It’s that time of year again. The beginning of spring always brings new life and energy and a welcomed opportunity to reevaluate our habits and set goals to feel our absolute best for summer. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to feel beautiful and confident in my bikini all summer long. While I try to maintain good health habits throughout the year, this is the season when I definitely step it up and make an effort to shed any extra pounds and unhealthy habits so that I can look and feel amazing when summer rolls around. If you have similar goals and want to look and feel your best this summer, keep reading to find out the top bikini-ready health tips I’m using to get my body right for beach-season!
- Intermittent Fasting
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that intermittent fasting is all the rage right now and is being recommended by many of the top nutritionists and wellness gurus. It’s not just another fad– it is backed by science and can truly work wonders to transform our bodies, improve our metabolic health, and give our digestion systems a much-needed break from too much snacking. Intermittent fasting simply means you don’t eat for a period of time each day or week.
I don’t practice intermittent fasting all year, but it’s a habit I like to pick up when I want to improve my energy levels or slim down a bit. The beauty of intermittent fasting is that it’s low-commitment and can be adjusted or paused at any time. I am pretty in tune with my body so I have been able to experiment with what type of intermittent fasting works best for me. Right now, I’m making an effort to not have my first meal of the day until after 11 AM. If I’m hungry, I’ll eat right at 11 but if I’m feeling up to it, I will sometimes push my first meal until 2 PM. I try to have my last bite of the day before 8 PM. This means that I’m only eating for a 6-9 hour window and fasting for the remaining 15-18 hours of the day.
I have noticed improved and more consistent energy levels, reduced craving, and less snacking since I’ve started intermittent fasting.
- Sauna & Cold Plunge
I recently joined a gym that has a dry sauna, a wet sauna, and a cold plunge, and let me tell you— it has taken my wellness routine to the NEXT LEVEL! After my workouts, I will head to either the dry or wet sauna, depending on my mood, and finish with a 5-6 minute cold plunge. (I have a goal of making it to 10 minutes in the cold plunge. Pray for me, LOL)
Immersing yourself in extreme high and low temperatures is known as contrast therapy, and it boasts many benefits such as improved recovery, reduced inflammation, and happier moods. As a girly who used to be known for ALWAYS being cold and hated the feeling more than anything, the fact that I have been able to work up to 6 minutes in the cold plunge is a HUGE deal! I wouldn’t go so far as to say I like it now– the cold plunge is undeniably uncomfortable– but I absolutely love the rush of endorphins and my ability to focus so much better afterwards.
Don’t have access to a cold plunge or a sauna? I was surprised to learn that they can both be surprisingly affordable! Here is a great at-home cold plunge option I found for you guys. For an affordable infrared sauna device, I recommend this infrared sauna blanket that you can use at home or easily pack up and bring on your travels. If you’re willing to splurge, you can purchase a full-blown infrared sauna for your house.
- Gua Sha and Red Light Therapy
The tried and true gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a stone tool. This gua sha is the tool and facial oil I use and it comes together in a set. It is super affordable and feels amazing against my skin. If you want just the gua sha by itself, here is another inexpensive yet high quality gua sha option. There are tons of tutorials on Youtube to help you get started. I love doing this in bed with red-light therapy as part of my nighttime routine. Ever since starting gua sha, I’ve noticed that my face looks more sculpted and defined and the practice itself is just so relaxing. It also gives me such a beautiful glow, and who doesn’t want that for summer?
- Combining high-intensity and low-intensity workouts in my weekly split
I used to go to the gym 5 days a week and do intense cardio and heavy lifting every single time. I was literally working my a** off and the worst part was, I was not seeing my desired results whatsoever! Not only do our bodies need rest and recovery, but they also crave low-impact movement. I still move my body every single day, but I make it an effort to do at least two low-impact workouts a week. I alternate between pilates, hot yoga, and barre classes. Since incorporating these low-impact days, I feel significantly more toned and, for the first time in my life, I have visibility defined arms!
