Author: Laura

I am a woman in my 30s still trying to figure out life!
I finally Found The Perfect Sunscreen!

I finally Found The Perfect Sunscreen!

by Laura ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sunscreen is an important part of our skincare routine. I have known this for a long time and have been diligent about my use of it.

It has unfortunately been hard for me to find a sunscreen that I actually like. I have been through quite a few different ones and it was only until recently that I found the one that is perfect for me (might be for you, too!).

In this post I will be talking about the importance of sunscreen and this new product I love.

Why sunscreen?

Most people think of the sun in a positive light (pun not really intended). It provides warm days and makes the outside look beautiful. This in turn makes us feel “sunny” on the inside. The sun also provides natural vitamin D which is beneficial in various ways.

The unfortunate thing about the sun is that it contains two types of ultraviolet rays (called UVA and UVB) which can be harmful to us. It is a dichotomy of sorts! The following are the drawbacks of exposure to the sun:

  • Possibility of sun burns- I have gotten sun burned even as a dark skinned, black woman. It was not fun!
  • Increased risk of skin cancer
  • Risk of getting wrinkles
  • Risk of getting sun spots

It is important to note that ultraviolet rays are still present during cloudy and rainy days. They also can get through the windows. This means that sunscreen needs to be worn every day no matter what.

Sunscreen: bit of history and SPF meaning

The drawbacks of sun exposure is where sunscreen comes in. It does just as the name says it does-screens your skin from the sun.

The first sunscreen formulation was created in 1932 with an actual product being put on the market in 1936. Since then, there have been tons of sunscreen products created.

When you look at the different sunscreen options, you will notice that they say something about “SPF” on it followed by a number. This is referring to the sun protection factor. This means how well it protects you from the sun. The higher the number behind it, the higher the protection from the sun.

The amount of protection on sunscreen products ranges from 15-100.You may think that 100 would be the best but experts actually say that 100 is not necessary and could possibly be harmful depending on the particular product. Sticking with sunscreen that has an SPF of 30-50 is adequate as they will block at least 97% of UV rays.

The screening ability of the sunscreen wears off after about two hours and if you get wet. Because of this, it is important to reapply every two hours.

Sunscreen: physical and chemical products

Which to choose?

There are two types of sunscreen- physical and chemical. The differences between them are as follows:

Physical-

This type of sunscreen product does it’s work by sitting on top your skin and it forms a barrier against sun rays that way. They are made with zinc and titanium oxide which are minerals. The problem people have with physical sunscreens is that they tend to leave a white cast to the skin.

Chemical-

This type of sunscreen product absorbs into the skin and then absorbs the sun rays that come at it. The thing that people like about chemical sunscreens is that it doesn’t leave a white cast like physical ones do. The drawback to this type is that they contain chemicals that are considered to be harmful to our bodies. These chemicals include oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate and octocrylene. They have been shown to possibly mess with hormones as well as causing allergic reactions and/or acne breakouts.

There are many options for sunscreens that fall into these categories. It is up to you to decide which type of sunscreen you would be willing to use every two hours.

My past sunscreen usage

It was like I stuck my face in this tray…

I have been diligent about wearing sunscreen since I was around 18 years old. I was told that people with dark skin need to wear it and that us not needing to is just a myth.

We can get skin cancer, sun spots and wrinkles too!

The sunscreen I used back then was a light-feeling one from Oil of Olay. It was extremely moisturizing and did not break me out. I didn’t find out until much later though that it’s SPF of 15 is low and I should be at 30 SPF at least.

The time that I found out about how using a higher SPF than 15 was recommended, I was in panic-mode about my face. I was only three months postpartum and it seemed like my face was looking really old. I was really bothered by this and was desperate to do something about it.

I read a lot about how a higher SPF sunscreen would prevent my face from getting even older looking and prevent my dark marks from getting darker. This prompted me to go out and pick up a different sunscreen to try.

Knowing that I couldn’t have anything with fragrances in them, I ended up picking sunscreen from the Vanicream line. The first one was a physical one that had an SPF of 50. I was excited to try it but when I put it on, I looked like I had dipped my face in white paint. I did not want to go out in the world like that so I just decided to use it on the kids in my daycare business.

