Off The Cuff with Christa Cooper

Wow, I seriously can't believe my daughter is about to wrap up her 1st grade year on zoom! This week I look back on how we even got through this year and how we all are capable of amazing things when we set ourselves up for success. Believe in yourself, set small obtainable goals and get focused. My life has been hectic with the girls and puppy but I am finding ways to stay on track and I know you can too! Oh and I can't help but share how annoyed I am with the cicada invasion at my house ... I am SO over this! Hear all of this and more in this week's episode!

With so many of the COVID restrictions lifting, we can get back to LIFE! With that comes change in our daily lives and routines which I know personally can be difficult to manage and adjust. I feel such a powerful shift in the mindset of so many that I believe we all have grown together through this pandemic and what's on the other side is AMAZING. This week I wanted to just touch base and encourage you to keep going, keep working hard and staying positive through the changes ahead as things start to open up and we get back to this new way of life.

We got a PUPPY! This week I want to share with you all the excitement in my house with bringing home a new puppy. We named her Lucy and are over the moon excited and in love with her! She is a German Shepherd and has filled our home and hearts with so much joy in just her first week with us. Listen to this week's episode to hear more on how we got her and what she's been up to!

Life hacks are supposed to make our lives easier, but let’s face it, often times the hacks we see on social media seem a bit out there, with many not actually working. People on Reddit shared their bizarre hacks that they swear work, and some of them are certainly interesting. I thought I'd share some of the them with you! A tip to cutting an onion without tears or a tip to keep you awake when your falling asleep in a meeting or class. All great stuff! Enjoy!

The key to staying consistent with a healthy lifestyle is figuring out why you are starting in the first place. Your "why" or what people refer to as your "wellness why" should come from deep within you, and I go over some ways to figuring it out. From there, that will play a big role in motivation in your everyday life to help you stay on track and reach your goals. It's the missing piece for many that will keep you going even when you aren't motivated. I’m so confident you have it within you to make the magic happen and transform your life. I know it’s not easy but my friend, it is so worth it.

This week I take some time to mom vent ... we all need it sometimes, right? From running around with their dirty feet, trying to brush knots out of their hair and all the bugs around my new house! I just thought I'd give you a glimpse into what's going on in my world this past week. I feel so blessed and want to rip my hair out at the same time LOL! You may be able to relate....Enjoy!

I finally realized something this week and excited to share! If you are anything like me and weigh yourself all the time, STOP! Don't base your results on the number on the scale, there are different ways to track your progress and I break it down for you in the episode. I also share some of the best ways to burn fat whether you’re looking to improve your overall health or simply slim down for summer. Small changes in your daily routine can make a huge difference, so tune in and find some ways to live a healthier life and continue to work towards your goals!

Your body requires different types of fuel for different types of movement, so timing is everything when it comes to fueling your workouts and what you should eat before and after each workout. Listen to this episode for suggestions on what types of food to fuel your body based on what kind of workout you're doing. Keeping on the nutrition theme this week, I share a new breakfast I am loving these days, a great healthy snack before bed and the truth behind cheese. I hope you find some new healthy ideas to help you on your health and wellness journey!

Today is World Sleep Day and studies show that 2/3rds of us don't get enough sleep and the consequences of this are massive including an increased risk of developing cancer, dementia and heart disease. With everything going on this past year, working from home and having our kids at home so much more, I know I am struggling to get enough sleep, are you feeling the same way? I know it is only going to get crazier with the world opening up and schedules filling up but sleep is so important to your overall health that you want to make it a priority. Tune in this week for my rant on the evening routine at my house (LOL) but also the benefits of getting good sleep and why you should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night.

This week I wanted to share ways to stay motivated to reach your goals! Motivation isn't always there so you must learn to be disciplined. You also have to be willing to put in the work. Time, consistency, hard work and motivation are all needed in order to achieve your goal. It's easy to get excited about a new project or goal, but let's be honest ... it's even easier to lose that motivation if you don't set your mind on completing it . Whether you want to complete a personal project at home ... lose 50 pounds ... pass an exam or land your dream career, you need the patience, the right mindset and the persistence to get there. Here are some tips on ways to stay motivated to get you closer to your goals!

