Had the best day! Woke up early and went to Trillium Park at Ontario Place for the Unbounded Sunrise Social event. Watched the sunrise with a meditation, jumped around to music, went in the cold, then in the sauna, and listened to live tunes by the fire. It was perfect. Went to a few of these events last summer, so fun. This year they had a Sunset Social but I couldn’t make it. If you’re looking for an event that doesn’t involve going to a bar or restaurant that will make you feel GREAT after, this is for you. The cold plunge community in the city, especially Unbounded, is so lovely. Positive people with an interest in wellness, having fun, and making the most of each day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) Benefits of Cold Plunge There’s a bunch of benefits for the mind and body. Please remember, I am not a doctor and you should prob check to see if this is safe before you give it a go. Aside from being great for stress & anxiety, it helps circulation. When you plunge into icy water, your blood vessels constrict, pushing blood toward your core to keep you warm. Then, when you get out, those vessels open up and send fresh, oxygenated blood rushing back to your limbs. This can help reduce inflammation and speed up muscle recovery. If you’ve been hitting or need a little extra recovery, cold plunge. Cold shock releases endorphins, filling you with energy and positivity. It’s pretty crazy! Everyone at this event was smiling. The mental act of pushing through the pain of cold water will make you feel a natural high (for real). A 2-minute dip in cold water can be just the thing to clear…

Busy at the gym, making good meals, getting good sleep, taking care of myself. Before the pandemic, I spent so much time out in the world doing things that didn’t reallllly make me happy. I was in this pattern of going out all the time, eating garbage, drinking. It was fun, at times. I still like to go out here and there, but not as often. I’m happy being a different kind of busy.

Last week I was so tired. Pretty sure it was Daylight Saving time, mixed with pandemic anxiety, and maybe a little burnout. I was wiped. Slept for most of the weekend and felt much better going into this week. IDK about you but I always feel great after I workout. You know, when your heart is pounding and you’re sweating, but you feel alive and energized? Some days I don’t feel like going but I know it will only take a few minutes for my mood to change. Also, I paid for the classes so I REALLY hate to miss one lol. There’s something about pushing yourself physically that makes you feel alive, saying “I can do this. I am strong.” I love that feeling, it’s been great for my mental health. If you’re feeling down or stressed out, go for a walk/run, lift some weights, or do something that gets you moving. I guarantee you’ll feel better. ✌️😊 P.S. Here’s a video of me skipping. I used to LOVE SKIPPING.

I’m totally a gym person now. Over the past four weeks of working out, I have amazed myself at my own strength. I’m lifting heavier weights each week and I truly look forward to pushing myself a little harder. I had planned to only go for the month of February but I feel like I can’t stop now. Today I did a plank (3×45 seconds) with 35 Lbs which is a personal best! My classes are not more than 5 people and the trainers work close to help you get the right form. When I look back to how nervous I was in my first class I feel like a totally different person. I look forward to my next class the way I used to look forward to going out. ? I’m still running regularly but I’m terrified of slipping so if it’s icy, no run. One of the best things during winter is getting nice and toasty at the gym. Let this be a reminder there’s no time like now to start something new and to do it for YOU. Happy Friday and I hope you have a great weekend!

Let me start this by staying I felt like complete shit for a lot of last year. Behind the many smiling selfies, I was in pain, depressed, and trying to ignore nerve damage in half of my face. I had been treating my body like garbage with alcohol, bad food, no sleep, and something had to change. I gained a bunch of weight and after being small my whole life, I wasn’t happy. I couldn’t live like that anymore. For a lot of 2009-2019 I went to multiple events a week, sometimes several per night. I was always on the go. I ate like crap and drank multiple times a week. When I hit my 30’s, my body changed, I gained weight, then I had a breast reduction, nearly broke my back w/ two cracked back ribs and closed out the decade with a fractured collarbone. A lot of good things happened in the last decade too but I’ve already shared that stuff. For years I dreamed of being a better me, one who ate healthier, felt good in a bathing suit, had longer hair, and genuine happiness that shined out of her face. That’s who I wanted to be so I started doing things differently. From September to January, I lost 20+Lbs and does it ever make a difference! I’m saving time by not stressing over my clothes not fitting. I feel mentally and physically stronger. I have more energy and I’m happier. Here’s the low down on how I got here and I feel confident that I will stick to it this time because I love feeling this way. Fasting In August 2019 I started intermittent fasting, 8hrs eating window (noon-8 pm) and fasting the rest of the day. I started to feel healthier, more energized, and leaner…

I’m in a Facebook group for my neighborhood, someone asked about wills this week and it was CRAZY to see how many people don’t have one. This is a short post with a code for you to go to willful.co and get yourself a will. You can create a legal will in minutes for $99-$150. USE CODE CASIE15 FOR 15% OFF AT WILLFUL WILLS I created a will when the company launched and had Sean create one before he went to Israel this past summer. I can’t imagine life without him but since we aren’t married, what would happen to the house and my whole life if he died? It’s never fun to think about life without someone you love or the world without you in it, but the fact is, we all die. If you have pets, kids, assets, what will happen to all that stuff? Take a few minutes to create an online will and save your kids, spouse, or family having to deal with legal fees and drama once you’re gone. LOVE YOU. PLEASE DON’T DIE.

I started getting my a$$ in gear a week before NYE and man do I ever notice. Along with feeling better and my face thinning out, I feel great all over. I actually look forward to waking up and hitting the pavement. I roll out of bed and get into my gear, and head outside. I was always a fit little person and I’m heading back in that direction. BF has noticed too which makes me feel even more awesome. YEAH BABY.  This morning I did my fastest KM yet of 5.35. I used to stress about what to wear when I worked out and I’d pace around back and forth and then get so overwhelmed I didn’t go. It seems silly but working out for the longest time gave me anxiety. I still can’t bring myself to go to a gym for a solo workout. Before the holidays Columbia Sportswear invited me to pick out a few items from their #TestedTough collection. I didn’t realize that the shirt & pants combo I picked out WERE ACTUALLY A SUPER HERO OUTFIT INSIDE. I’ve run a couple times in this gear (it’s inside out) and it’s really kept me warm. For the first time, I really DON’T GIVE A S#*% about what I wear because I’m running past anyone judging me.