I looked up other Vanicream sunscreens to see if they all left the white cast and I found out there was one that didn’t! This sunscreen was their Broad Spectrum Sport SPF 35 product. I was really happy I came across the reviews for it and bought it right away.

The Vanicream SPS 35 sunscreen did go on pretty white but when I rubbed it in good, the white didn’t show anymore. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it definitely did not provide any moisturization to my skin. It was pretty dry so I would put my rosehip or almond oil on my skin before applying the sunscreen.

I used this awesome sunscreen product for a long time and was very happy with it. Unfortunately, the Vanicream sunscreens have been discontinued now because of supply-chain issues stemming from the pandemic.

New sunscreen problem

I was really disappointed that my favorite sunscreen was no longer available. This sent me on an annoying hunt for another one that would take its place.

I needed a sunscreen that would do the same thing that the Vanicream one did- not leave a white cast. It of course had to be fragrance free, too.

I came across one that seemed like it would be good for me. This product is called Black Girl Sunscreen and is SPF 30. It was made to sink into the skin and not leave a white cast. It also didn’t have any fragrance in it.

You can probably see why I would want to buy it!

When I got it in the mail, I wanted to try it right away. I was amazed at how well it sunk in and it had a great natural scent to it. The product impressed me so much that I was considering posting about it here on my blog site.

When I was doing some research on sunscreen that I was going to add into the post though, I came across information about harmful chemicals that are put into some sunscreens. I guess I had never read about this before or cared.

When I looked at the back of the Black Girl Sunscreen, I realized that it contains all of the bad chemicals. Ugh!

This chemical stuff made me not want to use it. So it was back to the drawing board to find a physical sunscreen that met my requirements.

The perfect sunscreen

Since the Black Girl Sunscreen didn’t work out, I really needed to get a new one because I can’t be without it in my skincare routine. This meant that I had to look all over the internet yet again. I finally found one that looked promising after learning about how there are sheer, tinted physical sunscreens products.

The product that I ended up getting is by CeraVe and it is called, Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen. It is considered to be sheer and has a “universal tint.” The latter means that it blends into any skin tone. As with all CeraVe products, it is also fragrance free. This means that it met my requirements.

Just like the Black Girl Sunscreen, I tried it right away once it came in the mail. I was immediately pleased by it. The texture was smooth and it went on very nicely. Not only that but it also blended into my skin tone and did not leave a white cast.

I was worried about getting a breakout from using this but I am happy to say that I haven’t had any new pimples since I first began. The only drawback is the it is a little oily on my skin. To remedy this, I just blot my skin a bit with a paper towel. It also is a little on the pricy side, but I am hoping to finally have an income soon.

All in all, this sunscreen is perfect enough for me!

I would highly recommend this CeraVe sunscreen. It is a great choice for people who are looking for a sunscreen without harmful chemicals that also doesn’t leave a thick white cast. That being said, it may not be perfect for everyone because we are all different.

Here are the pros and cons of it:

Pros-

  • Nice texture
  • Very moisturizing
  • No harmful chemical ingredients
  • Fragrance free
  • Has niacinamide in it so it may treat acne, calm redness, provide hydration, improve skin texture and even the skin tone.
  • Is a sunscreen!

Cons-

  • May not blend well with everyone’s skin tone
  • May leave some feeling too greasy or oily
  • May cause breakouts in some
  • SPF might not be high enough for some
  • Might seem a little expensive for the amount you get

Wearing sunscreen is important

We should all be wearing sunscreen everyday due to its benefits for our health and beauty. I am so glad that I found this one by CeraVe because it was just what I have been needing. If you are in the market for a new sunscreen, consider giving it a try!

What sunscreen do you use?

Thanks for reading!

Ideas for other sheer mineral sunscreens to try: https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-mineral-sunscreen

Affiliate disclaimer: I am part of the Amazon affiliate program. This means I may make a commission off of purchases you make from my blog posts.

#sunscreen #tintedsunscreen #skincareproducts #beauty #ceravesunscreen #hyperpigmentation #mineralsunscreen #spf


Tea Lattes as Delicious Treats? Yes!

