Happy & Healthy for the Holidays

11.03.18

I want to dedicate this post to being happy and healthy, and take the scale out of it!! After my original transformation post some months ago, I’ve noticed the way that people speak about weight loss can be focused on being skinny or thin. Although these comments are shared with the best intensions, they can have a negative affect on the subject. If you’ve ever gained or lost weight, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Someone commenting on physical appearance can make anyone uncomfortable, especially when it’s in a negative context, like questioning “what you eat” or asking if “you’re okay.” That’s absolutely not okay! So let’s change the conversation and make this a positive space for every woman. Instead of commenting on a woman’s body, try saying something like “you look happy and healthy,” which is a totally acceptable comment that will compliment not only her physical appearance, but her attitude too. Queue Christina Yang quote -“If you want to appease me, compliment my brain.”

Now that we have that out of the way, I’m proud to share that I’ve lost another 10 pounds since my first health post! Yes, I do still weigh myself every once and awhile to track progress. It’s not even just about the weight, I feel really great. And just in time for the holidays. This year, I’m not dreading them, because I have a routine in place that helps keep me confident no matter how many cookies, glasses of eggnog, or homemade meals I devour.

Here is my daily routine:

Drink a coffee smoothie (contains 1 frozen banana, cold brew, almond milk, coconut flakes, protein powder, and cinnamon)
Walk 1 mile every morning on my way to work
Eat a protein bar when I get to work (my fave is the Perfect Bar – find them at Trader Joes)
Another COFFEE
Drink a bottle of water in the morning
Eat a quinoa bowl or big salad for lunch (contains either quinoa or leafy greens + tons of roasted vegetables + chicken sausage + avocado)
Sip another water bottle in the afternoon
Eat an afternoon snack (my favorite is a half an avocado with Trader Joes Everything but the Bagel Seasoning)
Walk 1 mile home
Get a 3-4 mile run in OR HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout
Follow up with weights, ab workout, or legs
Eat a big salad, chicken dish, or a seasonal favorite. Mine for fall/winter is Cauliflower Gnoochi from Trader Joes with my favorite vodka sauce.
Glass of red wine 😉