#mystrengthismybeauty

[arayael-eloha]

JUMPN’ JUMPN’ into that sweetness of the ROARING 20s & ready for this new year! ✨ • New Years Eve is usually a mix of emotions for me, but as I shift my perspective to view it as an opportunity, an energy, a time to change, update, recharge, and better myself, the more I look forward to this point in the year. I don’t think there is anything wrong with having New Years resolutions or goals, because some say “you shouldn’t have to wait to one point in the year to change or set intentions”, which I get and I do think you should have time each week or month to reflect and redirect as needed. BUT this holiday is a great reminder and time to reflect and grow and set those intentions and realign your goals. • So CHEERS to you all 🥂 ! Wishing you the best and blessings in the New Year! Here is to change, failure, triumph, growth, & refining YOU to be the best version of yourself ! The #roaring20s are HERE! LET’S GET IT ! #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #selflove #findyourlight #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #longleanandsexy #swooshlife #sweatlife #sweetlife #sweatthedistrict #dcfit 📸: @vi_liketheletter (at Watermelon House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wRDc-hfXP/?igshid=1nc5dfs6jm7y

[arayael-eloha]

✨ Appreciate everything...even life’s curveballs. By changing our perception just slightly, we can appreciate each opportunity & challenge as an important and vital step to where we are going next. TRUST that inner compass. ✨ Stripping down to the core and investing in ME. Natural, unfiltered, raw, beautiful ME. ✨ #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #LongLeanandSexy #youareresilient https://www.instagram.com/p/BseYZQtHYQK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d87w7bgzbvzu

[arayael-eloha]

CurvyGirl.HealthyGirl.

AND WE ARE BACK BABYYYY!! I am bringing sweaty back *JT Voice* 

I am beyond thrilled to relaunch my blog, Curvy Girl, Healthy Girl, and revamp it to a health, fitness, and wellness platform. This time last year I was living in Brazil for the summer and blogging all about my amazing experiences. Now I am ready to relaunch my blog and do it on something that I love...FITNESS!!!

Body image, mental health, physical health, fitness, women empowerment, are all topics that are EXPLODING all over the internet and social media. Fit is “in” and I want to be a part of empowering all my readers through their journey as I share mine. And I have had a journey from being a former D-1 athlete, to not being very active and gaining a bunch of weight, to now being the type of person who literally goes CRAYZYYYYY if I do not workout or do some type of movement on a daily basis.

Being ‘fit’ can be more than having the 6 pack, being able to run like Forrest Gump, or bench the heaviest weight. 

Fit is what you feel. It is what your body feels when it is operating at its best. You don’t have to be a ‘fitness model’ to be a role model in fitness and health. I want to challenge all my readers to channel that inner badass when they are getting their sweat sesh on and be comfortable in their own skin.

My goal is to bring you the greatest ways to sweat and to help inspire you to know what makes you feel good. I want to collaborate with health and fitness professionals all over the District and elsewhere to give you the motivation and confidence you need to improve your lifestyle. I will be posting workouts I have created or completed from unique gyms and classes I take here in the District, and I do a lot of fitness reading now (NERRRDDDD), so think of me as giving you the spark notes from all these different platforms. All it takes is a small spark for inspiration. I know I can look at a fitness IG or read a story of someone who found healing through fitness or look at a simple recipe to add to my meal prep for the week and feel so INSPIRED. If other people are doing it, I can do it and if the information is out there, easy to read and do, I can for sure do it! All it takes is one spark to make a change and that spark can be small, but ultimately you are making a step to changing into something greater!

I know that nutrition is my biggest challenge, more so than waking up and getting myself to the gym. Living in a city where there is ALWAYS a new restaurant to try or you can’t turn down the hottest spots for happy hours to catch up with friends or coworkers, proves for a hard time to follow a strict diet or to stay disciplined. Those empty calories in alcohol SMACK YA right in the face or should I say GUT, at least that is where mine goes. And boy do I enjoy my Rosé or Prosecco on a DC Rooftop or even a cold beer and hotdog at a Nats game, so finding balance in eating out in a happy hour/foodie kind of city is hard, but I’ve done it. I will share my tips and tricks and meal prep ideas. Sometimes all you need is a little food inspiration and boom you have healthy lunches planned all week, or healthy snack ideas, or you want to try to cook one healthy dinner a week...I GOT YOU!

