Day Seventeen

Today I took a day off from the gym. Instead I took my dogs running and swimming on the beach. We played catch for about an hour and had a good run up our stairs. Those stairs are a killer! No real workout for today, but atleast I got to be outside and active!

Superbowl - not super fat

The Superbowl is this Sunday! And I am hosting our Superbowl Party! Of course I want to have lots of great food without all the fat and calories. I've come so far and can't start slipping now! So I have put together a great menu of healthy versions of the game day food we've grown to love. My very favorite fatty fake is the Vegetarian Taquito! The first time I made these I didn't tell my husband what they were made with to see if he'd like them. After he had had about a half dozen I told him the ingrediants, and he loves them still. They are a game day staple now!

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Vegetarian Taquitos
Corn Tortillas
1 can low sodium chicken broth
1 can Veggie Hash
1 can diced green chili’s or jalapenos
Fat free shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350

Prepare the taquito mix
Mix the can of veggie hash with the green chili’s and/or jalapeno’s depending on how spicy you like your food. The veggie hash is a little more difficult to find, so go to your local health food store. I use both to make them have more flavor, the veggie hash is very bland, so spice it up!

Pour about ½ the can of low sodium chicken broth into a frying pan and bring to a dull boil.

Place one corn tortilla into the boiling chicken broth and let sit for about three seconds on both sides. Place the tortilla on a paper towel, spoon a little bit of the mix down the middle, top with fat free cheddar cheese and roll. Place on a non stick cookie sheet. (use a light coat of Pam or something like that to help). Continue the process until the cookie sheet is full.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until the tortillas are nice and crispy!

Great for dipping in salsa and hot sauce. Don’t over indulge and use sour cream!!

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Another great option for the guacamole mix you buy in the store is just make it your self!

3-4 ripe avacados
2-3 ripe limes
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
½ onion diced finely
A few sprigs of cilantro, diced

Scoop out the avocado and mash together, add the lime juice, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro to your liking. This makes a great guacamole, it’s not as creamy as it is when you add sour cream, but tastes just as good with less fat and calories. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips, or taquitos!

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Instead of a huge meat and cheese tray try fresh fruit and vegetables with healthier versions of your favorite dips. Use plain yogurt to replace sour cream in your ranch dip. Also try a reduced calorie strawberry yogurt to dip your fruit in.

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Another great substitue for chips and dips is hummus and pita bread.

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Everyone loves hot wings! So try baking breaded chicken tenders. make your own honey mustard, or a low calorie bbq sauce for dipping.

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Instead of having lots of sugary sodas, be a real athlete and have Gatorade and bottled water!

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I'm really looking forward to our Superbowl Party! With all of these healthy alternatives it will be easy to enjoy the game, the commercials, the guests, and the food with out any calorie guilt!

We are lucky enough to be able to walk down and play a game of touch football on the beach at halftime. But even if you're not at the beach try doing something active during half time. That way if there is another costume malfuction you won't have to see it!

Enjoy your Superbowl!

Go 49ers!!! - oh wait, they aren't playing, are they?

Day Sixteen

Last night's class totally kicked my butt! So many lunges and squats, with weights! I was a sweaty sore mess, and too worn out to do anything after the class was over. I'm going to go back to the standard workout tonight. Since I've already accomplished my 100 minutes of cardio, anything I do from now on this week is bonus.

Today's Workout:

Cardio -

30-45 minutes on Eliptical

Legs -

Squats and lunges with 10lb weights

Arms -

Bicep curls and tricep extensions with 10lb weights

Keep on keepin' on!

Day Fifteen

The classes last night were so much fun. I did kind of feel like an idiot at first, I haven't been to a group fitness class in a long time, but it all came back very fast. It was nice to get some variety in too.

The first class was the cario dance. It was an amazing workout, sweating like crazy! But so fun that the hour just flew by. Then I stayed for the energizer core class, which focuses entirely on abs and lower back. Needless to say, it hurts to laugh today!

Today's Workout:

1 hour Cardio Muscle
A class designed to challenge participants both aerobically and anaerobically with an integration of low/mid impact conditioning and high intensity muscular work. Tools could include any of the following: steps, BOSUs, dumbbells, weighted bars, resistance tubing, medicine balls and more.

Followed by....maybe another day of energizer core, but maybe not. I might do some arm strength training instead. We'll see!

Another thing I'm trying, Madonna swares by it, is drink more water. It is a little hard, sitting at a desk doesn't really make me very thirsty! So I will definitely have to make an effort to drink much more than I'm used to.

I weighed myself last night for the first time in over a year,
and I feel the same so I was hoping the experience would go something like this:

However, it ended up more like this:

I realize I am more than a number, but feel like I have a lot of work ahead of me!

keep running.....

