Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Where my hummus lovers at???
Do you guys like hummus? I sure do! I used to buy the pre-packaged kind all the time. It's pretty good, don't get me wrong........BUT, I recently had a fling with some home made hummus and don't think I'll ever be able to go back.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
It's not luck......
Let me preface before you read this. Sometimes I go on a rant. This may be one of those times. I hope you don't mind and hopefully you even get something out of it and get to know more about me and my relationship with food and exercise.
I'm a pretty laid back person. I know that most of you don't personally know me, but I hope that you can see a bit of my personality come through my Facebook page and this blog. I'm pretty easy going, but super serious about the important things like work, my husband, my in-laws, my Mom and brother, my friends and keeping my kids alive, happy and well (that in itself is a very serious job when you are the mom of 2 little boys by the way). In most everything else I just try and have fun, hang out and chill, and make really bad ass food and work out like a champ ;) But a few days ago someone said something to me that got me thinking, and even a little fired up. She said that "I was very lucky to have such a fit body after having two kids." Now, trust me, I do not think that in any way, shape or form that this person meant any ill will in that statement. In fact, I think it was her way of complimenting me maybe. So I just smiled and nodded and jumped in my uber-cool mini-van to head home. Throughout the day, her words kept ringing in my ears and really got me thinking....and questioning. Was I just lucky? I mean, I've never really had a serious weight issue. I certainly was thicker in college, and managed to maintain that thickness for the next 9 years or so, because I didn't work out as much as I should have, and I pretty much ate and drank whatever I wanted throughout my 20's. Even then, at my highest weight I only reached 139 pounds on my 5 foot 3 inch frame, except when I was pregnant. Even then, I gained an average amount of weight with both boys and lost it all quickly. I started to really question my mission. Am I really just lucky to have stumbled upon this healthy lifestyle and a 20 lb. weight loss?? I mean, to some people that is nothing. Some people lose 100 pounds or more!! I started to question if I could really inspire people to live a fit and healthier life since I never had the "ultimate struggle" with my weight and never dealt with those demons. Would people listen to what I had to say?? Right at that moment, I looked at my forearms that were quite bruised from the previous days up/down planks. I felt my aching pulled hamstring muscle that has not had a chance to heal in over a month because I don't want to take a break from teaching my fitness classes. At that point I quickly snapped back to reality...........Are you kidding me? This is not a result of luck! In no way will I chalk up my hard work, willpower, dedication, POOLS OF SWEAT and nausea from doing way to many burpees to LUCK.
10 YEARS AGO TODAY AT 38 & 2 KIDS LATER
I'm a pretty laid back person. I know that most of you don't personally know me, but I hope that you can see a bit of my personality come through my Facebook page and this blog. I'm pretty easy going, but super serious about the important things like work, my husband, my in-laws, my Mom and brother, my friends and keeping my kids alive, happy and well (that in itself is a very serious job when you are the mom of 2 little boys by the way). In most everything else I just try and have fun, hang out and chill, and make really bad ass food and work out like a champ ;) But a few days ago someone said something to me that got me thinking, and even a little fired up. She said that "I was very lucky to have such a fit body after having two kids." Now, trust me, I do not think that in any way, shape or form that this person meant any ill will in that statement. In fact, I think it was her way of complimenting me maybe. So I just smiled and nodded and jumped in my uber-cool mini-van to head home. Throughout the day, her words kept ringing in my ears and really got me thinking....and questioning. Was I just lucky? I mean, I've never really had a serious weight issue. I certainly was thicker in college, and managed to maintain that thickness for the next 9 years or so, because I didn't work out as much as I should have, and I pretty much ate and drank whatever I wanted throughout my 20's. Even then, at my highest weight I only reached 139 pounds on my 5 foot 3 inch frame, except when I was pregnant. Even then, I gained an average amount of weight with both boys and lost it all quickly. I started to really question my mission. Am I really just lucky to have stumbled upon this healthy lifestyle and a 20 lb. weight loss?? I mean, to some people that is nothing. Some people lose 100 pounds or more!! I started to question if I could really inspire people to live a fit and healthier life since I never had the "ultimate struggle" with my weight and never dealt with those demons. Would people listen to what I had to say?? Right at that moment, I looked at my forearms that were quite bruised from the previous days up/down planks. I felt my aching pulled hamstring muscle that has not had a chance to heal in over a month because I don't want to take a break from teaching my fitness classes. At that point I quickly snapped back to reality...........Are you kidding me? This is not a result of luck! In no way will I chalk up my hard work, willpower, dedication, POOLS OF SWEAT and nausea from doing way to many burpees to LUCK.
10 YEARS AGO TODAY AT 38 & 2 KIDS LATER
Monday, July 23, 2012
Plank challenge
If there is one thing I've learned from the awesome folks that follow my Facebook page, it's that y'all are ALWAYS up for a challenge!! We have some great challenges every month, and this month is no exception! You're drinking a TON of water and really taking advantage of the ab workouts I've created. So, KUDOS to everyone that is taking part. I wanted to do something different with today's ab work, so the first thing that came to mind was.......PLANKING of course!!! This ab workout is all about endurance. It will be KEY to keep that core tight and activated the entire time your holding your plank. I've given designated rest periods, however, at anytime if you feel you need a quick break then take it and then come right back into your plank. This is NOT cheating....short breaks are fine. I'm just going to ask that you don't give up and that you finish. You can drop down to your knees at any time to modify the plank. Get your timer ready folks and let's STOP, DROP and PLANK!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Banana Protein Pancakes with fresh cherry sauce
I LOVE this recipe for protein pancakes! I've tried a few different ones and have experimented with different ingredients, but always come back to this one. When I started making them, I would top them with sliced bananas, berries,a drizzle of honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. It is ridiculously delicious, and really a great pre-workout meal for me, full of protein and carbs.
Recipe for Banana Vanilla Protein Pancakes
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Ab Workout Pyramid
Here's the latest ab workout for our July challenge from my Facebook page. Throughout the month, I've created for you various ab circuits and even an ab tabata, trying to show you a variety of different abdominal, oblique and back exercises. I decided to go with a pyramid style for today. Add this into your regularly scheduled workout for a little abdominal burn that will feel oh so good!!! I've attached a few clips for you to review each exercise beforehand. I'm attaching 2 clips for the jack knife sit ups. This can be a bit of a challenging exercise, therefore, I wanted to make sure and include a less advanced option for you. Go at your own pace and your own level. Enjoy!!
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