Day 27-30: Way to end on a really bad note

So, I should make my excuse right up front...Traveling makes working out and eating right nigh unto impossible.

Now that is out of the way. I ate bad, didn't exercise and got a migraine to finish off my program. Which means, thanks to the probably 5 pounds I gained back...

I'm continuing the program in April!

But, I will not torture you with the details. Suffice it to say, I HIGHLY recommend this program. I loved the food, loved the workouts and definitely felt sufficiently challenged.

So, see you next month with new variations on workouts.

Days 24-26: Almost Done!!

So, these last three days have been awesome. I wanted to really power up before we started traveling (since you know how workouts can be on the road) and let's just say that I can feel it in every part of my body.

The last five workouts for the month are amazing...

Days 20-23: Back on the Wagon

My foot is better. I'm pleased. It's made working out a whole lot easier.

So, two things about exercise:

1. I found out that the reason I couldn't do side planks with inner thigh raises is NOT because they're impossible. It's because I'm a wimp. They came up again, and now that I'm stronger, I can actually do them. Ha. Take that, inner thigh raises.

2. I'm really losing weight on this program. I was worried for a few days there, but I've lost about 7 lbs. So, take heart, my friends. It will work for you.

And on to my favorite topic: FOOD.

This is Spicy Korean Pork Barbecue and Sesame Broccoli, Red Peppers and Spinach. If you don't mind actual FLAMES spewing from your mouth, this is your meal. Justin decided this is his favorite thing I've made so far. Recipe will follow if anyone is interested. Leave a comment if you want me to post it.

Days 16-19: Losing Focus?

We've been in the middle of a huge battle at our house called POTTY TRAINING. I will admit, my mind has been in the toilet more than on my workouts.

That being said, the workouts this week have been pretty good. I hurt my shoulder on Monday, and then hurt my foot on Tuesday (don't know how either thing happened), but I'm still fighting through it.

Today (Friday), I'm doing a modified workout to see if I can stay off my foot as much as possible while still doing cardio. Don't be surprised if I have a bulging left calf after this week. :)

The food has been great. I modified most of the recipes this week to fit with the produce we got in our food co-op, but the food has still been great. We had good hummus and veggies/pitas for lunch today, breakfast burritos sin queso this morning (our cheese was YUCKY), and some other salads and chicken dishes earlier in the week.

I've made a discovery with this program: I really do enjoy exercising and eating well. If I didn't, I think this program would be much more of a stretch for me. So, my suggestion? You have to be COMPLETELY dedicated mentally for this program to work for you. Because if you spend the whole 30 days thinking about not really being able to eat out, eat treats, or have a lazy day, I think you'd go crazy. It is working really well for me, but I don't know that I'd suggest it to a casual exerciser who is just interested in maintaining. I'd suggest something more along the lines of Core Performance or maybe Body for Life.

Day 15: At Home Workout...Finally!

I have another sick kid (again...) so I couldn't get the the gym (again...). Luckily, thanks to my propensity to hoard workout equipment, I was able to do the entire workout at home. All I used was a chair, a step, a Swiss ball (exercise ball), 12 lb, 10 lb and 5 lb weights, and a resistance band.

I mixed it up and started plugging in some of my own recipes (still healthy) but was disappointed in the steak pitas we had for dinner. I was expecting much more flavor. C'est la vie.

So, here is the workout...Compliments of Jillian.

