Five tips for sticking with a healthy lifestyle through the winter months
Heading into the holidays can be the toughest time of the year for staying on track with health and fitness goals. There are temptations all around, not to mention plenty of reasons to make excuses. Do any of these sound familiar?
- “The time change has given me less time to work out. Might as well just skip it.”
- “I’ll be hiding under winter clothes anyway, it doesn’t really matter if I pack on a few pounds.”
- “The holidays come but once a year, why not indulge?”
- “I’ll start working out again after the new year.”
I’ve said all of these things to myself and many, many more. It’s amazing how much your mind can fool you into believing that.
The problem with that is the little things add up: a few skipped workouts or a few extra calories over the course of a few months can all add up to a lot of extra pounds. Trust me, I know this from experience. Every winter, I pack on some extra weight. And every spring, it gets harder and harder to take back off. Now that I’m over 40, my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. Every single pound I gain goes straight to my midsection, which I know isn’t healthy.
This winter, I’m taking a different approach. Four weeks ago, I started a new workout routine, and I’ve been counting my calories and overall eating much healthier.
I can still enjoy my favorite holiday indulgences. After all, anything is fine in moderation. But, I also know that working out is even more important this time of the year because it helps me get through the winter blues.
Here are my top five tips for sticking with a healthy lifestyle through the winter months.
- Buy some cute winter workout clothes to help motivate you. Check out these great pieces at SIX:02.
- Use a calorie- and activity-counting app to keep you accountable.
- Make exercise an appointment on your calendar. Schedule it for the same time every day at least four to five days a week.
- Allow yourself guilt-free “splurge days” each month. Commit to following your diet goals every other day.
- Enlist a friend for accountability and work out together.
SIX:02 6K in Dallas
Training for an event like a race is also a great way to stay motivated. When you have an end goal in mind, it’s easier to stay on track. On November 15, FootLocker and SIX:02 — the top women’s fitness retail destination — are sponsoring their first It’s Your Time 6K in Dallas. It will be held at Klyde Warren Park and interested participants can sign up at SIX02.com/6K.
Whether it’s first thing in the morning or following a long day of work, SIX:02 believes that every woman has a personal “SIX:02 moment.” It is that time of day when women are inspired to accomplish an individual goal, make the most of their workout or set their sights on new ambitions. All runners are encouraged to post a photo of their race registration on Instagram to invite others to join them for the race. Runners should tag @SIX02 and #SIX02Moment for a chance to win a $100 SIX:02 gift card. SIX:02 will randomly select one winner per week leading up to the race.
It’s your turn: When is your SIX:02 moment, and how will you stay in shape this winter? Tell me in the comments.
Pretty Fix: The November List
The Pretty Fix is a monthly feature at Get Your Pretty On that features my top five picks for the month that you can shop for on your own to stay in style…all at a price you’ll love. The idea for it was born out of frustration that some of you have had with other monthly box services that you feel “miss the mark” or are too pricey.
Each month, the Pretty Fix includes five affordable items that I personally recommend to stay on trend. This month, I chose some cozy favorites to keep you warm as we head into winter.
Want to know the best part? You can buy everything in the monthly fix for around $100.
Consider me your budget-minded personal shopper. Here’s your November Pretty Fix.
NOVEMBER PRETTY FIX TOTAL = $101
1. Olive Quilted Vest – $25
A quilted vest is a great way to add a layer of warmth when it’s not quite cold enough for a winter coat. This color is so versatile and acts like a neutral so it plays well with many different colors and patterns.
2. Duck Boots – $30
I saw these in store a couple of weeks ago and fell in love, except I wasn’t loving the $90 price tag. I found this pair of original duck boots for $60 less online and they are now mine. The cute plaid lining is so warm and toasty.
3. Cable Knit Sweater – $17
This cozy mustard cable knit sweater pairs perfectly with leggings or skinny jeans. Finish out the outfit with the duck boots for a warm and comfy casual ensemble.
4. Wool Touchscreen Gloves – $12
Wool touchscreen gloves are a must have for winter texting. These have a super warm lining and come in eleven different colors.
5. Vintage Wool Socks – $17
This four pack of vintage style cotton and wool socks will bring a smile to your feet. Let them peek out above your favorite boots to add a fun bit of print to your outfits.
It’s Your Turn: What will you be adding to your wardrobe to stay on trend this month?
Fall’s not over yet and neither is the Fall 2015 GYPO Style Challenge. We’ll be styling our fall mix and match outfits up until the start of the winter challenge later this month. Wake up every day knowing exactly what to wear with your fall trends shopping list and capsule wardrobe. Sign up HERE.
Win a Redbook Red Box
As a Team Red Contibutor for Redbook, I got to sample the latest Redbook Red Box full of beauty goodies. Redbook is giving away five of these boxes to followers so be sure to check out what’s included and then hop over to their site to enter to win one of your own.
