He & She Eat Clean | Healthy Recipes & Workout Plans

Beginner 6 Month Money Challenge

MoneyWhitney CarlsonComment
Beginner 6 Month Money Challenge | He and She Eat Clean

We have beginner and advanced workout challenges so why not have the same for our finance challenges?! If you are having a hard time completing any of our other money challenges, try this Beginner 6 Month Money Challenge! This one is a little bit shorter time commitment (but I think you'll want to continue it!) and a little less each month as well.

You will probably be surprised at how easy it is and how proud of yourself you will be for saving $500! Small things like skipping drinks ($2 for soda or tea and $8-$12 for alcohol) really adds up! Also skipping appetizers and desserts will help your waistline and wallet!

This money doesn't have to all come from saving though. You could also find things to sell around your house that you aren't using anymore. Do you have workout equipment (come on, we all do it!) collecting dust? When was the last time you wore the 12 pairs of designers jeans you have? Remember, just like with fitness small changes really add up! You CAN do it!

>>>>> The Ultimate List of Ways to Save: 18 Ways to Save $15,000 in 2018!

Looking for a printable version of this challenge? We've got you covered! Join our newsletter and you will be taken to a black and white printable version right away! Grab the printable challenge here.

Beginner 6 Month Money Challenge | He and She Eat Clean

After 6 months you can start this one over or move on to one of our other challenges! View all of our money challenges here.

5 Reasons To Wear A Swimsuit

Body ImageWhitney Carlson2 Comments
5 Reasons To Wear A Swimsuit | He and She Eat Clean

We just returned back from a very short trip to the beach for a family reunion. We left late Thursday night, drove all night and then left to come back home early Sunday morning. It was great to see Scott's family and I was able to celebrate my 31st birthday (which was June 4th) on the beach. We haven't been to the beach in over three years. We've been to California beaches but not the beaches where we actually stay at the beach all day. I had forgotten how much I love it!

Anyway, it was a nice short break and I was able to do some thinking while I was there. Some of my best ideas come when I am disconnected while hiking or in this case, at the beach. I posted some on Snapchat (we're under hesheeatclean) but other than that I wasn't on my phone very often. Instead of playing on my phone, I tried to just take in what was around me and enjoy the company.

I absolutely loved it that there were people (men and women) of all shapes, sizes, colors, abilities, etc at the beach having a great time. As I mentioned in my body image post, I never really had major image issues when I was younger, at least that I can remember. If I was at the beach, I wore a swimsuit. It never crossed my mind to worry that my thighs were too big or anything of that sort. I also never really paid attention to others bodies as well. However, this time it was interesting. At the beach no one really stood out to me except for the people who were all covered up. I saw quite a few ladies in capris. Capris at the beach, in Florida, in June. Deep down I hope it was for a different reason other than the fact that they have image issues with their body. I really do. It just seems odd that the ones that tried to cover up the most are the ones that actually stood out the most. I'm not saying that you have to wear a skimpy bikini and struct around the beach but I just wish that they could have the confidence to at least wear something that they could enjoy the sun and the beach. It was hot out there in a swimsuit so I know that they had to be burning up. But it really got me thinking. I know that "bikini body" is a term that we've used before (although I try to avoid it now) and it is widely used to sell workouts, swimsuits, detoxes, etc from many different companies and bloggers but since when does a bikini body mean a size 0/2/4/6/8, whatever? Should anyone who doesn't have the "perfect" (whatever that means) bikini body not wear a swimsuit or a bikini? I'm pretty sure that everyone has a bikini body.

You have GOT to start LIVING your life instead of sitting on the sidelines. When you are 80 years old you will enjoy the memories made and will not remember if you "still needed to lose 10 or even 50 pounds". We definitely think that you should work towards becoming a healthier version of yourself if you do need to lose weight for health reasons but you can still embrace and enjoy your life today, in the process.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. - Lao Tzu

5 Reasons to Wear a Swimsuit

1. Because you can.

You have a body and the opportunity to be at the beach and/or pool. They make swimsuits in all shapes and sizes. Buy one that you are comfortable in and use it!

2. You could inspire others.

Maybe there is someone else where you are visiting that is feeling the same way as you. When they see you confidently wearing a swimsuit, even though you might not have that perfect "bikini body", they will think better of themselves. It's a movement, y'all. Keep inspiring.

