Anatomy of a FITBIT Stack

It's official...I am obsessed with my fitbit. 

I constantly find myself looks for little ways to add extra steps to each day, which is important since I have a "desk job" and don't often move nearly as much as I should! 

My only complain about the fitbit flex is that bands are pretty noticeable. Because of this, I have started to add my fitbit to my daily bracelet stacks rather than wearing it as a stand alone on the other wrist. However, I might be switching that up once Tory Burch releases her set of bands for the flex! 

Because the fitbit is bulky, it has definitely taken some trial and error in find the right stack. Behold, I bring you my formula or for the perfect fitbit stack! 

Does wearable tech make an appearance in your stack?

Today's Pickins:

1. Follow me on Instagram...I'll be posting my stacks! 

2.  Weight-free Arm Toning Workouts

Getting Real: The First Few Weeks

We all know how diets start: You’re super motivated for the first few days, eating extra healthy and working extra hard because you’re just extra awesome. Then, by the end of the week, you’re feeling fat as your sit on your couch in yoga pants, eating your feelings.

Getting past the first few weeks of this new lifestyle change hasn’t been easy, but I truly believe I have equipped myself for the journey by keeping the “extra awesome” feeling going.

How did I do it?

At the end of Week One, I treated myself to a new hair cut. As simple as it was, it gave me an extra wave of confidence that I continue to ride. Here’s a look at the new do (it’s nothing dramatic!):

At the end of Week One, I treated myself to a mini shopping spree. Now, this might seem strange as I am ultimately looking to lose weight and get fit, however, it was an essential part to one of my new rules. Each day, I hold myself accountable to ALWAYS being well dressed. Quick run to the grocery store? No Yoga pants—a style blouse, jeans, and easy make-up are the way to go.

The better I dress, the better I feel and I believe that if I continue to associate these great feelings with my new lifestyle, the easier it will be to stick to.

During Week Two, I had my first meal (read: THREE MEALS) out since the beginning of my change. Because I had planned to go out, I was REALLY good the rest of the day and if I splurged, it was very minimal, with a taste here or there. The best part? I didn’t feel deprived once!

I know I still have a ways to go, but I am proud that I am two and a half weeks in and still going strong!

How do you continue to feel good about yourself?

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Today’s Dose of Motivation 

2.       Elevate Your Summer Outfits 

Getting Real: Staying Motivated

Thanks for all of the positive feedback on my last post on Healthy Living! I promised I would follow up...I did! 

One of the hardest parts of breaking bad eating habits and forming god habits is staying motivated. I once heard someone say that motivation is like food...you need it every day! I couldn't agree more. 

Here are some of the ways I am trying to stay motivated throughout my healthy living journey:

1.  Eat What You Love

If you feel like you're missing you, you'll never be able to stick with your food plan. Personally, I LOVE savory foods. I found so many great recipes on Pinterest that use foods I love, like mushrooms and peppers. I truly don't feel like I am missing out when I take the time to make these foods! 

I also love chocolate. One of my favorite ways to add chocolate into my diet is through EAS protein shakes. I like to mix half of a shake with some strong, chilled coffee to create an out-of-this-world mocha drink! 

2. Find Others that Motivate You

I recommend finding little ways to add motivation to your day. I love following Allie of Keep Your Balance on Instagram for quick, unexpected motivations. Allie and I danced together back in the day and she is a great example of a fitness journey. 

Here are some of the awesome things she's posted:

What I love about following inspirational people, like Allie, on Instagram is that the motivation is unexpected. Posting a quote on my fridge door only motivates at that moment. Looking through Instagram and randomly seeing an inspirational quote can last all day. 

3. Change Your Mindset

We always hear about the important of changing our mindset when looking to change the way we eat. I believe if you tell yourself something enough, you begin to believe it. This has been SO helpful thus far! 

The biggest help: Changing "I can't eat that" to "I don't like that or I don't eat that." 