Tea Lattes as Delicious Treats? Yes!

by Laura ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When it comes to treats, a lot of people may have baked goods come to mind. After all, these are seen as the standard type of sweets to treat yourself with.

I used to think this way too. It wasn’t until about eight months ago that I realized how delicious and satisfying tea lattes can be as a treat. I have now become hooked on them and drink them regularly.

For this post, I will be talking about this great alternative to traditional treats (and coffee based lattes) and how to make them!

Tea lattes: The what and why of them

Tea lattes are like regular lattes but with tea instead of coffee. They both have milk added to them. If you are buying either one of these drinks at a coffee shop, it is up to you if you want sweetener added as they are usually not served that way.

While tea lattes are not nearly as popular as the lattes with coffee in them, they can be just as delicious of a treat. Here are some benefits of choosing to have a tea latte:

  1. Less calories than other treats- Some treats can pack a good number of calories. This makes tea lattes a good choice because it will usually have less calories.
  2. Healthier nutrient profile-Tea lattes can be healthier than other types of treats.
  3. Easy to make- A tea latte can be easy to make if you find yourself suddenly wanting a treat.
  4. Can be soothing- A warm/hot tea latte can be very soothing and calming. Lots of cozy vibes can be had from them!
  5. Lots of flavor options- There are a lot of different flavored teas out there to choose from. This can provide an even more delicious treat than having a tea latte made with just plain tea.
  6. Less caffeine- If you do not want the amount of caffeine that coffee has in it, a tea latte may be a better option as it won’t have as much or any.

There may be more benefits to them but I think the above might be enough to persuade you into trying one!

Tea lattes: tea to use

There are so many types of tea to choose from (think, thousands upon thousands). They have varying flavors, caffeine content (nothing to a lot) and possible health benefits. To make a tea latte though, not every type of tea is good to use for them.

For the best tasting latte, you will want to choose a “hearty” tea or just one that lend itself well to creamy, sweetness. Ones that are light, refreshing and fruity(most green teas, white teas, most herbal teas and most oolong teas) are usually not good to use. Here are some wonderful ideas for what to use:

  • Regular, unflavored black tea- This type of tea has a bold flavor on it’s own (some call it malty). Perfect to make a tea latte with.
  • Flavored black tea*- There are many brands that offer flavored black tea and most are awesome for lattes. Some of them are labeled as being “dessert teas.”
  • Dark, unflavored oolong tea- While oolong is a lot like green tea, a darker kind of it lends a more bold flavor that would work for a latte. Black dragon oolong is an example of a dark one.
  • Chamomile- This is a fruity, sweet tasting herb but it actually makes a great latte. It is also very soothing and calming.
  • Matcha- This tea is arguably the best type of green tea to make a latte with.
  • Flavored and unflavored rooibos-This is an herb that is naturally on the sweet side and is also very smooth. It is caffeine-free which makes it great for a latte in the evenings.

Here are some more specific ideas from great tea companies (my opinion!):

Another thing you can do is mix teas together. If one doesn’t taste that great on it’s own- it may taste great with another kind added. Or if all the tea you have tastes great- you can come up with a totally new flavor.

As you can see, there are many options when it comes to the tea to use for your latte. Just look around and you are sure to find one (or more!) that you really like!

Tea lattes: how to make them

Making these bad boys is really simple. All it involves is brewing up the tea and adding in milk or a milk substitute. You can also add in sweetener of your choice.

When you brew up some tea, you can make a full cup (or cups) or you can make a little less than that. When you add in the milk substitute, you may make the flavor a little weaker if you have a full cup of tea. If you have made less than a cup of tea, you may make the flavor of the tea latte a little bolder.

You can use any type of milk you want. There are quite a few different substitutes to dairy milk but you do have to be aware of how they may cause curdling. Oat and almond milk seem to work the best.

When it comes to adding the milk to the tea, you can heat or steam up the milk first. You can also add the milk into the tea and then heat it up for a bit.

If you are doing a ketogenic/low carb diet or you just want a richer treat- you can use some heavy cream instead of milk.

