Tag: wellness

How I Survived The Holiday Season

Jamal MillerLeave a comment

Every holiday season I find myself dreading and craving all the snacks ahead. I’ve never been the fittest one in the bunch, so when I’m doing particularly well on the health front I cherish any progress that’s made. This holiday season was different. Normally I’d worry, and worry, and worry some more about baked mac and cheese, potato salad, and a couple other treats that aren’t so keto-friendly. I decided to keep things as light as I could and did my best to grab a small win each day; the biggest of which is being able to fit into my “skinny” jeans at the top of 2020! 

 

You’ve heard me mention before, here on GITL, about my sensitivity to dairy. This is an undiagnosed sensitivity, but a sensitivity nonetheless. Whenever I’m not consuming dairy, my skin is effortlessly more clear, the pounds stay off – not to mention bloating is non-existent – and I have much more energy. I wasn’t perfect in completely avoiding dairy, but keeping a realistic approach, I managed to stay away from cheese and other delicious, creamy treats. 

 

Towards the end of summer, my husband and I sold our condo. All of the work that went into prepping our then home was exhausting and took up a lot of our energy. Getting to the gym was hard; even after we were settled into our new space. Instead of stressing myself out about not getting to the gym, I approached each week with a lighter mindset. If the weather was nice, we’d go for a walk. Most days I found myself doing push-ups, squats, and free weight workouts at home. Finding at least twenty to thirty minutes to perform those workouts, a few days a week, helped me stay focused and helped me gain that feeling of accomplishment. 

 

Remember – Set attainable goals. As you hit your marks, you gain more  momentum and fuel to accomplish great things. Celebrate the wins and stay on track. 

 

Intermittent fasting has helped me reel in my snacking. My goodness – working in a corporate office has its gluttonous challenges. Cookies here, catered lunch there, it’s like there’s no escaping sugar! This January marks year seven of being  low-carb and keto, but there are plenty of days where sneaking that bite doesn’t seem so bad. Fasting during a set window has helped me maintain my nutrition goals this holiday season and made resisting corn-syrup-injected treats much easier. Most nights, I’ll stop eating by 8PM, and won’t eat again until noon the next day. My husband is great at waking up, going to work, and not eating until he gets home. I’m not that strong. If Linda walks into the office with cookies after lunch, I need to be within my eating window and armed with a fiercely packed lunch. Macadamia nuts, please! 

 

You’ll have days where you slip. Own the slip. Get back on the wagon the next day. Whether deviating from the plan was planned or not. I strive to be as keto and low-carb as I can, but I do have those days where I just want a crispy IPA. I’ve learned not to beat myself up about enjoying a treat –  that doesn’t fit into my nutrition plan and goals – here and there. Most of the time, I’m pretty damned good, so I don’t see the problem with this. All we can do is our best, people! Keep it light and do just that.

Simple Ways to Support Each Other Throughout the Workweek.

Jamal Miller2 Comments

At the top of each workweek, we have the best intentions to be organized, responsible, and productive human beings. We do our best to fend off piles of dirty dishes, dust bunnies, thoughts of skipping that workout, and the large wave of exhaustion that comes with working a full-time job. Here’s a snapshot of my week:

  • Work – 40+ hours 
  • Podcast/Blog tasks  – 3-5 hours
  • Realty school – 10+ hours 
  • Work out at least 3-4 days

If you’re anything like me – and you’re a crazy person – you enjoy being creative and thrive having multiple projects to work on. I love the feeling of being creative and putting out content I’m proud of, but come on, I know you can tell my posts have slowed down this past year.

It can be tough to manage passions and life schedules, especially if you throw kids or pets into the mix, so how do we thrive without driving ourselves crazy? Well, all we can  do is our best, and having a little help never hurts. 

If  you’re currently living with your partner or have roommates with similar schedules as you, it’s not a bad idea to sit down and figure out how you can help each other have the most successful week. If you’ve got the game mastered and slay life week to week, this post  probably isn’t for you, and as Queen Gia Gunn would say: “YAAAS, bitch, werk.” You did that. Here are some simple ways my husband and I plan to support each other throughout the workweek:

CHORE-LOADING. Maybe one of you is having a much busier week than the other, and the impending doom and feeling of giving up is tapping you on the shoulder. The person with the lighter load can easily take on a couple extra chores and errands. Not only does this relieve your partner of the added stress they put on themselves, it adds to the bond and promotes deeper connection and love. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re being thought of and supported?! Taking care of the person you love and the household you share is sexy, and most of the time, doesn’t take much.