So I listed out my workout below for THE. FIRST. OFFICIAL. A Ray sweat sesh and man, is it a burner. I posted the videos of the movements to show you what each exercise is. Try and incorporate these movements into your routine. Be brave. Challenge yourself. But be patient and kind. My theme this week for my workout was STRENGTH & POWER. I had some serious emotions to work out this week and I channeled all that into my workouts. These movements really help elevate your heart rate and burn those stressors in life away. HIT SOMETHIN’!!!

LEG 7 MINUTE CIRCUIT - Running Clock and go through the reps as many times as you can until 7 minutes is up.

1. Step Up Jumps x12 each leg

2. Pulse Squat x15 (Make sure you go below parallel to build that booty)

3. Single Leg Lunge x12 each leg

4. Mountain Climbers x50

ARM 7 MINUTE CIRCUIT - Running Clock and go through the movements as many times as you can until 7 minutes is up.

1. Bent Over Row x12 each arm

2. Bench Dips x10-12

3. Lay Down Push Up x10-12

4. Dumbbell Curl to Press x12

AB & POWER FINISHER

1. Bicycle Pauses x25 each side

2. Straight Leg Zombie Sit Up with Twist x20 (10 each side)

3. Side Plank Hold 20 sec hold to Side Plank Dip 20 sec hold and switch to make sure you worked both sides

4. Forward Plank 45 sec hold

5. Halo Slams to Wall Throw x10 each side

6. Medicine Ball Slams to High Plank x12

WORKOUT SONG of the week: Questions - Chris Breezyyyyy

Great up tempo song for those cardio days to keep ya movin’ this week. It is catchy 😉. 

FOOD INSPO

Alright y’all it is a holiday week and your girl is headed to the beach, so I just needed a quick, easy, two day meal prep. I went to the DuPont Circle Farmers Market this morning and grabbed some fresh tomatoes, a green pepper, cherries and some juicy peaches. So I made a delicious Brazilian Salsa (I got the recipe from my miga Desi and her sweet momma) so I am naming it Brazilian Salsa and paired it with some refried beans and pollo asada from Trader Joes. Easy. Quick. And MUITO BOM 😘 I usually have a yogurt and fresh fruit in the morning and that’s my meal prep for my two day work week!

BRAZILIAN SALSA

Dice 2 large Tomatoes

Dice 1 Green Pepper

Dice 1 small Onion

Soak in White Vinegar for 20 minutes

Drain then add a little Olive Oil, Lemon, Salt & Pepper

Hope y’all have an amazing week and happy 4th! Enjoy the food inspiration and hopefully you like the workout I created. Please comment, message, DM, or email ideas, feedback, or topics you would like to see discussed on the blog. I am SO EXCITED to be doing this journey and have you follow along!

In peace,

A

[arayael-eloha]

Been sweating together since summer ‘09 💪🏼💦🔥 #EUyouknow • • SO PROUD of my boy Rasauny for crushing the fitness world down here in Charlotte. Keep changing lives and pushing individuals to be the best version of themselves. LOVED getting that morning sweat sesh in with ya ❤️💪🏼 you still kicked my a$$ 💥 !! #swooshlife #sweetlife #sweatlife #nikewomen #justdoit #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #WHStrong #LongLeanandSexy (at Charlotte, North Carolina)

[arayael-eloha]

