Some of the top questions I receive are regarding my weight: what do I eat, my workout routine, diets, etc. Now let me tell you, it has been a journey for me and I haven’t always had the healthiest relationship with my body. I danced competively in high school and always felt I needed to be the thinnest. I was always obsessed about how I looked in my dance costumes. It was easy to become obsessed with that when you were staring at your body in the mirror for hours a day, usually wearing a fitted leotard and tights. I was dancing hours a day and only consuming about 800-1000 calories a day, definitely way less than I should have been. My 5’3 self weighed about 100 pounds at that time. I still didn’t feel thin enough, and that is an issue.
Fast forward to after graduation when I met my now husband and we started a very healthy relationship. I was happy. Traveling back and forth to meet him from college. I realized after that first year, I had gained 15 pounds! At a more healthy weight for sure, but it was a struggle for me to accept the weight gain. My weight continued to fluctuate over the years. I would gain some and I would lose some.
I started working for a chiropractor in 2013 who was very much in to health and fitness. She really inspired me to live my best life. I was eating better, working out more and generally feeling very good about my body. At that time I weighed about 112-113, and I was completely happy with that. I was able to maintain that for about a year and a half until I became pregnant with my first child. I completely stopped with the healthy eating and working out. I was a total pregnancy bum! I gained 40 pounds, which I know to be normal, and birthed a beautiful, healthy baby boy.
I had expectations that I would be able to drop the weight quickly. I was breastfeeding, eating better again, generally doing all the things you were “supposed to do” postpartum. I went back to work only 6 weeks after my son was born and things generally went downhill. The sadness from missing my baby and the stress of work took a toll on my milk supply. I started having to supplement with formula at 4 months and had to completely quit breastfeeding by 6 months. This was devastating to me as I always knew I wanted to be able to breastfeed through one year. It definitely took a toll on my mental health as well. In the end, I never could drop all the weight, settling down at 120. Even though it was only a few extra pounds, I of course saw every flaw.
I became pregnant with my second child in 2016 and he was born Summer of 2017. After I was born, I was able to stay home full time! This was such a huge deal for me, because I was finally able to be the mom I wanted to be, but couldn’t when my oldest was an infant. I took care of my babies, the house, and most importantly myself! I was working out, eating better and even started this blog! I got back down to my pre-baby weight (before my first). And of course I still had my flaws. I had the mom belly and cellulite, but I was feeling good in my clothes again.
Fastforward again to June of 2019. I started having crazy hormonal issues. I was waking up in the middle of the night with hot flashes and sweats (literally soaking the sheets), I was moody and lost my temper easily and I put on 15 pounds in 3 months. I was tested for all sorts of things, and nothing was very clear or definite as to WHY this was happening. The end result from the doctor is you’re “just reaching that age”. Absolutely not what I wanted to hear. After a few months of being bothered by it, I started trying to lose the weight via fad diets. I tried to cut out dairy, which was just sad. I missed my cheese. I tried cutting out gluten entirely, but was just left feeling unsatisfied. Neither of which caused weight loss. I also tried intermittent fasting for 3 months and actually GAINED weight!
So that brings me to today. I finally decided enough was enough. I started focusing on what made me feel good, kept me energized, less bloated and all around healthier. As far as my diet goes, I try to primarily eat good lean proteins and lots of veggies! Then I eat some fruit, then a small amount of dairy and grains and last try to keep my sugar at a minimum! I also try to drink as much water as possible, which is definitely difficult for me. I can chug coffee, but have to force myself to drink water. The big change in my eating habits is that I am listening to my body more. I eat when i’m hungry and stop when i’m getting full. I will occasionally skip a meal if i’m not hungry, sometimes I have a snack, sometimes I don’t. I just do what my body tells me. I also workout 5-6 days a week and usually shoot for 30 minutes. I have become addicted to my workouts and it is hard to start my days without them now! They help me feel so energized and ready to tackle the day!
I can’t say I have lost all the weight, it is definitely a journey! But I can say I feel better and look better than I have in awhile. And that counts for a lot. Now finally, I have reached the point where I can tell you about my weekly snapshot of meals and workouts. I know its all you have been waiting for anyways. Haha.
MONDAY
Breakfast: 2 cups of coffee with silk vanilla coffee creamer, avocado toast with a fried egg.
Lunch: Leftover pulled pork with a little BBQ sauce and a handful of chips, 1/2 cup strawberries
Afternoon Snack: Coffee : )
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Exercise: 30 minutes of legs
TUESDAY
Breakfast: Coffee with Silk Almond Creamer, Tropical Green Smoothie
Lunch: Leftover Buffalo Chicken Salad
Afternoon Snack: Coffee
Dinner: Cheeseburger Casserole (way healthier than it sounds!), 1 white claw
Exercise: 1 hour outdoor walk
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Coffee with Almond creamer, Southwest omelet
Lunch: Buffalo Chicken Salad ( I had cooked too much chicken)
Afternoon Snack: Coffee plus some of my kids goldfish crackers
Dinner: Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan
Exercise: 15 minutes HIIT cardio followed by 15 minutes Arms and Abs
THURSDAY
Breakfast: Coffee with almond creamer, Banana Chia Seed pancakes
Lunch: Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Dinner: Cheeseburger Casserole, white claw
Exercise: 30 minute cardio workout
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Coffee with almond milk creamer, avocado toast
Lunch: Skipped
Snack: Atkins sweet and salty crunch bites and Coffee
Dinner: Roasted Salmon, brussels sprouts and baby gold potatoes
Exercise: 30 Minute full body blast
If you have any questions on recipes or my routines, definitely let me know!
Thanks so much for reading!
XOXO
Cortney