3. No one cares.

Seriously, no one cares. And if they do that is their problem, not yours. When you are at the beach and/or pool you should be having such a great time that you aren't worried about who should or shouldn't be in a swimsuit. As with everything else we talk about, quit caring what other people think - this applies to fitness and finance - pretty much life in general.

4. You will be cooler (as in temperature).

This means you can spend more time outside with your friends and/or family, which is the whole point of going to the beach and/or pool.

5. Tomorrow you will be older. Wear a swimsuit while you are young. ;-)

No matter how young you are, next time you go to the beach and/or pool you will be older. That's just life. Remember when you thought you were fat in high school and you weren't? Same thing applies now. Whether you have 10 pounds to lose or 50 pounds to lose, you likely view yourself bigger than you actually are. Next year you will look back and say, I should have just worn the swimsuit. End that cycle now.

We've maintained this lifestyle for over 5 years and don't do anything much different to "get ready for summer" than we do the rest of the year. Yes, we tend to be more active in the summer just because of the weather but we don't spend hours doing cardio to get rid of "extra weight". It's not worth it! Develop a healthy relationship with diet and exercise and keep it year-round! Life is meant to be LIVED.

P.S. In case you didn't know, we have some amazing healthy recipes (check out our most popular here) and a few great workout plans! ;-)

Ladder Workout Challenge

Cardio/HIITWhitney Carlson1 Comment

I know it has been awhile since you've "heard" from me but things have been busy at work so I've deferred many posts to Whitney. ;-) After the unfortunate "traditional" less activity in the winter and then budget and audit season at work, I feel like now that's it's June I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Don't get me wrong, I've still been training and eating healthy but just not as focused as normal. I've been doing this for almost eight years now so I've learned that keeping up the habit of exercising is more important than making sure each workout is my best one ever.

RELATED: 5 Things We Have Done to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle for 5+ Years

I've been doing this workout, which I refer to as a ladder workout in the mornings. This way, even if I can't make it to the gym I've at least had a little bit of movement throughout the day! I will also add it to the end of a lifting session when I don't have time to do a full cardio session at the end of my workout. It is a great way to get your heart rate up and finish your workout strong! Record your total time each time you complete the workout. Compete with yourself to see how quickly you can complete the workout – with proper form. Safety first – always!

As you will see in the chart, you will be decreasing reps of one exercise while increasing reps of another exercise. You will start by doing 10 burpees and move straight into 1 squat, then do 9 burpees and 2 squats, and so on.

Refueling after a workout is very important. One of my favorite breakfast recipes to enjoy after this workout is my giant Blueberry Avocado Protein Shake. It's easy to make and I can drink it right out of the Vitamix (which means less dishes!). I try to eat whole, real food but I'm not a fan of warm or "heavy" foods in the morning so I drink a shake instead. You can find the recipe for our Blueberry Avocado Protein Shake here.

Another way that I've been able to make myself move more is by using the Polar A360. Whitney and I wore ours on our hike to Blood Mountain on Memorial Day. I'm always really skeptical about the data that activity trackers show and if it's accurate or not and I'm pleased to say that it seems to be accurate from what I have experienced so far! I burned 1,300 calories on our hike but kept moving after we got home because we still had yard work to do. It really does make me want to keep moving. I must admit that I did a pretty good job of moving over the weekend so let's hope I can keep it up during work week, I don't want to get too many vibration alerts that I've been sitting too long!

Although we don't recommend weighing yourself too often, it's good to have an idea of where you are starting so you can tailor your training and nutrition plan to meet your goals. The Polar Balance Scale gives guidance to help reach your goals. One of my favorite things is that the Polar A360 and the Polar Balance scale all sync to the Polar Flow app so I can view it on my phone or the website.

You know we are all about saving money here so I have good news! You can get 20% off! Use code POLARFITBLOG to receive 20% off the Polar Balance or any activity tracker here. Code expires 8/31/16.

P.S. This workout will be part of an ebook for the #PolarShapeUpChallenge! And if you are looking for a little challenge to move even more, take our 31-Day One Mile Challenge!

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Polar US . The opinions and text are all mine.