✨BEAMING LIGHT & JOY ✨ HAPPY FRIDAYYY fam!!! I am grateful for today and waking up able to breathe & move. #iRise for OPPORTUNITY - the opportunity to coach YOU at PULSE House of Fitness, inspire YOU, and SWEAT with you! 💪🏼 • • • Come check your girl out next week in the LAB - sign up using the link👇🏼! $10 classes - all proceeds go to SOME (So Others Might Eat). COME 💦SWEAT💦 WITH ME! ✨Thursday 9.20 6:30pm & 7:15pm ✨ Friday 9.21 6:30am & 7:15am ✨ Saturday 9.22 8:15am & 9:15am https://reserve.pulsehousefitness.com/reserve/index.cfm?action=Reserve.chooseClass&site=1 #ARayofSunshine #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #WHStrong #LongLeanandSexy #youareresilient (at PULSE House of Fitness) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnuEaAknfDH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=go19de5l9s2b

[arayael-eloha]

Shorties?...in January?...GROUNDBREAKING! • • • #winterruns #winterlegs #thickthighssavelives #yagirlneedsatannnnnn #swooshlife #sweetlife #sweatlife #nikewomen #justdoit #dcruns #districtrunning #selflove #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curveygirlhealthygirl #chantaje #ARayofsunshine #shineyourlight (at Washington, District of Columbia)

[arayael-eloha]

Sometimes in the W A V E S of change, we find our true direction. • Just over here patiently awaiting the return to the #sweatlife. I’m healing 🌀 I’m recharging ⚡️. I’ve been sidelined with a back injury & it has really affected me mentally and physically these past couple of weeks. BUT with my ‘everything happens for a reason’ mindset, I have given myself grace by understanding this injury happened to teach me something. It is there to remind me that I’m going to have to dig so deep to come back, but that I’m going to come back stronger and with a new perspective of how I need to continue to treat my body like a temple. It’s the only one I have and I have to continue to invest and love my body, while also balancing and continuing to recognize & work on my mind and spirit - it’s a trinity and all must be aligned to fully serve my purpose. #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #selflove #findyourlight #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #longleanandsexy #swooshlife #sweatlife #sweetlife #sweatthedistrict #dcfit #wavewall #thegreatwave #georgetowndc 📸: @vi_liketheletter (at O St) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5EQvb8hojS/?igshid=1xd4nxlwgonld

[arayael-eloha]

A little late night work at the Nox 💪🏼 #legday #thatwasonlyhalfofthecircuit #workingthesecurves #curvygirlhealthygirl #strongnotskinny #mystrengthismybeauty #selflove #sweetlife #sweatlife #swooshlife #nike (at Washington, District of Columbia)

[arayael-eloha]

WE DON’T GROW WHEN THINGS ARE EASY ~ WE GROW WHEN WE TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE. Life’s been kicking my ass lately and I’m doing the best I can to take it ONE STEP AT A TIME • Life is hard and every day you have to invest in you, because at the end of the day that is who you are left with - yourself. *cue Queen B 🐝 Me, Myself, & I* Life is also beautiful & you must recognize the blessings in good health, friends, family or whatever it may be to make you feel appreciative to take another breath each morning when you wake up. In the end, I can see the bigger picture, but man, when you’re in the trenches, it’s hard to get that perspective and have that gratitude in your ♥️. Just remember you’re growing with each day, with each challenge. And that’s real.⚡️😤#glasshalffull #ARayofSunshine #fitspo #keeplookingforward #itsamindset #femininestrength #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curveygirlhealthygirl #longleanandsexy #swooshlife #sweatlife #sweetlife #sweatthedistrict #dcfit (at Georgetown) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VpfCYBV6h/?igshid=1c21rt7bmhs44

[arayael-eloha]

CRYSTAL 🔹 CLEAR 🔹 VISION • Life is funny in that it truly is a balancing act. You want to go whole heartedly after what you want and desire, but you also are humbled when you need to surrender to Divine will. Your path might not be an easy straight shot, but the vision for yourself should always be in clear sight with acceptance and understanding of balancing the highs and lows, the twists and turns to get to where you want to be. A little give...a little let go... • *NEW POST is up on CurvyGirlHealthyGirl: arayael-eloha.tumblr.com/ - link in bio #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #selflove #findyourlight #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #longleanandsexy #swooshlife #sweatlife #sweetlife #sweatthedistrict #dcfit (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJwWwyB3nA/?igshid=irqid00o9bk1

