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Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

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Category : Health & Beauty

My First HydraFacial with NWACPS

Remember last year when I partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Center for Plastic Surgery and The Skin Care Center on all of the amazing advanced skin care they offer? Well the kind folks at NWACPS invited me back again to try out their newest skincare treatment, the HydraFacial… And with the instant results, I’m an instant fan.

I’ve previously tried other facials, such as microdermabrasion, however the HydraFacial is a gentler approach that cleans, extracts, and hydrates the skin all in one sitting. Vacuuming out the pores, it also infuses the skin with hydrating serums to create a natural glow in as little as 30 minutes. My skin is pretty sensitive but because the HydraFacial is so gentle, it’s great for nearly all skin types. To top it all off, there’s no pain (in fact, I found it very relaxing) and there’s zero down time.

So how do I like the results? Well if you can’t already tell, I’m in LOVE. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my pores were visibly clean and clear as soon as the treatment was over. I also love that there was zero downtime and that it pairs nicely with other skin treatments. I was overdue for Botox, so it was really convenient to be able to do both services while I was at the NWACPS office – all on my lunch hour! Starting at $175, you can customize the HydraFacial for however you or your aesthetician sees fit.

Side note, I also highly recommend having your eyebrows done while you’re there. After the HydraFacial my favorite aesthetician, Krissa, did an amazing job at cleaning and shaping up my brows. I had no idea that you weren’t supposed to wax after exfoliating your skin or using retinol, so it’s nice to know my skin and brows are in good hands.

All in all, I highly recommend trying the HydraFacial or, at the very least, making an appointment for a complimentary consultation at NWACPS to see what options are best for your skin and your budget. I mean, just look at this bright and cozy room. I already want to go back…

This Peloton Referral Code Helped me Pull the Trigger – UPDATED FOR 2021!

Edit 1/14/2021:
I would love to be able to share my code with you guys, but unfortunately Peloton has said this violates their policy and has suspended my referral code. I have been sharing my first-hand experience with Peloton for several years now, here on my own personal blog and as well as on Instagram. One of my posts was even featured on their official Instagram page. While I don’t share my code on any social media platforms (just here on my personal blog), I have shared my love of the bike, tips and recommendations, and even taking classes in the studio. I can’t even begin to tell you how many folks have reached out with questions and to let me know that thanks to the sharing of my experience, they have pulled the trigger and purchased a bike. While I am disheartened that Peloton has intentionally chosen to disqualify my referral code (and stated they will not reinstate even after the codes were removed online), I recognize that they do reserve that right. But since I’ve shared so many other experiences, I wanted to share this one too.

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Well, folks. I did it. I bought myself a Peloton bike. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I am a lover of Jazzercise so this might seem like a surprise. Jazzercise was indeed the first workout that I’ve ever looked forward to and that actually made me feel great instead of miserable. I never thought that I would be an exercise class person (I’m easily intimidated), but I quickly realized that the accountability of working out in a group is what I need to give me that extra motivation to show up and give it my all.

Enter, Peloton. I had thought of buying one here and there, but as someone who was too intimidated to try an actual cycling class, it didn’t seem realistic. But over the last two years I’ve watched Todd fall in love with cycling and I’ve seen how much happier and healthier he is (and how much weight he has lost!), which is all pretty inspiring. But I didn’t hop onto the Peloton completely blind. I had ridden on Todd’s indoor trainer while watching a few cycling classes on YouTube, so I had a general idea of what to expect. I also read a ton of reviews, almost all of which were positive, and did a lot of searching on Instagram to see how people were using it in real life. Overall, the reason I ended up taking the leap (and dropping some serious dough on the bike) was that it had some of the aspects of Jazzercise I love so much (fun music, uplifting instructors, and class accountability), yet I would have the ability to take the classes on my own schedule. As a mom that works full-time and blogs as a side hustle, this is the biggest part for me. The time I make for myself is not very much and my schedule is always changing, so the convenience component is what really won me over.