It’s all about finding a workout routine that works for you. I remember learning in crossfit that routine is the enemy and the best way to avoid plateaus is to always be mixing it up and keeping ourselves on our toes! Since taking this advice, I am finally starting to reach my physique goals.
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day is a HUGE health habit! Not only is it absolutely essential to get enough sleep (at least 7-9 hours each night), but maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is vital to our health as well. Of course, it’s all about balance, and it’s important not to get too neurotic about this. If I’m out late one night at a concert, for example, I don’t sweat it or feel guilty if I go to bed hours after my regular bedtime. After all, we still have to have fun sometimes! But for the most part, I fall asleep and wake up within the same 1-2 hour window each day and night, and it’s helped me become the most well-rested I’ve ever been. I used to feel exhausted every single afternoon and would deeply desire a nap, but since implementing this health habit, I no longer experience those crashes and my energy throughout the day is pretty stable.
Takeaways
Those five health habits are making me feel amazing both inside and out and giving me the extra boost I need to feel bikini ready this summer. I hope this list inspires you to take care of yourself and maybe add something new into your routine! Be sure to check out my articles on 7 simple hacks for a healthier, happier you in 2024 and 7 ways to live a luxury lifestyle on any budget. I am always listening to my body and changing things up as needed, so stay tuned and follow me on Instagram @JetSetJeni for other habits I use to take care of myself. Thank you all for reading and let me know in the comments your favorite tips and tricks to get your body ready for summer!
Hello babes! I am so excited for this blogpost because I have been diving deep into the topic of luxury lately and what it means to me. A few months ago, I began doing a life audit and decided that I want to live a luxurious lifestyle NOW. I was done waiting around for life to happen to me and telling myself that “once I achieve x, I’ll treat myself to y.” Nothing is promised in life, and there is no reason that we can’t start living abundantly right now. And no, loves, I’m not telling you to max out your credit cards and spend beyond your means to start living luxuriously. The truth is, luxury is so much more nuanced than we think and it is available to anyone and everyone, regardless of your financial situation. Read on for my seven tips on how you can start living a luxury lifestyle today on any budget.
1. Realize that luxury is a mindset
To start out, recognize that luxury is a mindset and means something different to each of us. If you want to live luxuriously, you have to define what exactly that means to you. You have to decide that you are going to live abundantly, and believe it or not, that mindset starts with gratitude for all of the blessings that you already have. Some of the things you want in life may not be within your reach right now, and that’s okay! Start by making a list of the steps you can take right now to get closer to your dream life. Now, take a step back and ask yourself which elements of luxury you can incorporate into your life now BEFORE you achieve x, y, and z. Maybe you finally book that vacation you’ve been wanting to take, or perhaps you light some candles, pour yourself a glass of red wine, and indulge in a bubble bath. Whatever the case may be, identify your priorities and take action, and I promise you there is something you can do to add luxury to your life today! Embracing a luxury mindset is the biggest way to achieve a luxury lifestyle on a budget.
2. Bring luxury into your home.
When it comes to luxury, I think we over-prioritize places and experiences outside of the home– first class flights, 5 star hotels and restaurants, etc. But the truth is, we are going to spend far more time at home than we do in those establishments, so shouldn’t we start there? The good news is, you can bring luxury into your home, whether you live in a 10,000 square foot mansion or a studio apartment. Some ways that you can bring luxury into your home are to make sure your home always smells amazing, swap out your fluorescent lights for something softer that really sets the mood, or invest in a piece of home decor that you truly love and feel proud of and that will last you for years to come.
3. Bring luxury into your routine.
Girl, give yourself permission to be extra! You have to jazz up and romanticize your life to truly achieve that luxurious feeling that we all crave! Take that extra 5 minutes and make yourself a delicious latte with whipped cream instead of your boring old keurig coffee. Sip it slowly out of your favorite mug while you set an intention for the day ahead. Slip into a silk robe, play some calming music, and light a candle while you do your nighttime skincare routine. Wear a matching set to the gym and throw on some mascara and lip gloss before you head out the door just to feel a little bit more glamorous. There are endless ways that you can bring luxury into your routine, get creative and get excited about it!
