Abs day 2 :p

If you read my blueberry post, my computer was bazerk last night so didn't get much bloggin done.

Tuesday evening I did the 300/30 day Ab workout from the previous blog again. Holy moley my tummy was screaming in the process & today I thought I was going to puke from the soreness overload. It's kind of bitter sweet to me though... when I feel sore it's like my body telling me I actually did something. In addition to the 300 torcher tests, I added 50 side crunches (25 each side) & 20 push-ups. I was pretty proud last night. I also ate pretty well today - for once - woot woot! In workout senses today was my day off.
Stay tuned for this weeks Four Legged Friday... Paul & I have a surprise ;)

Get Fit quote of the day:

Blueberry-Licious!

 This post was supposed to be up yesterday but I was too busy going all 'Office Space' on my computer. Dang technology sometimes!
This weekend I put together my very first home-made pie...AND CRUST!!! Emphasis on crust as I love making pies but I normally buy frozen crusts. So I finally found a recipe to try & it turned out AMAAAZING!
Originally, I planned on a blackberry one but blueberries were on sale. This was also my first lattice & it looks pretty darn good!

 

Had some major issues w/crust sticking to my rolling pin. So I used my brain & rolled it out between two pieces of parchment paper... Who woulda thought, right!? :)

Oh & this is my rolling pin... a tequila bottle. Hoping for a real one for the wedding.

 

yum yum!

Yes, I know this pie with a scoop of ice cream isn't the ideal healthy dessert but .... oh how I LOVE pie!
Here's some blueberry facts:

• Grown on bushes
• 80 calories per cup
• Packed vitamin C 
• Feeling down, they're high in antioxidants
• Improve memory
• Michigan & Maine are top producers
• More blueberry facts here.

Blueberry Pie Filling Recipe - super easy!
1 1/2 cups White Sugar
4 T Corn Starch  next time I'm adding one more to thicken it up a little more
1/4 t Salt
1/2 t Ground Cinnamon
5 cups Fresh Blueberries
Pie crust
1 T Butter
1 Egg

Preheat Oven 375
Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon & sprinkle over blueberries. Line pie dish with pie crust, then I brushed egg over the bottom to prevent sogginess. Pour berry mixture into the curst & dot with butter. Cut remaining pastry into strips & make lattice top. Crimp & flute the edges. I also brushed with butter & egg & sprinkled sugar on top. Bake for about 50 minutes or until crust is golden.

Basic Flaky Pie Crust
 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 t Salt
1/2 cup Chilled Shortening
3 T Ice Water

Whisk flour & salt together in medium bowl.  With pastry blender (I used a fork b/c I don't have a 'pastry blender') cut in cold shortening until mixture is coarse crumbs. Drizzle 2-3 T of ice water over flour. Toss mixture with fork to moisten adding more water a few drops at a time until dough come together. Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic & chill 30 minutes. Roll out dough & put in pie plate, fill, & bake.

Ab - Packed!

No, I'm not talking about the movie Magic Mike releasing this Friday... Although, I can't wait to get a glimpse of all those 6 & 12 packs on the big screen.
I'm actually talking about a pin that I found, the 300/30day ab challenge. I completed day one! annnndd .... OUCH! My core is feeling it. Along with my lower back. Yes, I know I have been slacking lately but I feel like I have some motivation back since my knee & ankle are feeling better. I have been doing my 6 pages of therapy exercises... yay! Haven't done much else besides swimming at the lake! (Blog later). Reason for choosing this pin: I'm a sucker for before & after photos, like on this blog. Plus, the links to the blog, "2012...My last fat year,"which I don't think this program originated here but her blog is cute & I like the exercise pictures. Supposibly, this is the P90X ab program... I wouldn't know, haven't gone that hardcore... yet ;)

This 15 minute challenge consists of:
NOTE: It took me longer than 15 & before looking at the pictures I had NO clue what some of these even were.

