As you guys know very well, work has me very busy lately. I haven’t even touched upon what this has done to my diet.

And I’ll tell ya, business for me typically equals a very poor eating regimen. For the past few months, I had been grabbing convenient, quick meals. And not the healthiest meals, because I wanted all. the. food. Spinning makes me HUNGRY. I was stuffing my face at night with not-so-healthy choices and waking up feeling gross, my clothes were starting to fight tighter, and I was getting frustrated.

So, at this point, I was more than ready to enlist my buddy Jim for help. Remember him? Two winters ago, Jim put me on a nutrition plan to help me knock off some weight around the holidays.

This time around, I’m doing a summer slimdown with Jim. My plan is a little different than it was last year, especially since I no longer eat meat. It’s definitely more of a challenge to find protein sources, but with now my no-meat diet makes me feel, it’s more than worth it.

I have now been on my plan for almost two weeks, and I’m already down a few pounds. I felt super hungry the first day, but after that day, I have felt completely satisfied. And if anything, I’ve been working out more than before since I’m paying attention to my body and my weight. My clothes are fitting better and I feel better.

The biggest difference to my diet with Jim’s personalized nutrition plan adjustment has been the frequency at which I eat. I am fully aware it’s best to eat lots of small meals throughout the day, but I was more snacky, grabbing a spoon of natural peanut butter or half of a protein bar every half hour.

Now, I have three meals and three snacks a day, supplemented by a protein shake or a piece of fruit if I really need it in between (but for the most part, I don’t). I’m definitely eating more fruit and a smaller assortment of protein bars. All good things.

All I needed was a little guidance, someone to hold me accountable, and some food planning. I already feel so much better, and I’ve only just begun.

I also don’t have to give up my beloved protein shakes from Bad Ass Coffe Co. Thank the lord. Cherry blasts have been the majority of my lunches.

If any of you are interested in a personalized nutrition plan from Jim or one of the experts at Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios, check him out. I’d highly recommend the program to anyone interested in a nutrition plan that is tailored to his/her lifestyle and fits in the foods he or she likes. I like that Jim checks in on me every few days to ask how I’m doing and is happy to answer any questions I have. I’ve been known to send a panicked “HELP I’M GOING TO ______ RESTAURANT TONIGHT AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD EAT” text or two.

Drop Jim a line at info@jimwhitefit.com. They offer e-training anywhere in the world — not just nutrition plans, but boot camp exorcises as well.. Skype workouts and all! Shoot them an e-mail for prices and more details.

I’ll keep you all updated on how I’m doing on this plan of mine. So far, so good!

I know you all know how my life is right now. I’m a busy, busy bee. As I’ve been gearing up to move to Richmond, VA to open our TidalWheel Richmond studio, life has been even crazier than normal. My business has lead to a serious downfall in my diet. Because I’m so busy, half the day, I forget to eat, and then I’m starving by dinner and want to stuff myself. You know that feeling? The bottomless pit feeling? That’s me, every day. And all the spinning isn’t exactly helping. I have, however, found a pretty great snack to keep at work with me to keep my metabolism revving throughout the day. Have you guys heard of Edy’s Outshine bars?

It’s possible that when you think of Edy’s, you may not realize they make a real fruit product. They DO! And it’s AWESOME. Truth be told, I haven’t always been a huge popsicle fan. The artificial flavoring does nothing for me. But Outshine bars, on the other hand, taste like frozen fruit on a stick. I’m a little obsessed, and I’m more than glad I snagged several flavors when Edy’s granted me the opportunity to receive this product at no cost for a review. All of these, of course, are my own thoughts and opinions.

Outshine bars never fail to add a little sunshine to my day. I have not yet taken a day off from my new job (I know). I’ve been a little stressed and stretched pretty thin, but one morning last week, the sun was shining and I got up extra early to read my book outside. As I tried to relax with my book, I tried a strawberry Outshine bar.

And then I had a wildberry bar 5 minutes later. I could say “Sorry I’m not sorry” here, but really, there is no reason to be sorry. Those little bars specifically are 40 calories a pop (ha, no pun intended), so it’s no big deal to have 2. Or 6.