Day Fourteen

I hate saying stuff like this, but I am feeling my age lately. It used to be so easy to tone up and shed a few pounds. But now it takes longer and it makes me sore. I still enjoy that sore feeling, it makes me know that what I'm doing is working, or starting to work. I've grown too comfortable on the eliptical, I think. I need to start mixing it up, use some different muslces. Plus I need to start doing something a little more social, try to make nice to some other people at my gym. So tonight I'm going to go to a few classes. I'm feeling pretty excited/nervous but I think it will be a good time, and a great workout.

Today's Workout:

1 Hour Cardio Dance

Designed for those who enjoy a cardio workout using various forms of dance movement, including hip-hop, salsa, belly dancing, tribal and jazz...extremely user friendly, even for a non-dancer. Easy to follow, but challenges the body with non-stop rhythmic patterns for a great cardio effect! Perfect for all levels of fitness and dance experience.

Followed by

30 Mins. Engerizer Core

Effective abdominal workout using concentrated muscular resistance exercises to target the entire abdominal region. Energizers are 30 minute bursts of pure and efficient movement designed to accommodate the member on the go.

Perfect!

Day Thirteen

Ok, after two days of complete slacking I finally made it back to the gym.

Today's Workout:
50 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms:
-double hammer
-chest press
-bench press
-tricep extensions
Abs:
-situps
-ab roller
-side bends

It's nearly been two weeks and no change in sight. I'm going to have to up the ante.

Day Twelve

Total slacker! Again, nothing.

Day Eleven

I didn't do anything today. Too busy. Bad excuse.

Day Ten

Another gym workout tonight. Last night was good, so I'll just repeat that. I don't like to repeat very often but every now and then it's ok.

Today's Workout:
30 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms
- 3 x 10 alternate hammer
- 3 x 10 tricep extensions
- 3 x 10 chest press
Legs
- Squats and Lunges (everyone's favorite!)
Abs
6 sets of 16 plus 4 - crunchies
4 x 15 on ab roller

Day Nine

I read an article on shape.com, it was a workout plan to get ready for bikini season. The goal for the first month of the plan is to spend 100 minutes a week doing cardio. I've already done 80 minutes this week, so I guess I'm just going to go above and beyond this particular article. That's the best way to get results. Tonight the workout has to be at the gym. It's a little stormy today.

Today's Workout:
30 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms
- 3 x 10 alternate hammer
- 3 x 10 tricep extensions
- 3 x 10 chest press
Legs
- Squats and Lunges (everyone's favorite!)

Abs

6 sets of 16 plus 4 - crunchies

4 x 15 on ab roller

Day Eight

For some reason I was extra tired after work today. I came home and plopped myself on my couch and turned on the tv. Just as I was feeling comfy I get two wet noses in my face. Both of my dogs are just staring at me with a look of aniticipation. It's like they knew it was early, warm, and the tide was out, perfect conditions for running on the beach. And they were right too! So off we went to run on the beach. We ran just under three miles, and were able to catch a magnificent sunset at the same time. The only downside, or bonus of running on the beach is once we get back to our beach we have to run up about 100 stairs, our house is up on the cliff. So when you're legs are already a little fatigue to get to run stairs. And that alone is a good workout! Once we got home I did some stretching and push-ups. My chest is still a little sore from the gym on Sunday. I meant to do sit-ups but forgot. Twice as many tomorrow!

Today's Workout:

3 Mile Run

Run the stairs

3 x 10 Push-ups

Stretch

Day Seven

Today was my day off to rest. When we moved my hubby made me leave so much stuff at our house in Boise, like our bbq. I use the bbq like 5-6 times a week to make dinner, and since we haven't had one we've been eating out instead. Which not only has it been adding up $$$$$$ but the extra calories have not been helping me in any way! So tonight I decided it was time we went and got a bbq. I made the best bbq chicken salad you've ever had! I am loving my new bbq and I'm actually glad we left our old one behind because our new one is SOOOO much better! So tomorrow I will just have to hit the gym twice as hard!

Day Six

Today I took my dogs running on the beach with me. We took their decoys with us and I would throw them out into the ocean so the dogs got a little swimming in too! After the Chargers game was over the Packers game started and even though I had already worked out I knew I couldn't handle another fours hours of football. So I went to the gym. I forgot to mention I fixed my ipod! So to the gym for 30 minutes on this new thing. It's like a treadmill/eliptical/stairstepper all in one. It was a good workout for my booty! I did some chest/arm wieght lifting, and ab crunches on another new ab thing. You use your body wieght and pull your legs up on a roller, it's a good workout too! So I killed about an hour at the gym, better than sitting on my butt watching tv!

