacea goldenseal I consume it when drinking daily a hot cup of tea or a glass of kombucha. Really simple and easy.

New York City Marathon

November 12, 2017

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lou Last year, I made a goal to run the NYC Marathon and less than a year later, thousands of steps the journey and goal has been completed. My NYC weekend isn’t the typical weekend because I can never do anything basic. I am always extra with everything. Additionally, I am always representing the Black Marathoners or doing something for the organization so it’s never a dull moment in my life. Brace yourself, it’s a bit lengthy but I couldn’t leave out anything because it was packed weekend and it’s a dream come true! It’s a good read I think. So with that, here is my VIP NYC Marathon recap. Friday – New York City I Am Here I arrived in NYC Friday and basically had mapped out my day with going to hang out and tour the Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale office and then hit the expo and I did just that. The NYC Marathon is not a typical race as most because it’s an entire weekend event of stuff. You really have to be organized or you might just miss out on running the actual race. HA! Anywho, I had a packed weekend so here goes… If you don’t want to read then feel free to enjoy the video epic documentary with scores, scripts and more extraness on my youtube channel. Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale So Rodale owns some major magazines you probably read, one being women’s health but also runners world, men’s health, and Prevention. As a 2x Women’s Health Action Hero of the year, I wanted to finally meet the folks I had been working with for now a few years. It was a cool office and experience. It was even cooler as I got a chance to see the wall of magazine covers! NYC Expo So my goal was to do everything I could at the expo and avoid it on Saturday. I did just that. The expo is basically split into three big sections. Section one is the intro to the NYC where you get everything for the race, (bibs, VIP, etc.) Next section is the NYC Merch and New Balance – the sponsors. The third is full of the other vendors. There was a lot of NYC merchandise and it was very busy. Honestly, it was crazy. The expo can be overwhelming at times. I took breaks because I was so scattered brained and wanted everything but the way my pockets were lined up…. Yeah, Nah son. The lines weren’t too long for me, as I didn’t have a wait at all. After debating on jackets for an hour, I ended up getting a windbreaker NYC jacket because I knew it would look cool with my brooks NYC shoes and red is my favorite color. The next part of the expo is basically the other sponsored stuff and picture time. This also includes the section where you do the thank you wall. I loved this because it was really cool to see all the different nationalities and ethnicities that were represented. It felt like the Olympics and we were the athletes on opening day. I couldn’t just write just one thing but I wrote multiple ones because I am extra… After that, I hit the United section and obviously more and more picture taking. Also, they had a cool section to learn about “visualization” for running from Olympic athlete Meb Keflezighi. You can check out the video in my NYC Race recap, which was really helpful during the race. Once I learned a few tips about visualization when running then I hit up the general expo section for goodies for the race. (Really look at my video recap for details on this.) I met so many people and companies at the expo that it was kinda of a blur. The best thing I did at the expo was NormaTech system. They look like large boots that basically help with dynamic compression devices designed for recovery and rehab. Basically, you put the boots on and they are supposed to help you recover faster between workouts by reducing muscle soreness and improving circulation. I did this before and afterward my race and let me tell you it works! My feet were super sore from just walking, traveling and such. After 10 minutes sitting with it – the swelling was gone. The boots provided circulation to flow better and offered more oxygen. If you get a chance to try this at an expo please do! Anywho, I got a chance to do a lot at the expo, needless to say, I was there basically for hours. From getting VIP badges in the Blue room to picking up a complimentary custom pillow, I had a great time at the NYC Expo it was lit! After the expo, I watched the NYC parade. My phone was basically about to die so I don’t have any footage of it nor do I care. This race/weekend made me just live in the moment and just take it all in. It’s like that sometimes. … SATURDAY – Social Day In the video, I show you a better glimpse of the hotel I stayed it but I stayed in the DoubleTree in the Financial District in New York. It was right off the Ferry stop and very convent to all the trains in New York. I picked this location because I wanted to roll out of the bed the day of the race. Most of my friends had over an hour or so commute just to get to the Ferry stop due to the subways being packed. I had a 3 minute walk! I was able to enjoy some sleeping in a bit. Instead of going for a quick shake out run the day before like most folks, I just took a quick 2-mile tour of the financial district and grab a few

