Fitness – Brick Marshmallows

Is your life more than half over? Are you having hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weird cravings, knee pain, back pain, joint pain, belly pain … aaaaaaand do you feel like everyone around you has become a general pain in the you know what?

Menopause.

What was God thinking? Hmmmm. I’ll take a rib from this strapping man to make a delightful young vibrant woman. And for those precious fleeting years when she has the most energy and vitality… and when she looks her very best, I’ll saddle her down with a brood of needy ankle biters. Then, just at the time when those kids become independent, I’ll strip every last hormone right out of her. She’ll be a shell of her former self, completely befuddled.

I get asked all the time about my age. I’m almost fifty-two, and I run two to three miles a day and lift weights four times a week. PLUS, I juggle two very active kiddos who are 100% nonverbal, who rock an extra chromosome, and who require constant supervision and care. “Where do you find the energy?” “What’s your secret?” “Would you train me?”

I had to find the energy for survival, and so I did.

Of course I’ll share my secrets.

Hopefully this blog will sort of be a training tool for those who wish to be trained.

I’ve lived this plan for four years now, tweaking it as I go, so I know it works. If you decide to follow along, know up front there’s a method to my madness. While I do love my family, and while I also believe my mom is one of the most beautiful women in the world who doesn’t look her age at all, I wasn’t born with great genes. The health history in my family isn’t the best, so I couldn’t rely on genetics. I’ve worked hard, I’ve studied, and I’ve figured out a combination that works. It’s not difficult, by the way, but it is a way of life that requires intention and dedication. Without a doubt, if you follow along, you’ll see positive results. Here are the first five foundational steps:

First things first. To reverse the aging process (yes, I did say reverse), scientists say intermittent fasting is a key. What does that mean? It means you only give yourself an 8-10 hour window of eating per day. For example, your window might be 8am until 6pm or 9am until 7pm. During those times, you eat. Outside of those times, you don’t eat food, but you do hydrate.

When you’ve finished the fourteen hour fast, it’s important to think about the first thing you put into your body. This is an opportunity to give your body nutrition and energy. I like to begin my day with a glass of fresh juice. Packed with nutrients that purify your blood, prevent disease, improve circulation, strengthen your immune system, improve cognitive function, and make your skin more radiant, my favorite green juice is a mixture of apple, spinach, celery, cucumber, and lime. Once you get your juicer, make this a priority. I’ve been juicing for nearly fourteen years, because it’s a quick and easy way to make sure I get my daily fruits and veggies. If you’re not a person who regularly eats fruits and veggies, you’ll notice improved energy within days.

Along with drinking fresh juice, I eat one or two protein balls as a first meal. I make them on Sunday and keep them in the refrigerator for the week. My protein balls are made with crunchy peanut butter, honey, oatmeal, coconut, raisins, and dark chocolate chips. You can use almond butter or cashew butter if you have a peanut allergy, and you can have fun with your protein balls by adding different flavors of protein powder, cinnamon, flax seeds, etc. It’s a quick bite and helps you begin your day on the right foot. For lunch and dinner, eat sensibly, meaning limit carbs, sugar, and processed food, and stop eating before you feel full if you want to lose weight. Avoid snacking. And remember, while you can only eat during your 8-10 hour window, you can (and should) hydrate all day.

Hydration. Drinking water is life. IF you don’t already have an insulated mug or tumbler, you can find them anywhere, and you need one. I’ve never been a fan of water, but I drink one-hundred ounces of water per day. I know you’ve heard the analogy of the grape that turns to a raisin when it doesn’t get hydration. Well, once I hit fifty, that analogy got real. I choked down water in an effort to not become that said raisin until I discovered Crystal Light Flavor Packets. And like the fourth stanza of ‘Just As I Am’ at a tent revival meeting, those little flavor packets have changed my life. With only 10 calories per packet, it’s a no-brainer for me. I use one packet per mug of water, and my mug holds 50 ounces. So yeh, I drink at least two mugs of water per day.

And next, of course, is exercise. Twenty-five minutes a day, five days a week, is a must. Find something that motivates you to move. There is a free app called Charity Miles, that will track your walking, running, or biking miles and will donate money to your charity of choice based on your mileage. It costs you nothing, but it gives back something tangible. What can be more motivating than knowing your work is going to help fund a cause that means something to you? Last year, I made a commitment to run 1,000 Charity Miles, and I accomplished it. Some days I ran two or three times a day, and it felt so good to cross that 1,000 mile mark.

There’s another app called Achievement , and it will literally pay you for being fit. If money motivates you, then be sure to download that app.

Commit to run a 5K this summer. There is no better time to begin training. Check out the Couch to 5k App, which will give you a plan on how to make that 5k goal a reality.

I recently purchased a Fitbit Charge 3 , and it has offered extra motivation for me. I use it to log food and water intake, my exercise, calories burned, and sleep.

Bottom line, find something that motivates you to move. Then stick to it. If you’re new to exercise, begin by walking twenty-five minutes a day. Don’t stroll, by the way. You should walk fast enough that you find it difficult to carry on a normal conversation with someone else. Get those arms to pumping and move. Next step, advance your walk by jogging for a minute and then walking briskly for three minutes, interchanging the two, back and forth until the twenty-five minutes is up. Advance further by jogging for a minute and walking for two minutes, interchanging the two … then jogging for a minute and walking for a minute … and so on and so forth, continuing the interval process until you’re able to jog (or run) for twenty-five minutes straight. The tabata app is helpful for keeping up with your interval times.

