Birthday Fun Times

Monday, April 4 was my birthday. I am now officially 33 years old/young. In the past I was never a big fan of birthdays. I have no good reason, just wasn't. However, this year I decided I was going to enjoy my birthday, heck I was going to enjoy the entire week of my birthday. I was also very determined to have some sort of cake to put my candles in.

So how did it go you ask...it was WONDERFUL!!! I can't take all the credit, actually I can't take any. Thanks to the amazing people in my life this year's birthday was one the best ever birthdays! It all started the Saturday before my birthday. The wonderful man in my life, Jay, took me to the aquarium. It was so much fun. I haven't been to the aquarium since I was a kid and truthfully I don't even remember it. I felt like a kid as we walked around and hopped between different exhibits. Good thing he knows how to read exhibit maps because I was just wandering. Also, on the health side my FitBit was showing some large number accomplishments after walking around all day.  

Admit it, you just played the jaws theme song in your head

I don't love winter, but I do think cold weather animals are so cute, and that includes penguins. They had the adorable black and white penguins for us to see, but they also had a new exhibit with blue penguins. They are Australia and just as adorable. 

Blue penguins.  I am pretty sure the guy on the end was posing. They were so adorable.  

Can't forget these guys, just because they may not be blue but they were so cute!!
The one on the mat didn't move for at least 20 minutes, we think he is still there.

Another favorite was the giant turtles. They are huge and yet they swim very gracefully. I could have watched them all day playing with each other and I think they were posing too. These animals know what they are doing. 

So huge and so graceful.  Let me in the water I want to play!

We also got lucky, after we were done inside we went to leave and to our very happy surprise the rain and nasty weather had cleared. We were able to walk and hang out along the waterfront for a little. 

Selfish at the aquarium!

I love being outside, especially near water. There is something so peaceful and freeing

Then it was off to dinner. I can't even tell you how wonderful it feels to be with someone who respects your health and understands you can't just eat anything and is okay with that. Never once does he make me feel bad that I eat differently or that I take my time and like to check out menus online first to be prepared. We picked a place to eat and off we went...is it wrong that I got seafood after going to the aquarium. Hmmm....

I was able to eat out, enjoy, keep it healthy, and was full after!

Yes, it tasted as delicious as it looks

Jay kept it healthy too with steak, and green beans.
He requested no mashed potatoes, but they showed up on his plate.
The man has willpower and only had a few bites. 

And that was only Saturday!

On Sunday my parent's came over to my place to celebrate with me since weekdays are always harder. My mom even brought over lunch and made food I could enjoy as well. I think it was hard for them at first to realize my way of eating wasn't about some fad or crash diet it was about my health. It was about feeling better and healing my insides. Now my mom makes food I can eat and enjoy as well. It means a lot to me. She even brought over strawberries for dessert. Adding to the fun was earlier that morning I decided to try making vanilla almond flour cupcakes (don't worry I will post about them). They were delicious!! I even put a little PB2 on top instead of icing and my dad put cool whip on his. My mom was able to put the candle in the cupcake for me and I got one of my wishes...my candle in a cupcake!! It's the little details in life that mean so much. 

Finally!! It's this the prettiest dessert. More than that, it meant a lot to me that my parents put it together.
(The brownies on the side my dad happily enjoyed)

Birthday presents! My mom and dad got me some really fun presents, but I had to share this beautiful bag.
I couldn't wait to use it for work Monday. 

While most of my birthday fun took place on the weekend, it was still for my birthday and so much fun!! I will never forget the amazing weekend I had, oh and in addition, I am having a party this coming weekend to celebrate with my friends. 

21 Day Fix....Week 2 Done

I survived week 2 of 21 Day Fix and I have to admit, I love the workouts!  Well I don't love them while doing it, but I love the feeling I get after the workout. I'm out of breath and sweating and feeling so good about myself. I even enjoy the next day when my muscles are slightly sore. Sometimes I am sore in places I didn't even know muscles existed. I'm even thinking I might have to increase my weights soon. Ha, didn't see that happening any time soon.  

My current weights...I think it's time to up the numbers

However, it is time to step up my game. When I started 2 weeks ago I decided to not do the eating plan. I thought eh I got the eating stuff handled. Turns out, I don't really. Feel free to read back to my post about peanut butter. So I have decided to do the full program including meal plan. The plan is actually pretty neat and seems easy enough to follow. 

So excited to start this meal plan...and no counting calories! 

You get colors containers and each container goes with a good group...Green is for vegetables, red is for protein..etc. Depending on your weight you are allowed to have a certain number of each contain a day. I have already discovered my portions were a little out of whack, and that is with only trying it for a day.  This could be very eye opening. I also like that it is teaching me how to eventually be able to eyeball portions without containers, measuring, or scales!

My container friends for 21 Day Fix
No counting calories and well rounded meals and snacks.

I am super excited to see how amazing my body does putting the workouts and the meal plan together. The goal is always to  better my health for now and the long term and to feel good, but come on let's be honest...warm weather, shorts, and bathing suit season is around the corner! I would like very much to look amazing in those shorts and feel confident in my bathing suits. 