The Affordable Sports Bras Guide for Women With Large Breasts

September 11, 2017

No matter if you are just starting a fitness regimen or training for another race, one thing I know you will need are a few good sports bras. Finding the perfect sports bra isn’t easy for most women. It’s even harder if you are a blessed with larger breast AND on a budget. Most sports bras are at least $55-$85 a pop for women who are larger than DDs and offer max support and comfort. It’s almost impossible, but I am here to say it’s not impossible anymore. I spent over 2 months searching and testing a range of styles and sizes to find great sports bras for those of you who have large breast like me but are affordable. All the sports bras are under $50 and most can be found at half the cost or regularly on sale. SPORTS GUIDE FOR WOMEN WITH LARGE BREASTS In my research, I decided to two this blog post differently. I wanted to offer some sports bra history, show you various sizes and types but then I also wanted to share the importance of being properly fitted each year for your sports bra. I am open and honest so much so; you get to see my process of finding the perfect sports bra for my marathon training. Sports Bra Fitting Tips & Tricks Check out this video where I take you on my bra fitting and how I am finding the perfect sports bra just for me! Sports Bra Do’s & Don’ts Always buy sports bras with wicking materials instead of cotton. Wicking fabrics move moisture away from your skin and also keep you comfortable. Test your sports bra by actually working out and moving around. Do 10-15 jumping jack and squats! Wash the bra in cold water with mild detergent or hand wash. Avoid drying sports bras as heat breaks down spandex. I hang my sports bras to dry or lay it flat. Most sports bras last anywhere from 6 up to 15 months thus a good rule of thumb is to change sports bras every 6 months to a year. Sports Bras History, Types & Top Picks Dive into this video as the kind folks at Luke’s Locker school me on the history of sports bra, various textures, and types that are best for max support and my top picks for affordable sports bras. My Top Sports Bras are the Hero bras from Rebook and the Fiona and Maia from Brooks Women. I also want to point out the Juno bra. I went back and tried it and like it as well. It’s a great alternative for the Maia and also a bit cheaper too. Compression, Encapsulation or Both Compression: The original sports bra. This bra is best for smaller cups or just walking around. These are often super cheap and can cost you $20 bucks easily. Encapsulation: This is the best for women with larger breast. Sports bras with individual cups aka encapsulated cups are best. They make sure your breast are not smashed together, adjustable and can remove sweat properly from the skin. Both: Many sports bras now are a combination of compression and encapsulation, which offer both supportive and comfortable. These are more expensive so I avoided focusing on these but there are some great ones out there such as Victoria Secrets. Strap Types Racerback: Racerbacks tend to be the best supporting bras for women with larger breast due to the straps clinching in the back. They offer more support and mostly Tank Top: I am not a fan of racer back because they are a pain to get in and out of after a 2-3 hour run. If you are like me, then always look for adjustable, padded and wide strap sports bras to ensure the weight is distributed and supportive. Crisscross: Crisscross have become very popular because they add a pop of “fashion” to a boring tank. They offer decent support and are my pick for yoga and super low impact. Many are adjustable but don’t expect to find a lot of styles or options for larger breast. Most of the crisscross straps are thin, so they are not able to hold up or offer tons of support over an extended period. Special Thanks to Luke’s Locker for helping so much with this post. If you are in the DFW Area pop in and let them know I sent you for to get your complimentary sizing. They also order anything for you if they don’t have it in there store.

Five Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body

July 20, 2017

I am trying to simplify my life and make sure I am only using items I need and love. I try to invest in products that will save me time and help me as I work, train and frankly just live. I hate having a bunch of products in my gym bag as it takes up to much space and I often don’t use them all. If you are like me and are trying to simplify your life or just find some new products that are the best bang for your buck, I am listing five product that are great multi purpose products you gotta have. I picked five hair, beauty and/or body products that tackle two (or more) things at once thus saving you time, money and frankly space in your gym bag or carry on if you are traveling. Check out the video below and or hit the links to get ya shop on! Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body Items Mentioned Dr. Bronner Hand Soap Brita Sports Bottle Q-Redew Steamer Olay Facial Wipes Rivers et Roses Candle

The Importance of Meditation

May 4, 2017

So often our brains are overloaded with various messages, emails, to-do-list, events and more that it hardly has times to rest and slow down. It is important to unplug, shut off and relax the mind. Mediation is critical in shutting off as it helps get rid of unnecessary feelings and thoughts and to reflect. It also helps to improve health, sleep, mentality, reduce stress, and improve concentration. Monday, I was so grateful to relax and take a break with a few local fitness and slow down on Monday with my Dallas Fitness Ambassadors crew. We met at the gorgeous Alexan apartments in Downtown Dallas and had a great platter of healthy foods and low-calorie drinks from Sprouts. Sprouts, by the way, is one of my favorite grocery stores to shop at so it was great to learn more about their cater services and new products. Additionally, we had chair massages from Spa Kneads, DIY essential oils demo from Aura cacia, and amazing homemade tea from Restore Simply. After being pampered and relaxed for a bit, I took my first official meditation class, which was soo needed!!! I have always struggled with meditation and during those last few minutes of yoga in the class, I am always going through my to-do list. As I started to deal with depression and listening to my internal struggles, I realized the importance of meditation and having a little bit of time in my life. Now it’s a regular part of my healthy lifestyle and can actually see the benefits of meditation such as reducing stress, sleeping better and much more. Meditation Apps There are tons of youtube videos that have meditation tips or practices, which is great. Sometimes the videos are removed or slow to buffer so instead I prefer meditation apps or audio that can aid in meditation, mindfulness and easy to use. With most of the apps, you can choose the time and then sit or lay down for the instructions of what to do. It’s that easy! Don’t worry, these apps are for both android and iTunes users and don’t cost anything to use at first. Calm Headspace Mindfulness App Simply Being Dr. Wayne Dyer (Spotify) Three Easy Tips To Start Meditation Establish a Daily Practice: Mediation doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s important to have a set location, time and routine. Start with taking two to three minutes a day and then work your way up. I highly recommend starting your day off with meditation too! Proper Posture: Posture is important in any activity so whether you are laying down or standing up, make sure you are keeping yourself aligned. Choose a position Here are a few tips on my Pinterest board of postures, setting up a meditation space, movements and more. Breathe & Release: It is important to know our mind is going to have a lot of thoughts popping in randomly. Continue to take deep breathes, acknowledge the thoughts and release them. Hopefully, these tips will help you think about meditation a bit different or plant the seed in your journey. Special thanks to DFA and Sprouts for reminding me the importance of being mindful!