Tell Me What You Think!?!?

So today I started day one of my new workout. It was much more of a challenge than I thought it was going to be. Since I have been working out so much, I decided to add all of the extra phase 2 and phase 3 workouts. I thought for sure I was going to be able to do 3 sets of all of the workouts, but, I was WRONG. I only did one set of about 14 workouts and my muscles were a shakin'! I will make some modifications next time I do the workout, I know which exercises to ad more weight to and which ones I need to do with less weight. The trick here is that you lift very slowly and hold for two counts before releasing very slowly. By the end of 10 reps, you can definitely feel the burn! Another observation I made is that calling this a "Cardio Free" workout is misleading. I was really sweating by the end of the workout and my heart was pumping. I can see how once you get these moves down that this could be a great cardiovascular workout. I enjoyed it and felt very challenged, which I love! Do yourselves a favor and buy this book, you can pick it up for so cheap on Amazon.com

I really want to know what you think of this video, and if you try the workout, let me know!

Things I Loved to Eat Today!

 

I have been adding new foods to my plan as I enter the maintenance phase of TSFL  Today, I invented a recipe from a craving I have been having for something sweet and salty and glazed and yummy.  So here you go...April's Apricot Teriyaki Glazed Tofu Turkey Meatball Extravaganza.  That is the official name ahhahaaa!

8 oz Firm Tofu

1 lb lean ground turkey

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 egg

1/2 cup chopped onion

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

Form the meatballs and bake in a 9x13 baking dish at 400 for 20 mins.  Meanwhile, make the glaze

2 tbs. Apricot preserves

1-2 tbs Teriyaki sauce depending on how salty you like it

1 tbs brown sugar

1/3 cup water

salt to taste

Bring glaze to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer till reduced and thickened.

Pour the glaze over the meatballs in the oven and cook 10 more mins.  I even put the oven on hi broil the last 2 mins to crisp it all up.

I served 4 meatballs over 1/3 cup  Quinoa with a side of asparagus and about 1/3 cup sweet corn. 

ENJOY!!

Fun Little Site!

 

My amazing big sister told me about THIS site and this morning I decided to check it out.  SO FUN! The site has tons of fun recipes, tps, videos and much more!  Check it out, you will love it!

Ready to Have Your Mind Blown??

 

So I got this book in the mailbox today and I was pretty excited to start reading it.  I am on chapter three and have already had my MIND BLOWN.  Now, I know that there are millions of claims out there regarding health and weight loss and it seems like all of the "experts" have different methods and different scientific proof to back up said claims.  I for one am a huge believer in doing what you enjoy, and doing the things that make you want to work out.  This book has an eight week program.  I will let you know if I decide to do it, and if so, I will be sure to keep you updated.  I have been intrigued by this book for a while, so when I saw it on Amazon.com for .99, I had to bite!  I will let you know what I think. If you just can't wait, and want to investigate for yourself, check out Amazon.com.  At this point, I really recommend it.  I thought I would hi-light the points I found interesting and share them with you on this blog, but I ended up hi-lighting entire pages and I am sure there are laws about me publishing large portions of the book on my blog, so check it out for yourself, you won't be disappointed! 

Tears at the Gym

Normally when I go to the gym to work out, I listen to music that would make my mother blush.  I like a fast song with a heavy bass line.  Earlier this week I decided that while I stretch I was going to switch to softer music and take a good 10 mins to close my eyes, stretch and relax.  I have even made some time to sit in the massage chairs my gym offers.  Today, the song "Pilgrim" by Enya came on.  I was laying on the floor stretching and just listened to the words.  So profound and so appropriate for the journey I am on.  I hope this inspires someone today as it inspired me!

Pilgrim, how you journey
On the road you chose
To find out where the winds die
And where the stories go.
All days come from one day
That much you must know,
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go.

One way leads to diamonds,
One way leads to gold,
Another leads you only
To everything you're told.
In your heart you wonder
Which of these is true;
The road that leads to nowhere,
the road that leads to you.
 

Will you find the answer
in all you say and do?
Will you find the answer
In you?

