10 ways to make it an astounding April
-Play an April Fool’s joke on someone. (These are pretty hilarious.) 😉 I’m terrible at most jokes, especially of the April Fool’s variety, so instead I just like to hear about others.’ Let me know if you pranked anyone today 😉
-Focus on your core strength! How about a little core challenge for this month? Let’s do a plank a day in April! Here’s a schedule if you’d like to join in the fun. If you’re looking for modifications or ways to switch it up, check out this post.
-Spring clean your fitness wardrobe. Assess the things you have and no longer use, or scope out something new that will help to make your workouts more effective (like a supportive sports bra if you’ve recently started running). It felt good to donate old race shirts and get rid of the sports bras I’ve had since the 1990s 😉 Are there any new fitness products that are on your radar?
-Look into local produce options. This is going to be one of my first steps when we get settled in San Diego; I CAN’T WAIT to check out the farmer’s markets and CSAs. Not only can buying local be less expensive, it’s also great for the environment, sports local farmers and can be less wasteful (buying the amount you need instead of prepackaged options).
-Book an annual skin check and be extra diligent about SPF. This is one that the Pilot and I are committed to this spring. We have suspicious moles that could either be removed or at least monitored by a doc. We always put SPF on Liv when she’ll be outside, and while I put it on my face daily, I sometimes skip it on my body. This needs to change ASAP…
-Make a spring cocktail or mocktail. It’s fun to get creative with fresh spring favorites and combinations. Some of my favorite cocktails include fresh fruit and herbs. Some awesome combos: cucumber-mint, lavender-berry, lemon-sage and hibiscus. My brother has taught us about some tequila infusions he’s been working on; the kumquat tequila tastes like candy.
-Upcycyle something. One of my favorite projects was our piano, but I’m also looking at creating a cool outdoor garden space with old pottery. We’ll see how it turns out 😉
-Set a specific nutrition/fitness goal. Maybe it’s water intake, produce intake, training for an event, anything, but keep this goal in mind and as your focus for the month.
-Cheer someone up that may need a little boost. Know someone that could use a little nice surprise? Pick a small bouquet of flowers, write a heartfelt card, or plan a little adventure to cheer them up.
-Try a DIY beauty product. Some of my faves: bath bombs, rose facial spray, lip balm, scrub and mask. Even better? Make extra and share the love with some friends!
What are you going to do to make it an amazing month??
Set a goal RIGHT NOW that you’re going to accomplish. Share it with us in the comments if you’d like! (I always love to hear what you’re up to)
Sending you love and healthy wishes <3
xoxo
Gina
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Man, you’re right on about the sunblock! this year I’m trying to be better about RE-applying it. I’m pretty good putting it on all-over but then get lazy to re-apply, especially in these warmer months when the sun is out longer.
Also – trying to remember to put it on the tops of my feet when I wear flats 🙂
Other than that, I’m kicking up my job searching and my goal is to contact two people in my targeted industry to reach out to weekly (and hopefully talk to about their expertise, getting into the industry, and job opportunities).
Good luck with all the moving!!
This is great! I’m going to focus on more water in April. I can never drink enough. Happy April!
I’m definitely in for April abs plank challenge!
I love the infusion combos you have going on there! This month I’m committing to spending more time with my loved ones!
Those April Fools jokes are kinda gross but kinda cool!
Those flowers look so bright and cheerful – I might have to grab myself some for my desk at work! 🙂
Happy April! I tried to fool my fiance into believing I was interested in getting piercing my nose this morning, but he wasn’t buying it. Normally I come up with a more believable joke but I didn’t have the energy this year. :]
I completely wrapped my bosses phone in rubberbands before I left for the evening last night. He got in early enough to see, and wrap my entire office in plastic wrap. Having a fun day!
hahaha amazing!
you’re awesome. i always look forward to these monthly posts! thanks girl! i will do the ab challenge with you <3
yay, i’m glad you’re joining in 🙂
Abs in April looks FUN! As I tell my mom all the time, a strong core really does keep everything else in tact, holds you together, and helps prevent back pain/problems as you age! I did planks until the day I gave birth!
i wish i could, but my belly was way too big… it touched the floor haha. maybe next pregnancy, i’ll modify by doing incline planks
SO in for the plank a day challenge. BRING IT ON APRIL!
I’m going to try to get rid of 50 things in April. That means, I will be going through all my closets and drawers.
that’s a great one!!
Love the plank challenge! SO awesome that you put “set a specific fitness/nutrition” as a way to make April astounding because that is exactly what my plan is! I just turned in my draft masters thesis and am SO RELIEVED, especially because for the past month my fitness and nutrition haven’t been spot-on – as a matter of fact, I’ve been really frustrated cause I felt like I lost some results I’d worked hard the previous couple of months for. My hubby just got back from a deployment, so we’ve also been eating out and celebrating a bit more, and we decided that April would be the pre-summer month we were gonna aim to get back on the right health track!
I’m focusing on eating whole foods, avoiding too much processed sugar (I have a TERRIBLE sweet tooth), and really getting back into my fitness routine, which recently began to include CrossFit!
I also need to look into local produce sources!! 🙂
Hope the move is going smoothly.
Oh. My. Gosh! Those pranks are absolutely hilarious! People amaze me that they are able to come up with things like that haha.
I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried to pull an April Fools prank in anyone.
Goal #1: Make it to my 10 mile race at the beginning of May without causing any damage to my knees. I’m thinking about buying those compression leggings you used when your knee was acting up to see if they help!
Goal #2: Practice yoga at least twice during the month. Long training runs = crazy sore muscles and I’ve been seriously lacking on my stretching/yoga.
i hope they help you, too! i LOVE them. and yes, i think yoga is critical when i run higher mileage 🙂
xoxo
I’m in on the plank a day! Easy enough (yeah, saying that now…). Thanks for the reminder on the CSA. Need to look into our local one!
