Thursday, February 28, 2013

Thirsty Thursday: My Favorite Smoothie

Picture: Google images












frozen raspberries 4-5

frozen blueberries 10+
frozen strawberries 5 (small)
vanilla Activia (or any other plain or vanilla yogurt)
pineapple coconut water
cranberry juice

This was my favorite smoothie last summer.  The coconut water is super-hydrating, which is great in the hot months, but also after a workout.  I use frozen fruit because then I don't have to add any ice, but if you prefer to use fresh fruit and ice instead, all the power to ya.  I don't add much cranberry juice since it tends to have a lot of sugar, but it can aid in digestion and also adds some sweetness to the smoothie.  I also really love the color of this one.  Cheers!


Monday, February 25, 2013

Motivational Monday


So you clench your butt cheeks and work those bridges and don't you give a rat's ass!

Cardio

I have a hard time sticking with the same cardio every week. I easily get bored of 40 minutes on the treadmill here, 20 minutes on the bike there. I found another awesome workout on Blogilates and it was something I knew I just HAD to do. I have a hard time backing out of a challenge, apparently. News to me...

So, get off your ass and switch up your routine with me! I know it's not Workout Wednesday, but I just did this workout in my dorm room instead of heading to the gym (blame the snow), and now I'm sharing with you lovely people.



I can hear the collective groans -- 100 burpees?! I know, I know. But power through it! I don't think I've ever done a burpee in my life before now, and I made it! If I can, you can. You just have to believe it.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

And the Oscar goes to....

It's Oscar night!  Sadly, the only nominated film I actually saw this year was Les Mis, but it was amazing and I am excited. (Truthfully, I also saw Denzel Washington in Flight, but it was the worst movie I have seen since The Room, so it doesn't count.)  This is the only awards show that I watch completely, including the long, drawn-out red carpet.  Why, you ask?  Because the glamour and perfection is so overwhelming, it motivates me to get in shape.  I also have learned some really great "runway ready" workout routines by watching the red carpet.  My favorite move from a red carpet that now has a permanent place in my weight routine is what I call, "hug a tall guy."  One arm at a time, you start with your elbow tucked and your arm out at a 90 degree angle, the dumbbell vertical.  Then you swing your arm up and around the shoulders of your imaginary tall person.  (12-15 reps each arm, 3 sets)
Google Images
I went to the gym today so that I don't feel quite so bad about myself when the celebs step out of their limos.  I ran 1 mile on the treadmill, biked 2 miles, did 60 sit ups on a balance ball, and did 2 sets of 10 reps on a lat pull-down (higher weight).  I wasn't there very long, but I managed to keep my heart rate up (and sweat like a pig).  

I have also been good today with my diet... 2 scrambled eggs with mozz cheese for breakfast (no toast), a banana for a snack, and I'm about to go make a giant salad with spinach, carrots, almonds and craisins (and maybe some tuna if I'm feeling adventurous).  


**Don't just obsess over your health...think about others too!  Last Friday I donated blood to Rhode Island Blood Center.  Hundreds of blood drives had to be cancelled due to the blizzard, so patients aren't receiving as many infusions as they need.  The need is great...and they need all blood types to donate.  It takes a little as 30 minutes of your day!  Save a life!  Donate!**

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Weekend Baking

After a night of pinning tons of drool-worthy recipes the other night, I've decided that I must begin baking and stocking my mini-fridge in my dorm room. It's really become a bummer that I can't just cook whenever I'd like, because then I opt for easy on-the-go and not so healthy foods like poptarts and other foods filled with way too much sugar and sodium.

When I'm home next weekend, I plan on taking over the kitchen. Move over, momma. Here's what will be on the menu:

First up: breakfast sandwiches! I don't know why I never thought to make these before now. It's amazing what you'll find on pinterest. Get the recipe here!

{photo: Undressed Skeleton}

Next, more eggs! Have I ever told you breakfast foods are my absolute fave? I could eat breakfast for every meal. These egg muffins are another easy way to get some good nutrients and look so yummy! Get the recipe here!