Here is an easy recipe for a rich tea latte:

Ingredients-

  • 6 ounces of brewed tea
  • 1/4-1/3 cup of heavy cream
  • Sweetener of your choice

What to do-

  1. Brew up 6 ounces of tea of your choice in a microwave safe mug. Follow the instructions on the tea’s packaging or look up how to brew the tea on the internet.
  2. Add the heavy cream and sweetener (if applicable). Mix together.
  3. Heat it up for around 30 seconds.
  4. Enjoy your warm drink!

This is a rich treat that will comfort you and fill you up!

My tea lattes and self care

Yum!

The tea lattes I make are with heavy cream so that means they are decadent and dessert like. They may be high in calories, but I make sure I am able to fit them into my diet.

I have been kind of obsessed with DAVIDsTEA products for the past few months so those are what I use in my lattes. They have quite a few blends that sound delicious and are delicious. My new favorite that I have been using is their Creme Caramel Rooibos product mixed with their Witch’s Brew (rooibos flavor blend; discontinued) product.

Delicious!

I also use the tea lattes as part of my selfcare routine sometimes. It usually involves me making a latte, putting on an ambience video and sitting down with a good book.

This is the book I am currently reading!

Try it, you might like it!

I think that tea lattes are well worth giving a try. They can be very delicious and maybe even calm you down in the evening.

If you like tea at all, consider finding a blend that has a great flavor and turn it into a latte!

Have you ever had a tea latte before?

Thanks for reading!

#tea #selfcare #latte #greentea #blacktea #matchalatte #chailatte #yerbamate #oolongtea #rooibostea #thaitea #desserts #treats

My Excess Hair + Product Review

My Excess Hair + Product Review

by Laura ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Dealing with excess hair has been tough on me-physically and mentally. There have been several ways that I have tried to control it over the years with varying results.

In this post, I will be talking more about my hirsutism and giving my review of a product I recently tried for the condition.

My PCOS diagnosis

Since I do not have a popular blog by any means, no one who might see this post will know my back story. Because of this, I will start off by talking about how I came to get a PCOS diagnosis.

When I was around 11 years old, I started getting horrible acne and oily skin. It was mainly on my forehead at first, then eventually it was just all over the place. It was really embarrassing because none of my friends seemed to have acne.

In hopes of controlling my acne, I was prescribed several different things. A couple of them worked, a couple of them did not work. I had to keep taking/using something though because my skin was so bad.

At 14 years old, I started developing hair on my upper lip. I didn’t really notice it at first until my mother pointed it out and said that I needed to get that area waxed. This was another embarrassing thing for me!

All of the acne, oiliness and excess hair continued on past high school. It wasn’t until I was about 21 years old that I found out about PCOS. I realized that my symptoms aligned with that diagnosis. I was ashamed that I could have something like that so I decided to stop thinking about it.

I was given Spironolactone for the acne and hirsutism but was not given a PCOS diagnosis with it due to there being a series of tests that needed to be done first.

At 23 years old, my hairiness got worse. This made me decide it was time to go in for an official diagnosis.

I had to have four different appointments (gynecologist and endocrinologist) that included two consultations, blood tests, an ultrasound and a cortisol level check. My blood test results were all normal but my ultrasound showed cysts all over my ovaries and I met the other characteristic criteria (hirsutism and acne).

I stopped taking Spironolactone shortly after my diagnosis because I felt it wasn’t really doing much for me. From there, I just tried to control my acne with various skin care products and got my upper lip waxed once a month.

My hirsutism now

A week of no shaving would have me looking like this!

After I got pregnant and gave birth, my hirsutism came back with a vengeance (did not grow face/neck hair during pregnancy) and has kept getting worse. Because of the severity of it, I have been shaving instead of getting it all waxed and plucked off.

For a while I could still get away with shaving once a day or once every other day. Unfortunately though, for the past four years I have had to shave my face/neck twice a day. Since the pandemic happened and because I stay home all the time, I sometimes will go a day without shaving because no one but my immediate family will see me.

The hair that I get shows up on my chin, upper lip, jaw line and neck. In true hirsutism form, the hairs are coarse and noticeable. They are there in the morning and then they pop up again in the evening.

