It's time... To Level UP

I've had issues with my body for as long as I can remember.

Then something miraculous happened; I hit what felt like rock bottom, and knew the only way to change my life, was to change my life. And that could only start with me. 

From that point on, I made myself a promise to keep myself as a priority --- when I don't, everything else seems to fall apart. I want to live my best life, I deserve that. My kids deserve the best life. Fitness isn't everything, don't get me wrong, but fitness is simply something we need, something that makes us feel good, and allows us to do everything else better.

I learned discipline, how to get myself to do something I didn't want to do sans motivation, but because my well being was at stake, I learned to give myself grace when I found myself head first in a box of pizza (I've been there several times, and I will be there again #fact), and I learned to admire and respect my body. It has given me my life, allows me to live my life, and through realizing that, I have found so much confidence in myself and what I'm capable of. 

Now here's the point of my blog post; its time to level up. Before, I did this not for the looks, but to feel good. To be healthy. Whats the point if you have neither of those things? That's the point, right?

Now that I no longer battle myself, talk down to myself, and feel like I'm living my life at a high vibration, I want to level up and see where I can take my body. 

Now, it's all about the abs. It's all about creating even more discipline. Sticking to a super dialled in nutrition plan. Doing my workout and pushing myself in each one, not just doing it to do it. Striving for excellence.

I am working on a better me. I want to grow; and never stop. 

SO---I am now in week 2 of Body Beast. I have started and stopped this program so many times. I wasn't mentally ready for it. I wanted to feel thin for so long, I didn't want to mess with what was working. I did my cardio, day in + day out, with no real difference, no spark like I used to have, I just did it to do it. 

I have to say I am loving it. I have never felt stronger, more badass (even with my measly little weights right now), or excited to see physical change. 

I feel like as human beings we feel our best when we're striving for a goal, when we're working on something, growing. What's the purpose of life if we're not? If we're just existing? It's euphoric to try. And even more so when you realize you're doing it. Im pushing play everyday, and much to my surprise, Im actually doing it. It's just me deciding to, it's that simple. Motivation, no motivation, I press play because I have to do it. I told myself I would, and I refuse to be the person who doesn't follow through. 

GOAL: Toned, defined and add some muscle. My goal is not to be bodybuilder style, but bikini competition physique so I can get fitness photos done when I am in Nashville in July. 12 weeks.

So this week, here is my meal plan. It will not be easy to eat this much, (nutrition is always my struggle) but I am going to stick to it, along with my workouts. 

At this point I'm just playing around with my containers. I am going to see what's working, gauge by how I feel, and my weight each week. If I am gaining too quickly, I will go down a bracket, however, if I'm not seeing any growth, I will go up. 

Follow my journey on snapchat: kryshamilton1 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/krystyna.hamilton.9 

My Five #GIRLBOSS Must-Haves

I am ALL about having pretty things -- a new stapler, new way to organize or fresh flowers while I work; that can make me turn up to a whole new level.

When my surroundings are girly, chic + glamorous, all I want to do is step in the shoes of my inner girlboss and HUSTLE. 

I've put together my list of 5 Must-Haves {some of which, I'll be honest, I'm working towards! BIG GOALS}.

1. Proper + Chic Planner

THIS is technically on my most wanted list -- the Louis Vuitton planner. (You can find it here and also find it for LESS at www.tradesy.com)

YES, it's frivolous, it's expensive, but it's SO PRETTY and would go perfect with my vision in my office (under construction at the moment!). Sometimes our goals are life changing, and sometimes we just want to be able to buy something that may seem incredibly over the top to some. #ownit Take it with you everywhere you go -- it acts as a purse with holders for your cards, and if you're one who has a lot on the go, you'll need it at all times. Why not make it one you love to carry around and that goes well with just about any outfit?