This box includes the following beauty booty.
1. Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant – Secret Clinical Strength is my new favorite deodorant. It protects against all three cause of sweat – heat, activity and stress. Did you know that stress smells the worst? It comes in an invisible solid or clear gel for 4X stress sweat protection.
2. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure – I’m already a big fan of Sally Hansen’s Complete Salon Manicure nail polish but now this box includes a bottle of 3D Gel Shine Top Coat. It transforms regular polishes into a gel-like shine without UV light!
3. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Now that I’m over 40, exfoliation is more important than ever to keep my skin glowing. This completely gentle, leave-on exfoliant unclogs pores, diminishes wrinkles and improves skin tone to reveal unbelievably smooth, radiant skin. What’s not to love?
4. Vaseline Serum Advanced Relief – Winter is just around the corner. It’s time to upgrade your moisturizer with the changing of the seasons. This serum moisturizer heals and calms severely dry skin with the soft scent of rose and amber blended with the refined aroma of vanilla.
Enter to Win a Box of Your Own
Redbook is giving away five beauty boxes. To enter, just go to redbookmag.com/redboxbeauty. Good luck!
Ask Alison: How to Do a Seasonal Closet Cleaning
Does walking into your closet give you anxiety? If so, then today’s video is just for you.
One of the ways that I keep my closet pared down to only what I wear and love is by doing a quarterly closet cleanse. I’ve detailed it before in this post but in today’s Ask Alison, I’ve also made a video to document my exact process.
If the idea of doing this overwhelms you, then check out these easy to implement steps.
Alison – I want to do a wardrobe audit/full closet cleaning. Can you please tell me the steps you take when cleaning out your closet each season? How do you decide what stays and what goes?
Want to see what my closet looks like? Check it out in this post, How I Overcame Closet Shame.
It’s Your Turn: What are your best closet cleaning tips and tricks? Share them in the comments.
How to Wear a Fur Vest + Why I Don’t Read Fashion Blogs
I’ve got a fun fur vest collaboration for you today. But first, I want to share a BIG secret with you. When anyone asks what my favorite fashion blogs are, they are usually surprised to hear this answer.
I don’t follow fashion blogs.
Nope, not one.
It’s not that I don’t support my fellow bloggers. Honestly, they are some of the nicest people I know and I used to follow scuds of their blogs.
But about a year ago, I stopped reading fashion blogs cold turkey – and the main reasons why might surprise you.
I was falling victim to comparison-itis and The O.P.C. Effect.
Never heard of them? Read on.
1. Comparison-itis – Especially in my early blogging days, I would kill myself with comparisons. My inner dialogue went something like this “her writing is so much better than mine, she has more followers than me, her outfits look so much more interesting, WHY am I doing this?, I should just quit!” Comparison-itis is a crippling disease. At some point, I realized that the best thing for me to do was unsubscribe and focus only on what I was doing. Lesson? Comparison kills creativity. Avoid it at all costs.
2. The O.P.C. Effect – You down with O.P.C.? Yeah, you know me. That’s right, I’m easily influenced by Other People’s Content. Here’s how The O.P.C. Effect works – no matter how much I try to forget what I read, it still subconsciously influences and enters my writing and content. Solution? It’s better for me not to follow anyone in my genre so I can trust my instincts and march to my own beat.
My decision to not read other blogs has nothing to do with them and everything to do with me. It’s about protecting my creativity and staying in my own lane. And while other bloggers may not struggle with these issues, I do. I have to do what works best for me.
Having said that, there are two bloggers in particular that I LOVE. These women are the real deal and I highly respect both of them because they are who they say they are.
Those bloggers are Cyndi Spivey and Jo-Lynne Shane.
I’ve known Cyndi and Jo-Lynne since my early days of blogging. They both have a collaborative and generous nature. I love them as people and I adore their “over 40” style. I can’t think of two women I’d rather collaborate with.
Today we’re showing you our different takes on styling a fur vest. If the thought of wearing one conjures up images of a yeti, then check out the ways we styled it and think again. It’s a chic staple that you’re going to want to add to your winter wardrobe. I like to keep it simple with a denim shirt and black jeans with riding boots. Be sure to pop by to see how Cyndi and Jo-Lynne styled their fur vests too.
[Fur Vest: Similar/Shirt: Same/Jeans: Same/Boots: Same/Bracelet: Similar/Watch: Same]
Fur Vest Shopping Options
Under $100
Under $50
Under $30
It’s Your Turn: What’s your favorite way to pair up a fur vest? Share it in the comments.
HEY PRETTY!
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
IN HER WORDS
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I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future. 
- I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
- Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
- Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
- GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
- I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
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