• In-N-Outs - 25 reps Did good with these
• Bicycles - 25 reps  tough but do-able
• Reverse Bicycles - 25 reps
• Crunchy Frogs - 25 reps one I have never done but was kinda fun
• Cross leg/Wide leg Sit-ups - 25 reps scheesh! haven't done a FULL sit-up in ages
• Scissors (hold 3 sec) - 25 reps ouch! these were hard as my flexibility is awful (can't keep legs straight)
• Hip Butt Ups - 25 reps haha! felt a little dirty doing these
• Heels to Heavens - 25 reps started to really feel 'em after 15
• Roll-up V-ups - 25 reps ha! could only do the first part... I have no balance to do the 'V' part
• Leg Climbers - 12 reps each side did but needs more work due to my legs not straightening
• Kayakers - 50 fast or as many as you can... I got in 30, these are also one of my favorite, like to add the medicine ball or any weight.

 

the pin I followed

Oh Joy

This last week was my worst since starting my Get Fit Program. However, my knee & ankle were killing me. As I mentioned last post I did an ab & arm work out on Monday. After that it was down hill, all that the schedule held was icing my ankle & dosing on ibuprofen. Thursday, I weighed in at 202 :( not too happy with that again! I have got to stop slacking. I hate being injured too! Friday, I had my doctor appointment... Ha! Weighed in there at 210. I made sure to inform them their scale is busted. Doc says he doesn't think its too bad of a weight gain with the meds I've been on & the lifestyle changes I've made in the past 5 months. Anywho, turns out I had a sprained ankle the whole week. Then my left knee I have a patella issue. Good news exercising will fix it. I actually left the Doctor feeling good. I mentioned the 5K to him & he told me to go for it. It was nice having that professional push.
Today, I did my first round of therapy exercises. 6 pages worth. Oh yay!

On another seriously joyful note, is my awesome fiancé was able to fix my Betty's stereo. Now I get to cruise with the top down WITH tunes! I'm pretty excited about it!!!

Lower Postponed. Upper Crunch.

UGH!!!
 
I am extremely bummed! Notice the picture. Right ankle. Yep, that would be my Achilles tendinitis flaring up. AHH!

Not only that, but my left knee is killing me too! When it's bent. When I'm sitting. When weight is on it.
Here I have done everything by the book: stretching constantly, taking it slow, drinking more water, & spreading it out. Yet, I still have leg issues! My head is telling me that my body & joints aren't meant for jogging, but my heart just wants to go for that damn 5K... JOG SOMETHING! Well, I have a doctor's appointment Friday (luckily I was already going for a med check - I like to save multiple issues for one trip = one co-pay :). Plus, I've kept off my legs today (had too! It was killing me!) & most of yesterday with ice soaking & stretching. Because if I don't, I walk like a toy soldier... Knee feels like a noodle & ankle doesn't bend = ouch. The sooner this bull heals, the sooner I can get back to C25K'n it & then roller derby!

However, this is no excuse for me to not get in any work outs. Today, I did a Pinterest workout; The Love Handle Blaster pin which originates from flatmytummyworkouts.com site. It didn't include any leg stuff so I was golden.

It consisted of:

• Side Crunches (15 each side)
• Oblique Crunches (10 each side) It says to hold these 20 seconds, at first I thought, 'Ya like that does anything!' but after a few you can really tell.
• Abdominal Bicycles (30 elbow/knee touches)
• Trunk Twists (10 each way)
• I added:
• 20 push ups
• 20 Triceps dips
• 30 second abdominal leg hold (don't know the real name but where you hold your legs off the ground while laying on your back)

All-in-all it took me about 25 minutes (not including stretching). I tried to do them one after another to get my heart rate up. Hopefully I'll feel it tomorrow, because I felt it during... felt exactly where my scar is & the connective tissue (owie!) (note: the scar goes from my sternum to belly button).

Get fit quote of the day:

I'm in pain & I just have to keep this in mind.

Triceps, Biceps, & Deltoids. Oh My!