You might think you’ll never become a runner, but as soon as you start running … guess what? You’re a runner. I wasn’t a runner until two years ago, and would’ve never thought I’d run like I do now. The key is to just do it. I’ve tried it all, interval training, group exercise classes, elliptical machines, biking, running, etc. For me, running has produced the best (and fastest) all around results. It’s definitely worth a try.

Last step, if you are smoking any type of cigarette or if you’re vaping, stop. Smoking has been proven to age our bodies faster than anything else. You’re in menopause hell anyway, so what better time to give up the habit?

To recap, the first four foundational steps are:

Intermittent fasting
Hydration with water (and juicing)
Limiting (controlling) carbs, sugar, and processed foods
Exercise
Don’t smoke

As a special needs momma, I was guilty of neglecting my own care. One day I had a light bulb moment and realized God doesn’t discriminate, which means He isn’t going to give me a health pass just because I have two kiddos who need me. It’s up to me to put in the work by doing the best I can to take care of my health so I can be with my kiddos for the long haul. It’s the same for you, whatever your circumstances are.

As always,

~Mel

Fitness, get fit, running

2 Tips 2 Help You Get Moving

March 16, 2019March 16, 2019 Melanie Hollis

“In January of 2017, I became a runner” … Let me tell you, those are words I never thought I’d say. Fitness has always been a part of my life, but whenever anyone would mention running, I’d quickly shut it down. Can you relate? I mean, running is hard. Runners are known for saying it’s more mental than it is physical, but when I try telling that to my legs, they just don’t listen. “Hello? Legs? No worries, because this running gig is all mental.” haha. Nope. Running really hurts and never gets easier.

Last year, I turned fifty (which wasn’t nearly as scary as expected) and ran thirteen races (which was every bit as scary as expected), proving age is just a number. As it turns out, an old dog really can learn new tricks. Psychologists say there’s no such thing as a life plateau, so if you’re not growing, you’re going backward. I don’t have time to go backward. So this year, in addition to the 5k and 10k races Spring will usher in, I’m planning to tackle a half marathon. Quite honestly, my palms get sweaty and my tummy gets butterflies whenever I think about it. 13.1 miles is a looooooong jaunt for a gal who’s only been running for a little over a year.

But after a year of running and achieving some goals, I know I can do this. The benefits of running have been life changing for me. I don’t remember a time when I’ve had so much energy. The runner’s high is real.

At the same time, though, I know myself … and I enjoy a comfort zone as much as anyone. Currently, 5Ks/10Ks are what make me feel super safe and cozy. Needing a boost of motivation to run all of the extra miles a half marathon will require in preparation for the actual race, I started talking to other runners about how they manage long practice runs. Podcasts seemed to be a buzzword everyone mentioned. But I’m 50, remember? And I’m not very cool. So what the heck were these podcasts the millennials were speaking of?

Well. I found out. And I’m hooked. On this show:

When I run, I listen to his podcasts, and I learn and grow. I get so caught up in the stories and interviews, I forget I’m running. I find an episode that interests me, plan to run until the end of the episode, and then off I go. Before I know it, I’ve been running three or four miles. So, tip number one to motivate a good run (or a long walk) is to listen to Podcasts. Use that time to enjoy being outdoors while being inspired by someone else’s story.

Taking motivation a step further, I just recently learned about charity miles. If podcasts weren’t enough to keep me excited about moving, this app has sent me into running orbit:

Get this. Charity Miles gives money to YOUR favorite charity for every mile you run (or walk). The money comes from corporate sponsors who are repurposing their advertising budgets for good. It’s a win-win for all. There are 40 charities to choose from, and you’re not locked in. You can change your charity choice at any time. As the mom of two incredibly cute and amazing kiddos who sport an extra chromosome, my charity of choice is Special Olympics. Every step I take, I think about how I’m doing something to benefit talented athletes who consistently demonstrate true heart and sportsmanship. Love, love, love this! I logged 24 miles this week for Special Olympics, and it feels good!!!

According to Tony Robbins, the secret to living is giving. I completely agree with him. When we give back, it reminds us of our truest purpose and motivates us to be more productive. So find a podcast that will encourage you to be a better version of you, and then upload Charity Miles, get moving, and be a better version of you.

These are two tips that keep me moving. What motivates you to get fit and stay fit? Share in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

Just my thoughts.

~Mel

christian blog, Down Syndrome, Fitness, get fit, Health blog, self care

How A Special Needs Mom Fought Loneliness With Three Easy Steps … and Won!

January 19, 2019January 19, 2019 Melanie Hollis

I’ve been a special needs mom to a princess who rocks an extra chromosome for more than 13 years, and thanks to the miracle of adoption and a red-headed cheese puff who also rocks that extra something, I’ve been a special needs mom to two kiddos for 10 years. Both are non-verbal, and both are a handful of mischief, drama, and constant giggles. Like typical siblings, they fuss with each other (which amounts to grunting back and forth for what seems like an eternity at times). They take things from each other, occasionally pinch one another, and even manage to tell on each other. Picture little man grabbing my hand and pulling me to his big sister, then bursting into tears … while at the same time, big sister rolls her eyes and looks away. Yep. She’s usually guilty.