The razors I have been using

For quite a while I was using a women’s facial hair remover. It looks like a little vibrator but it did work well! What made me stop using it was the fact that my hirsutism got worse and it could no longer get the hairs very well.

I was really hesitant at first to start using a razor. This is because I know the burn and bumps they can leave on the body. It is not something I want on my face either!

After mulling it over, I decided to start using razors despite the burn risk. The excess hairs were really bothering me and I wanted something that could get them off. I wanted to use a separate razor for my face than I use for my body so I started using the Schick razors that I have pictured above only for that area.

I was nervous the first time I used one of the razors. After just moving it careful over the hairs though, I realized that I could indeed get them off without getting razor burn.

Success!

I have been using the razors ever since then. The only thing that I don’t like about them is that it doesn’t seem like it can pick up the really fine hairs on my upper lip that are left over after shaving the coarse ones off.

Am I annoyed that I have to shave my face? Yes, of course I am. I don’t like that I grow hair in these places and sometimes I get really down about it. Fortunately, I know how to manage it and it is not like people are going to be seeing me up close (except for my immediate family) for the foreseeable future.

Hair removal product review

So, I did try a new hair removal product recently. It was the Hydro Silk Touch-Up razor picture above. Although the other razors I talked about work great, I just wanted to try these out and see if they work for the fine hairs that get left over on my face.

I am happy to say that they really did get rid of the fine hairs! I used it all over my face which made it really smooth afterwards. It was unable to get the coarse hairs but I wasn’t really expecting it to.

The one thing I will say about these is that you can’t let the razors’ “cute” look fool you. They may be able to cut you if you are not careful with them. Just glide them gently across your face and you will be fine!

I highly recommend this product for anyone that has a bit of peach fuzz on their face they are looking to get rid of on a regular basis.

Hirsutism can really suck

Most people who deal with hirsutism don’t like it and have problems embracing it (some can though!). The fortunate thing is that the condition can be managed in various ways. I am glad that I found the Schick razors as they are cheap and effective for me to use.

If you deal with excess hairs like I do, how do you handle them?

Thanks for reading!

#hairremoval #shaving #razor #hirsutism #PCOS #hormonalproblems #Schickproducts #face

Dating and Hirsutism: How to Tell Them

Dating and Hirsutism: How to Tell Them

by Laura ♥ 1 Comment

Dating is one of the many things that looks different these days thanks to the pandemic. The unfortunate thing is that dating with hirsutism (excess hair) may be just as tough as it was pre-pandemic for some people.

In this post, we will be talking about dealing with excess hair while dating and how/when to talk to the other person about it.

About hirsutism

If you are stopping by to my blog and know about or have hirsutism, feel free to skip over this! If you are stopping by and don’t know much about (or are just plain interested) it, feel free to keep reading!

Hirsutism is the clinical term for excess hair growth in women. The areas on the body that this growth occurs at includes the upper lip, chin, chest, back, abdomen, thighs, neck and jaw line.

While it is normal for women to have some hair growth in the aforementioned areas, hirsutism is different in that the hair is thicker and coarser. This means that you have to work a little harder to get it off than you would if it were just some light hairs (peach fuzz).

There is a scale that scores a person’s level of hirsutism severity. This is called the Ferriman-Gallwey Scoring System. Not all medical practitioners use this scale anymore because everything is subjective. For example, a person might only score a two on the scale for upper lip hair but for them it is more severe than that.

There are several causes of hirsutism and they include the following:

  • PCOS
  • Menopause
  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
  • Cushing’s Syndrome
  • Androgen secreting tumors
  • Oral minoxidil
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications

Having hirsutism can cause depression. This is due to possibly not feeling feminine because of having the same hair growth patterns seen in men. Or if the hair is just simply unwanted. They may also feel embarrassed about it, too.

There are some ways that hirsutism can be managed and treated if one chooses to do so. They are as follows:

  • Shaving (razors and other types of shavers)
  • Waxing (professionally or at home)
  • Plucking
  • Epilator
  • Depilation- Be extra careful with this one!
  • Birth control (like Yaz)
  • Antiandrogen medication (like Spironolactone)
  • Vaniqa– This only slows the new growth and does no get rid of the current hair.
  • Laser therapy- This is more expensive than the other options. One should make sure to check out the pros and cons of having this done.
  • Electrolysis- This is more expensive than others on the list and can take up to two years of regular treatments to see results. One should make sure to check out the pros and cons of having this done.