But I did cap it at 2 in that sitting. And I wasn’t all sugared up and feeling unsatisfied like I typically do with a frozen snack. With Outshine bars, you can experience 24 ways to make every day a little brighter and more delicious. So you see how I had a hard time choosing which flavors to indulge in when I picked these up from my local Farm Fresh. I grabbed a variety box of strawberry, lime, and wildberry alongside boxes of pineapple, açai blueberry, and coconut waters with pineapple.

I mean, come on. Check out the nutritional values and the ingredient lineup. They speak for themselves.

Which is why these trusty little bars have allowed me to snack brighter at work. I brought the açai berry bars in to keep in the freezer for a mid-day healthy snack to share with my staff members, and they have been an absolute hit. So, for me, the definition of snacking brighter has been having a fruity popsicle at work and getting everyone at work to like me.

Jaq, one of our instructors, was obviously pretty pumped about the Outshine bars.

My most favorite flavor is the pineapple bar, although it’s hard to pick just one. The real fruit flavor is hard to beat, and it easily transports my brain to a tropical location. Even though I’m typically in my kitchen, at work, or in my backyard. Not so tropical in reality, but the Outshine bar makes it a happier place.

Obviously, after just trying Outshine bars, I’m a big fan. They help me stay on track, they make my friends, staff members, and me snack healthily, and just looking at the packaging makes me happy.

Maybe I’m just easy to please, but maybe these are kind of perfect.

Check Outshine out on Facebook. Their photo posts alone brighten my day, and whenever I see them in my news feed, I want a real fruit bar. Pronto. Seriously, I’m now looking through the photos in this post with a watering mouth. I need to go grab an Outshine bar. Now, you tell me. How would Edy’s Outshine bars brighten your day? Those who go to the Edy’s Outshine bars website and tell me where they’d enjoy their favorite flavor of Outshine bar will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Not too shabby, huh? Go snag some bars and outshine the business in your life.

My life is work.

But seriously, is my “office” cool or what?

I have been back and forth from Virginia Beach to Richmond recruiting for our new studio, apartment searching, and getting plans together for the big move.

Meanwhile, we have been having fun at TidalWheel Virginia Beach.

I have had some wonderful blog readers come to check the place out. I have had some fantastic blog readers approach me after a Richmond recruiting spin class (sorry I was so sweaty, Tess). Hearing from you guys on the street makes me realize how much I miss you guys on here. I need to better budget my time so I have the energy to blog when I get home from work at night.

A lot of you have asked what a day at work holds for me. And that’s what I love about my job at TidalWheel: every single day is different. Currently, I am doing a few jobs at once, but once our Richmond studio is further along in construction, I will be more cemented in my role as Regional Manager. I will oversee all open TidalWheel studios, traveling between the two (or more, eventually!) of them.

And now, at the top of my to do list: Better budget time to include blogging.

I’m severely late in the game to my first most recent obsession.

Obsessed, I say. I was hooked two pages in.

And as I mention I’ve started the second book, please take note that I got the collectors edition, complete with faction tattoos. Don’t be shocked if you see me running around with the dauntless symbol on my shoulder blade.

Another new obsession? Fruitive.

This place, located just around the corner from TidalWheel, is amazing. Crazy expensive, yes, but isn’t all food deemed “amazing” crazy expensive these days?

Anyway, I’ve treated myself to lunch there twice since starting my new job. I snagged the Hail to the Kale salad last week and the Power Protein salad today.

Apple carrot ginger dressing. GIMME. A million times over.

And then there’s the whole Polar heart rate monitor watch thing.

I know, I know. Everyone has one of those. But I never really had a desire to use one since I had my super old school Garmin to run with (whose wristband has just about bitten the dust).

Now that I don’t have time to run, my workouts are all spinning for the most part. And I wanted to know what kinda workout I was getting!

It’s pretty exciting. I have never burned less than 500 calories in a 45-minute TidalWheel class. And I’ve burned up to 690 calories in one of them. Killer, right? I now don’t take a class without it.

I love it. I do really miss running, though. The best part of my week was a morning I got up before work and did an 8-miler.

So, new or old, I wanna hear your newest discoveries/obsessions. Let me at ‘em!