Neither can take care of any of their needs independently. They rely on me completely. I dress them, bathe them, feed them, put them to bed, and read their minds (at least I try). I talk to them, filling in their quiet with my own version of what they’d probably like to say if they had a voice. Hopey has a high cartoon voice when I speak for her. She thinks it’s hilarious, especially when I roll my eyes, stomp my foot, and act like a true teenage girl. For Charlie, I use a sweet baby voice … because he’ll always be the baby of the family.

We try to agree on music in the car. If I choose a Luke Bryan or Bruno Mars song, we’re always good. But when I step outside the box, they sometimes break down into sobs. We try to agree on clothing choices, but they’ve been known to rip off their clothing just as I finished getting it on their wriggling bodies. Charlie, for added affect, likes to throw his shirt across the room. Uhhhhhm, I guess you don’t like the shirt choice, dude? haha. (Did I mention they are full-on drama?) I can laugh about it now. I mean, c’mon, it’s funny.

The stress level of a special needs mom has been likened to the stress level of a combat soldier. I’m convinced it isn’t necessarily because the role is so difficult, but because special needs moms never feel like they’re doing enough for their kiddos. We question ourselves constantly. Have we provided enough opportunities? Therapy? Education? Are we feeding them too much? Are they exercising enough? Did I remember to double lock the doors so she can’t escape during the night? Is his sniffle worth a doctor’s appointment? Or is the risk of him catching something worse too great for that appointment? And don’t even get me started on how much we worry about our child’s future. Honestly, our minds never shut off.

There was a time when I was so caught up in figuring out how to be a special needs mom that I forgot how to live. Unintentionally, I closed doors on friends and family who’d been in my life for years, because I felt they couldn’t possibly understand my new normal. One day, I awoke to an overwhelming feeling of loneliness and regret. I’d been so laser focused on reaching my two kiddos, that in the process, I forgot that I needed a support system. I felt lost. I thought I was being the best mom in the world. But you know what I realized? If I lose myself, I’m not being the best mom I can be. More than anything else, they need me to be me.

I’d like to say that with this realization came a sweeping life altering shift. As with most change, however, it was slow and steady. I began by hiring a trainer. I felt if I committed to her and to a schedule, I’d stick with it. As it turns out, she became my biggest cheerleader. Not only did she daily encourage me to push through my workouts, as I got to know her, she slowly invaded all of my empty, hurting spaces. She asked me questions about my life. She listened. And she reminded me that I’m enough and that God is always with me. Last year, she challenged me to run a 5K. I ended up running thirteen. She’s been my trainer for four years now, and I count her as one of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life. The gym quickly became my community as I met new people. In the process, I became physically stronger. The more fit I became, the happier I felt. My energy increased as endorphins kicked into high gear, I went from a size 8 to a size 4, and then one day I realized I felt like myself again. It had been years.

Around the same time, I decided to open my home once a month to a group of my best buddies for a pizza party and karaoke. They are all so much fun, I knew they’d usher happiness right into my life on a regular basis. And they never disappointed. What I didn’t expect, though, was what a tremendous role their parents would play in my fight. These selfless moms and dads would drop off or pick up their adult children, and instead of walking away, they’d hug me. They’d look me in the eyes and thank me for hosting a party. Sometimes they’d come into the house and chat with me. They made an effort to get to know me and my children. Welcoming me into their lives without any walls, prerequisites, or expectations, they made me feel like a part of their families.

And finally, I became intentional about hiring sitters so that I could get out and do regular things that other moms get to do. I have to say, God really showed off in this area. I was terribly slow to trust others with my munchkins, because remember, I never left them. So it was going to take some super fantastic girls who had a true desire to spend time with Hope and Charlie before I’d be able to leave them. He brought me Nancy, Dana, two Hannah’s, Kelsey, Katie, Bryn, Bethany, and Rikki. I can’t say enough about these girls, who are my superheroes. Each wear their love for my kiddos on their sleeve. They’ve worked tirelessly to break into Hopey’s tiny circle, they’ve tried every trick in the book to get Charlie to eat solid food (at 10 years of age, he still has his food puree’d and put into a bottle), and they’ve recklessly embraced all of me. Whenever I attempt to show them more love and appreciation, they immediately meet we with the same. They’re like beautiful mirrors reflecting everything I have to give right back to me. I treasure them. In every way, they are the hands, feet, and heart of God.

Life is messy. There are times when we wake up and wonder how things became so crazy. Can you relate? But my message is that it’s never too late to make changes. Maybe you’ll be blessed by getting a chance at a re-do. Or perhaps you’re like me, and you’ll have to start all over from scratch. It doesn’t really matter as long as you dig your heels into the dirt and move forward with intention. I began with three simple goals.

Exercise so I can be healthy enough to raise my kiddos
Open my home to others
Hire sitters so I can occasionally get out

I stuck with them, continued to move forward, and my life totally turned around. Not only am I not lonely, my life is filled and overflowing. If I can do it, so can you. What are your three simple goals? Write them down and make a decision to hold yourself to them.

Just my thoughts,

~Mel

Fitness, get fit, get healthy, Health blog, self care

Four Easy Ways To Make Time For Fitness

July 21, 2018July 21, 2018 Melanie Hollis

The Cheese-Puff is nude more often than he’s clothed. Shirts, shorts, and shoes are such an unnecessary bother when sensory processing is a daily struggle. “Clothes on,” I say, at least twenty to thirty times a day. Pulling a shirt back over his skinny-winny little bare naked body, I take time to kiss his tomato red hair. Who could resist?

