Over 45 And Training For A Marathon (with injuries)

  • Over 45 And Training For A Marathon (with injuries)

    Over 45 And Training For A Marathon (with injuries)

    I am no stranger to exercise or running. I’ve done it for at least the past 20 years of my life and love it!

    I took a break while pregnant. Then after having my son, I found it hard to find the time. But now that he’s a toddler, it’s much easier to get it done. Or so I thought. Let’s be clear, he’s not the problem…it’s me. It’s my body to be honest. I feel great emotionally and I have energy to get it done BUT now I have heel pain, leg pain, side pain, shoulder pain…even pain in my butt. Pain I’ve never experienced before. As a matter of fact, my heel is throbbing right now!

    When I complain to my husband, his answer is always, “You’re no spring chicken anymore, baby”. Initially, I thought he was tripping. But I’m starting to realize that he just might be right.

    I’ve been back to exercising full time for the last 6 months. And to challenge myself even more, my husband and I decided to sign up for our first half marathon. Everything was going great!! It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I started breaking down. I went from running 9 minutes per mile to about 13 or 14. Simply because everything hurts!

    We walked for two weeks to rest and now are back to jogging again. In hopes to start back to full fledged running soon. Nevertheless, pain isn’t going to stop me. But it has slowed me down quite a bit. The marathon isn’t until December but I admit that I’m nervous already because of all of the issues.

    Here’s a video of my family and I getting back to it. After all, the marathon awaits…

    If you have any training tips, I’d love to hear them!

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Back Like I Never Left

    Back Like I Never Left

    Hey readers! It’s been a while; hasn’t it?

    If you are a long time follower and reader, thanks for waiting. If you are a newbie here, thanks for giving me a few minutes of your time.

    Life has been life-ing. Between working, mother-ing, wife-ing, daughter-ing and everything else; your girl has had her hands full. But I knew that it was time to get back to myself and do other things I love like this blog!

    Not only have a just been dealing with a full plate but I have also been feeling stuck on how to move my business forward. During my hiatus, I was teetering back and forth on how to make changes.

    Should I continue selling handmade pieces? Should I keep the boutique open? Should I completely stop blogging and pursue other passions? Change the name? Change the content?

    I have been thinking a lot about what’s next. And although I don’t have it all figured out, some changes have been made. But change is good, right?

    One big change is that you will no longer see links or products to the boutique. I know that you loved to shop from it but I decided to close it. I enjoyed it too but I just wasn’t seeing the revenue that I expected. When I compared it to all of the work I was doing to keep it going it just didn’t add up. It pained me to close it. But it had to be done. I thought about it long and hard but decided it was time for a serious pivot. On to bigger and better things. More about that when the time is right.

    Another decision I made is to stop offering custom dresses. I’ve had some of the worst experiences in life making custom dresses. I shared one of the experiences on the blog before. Now that I think about it. The last custom customer from hell is what made me go on a hiatus. It wasn’t worth the stress. People wanted everything, made by hand for pennies and thought the dress would somehow magically make them look like Beyonce. I just couldn’t put myself through that hell anymore. My peace is everything to me. No amount of money will allow me to disrupt it again.

    There are still other things I’m figuring out but I’ll be sharing the journey along the way. I don’t feel the need to hide until I come up with my next “thing”. I missed y’all too much for that!

    It feels so good to be back! Don’t worry…you can still expect great content about fashion, style, fitness, life, and all things fearless. But better.

    I just wanted to pop in with a quick update to let you know that I’m still here and now better than ever. You can expect continuous content just like the old days.

    If you missed me too, let me know in the comment!

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Why You Need To Take Care When Working Out

    Why You Need To Take Care When Working Out

    If you are a keen enthusiast when it comes to exercising, you are probably already well aware of the potential dangers involved in working out that you need to keep in mind. But even if you are experienced, or you are starting to exercise frequently for the first time in your life, it’s important that you are aware of the reasons you need to take care of your body. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the main reasons behind this, so that you are inspired to be more careful whenever you are working out in any way.

    Pulled Muscles

    One of the most common problems you can get working out is a pulled muscle. In the grand scheme of things, this is not usually all that serious, and it is normally just a case of waiting until your muscle feels better. But in the meantime, it can certainly make life difficult, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you are not pulling your muscles if at all possible. To help ensure that, you might want to warm up and cool down before and after each workout session, and push your muscles only a little.

    Paralysis

    A much more serious consequence of not taking care of yourself during exercise is that you might end up being paralysed, either partially or completely. This is actually easier than you might think, and in fact partial paralysis happens a lot to people when they are exercising. All it takes is to cause a little damage to the spinal column, and before you know it you could struggle to move at all. It’s therefore really important that you are always taking care – which means slowing down if necessary and not pushing as hard.