[arayael-eloha]

50% masterpiece + 50% work in progress = 100% ME !! Always trying to better myself and connect with what my body and soul is needing. Don’t be afraid to look in the mirror to really SEE YOURSELF - see the great beauty and light you hold. Work on YOU and turn weaknesses into strengths. We are all human. We all have them. Acknowledge them and be gentle with yourself when you start to make changes. • *NEW POST is up on CurvyGirlHealthyGirl: arayael-eloha.tumblr.com/ * I’m talking about WELLNESS and what that looks like to me & I share my non traditional approach in that. Working on that masterpiece! #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #selflove #findyourlight #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #longleanandsexy #swooshlife #sweatlife #sweetlife #sweatthedistrict #dcfit (at Northwest Washington, Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLmaEqFzdH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10rzh372rrb8e

[arayael-eloha]

The HAPPIEST of hours! • Daylight savings has me feeling some type of way. I’m ready to shed winter and welcome the warmth of spring! I’m ready to get back on my fitness game and work on me! • The majority of my self love does revolve around working out, because for so much of my life I’ve been ashamed of this body. I’ve wanted to hide it and cover it, because I didn’t recognize the BEAUTY & the STRENGTH it possessed. • Not any more! I’m proud of this body and amazed at what it can do. The physical is important, but the deepening of the SOUL is also a priority for me. I am exited to begin the relaunch of my blog CurvyGirl.HealthyGirl - details to come - ready to talk fitness, consciousness, healthy living, and more! I’m ready y’all and so excited to share my path! #ARayofSunshine #🌞 #bodymindandspirit #om #heal #reconnect #selflove #findyourlight #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #longleanandsexy #WHStrong (at Dupont at the Circle) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAa4_cljcJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ctvg0cbhdjve

[arayael-eloha]

P U S H even when you feel like you can’t go any further. It’ll make you T O U G H E R. It’ll make you S T R O N G E R. #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #WHStrong #dcfitness #sweatlife #LongLeanandSexy #youareresilient *NEW POST is up on CurvyGirlHealthyGirl: arayael-eloha.tumblr.com/ (at T.C. Williams High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmeLCFA7Zn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=34qd6st1igcb

[arayael-eloha]

• J U M P • and you’ll find out how to unfold your wings as you fall, then before you know it, you’ll • S O A R • Here are to new beginnings and taking on new opportunities as they come to us. I truly am a believer in the energy you put out you will receive back. All good things! I’m ready for what is next...and MORE! #stayhumblewhenyouarehigh #stayhopefulwhenyouarelow #livelokai #swooshlife #sweetlife #sweatlife #nikewomen #justdoit #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #WHStrong #LongLeanandSexy ***Catch up on CurvyGirlHealthyGirl*** (at Washington, District of Columbia)

[arayael-eloha]

¡bienvenido a Miami!

CurvyGirl HealthyGirl was on the road this week. I flew down to Miami last Wednesday to attend a conference. I was presenting at the 9th International Conference on Sport & Society. The theme of this conference was Sport Impacts: Reshaping Cities, Environments, and People. Fitting huh for this platform? I was awarded the Emerging Scholar Award, along with other successful scholar-practitioners in the field. I also presented on my two passion points: Collegiate Athletics and International Education! My research while I was getting my master’s degree at GW was on Building Intercultural Competency Skills Through Short-Term Study Abroad for College Athletes and this blending of my two world’s is very unique in the field of Higher Education, so I would say that it was well received. Anytime you want to have a conversation about college athletics or international education, I AM YOUR GIRL! (Nerd) I met colleagues from all around the world, Canada, UK, Ireland, Scotland, Africa, India, Australia - it was such a great experience!