Hopey dumps waaaaaaay more water from her cup than she drinks from a straw. She sometimes pours it over her own head … sometimes over mine. Why? I wish I knew. But she thinks it’s hilarious. After the water is spilled, she runs off on her tippy toes and giggles with abandon. “No, Hopey,” I yell, as she ditches me for the hidden shadows. At every moment, though, I choose my battles. And water just isn’t that big of a deal.

Bringing up two kiddos who sport an extra chromosome and who are non-verbal is challenging. Neither speak one word, but they still fuss and fight like typical siblings. And both vie for my attention constantly. One goes to bed with the chickens and rises early. The other is a night owl and is like waking the dead. One can tag you in the head with a ball from twelve feet away. The other can climb your body like you’re a tree and have his arms around your neck before you know what’s happened. They try to get away with jumping on beds, climbing on tables, and rolling the house in toilet paper … every single day. They’d rather dance to a Luke Bryan song than eat. They’re master escape artists. And if I leave the house without them, you’d think the whole world has come to an abrupt end. You’ve never seen the drama these two can cook up.

I travel, kayak, explore, and dance like a fool with Hope and Charlie. My life is so much fun, but it can also be chaotic. And hard. If I didn’t take time to be on top of my game, I’d be overthrown in a minute. My secret to being the consistent queen of my brood is fitness. Exercise boosts my mood, gives me energy, and is empowering. Do I have time to be fit? Ummmmm, the answer to that question is a hard no. Do I always feel like working out? I’m fifty years old and am outnumbered by two kiddos who have more energy than a zoo monkey, so the answer to that question would be a hell no. But I make fitness a priority so I can remain the queen. haha. At least in my own mind.

This begs the question of HOW to make time for fitness.

If you’ve read this far, you’ve checked off the biggest and most important box by realizing you need to make fitness a part of your routine. If I can do it, you can too:

First, make a schedule and stick with it. Carve out thirty-five minutes of time, five days a week, and make that time a priority. Even if you don’t feel like working out, push through it. Eventually, it will become a habit.

Second, plan your workout ahead of time. If you try to workout on the fly, you won’t make near as much progress. Every other day, use weights to focus on arms, shoulders, and back. The other days, work legs and glutes. Take five minutes each day for abs and set aside fifteen minutes each day for cardio. It’s can actually be that simple.

Third, find someone who will hold you accountable. Without an advocate who will push and encourage you, the beginning of this journey will be nearly impossible. Your head will give you every reason under the sun why it’s not normal for a woman to sweat. You won’t be able to sit down on the toilet seat, climb out of your car, or bend down to pick up the quarter you dropped when checking out at Publix, because your muscles will be aching. You’ll wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into. You’ll think you’re too old, too fat, too tired, too busy, or too depressed. Trust me, you need someone lined up who will remind you that if you want to be a queen, you must continue to tackle those push-ups, squats, and burpees.

Fourth, change your point of view. Your workout isn’t optional. It’s sacred. You wouldn’t skip eating or sleeping. You wouldn’t miss an episode of The Bachelor or that Starbucks visit with your college roomie. With statistics overwhelmingly proving how a regular fitness routine boosts your health and increases longevity, why wouldn’t it be sacred? It’s a no-brainer, and can be achieved with only 35 minutes per day. Yassssss, Queens (and Kings)!!!!

Here’s a quick 35 minute routine to get you started:

Download Tabata Stopwatch Pro

Settings:

Initial Countdown = 5 seconds
Exercise Interval – 25 seconds
Rest Interval = 10 seconds
Number of sets: 30

Week 1:

(Use your Tabata stopwatch with the settings above. It will prompt on when to begin each exercise and when to rest … Just do as many reps as you can within the exercise interval, making sure to implement correct form. Don’t rush.)

Arm Day:

Leg Day:

Fifteen minutes of cardio:

Walk three minutes, jog three minutes, walk three minutes, jog three minutes … alternating until you’ve completed fifteen minutes. Go as hard as you can.

Five Minute Abs:

PLEASE send me a private message if you have any questions … or feel free to comment. I’ll be your advocate, your cheerleader, and your go-to!!!

Just my thoughts!

Melanie

Fitness

Ten Seconds A Day To Change A Life: Why A 50 Year Old Special Needs Mom Is Competing For The Title Of Ms. Health & Fitness 2018

June 24, 2018June 24, 2018 Melanie Hollis

What would make a 50 year old special needs mom enter a competition called Ms Health And Fitness? Is it a mid-life crisis? A shot at fifteen seconds of fame? Nah.

I entered this competition because of Kaylee.

Kaylee is a good friend, she’s funny, loves to give hugs, always has her nails perfectly painted, and is also a dancer. She’s part of a dance class with other girls who have special needs, and I’ve had the awesome opportunity to be a spectator at one of Kaylee’s performances. Upon just a single glance, it’s immediately obvious how the entire dance crew feels music down deep in a place the rest of us haven’t experienced. Kaylee’s big sister spins her around on stage in her wheelchair, and I promise, there’s not a dry eye to be found. It’s an unforgettable sight to see as joy always radiates from this beauty’s face.

