Thursday, November 10, 2016

Daily Diet + Exercise Plan + Workout Gear

Today I wanted to share a little bit about my current diet and work out plan.  I am always on a mission to tone up and get fit and I feel like I finally have a good routine down.  I am 36 and since I am most likely done having babies I really want to try and be in the best shape I can.  
My goal is to feel good in a bikini next Summer.  I always wear one pieces because I feel too uncomfortable about my body in a two piece and I want to change that.  I am not getting any younger so I want to proudly rock a two piece while I can. 

I recently started doing some one on one training twice a week and I swear 3 weeks in and I can already see small results.  I reached out to my barre teacher Ashley Morris (at Pivotal Fitness) about training me one on one.   She has an amazing body and I love her classes.  They are not typical barre and really challenge you in a good way.   I knew she would hold me accountable and help me see the results I wanted.  If you live locally and are interested in training with her you can email her at chucktownfitchick@gmail.com.  She is amazing and trust me her body is insane- major goals. 

Ashley wanted me to have 5 set workout days.  Some weeks I only make 4 days but 5 is always my goal.  I prefer to knock them out during the week so I can relax on the weekend.  I always workout from 8:30-9:30.  I take Sterling to school around 7 come home and change and get Frances ready for school then head to the gym.  Her school doesn't start til 9:45 so she comes to the gym nursery with me.  That was a huge reason why I joined this gym because of child care.  I am the type of person where if I don't work out first thing in the morning I will make excuses, so I like to get my workouts done early.  Now that I have been going more often I feel like my body actually craves gym time.  I feel so much better on my gym days.  

This is my current schedule:

MONDAY- 1 hour barre class
TUESDAY- 1 hour training session
WEDNESDAY- Red Zone class - this is a boot camp similar to orange theory lots of cardio and circuits
THURSDAY- 1 hour barre or yoga
FRIDAY - 1 hour training session

For our training sessions we do mainly weights and ab work.  I really didn't lift any weights prior to this so I feel like I am starting to get more definition.  We focus all over the body and do leg work, arms, butt and abs.  Either before or after we train she has me to the stair mill for 15 minutes at between a 5-7 pace.  That machine is the devil.  I hate it and I am always so sweaty afterwards but it burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 

After 6 weeks I will give you guys an update.  We did some initial measurements and I will be curious to see the results.  So far I have lost 3 pounds and I am feeling more toned, my stomach also feels flatter.  

D I E T 

As far as my diet goes for the most part I eat fairly healthy.   I have really tried to cut out processed foods.  This is really hard for me because I love crackers, gold fish, cereal, if its a snack food and processed you name it and I used to snack on it.   I am getting used to it though and don't crave that stuff like I used to.  On the weekends I give myself a little more leeway.  I am not super strict, I love food so if I have a dinner out I am going to indulge and eat what I want.  

Here is a sample daily diet of what I eat.  Keep in mind I am not a nutritionist this is just me trying to eat healthy and feel good.  Everyone has different bodies and body types so you gotta do what works for you! 

B R E A K F A S T 
I always start the day with hot lemon water.  Followed by one cup black decaf coffee.  My breakfast is usually PB on whole grain toast and a little yogurt. I have been too burned out on eggs to eat them. Ashley said the complex carbs of the multigrain bread and the protein from the yogurt were a good morning combo to eat before I work out.  Since I work out from 8:30-9:30 I usually eat breakfast around 7:30.

After I work out I usually hit up Starbucks.  Probably a bad treat but I love it,  They just opened a drive through Starbucks beside my gym and it is bad news.  I usually get a tall decaf almond milk latte.  I also like a non fat green tea latte.   I have mentioned this before but after I had Frances I gave up most caffeine.  It was making me feel jittery and anxious and I feel so much better without it but I do still love my coffee.  

L U N C H 
I usually try and prep a few salads to have on hand for my lunch during the week although I typically eat lunch out at least one day a week with friends.
This week was No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad

The week before was Greek Salad + Couscous.

Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus is another go to lunch.

If I do eat lunch out I try and do a salad.  This week I ate at Taco Boy and had the Chicken Salad.

D I N N E R 
Dinner is a little more of a wild card.  I have been trying to cook healthier on a whole.  A few recent dinners I have had the past few weeks.  
Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + Blue Cheese + Figs + Roasted Sweet Potatoes



S N A C K S 
I honestly don't snack much.  If I do it is string cheese, olives or nuts.  

A L C O H O L + B E V E R A G E S 
Yes,  I still have alcohol.  I would rather cut back on calories during the day to allow for a glass or two of wine at night.  As far as other beverages go I only drink water, sparkling water or unsweet tea during the day.  


F A V O R I T E  W O R K O U T  G E A R

I bought these Nikes over the Summer and love them.  They are the TR 6 OC Training ones.  They are light weight and work perfectly for the exercises I have been doing. 
I have this black color, they are 20% off right now.





My two favorite workout pants are both high waisted.  After two kids I need all the help I can get sucking it in.  I highly recommend both of these.  Sizing wise I wear a small in the Zella ones and a 6 in the Lululemon ones.  

These are a bit more expensive but I promise you worth every penny.  These make me feel like a million bucks when I have them on,  The material is fantastic and they really suck you in and are so flattering.

I love this top because it is not too fitted and it has the cutest back.  I own this in a few colors.  

I am wearing it here in navy., paired with the black lulu pants and nikes above. 

I have mentioned before but I prefer tops that are not super fitted when I workout.  I love this style.  The cotton is so soft, I usually wear this for barre classes.



