The change up!

Hey everyone!

I have come to realize if something is not working out for you, you need to change it up!
For the last few weeks, my weight has stayed the same. I was battling between getting the sleep I need or go to weight watchers.Go for a workout or go to weight watchers. I kept thinking everything would just work out, but really that has not been the case. Over on my Twitter, I had been following a man that kept tweeting about a free custom diet plan. Each night, I would see his tweets and keep scrolling. Then one night, I decided to just check it out. 

Over the next few days we emailed about my needs, goals, and allergies. We also spoke about my journey and what has gotten me to this point. We also spoke about what has and has not been working for me. Tracking, counting, planning, and going to meetings, just was not working! My schedule with work is just too insane to make sure I am tracking and counting and going to meetings. Also, planning was becoming difficult, too. Some may say these are excuses, and I hear ya! I really do! But, my life has had some big changes and I need to change other things in my life as well! I own that!

So I waited for my Custom Diet plan to be sent over as I decided to give this a shot! For two days, I seriously prepared myself for a very strict plan! I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw that was not the case! It is all about upping my protein and making sure I get enough nutrients each and everyday! There is also a shake in there, which for me works out great since I am always on the run! The shake is packed with nutrients and tastes great too! I use it as a snack! The plan does have some planning ahead, but for me, it just seems much more manageable! 

I will be checking in each week and letting you know how it all goes!

The man I am working with is Marc Lalonde of Fitness Takeout. Marc is a Certified Personal Health & Fitness Expert | Body Transformation Specialist. Marc has been great to work with so far! He is helpful, patient, and honest! He is also full of amazing knowledge that he is happy to share with you! His email is fitnesstakeout@gmail.com if you have any questions!

I will admit and say how nervous I was still am, about leaving Weight Watchers, but I know I need to give this a try!!!

Xxoo Christina 

Handling life changes!

Oh life, you have such a fabulous way of throwing a curve ball! Just when hubby and I were settling in to our "married" routine, we got thrown a curve ball! A, I now work an hour away on a night shift (completely opposite his), with complete unpredictability, curve ball! We have had to do (and still are) a lot of adjusting! We thought we worked opposite schedules before?! Oh man! We really took that for granted! Now, we are lucky to see each other a few minutes in the middle of the night and a few early in the morning along with maybe two VERY short conversations during the day/night. Again, maybe being the operative word here! So we spoke about how we would adjust and how we would handle it and this is just the changes we have made!

-Communication. In the beginning we were both attempting to stick to our "normal" schedules and that just was not working for me, but I did not want to say anything. That was until, I had a melt down. It is SO much easier to just say what the heck you need to say in the first place and not let it snowball!
-Date night. Man I thought it was important before. SUPER important now! We have our normal weekend nights together, but we decided we needed to do more. Each month, one of us is planning a date for the other, not revolving around errands and what not!
-Pick and choose. We do this more carefully now as our time together is next to none! Sometimes you need to put yourself and your relationship first!
-Pick up the slack.   I am unable to do as much as I was doing, so hubby has been trying to help pick up the slack when he can.
-The Notebook. Because we are unable to always communicate like we do, we have a little notebook. We use it to write about our days, how we are feeling, and just what is going on. It is fun to come home almost nightly with a new note and I know hubby loves coming home to see his notes, too!
-Time Management. So we have made changes here as well. Now, hubby will go to the gym early on a Saturday while I am still sleeping, and by the time he gets home, I am getting ready to start my day. The errands we used to do separate, we now do together (food shopping).  We also are trying to cook together more. This helps with us spending time together and it also helps me free up the time i would normally spend cooking to now do something for myself.
Hubby now skips cardio at the gym on weekends and we do it together, and I think it has been one of the best changes. 
The little things. We have both been trying to find different and cute ways to let the other know we miss them or are thinking about them. We also try to be so grateful and mindful of the time we get together. We also try to not bicker about the little things. 

I am by no means saying this is what you need to do, nor am I saying we are perfect at these things! But for now, we are working at these changes and making it work for our marriage!

How have you handled big changes in your relationships??  

Xxoo-Christina 

Weekly workout recap!

So as I mentioned I wanted to do a weekly workout recap! I feel it will help me stay on track and keep consistent! This week I had planned 4 days of exercise, and as you will see I was able to get in 3 days. That is because in the beginning of the week I was feeling rather sick, so I decided to just rest up for my shifts at work and continue once I was feeling better!

 

 Workout #1 was with my hubby using the L2R app! I am working on my pacing and this app helps tremendously!

 Workout #2 was my 10 minute time crunch from Weight Watchers! It is a video of five different ten minute workouts with three different levels! I was able to do 3 workouts!

Workout #3 was a bit unconventional! Dancing at a wedding! Hubby and I danced all night along and per my active link, I was at a high level of intensity! I earned 6AP from dancing at a wedding! Woot Woot! 

