Showing posts with label FITNESS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FITNESS. Show all posts

Friday, April 18, 2014

{Friday} Food, Fitness & Fashion Vol. 4



IT'S FRIDAY, IT'S FRIDAY!  I've over the moon excited about a gorgeous J.Starr Wedding what will be taking place on Saturday!  The venue is stunning...but most importantly the couple getting married are just the most lovely people...I'm so honored I get to be a part of their special day.

Speaking of it being FRIDAY, how about a Food, Fitness, Fashion post???

{In case you've missed the past installments of FFF}:

Vol. 1
Vol.  2
Vol. 3


1.) Food ~
I love the Weight Watchers program, and no they don't pay me to say this (that would be awesome)...it's just a very livable program to help you live a healthier lifestyle. It doesn't restrict you from eating anything....it just helps to program your brain into reading food labels and keeping track of what you eat.....everything you eat.  I've now hit my "Weight Watcher Goal Weight" and so long as I maintain this for two more weeks I'll become a "Lifetime Member".  This was by far the best decision I made for myself after having my twinzies. 

It's not always about "losing" weight...it's about making your happiness, your health a priority...despite all of the hundreds of other things you have going on, despite all the roles your have, despite all the people who need you.
 
 WW's  awarded me with a silver star for hitting my goal...I awarded myself with a hot new swim suit.
 
 

OPEN INVITATION:   Every Tuesday Night @ 5:30 at 1017 S. Gilbert Road Ste 105 Mesa, Arizona 85233. Seriously,  join me...good stuff.


Some of the Things I Eat:

Seeds of Change Quinoa & Brown Rice {1 serving = 6pts} + Tilapia Tortilla Crusted Fish {1 serving =4pts} = 10 Pts Total.  I buy these both at Costco...super easy, super delish, super satisfying.  
 

Yum!

Who knew peas could taste so good!

Flat Out {2 pts}, Fat Free Chedder Cheese {1 pt} and one serving of madras lentils {4 pts}, salsa {0 pts}...stuck in the oven for 5 minutes to toast up the flat out.... not the prettiest presentation but very tasty. 

 
Soooo Good....warm in the oven, not the microwave...it's worth the wait.
 
Madras Lentils + Brown Rice.... EASY
 
I always find it mind blowing when I compare "splurges"...makes it much easier to decide...Numbers don't lie and knowledge is power my friends... and I'm not even a "math" girl.
 

2.) Fitness ~  
Still walking and running...a lot. Not quite sure what I'm going to do once those AZ summer temperatures kick in.

Get it done and move on. 
 

I love the WW app for tracking food and the active link for tracking activity. 

Also I'm a big fan of the free app called "My Tracks"

 
3.) Fashion ~

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some Stitch Fix!
STITCH FIX THREE FINDINGS
 
{Returned}
Kensie Jeans/Sophia Distressed Skinny Jeans....I ended up sending these back....despite my girlfriends telling me I should keep them....just felt a little too weird wearing them.... 
{Kept}
Ezra/Rowena Chevron Print V Neck Blouse.... this is a TOP that I would have NEVER picked out in the store...just not my natural color choices/style....but I kept.  My friends kept telling me this shirt looks "Happy"...so how can I argue with that.... I'm pretty sure I'm gonna wear it to my Ceremony Rehearsal tonight...as it's dressy yet comfy.
 
 
 {Kept}
Kept this one too.... it was a little on the pricey side for me, but it does count as a top and a bottom, so that's how I justified it. Soooo comfy. 
 
 
Need to UPDATE your wardrobe, You should check out STITCH FIX...it's soooo fun! And if you do end up scheduling a "Fix" of your very own...would you pretty please use my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3316660
 
 
 
Thanks Friends....Cheers to a great weekend ahead!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, March 14, 2014

{FRIDAY}: Food, Fitness, and Fashion Vol. 3

 
HAPPY FRIDAY! 
{In case you've missed the past installments of FFF}:

Vol. 1
Vol.  2

Again, I always feel a little weird posting my "Food, Fitness, and Fashion" posts because again I do not deem myself an expert in this area at all.  These are simply areas in my life that I've been paying more attention to and doing my best to make them more of a priority...so as always, I like to share what I've learned along the way on my blog. 