{photo: Multiply Delicious}

I'll be taking what I make back to school with me so I can take these and run to class, eating something healthy on the way.

Do any of you pack your meals at the beginning of the week so they're at the ready to grab anytime during your hectic schedules? Let me know what you make in the comments!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Workout Wednesday: Rewards




This is a picture of the little chalkboard I made last summer, which has hooks for keys and dog leashes underneath (it's also magnetic...that little sunflower is a magnet).  I decided to write down my workout plan (I swear my handwriting is usually much neater than that) and check off each workout as I completed it.  It felt kind of rewarding to check off each workout... like proof that I had actually accomplished something.  It was also a moment to breathe in between exercises as I went to the board to write my check.  

I worked my way down the list, then went back to the top and repeated as many time as I could (or, to be more accurate, until my puppy decided she wanted to play and wouldn't stop biting the hem of my yoga pants until I gave in). 


Here's the workout:

50 jumping jacks
50 crunches (holding for 3 seconds when up)
10 each leg lifts to the back (don't hold on to anything!)
10 each leg lifts to the side (again, practice your balance, squeeze the glutes)
10 squats (I did plie squats, holding an imaginary medicine ball which I bring over my head when I come up and stand on my toes)
5 "sumos"  (this requires some explanation: I squat like a sumo wrestler and step forward 3 times like that, pivoting as much as I can with my hips while maintaining that sumo squat, then step back 3 times, then repeat leading with the other foot.  That's one rep. I both look and feel like a moron, but these yield results.)
10 push-ups
5 fan-squat-side kick-squat (see my living room workout for details)

Repeat the whole routine as many times as you can.


I did this yesterday and HOLY COW are my legs sore today.  It's wonderful.  I did one cycle today with a few extra stretches and and a glute routine to loosen up my muscles, but I didn't push it too much.  Tomorrow I will try to get in a run (ugh stupid snow! I hate the treadmill.) 

If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right!

Workout Wednesday: Lower Body

I'm always looking to try new things at the gym and today, with respect to our new Workout Wednesdays, I'm adding some new moves into my routine.

In addition to weighted squats and my usual machine routines, I'm adding this workout from Blogilates (a newfound addiction, I might add!)


I'm also thinking about adding a bum workout, as well, because why not? I've noticed mine has become a bit more rounder and perkier, so I definitely want to keep at it!


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Contented

I finally pulled myself out of my sickly coma and hit the gym today!

I know, I know, I just posted about how crabby and unenthused I was about going to the gym, but I had to do something. I was sick of letting my cold control my usual schedule so I decided to get back on the bandwagon and do my cardio day at the gym.

I torched nearly 400 calories on the treadmill in about 30 minutes (boosting your incline really helps melt the calories away!), and boy it felt good to have sweat dripping down my body. We'll see if it helped release the icky toxins that are circulating in my body.

As for dinner, I stuck with healthy food - grilled chicken on a wheat bulkie with baby spinach and tomato! And a gatorade for the electrolytes. But, seriously, how delish does this look?


I also finally used the iPod Shuffle my boyfriend got for me for Valentine's Day! It's perfect for working out, as it simply clips to your clothing and voila! It's already filled with some of my favorite gym tunes.

{photo: apple}

Now I'm off to hit the showers and then watch the second, yes second, Bachelor episode of the week! Please tell me there are people as obsessed with this season as I am?

Monday, February 18, 2013

Cry Baby

Well, guys, it's been a short great ride, but I'm ready to float into the abyss of death...

Just kidding. Have I mentioned I'm a massive drama queen?

Here's the scoop: I'm sick. A minuscule cold has set me back a weekend of sitting on the couch, curled up in a big sweatshirt, with tissues stuffed up my nose. It's as if my nose has turned into a full-fledged waterfall, I swear. The most productive thing I've accomplished this weekend is taking off my chipped nail polish.