Bring it on 21 Day Fix!! I got this! 

Put Down the Peanut Butter!!

Finally April is tomorrow. Hurry up April has become a theme between my friend Marissa and me. Why you ask, because since the year has started it has been non-stop craziness. Projects and deadlines at work seemed never ending. Usually I don't mind, but when one starts before another one or two ends it does become a bit much. However, I was trusted with some really important and wonderful jobs, for that I am thankful. I was given a chance to learn and grow and see what I am made of. I made some big belly flops along the way but I never gave up. I received the most incredible amount of support from my boss. When I doubted myself, he never did, and always encouraged me to keep trying. This week closed out one of the bigger projects. This was almost 6 months in the making, but really picked up speed back in January. As of today I can officially say that project is closed and was a huge success!!

I was given a mission and with a team of other amazing people we made it happen!

Now on the home front...I miss my couch. I have been working late and trying to catch up with friends that I am feeling a little sleepy these days. I did manage to keep up with my 5 am 21 Day Fix workouts!  I feel like that really helps jump start my day.  BUT I must confess, I haven't been 100% with my eating. More like 80%. I've noticed by the end of the week I am tired and reach for the bad foods, for me, bad eating involves a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. GUILTY! Actually right before I wrote this I was sitting on the couch with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. The good news is I didn't finish the jar, the bad news is I ate half before I went WTF are you doing!! The peanut butter jar is now safely behind pantry doors. I am back in touch with myself and confessing my food sins to all of you.

I was tired, so tired and victory of the week,
and the peanut butter called me from the pantry!

I workout every day, do I qualify for this...

Sometimes it amazes me how strong I am at work and never give up, but when it comes to eating better and being consistent all it takes is a sleepy night and a jar of peanut butter to get me off my track. I'm pretty sure I consumed 1200 calories alone with the peanut butter tonight, that's a lot of workouts to burn it off...sigh...back to the drawing board.

Well this seems fitting for tonight...good reminder.
I still feel bad, but tomorrow is a new day!

Meal Prepping for Me!

I used to think meal prepping was only for hardcore workout people. Silly I know, but true. I pictured chicken breast and veggies day in and day out. Then I started noticing more people posting pictures of their meal prep on Instagram and realized how very wrong I was and it got me thinking about my weeks. Sure I eat healthy and cook majority of my meals but I felt like I was constantly unorganized and running to the grocery store; and then there were other weeks when I would cook too much and end up having to throw away food or freeze it if I could.  

So I decided to give meal prepping a try. I wrote down the meals I wanted to eat for the week. Went food shopping. Spent the next day cooking and sorting the foods. I learned a very valuable lesson that first week...make sure to switch up the dishes. Pork shoulder was on sale so I got myself a giant one and based dinner and lunch around it. BIG mistake!! I was so over pork by the end of week I ran to Shoprite and picked up a rotisserie chicken to avoid eating my meal prep. The good news is I learn quickly. After that week I had a better understanding of what I needed and how much I would need for the week.

It was delicious,
but there is just so much pulled pork you can eat in one week

I tend to food shop Friday after work or Saturday mornings, or if I am really tight on time I order my groceries to be delivered. Sunday for the most part is my cooking day. I actually really enjoy it. It's what I call cooking therapy.

Some weeks there are not enough hours in the day, spent not at work.
Peapod delivery to the rescue. 

I absolutely love knowing that at least the food portion of my week is taken care of, one less thing I have to worry about. The weeks are busy enough, if there is a way to make it even just a little less stressful you can bet I will figure out a way! Also, a huge added bonus is how much MONEY I am saving. I am buying what I need. I try and plan my meals around what proteins are on sale so that helps, and way less food gets thrown away at the end of the week due to spoilage.

I highly recommend giving meal prepping a try!  Save on time, money, stress, and even just having less extra food in the house to munch on has helped.

Here are some of the meals I have made...

Trader Joe's Chili Lime Burger, caulirice and broccoli

Same as above just separated

One of my favorites...
baked salmon and asparagus with caulirice

All done. Meals for lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks.
Not pictures is my breakfast shake and apple

I just put everything in my cooler bag before work and off I go.
So easy!!

Mini paleo meatloaf (recipe to come), sweet potato, and mixed veggies

Crockpot chicken thighs with string beans

21 Day Fix...Week 1 Done

I am very excited to announce I finished my first week of 21 Day Fix. What is 21 Day Fix you ask... It is a Beachbody home workout program.  Over the last few months I have been trying to get back into working out. As you know from past posts I used to go to the gym and also loved walking outside. I didn't really go to the gym at all last year. I tried to go back to it, I really did, but when I started driving there one day after work I got halfway there and made a turn and went home instead. As for walking outside, well since being bit by a dog in the park (Time to Heal), walking outside doesn't really appeal to me. I needed to find a routine that would work.

Yup that sounds about right for me

I love naps...maybe I should start scheduling them too

I also discovered that unless I get up at 5:00 a.m. to workout it most likely isn't going to happen. I tried a couple of home DVDs that were good, but just not giving me the results I wanted. I had purchased and started...well barely started...21 Day Fix last year and decided to give it another shot.

