I started thinking about what my fitness goals for the new year would be before New Years.
Why? Why not wait until New Years Day? Studies show that there are 2 specific times people try to start something new and it ends up being unsuccessful.
The first- is New Years.
The second is- Mondays.
Never start anything new on a Monday or as a New Years resolution.
With New Years- there's so much hype and so-called excitement surrounding resolutions and all that- I think people end up becoming disappointed or their enthusiasm dwindles.
When you make a decision to do something- just do it- it doesn't matter what day it is.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Muffin Mania
www.traderjoes.com After the success of the Blueberry Orange Muffins, I decided to try another muffin recipe from eatingwell.com.
Again, using up my surpluce of Zucchini from Aldi- I opted for Zucchini Oatmeal Muffins.
[Per serving: 231 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 26 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 271 mg sodium; 102 mg potassium.]
My fiance had been wanting Oatmeal muffins like they have a Trader Joe's. WIth the little ones- it's easier to stay home and make muffins from scratch then get all bundled up and get to the store and everything else.
I doubled this recipe because we have been going through muffins like crazy. Muffins for breakfast, muffins for snacks, muffins on the go.... Once they're made they are easy to eat and not messy. This is particularly helpful with a 2 year old!
I didn't have time or the energy to make all of the muffins at once- so I made one batch and kept the rest of the batter in the fridge. Then, my fiance made a batch, and on Wednesday I put another batch in the oven as we were getting ready for our day. It is really muffin mania at our house!
In college, I used to go get a banana chocolate chip muffin (nearly everyday) after my morning classes. I stopped doing this once I learned that this particular muffin I was eating weighed in at a hefty 900+ calories!
No wonder my pants weren't fitting.
Again, using up my surpluce of Zucchini from Aldi- I opted for Zucchini Oatmeal Muffins.
[Per serving: 231 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 26 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 271 mg sodium; 102 mg potassium.]
My fiance had been wanting Oatmeal muffins like they have a Trader Joe's. WIth the little ones- it's easier to stay home and make muffins from scratch then get all bundled up and get to the store and everything else.
I doubled this recipe because we have been going through muffins like crazy. Muffins for breakfast, muffins for snacks, muffins on the go.... Once they're made they are easy to eat and not messy. This is particularly helpful with a 2 year old!
I didn't have time or the energy to make all of the muffins at once- so I made one batch and kept the rest of the batter in the fridge. Then, my fiance made a batch, and on Wednesday I put another batch in the oven as we were getting ready for our day. It is really muffin mania at our house!
In college, I used to go get a banana chocolate chip muffin (nearly everyday) after my morning classes. I stopped doing this once I learned that this particular muffin I was eating weighed in at a hefty 900+ calories!
No wonder my pants weren't fitting.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Finishing up the Tilapia...
I made the 5-spice Tilapia again. No asparagus this time though.
This time, I used more of the Zucchini surplus we had on hand (thank you Aldi- 3 humongous Zucchini for $1.69). I just used a little olive oil, salt & pepper and threw the zuchini (quartered lengthwise and cut into inch long pieces) into the pan. I also added a little oregano.
5 minutes and ta-da- done!
The Zucchini was a better fit with this sweet Tilapia recipie.
I already picked up more Tilapia anticipating I will make it again soon!
This time, I used more of the Zucchini surplus we had on hand (thank you Aldi- 3 humongous Zucchini for $1.69). I just used a little olive oil, salt & pepper and threw the zuchini (quartered lengthwise and cut into inch long pieces) into the pan. I also added a little oregano.
5 minutes and ta-da- done!
The Zucchini was a better fit with this sweet Tilapia recipie.
I already picked up more Tilapia anticipating I will make it again soon!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Feeling good- 1 visit follow up
While my first visit to the gym was off to a bumpy start, I am already feeling and seeing the rewards.
Feeling better... I already have more energy and feel better in the near 2 days since my visit.
Seeing the rewards... It's one thing to step on the scale and feel like you've been seeing the same number for months (that's been me). It's another to take out the measuring tape and see how you're doing. This is a more accurate gauge of how you're doing. The numbers may be stagnate on the scale- but your body composition changes show with the measuring tape.
This has been the case for me.
I am so thrilled because in the past week between visiting the gym and the 3 ice hockey games I have reffed since the 10th- I have lost inches.
