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Hold On To Your Knickers – You & Your Period Can Do Some Good!

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If you asked me a year ago if I’d write a piece on periods I would have blushed and said “Erm, no. No way”. But my, my, my how life changes. From not talking about our periods to full-on promoting a menstrual cup? Yeah, it happened. And I’m stinkin’ proud of it! 

First of all, let me tell you I’m not going to talk about my cycle, or the ups and downs of being a woman, what I really want to talk about is the GOOD the Ruby Cup company does for women. Most of you know by now that I am super fussy about the products, services, and programs I support and/or endorse. I have to LOVE them before I’ll write about them. The Ruby Cup and the lives they change (by being incredibly awesome) is reasoning enough for me to promote them. Add that I actually LOVE the product? Well then, I must write to tell you about it! 

First off, what is the Ruby Cup?

It’s a menstrual cup you use instead of tampons and pads. It’s incredible because not only is it affordable, less fussy than what you’re used to and eco-friendly (this fact gets more important to me every day as I watch my kids grow and wonder what our world is going to look like for them), this company helps improve the lives of women in East Africa, Nepal, Ghana and other places around the world.

Was I leary about trying the Ruby Cup?! HECK YES! I had sooooo many questions and to be honest, it scared the heck out of me. But, here’s the thing: this cup has the capacity of 3 super tampon! What the what?! Yup. And, you learn how to deal with it. It’s comfortable (once you figure it out, and yes, it does take some practice), it will save you money (I mentioned that, but Mamas, I know it’s important) and it’s WAY LESS MESSY than you think! 

Now, HOW does the Ruby Cup help girls and women around the world? 

They have a program called “Buy one. Give one.”

For every Ruby Cup they sell (Every. Single. One.), they give one to a woman or girl who otherwise does not have access to menstrual care products. And, if you think it’s not an issue worthy of looking into, I strongly disagree. This program allows women to access a product that will help with their health, hygiene and confidence. Yeah, that’s worth it to me, that’s so very worth it! 

Listen, almost every woman out there will get their period. If I can help women who wouldn’t have access to products to help them during a relatively messy time of the month, I’m going to do it. Getting your period can be messy, intimidating and scary but we can help. We can get these girls and women access to products that are comfortable, that are better for the environment and that help improve a woman or girl’s life drastically, I’ll talk about my period all day! I mean, you probably don’t want me to and I’m okay with that, but heck yeah…use a product that saves me money, is better for the environment AND helps empower women?  

Thank you, Ruby Cup. I’m in!  

Give it a whirl and help another woman out. Join me in the Buy One. Give One. program and let’s help women in ways we never imaged we could! CLICK HERE to purchase yours (and no, I don’t make money off of this, I just think it’s awesome!). 

Questions? OMG…ask! I’m totally open and honest with all this stuff now. And, I’d love if you joined me in helping another Mama or her daughter out! 

Yay periods! Causing cramps and opening doors to empower women since the beginning of time. LOL.

 

My New Not-So-Secret Skin Care Weapon: Z Natural Life!

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For years, and I mean years and years, I didn’t do a thing with my skin. I know, that’s terrible. All the skin care professionals are shuddering and shaking their heads in disappointment. But, to be honest, at the end of the day I am exhausted and we’re lucky if I manage to brush my teeth before I fall into bed to rest my mind and body.

But, age. Age happened. With age has come wrinkles. No, not laugh lines and cute little crow’s feet. I mean full-on wrinkles and age spots. What the actual heck was happening to my face?!

I looked at myself in a photo and thought “OMG…my face is melting”. So, it was time to find products that work, didn’t take a lot of time, fit my budget, were eco-friendly and well…easy to get.

And I found them! OH YES I DID! 

Remember that blog post I wrote about my awesome natural deodorant from Z Natural Life? Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty-free? Remember how much I LOOOOOOVED it and even managed to swing a couple giveaways for our Hot Mama challenges? Ohhhh…they came out with a skin care line!!

Ohhhh Maaamaaaaas…they came out with a skin care line!!

Seeing as I loved their deodorants and body powder so much AND their price point is amazing (less than $25!), I knew I had to try the line. I received the Hydrating Overnight Mask, the Revitalizing Facial Serum and the Energizing Facial Mask. 

And Mamas, these products did not disappoint.

Within the first week, I had people commenting and telling me that I was glowing. I’m not pregnant (*shudder*). So, was it good lighting? More water? Proper nutrition? Maybe. But probably not, seeing as I was drinking like a sailor (er…it was summer), eating like a trucker (I’m going to put the whole summer thing out there again) and I was recording videos where I always did. 

The only change? I took a few minutes each morning and evening to wash and moisturize my face with my new skincare line.