CHECK-INS. We talk about this all the time here on Gays in the Life. Ask your partner how they’re doing. Go beyond the typical work-bitch-session and get into how they’re doing and how their week is going. If one of you is having a down week, this is a great idea to help break the ice and  let the other know you’re here for them and that they have support. It’s amazing what this does. It’s very easy to get stuck in your head and go inward. On the brighter side of the check-in spectrum, ask how their personal project or goals are developing. It’s so nice to talk about passion projects or other interests. Keep things light and keep work at work. Connect!

ACTIVITY DATES. Schedule at least a couple workouts, walks, or quick home improvement projects to do as unit; a team. My husband and I go on evening walks on a nearby trail. Outside of walking on the trails of  Eagle Creek, we try to attend two workout classes together each week. Working out is proven to improve mental health and is a good way to bond with your partner and to have shared goals. Another fun and easy way to keep the pressure of the workweek and household responsibilities at a low level, is to work on quick  home improvement projects together. Take an evening to put some music on and organize that garage together. Pour some wine and finally hang up that artwork that’s been collecting dust over the months. Get crazy and reorganize your living space. Keeping environments clean, fresh, and feeling like it’s yours does wonders for the mood. 

Give these few tidbits a go, and please feel free to share your  experience in the comments. Find me @gaysinthelife on Instagram and Twitter to continue the conversation there.  

Have a good week! J,

The Orange Trail

Jamal Miller2 Comments

Fact: I hate getting dirty. I hate bugs even more; especially ticks!

Growing up in Alaska, those little blood-sucking critters weren’t anything I ever had to deal with or had encountered until I moved to Indiana. Getting out on the trail is an easy workout, and we live pretty close to a park here in Indianapolis, so why not get out and enjoy some fresh air.

Back home in Alaska you get more scenic and mountainous views. There are trees everywhere, but the trails I frequented didn’t involve trekking through mud or doing tick-checks when I got home. Okay, sure, moose and grizzly bears are far scarier than ticks… but give me a break! Ticks are just #$%#$^#@#$@$^^&$% to me (laughs).

Usually if I’m in a scenario where I’m not having the most fun, or I’m working through a tough moment, I go silent. That is me processing whatever thoughts are bouncing around my head at the time.

I’ve never been a whiner, but I am very honest. My dad would tell me all the time growing up “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” My aunties would blast me with the classic line “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Family and friends would jump down my throat accusing me of being a wet blanket if they perceived I was having a terrible time. Those of you who know me have seen the majority of my facial expressions, and know that I don’t have to use any words to communicate how I’m feeling most of the time. This is something I’ve learned to contain… for the most part.

I’ve learned to communicate that a situation may be new and that I wouldn’t put myself in any scenario that would make me uncomfortable.

Hitting the trails with S has been funny, mostly because if we encounter a long stretch of muddy non-sense, or have to go through a tighter trails with brush – more chances of getting TICKS – I simply say “I’m trying. You know I’m trying.” I’m sure S is getting a kick out of this inside, but he’s very supportive.

We’d planned to get out on the fitness trail today, but Mother Nature has other plans. It’s been pouring cats and dogs this weekend, so I’m NOT going anywhere near that trail until it dries up a bit. Hey! Don’t judge. I’m taking baby steps here.

Oh! You can find a clip of the trail adventure on my Instagram profile.

Have a lovely Sunday, everyone!

J

What’s Making Me Happy This Week?

Jamal MillerLeave a comment
Good morning, friends!

I’m writing this just before 8:30 am Eastern time, so excuse the exclamation. You’re probably thinking “turn down, dude, it’s way too early for that.” Forgive me, I’m just trying to will some energy into this post and today’s intentions.

In honor of one of my favorite NPR podcasts, Pop Culture Happy Hour, I wanted to start sharing what’s making me happy on a weekly basis. The daily grind can be extremely draining and make it hard to strive for excellence, so it’s important to focus on the little things; the simple bits of joy that keep anxiety and stress at bay.

It’s been a trying winter season and the seasonal depression that came along with it has been real. With that being said, what’s making me happy this week is being able to refocus. With the arrival of warmer, get-outside-and-take-the-dog-for-longer-walks weather, has come a much needed boost of energy. For the past few weeks I’ve been meeting workout goals and getting back to feeling good; inside and out.

Something I’ve discovered about myself is that I need alignment in my life. If I’m eating healthy, staying physically active, and taking moments to enjoy happiness, I feel so much better than I do while I’m getting caught up in what task I may or may not have time to get to today.

This isn’t to say I’m not getting work done and having a ball. Think of it as a daily refresh and remember: how you organize your life influences the kind of energy you keep around.

What’s making you happy this week? Let me know in the comments wherever you’re reading this.

 

J.

