My Honest Review: FabFitFun Box

This week, I am reviewing the FabFitFun box, which is a subscription box of beauty, wellness, fitness, and fashion items. This box retails for $49.99 and includes 8-10 full-sized products valued at over $200. Instead of signing up for a seasonal subscription, I chose to purchase a singular box to see how I like it.

Overall, I was happy with my purchase. You are able to customize some products, but some are a surprise. Some of my favorite items include: Summer & Rose Beach Towel (retail value $55), Foreo Luna Face Scrub (retail value $89), and the Tarte Highlight & Contour Palette (retail value $45). These three items cost $189, making the purchase well worth it. The diversity of the items was definitely a pro, no two items are the same. I enjoyed going through the surprises too, which I will keep secret! Another positive aspect of this purchase is the coupon code for first time customers. Entering "FFF10" at checkout took an additional $10 off my total, making this box even more affordable.



Some of the negative aspects are the ship time, unpredictability, and cancellation policies. Since the boxes are shipped seasonally, there is not a definitive ship date, just a two week time frame. The ship date is contingent on placing your order, so if you order it early enough, your box will ship in the first wave. I missed the first wave, so my box shipped to me in the second half of June, which was a little disappointing. Another negative aspect is the unpredictability of the surprise items. While I was happy with them this time, I can see some instances where individuals would be disappointed with the contents of the box. Finally, since I only wanted to purchase one box, I had to go through a process of unsubscribing to the site. It was a tad inconvenient, but overall not impossible.

My final thoughts: this is a great one time purchase, but I do not see myself needing a new box every season. It is a great gift idea, and perfect for anyone who likes beauty products. The price is especially affordable, given the high quality of products included. I give it 4.5 stars!

Until next time,
Andrea

Why I Like to Workout in the AM

Some people might be appalled at the idea of waking up before the sun rises and going for a run, but it’s what works for me. Granted there are definitely many some instances where I hit the snooze button and choose to sleep an extra hour, but I do thoroughly enjoy those days where I get my workout done work in the morning. This post is not to try to convince you to set your alarm for 6:00 AM and throw your running sneakers on for the rest of eternity, but just hear me out. Keep reading to see why I like working out in the morning.

It sets the tone for my day.

Wake up, workout, shower, and go. Working out first thing in the morning puts me on the right track, and actually helps me to be more productive throughout my day. I'm up early and I already crossed one thing off my checklist, which just fuels me to do more. I am more focused and driven when I get to school or work. If I workout in the morning, I'll also opt for healthier foods throughout the day. It allows me to start (and strive to finish) my day on a positive note.

It helps me feel refreshed early in the day.

There are some mornings where I wake up and contemplate if there is enough coffee in the world to fuel me to fully open my eyes. Working out in the morning gives me a boost of energy. Even if I didn't get much sleep the night before, once my workout is complete, I feel completely energized. I'll often opt out of my morning coffee on the days that I workout in the AM. 

"I'll do it later" usually translates to "I'm not going to do it." 

If I put something off, the odds that I actually do it are slim. By the time the day is over, I'm usually ready to unwind and relax. If I didn't already workout, it is highly unlikely that I do. Some people quite literally thrive in the nighttime, and make the bold trip to the gym past 10 pm. For me, I'd much rather end my day already having worked out. 

Although there are people who swear by their nighttime workouts, I enjoy working out in the morning. If you're at all intrigued, give it a try! You might end up agreeing with me.

Until next time, 

Andrea

Lifting Weights IS Good for You: It’s Not Preference, It’s Science

Although there are many misconceptions about how to get in shape (hours of cardio, juice cleanses, diet pills) there is one method of exercise with proven health benefits: strength training. Some people are afraid of looking “bulky” if they start lifting weights, but the benefits are scientifically proven.  

Some people might be confused with what happens to your body when you lift weights. Simply put, strength training causes microscopic tears to form between the fiber and connective tissue of your muscles. This tear is not permanent; your muscles rebuild themselves post workout. Once they are restored, your muscles come back stronger than they were before. Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of lifting weights.  

Lifting weights speeds up your metabolism.

Once you gain muscle mass from strength training, your body’s resting metabolism will increase. Every pound of muscle on your body burns approximately six calories per day at rest, compared to two calories burned per one pound of fat. There is also an afterburn effect post workout, which means that your body continues to burn calories even after you finish your workout.

Lifting weights improves your posture, sleep, and mood.

Proper strength training can fix improper joint alignment by strengthening the muscles associated with posture, like your back, shoulders, and abdominals. Lifting weights also regulates bodily functions like glucose metabolism, hormone levels, and blood pressure, making it easier for you to get a full night of rest. Your muscles also use the time you spend sleeping to repair themselves by emitting growth hormone-releasing hormones. You’ll wake up not only well rested, but stronger too. Lifting weights reduces stress by releasing endorphins, which are mood-boosting chemicals in your brain. These chemicals regulate your mood and induce euphoria. (Hence the term: look good, feel good!)

Lifting weights helps you excel in other areas.

By lifting weights regularly, your whole body becomes stronger. This effect will transfer over in other activities, such as running, playing basketball, or swimming. Stronger muscles will allow you to perform better, and that’s a fact.

So grab those dumbbells and reap the benefits. You can thank me later.

Until next time,

Andrea

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello all! My name is Andrea Cice and I am a current senior at Fordham University.

The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate that living a healthy lifestyle and living an affordable lifestyle are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to exercise, eat right, work, and keep up with your studies-- all without breaking the bank (or losing your sanity). While it can seem like a daunting task at first sight, healthy eating and exercise can easily become a common routine in your everyday life.

I played volleyball my whole life, and was in for a big change when I started college. I no longer played a sport and worked out for 2+ hours a day; instead I was adjusting to being a freshman away from home for the first time in my 18 years of life. After some time to adjust, I finally found a routine that molded me into what I am today. I was and still am on a budget, but by utilizing my resources, I am able to make the best of what I have.

Through trial and error, I was able to figure out what works well for me. While this is not a holy grail for everyone, I do hope that you all will find what I share useful. Healthy living is living well, and everyone has the ability to be the best version of themselves.

Until next time,

Andrea