That’s it. 

I truly cannot say enough good stuff about these products. I LOVE that their ingredients are non-toxic and vegan and I truuuuuuly love that they WORK. My skin is super hydrated, it feels mega soft and yup, some of those fine lines are gone, gone, GONE. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the skin care line:

My Secret Weapon: Revitalizing Facial Serum.

If there’s one product you should get it’s this one. I put 3 drops onto my fingertips at night and 3 drops into my favorite SPF Moisturizer in the morning and er…that’s it. How easy is that?! It’s mega-hydrating and amazing. 

It’s got ingredients like hemp oil and jojoba oil that are known for their hydrating qualities. It has rosehip fruit oil that helps with the er…aged skin. Ylang-ylang (I mean, who doesn’t just love saying that?!) and geranium oil help with hydration AND they smell yummy! 

If you were to get ONE product, this serum would be the one I’d recommend.

Energizing Facial Mask

I have combination/oily skin, so this was an awesome mask for me. I use it twice a week. I put it on before I settle into bed to watch my Netflix show of choice (right now Suits is on the go…thanks for the recommendation, Mamas…couple cute lawyers? Yes please!) and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off, serum on and nighty-night!

Why do I like it so much? Many reasons. They’ve put Pelavie Black Silt in it, which is not only fun to say, but is known to tighten up your skin. Like a good squat tightens your buns, this stuff tightens your face. Along with the salt is a bunch of ingredients that remove toxins, have antioxidants and improve skin damage. I’m not going to list them here because they’re all on their website and I feel like I’m just showing off by writing them all out! 

A hilarious side-benefit…when you put on this mast, it makes your face look dirty and my kids think it is SO funny! One night my son couldn’t stop laughing because I put a little extra between my brows and it looked like a mono-brow. Why did I do that? Er…to make my son laugh, of course!

This mask is great for combination/oily skin.

Hydrating Overnight Facial Mask

Okay, don’t freak out. Yes, you leave something on your face overnight. But NO, it doesn’t get all over the place! It’s super thin, it absorbs into the skin and it leaves your face meeeega soft in the morning. It’s crazy beans! 

I will most likely use this mask more in the winter months because it is incredibly hydrating. For those of you with oily skin, stick with the Energizing Mask. But, if you have normal to dry skin, this baby is amazing. 

This mask has ingredients like olive squalene (I don’t know what that is, but I like olives, so we’re golden), avocado, ylang-ylang and geranium oil…all help with hydration. And there’s something in there called sodium hyaluronate which hydrates the skin and also brings little swords of anti-aging power to the battle against fine lines and age spots.

My Skin Care Regimen:

I use the serum twice a day. I use the Energizing mask twice a week and I use the Hydrating Overnight Mask also twice a week. 

It takes me very little time. It’s budget-friendly. And…well…I simply love the products. I hope you will too!

As always Z Natural Life is a big fan of Hot Mama and because we have this lovefest for one another they’ve created a code for you to use to get…wait for it…20% OFF! 

You can get the products through amazon.com (for my US and International followers) and amazon.ca (for my fellow Canucks, be sure to use the links below). 

So, come on aging process…I’m taking you on! I’m arming myself with amazing products that are helping me feel better. Yup…FEEL better. There’s something wonderful about having skin that looks nice. I feel more confident on video. I feel more confident in photos…and I know that sounds crazy, so judge away.

I’ll take confidence wherever I can find it! If it comes in 3 little tubes that I rub onto my skin, so be it! 

If you’ve been looking for a new skincare regimen, I totally recommend Z Natural Life. And the great news? IT’S NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON.CA!

Remember the issues we had for my Canadian Mamas with the deodorant? Well…no more! Woop! These links take you RIGHT to Amazon.ca where you can find the products in Canadian moolah, and shipping is FREE with orders over $35! BOOMSHAKALAKA!!

For Amazon.ca and znaturallife.com use PROMO CODE: Lindsay1
For Amazon orders use PROMO CODE: Lindsay 3

Here are the Amazon.ca links:

My Secret Weapon: Revitalizing Facial Serum.

Energizing Facial Mask

Hydrating Overnight Facial Mask

Again, use PROMO CODE “Lindsay1”  of amazon.ca and PROMO CODE “Lindsay3” for amazon.com for 20% off until Oct 15, 2017. 

OR…you can go right to Z Natural Life and order from there (but, it’ll come from the States and there may be duty?!). However, the promo code will work on their site, as well! Woop! 

Give it a whirl and let me know whta you think! Off you go!  

 

Wanna See My New Logo?!