When researching how to fill it, I realized just how complex the planner community really is {I know right? A community... It's pretty intense! Glitz, glamorous + personalized!) You can get a Filofax agenda (look on Amazon; The nude patent leather one is beautiful + comes with your weekly calendar pages already inserted), which is what I will be getting for the interim. Fill it and make it unique to YOU and your needs in your business or life. Go to Etsy and search for A5 dividers to find the color scheme that inspires YOU when you open your planner. You can also find calendar months, tabs, to do lists to easily insert, projects, fitness trackers, whatever you want to put into your planner to organize your LIFE. 

An organized girlboss is a more effective one. I promise this will allow you to be more productive, more income, more clients, and LESS overwhelmed. You will have everything mapped out, blog posts/youtube videos, etc., all written out, a to do list to cross off as you go... Make life more SIMPLE so you can focus on what you love to do!

2. Create an Inspiration Wall or Vision Board

Now this isn't something necessarily for you to out and buy -- this can be a creative hour. Grab a glass of wine, a stack of magazines, and create yourself a vision board, page for your planner, background to your computer, or if you really want, go online to find pictures to frame.

I'm a firm believer in the law of attraction. If you go to where you want to go in your mind, you'll naturally take actions throughout the day to get you closer. The first thing I do when I wake up is visualize exactly what my life WILL look like, or things that speak to me that day {this morning happened to my LV planner, in my new office, setting my schedule for the day + taking meetings with my fellow #girlbosses, before jetting off to somewhere exotic with my family... This is YOUR vision and nobody elses}.

Take just a few moments to look at it everyday, visualize it, and watch as it becomes a reality. Be crystal clear on exactly where you want to go, and let go of any fears you have, let go of feelings of inadequacies -- if these desires are placed on you, they're there for a reason. They're a part of you, they're a part of your vision for your life, and they're there to guide you in the right direction. 

3. A Personal Development Library

Read. Everyday. Invest in your mind before you invest in all the other fancy stuff. It's your mind that will ultimately take you to where you want to, or on the same token, STOP YOU from where you want to go. Business doesn't play favourites -- if you want something, you have every ability to go out there and take it. 

My top reads:

Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba

The Saint, The Surfer & The CEO by Robin Sharma

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Rock your Network Marketing Business by Sarah Robbins

If you want to take your life to the next level, your business to the next level, you have to take your MIND there, first!

Work on becoming the best you and the rest will follow.

4. At Home Workout Program

Aside from the obvious that I am a Beachbody Coach, I AM one because I stand behind these programs 100%. 

We're women, we want it ALL, we want to be able to DO it ALL, and it can be hard to do sometimes. Insert HIGH ENERGY, effective, short workouts here. No commute. No personal trainer sessions. No time getting ready {we all do it, #gymglam}. Just you + your TV. Get in, get sweaty AF, get OUT. 

Hello to a NEW YOU by the end of it. 

Not only does this make me more productive, this makes me feel sexy. My self worth SKY ROCKETS when I get it DONE before the world even wakes up. I feel strong, confident, and most of all, energetic so I can get what I need DONE, and feel powerful and strong. 

Want my personal recommendation?

Insanity Max 30. MAX OUT in your workout, and you'll be driven to max out in your WORK. My everyday mantra is to go for just that little bit MORE. 30 minutes, you want to absolutely DIE, but it works. 

***Contact me at krystynahamiltonfit@gmail.com to train WITH me in my #GLAMSQUAD accountability group***

5. Elegant Stationary

You know what really reels me in as a loyal customer? 

Loyalty right BACK. Companies or business owners going the extra mile and presenting themselves with poise. 

I think it's so important to add a personal touch when someone goes above + beyond, when you have a loyal customer you want to appreciate, or when you want to send out thank you cards.

How you present yourself really shows {in my opinion} how much you value your business, your customers, and your presence. Step it up and spend the extra few dollars to get fabulous stationary that will wow the person you're sending it to. 

My favourite place to order stationary is Sugar Paper. They are constantly changing, adding in new designs, and they're beautiful. At about $30 for a package of 6, I still reserve these beauties for special events + recognition. Kate Spade also has some chic stationary!

