#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

 I can't believe it's been two weeks already! So much good is happening, and I can't wait to share!

Working Out
I'ts just now sinking in that I've been moving my behind for 14 consecutive days. I'm still sore, but its that "feel good" soreness, if that makes any sense. To be honest, my workouts from Monday to Friday were decent at best. I didn't feel good about what I accomplished (or rather, what I didn't accomplish). I was hitting 30 minutes of cardio (low to moderate intensity), and on some days, maybe picking up the weights. I was disappointed, but I didn't beat up on myself too badly. I just picked myself up and kept pushing through, knowing that I'd eventually find my stride and get back in the saddle.

Polar A300 Fitness Activity Tracker

My "back in the saddle" moment happened Saturday, after I got my newest tech obsession: the Polar A300 Fitness Tracker. It's a swanky addition to Polar's fitness wearable tech line, and although I've only had it for 2 days, I'm in LOVE. It's leaps and bounds ahead of my trusty (but never forgotten) FT4, but not too complicated. It works as a 24/7 activity tracker -- giving you insight into your sleep, helping you set daily activity goals, alarms, and even alerts you when you've been sitting/idle too long. When you put on the heart rate monitor (word on the street is they're the industry leader in this category), you can track your workouts -- indoor, outdoor, cardio, walking, strength training, swimming, and more. You'll get a breakdown of your min and max heart rates, how many minutes you spent burning fat versus working on heart health/endurance, and of course, time and calorie output. What I love the most is the Polar Flow app, which gives you awesome insight into all of the above and more. Plus, it syncs to MyFitnessPal and tracks your activity there. Can you tell I'm obsessed with the watch already? Let me know if you'd like a video review/tutorial/breakdown on the watch, and I'll make it happen!

Polar A300 Fitness Activity Tracker

Psst....word on the street is I'll be doing a really special giveaway soon. Stay tuned!

Eating Better
Remember when I said to ask me about eating better? Ehhhh.... I'm making small changes in this area, but it's hard! I keep having to remind myself that I can't out-exercise a bad diet. If that were the case, I would be much farther along in my wellness journey than I currently am. I'm making small changes, like completely kicking soda to the curb, drinking tons of water, avoiding the snacks at work as best I can, and trying to take my lunch as often as I can -- which was like twice last week.

I'm really proud that I've been super successful this week in making smarter swaps. I have a huge sweet tooth, and chocolate is my weakness. I've been making these swaps to make the transition to healthier eating a little easier:

#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

Nutella: Nutritionally terrible, but Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend is infinitely better with less sugar, and wholesome ingredients. I buy packets that are already portioned out (a little more expensive, but it saves me time in the morning), so as to keep a lid on calories because nuts are nutritionally dense. Instead of eating it with bread, I squeeze it on a Lindberg Brown Rice Cake. I buy my packets of Justin's and rice cakes from Sprouts.

#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

Coffee: I like my coffee creamy, sweet, and strong. Two out of three of those things are no bueno. Instead of using the super sweet and nutritionally questionable Coffee Mate creamer at work, I use Trader Joe's Organic Soy Creamer or Silk Vanilla Non-GMO Soy Creamer. For extra flavor without tons of sugar, I sprinkle in Flavor God's Chocolate Donut Seasoning. Yes, it's good. If you're a fan of Mexican Hot Chocolate (Abuelita or Ibarra), you'll like Chocolate Donut Seasoning from Flavor God.

#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

As far as snacks, substitutions, and pre-workout supplementing goes, I did stumble across an AWESOME bar that makes a great meal substitution, sweet tooth killer, and pre or post workout snack. That bar is none other than the Combat Crunch by Muscle Pharm. I bought these 4 from Vitamin Shoppe to try out, and I'm in love! They're low sugar, non-GMO, high in protein and fiber, low in carbs, and only 210 calories per bar. I wouldn't eat like 5 of these a day, but one a day as a meal swap, as pre-workout fuel, or to quench a random sweet tooth seems perfect. So far, I've tried the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter & Chocolate, and I'm hooked. I need to find that Birthday Cake flavored one though...

Better Beauty
I'm still kicking strong with my TriDerma Skincare products, and seeing great progress. Psoriasis is a condition that takes time to rectify, and there are no quick fixes. But I'm happy to share that my skin is continuously improving. I can't wait for a few months to go by, so I can share an amazing side-by-side reveal. Click here and here to read more about how amazing TriDerma Skincare is.

I'm also ecstatic that my tried and true hair products are still holding me down as I become more active. The wash and go below is 3 days old, and still looks good after a Friday workout and playing football Saturday. My product? tgin Twist & Define Cream only. I've been maintaining hydration and keeping the curls refreshed with Bee Mine Organics Luscious Cream Balanced Moisturizer (a seriously underrated gem), and it works beautifully with Twist & Define -- no white balls, no flakes, no stringy hair -- just hydrated and shiny curls.

#EveryDayFitness Week 2 Update

Spiritual Wellness
This past week, I got some disheartening news about one of my future-building endeavors, and it put me in a bit of a funk. You know those funks where you just have that one thing you want to go in your favor and you'd be happy? And then it gets reeeeeeally difficult or doesn't pan out like you thought it would...and into the funk you go? That was pretty much my disposition throughout week 2. I know Jeremiah 29:11 like the back of my hand, and Philippians 4:4-8 is where I try to base my perspective. But sometimes, even the most assured in God get a little shaken up.

I read, I prayed, I listened in church, and still found myself in a funk -- until Spotify came through and blessed me. Driving home one night, I turned on my gospel playlist, and got ministered to something serious by two songs I've heard dozens of times: His Blood Still Works, and Awesome God. An overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over me, and suddenly the thing I was disappointed in became so minuscule against the backdrop of how God has shown up and shown out in my life. I couldn't help but praise God for keeping me thus far.

I love how God sometimes uses the least expected avenues to reach you. I put on my gospel playlist because the radio sucks and I didn't feel like listening to hip hop, but I wasn't expecting it to take hold of me how it did. Even though I know both songs forward and backwards, ad-libs and all, it spoke to me in a new way as I push through this particular endeavor. Through music, I was reminded that God is in charge. And when I say in charge, I mean really in charge. My personal battle with God has always been one of will. I'm used to being persistent and muscling my way through to make stuff happen my way. I'm really stubborn and impatient about it, too. But when I agree to do things God's way, taking heed to His plans means conceding mine. And more often than I'd like to admit, I struggle with giving up that full control.

As I work through some of my frustrations, doubts, questions, and control issues, I am more comforted now than ever that in due time I will reap if I faint not. Cheers to another week of #EveryDayFitness. I can't wait to see what week 3 brings!

You can keep up with my daily #EveryDayFitness moves on:
Instagram @maneobjective
 Facebook Mane Objective
Twitter @mane_objective
My Fitness Pal - add me! TinaP17 

5 Comments

  1. Hi Christina,

    Thank you for being willing to share your transparency through this challenge. As a personal trainer I'm always telling my clients that there is more to wellness than eating healthy and working out, but also nurturing our spiritual relationship with God and the relationships with our family and friends. Finding the balance in our lives is a beautiful journey that includes highs and lows and too often I find a lot of people giving up in the midst of it. I like to encourage myself and others with this: there's always strength in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). I'll be looking forward to future posts and let me know if you have any questions about your workouts and/or healthy eating. Also, I'd love a review of the new polar watch. I've been looking at one for awhile and can't quite make up my mind lol. I'll be praying that you don't give up on your journey!!!

    Cierra

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