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I had A LOT of feedback and opinions as I decided on my Lindsay Gee logo and I cannot thank you enough! Who knew y’all had so much to say about it?! I was blown away by the number of messages and texts I received yesterday, not to mention all the comments on the blog itself and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! BOOM!

The most interesting part? You had questions. A lot of you asked the symbolism of the feather. Or what the blog is for. How do I want to expand and grow? It was humbling to know that you follow what I do so closely and that I…well…I mean something to you. This means something to you. It was humbling and beautiful and put any doubts I may have had running through my head at ease.

The community of Hot Mama is incredible and the purpose of Lindsay Gee is to expand on that. Grow that. Help more and do more. Be more. I want to live every moment for my family, my community and I want to be a better person who loves, inspires and motivates. I realize I do a lot of that already, but it’s not to the extent I want or need to feel successful. Until every woman out there loves her body, there’s still much work to do. 

Without further adieu, my sweets, the Lindsay Gee logo is:

Some changes that were made:

You’ll notice it’s a bit different than the one you were choosing from. The text is now PURPLE and yes, the little dot is pink. Why pink? Because I will always and forever be connected to Hot Mama. Hot Mama is my baby, my dream, and while I expand myself, I’m also working tirelessly to expand Hot Mama and find new franchise owners to help me change the face of fitness and motivate a globe to get moving…as a family. So yeah, there had to be pink.

But, just a dot. Because that’s all Andrea would do. LOL

Why the feather? 

Simple. I see feathers everywhere I go. They randomly show up in my house, they float by as I walk around, people have gifted me feather jewelry for a long time and when I first started franchising Hot Mama, I gifted my new owners with feather earrings. I don’t know why. I just did. And feathers are now simply a part of who I am, like wine and peanut butter cups.

Whenever I see a feather I feel as though something bigger and grander is taking care of me and there is solace there. 

I have a fairly stressful life trying to build this Hot Mama (and now Lindsay Gee) empire, so to know I’m being taken care of by the greater universe? Well, there’s comfort there. And that’s why the feather is in my logo. As the universe and my angels take care and watch over me…I promise to take care and watch over you. 

Thank you for your feedback on this decision. I read every comment and am so grateful to those who took the time to respond. I am beyond grateful to each and every one of you. 

 

Choose a Power Word & Stay Present As You Sweat It Out

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Life is busy. And hectic. And crazy. Our to-do lists are usually a mile long and as Mothers, that list seems to get longer, not shorter, as the day goes on. Trust me when I tell you that I understand that life is busy. I understand that when I ask you to fit in your workout, you often roll your eyes and think “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ll get to that somewhere between work, the grocery store, Little Jimmy’s dentist appointment, cleaning the toilet and throwing food at my kids”. 

Life is busy. But, for those of you who have figured out how to fit it in, I want you to ask yourself if you’re really present during your workout. I know when I train my Hot Mamas I can look around at my group and see who is actively present in their workout and who is making lists in their head about all the things they need to do. I get it, you’re a multi-tasker. You can burpee and solve Little Jimmy’s t-ball/soccer/hockey practice schedule conflicts. You can Tabata and meal plan for the week. Sprints? Yes please, And, while you do that, why don’t you just go ahead and finish that marketing plan you need to get done by tomorrow.

Oh yes, I see it in your workouts and, Mamas, you need to get out of your heads and get present. 

Nerd alert: Did you know that by not being present during your workouts, you’re doing your body a great disservice? It all comes down to satisfaction. In a research study in 2016, researchers found that those who were mindful during their workouts were more satisfied with exercise and would typically sustain exercise compared to those who were not mindful. 

Basically, if you’re present during your workout you’re more likely to feel satisfied with your workout and continue to get your buns out there and get active.

How can you stay present?

I’ve recently started using a “Power Word or Phrase” in my own workouts and with the women I train. Before you start working out, choose a word or phrase that inspires you to connect to your workout and snaps you back to what you’re doing. Your power word or phrase should motivate you to push a little more, dig a little deeper and it should bring you back to the present, sweat-soaked moment.

The key? Remind yourself to use your power word or phrase. If you find your mind shifting over to what you need to get done, say your word or phrase. Say it out loud or say it in your mind, it doesn’t matter. But focus on it until you’re back to being present in your workout. 

I have my participants write their word on a sticker and put in on the front of their shirts so if I see them drifting I’ll yell their word or phrase at them and remind them to be present, in the moment, even if they don’t particularly want to be present during a minute of burpees.