    Dehydration

    If you are not careful, you might accidentally dehydrate yourself while working out too, and that is actually easier to do than you might think. With proper dehydration, you can collapse and pass out, and you might even find that you struggle to sleep properly the day after the incident. It’s therefore hugely important that you drink water before, during and after exercise, and electrolyte drinks too if necessary. This is especially important in hot weather, when the risk of dehydration is considerably more pronounced.

    Broken Bones

    Finally, there is also the risk of breaking some bones if you don’t take care, and that is something that, again, can happen a lot more easily than you might think. When you have broken bones, it can take a very long time to heal and it can be very painful, both of which mean that you won’t be able to continue with your exercise in the way you would hope either. So it’s vital that you are doing all you can to avoid this in the first place, which simply means taking a little more care and trying not to do too much in one go. That is going to help a lot.

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  • Building Your Physical Strength One Day At A Time

    Building Your Physical Strength One Day At A Time

    If you are keen to make sure that you are getting physically stronger, then there are a lot of ways in which you can do that, and it is actually the kind of thing that can be very easy to do if you approach it right. Everyone can get physically stronger, no matter what position they are starting from, so you should never feel as though it’s not something you can do. In this post, we are going to take you through some of the ways to build your physical strength one day at a time, so you can enjoy the results soon enough.

    Get Your Diet Right First

    The first thing you should generally do is to make sure that you have a good diet, because as long as you have that you are going to find that you are much more likely to build muscle and get stronger. The diet really is the base and the fuel here, and it’s vital that you are eating healthily first and foremost. You also need to ensure you have enough protein in your diet, as that is what builds muscle, and you might consider finding some peptides for sale to help with that too.

    Be Prepared For Long-Term Changes

    You have to be patient if you want to grow muscle and get stronger. It’s all about long-term consistency; you are not going to notice these changes overnight, and you will have to keep working at it if you want to ensure that you really get the results you are hoping for. So make sure that you are fully prepared for long-term changes, and as long as you do that it is likely going to be a lot more bearable to do for you. If you have patience, it will be a lot easier.

    Increase The Load

    When it comes to the process of actually lifting weights, one of the main things you need to do is simply to increase the amount of weight that you are lifting in a session. If you never do that, your muscles will only grow to a certain size and you won’t be able to get any bigger, so that’s something that you need to be aware of. Don’t just stick to the same weight all the time – instead, make sure that you are building up and up over time. Of course, that can be gradual and still effective.

    Be Careful

    It is not worth actually harming yourself, so throughout all this you should also ensure that you are taking great care not to harm yourself. Take it slow and easy, and do all you can to ensure that you are not going to cause genuine pain and distress. As long as you take care in this way, you are going to be in a much better position on the whole and you’ll be glad that you did, so that is something that you should try to be aware of as best as you can.

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  • How to Stay Comfortable and Stylish When on Your Period

    How to Stay Comfortable and Stylish When on Your Period

    According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million women worldwide are affected by menstruation. For some, it can be a difficult time. However, there’s no need to let your period get you down! Whether you’re just starting your first period or have finished your last cycle, staying comfortable and stylish when on your period is important. Here are some tips on how you can stay comfortable and chic when on your period.

    Wear loose, bright colors

    One of the best ways to stay comfortable and stylish when on your period is to wear loose, bright colors. You can wear white or light colors, but avoid wearing dark colors because they can increase your blood flow and make you more uncomfortable. You can also wear colorful scarves or wraps. If you’re not a fan of wearing colors, you can also choose to wear a neutral-toned colored dress or pants. When choosing your clothes, choose clothes that are breathable and lightweight. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothes are a great choice. Another tip is to wear synthetic fabrics such as cotton, polyester, or nylon when you’re on your period. These fabrics have less absorbent properties than natural fabrics, making them more comfortable.

    Stay away from tight clothing

    Another way to stay comfortable and stylish when on your period is to stay away from clothing that is too tight. Wearing too-tight clothing can make you feel more uncomfortable, and it’s not a good look when you’re on your period. There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re wearing fitted clothing. Make sure the fabric of your clothing is breathable. Some fabrics are more absorbent than others, so it’s important to know the type of fabric your clothing is made of. Additionally, make sure the fabric is not too rough on your skin, as this can make you feel more uncomfortable.

