1. Wake up early / the same time every day 
2. Make your bed
3. Meditate
4. Drink water, lots of it
5. Cook your meals
6. Move your body 
7. Enjoy alone time
8. Turn off your phone 
9. Shut down your social media accounts at night 
10. Watch more documentaries 
11. Don't let your laundry pile up
12. Clean the cups on your night stand 
13. Brush your teeth twice a day 
14. Don't wear chipped nail polish, just take it off 
15. Keep a calendar will your bill payments on it, never miss a bill, never get a late fee
​16. Read a book, turn off the reality TV
17. Enjoy a meal with others, with absolutely no phones 
18. Get 8 hours of sleep 
19. Wash your face
 20. Challenge yourself not to complain for an entire 24 hours 

I've gone over this topic countless times, and I'll keep posting about it. Living a healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle, not a diet. Which means it's always an on going discussion. Life can get crazy and it's so easy to get off course. It's easy to skip a couple workouts, eat a few bad meals and before you know it your on that downward spiral. Taking it one day at a time is truly, so important and the only way you can hit those goals. 

1. Make sure to have greens in at least one meal a day
2. Make sure you're moving your body a few days a week
3. Take the opportunity to be healthier (i.e. take the stairs instead of the elevator)
4. Give yourself time to unwind and relax
5. Hydrate. Always have water with you 
6. Get enough sleep 

The list above might sound obvious, but it's easy to put all of then off. When your life gets busy, sleep and relaxation are the first two, to go out the window. When you are on the run, meals become more of quantity over quality. It's easy to glorify being busy, but the real work begins when you put yourself as the number one priority. Take it a day at a time, and keep going! 

Going on 6 years of working in gyms, you really learn a lot about people. Gyms have a bad rep for being dirty and smelly, but the reality of it is, it's totally the people.
I have worked in high class gyms, attended lower class ones and worked in the in between. I've seen it all from celebrity clients to the regular gym go-er. I have countless funny stories, horror stories and straight up odd ones too.

Here's my top 10 things you learn working in a gym: 
​
1. Most people don't actually wipe down the equipment they use
(And by most, I mean like everyone. To keep yourself on the cleaner side, wipe down your machines before and after you use them. I once caught the stomach virus after a gym session, so do yourself the favor). 
2. There are directions and warnings on machines for a reason 
(If you are a newbie there's no shame in the game, but there are directions and warnings on the machines for a reason. Take the time to read it before you hop on and potentially hurt yourself, or break the machine. I've seen both happen countless times). 
3. Every mirror will be used at some point for someone's gym selfie 
(I've 100% been in at least 5 gym selfies on accident of course. But the mirrors are not only for watching your form, we all snap a quick photo for the gram or snapchat. I say own it).
4. Re-racking weights is few and far to come by 
(I slightly dislike you if you're the type to rack a few 45lb plates on machines and walk away when you're finished. Do the right thing, put it back where you found it).
5. Deodorant is a must and BO is a real thing 
(There's just no way around this one. It is a must. We all smell a little I mean you are working out, but please do us all the favor and swipe a little under each arm). 
6. Some people really do go to the gym to workout
(I'm one of them, once I take my pre-workout I'm in the zone and I'm in no mood to chat, so stay out of my way).
7. Some people really do go to the gym just to socialize 
(I can be one of these too! When I stroll in, not really in the mood to exercise and take my time sipping on my caffeine. But some people do genuinely go to make new friends, and maybe even meet their swolemate). 
8. You really should eat before taking a class
(There is nothing more terrifying then someone passing out in class because they didn't eat or they're dehydrated. Take care of yourself, make sure to have food and water in you before you over exert yourself). 
9. Working with a trainer should be a must if you're a beginner
(It's okay to be the new guy, or gal, but take the precaution and work with a professional first. You'll learn the ropes (literally), the machines and how to exercise properly without hurting yourself or others).
10. No one is starring at you, they're really starring at themselves 
(Okay so some guys or girls, might be checking you out but for the most part everyone is so concerned with the way they look they're too busy to pay attention to you or anyone else. So rock your body, enjoy your workout and don't feel self-conscious, you got this!)