In celebration of International Women's Day I wanted to bring on a special guest, Nicole J, owner of Nicole J Boutique in Middletown, Delaware. I wanted to highlight her story, her shop and her passion to inspire other women to follow their dreams. She shares how she got to where she is today and the struggles she faced being a single mom. Follow her story to where she is today, a hard working mama who is a killing it as a small business owner. How did the pandemic change her business model? And what's new and exciting at Nicole J Boutique? Find it all out in this episode! Hope you enjoy her story and our chat, she is someone I look up to in many ways and love to follow on social. Visit her website and follow her on social ~ www.nicolejboutique.com

Are you a morning person? So many people ask me how I do it, how do I get up with so much energy in the morning, that I thought I would share some tips. Developing morning habits that leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the day is possible. If you're feeling kind of sluggish in the morning, here are seven simple steps that can help boost your morning energy levels! Enjoy!

Christa starts this week's episode with a quick recap of picture day with her daughter Bella, from hot mess to the perfect shot. If you are a parent, you can probably relate to having to get your child ready for picture day, it's not always easy! She then dives into the topic for this week: Boosting your metabolism and the one minute bathroom workout. Have you gotten the wrong advice? Tune in for 3 simple tips to speed up your metabolism and no excuses for never having time to workout or be active ... Christa is excited about the one minute bathroom workout she has discovered and thinks you're going to love it!

It feels good to feel good! This week Christa shares some simple health hacks that can help make you feel better every single day. From smelling oranges to putting lavender in your pillow case to help boost your mood. Mindful eating is a big one as well as getting enough sleep and putting down your phone and tablet. So many great tips to get you on track for living a healthy and happy life. Being kind to yourself by taking care of you health is the the best thing you can do for YOU, so tune in for a list of health hacks that you can start incorporating in your every day life.

It's the month of love! I wanted to chat with you this week about self-love. We can't truly love someone else before we love ourselves and when we love ourselves we're overall happier. Having self-confidence plays a huge role in all of this! Being confident starts with self-love and having a high regard for your own happiness and well-being. You are worth it! So how can you do it? Tune in to this episode for easy ways to boost your self confidence and work towards being a healthier, happier, more confident version of yourself.

I have gotten quite a few messages lately asking what I'm doing and what's my secret? How do you have so much energy? You are glowing and look so happy, how do you do it? I am here to say that there is no secret ... I have fallen in love with taking care of myself and you should too. We all deserve to live a healthy and happy life but it comes down to a chose we have to make, it doesn't come without work, focus and commitment. In this episode I break down some tips on living a healthy and happy life and what I have done to get to this point of feeling healthy and happy! Hear my story of losing a little over 100 pounds and what my next steps are in continuing to grow, adapt and learn to become the best version of myself. I hope you enjoy this week's episode!

Are you a list person? I seriously don't know how I would get through life without lists! I write a list for everything, every day! From work, to personal and family, I have lists everywhere! I have recently started to help my husband with his business and started making HIM lists! Do guys make lists? OH! And then I started a list/check list system with my girls and I credit that for making it a good week around here! I think we'll continue! Listen in for my rant on how much I love lists!

With everything going on in the world around us, I thought it would be a great time to share some tips on surrounding yourself with happiness. You control that within you, but it all starts with the right mindset. From there it becomes automatic! One of my favorite sayings is, "When you focus on the good, the good gets better" which has so much truth behind it. Tune in for some tips and habits of happy people that you can instill in your life. Choose to make it a great day, everyday!

Happy 5th Birthday this week to my daughter, Caroline! How time flies! This week I thought I would share the story of her name, because she was not born a Caroline. Yes, I admit, I am the mom that changed my baby's name. And apparently, I am not the only one! I also wanted to shine a light on my sweet girl, so I brought her on this week for a segment I call "5 questions with a 5 year old" I hope you enjoy this special episode with our birthday girl!

