Favorite Foods – Vegetables

September 29, 2010
Avocado

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OK, I know this sounds like a stereo-typical personal trainer/fitness professional, however I do actually like vegetables.  I’ve always eaten my veggies, even as a kid.  Here are a few new, and a couple of old favorites.  

Brussel Sprouts . . . as a kid, I’d have never touched brussel sprouts.  Now, my favorite way to eat these stink bombs is roasted.  I cut them in half, lay them out on a cookie sheet, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and roast them until they are brown and tasty!  Unfortunately, every time I cook them, my family isn’t too pleased because they STINK! 

Cauliflower . . . Growing up, my grandma made creamed cauliflower that was out of this world!  In her honor, I make a killer cream of cauliflower soup, that is a staple during cooler weather.  I start with a flour, butter, and milk base, then add roasted cauliflower, skim milk and chicken broth, and puree until the desired consistency.  The only seasonings are salt and pepper, but that is all it needs.  (Sadly, this also makes the house stink!) 

Avocados . . . in the past, I’d have avoided these due to the high fat and calorie content.  However, now that I’ve realized that healthy fats and oils actually may contribute to fat loss and help keep me feeling full all day, I eat at least one a week.  I eat them on salads, in soups and as guacamole.  

Peppers . . . Roasted red, yellow or orange peppers are another staple I keep in the fridge.  I use them on my daily breakfast egg sandwich – a Thomas whole wheat english muffin, plus 2 eggs, a slice of Canadian bacon, and some roasted peppers.  This is a great way to get in some veggies for breakfast.  

Cucumbers . . . this was never a favorite vegetable growing up, but I’d eat them.  My favorite way to eat cukes is sliced and dipped in humus.  This makes a great late afternoon snack when dinner isn’t ready yet.  

So, what are vegetables that I don’t eat or enjoy?  

Carrots . . . I will eat cooked carrots and have them in soups, however, to just sit down and eat raw carrots. . . uh, no thanks.  

Celery . . . one word – GROSS!  (yes, I will use celery in soups, as long as it is well-minced).  

Onions . . . I loved onions cooked or grilled, but I do not enjoy raw onions in salads, on burgers or other sandwiches.  

What are your favorite vegetables and how do you prepare them? 


Tempo Run Day – September 23

September 23, 2010
Soccer field at Willamette University in Salem...

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Today my workout started in the basement with my foam roll, a stick, a lacrosse ball, my Airex pad, and a bunch of other stuff.  Since I was so sore this morning, my pre-run warm-up took almost 30 minutes. . . but, it sure felt good!  I foam rolled for about 10 minutes. . . heaven.  Afterwards, I did a bunch of work on my ankle, then my mobility work.  Then, I took off with my iPod . . .

0:00 – 7:30 – walk/run warm-up to park

7:30 – 25:00 – tempo runs X 8 around soccer field

25:00 – 35:00 – jog/walk home

For my tempo runs, I find a soccer or football field that isn’t too lumpy and SPRINT the sidelines, then walk the end lines.  The key is to really push yourself down the sides.  Use the end lines/walking for recovery.  It is a great, quick, intense workout (aka – HIIT or high intensity interval training).

Next time you are sitting at a kid’s soccer or football practice, wear your workout gear, take your running shoes and do tempo runs instead of sitting in the car or in your lawn chair on the sidelines!   Get up and get busy!


Maintenance Is Easy…When You Have Muscles!

September 22, 2010

Last August I was a little chubby.  I was pushing 2 bills, out of shape, or “Crisco” . . . fat in the can.  Something clicked in my brain to get off my lazy rear and get fit.  So, with the combination of my husband telling me how to workout and an improved diet, I’ve lost 35 pounds. 

Why America is so fat.

I’ve weighed this much before.  After the birth of my son 12 years ago, I weighed about 5 pounds more than I do now.   But my body is completely different today than it was in 1999.  I’m lean and I have muscles.  More important, though, is that I’m able to maintain all of my losses without having to obsess about everything I eat. 

I joined Weight Watchers On-line in August 2009, and by October, I had quit logging my food . . . I just wasn’t into being that obsessed about food and activity.  My goal was to be able to maintain a lifestyle, lose weight, get fit, and not have to obsess about food forever.  Once I got into a healthy eating groove, I knew what I could and couldn’t eat in order to lose the weight.  It was easy for me and it still is.

In past attempts to lose a few pounds, I always recorded my food.  I was actually pretty good at it.  Anytime I wanted to lose weight in the past, including after having babies, I always focused on my food and never really changed up the way I exercised.  I will be the first to admit that my weight loss came primarily from dietary changes.  However, the changes in my workouts changed my shape and my metabolism. 

By December, I reached my original goal of losing 25 pounds, but continued to lose weight and body fat without much effort.  My body seemed to have taken on a life of its own. I’d conquered Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday baking, and a 10-day trip with my husband without a gain or a single missed workout.  Since Christmas of 2009, I’m down another 10 pounds. 

Weight loss experts say that maintaining is the hardest part.  But, for me it has been easy.  Why?  I attribute my maintenance and continued success to my training.  I lift heavy.  I work hard.  I push myself.  I burn a lot of calories.  Plus, my muscles make it easier for me to burn fuel.  So, I can go to our family favorite custard shop and have a bowl without “falling off the wagon”.  I can go on trips and splurge without the worry of gaining 5 pounds. 

Life is good.  Lift weights.


WOD 9/21/2010 . . . Plate Circuit

September 21, 2010
SpeedRope

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I played tennis this morning, then followed up with a quick plate circuit.  To see some videos to go with this workout, you can click on my YouTube channel and search “Plate Circuit” . . . 

I’ve modified it a bit for my workout and use an 11kg plate or a 15 lb. dumbbell.  In between each exercise I do 1 minute of jump rope.  Today, my total workout time was just about 25 minutes of hard, sweaty work!  

Big Circles x 10 each way 

Wood Chop x 20 

Standing Rotation x 10 each way 

Squat to Press x 20 

Good Morning x 20 

Lunge w/ Twist x 10 each 

KB Swings x 20 

Pullover Sit-up x 20 

Get-up Sit-ups x 10 each 

Russian Twist x 20 

I love a workout that is an efficient use of my time.  Workouts like this are how I was able to lose my weight and get fit.  Not only does this type of exercise burn a lot of calories and get my metabolism going, but it also helps my cardiovascular fitness.  

Last week I had to go in for a minor Outpatient procedure.  Consistently throughout my stay, the hospital staff questioned and did double-takes when they checked my vitals.  I’ve always had relatively low to normal blood pressure.  However, my resting heart rate is consistently below 50.  A few times, it hit 45, which was where the alarm had been set.  After they’d re-check my pulse and check the equipment to make sure it was working properly, each staff person asked me if I was a runner.  Ha!  I’m so not a runner!  I can run, but I’m not a runner. 


WOD – Thursday, 9/16/10

September 16, 2010

Here is my workout for today.  Short, sweet, and to the point. 

Rope – 1:00

Lunge Walk – 1:00

Valslide Mountain Climber on Bench – 1:00

TRX Body Row – 1:00

Jumping Kicks into the heavy bag – 1:00

Air Dyne – 1:00

Rest – 1:00

Repeat 3 more time for a total of 28:00 of hard work.  Good workout today!


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