I've been getting a lot of emails with questions from readers so I figured I'd put together a Q&A post. As always, feel free to ask me a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g by commenting on the blog or emailing me at christinaorso at gmail dot com. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I'm pretty open to discussing anything!
Top five favorite drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) you consume on a regular basis?
Diet lemonade from Chick-fil-A - it's kind of disgusting how often I want them and how fast I drink them...and get a refill.
Coor's Light YUM YUM, I love my trashy Nascar beer.
Did you guys know you can work out anywhere!? Even in Publix.
Sometimes I even like using my leftover Diet Lemonade cups to hide my Coor's Light obsession:
Umm yeah. On a serious note, I drink a lot of water. I use my 24 oz Camelbak every day and refill it 4-5 times. I drink coffee with skim milk when I need a pick-me-up and I am a huge fan of wine.
Favorite kitchen tools?
Strawberry Huller. You can use it on tomatoes too!
Flexible cutting boards. These are lightweight and easy to clean. Plus you can pick them up and fold them so the food will slide into the pan without making a mess. They are non-porous so no germs are absorbed!
What does your week workout routine look like?
Earlier this year when I first started working out, Julius was my personal trainer 2x a week. I would get my butt beat by him on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 2-3 times a week I'd do cardio. Now that I am no longer training, but I have built up enough muscle/endurance, I try to make an appearance at the gym 3-4 times a week. Typically I go right after work and get it over with. I like to go 3x a week, and then once on the weekends. Working out on the weekends is a great way to stay in check because this is the time when I'm eating a lot of naughty foods.
Any good workout tips?
You have to find what's right for you - and by that I mean find what you enjoy doing. Exercise is a chore unless you're having fun. I used to run run run and I wasn't proud of my body nor was I seeing results. I'm not saying that you won't see results if you just run, because some people do, but I never did. I highly recommend trying different types of classes to see what you like. I never thought I would like spin class or weight training until I tried it. Check out what classes your gym has to offer and try each at least once! If you can afford a trainer, get one. Have your gym manager recommend you one based on personality. This is key. I told them I need someone that would laugh with me and at me, because I was a mess and they directed me to Julius. If you go to Eco, FIND HIM!
What is an acceptable portion of candy/cake/baked goods to you?
When I want something, I have it - but in small doses. This means one cookie, one serving of gelato, or a few m&ms. I don't sit on the couch with the pint of gelato because I will eat too much. I take m&ms out of the bag, then put the bag away. Self-control can be learned, trust me. I hate feeling like I've overindulged, so what's the point? I give myself what I want, and put the rest away. Feeling guilty later isn't nearly as fun as being satisfied with what you've eaten and getting your sweet fix.
What are your stats?
I'm barely 5'2 and weigh between 106-109 pounds. Did I gain weight when I started weight training? No. If anything, maybe a pound. Please weight train - it is the best way to boost your metabolism!!
Favorite food/fitness blogs, magazines, books?
The book that started my healthy eating:
If you're new to healthy eating, this book will teach you a lot. The first book in this series does a great job at informing you how bad eating out really is. It compares what people typically eat with a healthier option. It's a very realistic book in the sense that it doesn't push you to eat salads all day everyday.
My favorite book in this series is the Supermarket Survival guide. There is a ton of helpful info! I recommend this book if you need general food advice rather than tips on eating out.
David Zinczenko has written 5 other books for this series and they are all great.
Favorite places to food shop:
For the majority of my grocery shopping, I go to Publix. Publix is the Chick-fil-A of grocery stores. Their employees are so helpful and their Buy One, Get One Free deals are a steal - especially because you don't have to buy 2 - they're just half-off. I also shop at Whole Foods for specific items like chicken, gelato, wine, and bulk bin goods.
Favorite healthy oils, condiments, dressings?
I'm fine with throwing balsamic vinegar on a salad and eating it up. It has a ton of flavor and very few calories. Flavored balsamic vinegars, like my fig balsamic, are even tastier. My favorite bottled salad dressing is Garlic Expressions, a 100% natural vinaigrette with tons of flavor. If you love garlic, this is for you! It's also great as a chicken marinade. Other condiments I love are ketchup, home made honey mustard (literally honey + mustard), and hot sauce.
How did you get the nickname Xtina?
We can thank Brandon for that. It has nothing to do with Christina Aguilera or anything perverted. It's just like when you call Christmas "Xmas". And lately, Xtina has morphed into just "X" so if you'd like to call me that, that's fine too. No XXXtina though. That's bad.
Do you eat differently on the weekends, holidays, or special occasions?
I'm a creature of habit and have no problem eating clean during the week. I stick to my staples because I know my body responds well to them. With that said, to avoid insanity, I treat myself on the weekends. There is nothing wrong with eating sweets if you know your limits and stick with them. Sometimes I want a burger. Ok, I eat a burger. I find that once I do it, I'm happy and don't feel like I'm depriving myself. I eat like 3 burgers a year and I'm fine. As far as holidays are concerned, yes, I do eat what I want. But I eat until I'm full, or try a little bit of everything and then stop. Overeating does not feel good - physically or mentally. Special occasions like birthdays are a great way to get your cake fix - eat the damn cake. Don't be that girl who refuses cake bc she's on a diet. COME ON. Or eat half and give the rest to your boyfriend or dog. They'll be psyched.
Favorite clothing stores?
The majority of my clothes come from Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic because they both have a petite section which I haaaaaaave to have. I'm barely 5'2 and have a hell of a time trying to find pants that fit me unless they're petite-sized. Both of those stores are great for classic pieces, but I get a lot of my dresses and trendy items from LuLu's, Francesca's, Forever21, and even Target. Other great sites are ModCloth and Tulle.
That's all for now! Feel free to ask some more! :)