HELLO 2021! We are all excited to welcome the new year and with it comes the opportunity to reset and start fresh. Christa is back to share personal stories of her life. From health to family to work and friends she shares it all here on the Off The Cuff Podcast. This week, she dives into starting the new year with a fresh perspective and setting new goals for herself. Do you meal prep? That's one thing she is working at this year so hear the story of her first experience and get some tips if you are looking to get started as well!

Just Breathe ... Everything is going to be OK. I have been stressed out and my anxiety through the roof lately, just like many of you but we're all doing the best we can! We need to give ourselves more credit and learn to adjust and adapt with what's in front of us. I just wanted to connect and fill your mind with positive vibes and hope as we head into the school year with our children. They need us now more than ever. Have faith over fear, we got this!

Life is pretty crazy right now, right? Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry you are not alone. We all want what's best for our kids but with the unknown right now, it's hard to keep it together. This is just a friendly reminder that everything is going to be OK and you are doing a great job. I needed this for myself and wanted to share it with you. Here are 10 reasons why you are a better parent than you think you are :) Keep smilin' you got this!

Let's admit it, life is CRAZY right now! I have just locked myself in my bedroom to catch up with you guys! I wanted to share some tips on things you can do for yourself in the midst of everything else going on around you. It's best we keep ourselves a priority and find ways to make the best out of every day. From finding ways to enjoy your own personal time, to staying active and getting into a routine. Let's catch up on this crazy life and hope you get something out of this chat to help you in your every day life.

I am not even sure how long we have been at home now ... but let's not focus on that. Let's focus on what we can control and that is your health. I dive into some tips to staying healthy at home from what you eat, getting active and healthy parenting. Don't look back in a few months and wish you would have started. Start now and take control of your life and health :)

Quick check in during life in quarantine. I have really enjoyed taking on some new hobbies, like gardening and running. Who would have thought? I challenge you to find some new ways to enjoy your time and truly find what brings you joy. Here's my story on some new found happiness in my life.

Just a quick check in as we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It's been a few weeks since I have posted an episode as I have been trying to adjust to this new way of life, as I am sure you are too! I am ready to chat, vent and share words of advice and motivation with our new life challenges.

So many people ask me, "How do you do it?" I honestly don't have the answer because this is life right? What I can do is share a few tips and nuggets of advice on changes I have made in my life, in hopes it can help others as well. Living a healthy life isn't hard but it does take some focus, dedication and change that is well worth it in the end! I hope you enjoy these tips and able to incorporate even just one into your life that can make a huge difference! Busy mama ... YOU are worth it and I am here for you.

This week I dive into a quote that has stuck with me recently, "It's not about the weight you lose but the life you gain." I shared a picture of myself on social media from a year ago and I honestly surprised myself with the weight I have lost and the life I have gained. I didn't know where I would be today when I started my health journey last year but with hard work, determination and focus I can say I love where I am today and there is no stopping me now. Hear more of my story in this episode on just how living a healthy life can truly fulfill your life in so many ways! I hope you enjoy it!

It's a new month! February is here ... love month! I thought I would share a story that filled my heart this past weekend at home. My husband and daughter bonding over school projects, like seriously, it was the best to just watch them work together. With it being February, I want to encourage you to find love within yourself and challenge you to find a support group that will help you reach your goals. I recently have found one myself and so excited about it! In this episode you'll learn more about that and a simple assignment you can do for yourself that may help motivate you towards finding happiness and reach your goals too! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

This week I focus on surrounding yourself with happy and what happiness can do for your health. Studies show being happy is actually good for you! It's not just a smile on your face ... it's a whole bunch of things you can do to be a happier person and in turn a healthier person!