I hope these 5 things help YOU as much as they help me! 

What are YOUR must haves?! I am ALWAYS looking for new and unique office finds! 

Have a beautiful day! 

Krys

xx

Makeup Finds I'm Loving On

I did it.

I got an Amazon Prime account after months of humming and hawing. 

The result was a definite increase in my Visa bill, and several Google searches of "How to control your spending". 

Aside from that minor obstacle, there is a silver lining. 

I got myself an entirely new makeup set that I am completely loving on. I love that as women we can dress ourselves up, feel good, add on some powerful, bold lipstick, and run our show with a little bit more bounce in our step.

I used to work as a makeup artist, and I LOVED IT. The moment a woman would walk in looking tired, worn out, I would run to her. I would try on an assortment of "looks", and by the time she left, you could see her look at herself in the mirror and smile, and walk out HAPPIER + more confident than when she came in.

That made me so happy.

That being said, I love makeup, I love playing around, expressing myself with color + what I feel is ART.

What happens when you give a makeup junkie a credit card + an Amazon Prime account 

The moment I put on my lipstick and glue on some lashes, you KNOW I'm ready to hustle + take on anything life has to throw at me {this usually comes after accomplishing a hard ass workout}.

It's sort of my "I'm gonna crush this day" routine in the am. 

Here are the things I bought that have come in {there is more to come!}, that I really love.

1. Red Cherry Eyelashes

Can we just talk about these lashes for a second? They're HUMAN HAIR, the shape is incredible, and there are so many variations depending on the look you're going for. My two favourites are #747 for a longer more natural look, and #43 for when I am looking for some DRAMA + SASS. They're extremely well priced when you buy them in packs of 3 or 6 (Amazon). My favourite glue is DUO -- yes it smells funny (its supposed to), but it's the best adhesive I've found. I tried the black glue, and it's SO much better than the white stuff, just watch to not overuse and it can make your eyeliner line look messy.

2. Kat Von D Palette

I am completely blanking on what this palette is called {{I will edit this post and find out}}. WHY this palette is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE one? They are MATTE shadows. I am at an age now, where unfortunately my lids aren't as smooth as they once were. Hello, wrinkles! But you can work with it. Use MATTE shadows (add shimmer for depth in corners or crease if you love shimmer!). However, the struggle with matte shadows is they can go on clumpy, blotchy, or lack bold colour pigmentation. This palette is INCREDIBLE. Bold colors, a mix of neutral, cool + warm colors, a cheat sheet on how to put it on, base colors, and the colors you need to make a natural or smoky look.

This is a MUST!

3. Brushes

To be honest, these are pretty much nameless brushes that were also extremely inexpensive. People always tell me, WOW you're so good at makeup. I swear, I'm not. It's ALL about using the right BRUSHES. I will link this post to a youtube video or other blog post to show you WHICH ones are the best. Go for soft + round brushes to blend in the crease, and compact crushes with more bristles to apply color on the lid. (the more dense the actual bristles, the more color it will deposit. Less bristles and more movable will help you blend) My favourite brushes are MAC cosmetics brushes, but in all honesty, no name brands are great, too. I invest in the makeup, not so much the brushes, as long as I have the right ones.

4. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

Basically the best eyeliner I've ever used. I have two on hand so I never run out of this stuff, it's liquid GOLD. It's not only waterproof (and actually stays on), the applicator is like a PEN, making even a newbie be able to put it on. And because it's like a pen, it's much easier to make it go from thin to thick really easily, and be able to do under your eye without looking like The Joker. (Ive so been there) Worth the investment 100%

I DID order several Kylie Jenner Lip Kits after trying several times before (I may have danced around my house in excitement as they sold out in MINUTES), and will do a post on each of those! They're not here yet, but you can bet I'm stalking my mailman like a kid on Christmas. LOL

Now that I've got this Amazon Prime account, you can guarantee I'll have more to feature soon! 

