10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day! Especially on weekends. And holidays. Usually we get down in the dumps when the rain falls, so instead let's make the most of this indoor-time!

Here are 10 sure-fire ideas to forget about the weather and have a great day:

1. Bake. Optimally, a healthy dish (such as a quiche or casserole), but cakes, brownies and cookies are all on the table! Even more awesome if you can get others in on the action - a lean, mean, baking machine! 
2. Read. You've been putting off reading that novel your friend told you about years ago. What better time to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a heart-wrenching/thrilling/action-packed/mysterious read?
3. Play. Get your game on - whip out those board games that have been gathering dust on the shelf. Shuffle up a round of Hearts or Five-Hundred or Chase the Ace or any other card game. Pick one that is new for everyone and learn the rules together. 
4. Meditate. Is there anything more calming than the sound of droplets of water hitting the earth? Ponder your insignificance. Or the meaning of life. Or the smallness of the world. Whatever floats your boat. 
5. Socialize. Digitally, of course (provided the weather hasn't caused a power outage). Chat with friends on Facebook - they are probably longing for company just like you. Feeling brave (and tolerant)? Hit a forum and start up a conversation on a topic that interests you. 
6. Save. Wish you had more dough for in your free, sunny time? Why not take a look at your finances! Although it's not the most exciting activity, you could save hundreds of dollars by cancelling unused subscriptions (magazines, digital services, memberships), selling old junk ( on Craigslist or Ebay), or simply creating a budget (sites like Mint).
7. Primp. Look good for summer: have an in-house spa day! Turn on soft, lyric-free tunes and relax with a hot bath (add a few drops of lavender oil to calm the senses). Follow-up with exfoliation and moisturizing lotion for buttery soft skin. If you've got a partner, bribe them into giving you a massage. Partner clueless? There are a ton of how-to videos on YouTube.
8. Clean. Your home is begging to be scrubbed. Imagine how the sparkling countertops and gleaming floors will welcome you home everyday. Yes, it's worth it. For instance, dusting off those fan blades decreases the allergens they whish around as well as improving the fan's appearance. 
9. Sweat. Hundreds of fitness videos are calling your name from the most convenient recesses of the internet (Yes, YouTube, I'm talking about you.). Pick a special area to target. Tone those thighs, get great abs. Do it.
10. Accomplish. Get something done you've been putting off. It might be going through that closet where you throw everything when guests are coming over.   It could be giving Fido a bath. It might be washing all the linens in your home.Whatever it may be, get it done - then revel in your success. Aren't you awesome? You accomplished something today! Take that, rain!

"Rain, rain, go ahead; Come again another day, too!" -- suggested mantra.

10 Ways to Get Fit for Summer

You've tried it all. Detox diets, fad fitness programs, going Gluten-free or even vegan. Summer always seems to sneak up on you and you dread "bikini-season".

(photo courtesy Piotr Bizior: www.bizior.com)

Here are 10 ways you can get fit for summer, stress-free: 

1. Drink water. Not just with meals - in-between meals, in transit (safely), waiting in line, chatting with friends, at meetings, everywhere. Always have a cuppa (or bottla) H₂0 in front of you. Keep score - tally up those glasses. Glug glug glug! Heads up - plan to pee. A lot.    
2. Log your meals. Write it all down - it can be in a planner, online document, mobile app, graffiti on the bathroom stall. You ate a buttery, rich macadamia nut cookie? Write it down. You ate a legit, vitamin-packed kale and swiss chard salad? Write it down. At the end of each day, check your diary. How'd you do? Think about how you can improve the next day. 
3. Fun-ify your fitness. For many people, the gym is a snooze-fest. Too much hassle to get there, no incentive to return again. Play frisbee, check out YouTube fitness videos, try a dance or martial arts class. 
4. Set goals. Numbers are tangible, however, they're also discouraging. Try to keep your goals off-the-scale. How do you look in the mirror? Are you happy with how your body feels?
5. Buddy up. If you're competitive - find a fitness rival. If you're not - partner up with a friend and make fitness an outing. Are you an introvert? Join an online community and find a virtual buddy. 
6. Incentivize. You did four workouts this week aaand you skipped out on ice cream last night on Sundae Sunday? Brill-o! You deserve a nice <insert thing that makes you smile here>. How about a massage? (Ask about student massage clinics at your local massage school, bargain-hunters). Allocate time to do something you wanna do. Preferably not downing-a-Ben-&-Jerry's tub. Let's not be counter-productive, people.
7. Slow down. Jumping into a boot camp program after two months of solid Friends reruns isn't going to net you a trim summer bod. It's going to make you give up. Think about it, burning thighs, aching arms - you're not going to put yourself through that again! Hell no! Take small steps - go for a short walk before signing yourself for a 5 mile jog. Lift a filled water bottle before hitting those slick dumbbells.  
8. Carry on. If adding fitness into your life is a big deal, you're doing it wrong. This should be a teensy little commitment to yourself that you gradually build up into a part of your regular routine. If you don't have a routine, I strongly suggest you start one - at least for fitness. 
9. Find drive. Hang up a picture of a favorite celebrity above your dresser. Write a motivational line on your running shoes in Sharpie. Whatever you gotta do to get 'er done. Taking "progress" snapshots of yourself might do it. Or reserving your fav music tracks for when you're gettin' your sweat on. 
10. Overcome. Some days - it's not going to work out. You just don't feel the drive. You inhaled that Turtle Pecan cheesecake before you could say "deliciousness". You can't seem to make it out the door. Take it easy, tiger - tomorrow will come. Simply jump back on the bandwagon and don't let your inner doggie downer get you down. 

"Come at me, summer! I'm ready to rumble!!" -- suggested mantra.