4. Spend time in luxurious, high-end places.
I find that many luxurious places have such an intoxicating energy that I just can’t get enough of! I feel inspired while I’m there, and I refuse to exclude myself from something that has such a positive effect on my wellbeing just because I may not have x amount of money in my bank account. For example, you may not be able to afford to stay at a $1,000 per night hotel, but that doesn’t mean it has to be off limits for you. Most hotels are open to the public. Get dressed up and go into your favorite boujee hotel for an espresso martini or a creme brulee– I guarantee you will feel the luxurious energy oozing into you. And it may just motivate you to work hard so that one day you can stay in places like this whenever you want. Don’t let fear or negative thinking hold you back from doing this. The key is to get into your luxury mindset and act like you belong because you do belong!
5. Declutter and get organized.
You may present yourself as a glamorous, elegant woman to the world, but if your life is a disorganized mess you are going to know it and you are not going to feel luxurious at all! Luxury is a state of mind and a big part of that is having a clean and organized home and lifestyle. There is nothing luxurious about clutter, honey. Go through your belongings and get rid of anything and everything that isn’t serving you. Your home is your sacred sanctuary, but it’s only going to feel that way if it is organized. This doesn’t mean you have to go full Marie Kondo and strive for perfection, but this is definitely something we should always be striving to improve on.
6. Take the time to get ready everyday.
I can’t stress how important this is. You deserve to feel your very best every single day, for you, and let’s face it, that’s not going to happen with your go-to gray sweatpants and messy bun uniform. This doesn’t mean you have to roll out the red carpet everyday, but you should absolutely be putting effort in and taking pride in your appearance on a daily basis. At the very least, do your skincare, make sure your hair is clean, and give yourself a spritz of your favorite perfume. Put on a clean, presentable outfit, even if it’s just something comfy– and I highly recommend investing in some nice loungewear for around the house! I guarantee you are going to feel so much better about yourself, you’re never going to want to go back to the old ways!
7. Understand that luxury is a lifestyle worth pursuing because you’re worth it.
You may need to do some inner healing and work to build your self-esteem back up. You are not going to give yourself a luxurious life if you hate yourself. Remember babe, we treat ourselves to the good life well because we love ourselves and we know that we deserve the best. You are going to have to stay strong in your self-love in the face of criticism, too, because unfortunately when others see us living our best lives, they can feel threatened and try to discourage us. If this is a lifestyle you want to achieve, don’t let the naysayers issuade you by making you feel silly, shallow, or materialistic. Anyone who acts that way is projecting their own insecurities onto you and their negativity isn’t worth a second of your time.
Final Thoughts
Thank you all for reading, loves. I hope you gained some inspiration from this post and are walking away with some very attainable ideas to incorporate luxury into your lifestyle, regardless of your budget. Pursuing luxury and abundance has changed my life and I only hope to help others do the same. Remember that life will always be full of mundane and unglamorous moments, but it is up to us to bring the luxury and the magic in. Let me know in the comments the ways that you live an abundant life! I would love to hear. 
Until next time,
Jensen xoxo
Hello lovelies! I just wanted to write a quick beauty update for you all today. After religiously getting lash extensions for over 3 years, I have finally decided to break up with them and embrace that natural route. I may go back to them one day, or at least get them for special occasions, but I’ve really been enjoying taking a break from them and rocking my natural look. Read on to find out all of the reasons why I stopped getting lash extensions.
Obviously, the cost
I was spending between $110-220 a month on lash extensions which is honestly kind of insane and really frivolous! With everything going on with inflation and our economy, it started to feel like a really unnecessary expense, especially as my priorities are shifting. If I’m going to spend that much money on beauty, I would rather it be on something that’s actually improving my health and appearance, like facials or cryotherapy. But lash extensions are just a superficial add-on that contribute nothing to your long-term appearance. Better yet, I could prioritize my future and invest that money each month!