Each heart is a pilgrim,
Each one wants to know
The reason why the winds die
And where the stories go.
Pilgrim, in your journey
You may travel far,
For pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Are You Feeling the Burn??

How many times in your life have you heard the phrase, "feel the burn"?  Probably at least 10,000 times right?!?  I have always thought that I was feeling the burn...until today.  I made a life changing, workout changing discovery at the gym today.  I have NEVER been feeling the burn.  I don't know if anyone else can relate, but in the past I have always done as many reps of a workout as it took for it to start to hurt a bit.  Usually between 10 and 15 reps.  Sure, it hurt, and most of the time, if the maneuver was tough, I would break somewhere around 10 reps, rest for second, then finish the remaining 5 reps.  Today, for no good reason, I decided not to break, and to just, "push through the pain"(another commonly used fitness phrase).  Since I didn't take a break, those last 5 reps were so hard, but, something shocking happened...the muscles I was working got HOT.  Seriously, a wave of heat flooded those muscles and it really surprised me.  I FELT THE BUUUURRRRN.  Can you imagine how many calories your body uses up in those few seconds of intense burn.  If we believe that a calorie is the energy needed to raise our temperature and burn off fat, then WOW, I have been missing out.  My trainer used to always push me to finish a set of reps without breaking to rest.  I would try, but I would always stop when it hurt thinking that was the burn everyone always talked about.  I know that sometimes those last few reps seem impossible, especially at the end of a workout, but I challenge you to, "push through the pain," and, "feel the burn," as often as you can! I can't wait to see how much faster I am going to see results!

My New Mantra

 

I have spent a LOT of time in gyms over the years.  I have done just about every kind of workout you can imagine.  I have spent a TON of time on cardio machines like treadmills and elipticals, and bikes, and stair climbers.  And where did all of that time killing myself on those machines get me?  NO WHERE!  I would spend 30 mins a day, then 40 mins a day, then 60 mins a day trying to see results and I NEVER did.  So today, as I was leaving the gym feeling amazing after my intense workout that did NOT involve a machine, I made a promise to myself...NO MORE MACHINES EVER!  I walked passed an entire room of people looking so board and so unhappy running like hamsters on those stupid things.  HOW HORRIBLE IS THAT?  I want to enjoy working out...I want to see results...I want to look forward to my workout...I want to push my body to do things I never thought possible.  How can you ever achieve any of that if you are stuck in one place.  And can we all be just be honest with ourselves for a minute...has this ridiculous amount of cardio made us skinny?  There is a book out there called "The Cardio Free Diet".  In this book the author talks about this exact thing.  He says that we are doing the same thing over and over, and adding more and more time to our routine and expecting different results...INSANITY right??  So my new mantra is this, if I do not enjoy it, I am not doing it!!  If it isn't fun, I am not doing it.  If it doesn't make me LOVE working out, I am NOT doing it! I have made myself crazy doing the same thing over and over so, it is time to switch it up.  I LOVE Zumba, I LOVE Turbo Kick, I LOVE lifting, so, that is what I am going to do!  I challenge everyone who reads this to take a step back from your routine and look at what could be different.  Do you enjoy what you are doing?  If not, STOP IT.  It is that simple.  And no matter what it takes, find something you enjoy, and do that instead!  I promise, once you enjoy your workouts, you will find yourself pushing walls down left and right.  Your body will be capable of doing things you never thought possible.  Break free from the hamster wheel!!!  YOU CAN DO IT!! 

Everday Victories

 

Something that I have never been very good at is cutting myself some slack, or counting my blessings.  I tend to focus on the things I didn't achieve and the tasks I failed at each day. During this process, I have had to re-learn a lot of things.  It is a truly life changing experience to loose weight, and in the process, find yourself.  So part of my journey has been re-learning how to treat myself.  Each day I am trying to acknowledge my own little victories in my head.  Today, I was so hungry,but instead of walking next door to Pizza Hut and getting pizza like I wanted to, I made a Medifast meal...little victory.  I am finding that it is easier to stay on plan when I am my own cheerleader.  Changing the inner dialogue is so important to our success, and I am working hard on changing the script in my head.

You Deserve Victory!

SO TAKE IT!!!