Here is a wonderful resource for learning more about hirsutism: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0215/afp20120215p373.pdf

How to date during a pandemic

Before we get into dating with hirsutism, it is important to know just how dating is done these days (if trying to be safe).

The pandemic has caused in-person things to be risky. This has made people turn to dating virtually. A person can meet someone on one of several dating sites or through someone they know and then continue the relationship through video calls.

Zoom and Google Duo seem to be popular choices to have video call sessions on. While getting to know each other on these platforms may not be as great as in-person, a good time can still be had and a wonderful relationship can bloom.

There are many activities that can be done outdoors. While they are safer than indoor activities, there is still a level of risk that seems to be higher now with this more contagious variant. This means that safety measures should still be taken.

In the event that people in a relationship want to meet and be close together indoors, they should proceed at their own risk. They could quarantine themselves for two weeks, get tested beforehand or just get together without any precautions.

Check out this webpage for more ideas on how to date safely during the pandemic: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-date-more-successfully-during-covid-5113503

Dating and hirsutism

You can still get ready for a video call date!

Picture this…

You have been messaging someone on a dating site and are ready to have a video call with them. Looking nice and put together is something you think is important even if you aren’t meeting in person.

You decide to put on attractive clothes first-picking out the most flattering thing you have. Then you get your face ready. This includes getting rid of any hair that you may have on there (however you do it) due to hirsutism. You find the excess hair to be embarrassing and you do not want your date to see it.

So in that scenario, you are being proactive about making sure that your date does not know about your hirsutism so that you can make the best first impression.

Now, let’s picture this scenario…

Things have been going wonderful with this new person you found on the dating site. You talk to them often and enjoy each other a lot. One day you have a video call planned with them. Since you feel comfortable being without makeup on the calls, you don’t put any on.

You also forget to get rid of the excess hairs.

During the video, you see yourself and realize that those pesky hairs are showing and very visible. You start getting really embarrassed and hope that they don’t see them. This then causes you to feel distracted and cut the video call short.

The second scenario might be a little more of a nightmare for you. For it to not occur and be something you have to worry about-you may want to consider telling the other person about your excess hair.

Your hirsutism can be talked about in different ways and at different times. Here are some ideas on how to do it:

  • Tell them straight-up, right away- If you are a bold person, you could tell them shortly after meeting them. This could be really tough for some people. The good thing about it is that it would weed out people if the hirsutism makes them want to bounce right away.
  • Tell them after things have gotten a little more serious- This is something that you can do if you are not the most bold person out there. When a relationship has been building for a while, you may feel slightly more comfortable talking about your hirsutism. You could find a quiet moment in your video call to bring it up. There are good chances that they won’t care about the excess hair since they have been rocking with you for a while.
  • Anytime while playing “Get To Know Me”- You could suggest to play a game like this where you answer personal questions about yourselves. You may have to sneak it in to whatever question they ask that is related or strategically suggest a question that you both are to answer.
  • Email them- If you don’t have the courage to tell them on video, you can always email them about your hirsutism. Mention that it is really tough for you to talk about it on a video call.

Instead of never telling the person you are dating that you deal with excess hair and setting a timer/reminder to shave before each video call, you should really consider telling them about it at some point. Forgetting to take your excess hairs off before frequent video calls or in-person dates is something that is bound to happen a time or two.

How I did it

Just showing my dry, wrinkly hands to say that it all worked out!

My husband is the only person I ever dated (sad, huh?). Back when we were first getting together, my hirsutism was not as bad as it is now but still visible. At that time I was getting it all waxed off and didn’t think I needed to tell him about my diagnosis.

After a while, my hirsutism did get a little worse for whatever reason. One day I even caught him looking at my chin. That was when I decided that I needed to tell him about how I have excess hair due to PCOS.