I reallyyy wanted Jimmy Johns the other day when a coworker suggested going for lunch. Instead of saying "I can't eat JJ" and feeling depressed, I said "I don't eat JJ." As simple as that is, I didn't feel deprived...I felt empowered. I was right: I DON'T eat that. I don't eat is because I don't like the way I feel after eating large amounts of bread and deli meat. 

It's a simple concept. But it works. 

How do you stay motivated? 

Today's Pickins: 

1. Bacon Ranch Grilled Jalapenos

2.  Hair Tutorial: Bouffant Bun 

Getting Real: The Big “D”

 Unfortunately “The Big D” isn’t going to be a funny post as the title suggests. It’s me being honest with the fact that the diets that I have been trying over the last few months haven’t been working for me.

I wasn’t nice to my body during college and unfortunately it all caught up with me. It was even worse once I entered the real world. With the crazy numbers of hours I work each week (for a job I love) I began to put myself on the backburner.

Two weeks ago, thanks to a suggestion from a friend, I began a journey on a new lifestyle change. She emphasized my need to get rid of The Big “D” word and make a change I could keep to for a long time—and not feel deprived.

I shared with her my lower calorie plan and the foods I was eating. What I soon realized is that while I was eating less calories, I was ONLY counting calories and not other nutrients. The biggest culprit? CARBS.

She asked me to name five “unhealthy/ carb heavy” foods I could give up with ease. My answers:

·         Pasta

·         Bread

·         Candy

·         Alcohol (really, I don’t drink much)

·         All Fast Foods

I began looking up lower carb recipes on Pinterest and realized that these meals wouldn’t feel like a diet. There were so many smart options when I began to focus on lowering my carbs (while watching everything else, of course) that didn’t make me feel deprived.

After two weeks of this routine, I already feel so much better. I’ve lost a little over five pounds but, most importantly, I have so much more energy! It really is amazing how quickly you can see the difference after changing your diet.

Looking to make a change yourself? While I am no nutritionist, I am someone in the SAME boat and I fully believe in the buddy system.

Thanks for letting me be a bit vulnerable, friends! Later this week I’ll be sharing more on my daily motivations.

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Lemon Chicken w/ Thyme ( Low Carb) 

Weekly Workout: Gentlemen of Country

This week’s work out is brought to you by the gentlemen of country music. Can I get a “Yee Haw”, Y’all? Thinking about Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean sure is a great way to zone out on the elliptical!

As I said last week, interval training is my favorite! While this one is geared towards the elliptical  feel free to apply it to the treadmill, too (you know, to change it up)!

Here are the YouTube links to the songs:

Rain is a Good Thing // Hick Town // Something to do with my Hands // 5-1-5-0 // Banjo // Celebrity // Feel like a Rock Star

Today’s Pickins:

1.       I’m excited to read The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition during my travels this weekend

2.       Snacks under 200 calories will be great for my post-gym munchies!

3.       Highball glasses are a sweet gift for my newly engaged / newlywed friends!

4.       “Know What? Bitches get stuff done.” –Tina Fey (thanks for the reminder, lady!)  

Weekly Workout: Summer Shape Up!

Over the past few months, I’ve slowly become addicted to the gym—and it feels good! Monday was my first measurement in five weeks and it was SO motivating to see 13 inches gone in that time!

I do a little cardio every time I go to the gym before I switch over to weights. I have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill in that I tend to get bored easily. I’ve found that a good playlist is key in overcoming this obstacle.

Here is one of my favorite recent playlists! Instead of interval training at different minute marks on the machine, this list has you changing with each song to help you keep your eye off that clock!

Give it a try and look out for some more mixes.

What are your favorite songs to work out to?

Cotton’s Pickins:

1.       A Greek Yogurt Blackberry Smoothie sounds like a great breakfast!

2.       How the Olympic Games have changed in favor of women over the years

3.       Pantone’s colors of fall—Rhapsody inspired my recent nail polish choice!

4.       This Jonathan Adler lamp is perfection. But for the price, might have to be a DIY try!