A quote that has hit me pretty hard through my own personal journey is this one, “don’t wish for it, work for it” no matter what your working towards and what goals you have set for yourself, we all can relate to the fact that nothing will get you there unless you’re willing to put in the work, right? It’s about working towards what you want and reminding yourself every day that it’s worth it … YOU are worth it! This is a quick chat on believing in yourself and setting yourself to a higher standard to get more out of what you want. Oh and my kids in the background … don’t mind them! HA! This is mom life …. #enjoy

As we kick off the new year, 2020 is here can you believe it? I don't set New Years Resolutions, I would rather consider this time of year a time to reset, re-charge and re-focus on what matters most to me. This week I share some motivational tips to help you get started on your healthy journey, whatever that looks like for you! We're all different, but I hope you'll find this helpful in whatever you have going on in your life right now. We can do this together!

This week I share a recent story of my husband's truck being broken into while we were out to dinner with our kids. So many have reached out to support us and asking for updates, so I thought I would share what happened and any updates I do have. I also wanted to use this time to remind others of ways to stay safe, not only over the holidays, but every day as this can happen to anyone. In looking at the bright side, everything happens for a reason. We may never know the reason ... but we'll grow from this and move on. Thanks for listening!

Wait, what? Lose weight and still eat cake? YES! I share my weight loss successes with you and yes, I still eat cake! It's not about a "diet" it's about a lifestyle change, and I hope this helps motivate and inspire you. It's time to live your best life, I hope you enjoy my story.

School started a few weeks ago and I am still trying to wrap my head around the new routine! I can't be alone, right? It's like I am hot mess express, running around trying to figure out how to do this whole mom thing all over again! From lunches, to dance, to chores and morning routine ... this is my crazy life! Listen in for real life stories of what's been going on in my world which I hope will remind other mom's out there that you are not alone. We got this!

I titled this episode, Why start tomorrow when you can start today, to hopefully inspire and motivate you to take small steps today to get you closer to your goal(s) tomorrow. It's a short message that I hope you'll enjoy and find motivating. You can do this!

Welcome to Episode 14 of Off The Cuff! WOW! This week I answer a question my husband asked me, "Where do I get all my energy?" and in my answer I have a question for myself "What am I going to do today to get me closer to my goals tomorrow?" That's what fuels my energy, might not be for everyone, but it's the way I live my life and feel it might be helpful to others in whatever they have going on in their life as well. I hope you'll take a listen and enjoy it. Feel free to reach out!

Hi guys! Thanks for stopping by my page and taking a listen to Off The Cuff podcast! This week, I am getting back from vacation and 4th of July, so trying to get back in the swing of things! This week I started a new program ... 21 Day Fix with Beachbody and OMG ... let me tell you. I am LOVING it! My sister in-law introduced it to me and although I was hesitant at first, thinking I didn't want to "commit" to a program, I was wrong as soon as I did one of the workouts with her! I am only on Day 3, but really liking it and feeling it for sure! I also talk about the importance of a accountability group and connect yourself with others who have similar goals or wanting to live a healthy life. That has been so successful for me and fun to connect with others on that level, share inspiration and help each other every day. If you are looking for a partner, message me! I also couldn't resist sharing some new recipes :) This week I tried, baked bell pepper tacos, simple garlic shrimp and mini veggie egg cups. Below are the links to the recipes if you want to give them a try! YUM! Baked Bell Pepper Tacos: https://peasandcrayons.com/2016/03/baked-bell-pepper-tacos-recipe.htmlSimple Garlic Shrimp: https://shewearsmanyhats.com/easy-garlic-shrimp-recipe/Mini Veggie Egg Cups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JPAwRaKimY

Hi guys! Thanks for checking out my page and taking a listen to the latest episode of my podcast "Off The Cuff!" This week I talk a little about my weight loss plateau and some helpful tricks to getting through it. The timing for me just isn't right, since I am getting ready to leave for vacation! BUT, I won't let that hold me back from having the best time! Time to celebrate my success so far :) I also talk about self-confidence and finding that within yourself, which can be hard over the summer months when we have to put that dreaded bathing suit on!! Right?? Well, don't let your insecurities hold you back from having a great summer with your family. THEY are watching! I came across a story recently that struck a chord with me, check out WDSD.COM - search Christa Cooper for my show notes page to see the full story.