1.) Food ~
I joined Weight Watchers about six weeks after having my twins {per my obgyn's suggestion, as she herself is a WW Lifetime Member}, to help to speed up my weight loss efforts...what I didn't realize was by joining this program my entire outlook on food and fitness would completely change.  I never realized before that I could actually have full control over what I eat, what my weight is, and how I feel.  It has truly been an awesome awakening for me. 

I'm now  4 freaking ounces away from my "Lifetime Member Goal Weight".  That means once I hit that number and maintain it for 6 weeks consecutively{within a 2lb range} I become a "Lifetime Weight Watcher Member" meaning that the Weight Watchers program is now completely free for me....all the meetings and all the online tools....and I get a very cool "Lifetime Member" key. 

I could go on and on about all the wonderful things I've learned...but for now I'll leave with some snippets in photos......

Some of the Things I Eat:
Bottom Line...you can eat anything on WW, you just have to "track" it and stay within your weekly "points" allotment {this differs from person to person}  Also, I'm fairly new in the kitchen...cooking still very much intimidates me...they are all SUPER SUPER easy meal ideas:

Flat Out Thin Crust Flatbread Spicy Italian/1Serving {3 pts} + Hunts Seasoned Tomato Pizza Sauce/3 tablespoons {1 pt} + Red Bell Peppers & Onions {0pts} + Fat Free Mozzarella Shredded Cheese/1 serving {1 pt} = 5 Points Total

2 Italian Stuffed Meatballs {Prepackaged & Already Prepared/Got them at Fry's Market Place} Paired with a simple Salad w Fat Free Italian Dressing = 11 Points Total

I call this my "Skinny Spritzer"...it helps to satisfy my before bed sweet tooth on days when I've already eaten up my "daily points" . It's Diet Cherry 7 Up over ice,  Blueberries, Topped with Lite Whipped Topping = 0 Points Total

1/2 of a Thomas Light English Muffin {1pt}, Topped with Melted Fat Free Kraft Cheddar Cheese {1 pt}, Banana {0 pt}, Boiled Egg {2 pts}, Coffee with Sugar Free French Vanilla Creamer and Fat Free Whipped Topping {1 pt} Totaling = 5 Pts  

 
Snap Shot I took after a Weekly Meeting...SUCH A POWERFUL message....especially to an EVENT PLANNER! This has been one the biggest lesson's learned through this program...in my old mindset I would treat everything like an "event"...."I have to get the entire house organized TODAY"...."I have to get my business running and off the ground TODAY"..."I have to read all these books on parenting TODAY"....and that is such an unrealistic way to look at life, not to mention I was setting myself up for disappointment daily.  Having children plus the weight watchers program has really helped me to understand that nearly everything is process. 
 
Doesn't get much easier than this...Lean Cuisine's Meatloaf & Potatoes, and then I threw in some extra veggies Total = 6 Points

Proof that you can still eat fried chicken and French fries on W.W. plus a side of Fat Free Ranch Dressing.... Totaling = 9 Points {I will however probably not eat this again because I think this was a "trigger" food for me....making me more hungry afterwards}

Super Duper Easy, simply heat in a pan Totaling = 6 Pts

Staple items I buy from Costco

These are NEW and sooooo delish!  Dark chocolate covered frozen strawberries....Totaling = 2 Pts!
 