Swiss Ball Pushups - 10 reps
Pushups - till muscle failure (this was like 20 for me)
Cable Leg extensions - (I modified by tying a resistance band around my living room chair foot and using the handle on my foot) 10 reps on each leg
Step Plyos - perform for 1 minute

Dumbbell Press on Swiss Ball - 10 reps alternating arms (do heaviest weights you can)
Half Crow Pushups (FAVORITE) - 5 reps on each leg
Harpies - 20 reps
Jump Squats - 10 Reps
Warrior Pose with Tricep Press - Peform for 30 seconds on each leg

Dips - till muscle failure
Hanging Abs - 15 reps on each side (modified this and did hanging abs with a twist on our pullup bar)
Static Lunges with lateral shoulder raise - 10 reps on each leg (20 total)
Side step plyos - 1 minutes

Pike Pushups (HOLY SMOKES, SO HARD) - 10 reps
Squat and Military Press - 10 reps
Dropsies - 8 reps on each leg (did this on a kitchen chair)
Jumprope - 1 minute

Bench dips with feet on body ball - 20 reps
Bicycle crunches - 30 on each side
Plank Twists - 20 reps on each side
Boat Pose - hold for 30 seconds

After finishing the workout, I was sweating so much that I had to go outside for a quick walk. I looked up at the stars and remembered how much I like looking at the stars...Something I'll have to pick up again. I don't usually go outside past Andrew's bedtime. Or when it's cold. So, it's been a while. Yay, nature.

Day 9 - 14: I'm feeling it

Best invention EVER: Do you always just waste a whole can of tomato paste because you need like a tablespoon for a recipe? Problem solved. Thanks, Cass.

Lavash wrap. I had no idea what this was before this diet. They're good.

This is what we put inside them: broccoli, roasted red peppers, lite cream cheese, and Italian seasoning. Delicious!!
Is that bacon? I could NOT believe I was so lucky to get a recipe that called for prosciutto. I thought that would definitely be off limits, but it TOTALLY made the meal for Justin, who is getting a little burned out on salmon, seafood, and cottage cheese. And he decided he doesn't like fennel in large doses.
Caribbean Seafood Salad...Mango, avocado, shrimp, scallops...Goodness.

So, the workouts have been great and manageable. I replaced one workout with an "Insanity" workout because I couldn't make it to the gym. It was one of the HARDEST workouts I've ever done. I've never felt so good in all my life. Except my wedding day. :)

Day 8 - The Best Laid Plans

It's true, the plans went awry today. Little Buddy got a sudden cough in the middle of the night. No one slept much at our house, and because I don't ascribe to taking sickies to the daycare, I didn't get my workout in. I am taking today as my day off and will just do all 4 workouts in a row this week. Hopefully my muscles won't fail me.

Food-wise, I discovered an All-Bran cereal I can handle! The kind with dried strawberries in it is good. Not good-good, but "I can swallow this fiber" good.

We had a yummy chicken, mango and avocado salad for lunch.

Dinner, also plans awry. My awesome in-laws came over and took us to dinner. I think I did pretty well staying in my calorie range (half a bowl of broth-based soup and a half of a sandwich), and it was nice to have the first meal in 8 days that I didn't have to personally prepare.

Day 7 - Day of Rest

So glad it was Sunday today. It was nice to not think too much about diet, workout, etc. Just needed a break, for sure.

The shrimp and asparagus salad was VERY good, probably one of my favorites so far. We also had a repeat of the Moroccan chicken and wild rice, and we're big fans.

Back to the grind tomorrow. I can feel a difference, but haven't noticed a big one on the outside. Of course taking into account the fluctuating hormones most women face occasionally (read: once a month), it is inevitable that this week will be the hardest.

Day 6 - Staring the devil in the face

So, today was crappy. I didn't have a workout today (day off in the program) and the food would have been good except I've been baking cupcakes for a baby shower all morning, and got a migraine to go along with it. Seriously, what I wouldn't give for a delectable mascarpone chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache and a Dr. Pepper for the headache. But, no, devil, I'm not giving in!!

The Caribbean Seafood Salad was DELICIOUS, black bean and BBQ chicken tacos I liked but Justin didn't.

So, I haven't given in yet, but my resolve has officially been tested.

Day 5 - So, what if it hurts?

Justin often asks me this question when we work out, and it came to my mind about ten times today. I maxed out on my weight on the first move of the first circuit...Lat pull-downs. I felt it throughout the rest of the workout. I pushed myself way harder today, and I'm so glad.