During my week I attempted to park at the last parking spot, and walk whenever I could. Hubby and I also went to our local farmer's market and made sure to walk there and back! It is all about making healthy changes! 

Excited for this upcoming week!

Xxoo-Christina

My favorite things!!!

 Hey all! Welcome to all my new readers! So happy to have you here! Here are my favorite things this week! Remember, when I get to 50 followers on the blog, (just enter your email on the right hand side of the page) I will be giving away a gift card! 

My first favorite this week is my "lock&lock"! There containers are simply amazing! They NEVER EVER spill or leak! There are many different places to purchase them and I order mine at QVC  

Next up! My Stella&Dot piece of the week! Juniper! A statement piece that is perfect ALL summer long! Stella&Dot is having a great June promotion! For every $50 spent in June you will earn $25 dot dollars to use in July! Stella&Dot

Sparkly Soul headband are my next favorite! The headbands DO NOT MOVE! Perfect for working out and training! Of course it does not hurt that they have some SERIOUS sparkle! 

SparklySoul 

 

My absolute kitchen must have! SILPAT! No more sprays, foils, or papers! Silpat is all you need and it is all I use! You can get them at BBB, Macy's, Amazon, etc

Lastly, Weight Watchers 10 minutes time crunch training! It is five different ten minute workouts with a resistance band! 

This week's revipie of the week is again from Gina at Skinnytaste! Seriously amazing, easy, healthy, filling and delicious! 

Pasta Fagioli (Pasta and Beans) Skinnytaste.com Servings: 5 • Serving Size: about 2 cups • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts Calories: 254.5 • Fat: 3.4 g • Protein: 10.3 g • Carb: 47.5 g • Fiber: 6.8 g
Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 15 oz can cannellini beans
• 15 oz can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 tbsp basil
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 (14 oz each) cans fat free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarians)
• 2 cups water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 oz dry Ditalini pasta or other small pasta
• grated parmesan cheese for topping (optional)

Directions:

In a deep pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat.

Blend the can of beans with one can water in electric blender until almost smooth.

Add blended beans to pan then add the can of tomato sauce, celery, carrots, chicken broth, basil, bay leaf, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup water and bring to slow boil. Let simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, according to pasta directions.

Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated cheese (extra)

See ya next week!

Xxoo-Christina 

energybits!!!

Today I would like to tell you a little story...Some of you may laugh about what I may tell you, but, for me it was real, and it was no bueno! Let me start by saying, I am a water with lemon kinda girl and I love my tea.

A few weeks ago, it was a crazy night at work. It was busy and acute and my adrenaline was at an all time high. As the night went on, my adrenaline wore off I became exhausted! I was nervous on how I was going to get home.  I work about an hour away from my job and commute in the middle of the night. So, I decided I would have a small cup of coffee. Within a few minutes I was wired, and not in a good way. I was jittery, anxious, a bit paranoid, nauseated, having heart palpitations, sweating, and restless. It was an interesting ride home, I was just so jumpy and nervous. I got home and did not go to sleep for hours. I was not even ready to go to sleep, but my hubby nudged me to bed, so I tossed and turned for a bit, but I did not feel well at all. I woke a few short hours later and my symptoms were not improved. I, in fact, felt a bit worse. I was off the entire day into the next. I really could not believe how much one small cup of coffee impacted me. When these feelings went away, I slept, slept, and slept, and then felt all sorts of drowsy.

Clearly, caffeine is not something I could depend on. I have never been an advocate for energy drinks as they are filled with sugar, processed ingredients and caffeine. But, I need help with my energy. I had been hearing about these "energy bits", so i decided to do some further research. After doing so and emailing the wonderful people at this wonderful company, I asked to try a sample and I was asked in return to write a review.

I tried these bits in three different ways (I did not know, but I had another sample from my "runners box" that arrived on the same day). My first try at the energy bits was after 4 hours of sleep and a full day ahead. I took them right before I left my house for the day and I just felt incredible. I did not feel drowsy and the "fog" I usually feel was gone! Usually on these days I may take a power nap, but I did not need to! My mom who was with me even commented, how good I looked considering how late I got home and how early I woke up! The next time I tried them was during a shift at work! I knew it was going to be busy and another late night, so I took them mid-shift. Wow! I felt awake and energetic, and I did not have to worry about my ride home! The third time I tried them was for a workout. I try to work out in the mornings, and this sometimes proves to be difficult depending on my night. I was able to go for my run AND do strength training afterwards! I usually break up those workouts over two days, I was so happy to get both workouts into one day! I would like to also mention that I did not feel sick taking these "bits", there is no gross aftertaste, and the energy does not shock you when you feel it. It just comes naturally! When speaking to the company, I described these as "little miracles"! Not only did they work, I did not feel sick after! A big deal for someone with a sensitive stomach!