When I even think about getting out of bed, I look down at the floor at my new carpet bundles of tissues and slam my face down into my pillow. The last thing I want to do is hit up the gym with a tampon stuffed up each nostril.

So here is my dilemma: do I risk going to the gym to touch dirty machines and drip boogers everywhere? Or so I sit here and dread the thought of more fat gathering on my waist?


Do you exercise when you're sick? Or do you savor your body's energy in hopes of healing your cold?

Friday, February 15, 2013

Spinach and Tortellini Soup

Picture: prevention.com
This is the easiest soup I have ever made.  Not that I usually make soup, but it's almost as easy as the "just add one can of water and microwave" soup.  And it's goooood.  The original recipe, posted on Prevention.com, uses only 4 ingredients.  I added a few more spices because, hey why not?  



Ingredients:


- 4 cups boxed chicken stock

- 9 ounces cheese tortellini (Buitoni) 
- baby spinach
- parmesan cheese
optional: red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, basil

Directions:


Bring the chicken stock plus 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan.  Add the tortellini and reduce heat to simmer; cook until the pasta is tender.  Stir in as much spinach as desired until just wilted.  (I then added my spices... the red pepper flakes were a must for me!  It just needed some more flavor.)  Sprinkle a little parmesan in each bowl when you serve it.  Done!


This recipe barely takes 10 minutes, and each bowl is only about 250 calories!  

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

We Found Nemo

Picture: Google images
  


Just as I was hitting my stride... pilates and my living room workout every other day, running and rollerblading (yes! I bought roller blades!) on the days in between.... NEMO.

I counted hours of shoveling snow as a workout one day.  


Of course, rollerblading is now out of the question, as my favorite trail is now buried under two feet of snow.  So, I actually went to the gym the morning after the storm and spent an hour on the elliptical.  I used to be all about the gym, but ever since I started running outside I dread being stuck in one place as the miles tick by.  I keep crossing my fingers for a heat wave to melt this mess, but unfortunately it's projected to snow again tonight. ughhhhhh


Workout Wednesday: Abs

So we've decided that every Wednesday, from here on out, we're going to post a new workout to share with you all. Today is all about the abs, which I usually try to work on at the end of every workout (I'm in a contest with my boyfriend to see who can get a six-pack first and I fully intend on destroying him).

Try every exercise below, for what I imagine will be a good burn, 25 times each. If you can't reach 25, that's fine. Don't hurt yourself trying to hit that number. Start with a shorter amount of reps and work your way up.

Another tip: don't strain your neck! It's so easy to misuse your neck to lift your body during ab exercises. If you find yourself doing it, stop! You'll wake up with a horribly sore neck, believe me. Try to focus all of your work into your abdominal muscles.

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Now, I didn't post every single move because some looked kind of funky and I probably wouldn't have done them, anyway. You can find the rest here at Random Antics, along with explanations if you don't fully understand just the pictures.

I'll post back next time I hit the gym for my core session and let you know how I did with these exercises!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Lift Those... Books?

I've seen definite progress in my body but not as much as I thought I would have by now. I've been hitting the gym basically 5 days a week for about two months now and I've lost somewhere around 3 pounds. Talk about disappointing. But I'm trying to look at the bright side. I've been upping my reps by about 12-15, depending on the exercise, and upping the weight on everything I do. Hopefully l start seeing some better results!

Anyway, in case you might be living under a rock, I am unable to access my gym today because we just got ass fucked with just about 2 feet of snow in Massachusetts. I just finished arm exercises that I did using my text books. College problems...


Here's a great arm workout I found from Truffles and Treamills. Five pound text book or not, I can feel the burn.

Note to self: Never leave your protein shaker unwashed after you use it and allow it to sit overnight... Just trust me on this one.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Gear Up and Go!

Nothing makes this chick happier than cute workout gear -- definitely gets me excited to work out! If you find yourself feeling sluggish and so not up for the gym, invest in some cute workout clothing and accessories. I found tons of favorites that are available for my kind of budget -- minuscule  So do yourself a favor and indulge in these cute pieces that will make you want to get up and go!


tops
tops by lavudeemia featuring a pullover shirt





bottoms
bottoms by lavudeemia featuring xersion

Scheduling

If there is one thing I am not, it is a morning person. Getting out of bed barely seems attainable and the thought of exercising right after is enough to make me cry.