Waist- -2.5 inches
hips- -1 inch
bust- -2 inches (thats ok- really ok- things are just out of control)
I like to plug the numbers into the Shape Virtual Trainer. You can log your starting weight, current weight and goal weight. It will tell you how much weight you've lost, your body fat percentage, the pounds of body fat lost, the weight of your lean body mass and your body fat (both in pounds and percentages), and it has a tally of how many inches you have lost with an average number of inches lost per week. You can also log your calories and exercise and the dashboard will tell you if you need to eat more, less, or if you're in the weight loss zone.
If anyone is interested in trying the JCC out- let me know- or visit their webpage for a free 2-week pass.
Feeling better... I already have more energy and feel better in the near 2 days since my visit.
Seeing the rewards... It's one thing to step on the scale and feel like you've been seeing the same number for months (that's been me). It's another to take out the measuring tape and see how you're doing. This is a more accurate gauge of how you're doing. The numbers may be stagnate on the scale- but your body composition changes show with the measuring tape.
This has been the case for me.
I am so thrilled because in the past week between visiting the gym and the 3 ice hockey games I have reffed since the 10th- I have lost inches.
Waist- -2.5 inches
hips- -1 inch
bust- -2 inches (thats ok- really ok- things are just out of control)
I like to plug the numbers into the Shape Virtual Trainer. You can log your starting weight, current weight and goal weight. It will tell you how much weight you've lost, your body fat percentage, the pounds of body fat lost, the weight of your lean body mass and your body fat (both in pounds and percentages), and it has a tally of how many inches you have lost with an average number of inches lost per week. You can also log your calories and exercise and the dashboard will tell you if you need to eat more, less, or if you're in the weight loss zone.
If anyone is interested in trying the JCC out- let me know- or visit their webpage for a free 2-week pass.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
My first visit
The first time at our new gym was last night.
It was so akward at first. I felt so out of place, and out of practice. It was bizzare to think that I haven't gone to a gym or worked out consistently in 3 years.
I kept asking myself- "Will I like it?"
I had no idea. I used to like going to the gym. I used to enjoy running and weight lifting.
I suddenly felt small and intimidated.
What a strange feeling to have when going to do something that used to be the norm/ routine. What a strange feeling to be someplace and feel out of place.
It was akward at first. It was intimidating and strange.
It's sad- but I wanted to turn around and not even try. I'm ok with me- aren't I?
Then I remembered the other day. I brought my two sons home. The oldest- who is almost 2 1/2 years old wanted to race me down the apartment hallway. It was so fun and he was so happy. I remembred again why it was important and why I needed to try- because I want to be there and be able to be the best mom I can be for my kids, and the best partner "in crime" to my future husband.
So, for my workout, I did a mile long bike ride to warm up ( 6 minutes), a did a run/walk for 20 minutes (and got up to 7.6 mph- which is really good for me, my short legs, and lack of running for about 4 months). Then, I moved on to weight lifting- bicep curls, upright rows, tricep extensions and other arm exercizes on the cable machines, the assisted pull up machine (I could never do pull ups on my own in gym class), and the roman chair. The roman chair was tough- it used to be so easy. I did 6 back extensions on the roman chair and then felt the c-section incision. It was time to stop.
I ended the work out by using these cool new stationary bikes that have different races and routes with a monitor so you have something to look at.
After I worked out I felt great and remembered why I used to love going to the gym so much and why I've missed it.
It was so akward at first. I felt so out of place, and out of practice. It was bizzare to think that I haven't gone to a gym or worked out consistently in 3 years.
I kept asking myself- "Will I like it?"
I had no idea. I used to like going to the gym. I used to enjoy running and weight lifting.
I suddenly felt small and intimidated.
What a strange feeling to have when going to do something that used to be the norm/ routine. What a strange feeling to be someplace and feel out of place.
It was akward at first. It was intimidating and strange.
It's sad- but I wanted to turn around and not even try. I'm ok with me- aren't I?
Then I remembered the other day. I brought my two sons home. The oldest- who is almost 2 1/2 years old wanted to race me down the apartment hallway. It was so fun and he was so happy. I remembred again why it was important and why I needed to try- because I want to be there and be able to be the best mom I can be for my kids, and the best partner "in crime" to my future husband.
So, for my workout, I did a mile long bike ride to warm up ( 6 minutes), a did a run/walk for 20 minutes (and got up to 7.6 mph- which is really good for me, my short legs, and lack of running for about 4 months). Then, I moved on to weight lifting- bicep curls, upright rows, tricep extensions and other arm exercizes on the cable machines, the assisted pull up machine (I could never do pull ups on my own in gym class), and the roman chair. The roman chair was tough- it used to be so easy. I did 6 back extensions on the roman chair and then felt the c-section incision. It was time to stop.