    Layer up

    If you’re wondering how you can stay comfortable and stylish when on your period, another thing to keep in mind is to layer up. When your period is heavier, you can layer up your clothing to stay warm. For example, wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt under your everyday shirt. You can also wear a long, fitted sweater or a thick vest under your clothing. It’s best to wear clothing made of natural materials, as synthetic fabrics are more absorbent than natural fabrics.

    Find the right swimwear for you

    There’s nothing worse than when you’ve planned to go swimming with some friends and your period arrives. Often, even if you do go swimming you spend the entire time worrying about your period and whether or not it has bled through your swimsuit. However, there’s no need to worry about this anymore, as you can now purchase period swimwear. These swimsuits and bikinis not only look fashionable but absorb your period, so there’s no need to worry about any accidents. Simply wash these swimsuits afterwards and you’re good to wear them again!

    Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

    Don’t forget to smell good!

    While it’s important to stay comfortable when on your period, you also want to maintain a level of style and confidence while doing so. One way to do this is to use your favorite scented products. When you’re on your period, your skin is likely to be drier and more sensitive. Therefore, it’s important to use products that won’t make your skin feel sensitive. There are a few ways you can do this. When you’re not wearing make-up, you can use a moisturizing primer or foundation with a light scent. When you’re wearing make-up, you can use products with a light scent. A few examples of products you can use include body lotions, perfumes, and lip products.

    Stay hydrated

    When you’re on your period, it’s important to stay hydrated. In addition to staying hydrated when you’re on your period, it’s also important to drink water throughout the day. When you’re on your period, your skin is likely to be drier than usual. Therefore, it’s important to hydrate your skin so it doesn’t become too dry. You can add moisturizing ingredients to your water, such as coconut water, oatmeal, honey, or almond milk. You can also add a pair of rose petals to your water to add essential oils to your water.

    Wrapping up

    When you’re on your period, you want to stay comfortable and stylish. One way to do this is to wear loose-fitting, bright colors; layer up with natural, breathable fabrics; wear comfortable footwear; and drink water to stay hydrated. Another tip is to use scented products throughout the day to keep your skin moisturized. When you follow these tips, you can stay comfortable and chic when on your period.

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  • 4 Ways To Start Feeling More Confident

    4 Ways To Start Feeling More Confident

    Some people are always sure of themselves. They seem to be able to handle and breeze through whatever life throws at them. Of course, sometimes this is just how it looks on the outside. Many people are good at making it look like they are confident when, in reality, they have very low self-esteem.

    People also have a hard time being themselves and letting their personalities shine through because they are frightened and don’t have enough confidence. If you don’t have the confidence to do what you want, it can be hard to live the life you want and do all the things you want to do.

    But don’t worry; you can teach yourself to have confidence. So, in this blog post, we’ll look at some of the ways you can quickly become more confident and happy.

    Help Others

    When we don’t feel good about ourselves, we tend to focus on what we think are our flaws. We keep thinking about this instead of what we can do. So, if you help other people and make them feel good about themselves, it will automatically make you feel better about yourself.

    Relax More

    Many people use products to help them with this. These kinds of products can help you feel more relaxed and sure of yourself. You feel more at peace and happy with the world around you. When you feel this way, it’s natural that you’ll have more confidence.

    Invest in a pampering session. We all deserve to be pampered now and then, and there’s no doubt that this can do wonders for your confidence. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting a new haircut or going to get your nails done. Do something that will make you happy with yourself. Why don’t you make an appointment for a massage or facial? There are some great spa packages available today that are made to make you feel rested and well at the end. You could even treat yourself to a diamond tennis bracelet.

    Be Ready

    One of the main reasons many people don’t feel confident in many situations is that they haven’t done enough to prepare. After all, going to work or school without being ready for the day can cause stress. You can start to feel scared and doubt your skills. But if you had just set aside some time to plan and get ready for the day, you would feel much calmer and in control. Small things like this can make a big difference when it comes to making you feel better about yourself. When you know that everything is in order and that you’re ready for the day ahead, you can naturally approach it with more confidence.

    Stay Away From Bad Things

    Now you need to start thinking about your inner circle, which of course includes all of your friends and family. Think about this, and think about whether there is anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself. People who don’t feel good about themselves often try to bring down those around them, which is not a good trait to have. You need to put yourself first and think about what will help you grow and make you feel good about yourself. Spend more time with people like this.

    So, there you have it: some of the things you should think about if you want to become a much happier and more confident person quickly. We hope that the ideas above will be helpful to you.

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  • Boost your Style Confidence Today with this Ultimate Guide

    Not everyone has an innate sense of style. Some people have to learn how to be stylish. If this sounds like you, then you have nothing to worry about. There are many things you can do to try and turn things around and if you follow this guide, you’ll find that it is easier than ever for you to get the results you’re looking for.