Finding a great poke spot can feel like hitting the jackpot. There is nothing more delicious then fish that tastes fresh. With countless sushi spots all over New York, I have had my fair share of grossness. Fish is not always fresh, or even real when you order at certain places. Before getting to Hawaii I did my diligent research on the best poke spots around. I wanted to experience the culture of Hawaii and poke happens to be a part of that. 

It's safe to say my research paid off. The poke we had was fresh, delicious and had the melt in your mouth kind of taste. Especially when eating fish, you have to be careful that you are in fact eating fresh and quality fish. All of these spots get an A+ on my list. 

Ono Seafood 
With nearly 2500 reviews, Ono Seafood is a small off the beaten path poke spot that has some of the most delicious and fresh poke. 

Shaka Poke
Although their reviews may not strike you as a popular spot, they do have 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp. In the heart of Waikiki, this is the perfect spot for a meal or a snack of poke, udon, entrees and small sides. The owner is super personable and you know the food is fresh as they whip it up right in front of you. 

Poke Bar 
If you are more of a create your own bowl, type then this is the spot for you. Kind of like a Chipotle line, you pick your size bowl, and all the ingredients that go in it. You can choose between brown or white rice, or salad as your base, and choosing from fish like tuna, salmon, crab or shrimp to name a few options. The toppings are endless and so are the sauces. And bonus tip, grab a local coupon book and score a free ice cream macaroon sandwich with a purchase of a large bowl!

Comment your pictures below of your favorite poke spots! 

Let's get one thing straight, when I use the word "diet" I purely mean it as what you eat daily, not being on an actual diet. Because let's be super clear here, diets don't work. We all know it. Diets are away to set boundaries on yourself and ultimately set yourself up for failure. No one works well under restrictions, especially when it comes to food. So with that being said, I don't believe in completely depriving ourselves either. 

I love my tacos and tequila, my pasta and red wine, and my pizza and beer. So no, I'm not ever giving it up. With that being said, there are always different variations that you can have and still enjoy your favorites. So let's dive in. 

Mixed drinks: Keep it simple 
Your favorite liquor + seltzer or soda water + fruit 
What I do? Tequila with seltzer with a lime, lemon and orange slice 
*You can ask your bartender to muddle the fruits first, although you can totally do it yourself with a straw* 

Beer: Go lighter
There are so many light beers out there now, you can still have your favorite brand since most of them have their own version now. 
What I do? Coronas premier beer, it's 90 calories and pretty much tastes like a regular Corona. Oh and don't forget your lime! 

Wine: Organic all the way 
I say organic wine because it has less sulfurs and the hangover is much less then typical wine. Also look for wine lower in calories, and sugar. The brand Skinny Girl is a great option as well as a lower calorie option. 
What I do? White wine is typically less calories so I'll stick to a white wine and add in fresh berries for extra taste. 

Hey fam! This post is a bit more personal then my typical ones, although let's be honest I'm pretty upfront when it comes to my posts. I love sharing with my followers, which is why it is absolutely imperative that I share with you what's been going on! 

About 6 weeks ago I had decided to take the biggest leap of faith and leave my full time job, to do what I love full time. I have spend the last 6 weeks enjoying the freedom of writing and re-building my brand to create this empire I have always dreamt of. While I still love health and fitness, I wanted to broaden my horizons, so to say and develop more of a lifestyle brand. Of course, that will still include health and fitness, but now so much more, too! As I grow with my brand, there will always be new and exciting changes so this is just one of many! 

As I roll out two books that I have been working on, I will no longer be offering online programs for meal plans or workouts. But who knows, maybe that will be my third book! Like I said, all this new change is well needed and I could not be more excited! So thank you for following my journey and keep on following! Comment what you'd like to see in my next posts and keep an eye out for my books! 

XO - Sarahfina