I ended the work out by using these cool new stationary bikes that have different races and routes with a monitor so you have something to look at.
After I worked out I felt great and remembered why I used to love going to the gym so much and why I've missed it.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
We are officially members!
After much debate and a long hiatus from having a gym membership- I (I should say WE, as a family) have a gym membership.
I am so thrilled to be able to go to the gym. No just go to the gym though. It's much more than that. It's promoting and showing healthy habits to our kids. It's having options in my workouts. It's about the family time that we can have together in the gym or the pools.
It is so exciting to know that I have the tools and the time to take care of myself so I can better take care of my family. I'll also be able to live a longer healthier life and that is a great prospect.
Since we joined the JCC, we also qualified for a scholarship. Which I am so grateful for since my better half is still in school, and I have just started working again.
I have to admit - the tears welled in my eyes just thinking about how grateful I am to the scholarship program. Grateful to be the mom and partner I want to be and how having a healthy, active lifestyle fits into that.
I am so thrilled to be able to go to the gym. No just go to the gym though. It's much more than that. It's promoting and showing healthy habits to our kids. It's having options in my workouts. It's about the family time that we can have together in the gym or the pools.
It is so exciting to know that I have the tools and the time to take care of myself so I can better take care of my family. I'll also be able to live a longer healthier life and that is a great prospect.
Since we joined the JCC, we also qualified for a scholarship. Which I am so grateful for since my better half is still in school, and I have just started working again.
I have to admit - the tears welled in my eyes just thinking about how grateful I am to the scholarship program. Grateful to be the mom and partner I want to be and how having a healthy, active lifestyle fits into that.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tilapia... yum yum!
We have had a bag of frozen Tilapia in our freezer since July or August of 2010. I had no idea what to do with it- all I knew was that I wanted to eat it but didn't want to be disappointed. I had become so concerned that whatever recipe I tried would be labor intensive with poor results that the bag sat untouched. It wasn't as though it was expensive fish either. The bag came from Aldi - a great store that can really help you stretch your grocery dollars.
The bag sat and sat and sat in our freezer until New Years Day. (After all, there's no time like the present - right?) In our case, it was completely by chance that making the Tilapia with an asparagus side occured on New Years Day. I wouldn't pair these two together- the sweet of the Tilapia with the tart of the Asparagus was too much of a contrast.
If I'm following the advice of my personal trainer from college- we should eat 1200 calories a day. Start with a 300 calorie meal and wait three hours, then a 200 calorie snack and wait two hours- repeat and go to bed "empty". We don't want all of those extra calories festering in our stomachs and becoming fat stores overnight do we??? That doesn't sound like a good idea. That would make all of our hard work useless.
I used this strategy in the past and it works- it really does.
Five Spice Tilapia- 180 Calories
Lemon Lovers Asparagus- 91 Calories
Total: 271 calories
271 calories- in just under that 300 calorie goal- you could have an apple or an orange for dessert.
My fiance looked at me and said "WOW- this is so good. Where are you finding these recipes???"
I look forward to having a larger home where we can entertain and have dinner parties. There's something exciting and fulfilling knowing that you have served an excellent meal. Excellent not only to the taste buds but also for your health.
The bag sat and sat and sat in our freezer until New Years Day. (After all, there's no time like the present - right?) In our case, it was completely by chance that making the Tilapia with an asparagus side occured on New Years Day. I wouldn't pair these two together- the sweet of the Tilapia with the tart of the Asparagus was too much of a contrast.
If I'm following the advice of my personal trainer from college- we should eat 1200 calories a day. Start with a 300 calorie meal and wait three hours, then a 200 calorie snack and wait two hours- repeat and go to bed "empty". We don't want all of those extra calories festering in our stomachs and becoming fat stores overnight do we??? That doesn't sound like a good idea. That would make all of our hard work useless.
I used this strategy in the past and it works- it really does.
Five Spice Tilapia- 180 Calories
Lemon Lovers Asparagus- 91 Calories
Total: 271 calories
271 calories- in just under that 300 calorie goal- you could have an apple or an orange for dessert.
My fiance looked at me and said "WOW- this is so good. Where are you finding these recipes???"
I look forward to having a larger home where we can entertain and have dinner parties. There's something exciting and fulfilling knowing that you have served an excellent meal. Excellent not only to the taste buds but also for your health.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)