Krys xo

Time to get MOVING: Four Weeks Post-Op

I am SO excited to be BACK at my workouts + healthy eating.

I will be totally honest; not working out was a complete MIND F*$%.

I have anxiety, and my workouts are my holistic medicine. Since working out, I have been relieved of almost all symptoms and have been able to handle daily stress with EASE and be able to tackle what life throws at me with GUSTO :P

During this past four weeks, I've been overly emotional, not thinking clearly, making rash decisions, and feeling insecure, leading to anxiety.

It wasn't as bad as it WAS prior to starting fitness, but I definitely started to feel myself spiral, so to say I'm ecstatic to start workouts is an understatement.

POST-OP

I am happy to report I have had NO pain, I have full mobility of my arms and chest, and my boobs are beginning to look more NORMAL and NOT like balloons sitting near my neck. LOL And I LOVE them!!! I was SO nervous I would hate them because they were SO high up on my chest! But THANKFULLY they have fallen, just as promised.

I was given the go ahead to incorporate in cardio, however, can't do chest workouts for another week. Just ONE more week!

I HAVE however, been doing burpees. I would NOT suggest doing this, BUT, I was working out and didn't think twice and by the end, realized I shouldn't have done them. However, I believe in listening to my body, and my body had NO issue. I have heard many stories of women who felt like they couldn't, experienced pain, etc., none of which were felt by me. I am refraining from lifting weights and push ups but am doing plank and burpees at this point. I am NOT overdoing it, as much as I'd like to and keeping it at only a few per workout.

Moving Forward

I am now starting 22 Minute Hard Corps (Wooo!!! Finally!!), however I can ONLY do the Cardio workouts until next Wednesday. Instead of repeating the 3 cardio workouts, I am incorporating in Insanity Max 30 until I can do the full program and calendar for 22 minute.

I will be honest here, I thought it would be a BREEZE of a program, but HOT DAMN, it may only be 22 minutes, but I am pouring sweat by the end!

The first workout SUCKED because I hadn't worked out in so long. I felt like my body was CEMENT. But after about 2-3 workouts I now feel back to where I was for Cardio endurance which blows my mind after such a long break!

Sometimes your body might just need a break to come back BETTER than EVER.

Here is my MEAL PLAN and Calendar to get BACK in the game!

We have our annual Coach Summit on July 28th, and my GOAL is to take my fitness to the next level. I have already conquered so many goals, I want to take on NEW ones and push myself. Once you've reached a goal, refine your NEW goals o keep you going in the direction you want! I have been staying the same for the last 6 months, and it's time to kick it up. The only thing I am changing is my nutrition plan, and I will be incorporating in weight lifting 3X/week.

How amazing is it that if you WANT a different body, you can sculpt it? Just like that. Push play everyday and dial in on your nutrition. Put good food in your house and EAT good food. Its THAT simple. {{willpower is an entirely new post LOL Don't buy it! It just eliminates the want!}}

Using my containers, going to be drinking my shake on the DAILY, and getting in my workout, no matter WHAT is going on.

There is so much I want to do this year, so much I want to experience, learn, grow... But for me to live out MY BEST, I know what I need to do in my fitness so I CAN conquer all I want to!

BEFORE PICTURES + STATS coming soon! I DID gain weight: a CRUISE, three weeks of no workouts, copious amounts of cheesecake, pizza and gin, Easter weekend + Mini Eggs {need I say more?!} and I am NOT feeling my best, so I am EXCITED to get back my ENERGY!!

My next group is starting the fourth week of April. If you want added accountability, motivation, support + a NEW and exclusive challenge group with progress tracking, email me at krystynahamiltonfit@gmail.com and we'll get you started! :)

Day Five Post-Op

These first five days were WAY easier than I expected.

BUT, there were a few things I wish people had warned me about! 

A) I felt like the hulk. Legit. Check out the pictures. LOL I used to be long and what I felt was dainty, and I felt like I had cannons on my chest that exploded into my armpits. NOT. FUN. 