Speaking of the wheelchair, Kaylee is confined to it … and her home isn’t handicap accessible. Her momma, as a result, has to carry her when moving her from room to room. Recently, her family was scammed by a person who was supposedly printing and selling t-shirts to fundraise for Kaylee. The money was going to be used to widen hallways and doorways in their small mobile home to give Kaylee and her wheelchair more freedom. Family and friends pitched in to purchase the t-shirts, and more than one-thousand dollars was raised. But it was a con. The money is now gone right along with the man who crafted the scheme. In his terrible wake is Kaylee, who is in need of money to make improvements to her home.

I entered this competition because of Jessica, Leslie, Graham, Hannah, Nick, Dustin, Amber, Jared, Heather, and Kevin:

These silly willies are my best buddies. They’re quick-witted, charming, kind, loyal, hard-working … and they have intellectual disabilities. Graham is in charge of recycling at the Trousdale School, and he is always spreading the message of saving the earth. Leslie was recently honored the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame “Heart of a Champion” award for being a multi-sport Special Olympic superstar. Hannah has Autism, and she is a brilliant actress. Jessica is an artist. Nick and Jared can sing every word to most country music songs. Dustin and Kevin have Down syndrome, and both have dance moves rivaling anyone on Dancing With The Stars. I guess you could say each are differently abled in the most spectacular sort of way.

As they’re getting older, though, their parents are aging too. And the worry of what the future will look like is a viable concern. Every special needs family faces the burdensome reality of the circle of life. In response, the Trousdale School in Cleveland, TN is getting ready to build an incredible residential center that will house my best friends. It will have around the clock supervision and care while encouraging independence, creativity, friendship, and personal growth. But money is needed to get this project completed.

The winner of Ms Health And Fitness 2018 gets a whopping $20,000.00. And if I win, half the winnings will go to Kaylee and half will go toward the Trousdale School’s residential center. That’s the reason a 50 year old special needs mom would enter this kind of competition. I mean, let’s get real. The rules encourage contestants to use professional photos. And as a mom of two cuties who have special needs, I barely have time to snap pictures with my iPhone. Want to see what I’m up against?

These are my fellow competitors:

This is Anna Neal, the very fit young woman who won the competition last year:

Aaaaaaaand. This is me. (You guessed it, a picture snapped with my iPhone):

While I totally think I could rock this title … and while I’d love to have the opportunity to showcase the special needs community … I realize it’s a looooong shot. haha. The greatest stories and victories, however, usually come from the longest shots.

I’m not as young and beautiful as the other contenders, but I definitely qualify because health and fitness are life to me. Four years ago, I was so overwhelmed with many different things life was throwing at me. It got to a point where I was I living each moment waiting for the next panic attack. Anxiety looks different for every person. For me, panic attacks would come out of nowhere and would cause my body to start shaking violently. It was completely out of my control and frightening. Finally, I reached a point where I had to make a change.

My choices were to spill my guts to a therapist or to hire a trainer who would push me physically to a point of spilling my guts out on the gym floor. Studies show it only takes five minutes of aerobic exercise to stimulate anti-anxiety effects in our bodies, so I chose the trainer and have never looked back. Panic attacks, fear, and feelings of inadequacy are a distant memory. I work out with my trainer five days a week and run at least one mile a day. So far this year, I’ve competed in ten races … I earned first place in one of the races in my age group and took second in two others

I entered this competition because of Hope and Charlie:

One day, I may be in Kaylee’s mom’s shoes and find myself needing assistance in widening a doorway or in buying a piece of therapy equipment for my own kiddos.

One day, I may not be able to care for Hope and Charlie, and they may need a residential center where they can thrive while being loved and kept safe.

Kaylee represents my life.

The Trousdale School represents my life.

I also entered this competition because I’m proud to be part of the differently abled community. Daily, I see all the special needs mommas on social media who are in the trenches … loving, serving, and spilling themselves out for those who have been placed in their care. Advocating. Training. Celebrating. Holding out hope for the brightest future.

Those moms represent my life too.

It only takes 10 seconds per day for the next six weeks … and voting is free:

click here to vote!

And remember to vote every single day for Kaylee and for my best buddies!!!!

(A big thanks to all who have already voted!!!)

Just my thoughts,

~Mel

For all who have asked, here are the official rules:

Round 1: TOP 25 (Starts June 19th and Ends June 28th, 2018) – Selected Entrants will be divided equally into seventy two (72) groups. Public voting will help reduce each group to the top twenty-five (25) models.

Round 2: TOP 10 (Starts June 28th and Ends July 5th, 2018) – Public voting will help reduce the top twenty-five (25) to the top ten (10) models in each group.

Round 3: TOP 5 (Starts July 5th and Ends July 12th, 2018) – Public voting will help reduce the top ten (10) to the top five (5) models in each group.

Round 4: Group Winners (Starts July 12th and Ends July 19th, 2018) – Public voting will help reduce the top five (5) models to one (1) preliminary winner in each group. Second place group finishers will advance to the Wildcard Round.

WILDCARD ROUND (VOTING RESETS)

Round 5: Wildcard Round (Starts July 20th and Ends July 22nd, 2018) – Second place group finishers will be divided evenly into twelve (12) groups. Public voting will determine one (1) winner from each Wildcard group. Wildcard winners advance to the semi-finals.