The chemicals
Lash extension glue contains formaldehyde, which is obviously not good for you, and can cause a range of issues from minor irritation to infertility. I would always leave the salon with irritated, blood-shot eyes, which is a clear indication that what I was doing was not healthy. Living a healthy, natural lifestyle has become more and more important to me over the last couple of years, and it became impossible for me to justify constantly exposing myself to these harmful chemicals.
They destroyed my natural lashes
I have always been someone with naturally long, curly lashes and have received many compliments on them over the years. But when my lash extensions were out, I could literally barely even see my own lashes anymore. They were short, stubby, and sparse, and were far from the natural lashes I had known and loved my whole life. Why on earth was I paying so much money to destroy my God-given lashes?! This was such a wake up call for me that the lash extensions were NOT worth it!
They can cheapen your appearance
I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back at pictures of myself when my extensions were the longest, I feel like they looked a bit tacky and even went so far as to cheapen my appearance. When a woman’s fake lashes are far too long, it can be cringeworthy and take away from her natural beauty. Instead of noticing her, all you notice are how ridiculous her lashes look! This is what happened to me, because I got obsessed and enough was never enough– I kept wanting them to be longer and fuller! In hindsight, this was a big beauty mistake that I’m glad I finally woke up to!
They aged me and didn’t flatter my face
This was the biggest factor for me and ultimately the reason I decided to break up with my lash extensions. When I removed them, I started getting so many compliments on how beautiful I looked. My husband repeatedly remarked on how good I looked but couldn’t put his finger on what had changed. And when I looked in the mirror, I kept noticing how much more youthful I looked. Well, the change was getting rid of the lashes!
Lash extensions are flattering on many people and can make you look younger, but I don’t think this was the case for me. I have soft, delicate features and the lash extensions gave me a striking yet somewhat harsher appearance that diminished my natural softness. My eyes are one of my best features yet, rather than drawing attention to my eyes, I actually think they drew attention away from my eyes because my eyes were eclipsed by these ultra-long lashes.
Takeaways
I really enjoyed lash extensions while I had them. They made me feel naturally beautiful and put-together without makeup, which was such an uplifting feeling, especially during the pandemic. But ultimately, I made the decision to move on and, through the help of a lash serum, my natural lashes are almost fully back to normal. I will likely get them again one day for a vacation or special occasion, but the days of constant monthly maintenance are behind me.
Have you ever gotten lash extensions? Tell me about your experience!
Thank you for reading, I hope this was a helpful insight into why I stopped getting lash extensions. Love you guys
I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen a lot of Internet trends focusing on “glow-ups” lately. The “that girl” and “healthy/fit living” lifestyle is being promoted like crazy, which is a nice change from some of the toxic and unhealthy trends we’ve seen in the past. But unfortunately, a lot of these influencers just focus on a few aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like consistent exercise and a good skin-care routine. While those are both undeniably crucial parts of a glow-up, I believe a true glow-up must incorporate your mind, body, and soul. A glow-up isn’t just about how you look on the outside, it’s about how you feel on the inside radiating out and truly giving you a glow that no skincare routine can achieve. If we just focus on our outer appearance and don’t work on what’s going on inside of us, we will never experience that magical glow.
I am 24 years old, and I have underwent a serious glow-up since college. The people around me notice it and it does feel good to receive their praise. But even more importantly than external validation is that I feel so much better about myself and in my own skin. I am the healthiest and happiest I have ever been, and that is not by accident. I had to put in the work! So, in today’s blog, I want to share with you how I achieved a serious glow-up from the inside out. To reach my glow-up, I focused on improving my skin, hair, diet and exercise, mental health, spirituality, and relationships. This blog will be about my skin, hair, and diet and exercise glow up. My next blog will focus on how improving my mental health, spirituality, and relationships was an integral part of my internal glow-up that eventually shined through to the outside. So let’s just get right into it!