ONE DAY POST OP; "The Hulk"

B) I don't believe I've ever been more swollen in my life. At least at that point (pic above). 

C) I also don't believe I've ever been more constipated. (Sorry if TMI, but I haven't read much about this, and it is NOT comfortable. Im sharing this so YOU can be proactive if this is something you're thinking about! WATER WATER WATER!) On day TWO I could have passed for at least four months pregnant. 

It's been five days and now this is what I look like, although I look similar, swelling has definitely gone down, and my body isn't as swollen either. However, I am still up eight pounds, in the above picture I was up 13. 

Day Five Post Op

My plan going forward is to CLEANSE my body, really focus on priming it so that when I'm ready to hit my workouts, I can hit them hard with a body that is refreshed. My once chiselled mid section is not so much, and it's only been a few days, so I am HOPING that this goes down {{Cruise in 9 days!}}. 

I will be ENTIRELY honest, this is a huge psychological mindset shift if you're someone who works out everyday. I am used to my body feeling at it's peak, energetic, light, and not only that, but MENTALLY my workouts make me hold my head a little higher. They make me more productive because I feel GOOD about what I've done and accomplished. It sets the bar for the day.

Today was tough. It's Monday, a day I LOVE to wake up early and crush the hardest workout of the week, get stuff done, look ahead to the week and smash my goals. Today I felt almost in a fog. I haven't gone out of my routine in so long, that now it's definitely shocking to not have my body at it's best.

My plan of action is the next month, I will be focusing on eating extremely clean. I want to nourish my body to help it heal, to gain energy from what I'm eating, confidence from the discipline of following through, and slowly incorporate in workouts.

TOMORROW I will be adding in a long walk, marching in place while I'm doing things like cleaning, dishes (the daily duties). Once I get the OK from my surgeon, I will be starting with riding a stationary bike, then going to more advanced cardio on week 4, and *fingers crossed* resuming workouts at week 6. I have read from others they weren't able to do things like burpees until about 6 months later, which I hope isn't the case.

Shakeology everyday, lemon water as soon as I wake up and throughout the day to help detox my body, relieve water retention and hydrate myself so I'm feeling more REGULAR and not so FULL. Eating 5X a day, following my 21 Day Fix containers but going down a bracket as I am NOT active and keeping my carbohydrates at sweet potato, quinoa and oatmeal. NO starchy or processed carbs.

I will be posting my MEAL PLAN as well as my results as they come!

I will also be starting the 3 Day Refresh on SATURDAY just before the Cruise, and then sharing my RESULTS on Tuesday morning!

I am READY to feel good, and as much as I WANT to workout, I don't want to have to go through this again, so SLOW & STEADY wins the race. Im doing what feels RIGHT, and if it feels uncomfortable, I stop. No need to jump in for only a few days of extra workouts!

 Can't WAIT to share my results!

Krys
xxx

Ladies, Let's Talk about Post-Pregnancy Boobs

Im talking about it.

I have scoured the internet looking for articles from other moms, blogs, anything, that talked about the effect of pregnancy and breastfeeding on our perky twins.

Or lack thereof.

I gained 60 lbs with my first daughter, and with that, came GINORMOUS knockers. Combine THAT with absolutely ZERO elasticity in my skin, and I was left with loose skin that resembled that of a set of testicles.

People close to me refer to my chest as "chesticles", in the most endearing way possible.

My clear lack of cleavage

After having Summer, I had a second daughter, Willow, and then started a fitness journey which has me in my BEST SHAPE POSSIBLE. Again, no good for my chest. I was left with stretched out SKIN with very little substance.

I am ALL about body confidence. Loving your body, embracing it, treating it with respect, nourishing it... But you can't squat and get perky boobs. Let's just BE REAL.

After having Summer, I gave up on bras, entirely. I gave up wearing feminine clothing and lived in my husband's clothes + sports bras. In fact, in the past 8 years, I have maybe worn a bra TWICE, and that was only because it was impossible to wear a sports bra with the outfit I NEEDED to wear for something formal.

