Plank with Knee Tucks

First and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING BROTHER JEFFREY!

Love you and miss you like crazy! Love the photo above too (Jeff is to the direct right of me in the red tie and Kevin my other brother is behind me to the left of Jeff, also in a red tie; missing is Scott and Dana, probably out back smoking a cigar). 🙂 Kidding (sorta)!

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Yesterday afternoon I headed to the gym to work it out. I began with a 30 minute elliptical workout while oogling over Rachael Ray’s Magazine and all of her amazing Spring recipes.

I then headed over to the weights to grab a couple of dumbbells. I brought them over to a secluded area in the gym over by the racquetball courts (I like my privacy sometimes) and got to work. Here’s what I threw down.

Exercise Sets and Reps
Tricep Kickbacks (each side) 3 x 10
Two arm tricep extension overhead 3 x 10
Tricep Dips 3 x 10
Bent over barbell rows 3 x 10
Push ups (knees) 3 x 10
Plank with opposite knee tucks 3 x 26

Lately I have really been loving the plank with opposite knee tucks. I have been doing them daily. I actually think they are fun and they make me feel strong. I have been very proud of myself lately with my fairly consistent strength training! It is amazing how good it makes you feel.

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For dinner last night I baked about 10 of Alexia’s Sweet Potato Puffs in the oven. While they baked, I began lightly sautéing broccoli on the stovetop. Once the broccoli were slightly cooked, about 3 minutes, I pushed the them to the side of the pan and cracked an egg in the middle of the pan. I cooked the egg over easy. At the very last second, I tossed in the last of the leftover cowboy caviar. I dished the broccoli egg mix with the puffs, sprinkled the dish with nutritional yeast (and a touch of ketchup) and enjoyed an easy and satisfying dinner.

I had greek yogurt for a little snack later in the evening.

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Today, my morning started off with a bowl of goodies much like yesterday’s. In the mix today was a oatmeal, Fage plain non-fat greek yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and honey. I combined the ingredients together last night (minus the blackberries and honey) and let it sit in the fridge over night again. This morning I added the honey and blackberries and once again had a sweet creamy fruit and yogurt bowl.

I neglected the morning workout yet again for sleep, but I have fun workout plans after work today!

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Slightly Unmotivated

I wish I would have taken a photo of yesterday’s lunch because it was pretty darn good. I combined pulled chicken (I made a big batch on Sunday), green grapes which I halved, a small handful of whole almonds, and leftover pieces of dried cherries and dried mango. I added yellow mustard and gave it all a good stir. The combination of salty and sweet was just perfect.

You know what made it even better? Eating it at lunch break while visiting with my mom! It was such a nice treat. She was off of work yesterday so we met over by my work and we both ate our lunches together and chatted away. I loved it so much!

After work I headed to the gym although I was really not in the mood to go. I got the self talk rolling though and told myself, just go, you never regret a workout, and that is just what I did. Strength training was on the agenda today.

I warmed up with ten minutes on the stairmaster, then hit the weights which were super loaded with men which is fairly intimidating to me. I try to work confidently but can’t help but be slightly self-conscious. Here’s the rundown of my workout.

  • tricep pull-down 3×10
  • tricep dips 3×10
  • tricep dumbbell overhead extensions 3×10
  • chest press 2×10
  • pushups (knees) 3×10
  • ab work
Not too shabby considering I wasn’t the most motivated to workout.
For dinner I pulled together a household favorite, which is veggie-packed (surprise, surprise). Although I made my best effort to eat healthy this past weekend in New York, I still got a little “off” speaking in terms of digestive health. It won’t take long to get back on track, though. Especially with a dinner like this. Drumroll………for veggie hash.
Oh yes. In the colorful parade:
  • broccoli
  • red onion
  • mushrooms
  • green beans
  • pea
  • black beans
  • fresh tomato
  • nutritional yeast
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • egg
  • garlic olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder (and two pickles for good luck)

You guys, if you have not tried this dish yet, you must. Take whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand and saute in a little olive oil. Add flavor with your favorite seasonings and/or herbs, top with an over-easy egg aka “runny egg,” cheese, nutritional yeast, and add fresh chopped tomato at the end.

The rest of the night was spent wasting my time watching The Bachelor, searching for a green food to bring to my St. Patty’s Day inspired work meeting, doing some laundry, and snacking on some Fiber One 80 honey squares.

Now, I am off to find motivation to tackle a run. Perhaps I should refer to the beginning of this post where I mentioned motivational self-talk from my workout yesterday? I’m just being a baby because it’s just a little more chilly outside this morning than I thought it would be. It is supposed to be in the 60’s today though and 70’s the rest of the week! Woop woop! I WILL be going for a run. How about you? Have you moved something today? Let me see you move somethin’! I really love this guy in these Blue Cross Blue Shield commercials. He makes me giggle everytime and kind of reminds me of my dad for some reason. DO GROOVE!

Have a good one!

Continue Reading Slightly Unmotivated
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