Favorite move so far...Step-ups. I used the stage in the aerobics room (recently renovated and it's a MILLION times better) so it was way harder than Tuesday. I did 20 reps on each leg and then di a one minute hill run at incline 10 at 5.5 mph. I thought I was going to die.

My face was SO red after this workout, that even with 15 minutes of cool down cardio, when I went to pick up the boys from the daycare, my 2-year-old said, "What's wrong, Mommy?" Lung collapse, not a big deal.

I do have to say, I'm not so sure about the crab walk. Feels weird and doesn't seem to be accomplishing anything.

PS. Hated the frittata for breakfast this morning. Still a dilemma, this breakfast issue.

Day 4 - Bean and Cheese Burritos? Holy smokes.

I've been looking forward to this day all week. I am so glad that I get to eat a burrito.

So, the workout today was mentally tough for me, mostly because my kids were struggling and Andrew didn't want to go to the gym daycare. I ended up pawning both kids on two different neighbors and went to work out in the clubhouse. It was snowing like crazy, so carrying all my equipment into the gym and back out was a little bit of a rough go...

But, the workout ended up being AWESOME! It was a repeat of Monday, so I got through it much faster since I was familiar with everything, and it was much easier doing it with a treadmill right close so I didn't have to run across the whole gym fifty times.

I found a new love for froggy pushups. They are super fun and challenging. Also, I figured out a little modification for the side plank/inner thigh raises so I can actually do them. Because apparently my inner thigh muscle is basically non-existent.

On to the food...

So, here's the recipe for this bean and cheese burrito, which I would HIGHLY recommend.

1/2 c. fat free sour cream mixed with 1 chopped chipotle chile. Let that sit for like 1o minutes while you do the rest.

Take a 15 oz. can of black beans and drain/rinse. Then divide and mash half of them in a food processor and leave the other half whole.

Combine beans and sour cream mixture. Spread 1/4 of the mixture into a whole wheat tortilla and roll it up. (This recipe makes 4 servings.) Put them in a baking dish, cover with 1 cup of low-sodium salsa, and then sprinkle 1/2 c. monterey jack over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Hello, my love.

Day 3 - FREEDOM!

Didn't have a workout to do today. Hooray! All I did was work out for 20 minutes with some of my clients, but no really hard (50 lunges in a row) stuff. My muscles need a second to recover, anyway, because I'm TOTALLY feeling it.

The food, again, was great today. Our dinner was a little too salty for me, but I think if I changed the sauce a little on the chicken, it would be better for our palates.

One thing...I don't think I like breakfast food enough. I feel slightly ill every time I even THINK about having to eat a scrambled egg. And the cottage cheese/Splenda/cinnamon mixture isn't really for me. However, I think it's more that I don't want to slam a cup of cottage cheese right when I wake up, so I am planning on dividing breakfast in half and having the other half for morning snacktime.

Day 2...Without Chocolate.

One thing I've learned so far...I really like chocolate. No matter how full I am, I find myself at the end of every dinner thinking, I could totally go for a chocolate animal cracker. But I haven't indulged.

The food today was equally awesome. Cottage cheese and toast for breakfast, fennel/artichoke/tomato salad for lunch, and grilled salmon with fennel and mashed cauliflower for dinner. Here's a little peek at lunch.



The workout was good, took the wind RIGHT out of me to do the 1 min. run at incline 10 at 8 MPH. Sheesh! The moves were all manageable. My one complaint is that I'm running ALL over the gym trying to complete everything without stopping. If only I had a home gym. Someday, right?

J and I worked out together, so I did get more rest between sets than yesterday, which isn't good...But we're both just trying to pick up the program.

Oh, and being sore from yesterday made the workout even more exciting.

Day 1 - Making the Cut

I'm freaking out about how good the food is! We had this delicious turkey, red pepper, broccoli wrap for lunch and then some Moroccan chicken and wild rice for dinner. DEE-LICIOUS.

