Breakfast on the Go!

Can't tell you the last time I skipped breakfast. I think there are waaaay too many choices (healthy of course) to not have breakfast. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I'm not going to list all of the reasons why but you should check this link (and many more out there) as a start. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/most-important-meal

Anyhow, I'm a HUGE fan of smoothies and juices for breakfast. I'm always on the go. It's unfortunate that I don't have the luxury of time to prepare and cook a hearty breakfast and actually sit down and enjoy it in the morning, so  I resort to smoothies. I try to pre-measure and pre package all of the ingredients (mainly fruits in the morning) ahead of time, so all I have to do is take the bag out of the freezer and pop it in the blender, throw in some liquid and sometimes protein powder, blend away for a minute and you have a great breakfast that you can drink/eat on the go.

Here are some recipes I tried last week: (keep in mind that these recipes serves 2 people)

- 9 oz of cubed firm tofu (yes tofu, it's good for you http://www.livestrong.com/article/60600-tofu-nutrition-information/)
- 2 tbsp of sunflower seed (unsalted)
- 2 oranges (juiced)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 7 strawberries
- 1 tsp of raw or agave honey for sweetness (Vince needed it)
-6 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in the blender and blend for 2 minutes and serve.

*Note: I was VERY full after drinking my serving of this that I couldn't eat my mid morning snack and ate my lunch really late because I just wasn't hungry. I didn't get to eat my afternoon snack because again, I wasn't hungry but I was STARVING by the end of my workout. This totally messed up my eating routine. Vince however, didn't have the same experience. I will try to cut my serving in half next time.

Oatmeal Berries Smoothie

-1/4 cup of oatmeal (nuked in water)
- 6 oz of raspberries
- 6 oz of blueberries
- 1/4 cup of non fat, no salt added cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp of honey
- 6 ice cubes
- Splash of unsweetened coconut milk (or whatever milk you have) to thin it up a bit (optional)

- Combine all ingredients in the blender and enjoy!



More to come later!

Whew!

Well so far, I've been bad about keeping my intentions of blogging on a regular basis. To say, I've been busy is an understatement. Although, I do think about sharing and blogging while preparing meals and working out, hey it's the thought that counts right?

I'm about to share a bunch of recipes!

If it doesn't challenge you, It doesn't change you

I kept saying that to myself today after another great workout this week. It's Day 3 and I'm starting to get the hang of things again. Megan had no mercy on me today and I like that. I need someone to push me to my limits because I know I can. I'm starting to ignore that little voice in my head that keep saying "I'm too sore for this, I need to stop".

My goal is to work out 5 days a week, general conditioning and some target areas. When we started, we had to set goals. Here are mine:

1. Be Healthy.
2. Be Stronger.
3. Be able to do at least three pull ups with no assistance.
4. Boost my (especially cardio) endurance.
5. Run 5k in under 25 min.
6. Body fat down under 15% (I'd like to be at 11% but we'll see)

I already feel good and getting to the point of being addicted to working out. I gotta remind myself that REST is an IMPORTANT  part of working out.

This week, I'm working out after work since we're still trying to get things sorted out. I will have to make some adjustments and get my butt out of bed early and make it to the gym by 6-6:30. Get a good hour and a half workout and head to work. Working out in the morning is ideal for me due to my long commute. I don't want to get home so late, cook dinner late and eat late. Hopefully the adjustment will be smooth.

Oh and no, the wedding is not my only motivation for this. For anyone that knows me, I like to staying active and looking great at my wedding is just a plus!

I'm Back!!!!

It's been a loooong time since I last blogged. I thought I would start again and blog about my health and fitness and everything else in between journey for the next 12 weeks and beyond (hopefully).

I joined WAG (Wellness at Gensler) and it's a 12 week program - working with trainers and stuff. I thought I'd take advantage of it and be very fit and healthy, especially with the wedding coming up.

Vince and I have always done pretty good food wise, exercise on the other hand is very inconsistent but last week, we've decided that we will change our lifestyle for the better, not just go on a "diet" but actually change the way we live. A healthier and better life.