This is my "I want something naughty snack/meal"....1 Serving of Mission Tortilla Rounds, 1 Serving of Tasty Bite Madras Lentils, 1 Serving of Kraft Fat Free Cheddar Cheese, White Onions, Bell Peppers, and Salsa...Good and Filling but yet kind of Indulgent.  Totaling = 8 Pts

Apple {0 Pt}, Boiled Egg { 2 Pts}, Mustard {0 Pt} Totaling = 2 Pts

1 serving of Eggo Nurti Grain Waffles {4 Pts} &1 serving of Kroger Sugar Free Syrup {1 Pt}, Light Whipped Topping {0 Pts}, and Blackberries {0 Pts} Totaling = 5 Pts

 
1 serving of Costco Crusted Tilapia {4 pts}, paired with a spinach salad, mushrooms, red and white onions, green peppers, snap peas {0 pt}, and 1 serving of Light Vinaigrette Balsamic Dressing {1 Pt} Totaling = 5 Pts 
 

Yum, Totaling = 4 Pts

My Walmart Staple Items {p.s. how CUTE are those baby dolls??? Yum!}
  
This a side by side screen shot of my W.W. app.  The shot on the left shows the ending to my week {I call this my WW Report Card for the Week....I ate all my daily points plus one, had 9 weekly points remaining {that I didn't eat} and earned 27 activity points {that I didn't eat} That was a really good week.  It's all about playing a numbers game with yourself all week and trying to come out ahead...and what do you know...surprise surprise I didn't starve to death :)  The screen shot on the right shows my fresh new week....complete with 26 daily points, 49 weekly points, and 0 activity points}
 
My inspiration board that hangs in my bathroom next to mine and Justin's 101 in 1001 goal list....since then I've added another blue ribbon and few more stickers....these are fun little rewards that WW hands out to you for each goal, milestone you hit.  I love visual reminder of how far I've come since having my buggies. 
 
OPEN INVITATION: I just wanted to share my excitement and invite anyone reading this blog to join me at the meetings I attend:  Every Tuesday Night @ 5:30 at 1017 S. Gilbert Road Ste 105 Mesa, Arizona 85233. Seriously, it's actually pretty awesome, and the leader of this meeting is hilarious....{she herself as lost over 110lbs!} I've had a few friends join and are doing great on the program....don't be shy join the fun...it's a little cheesy at first but once you get past the initial start up stuff...it's very empowering and motivating.



2.) Fitness ~  
 
Truth is all I do is walk/run nearly every day for about 60 minutes.  It's all that really works for my schedule/life right now and it's works, it's easy, and it's FREE.  Occasionally I'll join a girlfriend for yoga or recently I joined my brother for rock climbing...but bottom line it's just about MOVING. 
 
 Morning Walks = Clear Thoughts....Endorphins are a REAL thing!
 

In the recent past I purchased an "Active Link" and I love it!  I'll share more on this on my next blog post...but basically it's very similar to a "fit bit"....I wear it all the time except when showering or sleeping...it's very motivating.
 
Yoga...wanna start doing more of this...
 

Sometimes you just gotta do it. Don't think about, just do it...and then boom, it's over.
 
Rock climbing was a blast. I hope to do it again in the near future, plus I got to have fun hanging with my brother....It's fun when social outings aren't centered all around food.
 
Involve your friends...I've had a good amount of my best girlfriends join me on my daily walks...and it's been so fun...we know we at least have a full hour of a catching up, why not do it walking??? {hi Renata!} 
 

Probably the most annoying thing I do, is I take a photo during or after every single stinkin work out, and I share it with a very close group of friends/supporters...the accountability helps me immensely. Plus it's great to look back on all of those workouts to see how they've impacted my life....plus my babies are super cute.  Hey, it's all about finding whatever works for you!
 
 
 
3.) Fashion ~

Okay, so my sweet mom bought these for me as a Christmas gift...and I was like "ya right, like I'll every be able to wear printed pants"...and truth be told...I LOVE them, in fact I'm wearing them right now as I type.  They are total "Lululemon" knock offs and they are fantastic! I'm pretty sure she bought them at Target or Walmart.....they are called {Champion Advanced High Performance/Medium Regular Fitted/Duo Dry Max/Cirzenwash}
 
I feel weird posting these kinds of photos but oh well, whatever....So if you keep up with my blog {all five of you:) P.S. I love you} you've heard me talk about STITCH FIX before.  The top in the photo above was from my 2nd Stitch Fix! 
 
Stitch Fix is this awesome program where a personal stylist puts together clothing options for you to try and mails them to YOUR HOME on a month basis.  She chooses your "Stitch Fix" based on surveys that you've pre filled out regarding your personal style, size, preferences, etc!
 