This is great to toss on over any workout tank.  It is so soft too!  I have the black but I am thinking of getting another color. 


This is my favorite jacket to toss on when it is cold.  I find it is super flattering.  I am wearing a size 6. 

This was a Christmas gift last year and I love it!  I like to bring my own mat for barre and yoga.
Also available in several other patterns HERE






Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Peanut Noodle Kale Bowls + Plaid OOTD


My love for a peanut sauce never ends.  I could happily eat this dressing by the spoonful.  This was a super easy week night meal to toss together and the noodles get even better as they sit.  They are quite tasty cold the next day.   If you can't find watermelon radishes regular work just fine.  You could honestly do any veggies you wanted with this.  
Enjoy!

** The package of noodles I bought was 9 oz instead of 6 so I doubled the sauce and mainly because I love sauce.  **

|| P E A N U T  N O O D L E  K A L E  B O W L S  ||
via Love and Lemons Cookbook (if you don't have this cookbook you need it)

- 6 ounces soba noodles (can be found in the Asian section)
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
- 2 watermelon radishes sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen edamame thawed
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

D R E S S I N G 
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1.5 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 3 tablespoons water

In a small bowl whisk together peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and water.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook noodles according to package.  When noodles are cooked transfer them to a colander to drain reserving water.   Using the same water add in the kale and blanch for 30 seconds until slightly wilted.   Drain the kale.  Add the noodles and kale to a bowl.  
Add the sauce to the noodles and kale and toss all together.  Garnish with sliced radishes and edamame and sprinkle with sesame seeds.


..............................................................................
I am really loving plaid this Fall.  I recently ordered this plaid dress and wanted to share it while it is on sale- 60% off.  This is my favorite style Equipment Dress because it is so versatile.  I am wearing a small.
The Blouse version is also 60% off.






Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Style Files Vol 20 | All About the Kids

Today it is all about kid fashion and I have two pretty cute models:) 

Frances Moon Outfit: Blouse | Leggings | Shoes
Sterling's Outfit : Sweatshirt | Pants similar | Shoes

Can we talk about Frances Moon's top??  I only wish it came in my size.   Sizing wise she is wearing the 4/5T.  I usually order a size up for her so she can wear it longer.    
It also comes in this dress version.


After I snapped these photos I could not believe how grown up Sterling looked.  He styled his own outfit and I kind of love it!   


A few other kid favorites.  Half of these are sitting in my cart right now for Sterling and Frances.  Nordstrom has such a great selection of kid clothes.

Untitled #254

Hoodie | Reindeer Sweater | Pink Dress | Navy Dress | Star Uggs
Tree Tee | Camo Pants | Plaid Shirt | Green Dress | Plaid Dress
Sweatpants | Black Mocs | High Tops | Gold Leggings
Pom Pom sweater | Pink boots | Ballet Flats 

Any of these would make great Christmas gifts as well!

I am already thinking about Christmas PJ's.  I swear if you don't buy them early sizes get gone.   I get so excited about these every year.  Frances is all about night gowns these days and I love these two.
Nightgown
Deer Nightgown
Twinkle Star Pj's

For Sterling I love these sets.
Santa PJ's
Stripe Holiday PJ's
Gnome PJ's
Can y'all believe we are only 47 days away from Christmas?  I need to get started on my gift shopping!
You can shop Frances Moon and Sterling's outfit below along with my other kid favorites!






Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post!





Monday, November 7, 2016

Scenes From Our Weekend


Thursday night I headed to our monthly girl's supper club at my friend Ann's house. 
Rocking some leopard and ruffles.  I am wearing the US 6 and it is slightly sheer FYI but I am not wearing a tank underneath.  
I only got to stay about an hour before I got a call from Matt saying Frances had stuck a bead up her nose so I left to meet them at the ER.  Luckily it was not high up her nose and came right out.
Here she is sleeping soundly afterwards and no joke she is still wearing her bracelet from the hospital she will not take it off.  Matt laughed and said it was the most expensive bracelet she owns.

Friday I met my friend Ashley for mani/pedis and lunch at Butcher and Bee.  We tried the Greek wine flights.  I always love a wine flight it is a fun way to try out different wines.

I had the mezze platter with kale salad, spicy carrots and falafel.  You really can't go wrong with anything at Butcher and Bee.  

Later that day we took the kids to see the new trolls movie.  8 kids together at a movie was no joke.  I could barely watch the movie but the kids had a blast.  The music was really good!


Saturday we ran some errands and had lunch at East Bay Deli.  I love the Carolina sandwich.

I worked in Frances Moon's big girl room.  I hung this painting by Marquin Designs that I am loving!! We also found a fabulous sparkly dress for her birthday and the holidays from Pink Chicken.

Saturday night I watched a Hallmark movie.  Words can't describe how much I love a Lifetime/Hallmark holiday movie.    This sweatshirt and pants are my go to loungewear.  I have also been loving the Love and Lemons Cookbook.  So many great recipes.  
Snuggles before bed.

Sunday we went to church.  Then did a little grocery shopping for the week.  
My church dress is now 40% off, I am wearing a size 4.  I love it with heels for church but it is also really cute paired with booties or knee high boots. 
Frances thought it was hilarious to put doughnuts over her eyes in the grocery store. 

Made two salads for my lunch this week.  Both are so good and really easy to toss together.  
No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad (this recipe came from The Happy Cook by Daphne Oz) see below

Don't miss out the Nordstrom Clearance sale is going on right now.  Most items are 40% off and many are up to 60%.  I rounded up my top picks.  Scroll through to see them.


Happy Monday.