I clicked “buy” on a Monday night and by Thursday evening there were two guys setting it up in our den. I live in Arkansas, so that is pretty impressive. So far I’ve only done a few rides and boy were they TOUGH. I am nowhere near ready to ride at the recommended cadence and resistance of the instructor, but after just a few minutes I’m dripping with sweat and my heart-rate is UP for the entire ride. I figure that’s an excellent place to start.

Peloton doesn’t seem to have sales on their bikes very often, but I did find a referral code from a stranger on the internet for $100 worth of free accessories with a purchase of a bike. I was able to get a heart rate monitor, weights, and headphones for free! I already had the clip-in style shoes, but if I didn’t that would have been a great deal. Feel free to use this code, REDACTED :( (see edit above), and to get (and give) $100 of accessories. After I get more comfortable and try out different instructors, I’ll do another update to talk about how I’m liking it.

Stay tuned!

One Year of Advanced Skin Care

Well, I don’t know how but it has been a full YEAR since I began my new skin care journey with the Northwest Arkansas Center for Plastic Surgery‘s Skin Care Center! As you may remember, I began partnering with them last fall as I dived deep into the world of advanced skin care. Inching closer and closer to 40 (I just turned 37 in October), it’s a world I was desperately wanting to know more about, but had no clue where to start. In the past, I would fluctuate between a cheap moisturizer at Target and what ever specialty products I thought looked cool at Ulta. Well my friends, I’m happy to report that not only is my skin changed thanks to some TLC from my girl Krissa at NWACPS, but I feel so much more knowledgeable on the entire process of caring for my largest organ!

So what did I learn? We see a professional for our hair, our body, our eyes, our teeth, etc., so why did I just start seeing one for my skin at age 36? It’s the first thing people see when they meet you, and it’s often the first thing that changes as you age. NWACPS taught me that it’s all about prevention: the better you take care of your skin now, the less you’ll need (or at least want) to do later.

So what treatments did I love the most? Dermaplane changed my skin almost instantly. I wrote about it over here, but ultimately it’s what gave my skin that instant glow that we all desire. I also fell in love with SkinMedica products – you can read all about my favorites here! And I was super curious about laser treatments, so I was excited to try Nordlys. It took a few treatments, but I could visibly tell that it made my complexion more bright and even over all. This is something that I will certainly keep in mind as I age. And last, but CERTAINLY not least, I am now a Botox believer. Can I get an amen? I started this partnership with NWACPS because I was so intrigued by Botox, but it was hard to get any details on first-hand experiences from folks I trusted. Botox is one of those things a lot of people do, but just don’t talk about. It’s all very hush-hush, but I don’t think it needs to be. So what did I do? I tried it and talked about it on the internet for the world to hear. I had SO many people message me with questions, so it was fun to be open and chat about Botox with others that were curious.

So what’s next? The VIP membership at NWACPS is the way to go. While $500 may seem like a big chunk to pay at once, it’s totally worth it. You get your choice of four treatments per year (Microdermabrasion, Dermaplane, or specialty custom facial – one each quarter). One Skin Peel per year. 10% off all skin care products. AND exclusive pricing on injectables (like Botox!). So basically, if you plan on getting four skin care treatments in a year, it more than pays for itself. If you’d rather start smaller, sign up for a complimentary consultation and see what’s right for you. The aestheticians help guide you in the best direction not only for your skin, but for your time and budget too.

So there you have it, folks. Not only is my skin changed, but so am I. I feel more thoughtful about the way I take care of my skin and am even more thankful for what I have as I grow older.

This post is in partnership with NWACPS, however the words and opinions in my blog are truly my own.

Skin Care – An Update!

So for those of you following along, I wanted to give an update on my advanced skin care journey with NWA Center for Plastic Surgery‘s skincare center. It’s now been almost seven months since I started getting serious about caring for my skin. Since then, I’ve had dermaplane about once a month, Botox about every three months, various peels, and a new obsession with SkinMedica products. Once my skin had adjusted to my new routine, my esthetician introduced me to the Nordlys laser. I just had my third overall treatment, plus Fraxel laser on my nose, so I’m excited to share the end result once those treatments are complete! Spoiler alert – I can already tell that my overall complexion is smoother and brighter… stay tuned!