You pay a $20.00 "styling fee" and then you pay for the items you want to keep...and the $20.00 "styling fee" is credited towards those items.  The "fix" comes with a prepaid shipping envelope and anything you don't want to keep you simply put in the envelope and toss it in the mail....SUPER EASY...and super fun! 
 
Here's a few more pieces that I've kept that have come in my "fixes"
 
Quite possibly one of the dorkiest photos of myself that I've shared with the internet, but oh well....the dress is fun.
 
Floral Top
 
Top
 
 Any who...this post is now getting ridiculously long...bottom line if you don't have proper time to shop...you should check out STITCH FIX...it's soooo fun! And if you do end up scheduling a "Fix" of your very own...would you pretty please use my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3316660
 
I would appreciate it....especially since my jerky cousin didn't use it when she ordered hers { I love you Bri!}
 
 
 
Much LOVE all....as always thank you for allowing me to share my world...I hope my rambling nonsense inspires you in some way....or least gives you some good material to make fun of me about ;)
 
 
 
 

Friday, January 17, 2014

{FRIDAY}: Food, Fitness, and Fashion Vol. 2


HAPPY FRIDAY! 


Oh my, I have so many other things I need to be doing right now...but I've been feeling crazy inspired to bust out this blog post for quite some time....so here we go....

Perhaps you remember when I wrote this blog post: "Food, Fitness, and Fashion Vol.1" back in March of 2013,.... Well I just re-read it today and I'm not gonna lie, it feels pretty amazing to see how much has changed since then.....

1.) Food ~ Weight Watchers.  I.LOVE.WEIGHT.WATCHERS.  I remember, at my six week checkup {post having the twinzies}...I sat in my Docs office with a big, goofy, oblivious grin on my face....I was on a HIGH...a NATURAL HIGH....I just couldn't believe how amazing it felt to be a Mom....everything had just gone so amazingly well.....

I then looked down at my odd looking shaped tummy and asked my Doctor very naïve like...."so...when's this gonna go back to normal"?...she just looked at me quietly for a few moments and said..."You know you had twins right? That's what a post twins tummy looks like" ....whhhaaat noooo...."You mean this isn't swelling that will go down" I asked...."No, you are completely healed from your C-section, that is YOUR tummy".... MY FACE DROPPED, I was kind of in shock..... I thought for sure she was wrong. 

She then went on the tell me...."You can get back in shape again...you're just going to have try REALLY REALLY hard"..... she then suggested I try Weight Watchers to help lose the weight.  She shared with me that she does Weight Watchers and is a "Life Time Member".  I remembered being shocked by this... here she was this highly educated and well respected professional... and very much in shape, and SHE goes to Weight Watchers??? 

That was incredibly inspiring to me...so I gave it a whirl.  I remember attending the first meeting and being rather surprised as most of the other people there were averaged sized people...just trying to lose some weight and feel better. 

Well, I've been going to W.W. since February of 2013...and I'm happy to share that I lost all my baby {babies} weight fairly quickly and now I'm working towards my "Life Time Member" goal weight, I'm pretty darn close, yahoo!

But here's the thing...you can't just go to the Weekly Meetings and expect to lose....You have to "do the program"....by "tracking" all your food {points}...it takes time to get in the habit of tracking and learning more about nutrition... and MOVING your body!

I could go on and on...but maybe I'll try and make this more of a weekly/or biweekly  blog post....well see.

OPEN INVITATION: I just wanted to share my excitement and invite anyone reading this blog to join me at the meetings I attend:  Every Tuesday Night @ 5:30 at 1017 S. Gilbert Road Ste 105 Mesa, Arizona 85233. Seriously, it's actually pretty awesome, and the leader of this meeting is hilarious....{she herself as lost 110lbs!}

FUN FACT: Yesterday the Babies had their 1 Year Old Check Up and we learned that now both weigh 18 each...Since I started W.W. I've lost 36lbs.... that equals both of my babies at their current weights 18 +18 = 36 lbs.   That's just crazy to me...I can still carry them both at the same time but only for about 5 minutes max until I grow too tired...it BLOWS my MIND that this time last year I was carry a extra 36lbs on my body all the time!!! {after they were born!}. 