I like to watch documentaries and as of late I've been watching food related ones (Forks over Knives, Food Inc, Food Matters and lately Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead). Vince and I were very inspired by it and we are incorporating juicing in our diet. Going to for more nutrients that is great for you. By juicing vegetables and fruits, you are consuming concentrated nutrients.

We are targeting for 90-95% clean eating consisting of mostly vegetables and fruits and lean protein. We're going to try to limit our red meat consumption to a bare minimum. I'm actually thinking of going as long as I can without it but it might be a little harder to convince Vince of doing that.

Anyhow, I will be posting some recipes as well and how I feel with the workouts and healthier lifestyle!

Update!

I know I sound like a broken record when I say I'm so busy! I can't really recall a time in my "adult" life where I wasn't busy but I guess if there's anyone to blame for that it'll be me but I'm not blaming.

Here's an update:

1. Got engaged.

2. Started planning the wedding (yes already!)

3. Taking a little break from planning the wedding because...

4. I'm taking the NCIDQ Exam on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1st (so I can be a licensed Interior Designer, if..no WHEN I pass)

5. In preparation for this $1000, 2 - 8 hour day exam, I'm taking the IIDA prep course. My Saturday mornings are now spent in the office until Sept. 17.

6. Because of all the new happenings in my life, I had to do some readjusting of my daily routine/schedule to be able to perform the tasks of a superwoman.

CHANGES:

I am now working out in the morning. I drag my butt out of bed at 5:00 AM to get ready and be at the gym by 5:30. I work out for an hour and half to 2 hours, get back home and get ready for work. WHY?

I used to work out after work. Sometimes I don't get off until 7, make it to the gym by 7:30 work out tile about 9:00 - 25 minute commute home - get home at 9:30 - walk the dogs - make dinner - eat dinner at 10:30 - do house chores - relax - by the time that's all said and done I start studying at 11:30 - I don't get to go to bed well after midnight when I have to get up no later than 7 the next morning to get ready for work. So I thought if I worked out in the morning, I don't have to worry about the gym after work. I can go straight home, have dinner and have plenty of time to study. It's been really great. I'm usually in bed by 11:00. The past few days, I've been reading a chapter here and there while I'm on the treadmill and get the studying out of the way in the morning, I'm in bed before 10! That's unheard of! Well I'm loving it once I get pass the getting out of bed part. I'm making healthier choices throughout the day after my workouts. I feel more energetic and I'm a little bit more motivated to workout in the morning and more than likely to stick to it than after work. After a long day at work, sometimes the gym is the last place I want to be.

So that's the update for now.

Oh we're having the engagement party Labor Day weekend and we have some friends/family coming in from out of town! Can't wait!

Check out my wedding blog! http://www.vinceandronnie.com/

We're Engaged!!!!

Vince popped the question 4th of July weekend!

I have new blog - check it out! http://lascanoleone.blogspot.com/

I will be blogging about the wedding plans and stuff! Fun fun fun stuff!

Oh and today is our 3rd year anniversary! :)

Biggest Loser

So a friend of mine are doing another Biggest Loser Contest and I decided to join because I wanted Vince to join. He's trying to lose weight and I want to be doing that with him (I'm not really trying to lose weight but more of trying to lose fat and gain muscle) and what's a little $$ as motivation.

The contest started Monday but I haven't had a chance to get a workout in at all this week. I started a new job this week (that will be another blog later) and we just got back from out of town and everything is still a bit chaotic but I'm determined to get back on the groove and kick butt at the gym on a regular basis by the end of the week. I haven't been too bad at all though, I am back to my good eating (no more indulgence on a regular basis, but hey! I was on vacation :)) even with the new job. I weighed myself tonight and I actually lost 2.5 lbs already just by eating right!

I know I'm not going to be the Biggest Loser considering I weighed in at 119.2 lb to begin with. I'll probably lose maybe 3-5 lbs but no more than that and I really don't want to but my baby and I get to be proactive and healthy and revitalize our physical being together!

Anyhow, when the 12 weeks is up, I will post my before and after picture.