A Beginner’s Guide to Jazzercise

Some of my most popular blog posts have been the ones about my journey with Jazzercise, and some of my most commonly asked questions from friends and folks online is about Jazzercise. Since I was a beginner myself not that long ago, I thought I would answer some of the questions I’ve gotten, as well as some that I had when I first began:

What do I wear?
Sorry to disappoint, but the neon leotards and spandex left with the 1980s. For your first Jazzerise class wear whatever you are comfortable in, but remember you’ll be jumping and moving around, so you’ll want something that gives you flexibility and support. Personally, I wear cropped leggings (even in the winter because you truly work up a sweat), sports bra, tank top, and sneakers. You’ll see a wide-range of outfits though. Some people are head-to-toe is cute workout gear, while others keep it ultra-cas in a t-shirt and shorts.

What do I bring?
Just water and yourself! Some people bring their own mats and weights, or even a towel or extra cushion to put down on the mats that are provided. At my center, there are almost always enough mats and a range of weights to choose from. While you use weights in every class, mats aren’t always needed. You’ll occasionally use exercise balls and resistance bands, but those are provided as well (and no prior experience is needed).

Okay, so there are weights. What do I start with?
If you are already familiar exercising with weights, then you probably know what’s best. But if you are a newbie like I was, I started with 3-pound weights and then after about a week went up to 5-pounders. Currently I go between 5 and 6-pound weights depending on the class.

So there are different types of classes?
Yes! That’s what helps keeps it fun and what helps keep it a well-rounded workout. Each class format is a different mix of songs/workouts, with some being more focused on cardio (Dance Mixx) while others are more focused on strength (Strength 60). You can read more about the different class types here. And you can always find out what classes are happening and when via the Jazzercise app or by searching for your center on their website. For example, here’s my center’s schedule!

Is it really a good workout?
As with any exercise, you’ll only get out as much as you put in. Overall though, people (like myself) are surprised to find out how much of a challenge each class can be. The classes are typically an hour long and are a good “one-stop-shop” for your daily exercise.

I can’t dance. Does that matter?
Anyone can Jazzercise. I don’t consider myself a dancer in the least, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have fun trying. Plus, one of the many things I love about Jazzercise is that it’s helped with my coordination overall. You’ll learn that each routine is choreographed to work specifically with each song, so you can feel (and hear) when you’re about to change movements. And if you count in eights, it will be easier to stay on track. None of that truly matters though – The environment is made to make you feel comfortable so that you can just do your thing and make it your own workout. It’s a no-judgement zone.

Do they still dance to 80s music?
While I think a throw-back class would be awesome, Jazzercise definitely keeps it fresh with what’s popular on the radio (my fave routines are the ones to Bruno Mars). That means we get to learn new routines pretty often, so even if you are brand new to Jazzercise, it’s likely that the veteran next to you is learning something for the first time too.

I have an old injury. Can I still try it?
Absolutely! While there is a lot of hopping and lunging that can be tough on the knees, instructors give low-impact options for each workout.

How many calories do you burn?
I wear an Apple Watch and I find that I burn approximately 450 – 550 calories per class. I discovered this blog, which has some good insight into the amount of calories burned for each class format.

How do I get started and how does it all work?
Once you sign-up (you can pay per class or join for 3, 6, or 12 months), they print you out a little card with your name on it. Before each class, you pull your card so that they can scan it. This helps keep track of how many classes you attend in a year. They usually announce during class when you hit a milestone, such as 25, 50, 75 or 100 classes. And with the new app, I think we’re going to see a transition to scanning your phone instead of the card, so that’s exciting! Jazzercise also announces great deals a few times throughout the year, so be on the lookout for a joining special – that’s how I got hooked.

Any questions I missed? Feel free to ask or share your insight below! The Jazzercise community is a warm and welcoming one, so if you are curious the best thing to do is just give it a shot and keep in mind it usually takes at least a few classes for it to “click.” You can read my previous posts here and here.

PS – This is not a sponsored post. I’ve just enjoyed sharing my Jazzer-journey!