It's such a slow process that you're not always aware of the positive things that result from weight loss...but I know one thing for sure I have TONS more energy ...which is much needed to keep up my little misses. 

Oh, and in case you're wondering what types of food I've been eating...I'll share a few recent photos...but just know you can eat ANYTHING...you just have to "track" it and not go OVER your "points" for the WEEK.  That's the beauty of this program it's not a diet, it truly is a lifestyle.
 
2 Dockside Classic Crab Cakes {8pts}, 2 Tablespoons of Cocktail Sauce {1pt}, Salad w/ tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, radishes {0pts} & Diet Coke {0pts}.

A FAB quick and delish snack! I buy these from Costco...frozen chocolate banana slices....so easy, so yummy.

My latest indulgence = Hillshire Whipped Topping/2 Servings {0pts}, Kroger Graham Crackers/1Serving {2pts}, and Skippy Peanut Butter/1 Serving {3pts}. 

 3 pcs of Hillshire Farm Kroger Fully Cooked Lower Sodium Bacon {2 pts}, and 1 Boiled Egg {2pts}, and Mustard {0pts}. 
 
1 serving of Mission Round Chips {4 Pts}, 1 serving of The Laughing Cow Light Pasteurized Cheese {1 Pt}, and Salsa {0 Pt}
 

Lacey Swiss Cheese {2pts}, Blueberries {0pts}, 2oz of Oven Roasted Turkey {1pt} and Mustard {0pts}.


2.) Fitness ~ When I first started trying to lose this was a big struggle for me...I just kept trying to make it more complicated than it needed to be...I tried joining Lifetime Fitness...it was just such a struggle to try and coordinate the child care appointments {especially with twins}... I tried re-joining Crossfit...but the child care room was not set up to accommodate infants.....finally in September I just started walking with my girls....every week day for about 60 minutes...and finally it kind of became a habit that both the babies and I now look forward to....it's an awesome way to start the day.  However, I now I'm getting to a point where I need to do more resistance/strength training, I just need to make it happen...stay tuned.  
 


 

3.) Fashion ~ Confession, okay so three days a week {Mon, Wed, Fri} I live in yoga pants and work out tops...as those are the days Justin works long hours...on Tues, Thurs, Sat...I typically book all my client meetings, errands, Bridal Open Houses, Events, Weddings, etc....so those are the days that I need to "dress up". 

I've recently discovered a pretty cool program called: STITCHFIX....Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that delivers a curated box of accessibly priced items directly to your door!  Stitch Fix Stylist hand pick pieces for each client, based on surveys you have taken to best describe your personal style choices. 

I received my first "STITCHFIX" box three days ago and ended up keeping 3 out of the 5 pieces!!!  I LOVE IT, it was so fun!  It was great for me because I was able to try the pieces on in the comfort of my own home and pair them with other wardrobe pieces that I already own.  I'm not really the most patient person when it comes to shopping in the stores and trying things on...PLUS my time is precious to me. 

Anywho if you decide to check it out and order your "STITCHFIX" please do me a favor and pretty please say I referred you by clicking here.  It's super fun, and worse case scenario would only cost you a $20.00 styling fee. 

{Kept Top/ Jeans are Mine}
{Kept}
{Returned Both Jacket and Skirt}
{Kept Top/Jeans are Mine}

 
Another program that I'm into is "Stella & Dot"...one of my girlfriend's is a Stella & Dot Stylist.  I've purchased and borrowed a few pieces from her to help to glam up my outfits. You should check her out here....the pieces also make for some great gifts.. 

Necklace & Bracelet by Stella & Dot

Bracelet & Necklace by Stella & Dot
 
Necklace by Stella & Dot






And that wraps up this edition of FRIDAY: Food, Fitness, and Fashion......Until next time my friends...as always.....thank you for allowing me to share my world with you...


Much Love, Jennifer Starr
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