How I achieved my skin glow-up
This will be brief, because I have an in-depth skin-care blog coming soon. But I want to let you all know that a few years ago, I had almost no skincare routine. I either did nothing at all, or just used a $5 drugstore cleanser on my face with a dirty washcloth, and that was it. (Cringe, I know!!) Luckily, I was young and had decent skin to begin with, so I could get away with it for the time being. But eventually our habits catch up with us, and by the time I was 21 I decided that I should probably hop on the skincare and anti-aging train. It’s way easier to prevent aging than it is to reverse aging that has already occurred. Listen, ladies, you are never too young to start your anti-aging routine. Anti-aging is not just for women in their forties and fifties, we need to start in our twenties if we want to look young for as long as possible. But whatever age you are, now is the time to get started if you haven’t already!
1. I invested in quality skincare products
An extensive review of all my products with links is coming very soon. But for now, I just want to emphasize how important it is to invest in quality products with good reputations. Ask your friend with picture-perfect skin what products they recommend, or spend some time reading online reviews. I was hesitant to get into skincare for so long because it is such a saturated market with an overwhelming amount of options and I didn’t even know where to begin. This is why it’s so helpful to ask the people around you that you trust for their advice and do your research.
2. I do my skincare routine twice a day
Like I said, I used to barely wash my face at all, but when I did, it was only ever at night. I didn’t even really know that double-cleansing was a thing. But, wow, it makes a world of difference. Make sure you are doing your routine in the morning and at night. Light some candles and make it something you enjoy. Carving this time for yourself every single day will not only benefit your skin, but your mental wellbeing too.
3. I always take my makeup off
There were many drunken nights in college that I passed out with a full-face of makeup on. I admittedly kind of enjoyed doing that, because the next morning I would “wake up in a glam” and look ready for the day. I cringe at this now because sleeping in makeup can truly wreak havoc on your skin! It allows bacteria to build up and can give you serious acne.
I know better than anyone that there will be some nights where you’ll be so tired that the probability of you doing your full skincare routine is next to zero. This is why I always keep some makeup remover wipes on hand, so at the very least I can take my makeup off if I don’t have the energy for my full routine.
4. I invest in facials every other month
If you think facials are just for rich people, think again. They are a pricy indulgence, yes, but it’s a lot easier to fit it into your budget if you make it a priority. The average facial costs around $150, but you can find some that start at $65 (just make sure you’re going to a reputable place!) You may need to cut back your Starbucks visits or your impulsive online shopping sprees to afford it, but I promise it’s worth it. These facials have made a world of difference to my skin, and it’s even better if you can form a relationship with your esthetician. She will get to know your skin and will be able to tailor each treatment to fit your specific needs that day. Facials are essential for anti-aging.
How I achieved my hair glow-up
My hair was in a really rough state for years. It would make me cry because it just looked so awful all the time and I didn’t understand why. My hair glow-up has probably been the hardest part of my journey because having damaged hair can be incredibly demoralizing. It can take years to undo damage and get healthy, luscious locks, but that’s why it’s so important to start now and to have patience. My hair is still not quite where I want it to be, but I remind myself of how far it has come. Again, this is going to be brief because I have an in-depth hair care blog coming soon! But these are the main steps that I’ve taken to drastically improve the quality of my hair.
1.I stopped dyeing it
Since I stopped chasing after an unsustainable platinum blonde color and embraced my natural dirty-blonde locks, my hair is so much happier! And I actually like the way I look better with my natural color, and chances are you will too. If there’s no way in hell you’ll consider stopping dyeing your hair, see if you can color it less frequently or opt for a darker color that will cause less damage. And make sure you’re going to a quality salon instead of using cheap dye and doing it yourself.
2. I rarely use heat on it
My hair is very fine and prone to heat damage. I almost never curl and straighten my hair now, and if I do, it’s usually for a special occasion. And I always, always use a heat protectant. I do still blow dry my hair a few times a week, but I keep the heat on medium and only blow dry it for five minutes top.
3. I wash it every other day
I used to believe that the less often I washed my hair, the better, but that wasn’t actually true for my hair. I have fine, light, and oily hair that needs to be washed more often. My hair was constantly dirty because I feared shampoo, but that wasn’t doing me any favors. Since I started giving into my hair’s needs and washing it when it looked bad, my hair has looked much better.