I feel like I lost a bit of my feminine side. Don't get me wrong, I am all for having a small chest. In fact, I LOVED my small chest. I just didn't like how they sat, how they wrinkled in any sort of cup or bathing suit, folded over, etc., and left me having to ALTER what I wore, and restrained me from wearing what I really WANTED.

It was then my goal to have a breast augmentation, but I knew it would be a ways away.

WELL, the time CAME, and I officially went to have mine done YESTERDAY. {{ouch!}}

I am not going to get into the after effects so much until my NEXT blog post {{stay tuned!}}, but I did want to inform other moms or women in general about the process. I learned SO much, and questioned whether it was a good fit for me. I weighed my pros and cons. To be completely honest, I didn't want to let my small chest go, BUT I wanted the loose skin GONE. To have the loose skin gone, well, the skin had to be FILLED, leaving me being chestier than I might like.

It was a decision I thought about for SOME TIME, but then thought "You live once!" I mean WHY NOT? I have taken my life and MYSELF way too seriously for so long, we all die in the end, I may as well go after something I've wanted and wear the clothes I want, and embrace my womanity!

The night before shopping at Victoria's Secret! 

 I was SO excited the night before I went to Victoria's Secret ((BIG MISTAKE THOUGH)) to get a few no-wire bras for post surgery. Have you seen the post op bra they give you?! It's definitely not very pretty (not that you care initially) but I wanted to be prepared with a few girly + pretty bras. :P HOWEVER, they did not FIT. LOL But I have them for later at least?!

Waiting patiently in the waiting room

My biggest advice is REALIZE that this is a huge change to your body. I was scared! Nervous, you name it I was probably feeling it. Excited? Happy? Terrified?! My body was going to CHANGE, and even though I WANTED IT, it still was going to change. This body I had built up, taken care of, really grown FOND OF over the last few years, was going to be cut open and changed, just like that.

I will say, I don't regret it, at all. But you'll have to wait for my next post where I get into the emotions POST OP, the pain factor, what they look like, what to be prepared for, etc etc!

***By the way, we decided for me to go UNDER the muscle (as the skin was destroyed and going over the muscle would just cause more SAG-age), and I needed to go with a minimum 375CC GEL to fill the skin. I could have gone up to a 400, but again, I wanted to remain as SMALL as possible. 375 was even too high for what I was going for, but I took the doctors recommendation -- he didn't want me to walk out still struggling with the same issues post surgery, having an implant in, but saggy skin still underneath ((and that might even be worse)), so filling the skin entirely was my best option.***

I WILL be sharing pics in my updated blog posts too! {{Not total nudies, but you'll get the gist!}}

NOT what I expected, but still very happy!

To be continued!

xxx

Shakeology Chocolate Mousse Pie

Pie.

For lunch.

That's the BEAUTY of this lifestyle. It isn't about compromising TASTE for HEALTH, waiting anxiously for a CHEAT MEAL. It's about enjoying the moment, every moment, loving the way you feel, and finding flavourful meals, treats, and snacks that not ONLY fuel your body, but taste DELICIOUS. 

This is ACTUALLY a salad. Superfood PACKED, punch of protein, healthy FATS and topped with your choice of FRUIT! 

SUPER SIMPLE to make!

Ingredients:

2 Scoops Vegan Chocolate Shakeology

1/2 Cup NATURAL Peanut Butter

1 1/2 cups of Natural PLAIN Greek Yogurt (0 or 2%)

Whole Wheat Crust

1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk

Recipe:

Combine all ingredients except the whole wheat crust and whisk (or use a hand mixer -- much easier!). Put mixture in the crust and let cool. Garnish with melted dark chocolate and/or fruit + nuts. You can even put some Whipped Cream on each piece, maybe not the healthiest, but at least it's NATURAL and adds a bit of something EXTRA! 

ENJOY!