The workout wasn't as hard as I was expecting, but there were a few of the moves that were a bit rough (like side planks with inner thigh raises...REALLY?). I loved the frog push-ups...they were hard. And my core OBVIOUSLY needs strengthening. That said, I think I need to up my weights on some of the moves.

Based off of one day, I'm still very excited to suggest this program.

Friday's Moves

Friday’s Moves

Warm up for 5 minutes with any type of cardio, then do 2 sets of 10-12 reps of each move in order, resting up to 30 seconds between reps.

1. Balance squat and row (works legs, butt, and back)

· Tie a resistance band at ankle height around a sturdy object, hold the other end in your right hand, and step back until the band is tight.

· Lift right foot and balance on left.

· Squat on left leg as you hinge forward at your hips and extend right arm in front and down.

· Straighten right leg as you pull right hand toward rib cage.

· Repeat; switch sides to complete set.

2. Squat jump (works legs, butt, and shoulders)

· Stand with feet wide, toes turned out slightly, and hold a 2 pound medicine ball in front of chest with both hands.

· Squat until thighs are parallel to the floor, then in one movement, jump up, extending your arms and pressing the ball overhead while pulling your legs together.

· Return to start position, then immediately jump again.

3. Stork curl (works butt, legs, and biceps)

· Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing out, and stand 2 feet in front of and facing away from a step.

· Place right toes on the step.

· Bend elbows 90 degrees and rotate forearms out from the midline of your body, palms facing up.

· Lower into a lung as you curl the weights toward your shoulders.

· Return to start position and repeat; switch sides to complete the set.

4. Recumbent bicycle (works abs)

· Sit on a bench, knees bent so shins are parallel to the floor and lean back 45 degrees.

· Place hands behind head.

· Straighten right leg, toes pointed, and draw in left knee.

· Switch sides to complete 1 rep.

· Continue, alternating legs.

5. Tripod hover (works core and butt)

· Get in plank position and lower onto your forearms, elbows aligned under shoulders and palms flat on the floor, abs pulled in tight.

· Lift your left leg and place left toes on top of right heel.

· Hold for 10-15 seconds, then switch sides to complete the set.

6. Applause push-up (works chest, shoulders, and arms)

· Get in plank position with thighs on top of a ball.

· Bend elbows, lowering chest toward floor, then push up as hard as you can, clap your hands and repeat.

7. Dip ‘n’ twist (works triceps and shoulders)

· Sit on the edge of a bench, holding the edges near your hips, knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

· Straighten arms and scoot butt forward off bench.

· Bend elbows 90 degrees, lowering hips.

· Straighten arms, then reach right arm across body and touch the side of the bench near left hand to complete 1 rep.

· Return to start; repeat, reaching to right side. Continue, alternating sides.

Wednesday's Moves

Wednesday’s Moves

Warm up for 5 minutes with any type of cardio, then do 2 sets of 10-12 reps of each move in order, resting up to 30 seconds between sets.

1. Speed Skater (works legs and butt)

· Place left foot on top of a step or bench, knee bent 90 degrees, and extend right leg behind you, toes on the floor and pointing forward.

· Lean forward and extend arms in front of you at shoulder height, palms facing down.

· Bring right foot lightly onto step, lunge right leg back again and repeat.

· Switch sides to complete set.

2. Sliding Thigh Toner (works legs and butt)

· Stand with left foot on a paper plate, arms at sides.

· Raise arms in front of you to chest height, palms facing floor, as you slide left foot out and squat.

· Straighten right leg as you pull left leg to center to return to the start position; repeat.

· Switch sides to complete set.

3. Chair Curl (works butt, legs and biceps)

· Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent.

· Hold a 5-8 lb. dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent 90 degrees and tucked into sides, palms facing up.

· Lower into a squat as you curl the weights to your shoulders.

· Return to start position and repeat.

4. Frog Legs (works abs)

· Sit on a bench and hold the edges near your hips, knees bent and feet on the floor.

· Lean back, lift your feet, and slightly extend your legs in front of you, shins parallel to floor.