I just sat there and told him all about it. He was not turned off by this at all (obviously since we are married now!). In fact, he knew other women who had PCOS and dealt with the same issues.

My hirsutism has gotten even worse these days, unfortunately. The great thing is that my husband says he doesn’t even notice when I go a couple days without shaving.

Maybe he is just lying out of love but I will take it. Sometimes I forget to shave or just don’t feel like it!

In conclusion

Dating can successfully happen even if one has hirsutism. If you think things might get more serious between you and the other person, being frank about the issue is something to consider. It is important to remember that if someone truly cares about you, they will see beyond some extra hairs on your face and/or body.

Does anyone reading this have hirsutism? If so, did it affect your dating life at all?

Thanks for reading!

#datingsites #freedatingsites #OKCupid #Zoom #PCOS #hormones #hirsutism #hirsutismtreatment #shaving #hairremoval

My Fitness Program Book is Here!

My Fitness Program Book is Here!

by Laura ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I love creating workout routines for myself and others. Recently, I created an at-home, 16 week fitness program and it is finally ready on Amazon!

In this post, I will be discussing more about it.

Why I love working out at home

I have been working out at home for many years now and will continue to for as long as I am able to workout! Here are the reasons as to why I like it so much:

  • No mirrors- I do not like seeing myself workout. In order to see if my form is correct, I just ask my husband.
  • Never busy- When I am working out at home, I do not have to be worried about a lot of people being around. I found this overwhelming when I was working out in gyms.
  • No sharing and waiting- Because I am at home, I do not have to share my equipment with others. I also do not have to wait for equipment.
  • No germs from a bunch of people- I am a germaphobe so working out at home lets me avoid the massive amounts of germs that can be found at gyms.
  • The entertainment of my choice- I can choose what I want to have on while I am working out instead of having to suffer through someone else’s choice.

Although I don’t have very much equipment, I have been able to get in the best shape of my life!

The 16 week workout program

This at-home workout program is 16 weeks long. It has four, four week exercise routines. Each routine has six days a week of workouts which includes four days of weightlifting (with cardio) and two days of cardio/abs.

I mainly use Powerblock adjustable weights and a cardio ladder for my workouts. You can use and/or get whatever exercise equipment you want though.

The weightlifting workouts are arranged differently with a few moves switched out here and there. This is so that you don’t get bored of doing the same old thing for 16 weeks. You can also make changes such as choosing substitutions for some moves, not doing all three sets, not doing the cardio and/or using body weight only.

In regards to the cardio and abs days, you are to choose what you want to do. I give suggestions but it is all up to what kind of equipment you have at home, your fitness level and what you actually desire to do on each of those particular days.

Remember that it is all about the quality of your workout rather than the amount of time you spend doing it. For example, doing 1.5 hours of steady state cardio on your cardio days is not that much better than doing a 30 minute HIIT workout.

What is in the book

The book is a total of 129 pages long. It includes the following:

  • Descriptions and explanations of the workouts
  • Goal sheets
  • Four workout routine sheets
  • 112 exercise and diet log sheets
  • two bonus workouts to try

Before you start the workout routines, there is a goal sheet. That is where you can think of the goal that you want to meet at the end of the program. It can be to lose weight, maintain weight, get stronger etc. There are then subsequent goal sheets to document your progression towards your goal (s).

With the book you are able to reference the workout you are on and write down how things went for each session-all in one place. The log sheets include places to write how much weight you lifted, the amount of sets you did, what kind of cardio you did, the difficulty of the exercise moves and what you ate.

The two bonus workouts include a tough full-body circuit and a high intensity cardio ladder workout. I would encourage you to try them sometime! They are two of my favorite workouts.

Near future plan for this book

I am looking into “beefing” this book up in the near future. By this I mean that I hope to add better descriptions, pictures and whatever else I can think of.

I also plan on creating another fitness program! There are more workout routines that I would love to share.

It is rough right now with me not having a job because I need money to make the high-quality products I want to offer. Hopefully I will find employment soon.

I would love your opinion!

It would be awesome if you tried my program. If you do, please let me know your opinion of it. I would love some feedback on it.

You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GTBZHHX

What kind of workouts have you been doing lately?

Thanks for reading!

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