While hosing at work today, I looked at my arms & decided it's an arm day! Pinterest arm search brought me to this:

It's originally from a Women's Health Magazine article, "Arm Exercises for Women: Get Sleek, Sexy Arms." I especially enjoy workouts with pictures, because who knows what all those laterals, burpees, extensions, kickbacks, & climbers are. This routine called to do each exercise 15 times then start over & do each one 3 times (ie. 3 sets - 15 reps). Do without stopping in between. I also added 10 push ups into the routine (30 total). Then ended with 7 tricep dip things (hold a chair, w/knees bent, & dip your butt & feel the burn in your tri's).
It took me about 15 minutes to complete.
During my arm search, I found a new motivation/tip site, Skinny Ms. It has daily workouts, monthly challenges, slow cooker recipes, nutrition information, tips, and FAQs. I am now following them on FB & bookmarked the site to return to for tips, recipes, & different routines.

Paul & I also completed Week 2 Day 2 of Couch-to-5K.
        Results:  2.16 miles at 14.21 per mile.
The path we took was a slightly different one in our neighborhood. Still has hills - every path around our house has them - & lots of shade. We totally thought we were faster but oh well. Overall, this one I felt great afterwards... my breathing is becoming better during the jogging part & I don't get as exhausted. After Wk 2 Day1 my knee was killing me, hence not doing anything yesterday to give it a rest. So, I was a little hesitant to start today, but after the first jog/walk rotation the pain went away. Although, I can feel it coming back so I'm gonna go drink water & chill with a bag of ice & my book (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson). 

Today's Get Fit Quote:

"My Fat is Crying!"

I like to say that when I'm working out. Only then because I sweat all the time regardless of physical activity, humidity, or temperature. The reason for the stinky talk is because Saturday & today's workouts were some wet ones.  Saturday, I went out around 4pm (minus Paul) for Week 1 Day 3 Couch 2 5K work out & it was hot!!! I learned a few things:
#1. DRINK MORE H20
#2. Listen to my program.
#3. Turn around regardless.
Explanation: I was severely dried out not even half way in. On top of that, I didn't even hear when I was half way in. I knew we had covered at least a mile & a half, ignored it & kept on truckin until I heard her say "alright, cool down." Then Dallas & I headed back towards the house. My feet hurt. My lips were dry. The dirty pond to the North look appealing. Dallas' tongue was almost to the ground. My stomach was starting to hurt - & not the sore sit-up kind, like the 'I need a john ASAP kind.' We just wanted to cut through my work, unfortunately I didn't know who was working & they'd make me go around anyway. So, there we were, like a couple stranded in the Sahara... left. right. left. right...
Results 2.14 miles at 14 minutes a mile then on top of that was 1.62 miles in 29.49 minutes

Today's workout went better. Paul accompanied me for our Week 2 Day 1 Couch 2 5K. I like it a lot more when he's there. There's this hill that he rocks & I lag on, but he gives me the umph to finish it... along with a tiny, little 'I think I can, I think I can,' voice. Pretty proud I haven't walked that darn thing yet!
Results 2.16 miles at 14.19 minutes per mile. So, as a team we have improved our time 22 seconds!
Not only that but our shirts were soaked which brought me to Google how much water a human is supposed to intake a day. We have all heard the 8-8 ounce glasses. Paul told me to take your weight & divide it in half & that's how many ounces (mine would be 100!!!). According to an article by Mayo clinic the Institution of Medicine states men should have around 3 liters & women 2.2 liters. Basically if I drink 3 of my Tervis cups at the very least... well, I've done that & with the way I sweat, I think it should be 5 Tervis.'
While reading I also found out that if you're doing a lot of exercising &/or sweating you should drink something with a little extra, like Gatorade or Propel.
Gatorade (or any sports drink) will give you 3 needed items:
1. Hydration.
2. Fuel (carbohydrates which will also delay the fatigue- 14g per 8ounce recommendation).
3. Electrolytes/minerals - since sodium, potassium & chloride are all lost in your sweat.

As I raise my glass of Gatorade.... CHEERS to Week 2!