    Stop Waiting

    If you always procrastinate about trying to reach a target weight or even getting your dream job then you will never end up achieving what you want in life. Make sure that you do not put your style on hold, and instead, invest the time that you have now. You will feel instantly better about yourself, and this can have a huge impact on your confidence. Remember if you don’t feel good, you’ll never think you look good, so this is a crucial step in your journey.

    Body confidence

    Separating your Body Issues

    A great body doesn’t equal a great style. Style is never limited to a certain size or shape. You need to try and accept the parts of your body that you do like as well as the parts that you don’t. Don’t let them hinder the development of your style either. It is more than possible for you to work with your perceived flaws, and still be stylish at the end of the day. There are many tricks that you can use to try and detract from the problem areas you may feel as though you have, so make sure that you play up to your best features, and then go from there. Remember, if you aren’t happy with your smile then it is possible for you to seek help from an orthodontic care specialist.

    Ditch what makes you unhappy

    Ditch What Makes you Feel Bad

    Ditch any clothes that happen to make you feel bad, or that do not flatter you. The same applies to baggy clothes too. A lot of people have the tendency to hang on to clothes that fit them during their more youthful years, hoping that one day they will be able to fit back into them. This won’t do you any favours, in fact, it will actually end up instilling a sense of failure. If you have to keep items, then pack them away and put them in your attic, or in a suitcase. Everything in your wardrobe should spark a sense of joy.

    Practice Approval

    Take a bit of time to think about the clothes that make you happy, and why this is the case. It doesn’t matter whether it is a set color, an outfit, or anything else. You need to look at why you are wearing that particular piece, and what it is you enjoy about it. If you wear something because it makes you feel confident, then use this as a building block and then try to hone your style. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier for you to feel your best every single day.

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  • Common Fashion Challenges That Women Face

    Regarding fashion, women seem to bear all the ups and downs. The positives and negatives seem centered around the countless women looking to spend a fortune on clothing and accessories. With women clothing retail sales hitting $28 million in 2020, it is easy to say that fashion is almost synonymous with ladies. Knowing this all too well, here are some annoying clothing problems you may be no stranger to.

    1. The one-size-fits-all mirage

    In almost every retail store, you are bound to come across female clothing with the description, one-size-fits-all. It can be confusing trying to figure out how this is possible. Women have different body sizes, which explains their need to find appropriate cuts that complement their figures. However, the one-size-fits-all tag seems to throw a monkey wrench into the general expectation.

    So, many ladies fall for what may be a clothing marketing gimmick only to realize that the dress doesn’t fit at all. The debate on this issue centers around the subtle ways clothing brands may be enforcing their own idealized body standards on ladies. Hopefully, more will buy clothes based on individual body sizes and not bunk their hopes on a one-size-fits-all dress.

    1. The tricky Spanx on bloated days

    This American-owned underwear maker is estimated to be worth $400 million as of 2020. Designed with the female in mind, Spanx focuses on hiding lumps, creases, and folds on the body. When worn under tight clothing, it helps project a smooth and well-contoured female body. However, there is one little thing about wearing Spanx. This compressing shapewear can sometimes feel too tight on the body.

    Women experience monthly hormonal fluctuations that may cause bloating, especially in the waist and tummy regions. And wearing Spanx on these bloated days can be pretty uncomfortable. Indeed, some ladies can endure it, but others may have to hold on until the bloated feeling disappears. It can sometimes be a real bummer when you cannot tuck that tummy in with Spanx on a bloated day.

    1. Panty lines challenges

    Have you ever worn slightly snug clothing only to realize that the panty edges are on full display? This is an experience many women can relate to. According to styling experts, these result from poor panty fittings or sub-standard quality. It could explain why many American women prefer thongs to normal-sized panties.

    If this is a problem you deal with, you can look for quality underwear retailers online such as EBY. They run a women’s underwear subscription, and you receive a new set of quality seamless panties every three months to fit your body type. You can forever say goodbye to visible panty lines by wearing seamless underwear with laser-cut thin edges.

    1. Jean pants with fake pockets.

    Many ladies have admitted to buying new jeans only to realize later that they have no pockets. What seemed like pockets are sealed inside, and there’s no way to even fit a shopping receipt. While this is not a problem with male pants, females have to endure what could be most described as disappointing. One school of thought believes the absence of pockets compels women to invest in dressing bags and cute purses. It could be true if you wish to play the devil’s advocate.