With a new job in tow (yay DSW!), I'm in a bit of a pickle. I try my hardest to work out at least 5 times a week with 2 off days -- pretty attainable for a college student. But now with a job, am I going to stick to my schedule? Scheduling is something I've never been entirely great at. If I have homework that needs to be done, it will most certainly wait until after I've napped. Napping always comes first, right?

I haven't started the job yet but the beginning of next week will, no doubt, be a tough one. I just hope I can carve out my daily hour-long workout! I think with my determination I will be able to figure it all out. Wish me luck!

By the way, have any of you checked out Reasons to be Fit? Such a great site for inspiration!


Saturday, February 2, 2013

A Setback, A Problem, and A New Discovery


A Setback:

I recently (and thankfully!) started working more days.  BUT, while my bank account is starting to look healthier, I am not.  It's not as if I am really, truly, honestly tired when I get home from work, but rather I have let myself cave to the excuse, "I've been working all day...I deserve a break...and a snack...." 

Last night before bed I did some pilates, jumping squats, and the fan-squat-side kick- squat sequence.  This morning I went to the track and ran 2.5 miles, averaging a 9:30 pace.  This is a decent start to a better workout routine, but I'm not there yet.  I plan to alternate running days and strength/muscle-toning days.  

I also need to get back to writing down everything I eat during the day.  My problem isn't eating healthy, but rather OVER-eating healthy.  Which, ironically, is unhealthy.  If I make myself write down everything I eat, I will realize just how many calories I consume during one day.  Also, I find I get tired of writing it down, so sometimes I will choose not to have a snack simply because I don't want to log it.  Finally, laziness working to my benefit! 

A Problem:

My BF just came home with 4 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.  

A New Discovery:

I love trying out homemade health tricks.  From egg-white face masks to apple cider vinegar compresses.... you name it, I've tried it.  My newest discovery is coconut oil.  I've been reading about it and finally decided to buy some when I read that I can make my own deodorant from it.  I am allergic to antiperspirant (it usually has heavy metals in it which are unhealthy for everyone!) so I have to find ones that only say deodorant.  Degree used to make this amazing smelling deodorant with honeysuckle and tea tree oil, but it has disappeared from every single store! Anywho, I mixed some coconut oil with some eucalyptus vanilla oil (you can use any essential oils you like) and poured it into an empty deodorant container.  I have to keep it in the refrigerator since it will melt at 76 degrees, but it sure does smell nice, and it was way less expensive in the long run.

I also put some coconut oil in my hair for an hour.  After shampooing, conditioning, and blow-drying my hair, it looks super shiny, feels silky soft, and even somehow seems thicker.  

I also put this on my face.  And in a smoothie.  Okay, I went a little nuts.  But coconut oil is amazing!  It has so many beneficial health properties, functioning as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, metabolism-boosting, hair-strengthening, skin-moisturizing phenomenon.  Get some!

Picture: Google images

Friday, February 1, 2013

White Bean Dip



White Bean Dip

Ingredients:


  • 1 can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (or to taste)
Directions:
In a food processor, combine ingredients and pulse until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with carrot sticks or pita triangles.  



                                                                                                                       
Lightening Fast White Bean Dip
Picture and Recipe: http://www.pauladeen.com/

                                                            

Unfortunately, I don't have a food processor, so I had to use my blender.  Not ideal, but I made it work.  I had to add a little more lemon juice (yes, I used lemon juice instead of a lemon, it tasted fine) to get the consistency that I wanted.  Then I had to add more hot sauce to get the flavor that I wanted.  Feel free to add more to this recipe... the original called for cumin, but I don't like that flavor so I omitted it.  I munched on this stuff with baby carrots... yummy and super filling!!

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