]]> http://www.lifeofblyss.com/2013/04/new-discoveries/feed/ 32 http://www.lifeofblyss.com/2013/04/to-the-rescue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-the-rescue http://www.lifeofblyss.com/2013/04/to-the-rescue/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 02:51:36 +0000 Alyssa @ Life of bLyss http://www.lifeofblyss.com/?p=9569

I’m starting to think my extreme lack of time may require some much shorter blog posts. Thanks for hangin’ in there, dears. My life is work and work is my life these days.

So, let’s play catch up. I need to tell you about the exciting part of my Easter.

When I got off work, my parents were in town for the weekend. And as usual, my dad was tinkering around the house and the backyard.

Unfortunately, Chloe found something.

This little guy’s brother.

Before anything else could happen, we wrangled the huntress and found the bunny nest in my extremely long grass.

I quickly called the SPCA, wrapped Thumper in a towel (yeah, I named him, so what?), and drove over to put him in their rescue incubation center.

It broke my heart for the bunny who didn’t make it and the mama rabbit who just lost her babies, but I was pretty excited about saving a bunny for Easter. I then drug my dad through the SPCA to look at all the animals. Every time I visit the SPCA, I want to cry of a warmed and broken heart at the same time. It’s a good thing I don’t have an [extra] screw loose, or Chloe would have several siblings.

Speaking of Chloe, I got some nice snuggle time with my pup for Easter.

After a glorious vegetarian/vegan Melting Pot dinner!

Which was actually preceded by another feat at the theatre. If you know me well, you know that I’m really down about not having time to perform in local theatre with my new work schedule. So, what did I do for this past show, Born Yesterday? I worked backstage again.

Someone else tell Gregory he needs to make those glasses and everyday thing. I adore them.

Now you. Catch me up! What’s been going on? How has your Spring kicked off? To all of my blends, I’m so sorry I haven’t had the time to keep up with you all. This is me sending lots of virtual hugs and kisses.

I guess it’s time I elaborate on my whereabouts, huh?

It’s official. I have left my job at the school and am the new Regional Manager for TidalWheel, an young indoor cycling studio company. The Virginia Beach studio is only 6 months old, but I will soon be living part-time in Richmond to open a new location there.

Which is why Colleen is so excited. We’re gonna be neighbors!

If you are familiar with SoulCycle or Flywheel, you have an idea of what TidalWheel is all about. We offer classes in a dark room with loud, exciting music and elaborate total-body workout moves on a stationary bike.

It really is a kind of exercise you’ve never experienced. So many people who have tried spin (and loved it or hated it) come in to our studio saying “WOW! That is so different. I’ve never done anything like that before!”

At TidalWheel, you are also using dumbbells as you pedal on the bike. You’re doing pushups, you’re adding core moves, and you’re dancing. All while on a spin bike. And those bands come down for our TidalTone classes for an extra core/upper body workout.

TidalWheel classes are the most fun I’ve had working out in a while. You feel like you’re working out in a club, and our instructors make it more of an experience than a workout. Every class is a little different, so you really never know what to expect. You can check out more on the video on our website: www.tidalwheel.com

You guys all know that I’m a runner at heart. I never really thought running would ever have to compete for my attention with any other workout, but as soon as I tried TidalWheel spin classes, I became addicted. It was running one day, completing a fitmixer boot camp workout the next, and then coming to a TidalWheel class. I soon found myself planning my workouts around these classes. I just love that I get a weight workout in with a serious cardio blast.

Now, part of my job is taking a TidalWheel class every day so I know what’s going on in my studio. And every day, I’m sore after class. That says a lot, doesn’t it?

Once I get to Richmond, I will actually be instructing classes as well. I’m pretty pumped.

And a bonus? I get to work with my VBbff Jamie. She’s one of our instructors at TidalWheel!

There we are with Eric, another one of our TidalWheel instructors, on the day of our Valentine ride.

Our owners, Mike and Ryan, with Jenna, one of our staffers. We partnered with The Simply Bar at the Shamrock Expo!

So, this is what I have had my hands filled with for the past few weeks. I’m a very busy bee, and I haven’t really had a life outside of work just yet.

If you’re ever in the Virginia Beach (or Richmond soon!) area, come check out TidalWheel. If you mention you know me and are a Life of bLyss reader, you may get a deal on your first ride.

So sorry it’s been so long since I updated you guys. I have been utterly neglectful.