Every day is a new workout and new muscles get called into action

Last Monday was my first workout (Total Body Cardio), I hated it and loved it at the same time! My muscles were screaming, sweat was dripping off me, and I knew come Tuesday I was going to be sore. I was not wrong, I was so sore but in a good way.

After my first workout, do you see the sweat!
I don't usually sweat, especially working out at home.
Such a good workout!

If I didn't have a meeting Tuesday,
I would have put my hair in a bun and called it a day.

21 Day Fix is a set of workouts that are 30 minutes long. Each day is a different workout and each workout brings new muscles into play. I love that every workout offers modifications, this allows me to go at my own pace and grow. It also allows me to not jump and hop around too much. I live on the second floor of a condo building. I don't think my downstairs neighbors would appreciate me doing jumping jacks at 5 am. Speaking of condo living, I don't have a lot of space to workout, these workouts don't need a lot of space, it's perfect!

Condo living doesn't offer a lot of workout space, but ...

 when I move the coffee table I have just enough for a good workout!

I am so excited to keep you all updated of my progress during the next 21 Days. There is a link on the side my blog if you want to check it out. If I have to wake up at 5 am to workout I might as well enjoy it and know I am going to get results.

Beginning Stats:

Chest: 33"
R. Arm: 12"
L. Arm: 11"
Waist: 28"
Hips: 36"
R. Thigh: 21"
L. Thigh: 22"
R. Calf: 13"
L. Calf: 13"

Weight: 128"
Total Inches: 18

Next measurement update in 21 Days!

Party, Pants, and Friendship

I got home not too long ago from my best friend Debbie's birthday party. It was so much fun. I got to ride to the party with her and hang out with her family and meet all of her friends. I met so many wonderful people who I have heard about for years, but can now put a face to the names.

The moments leading up to the party were a bit more challenging....what to wear?? I had one outfit in mind...but you know how that goes; once you try it on you decide maybe not.

This was my original outfit, but I wasn't feeling it and
the shoes weren't that comfortable

The weather can't seem to decide from one minute to the next if it is winter still or spring so that never helps, okay it will be inside that helps. The hardest part came when it was time to choose pants. Usually I would have worn jeans, but the truth is jeans just aren't that comfortable on me. Tight in some areas super loose in others. So frustrating! When I was sick last year I lost a ton of weight, now that I can eat again I managed to put some back on. Not a lot, but enough that my jeans notice the difference. So I tried on about 5 outfits with jeans and 5 outfits with leggings. Feeling completely frustrated and unsure what to wear.  I finally decided to go with leggings and be comfortable and just have a great time. I paired my leggings with some cute heals to lick the outfit up a notch and ended up receiving so many compliments!  Wardrobe crisis no more!

Tada!  This is what I wore to the party and I am so glad I did!
I felt totally comfortable and was able to have more fun because of that

The hardest part about parties for me, is usually before I get there wondering what I will be able to eat. I didn't have to worry about that this time, Debbie told me a few weeks ago she ordered a carving station with roast beef for me (other guests were allowed to eat it as well, haha I share). She knew I could eat plain meat and wanted to make sure I was covered. She then proceeded to surprise me and told me she got me a cake. I said to her you got me a cake for your birthday party? She said absolutely! She wanted me to be able to have dessert and cake with everyone else and that is what you do for people you love, you make sure they have fun too. I was shocked. I actually started to cry a little. I am so lucky to have her in my life and be able to call her my best friend.

I had broccoli and roast beef.
So delicious!

I am sitting here now, still a little amazed at the trouble she went through to make sure I had a good time and food to eat. I know I have done something right to have a person like that in my life and I will never forget the love she showed me today. To some it might just seem like meat and cake, but to me, it made my heart happy and the food was good too.

Gluten free, dairy free, coconut flour cake
I still can't believe she got me a cake.
It was really fun being able to have dessert with everyone

Have a great Saturday everyone and if you have a friend like mine remember to be thankful for having them in your life and maybe even give them an extra hug when you can!

Pucker Up

I'm pretty sure I could go an entire day without drinking water. There were times I would realize in the afternoon I maybe had a sip from my water bottle. That's not good. I know water is good for me, I know staying hydrated is important, but I still wasn't drinking enough. I was telling my friend Jen one day that I had to drink more, but just wasn't and she suggested I try adding lemon, limes, and mint to my water. I didn't have limes or mint, but I did have lemon. I used to drink lemon water, why did I ever stop.  Thank you Jen for the reminder. Now I stock up on lemons and make sure to include them in my daily water routine.

I love my 32 oz water bottle. Really helps me get in my daily water.
And I love the color, I have in pink too

Now my problem is I drink so much water I am constantly going to the bathroom! Big difference. I love lemon water, I still want to try with mint and lime but I seem to always forget when I got food shopping.

I've also noticed my skin loves that I am drinking more water. Drink up (lemon water that is)!

Happy Skin = Happy Cindy

Some interesting facts about drinking lemon water:

And here I just liked the taste of it