    Regardless of these problems, women continue to spend a fortune on clothing. Hopefully, you will become more circumspect the next time you go shopping.

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  • I Can’t Believe This Happened 🤦🏾‍♀️

    I Can’t Believe This Happened 🤦🏾‍♀️

    Hey Fashion Not Fear readers! Life has been pretty busy (in a good way) so I haven’t had time to do a lot of blogging. But I’m back…hope you missed me! 😉

    Nevertheless, I was deciding on whether or not to share this story because I feel like I’m developing PTSD from this dress trauma.

    The best way to get through it is to talk about it. At least for me. So, here’s it goes…

    A client reached out to me about making a custom dress for an event. I happily accepted, created a sketch, she approved it and I was off to work!

    Sequin dress handcrafted
    It started off so well!

    This was my first time working with sequin but I was up for the challenge. Along with this dress, there were other clients that I was also making dresses for. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I’d taken on too much.

    Between this dress, dresses being made from other clients and my other responsibilities, I hate to say it but…this clients dress kind of fell through the cracks. So many issues were left undone and/or done shoddy. From the fit to the zipper.

    Sequin dress handcrafted

    No fittings were done (big mistake!). Additionally, I attempted to connect with the client when I took the dress to her. She wasn’t available. So, I ended up dropping the dress off to the without even seeing her. I didn’t even realize there were so many issues with the dress until she contacted me. Admittedly, it was ill-fitting and needed some work.

    I reached out to her and offered my sincerest apology. I also offered to repair the problems that day. Unfortunately, she never got back to me. Which I can understand because she was probably pretty upset about it.

    When I tell you that I stressed about how to resolve this…I STRESSED ABOUT HOW TO RESOLVE THIS. After much stressing, I decided to offer a partial refund and be done with it. Mistakes happen and I really wanted to resolve the issue.

    Here’s what I learned…

    Don’t take on more than you can do. It’s okay to say no.

    – Don’t finalize any custom garments without a fitting.

    – Be open and upfront with the client.

    – Don’t beat yourself up. Do your best to resolve the matter and move on.

    This whole thing turned out so bad that for a second I thought about no longer making dresses. But why quit doing what I love because of a mistake? I have to be fearless, learn from my mistakes and push forward.

    Thanks for listening! I hope you learned something too. Have a similar horror story?? Share it in the comments. I can’t be the only one. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Ways To Make Fitness A Priority Throughout The Day

    There are countless reasons why people might want to make fitness a priority throughout the day. Maybe they’re trying to lose weight or just want to be healthier overall. Whatever the reason, it can be tough to prioritize fitness when so many other things are going on. The following blog will discuss some tips for making fitness a priority throughout the day!

    1) Set A Daily Fitness Goal

    It can be helpful to set a daily fitness goal, such as walking for 30 minutes or doing a certain number of sit-ups. This way, you have something to work towards daily, and you’re more likely to stick with your fitness routine.

    If you find that you’re struggling to make time for fitness, it might be helpful to set a weekly or monthly goal instead. For example, try to walk for at least 30 minutes three times per week.

    It’s essential to find a goal that works for you and that you’re realistically able to achieve. If your goals are too ambitious, you’re likely to get discouraged and give up on your fitness routine altogether.

    2) Create A Fitness Schedule

    Another helpful tip is to create a fitness schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This might mean working out first thing in the morning or walking during your lunch break.

    If you have trouble sticking to a schedule, try setting reminders on your phone or writing down your workout times in a planner. It can also be helpful to find a workout buddy who can help keep you accountable.

    Remember that even if you can’t always stick to your schedule, you must be flexible and go with the flow. Life happens, and there will be days when you have to miss a workout. Just don’t let one missed workout turn into two or three!

    3) Make Use Of Apps

    In this day and age, there’s an app for everything- including fitness! Look into some of the many health and fitness apps that are available to help you stay on track, or alternatively you can create a fitness app. Some apps track your steps, monitor your calorie intake, and even provide workout routines. Having all of this information at your fingertips can make it easier to see where you need to improve.

    Some apps allow you to connect with friends who have similar fitness goals. This can provide motivation and encouragement, as well as a sense of competition. Seeing how much progress your friends have made can push you to reach your own goals. And if they’re struggling, you can offer support and advice. Using apps is a great way to prioritize fitness throughout the day.

    In conclusion, there are many ways to make fitness a priority throughout the day. It might take some time and effort to find what works best for you, but it’s worth it in the end. Just remember to be patient, flexible, and most importantly- don’t give up! Creating and sticking to a healthy routine can be daunting, but it’s definitely achievable with a bit of planning and effort.

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