Just had my annual derm check last week and think everyone should also go! I have a spot that’s “regularly irregular.” That is, it’s irregularly-shaped and colored, but it’s consisent on all sides. The doc’s not worried about it, but they took a pic and I’ll follow-up with him in 6 months instead. It’s been there forever, but for some reason it’s creeping me out recently. My uncle died from melanoma, so I take it VERY seriously. I’m the one who still looks like a glass of milk in August, but rather that than skin cancer and wrinkles (though I make an effort to get small doses for my vitamin D!).
Thanks for posting some great ideas! Definitely inspired for the month ahead.
Darn! I didn’t realize it’s April 1st until I read this post! Didn’t catch my kids with a joke before they realized it’s Fool’s Day!! I’m going to have to come up with something fun for after school 😉
An Athleta store recently opened in Kansas City and I’m loving their Fast Track Tanks!
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=1003528&mlink=46750,7695470,TFast3_25&clink=7695470
LOVE those!
I want to find a new job this month! I am moving back to my home state of North Carolina kind of suddenly, so a new job and new start is my goal! Oh, and some planking action haha
happy new job to you!
My friend has a kindergarten class and she announced today that she makes brownies. Aka she cut out brown construction paper letter Es. I thought that was so cute for April Fools day!
Oops made** she even put the letters in a brownie pan!
I am always up for a fitness challenge and will definitely plank it out this month.
Another goal could be drinking more water, I am always awful at that!
I’m going to start tracking my water intake!
that’s a great goal!!
I’m in for the plank challenge! I’ve already gotten so much better at them after the WSU.
I wish I had someone to come assess my closet… anyone out there super-fashionable, what are a few must-haves for spring and summer? Practical, please. 🙂
3min plank!! I’m dying already! Lol
L x
http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
This is such an awesome list — it all just makes me happy! I am totally doing the plank challenge with you. Thanks for the inspiration!
wahoo! xo
I can’t wait for our Farmer’s Market to open back up! Local produce is one of my favorite things!!
me toooooo
Since you are in the San Diego area, you should check out Sage Mountain Farms CSA. Great family run business.
i definitely will! thank you!
oh yes! I’ve been meaning to look up local CSA’s, thanks for reminding me 🙂
🙂
I’m definitely going to add the plank a day challenge to my fitness goals this month! I’m all about fitting in small bits where I can right now.
awesome! so excited you’re joining in the fun
I’m getting married at the end of the month, and my goal is to look and feel INCREDIBLE in my dress. I’m the most motivated I’ve probably ever been in my life! It’s great to have a clear, solid goal to work towards, and I cannot wait.
that is so exciting! you’ll do it 🙂 sending you lots of good wishes leading up to your special day!
Thanks, Gina! I’m really excited (obviously) and have a lot of great people supporting and encouraging me. Maybe I’ll join in the plank challenge just to get a little extra ab work in while I’m at it! ; )
I’ve already started this list since I have my derm checkup on Thursday. Another goal I have is to finish 75% of my MBA application by end of month. Oh, and spend some QT with my family. 🙂
My goal is just to survive April! I have an 8 hour exam for my career next week and I’m getting married in May! Trying to eat lots of veggies & not so many carbs before my last dress fitting at the end of the month. I love the planning challenge too!
My goal for this month is to continue to go to Crossfit twice a week and to drink a little less 🙂 March was terrible, I had so many parties but I loved it! Just now I need to clean up a little. And I need to find a new appartment!
Ooh, I’ll take you up on the plank a day challenge! I didn’t start yesterday, so I’ll do two planks today to make up for it–one at home and one when I teach Pilates tonight.
Think I’ll join in on the plank challenge!
Hi! I have a quick question about nutrition. Over the past 6 months, I have gained about 10 pounds. I am still working out 4-5 days/week and eating healthy most of the time, so this increase in weight kind of dumbfounded me – and at 5’4″, it’s definitely noticeable in the way my clothes fit. I have made it my goal in April to start over and reassess my fitness and nutrition programs!
Therefore, I started tracking my food to see if there are any issues. I realized that my % of fats per day has increased while my protein % has decreased. Carbs were pretty constant. These extra calories from fats are “good fats” like olive oil, avocados, almond butter, nuts, etc., but I seem to be overdoing them. Do you have a recommendation for what % of your diet should be fats/carbs/proteins?
I was also training for an event during the past few months that required me to lift heavy and do less cardio (more steady state and less sprints/intervals), so that did not help … and I must say I MUCH prefer circuits, HIIT, etc. – and mixing that with lifting moderate to heavy, but making sure to do cardio bursts in between. Apparently an increase in fats, decrease in protein, and decrease in cardio = bad news!
Trying to eat more consistent meals and snackes throughout the day rather than starve myself until 4pm (I wake up at 630am for work!). Hopefully this will prevent me from binge eating. My health is important to me and I am trying to make it a priority 🙂
San Diego … Little Italy Mercato on Saturday mornings … always my favorite. Five blocks of nothing but farmers market 🙂
This is perfection! A few of the ways I am already doing! =) Today I am going to go through my closet…a lot of my stuff just feels old and some of it isn’t fitting right anymore because of CrossFit! We also have a box of items to donate, which really feels good. I’m hoping we can get some thrifting in for some fun items for our apartment. Nutrition goal = cut out dairy, which has always given me trouble, but I’m serious about leaving it behind. Plus, clean up my diet a little more throughout the month. Fitness goal = make it to the 6:30am class with my girl Mary and attend more OpenGym throughout the month!
Every summer I buy body lotion that has SPF 15 built in so that I’m never without at least a little bit of protection