Let’s Take it Outside

Jamal MillerLeave a comment

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Going on a walk is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  You can clear your mind, get some easy, low-impact exercise, and enjoy some fresh air. If you were a fly on the wall in  our household, you’d notice that we’re very scheduled and don’t take much time for ourselves outside of the living room. This has improved with time. I tend to play with my schedule a ton, and most of the time it’s to my detriment. I do my best to fit in any tasks I have to complete, worry way too much about when I will hit the gym, and never end up getting through all I want to accomplish. Today I’m focused on being active. Screw everything else for a moment. Today, I will go on a walk, get some fresh air, and get to what I can when I can.

Say yes to Tenzo Matcha!

Jamal MillerLeave a comment

Matcha tea is one of the cleanest ways to get a boost of energy when afternoons are moving entirely too slow. Tenzo Matcha packs an anti-oxidizing punch that gives you a clean boost in productivity without the harsh crash too many cups of coffee can inflict.

 

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When you consume Tenzo Matcha,  you’re receiving the benefits of the entire green tea plant. The fine powder mixed with 6 ounces of water – or my favorite,  unsweetened coconut milk – promotes improved brain health, prevents memory loss, faster metabolism, AND healthy skin. What’s also pretty cool is the production of Tenzo Matcha.

Tenzo Matcha comes straight from Japan and is grown in volcanic soil! This makes the product especially powerful when it comes to the nutrients you receive. I encourage you all to give this miracle plant and Tenzo Matcha a try if you’re looking to improve your quality of life. Learn more about  Tenzo Co and read more about the benefits mentioned earlier and more:

https://tenzotea.co/

 

 

Thryving

Jamal MillerLeave a comment

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had gut issues. While I’ve never been officially diagnosed with any condition, I struggled with random pain and irregularity. Many of us underestimate the importance of gut health. We  hear “gut health” and think “huh?”

Think of your gut as your second brain. What you feed it will determine how well you Thryve when it comes to this area of your personal health. Thryve Inside is a company dedicated to helping you discover the benefits of great Gut Health and provides personalized solutions to fit your microbiome. I’ve been lucky enough to partner with Thryve Inside for this post and share my experience with the product I’ve been trying for the past month.

 

 

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Before adding Thryve’s probiotic supplement to my daily routine, digestion was a huge issue for me. I could go two to three days before having a bowel movement. What’s crazy is this became normal for me. I was used to the heaviness, used to the bloat, and eventually phased the issue out of concern’s range.

Around age eight I began to gain weight and stayed pretty heavy through early college. My freshman year of college, I weighed about three-hundred and ten pounds. I stand about six feet tall, so I carried my weight well back when I was heavier.  That doesn’t mean my health was any better than the next bloated Joe and I came to realize that much later.

 

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In the thirty days I used Thryve’s probiotic product, I’ve lost around nine pounds, have regular digestion, and feel a new kind of comfort inside. Before Thryve I would drink kombucha a couple times a week to help my digestion issues; this helped, but only so much. I don’t think I’ve ever had regular bowel movements, even after going low-carb. Today, I live a more ketogenic lifestyle, so the consumption of healthy fats and the Thryve product combined has me feeling light, energetic, and comfortable. Yes, comfortable. I’m able to go through a full day without feeling bloated, heavy, or irritable.

Another aspect of Thryve that I’ve been enjoying are the weekly newsletters. Thryve subscribers receive updates, tips, video interviews, and articles to keep motivated on their gut health journey. I love a newsletter. I’m the customer who wants to read and access anything I can, on whatever topic, so I be sure I’m on the right path. Each short-and-sweet email provides quick info and links to more information and easy-to-follow discussion. Thryve ensures their customer is educated and equipped with all the tools for gut health success.

Learn more here! And thanks for stopping by,

J

Feeling Great After a 24-Hour Fast

Jamal Miller3 Comments

ketofast post

 

We fasted today to give our bodies a surge. In a fasted state, I have the most focused and productive workouts and feel a cognitive boost throughout the day. I feel great and wasn’t hungry at all today – probably because I keep my healthy fat intake at 70%-80%, my protein moderate, and my carbs really low.

My workout schedule wasn’t too strong this week, but there’s still time to make up for that. We’ve been really good because we want to look good at this wedding this weekend. Fasting while keto boosts your metabolism and naturally pumps up your muscles; it’s also scientifically proven to fight cancer cells.

I won’t lie though – the longest period I can fast for is 24 hours. It’s tougher when you lift heavy weights, so I generally stick to my #intermittent fasting windows; 16 hour fast. 8 hour feeding window. It’s amazing what the body can do when you fuel it properly and generously. 🐻

A Cabin for 2 and a Pup

Jamal Miller1 Comment

It was so great to get away,  disconnect, and recharge in Brown County this weekend. Never underestimate the power of a quiet weekend in the woods – with limited connectivity – to put some zing back into your zen. The weather didn’t feel like fall at all, but that’s okay… We’ll keep our soup recipes and sweaters handy for a future fall cabin adventure.