4 Legged Friday: Breed Bans

I stumbled across an article through a friends Facebook page today, The 3 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds Revealed! - Pit Bulls? Rottweilers? You'll Be Surprised.... After reading this, I checked out their source,  according to the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviouir Science, the top breeds for showing aggression towards humans are dachshunds, chihuahuas, & jack russel terriers. There was also a Pennsylvania study that showed the dachshund to be the most aggressive. I have to say the meanest dog I have ever stumbled across is a chihuahua. I had to chuckle at hearing about the little wiener dogs topping the bite charts, as my parents are owners of 3 mini dachshunds. They've never bitten a human or gone all hackles up, teeth bearing to a human either, however, they do have 'little man syndrome.' Dodger, the male thinks he's 150 pounds & bullet proof, he would take on a monster if he could (especially through a fence). I would have to say doxins are mouthy little bastards, a real ankle biter, but I'm not going to say they're ALL like that. Mom's female, Roxy, was a lover to the core.
Breed banning is something I am very passionate about. I am disgusted with people that look at a dog & label that breed as dangerous. Just because one dog does something bad does not mean that entire breed is defective. A dogs' behavior, I believe is based upon how it's raised & what it is & isn't exposed to.
Topeka, KS was to be at the top of my shit list when they had a city ordinance prohibiting anyone from owning a pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or an American Staffordshire terrier. Luckily, in September 2010 they replaced it with a broader 'dangerous dogs' ordinance stating that it would target animals with a 'known propensity, tendency or disposition' to attack or cause injury & these dogs would be declared dangerous through a court process then would have to be spayed or neutered. I haven't heard any problems lately with this, but I haven't been searching either. Today, there are still plenty of cities in the US that have breed bans (including rottweilers, pitt bulls, mastiffs, dobermans, presa canarios, chows, etc) & I hope & believe that there are more people out there sticking up for our fury friends & preventing these stereotypes. So, if you have one of these oh so called viscous dogs, show someone that they're not & if you are one that is afraid get out there & meet a good one!

One breed that I am in love with is the pit bull, & it really tugs at my heart strings when people judge them &/or treat them badly. Yes, you will always have those folks who own them to increase the size of their testicles, which is fine with me as long as they are not training them to fight, cropping their ears too short (or w/out the use of a veterinarian), chaining them out for hours, & using huge chain link as their collar. My dad had a pit before I was born, he was a fawn & white boy named Boss. Then I came along. Whew! I put that guy through the ringer. Attaching my baby carriage to him, riding him, sticking my hand in his mouth when he'd yawn, & who knows what else. I do remember painting Boss' nails when dad was at work. Dad sure loved that ;) haha. Boss was a huge part of our family. He camped, 4-wheeled, traveled, & boated with us (even though he hated water!). Once he got older he would even curl up with our old man cat, Spike. Boss lived out to the old age of 18.

Boss, My dad, Me, & Abby

Mom & Boss. This is how we'd take him to shore to go to the bathroom when we were at the lake.

Boss & Spike. RIP guys :)

Someday I hope to own a pit bull that could live up to him & show others that they are great dogs.

C25K With A Side Of Corny Rice

This post was written late Thursday night only didn't get posted till now.


No bike or Jeep today thanks to the rain last night. However, by the time 7pm rolled around Paul & I were off to do our Couch to 5K, Week 1 Day 2 routine. We took a different route today, turns out there's hills no matter which way you head out of our driveway. Our stats were: 2.04 miles at 14.41 per mile. So, about the same as last time. I had one if those 'little engine that could' moments on this jaunt. It took all the emotional coaxing to not walk up this hill, but I did it!
Oh, and thanks to all the lunges I've done this week I almost was stuck on a toilet this morning. You know those really low sitting ones, & my muscles couldn't' take a squat that early in the morning.

For dinner we tried a new Pinterest recipe: chicken rice bake. It was really easy to make only it was slightly bland. Here's the recipe, maybe y'all have any suggestions into what to add.
2 chicken breasts
4 cups brown rice (I used that pre made stuff in the bags-uncle bens).
3/4 cups frozen corn
15 ounces (1can) black beans (drained & Rinsed)
1 cup Greek plain yogurt (or sour cream)
4 ounce can fluid chilies
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup low fat cheddar plus a little extra for topping.
Cilantro

Preheat oven: 350. Cook chicken. Add all except cilantro. Season with salt & pepper. Transfer to oven safe dish. Top with some cheddar. Bake 20-25 minutes until heated all the way through. Garnish with cilantro.

P.S. weighed in this morning at 200lbs. NOT happy with that at all. I REALLY need to work on my eating habits! I just love food ... Any tips???