4. I’m gentle on my hair
I used to brush my hair very roughly and aggressively dry it with a towel—God, I’m horrified just thinking about my old habits! I now treat my hair like the fine and delicate thing that it is. I brush my hair gently and lovingly with a quality hair brush and would never dream of towel drying it now.
How I improved my diet and exercise
Having a good diet and exercise regimen is an important part of being a healthy, glowing person. It affects us in so many ways beyond just the number on the scale. What we put into our bodies affects us from the inside out, and there’s no way you can look your best is you’re constantly feeding your body toxic foods. I have an in-depth blog on my diet and exercise routine coming soon, but for now, these are the changes I made to improve my physical health.
1.I changed my mentality towards diet and exercise
I no longer view diet and exercise as a chore or something I have to do to punish myself into looking a certain way. I now take care of myself because I love my body and I want it to feel its best, not because I hate it. Instead of saying “I have to work out”, I say “I get to work out”. This mindset shift was huge for me, because getting to workout and having access to healthy foods is a privilege that many people do not have. There are millions of people who do not have access to quality food, and people who are sick and immobile who are physically incapable of working out. We owe it to ourselves to acknowledge this privilege and honor our bodies for the miracles they are, and this starts with eating healthy and exercising.
2. I cut way back on sugar and artificial ingredients
I used to diet and restrict my sugar intake simply because I wanted to look skinny for an upcoming vacation. But this was never a sustainable or healthy approach for me, and my motive just wasn’t strong enough for me to give up on my favorite foods. However, once I started researching the mystery ingredients that no one can pronounce that make up the hallmarks of the American diet, I was appalled and vowed to make a change. This had nothing to do with wanting to be skinny, but with wanting to only put nutritious things in my body that are going to better me, not make me chronically sick. Making good choices for my health was just way better motivation for me than trying to look like a Victoria’s Secret model. Opt for organic, whole foods whenever you can and pay attention to ingredients! If it sounds like something that was manufactured in a lab, it’s probably best to avoid it.
3. I cut way back on alcohol
For years, I was a self-professed party girl, and I took pride in it. I could out-drink any frat boy and dance until the wee hours of the night seven days a week and still make it to my 8 AM class the next morning. But as soon as college ended and we were thrown into a pandemic, my partying ways drastically changed. I still indulge from time to time, but for the most part, I live a sober life and I look and feel significantly better because of it.
Alcohol takes a serious toll on your appearance in both the long and short-term. It not only majorly speeds up the aging process, but it can make us look and feel terrible the next day too. The quality of our sleep is inferior after a night of drinking, it often leads to mindless consumption of unhealthy food, it causes bloating and puffiness, and the list goes on. When I reduced my alcohol intake, everything changed. I wasn’t able to glow when I was drinking all the time, and now that I’ve stopped I feel like the healthy young woman that I am meant to be. One of the biggest changes I noticed when I cut back on alcohol that caught me by surprise was actually how much the quality of my hair immediately improved. This taught me that alcohol affects us in more ways than we realize. Try cutting it out for 30 days and see what changes you notice.
4. I move my body everyday
I used to work out a few times a week really intensely and would push myself to my limit every single time. But on my off days, I would lay around and do absolutely nothing. I have much more balance now, and prioritize movement on a daily basis. My workouts aren’t always as intense and I like to mix it up. Some days that will mean a 70 minute sweat sesh in the gym, but other days it will mean taking a long walk, playing tennis, or just stretching. Our bodies were meant to move and we’re not designed to live sedentary lives. Even if you workout for an hour every single day, if you’re a sedentary person overall, the time you spend in the gym won’t be able to combat that.
Conclusion
I honestly could have made this blog ten times longer because I am so passionate about taking care of myself on the inside and outside and there are so many factors that have gone into my glow up. But this is long enough already, so I thank you if you have made it this far and I hope you found some of these tips helpful! All-in-all, to achieve my glow up from the inside out, I worked on these external factors: skin, hair, diet and exercise, and I have noticed a world of difference because of the changes that I’ve made.