So what are these "energybits" ?!

From energybits:

 Made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.
Best used for:

• Increasing Energy 
• Increasing Endurance
• Increasing Mental Vitality
• High Protein Snack
• Curbing Hunger 
• Meal Replacement
• Balancing Blood Sugar
• Lowering Blood Pressure
• Reducing Fatigue  

So as you can see, energybits are a food, not a supplement! All natural! No added junk! 

How to take them:
For best results, swallow at least 30 ENERGYbits® (or more) before any workout, run, game or intense physical or mental activity. They will improve your energy and endurance. Also take whenever you are tired, hungry or don't have time to eat or cook. They are a terrific high protein, low calorie snack or meal on the go.  Swallow with beverage (or chew them as you would a handful of nuts). Remember, they're "bits" of food (not pills).

I will be adding these to my regimin without a shadow of a doubt! 

If you would like to give them a try (which I suggest you do!) head on over to energybits! and enter code XXOO at checkout  for 15% off your purchase!  

Have a great day everyone!

Xxoo Christina

My favorite things!!!

Happy Friday everyone! I am wishing everyone a happy and SAFE long weekend! I am excited to be spending my weekend with my hubby and my family! 

Now onto the favorite list! 

 This adorable red bottle came from my "Birchbox". A monthly box of beauty samples! I tried this "Beauty Protector, LOVED it, and ordered the full size! From the website:

This paraben- and sulfate-free detangler seals the cuticles (the microscopic scales that compose the outermost layer of each strand of hair). It also smooths and moisturizes, thereby minimizing frizz, while safeguarding color and adding shine. Lastly, it provides protection against UV rays and heat. Happily, it accomplishes all this through a weightless, non-greasy formula that leaves behind an airy floral scent.

Birchbox 

 I will not even tell you how many "totes" I ordered from the Coach factory website and then returned! It is quite embarrassing! Not a one bag would fit everything I wanted it to! So when Stella&Dot launched their bag line, I was SUPER excited to give the "How Does she do it" tote a try! The first great part of this bag is that it is really two bags in one! Tote or hobo! Secondly, it fits EVERYTHING I want it to and more! My planner, water bottle, wallet, phone, iPad, all things makeup, a few magazine, and my little pouf! I love the patterns and it is a comfortable bag to carry around! And yes, that it is water bottle holder! 

 Oh I just adore this little pouf! When i saw the pictures online, I was not quite sure if it would work for what I had in mind for it, but it rocks! In this little pouf I keep my medicines (epi-pen included), blot strips, time of month products, tooth pics, etc! I have another one at home that tames all of my apple product and camera chargers! Stella&Dot

 My new find and my new love! Julep! It is a monthly box of nail products! I am obsessed! You take a little beauty quiz and they set you up with products they think you will love. Naturally, they thought I was a bombshell (clearly, they know nothing about me!) and this is what came! I am they type of person who gets a manicure and literally the next day I am chipping. I got that manicure on Sunday and we only chipped today, Friday! AMAZING! The package also came with an amazing scrub for your hands! To try Julep for $3.99 (only shipping), enter "FREEBOX" at check out. I love that each month, they send you a preview, and an option to switch your box or pass on that box! By they way, check out the app called "Beautiful Mess". Become a Maven!

 I have oily skin and for whatever reason, it is not getting better! I picked up this little gem while purchasing some eyeshadow. You spray it on after all your makeup is on and voila! It has been working really well thus far!  Urban Decay

Remember to become a follower of this page in order for a chance to win a gift certificate! 
Have a wonderful weekend!
Xxoo-Christina

Absent...

Hey everyone!

I know I know I have been a bit, VERY absent! I am here to reclaim my blogging! I figure rambling off what's on my mind might be the best style for me today!

-I feel that since April, there have been many tragedies and I just want to send my love and prayers to all of those affected!

- I am about to make a facebook/twitter accounts for this blog and share away! I am so nervous in doing so, mainly because I worry about what others may think or say, but this is something I really need to get over!

-I have some exciting products to share with everyone!

-I have made the decision to share my weigh-ins in with you EACH and EVERY week! The good, bad, and the ugly!

-I am still struggling with my night shift eating and sleeping habits!

-I was inspired from Dani at weightoffmyshoulders.com to share my weekly workouts! So, that will be shared as well! Please check out her blog! It is AHAMAZING!!

-I surprised my self and asked for help this week in areas where I am struggling, NOT something I do often!

-I have a passion for baking that I have NOT been doing, and I plan to create one new baking recipe (mainly cupcakes) each month!

-I am looking forward to back-to-back three day weekends! Wahoooo!

Hope all is going well for all of you!

Xxoo Christina