I have never been to Miami before - only through the airport when connecting flights to go to Brazil, so I was really excited to spend time in this fiery, Latin spiced city! Although I was here for an educational purpose, I wanted to extend my time for a little fun towards the end. And best part was, my mamacita flew down from South Carolina to support me! We ate the best food, got some great sweat time in, and soaked up all the Miami rays! This place is BEAUTIFUL! I was definitely feeling the Miami vibe and working that ARay-cita feeling!

People might think I am crazy, but honestly the highlight of my trip was taking a workout class at Society Barbell & Fitness. Weeks prior to my trip down, I researched different places to get a nice workout in, and this gym kept popping up, and let me tell you, I was so glad I chose this spot. It was honestly one of the best workouts I have ever completed and it was tough - when I tell you I was drenched in sweat head to toe, I was! My tee shirt probably weighed an extra pound from the sweat. Adam Becker, one of the head coaches led the sweat sesh.

Spotlight on Society Barbell & Fitness and why you need to come here next time you are in MIAMI!

1. The coaches, Adam and Mike, are INCREDIBLE! Positive, knowledgeable, nice, but they kick your ass! Seriously. You will not be disappointed. Miami has a lot of great places to eat and drink and so they will make you earn your calories.

2. The community feel when you step into the box is so welcoming. My partner for the workout had moved to Miami not too long ago from the midwest and she said she was looking for something to ground her here in her new home since Miami can be kind of overwhelming and this gym and the two head coaches were an instant community and support crew.

3. The gym itself is in such a great location in downtown Miami right along the river. And the workouts include you going out and running along the riverwalk there, so at least while you are dying you get the stunning views of the water and sleek, sophisticated Miami buildings.

4. THE WORKOUT - so I took the Society Fit class, which was a HIIT type workout. Lots of cardio and conditioning mixed with core work and other movements to elevate that heart rate. Crossfit workouts are available too, but I tend to shy away from those - the Society Fit class was just right for me.

Although I was the outsider coming into this spot, I was welcomed immediately, and found my new favorite place in Miami. Check them out! They also post a WOD on their website for all those who are not able to make it in for a sweat sesh! Great studio gym, beautiful location, AMAZING sweat! Go get it if you’re ever in the area! I posted the workout that destroyed me (in a good way) above. I will for sure be using some of these exercises in my future workouts. If you dare, give it a try. I promise you you will be sweating within the first 10 minutes (or maybe that was just the Miami heat that got me).

Besides sweating and beaching, eating was involved too and even though I tried to eat healthy, I was on vacation, so I was eating ALL THE FOOD! Anything I was craving I got. My favorite place we went to had to be this Sushi restaurant. Pubbelly Miami - O.M.G.!!! It was some of the best Asian Fusion food I have had. It was tapas style Japanese and Latin cuisine, two of my favorite!!! I introduced mamacita to Elote Corn and it was the best thing on the menu.

Our last morning together, we rented bicycles and cruised down Ocean Dr. looking at all the art deco buildings and then circled around the south point and cycled past all the yachts docked in the bay. Capping off a phenomenal weekend, I found this ADORABLE breakfast spot with the most beautiful and tasty ACAI BOWLS 😍 Pura Vida Miami, you did not disappoint!

Back to the District tomorrow - I certainly enjoyed my time here in Miami, but I am ready to get home and get back into my routine. Gym workouts and meal prep ideas will be back next Sunday!!! Have an awesome week everyone! 

In Peace,

A

[arayael-eloha]

I’ve got a feeling everything is going to be on the up and up...can’t steal my shine! ✨🔥💃🏻 • • • CurvyGirl. HealthyGirl launched ☑️ It’s my birthday week ☑️♋️ Feeling gratitude in my heart for my amazing family and friends ☑️❤️🙌🏼 #ARayofsunshine #shinethatinnerlight #selflove #swooshlife #sweetlife #sweatlife #nikewomen #justdoit #mystrengthismybeauty #strongnotskinny #embraceyourcurve #curvygirlhealthygirl #bodyimagepositivity #WHStrong #LongLeanandSexy (at Washington, District of Columbia)