SEMI-FINALS (VOTING RESETS)

Round 6: Semi-finals (Starts July 23rd and Ends August 2nd, 2018) – Preliminary group winners and Wildcard winners will be divided evenly into twelve (12) semi-final groups. Public voting will determine one (1) winner from each semi-finals group that will advance into the finals.

FINALS (VOTING RESETS)

Round 7: Finals (Starts August 3rd and Ends August 9th, 2018) – Public voting will help reduce the top twelve (12) finalists to the one (1) winner of the Ms Health and Fitness competition (the “Grand Prize Winner”), subject to such individuals compliance with the Rules and any other applicable terms and conditions in connection with the Competition.

Fitness, get fit, get healthy, self care, skin care, Summer Fashion, Summer Style

Hats, Baths, & Masks

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 Melanie Hollis

HATS:

Hats are a must have for the summer months. Not only do they protect our faces from the sun, they protect our hair too. UVA rays dry out and damage the outer layer of our hair, making it appear brittle. Add in the daily humidity, and summer hair can be the worst. If you’re not having that great of a hair day, put your hair in loose braids or pull it back into a low pony and sock a cute hat on for instant style. If you have short hair, you’re already ready to just wear a hat and go. Most females overthink hats, but it’s actually a simple addition. Solid colors are easier to coordinate and straw hats go with everything. Just have fun with it.

My black hat sort of reminds me of Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies, but I really like it. haha. It’s a bit stretchy, not too tight, and is lightweight. I’ve paired it with a shirt I pulled off the sale rack at American Eagle for $10.00 and some cut-off jean shorts (also from American Eagle). With black sandals, I’m ready for any outdoor event. Here’s a link to the tops currently on Clearance at American Eagle.

BATHS:

Do you sweat? I’m a fitness freak. Every day I do high intensity interval training and also run a couple of miles. In the summer, especially, I sweat a lot. Exercising to the point of producing lots of sweat is so good for us. It manufactures happy feelings, gives us an energy rush, reduces aches and pains, and releases toxins from our bodies. But getting that sweat off of our bodies is equally important. The bathtub is a perfect solution. Not only will it cleanse your body, but it will also restore and relax your body.

After a long day outside, it’s important to pamper our skin. Again, the sun will do some damage. Find a good moisturizing bubble bath, light a candle, turn on some soft music, and relax. I experiment with different kinds of bubble baths, bath bombs, and body washes. This one from Caress really does have a buttery burnt brown sugar smell as advertised. It. Is. Yummy. Here’s the link … I picked it up at Target.

Masks:

If caring for our entire body is important, our faces should be at the top of the list as the most important part of our bodies. Caring for our faces every day needs to be a priority. I’ve said it before, and will say it again, don’t ever go to bed with makeup on. It will age your skin. Cleanse your face everyday. Exfoliate often. Pamper it with moisturizer two times a day, morning and night. And try to make time for a mask once a week.

This mask is by a company called Yes To. I’d heard the company was started by two guys who played soccer, and was definitely curious to find out what these dudes know about skincare. As it turns out, they apparently know a lot. They use 95% natural ingredients in their products and make sure all are free of toxins. This was my first time using one of their masks, and I have to say I might be hooked. It was thick and creamy, had a nice gentle scent, went on easy, and left my skin feeling so soft. If you aren’t married to a certain type of mask, give it a try. Target carries this product too!

The takeaway is self care. As women, we’re so adept at taking care of others, aren’t we? We check off lists all day every day. It’s part of our DNA. I swear, when God made Eve, that woman probably opened her eyes and immediately got to work sprucing up the Garden of Eden.

Adam was like: “Hey, God made sex, and He says it’s very good … wanna have a go at it?”

Eve: “Ummmm, yeh, sure thing. But first I need to figure out how I can turn a pile of palm leaves into cute throw pillows for our bed, clear away all the brush so our outdoor digs will be tidy, prune a couple of trees to give some sharp curb appeal, and gather more fruit and veggies in case the Lord stops by for dinner … plus, don’t we have babies to tend to?”

Adam: “Well, no … we have to have the sex first.”

Can you relate? The housekeeping and the lists will wait. The kids will wait too. It took me fifty years, but I’ve finally embraced the importance of putting myself first for a couple of hours a day. Living in the moment. I’m very type-A … if I can do it, so can you.

Exercise, take baths, experiment with different beauty products, and love yourself. Age is just a number, but life is short. You’re worth the extra effort!

Just my thoughts,

Melanie

Fashion, Fitness, get healthy, Turning Fifty

On Turning 50

April 26, 2018April 26, 2018 Melanie Hollis

I’ve had a year to prepare. Actually, I guess I’ve had forty-nine years to prepare. But who can ever be adequately equipped to reach the age society refers to with such doom and gloom? I mean, the latest studies agree. By age fifty, we should drop flip flops, ditch denim, toss tanks, swap shorts for capris, and chop our hair into an age-appropriate bob or pixie. And the latest trend? Don’t even get me started. “Just allow your hair to go graaaaay,” they say. “Gray is the new black,” they say. And my favorite: “Gray is sexy!” Hmmmmmm. On Jamie Lee Curtis, a gray pixie cut is sexy. On Jamie Lee Curtis, capri pants may even have a snow ball’s chance at looking hot. But can we agree that she’s been an exception to a whole slew of rules for many many years? Say this with me out loud: “I, (insert your name here), am not Jamie Lee Curtis … and no matter how much ACTIVA I ingest, I will never ever ever be Jamie Lee Curtis.”