This week I update you on my struggles with potty training my youngest! I also feel the presence of a guardian angel after high winds ripped through our neighborhood, and somehow our house and property went untouched. INCREDIBLE right? Take a listen as I dive in and share the latest in my life!

I came across a survey saying 54% of parents in the U.S. think they're more relaxed about the rules than their parents were. YUP! Listen to my latest podcast above to hear the top 10 most common "rules of the house" and some I REALLY need to start implementing at my house!

Hey guys!!!! I have been SUPER busy so it's time to catch up! My daughter Bella has graduated pre-school, like where did the time go! And turns 5 soon (May 31st!) so I have stories for you! Somehow in my crazy schedule I squeezed in a dentist appointment and left with an in home sleep test, so I share that story with you. Plus, I also am realizing now that it's getting nicer out, I am getting off track just a little bit with my health, cocktails on the porch sound like a great idea over going to the gym! But I am getting back on track and have some tips and share a list of 29 healthy snacks to help you lose weight. Below is the link for more info too. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/29-healthy-snacks-for-weight-lossHope you enjoy!

This week my good friend Anthony joins me on Off The Cuff to talk about life with kids! He is a dad, husband and great friend of mine. We have worked together for just under 9 years now! From going out for drinks and concerts ... to both of us having kids ... I wanted to get his perspective on how life changes when you have kids ... the ups, the downs, the fun and all the craziness! We dive into relationships, food and who controls the remote at home too :)

Thanks for listening to Off the Cuff! This week I share my story of attempting the Marie Kondo method as I get spring ready with clothes that are finally fitting again! I also had to share a funny story of what my daughter said to her daddy when it comes to where he's ticklish (behind his yaya's ... I know you're probably thinking what he was but take a listen to find out what she REALLY meant!) I also wanted to touch on Mother's Day coming up this weekend, the average mom spends 97 hours a week taking care of their children and if you put a dollar to that, moms would make over $100,000 a year! Hope you enjoy this week's chat. Find me on Facebook and Instagram @ Christa Cooper and on Twitter @RadioChrista

This week I share stories of my girls seeing the Easter bunny, to my first hydrafacial at Premier Spa and Laser Center! I also have discovered a new workout app that I have fallen in love with along with some health tips ... 6 workouts everyone should be doing and 5 drinks that will help you lose weight.

This week I am happy to introduce you to on my closest and best friends, Amanda! We sat down to chat about our lives as full time working moms trying to juggle work, home and kids. We share some fun stories of our kids and Amanda shares some great parenting tips and inspiration on becoming a healthier version of yourself. Hope you enjoy!

My good friend and colleague Courtney Lane joins me this week to talk about health and fitness. She has been a big supporter of me through my weight loss journey and has some great tips when it comes to living a healthier life! She shares her story and we chat about working out, eating right and setting realistic goals for yourself.

This week I talk about tips to a healthier, happier home! Along with my struggle with saying no and standing my ground with my kids. I also talk about falling behind in my health journey but kicking myself back in high gear! We are all human, right? Along with two new products coming soon .. Kranch and the "forever roll"!

And here we are ... Episode 2 of Off The Cuff! I hope you are enjoying my new podcast so far, I am really having fun with this! This week I talk about the busy mom and trying to figure out ways to manage my time better, why do I feel so rushed all the time? I also talk about going to the movies with my kids, some new recipes I've tried this week including a new Banana Oat Breakfast smoothie and I wrap it up by sharing my fear of cotton balls!

It's my first ever Podcast! Welcome to Off The Cuff with Christa Cooper! In this introduction I give you a glimpse into what this show will be all about. Sharing stories of my life as a mom, wife, full-time radio personality and finding the balance between all of that, along with health, lifestyle and everything in between!