· Tighten your abs and pull knees toward chest, opening knees but keeping feet together.

· Hold for 1 count, then extend legs and repeat.

5. Tabletop (works core and butt)

· Hold a 3 lb. dumbbell in each hand and get on all fours, wrists aligned under shoulders and knees under hips.

· Raise left leg out to the side to hip height as you lift right arm to the right to shoulder height.

· Lower to start to complete 1 rep.

· Repeat, alternating sides.

6. Up-and-Over Pushups (works chest, shoulders, and arms)

· Get in plank position (either on knees or toes), wrists aligned under shoulders with left hand on a phone book.

· Bend your arms, lowering your chest toward the floor.

· Push up, then lift your right hand and place it on the book and lower your left hand to the floor to complete 1 rep.

· Repeat to opposite side.

7. Dip Double Lift (works triceps and shoulders)

· Sit on a bench and hold the front edges near your hips, knees bent.

· Straighten arms and scoot butt off bench.

· Bend elbows 90 degrees, lowering hips toward the floor.

· Straighten arms, and then extend left leg in front of you and right arm out to the side.

· Return to start and repeat; switch sides to complete set.

Monday's Moves

Monday’s Moves

Warm up for 5 minutes with any type of cardio, then do 2 sets of 10-12 reps of each move in order, resting up to 30 seconds between reps.

1. Squat Kickback (works legs and butt)

· Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a 5 lb. dumbbell in each hand at shoulders.

· Squat until thighs are parallel to floor, rise up, then extend left leg behind you.

· Return to start position to complete 1 rep; repeat, alternating legs.

2. X Lunge (works legs, butt, and shoulders)

· Hold a 5 lb. dumbbell in right hand in front of thigh, palm facing in, and place left hand behind head, elbow pointing out.

· Lunge left, then stand up; lift left leg as you raise right arm.

· Return to start; repeat. Switch sides to complete the set.

3. Hammer Curl Curtsy (works butt, legs, and biceps)

· Hold a 5-12 lb. dumbbell in each hand, arms at sides and palms facing in, and stand with feet hip width apart.

· Lunge left leg back and to the right as you curl weights to shoulders.

· Return to start position and lunge back and to the left with right foot to complete 1 rep.

4. Scissor Rotation (works abs)

· Lie faceup with legs extended on floor and squeeze a stability ball between your ankles.

· Rest arms on floor, palms down, then lift legs straight up.

· Rotate legs to the left as far as possible without lifting shoulders.

· Return to center and repeat to right to complete 1 rep.

5. Balancing Reverse Press (works core and butt)

· Lie facedown with hips centered on ball.

· Place forearms on the floor and bend knees 90 degrees.

· Contract glutes and press feet straight up, maintaining bend in knees, until thighs are even with your torso.

· Return to start position and repeat.

6. Teeter-Totter Pushup (works chest, shoulders, arms and butt)

· Get in plank position on hands and knees.

· Bend arms, lowering chest until upper arms are parallel to the floor.

· As you push up, lift left leg 6 inches off the floor.

· Lower leg and repeat, alternating legs.

7. Crab Dip (works triceps and shoulders)

· Sit on floor with knees bent, and hands next to hips with fingers facing forward.

· Lift hips about 8 inches off the floor.

· Bend elbows, lowering butt almost all the way down.

· Return to start position and repeat.

Well, hello...

So, I apologize for the lack of postage...Having a baby totally threw off my groove. But, we're back and better than ever. This month will be FULL of posts, as I'm doing a post-baby program and am planning to track my progress here.

I'm following Jillian Michaels' new plan from her book Making the Cut. I did a lot of research and decided on this one just to test it out. It's got an awesome diet plan that is based on your own metabolic tendencies, and also has a rockin' workout plan.

So, look forward to a little update each night of how the food was as well as the workout. If I love it, I'll post the menu or routine.

Until then, the next three posts are workouts I did with a couple of clients that are really fun...