my new vices…

yesterday was six weeks.

SIX WEEKS, SIX WEEKS, SIX WEEKS, SIX WEEKS!!!

even as i type it, i have a difficult time believing it.

i stopped drinking soda, cold turkey. well, kinda cold turkey, six weeks ago.

diet coke, specifically, has been my lifeline for an entire decade.

A DECADE!

i’ve always tried not to think about the negative effects of carbonation on my body, but there’s always been this small voice in my head saying, “that much carbonation can NOT be good for you!!!”
{not really worried about the caffeine, or sweeteners, i have selective concern.}

so, six weeks ago, on a friday morning prior to breakfast, husband said something to the effect of,
“you’re done with soda. start drinking this…”

and i said, “wh wh what???”

i was very apprehensive and cynical about the entire thing,
i had had NO INTENTIONS of ending my diet coke habit!

but…

you know when you just feel so good, and so passionately about something
that you want to force everyone around you to try it, so they will feel great too?

well, that was husbands motivation.

before my SIX WEEKS, he stopped drinking soda about a MONTH before me,
and started drinking this in place of it.

i started drinking xenadrine {similar to hydroxycut} each morning between 6:30-7:30am, and in the afternoon i have my second dose usually between 3-4pm.
{i’ll let you read up on it.}

i love the flavor. i’m not a huge fan of energy/weight loss drinks, but xenadrine doesn’t pack quite the same punch,
i just feel great. all the time.

like, really great.

and, i haven’t had any urge to return to soda. i see it. i don’t’ miss it.

is that unbelievable or what?!?

before xenadrine, for my first time EVER i tried another form of weight loss, alli. you can read about it, here. the marketing is perfect, it truly is your alli. more or less, alli makes it so the fat in your diet just shoots through your system and is not absorbed. it’s a perfect compliment to my style of eating.

however, after about 2-3 months, i was tired of taking it. good results, i could splurge at least once or twice a day and still maintain my target weight. but truly, this was something i could do on my own with my own traditional exercise and eating healthy {most of the time}. so, i stopped taking alli.

{plus, i’m nuts over xenadrine now!}

***

this past summer,here, i promised an update about women’s rogaine.

here’s the low-down on my healthy hair cocktail…
{some of this is repeat from before}

two+ years ago, i started taking “biotin,” which is a hair/nails/skin supplement. i love biotin, i have always been happy/content with my fingernails, but even my nails get a boost from this supplement and i find it annoying how often i need to cut/file my nails!

at the same time, i started rogaine for women, and i switched to an aveda salon in my area, i feel as though the aveda color/lightener is easier on my hair than other bleaches/etc. also, aveda makes a daily protein i use in my hair…that is awesome.

i feel the rogaine has helped with strengthening the hair on the crown of my head,more than anything. it seems like each hair is thicker, there is not necessarily more hair, just the hair i have is healthier.

i didn’t have any hair loss, if you remember, my hair was breaking/damaged extremely bad and my doctor recommended women’s rogaine. overall, lets just say, i won’t be ending my relationship with women’s rogaine for a very long time. i don’t have perfect long locks, but my hair is certainly healthier than it has been in years, and the cocktail seems to be working.

***

on to other things, my very favorite skin smoother “bring up the rear” by bath & body works was discontinued this year. hate that. grrrrrr. i am such a creature of habit.

so, it was time to find a replacement. after asking around, i tried fat girl slim {here}, and absolutely loooooove it!
it’s “a lean, mean skin firming cream”. i also love their marketing and would totally enjoy sitting around coming up with these names/schemes!

interestingly, the main active ingredient in this lotion is caffeine!

…i’m really hooked on caffeinated products!

***

in fashion news, my latest jeaneology…

my friend angi is one serious fashionista, and on husbands forty trip,
she was sporting some sweet denim…

if you buy one pair of skinny jeans this winter, or if you want a great pair
to ask santa for… check out these.

Jolt.

i feel they are the best bang for the buck. they have awesome stretch, fit great, and most likely, you will need to size down at least one size, which is always nice. the “pick me up” are my favorites in any wash, they literally give your bum a little pick me up…

who doesn’t need that?!?

{since discovering these jeans…i own two pairs!}

***

do you have any new beauty/fashion secrets…
since there’s no such thing as natural beauty! {ha!}

what are your vices???