Benefits of staying present during your workout

  1. First and foremost, when you’re present you can help prevent injury. Many times injuries happen when we’re not paying attention, so being mindful as you workout can help decrease your chance of rolling an ankle, tripping, etc.
  2. Exercise can actually feel good and being mindful of how your body is responding can help you remember why you’re working out in the first place. By staying present and being in your body, by feeling the exercises, you’ll start to notice strength gains, changes in your cardio capabilities and improvements in your overall health and well-being. It can be incredibly empowering and may help you stick to your workout plan.
  3. Being present during your workout helps you focus and gives you a purpose. Working out with a purpose also helps with commitment throughout the workout. Focus on the block of exercises you need to do, focus on the muscle group you’re working. If you focus on the purpose of different parts of your workout, you’ll not only be able to push a little harder, but you’ll be more likely to finish the workout feeling stronger and more capable.
  4. Being present and mindful of your body during your workout will help you with your posture and form. I’ve seen a lot of people snap back to their workouts after their mind wandered and they’ll stand taller, adjust their feet, engage their core. Being present helps reminds you of how your body is positioned right here, right now. 
  5. Finally, there are numerous research studies that conclude that by thinking about a muscle as it does the work results in greater strength increases than just going through the motions. So, if you’re going to take the time to workout, you might as well make it as effective as possible.

Get out and get active today! Choose a power word or phrase and see how it effects the quality of your workout. Be present and mindful as you workout. You’ve dedicated your precious time to working out and by choosing a power word or phrase, by being present and mindful, you’re going to help ensure the time you’ve dedicated to your health and fitness is the most effective time possible. And really, who doesn’t love efficiency?! 

Off you go! 

 

Your Mind is an Asshole, Your Body a Gift – Why Do We Constantly Mix That Up?!

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Listen, I’m not saying your mind is always an asshole, but when it comes to what it says and thinks about your body? Most time…it’s an abusive asshole. Your mind controls how you feel about your body, what you think about your body and often these thoughts result in your overall feeling of shittiness towards yourself and sadly, more often than not it leads to body-loathing. 

We constantly hear about the power of our thoughts. We hear that our mind and our thoughts control our path, our destiny, and ultimately the energy we put out into this world (thank you, Oprah, and “The Secret”). And hey, I totally agree. There’s great power in our minds, our thoughts, our energy. What I need you to understand is that your mind can be a total cow and a completely abusive entity breaking you down, telling you you’re not good enough and guiding you towards your own self-destruction. 

Your body is a thing of beauty. It’s phenomenal. It performs miracles every freakin’ day. The fact that you wake up, breathe, have a heartbeat, smile, frown, cry, laugh, talk and move throughout your day is an incredible gift. But, do we acknowledge it’s greatness? Do we consider every day we get to get up, move, survive, thrive a gift? No…we’re too busy being told by our mind that we’re too lumpy, bumpy, chubby, boney, skinny, ugly, wrinkly and all the other crap our mind throws our way.

And yes, the media and society we live in have a lot to do with what our mind is incessantly berating us with. But, perhaps we need to find a way to stop our mind from controlling the greatness that is our body, that is our strength, that is who we truly are. Perhaps we need to start celebrating the glory of the miracle we live in and stop telling us that it’s not good enough.

Here’s the thing…you gotta stop talking smack about your body. What’s it ever done to you? I mean sure…we get injured, we get sick, and things happen to our body that we don’t particularly enjoy (hello peeing when I sneeze), but it houses my mind, my soul and where the heck would I be without this thing? I’d be a big blobby blob slithering around on the ground. 

It’s time to tell your mind to stop being so mean. It’s time to stop the negative self-talk reel that you have going round and round and round in your mind. And yes, I know that’s easier said than done, but don’t you think it’s time to at least start to try? The first step is simply “noticing what you notice”. This is one of the very first exercises we have you do in our Screw the Scale program. We simply ask that you start noticing when your mind starts talking smack about yourself or your body. What triggered it? What did your mind say? How did you react? How did you feel? Why did you respond the way you did? Just start noticing what you notice.

From there, after you start to see a pattern, change the thought. Try…just try…to put something positive in there instead of the negative crap you’ve been telling yourself for years. You won’t be able to do this all the time…the mind is a bully and will constantly try to bring you down…but take control and repeat positivity. You’ll win eventually. 

After you win a few times against your bully of a mind, your mind may actually start to change. It might actually acknowledge some strength, some endurance, some gifts your body has given you. Let those thoughts enter and embrace the warmth that comes along with it. Let your body absorb the kindness and nourish it as its never been nourished before.

It’s time to flip the switch and love your body. It’s time to tell your mind to bugger off and allow it to change and adapt and love something it’s been told to hate for a long, long time. 

Good luck, Mamas…go on…get out there and start noticing what you notice. If you need me, I’m here. All you need to do is ask for some help and I’ll be the first one shouting kindness at you and your body.