(Deep breath) I’ve actually had well-meaning women tell me that I need to cut my hair and throw out my denim shorts because I’m “getting too old”. Please, for the love of all things good and true, can we at least agree to give denim a break? Denim has been with us through thick and thin … literally. And has stood the test of time as much as we have. Maybe more than we have. If I can say anything here today about fashion, it would be that we should ALL own some denim. Until. We. Die.

I’m sorry, but the thought of all the false fashion notions that are prevalent on the internet brings on a mild panic attack with me. Even right now, my heart is in a rush as I picture myself being yanked away, kicking and screaming, from the gorgeous diva who colors my hair. Can anyone else relate? As long as my hair is perfect, I can take hold of satan himself by his pointy ears and firmly place him behind me. In the south, after all, hair is everything. Gray is not the new black. It’s just not!

Let’s be real. When a person reaches fifty or sixty or seventy … or even eighty … the last thing we should be discussing is age appropriate fashion and/or hairstyles. That person has lived five or more decades of life, which these days, is a feat. And because of their years on the planet, they’ve earned the right to look however they want to look. I may be waging war against capri pants and pixie cuts for myself, but for whoever chooses them, I’ll give 100% support (as long as the pixie cut, gray hair, AND capri pants aren’t paired together — a fifty year old female can only be stretched so far.) My gripe is when the fashion police puts us into a middle-aged box of do’s and don’ts when what should truly matter is the sum of our experiences.

For instance.

At age fifty, I’ve experienced two marriages and divorce … healthy relationships and abuse … having a successful career and being a stay at home mom … raising typical kiddos and raising kiddos who are differently abled. I know what it’s like to have a close knit family, but I also know what it feels like when the family unit crumbles with estrangement. I’m the very proud momma of two adopted kiddos, and can tell you that my love for those two is the exact same as it is for the three I birthed.

I’ve weighed too much and too little, and now have determined the scale doesn’t matter near as much as choosing good health. Reveling in the highest of highs one moment, I’ve also walked through the deepest valleys of depression the next. I’ve written books and songs, have earned my place in 5k races, attended law school for two years, and ran for state senate as a write-in candidate to bring light to a law that would have been unfavorable to the special needs community.

I’ve been fortunate to have formed associations with individuals who, just by their very existence, make me dare to believe there is a God. At the same time, though, I still wrestle with the heavy weight of disbelief. I’ve mourned the loss of loved ones. I fear for the future of my children who have Down syndrome. What if I die first? And as the former owner of a non-profit that provided free clothing to teenage girls who are fighting through the ravages of poverty, the foster care system, and an addiction to self harm, I can tell you without a moment’s hesitation that “those kids” are amazing young women who are striving for a better future. They cling to hope, as do I, for a society that will choose the attitude of love, peace, and charity over selfishness, fighting, and suffering.

These are the things that matter.

I get it. I’m fifty.

And in the eyes of much of society, that means I’m now over the hill.

Regardless, my fifty years of life has mattered.

And your life matters too.

Happy Birthday to me!!!!

~Mel

Fitness, get fit, self care, skin care

Don’t Let Age Define Your Legs

April 21, 2018April 21, 2018 Melanie Hollis

I’m turning fifty in seven days. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted my body to be the best it could be by the time I reached half a century. And I’ve succeeded. Do you want to do the same? If so, follow along with my blog and keep reading.

Warm weather is no longer creeping upon us at a snail’s place. It’s officially arrived. As a firm believer in being my best self, I want to show you how you can have fantastic looking legs for Summer. Admittedly, it’s work … but anything worth having requires effort and consistency. In the end, when you feel confident in your shorts, your one-piece, or in your bikini, you’ll be happy you stuck with a plan.

SKIN: Skin is our largest organ, but sometimes we forget to take particular care of it. I’m always amazed by the story of Queen Esther who went through twelve months of beauty treatments before she could even meet up with King Ahasuerus. The words that formed the basis of “beauty treatments” in scripture, by the way, are translated “to scour, polish”. The King’s servants literally scoured and polished that woman until she was shining with beauty.

As we age, its no secret we begin to lose moisture and elasticity, which can cause our skin to look dull, dry, and old. When wearing shorts or a bathing suit, we want and need our legs to shine just like Queen Esther’s. So here’s what I do at least three days per week:

First, I exfoliate (scour) my legs with a sugar and olive oil mixture.

Second, I cover my legs in a dead sea mud mask.

Third, I rinse and then coat my legs in a neck firming cream. (Yes, I know it sounds crazy to use a neck firming cream on legs … but it really works!)

I use the olive oil / sugar scrub because it’s natural, and because olive oil is such a good moisturizer for your skin. Homer called it “liquid gold”, and the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used it in place of soap. They’d apply it to their skin and then scrape off dirt and dead skin. (Gross, but true!) If it worked for the ancients, and if we’re still using it today, it has to be legitimate.

I swear by the Dead Sea Mud Mask. I use it all over my body often. According to the package, it detoxifies impurities and restores skin with nourishing minerals – magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron. It also shrinks pores and tightens fine lines and wrinkles. Getting rid of toxins makes sense to me. You can find it here.