I really hope you didn’t all think I went and got new eyeballs and decided I didn’t need you anymore.

The thing is, in these past few weeks, my life has undergone a pretty big change. And no, not just the cosmetic change of Life of bLyss (whatcha think?! Much of it is thanks to StephAnne at Yellow & Savvy Designs).

I’ll elaborate soon, I promise. But who has heard of this place?

If you have never heard of TidalWheel, don’t worry. You’ll be hearing a whole lot about this indoor cycling boutique very soon, as it is where my time is being spent around the clock.

Hope you all are doing wonderfully. I’ll be back soon!

I apologize for it taking me so long to update you guys. Life has been absolutely crazy, and I can’t wait to update you on the changes happening in my life.

Now. I promised LASIK details, and I plan to deliver.

The day before surgery, I had to go in for a 2-hour pre-op eye exam. There, they did all the eye tests you typically get at your regular eye doctor in addition to some I have never experienced.

The morning of surgery, I was feeling pretty anxious. I sat in the waiting room with my dad talking about how great it would be to wake up and be able to see.

I was taken into a room where I was given post-op instructions and a Valium to relax me. I was told that for a week, I couldn’t wear any eye makeup, touch my eyes (no higher than my cheekbones), get water in my eyes (showering is hard!), or get sweat in my eyes (bye, spinning and sprints). I was given a three-drop regimen that included Prednisone, an antibiotic, and comfort lubricating drops. Every three hours, I needed to repeat my drop cycle.

When it was time for surgery, I was given a “party hat” (shower cap) and brought into the room by my doctor and two med student observers. I lay down on a typical surgery bed with a dipped headrest. My doctor kept my head in his hands the entire time, and if i remember correctly, he had two different machines. The first one was the worst part of the entire experience.

When the corneal flap is created, there is a suction cup on your eye that doesn’t feel so hot. My doctor was talking me through it the entire time, but I remember digging my fingernails into the bed as it was happening. Suction cups on the eyeball = not so great

By the way, yes, it was uncomfortable, and I’m being pretty frank about the process, but don’t let this deter you from getting LASIK. Seriously. It was all more than worth it.

The second part was strange. I was told to look up into a green light with red lights surrounding it, and all of a sudden, I couldn’t see anything. Then I could see red cloudy stuff. That was freaky. Then, all of a sudden, my regular vision was back, but really, really cloudy. The last step was fixing my astigmatism. Throughout the entire process, my doctor was explaining to me what was happening.

Obviously, this all happened twice, since I got both of my eyes lasered.

Once it was all finished about 10 minutes later, my doctor guided me through the door and into a holding room of sorts. An hour later, I had a post-op exam in which he checked my eyes with the big traditional eye doctor machine. I could see, and I could tell my vision was much better than it had been without my glasses, but it was as if I was looking underwater or through globs of Vaseline. I was also extremely sensitive to light.

Which is why I got these sweet shades for the ride home.

As for my night-time eye-wear… HAHA. I had to tape these clear plastic clam shell-like protectors to my face for a week so I wouldn’t scratch my eyes. But since I am a sleepy-time rebel, I ripped them off in my sleep the first night. After that, we decided I needed a sleep mask over top of them. From then on, I woke up without the sleep mask on but the protectors in place. Gotta get creative around here.

Stylin’, brah. Really glad I just put that photo of myself on the internet.

Maybe it was the Valium, or maybe it was excitement of the day, but I napped like a champ the next few days. For a while, all I wanted to do is close my eyes anyway, so it was nice to have ample rest time. The cloudiness went away little by little over the first four days or so, and the feeling like there was sand in my eye lessened by the day as well.

Now, two weeks later, I have amazing eyesight that is still improving. I can’t tell you how strange it feels to not have to take my contacts out at night. My lingering symptoms include the light sensitivity, extreme dry eye, and some itchiness in my eyes. The eye bruising still remains, too, but it’s not near as bad as it was.

I hope you all like eyeballs.

Oh, and the winner of the Pure Protein giveaway is Lindsay! Congrats, girlfriend. E-mail me your mailing address, please!

Calling all my fellow meat heads!

Who wants some protein?

Some yummy protein.

Some filling protein!

Ew. I sound like a cheesy ad. But, listen. This stuff is pretty delicious.