Today's Workout:

2 Mile Run

30 Minute Eliptical

2 x 10 Chest Press

2 x 10 Bicep Curls

2 x 10 Bench Press

4 x 15 Ab Roller

Day Five

I knew I was going to have a busy day today so I woke up early and went for a quick two mile run along the beach. So beautiful! James had to run downtown to check on his job for about an hour and I was excited to go with him to see where he's been working lately. He has the most beautiful job site I've ever been to. The resturaunt is right on the beach with a patio on the roof so you can see the whole beach. We took a walk down the boardwalk in Pacific Beach so I could see everything, and while we were walking I looked out at the ocean and there were about four dolphins just swimming along. It was so amazing! They were so close to the beach and paid no attention to any of the surfers or swimmers.

Today's Workout:

2 Mile Run

1/2 Mile Walk

Day Four

Today I had to go to CPE downtown and spent an hour and a half in my car on my commute home. I am so lucky that most days it takes ten minutes to get to/from work. By the time I got home it was completely dark, I missed the sunset :( I knew I had to do something so I went to the gym.

What is the worst thing that could possibly happen during the middle of your cardio at the gym? Your ipod dies! And that is exactly what happened to me! I was enjoying my 45 minutes on the eliptical when my ipod just completely froze up! I was devastated! My gym is pretty high-tech, so each piece of cardio equipment has a flatscreen tv attached complete with cable tv. I thought I'll just plug my earbuds in and watch some tv while I finish. But of course, I choose the only piece of equipment with a broken tv! It was pretty boring finishing out my 20 minutes with nothing to read, listen to, or watch. But I did it, I couldn't possibly bring myself to workout any longer without my ipod. I guess I didn't realize how much I depend on that little thing. So 45 minutes was all I got, but under the circumstances, I'm good!

Today's Workout:

45 Long Boring Minutes on the Eliptical w/ a broken ipod

Day Three

I read somewhere that the second day is the easiest day for any kind of new resolution, because by then it's usually over! And I am feeling that today. It used to be much easier to work out because in high school and even in college I always had a group of people to work out with and help keep the motivation high. I've always had at least one friend who was always ready to do something. And now that I am relying on myself and my little blog it is much more difficult. But I am going to keep up with it until it begins to feel normal and becomes part of my daily routine. I haven't decided what the nightly activity will be, whether it's the gym or a run on the beach, but there will be something!

Day Two

I am feeling it in my calves today! Running up two hills, and the stairs was a good workout! The scenery is so beautiful that running is actually kind of enjoyable! Sunset will be about 5:20 today, and I will still be at work. So tonight I am going to my new gym for the first time. No time for a new playlist, shuffle will have to do.

Today's Workout

45 mins. Eliptical

20 mins. Arms

-bicep curl

-tricep extension

-butterfly

-lateral raise

-bench press

100 sit ups

stretch

Day One

Today's Workout Playlist:
Staying Alive - Bee Gees
Heartbreaker - Will.i.am
Find A New Way - Young Love
Release - Timbaland
Take You There - Sean Kingston
Stronger - Kanye West
I Don't Wanna Be In Love - Good Charlotte
Now That You Got It - Gwen Stefani
Potential Breakup Song - Aly and AJ (a little teeny bopper, but it gets me going!)
He Said She Said - Asley Tisdale
How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
Get It Shawty - Lloyd
Where's Your Head At - Basement Jaxx
The Way I Are - Timbaland
White Light - Gorillaz
The Queen and I - Gym Class Hereos
Oh Timbaland - Timbaland
1 hour

Today's Workout
The weather couldn't be better today, so a 3 mile run outside along the beach at sunset. Followed by 15 minutes of running stairs, combined to make my 45 minutes of cardio. Push-ups next, three sets of 20. One set wide arms, one set arms in close, one set camel style. 100 ab crunches - six sets of 16 plus 4. A nice easy stretch to wrap it up.

Ready, Get Set, Go!

I have to thank a childhood friend for this blog. I am pretty much stealing the idea from her. She started a blog about her training for her first triathlon, and while I am not training for a triathlon I have been having some trouble staying motivated to work out, I have no one to be accountable to except myself. I happen to be married to a guy who can eat whatever, whenever, in large quantities, and never gain an ounce. He doesn't have to go the gym to stay in shape, and I like hanging out with him so much that I am going to the gym less and less.

But now that I have been inspiried by my friend Kelly, it's on!

I am starting my daily workout journal, and since I'm posting it online I feel like I'm more accountable and have to follow through. I have recently moved to the healthy capital of the world too! So that should help with the motivation!

I am going to track my progress and add helpful hints and articles about fitness and healthy living. I have a very favorite pair of jeans, and they looked really amazing on me about two summers ago. They still fit, but don't look quite the way they used to. So for now, the goal will be to look amazing in my skinny jeans again. And when that happens I'll make a new goal.
So- ready, get set, go!