So why the neck firming cream? On my legs? haha. It actually happened by accident. I work religiously on forming muscles in my legs, but no matter how much muscle I gained, I still wasn’t happy with the appearance of my legs. I wanted them to not only be muscular and lean, but to be vibrant. I searched Amazon for any type of cream that would help firm my skin, and found this neck firming cream. It had great reviews, so I gave it a shot. It has worked wonders!!!! No kidding, my legs look twenty years younger, and I could tell a difference within days. You can find this miracle product here.

MUSCLES: If you want younger looking legs, not only is it important to care for you skin, but it’s equally important to take care of your leg muscles. Build them. Sculpt them. Envision what you want them to look like, and then go for it. If time is an issue, here is a simple twenty minute plan to get you started:

10 minutes: Run one mile per day. It’s easy and will reduce fat while building muscle fast.

10 minutes: Weighted squats / Weighted calf raises / Weighted donkey kicks (4 sets of 12) Do this every other day. On your off days, spend those same 10 minutes on arms as a bonus!!!

No matter when you were born, remember, age does not have to define your legs. You get to control what your body looks like at any age. So go for it!!!

Just my thoughts,

~Melanie

Fitness

So You’re Over Forty And Ready To Begin Building Muscle?

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 Melanie Hollis

Getting older is such a pain, isn’t it? What used to come so easy requires much more effort. Even sleeping now requires effort … what is that about and whyyyyy? Just over three years ago, I found myself at a real crossroad in life. Everything fell apart in one fell swoop, and I wanted to curl up in a hole and disappear. But I was still responsible for two kiddos who have special needs and who require constant care, so retreat wasn’t an option. You’ve heard of flight or fight? I thankfully chose to fight and have been fighting like hell ever since.

You may not be at a major crossroad in your life, but perhaps your waistline is. haha. You can’t really run from your waistline, so maybe it’s time to fight back. Want to lose some of that fat? Decrease the risk of Osteoporosis? Burn more calories? And improve your heart’s health? Then, you better hit the weights and get to lifting. When you’re ready to take that first step toward build muscle, as with anything, it’s best to begin with a simple solid foundation. Three really good tools for your cache are the foam roller, the medicine ball, and Yoga. I’d suggest to begin by spending one month, 30 minutes a day, becoming a student of these three fitness weapons that will assist you in initial steps toward slaying your body.

Foam Rolling: Do you foam roll before or after a workout? Yes. Both. It only takes a couple minutes of time and is worth every second. Rolling Massagers reduce muscle tension and tightness, reduce soreness, and reduce levels of stress hormones. Some studies say it even fires up your central nervous system, helping to regulate heart rate and blood flow. I don’t know much about the scientific evidence, but I do know how foam rolling has benefited me. I work out hard six days a week, and still run and do yoga on the seventh day. As a result, muscle pain has become my norm. I kept reading about roller massagers, but was a major skeptic until one day I found one on sale and decided to give it a try. Aaaaaaand it works. After rolling, my muscles feel energized and aren’t nearly as sore. As with anything, rolling can be overdone, so I keep it to only a few minutes twice a day. Most rollers are around $30.00, so it’s not much of an investment to add to your fitness arsenal. If you’re looking for a first step, then buy one!
Medicine Ball: Medicine Balls were used by ancient Greek Athletes and Gladiators, and they’re still around today, so there must be something special about them, right? Absolutely. Not only will you burn calories with the medicine ball, but you’ll build strength, power, balance, and work your core. Abdominal curls, Russian twists, big circles, standing torso twists, woodchoppers, lunge twists, wall sits, chest pushes, hamstring curls, knee crushers, and squat leg raises are all examples of what you can easily do with one simple medicine ball. With three sets of 12 reps, building muscle with these exercises will be no problem. To buy a 6 lb. ball, click here. For an 8 lb. ball, click here.

3. Yoga: Last, but far from least, is Yoga. I cannot say enough about Yoga. It has transformed my life and my body. To build beautiful lean muscles the right way, you need to be physically flexible, and Yoga will definitely improve your flexibility. More than that, however, yoga will also increase your muscle tone, improve your energy, help you maintain a balanced metabolism, improve your circulatory health, produce a gorgeous posture, and as an added benefit, will greatly enhance your mood. Formal Yoga exercise classes can be found at most gyms, but Yoga instruction can also be found on DVDs and at your fingertips on convenient phone apps. I have the Asana Rebel application loaded on my cell phone and use it every day. The most magnificent thing about Yoga is you can jump in at anytime, at any age, and at any level … and grow into it. It’s something you evolve into slowly, but the benefits are almost immediate.

As with anything, building muscle takes time, dedication, hard work, and patience. Consistency pays off. If you begin with these three simple building blocks, you’re off to a strong start. Just stick with it, and then slowly incorporate other exercises into your life. Each new challenge will bring a brand new reward.

If you ever need any help getting started, and if you live close by, just let me know!

~Mel

Category: Fitness

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2 Tips 2 Help You Get Moving

How A Special Needs Mom Fought Loneliness With Three Easy Steps … and Won!

Four Easy Ways To Make Time For Fitness

Ten Seconds A Day To Change A Life: Why A 50 Year Old Special Needs Mom Is Competing For The Title Of Ms. Health & Fitness 2018

WILDCARD ROUND (VOTING RESETS)

SEMI-FINALS (VOTING RESETS)

FINALS (VOTING RESETS)

Hats, Baths, & Masks

On Turning 50

Don’t Let Age Define Your Legs

So You’re Over Forty And Ready To Begin Building Muscle?