Making Exercise a priority is a lot of work and kind of a pain in the ass

I really didn't have time to workout last night but I did it anyway. Sean's parents took us out to dinner for Sean's birthday and then afterward we went to the bookstore to get Emily a new book (she finished reading "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and just HAD to have "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" as soon as possible). Then we went back into the restaurant to use the bathroom (restaurant and bookstore are in the same mall) and I accidentally left the book in the bathroom (called the restaurant on the way home, they're holding it for me until I can go get it after work). Then, we had to buy Emily some graph paper so she could finish her science homework. By the time we got home, it was after 8:30. But I decided that exercise would be a priority so I worked out instead of sitting on the couch watching American Idol. By the time I got started, it was 10 till 9 and Emily was having trouble with her graph so I paused the video and went down to help her out. I didn't finish working out until 10:00. You wouldn't think it would be that difficult to squeeze in one hour of exercise out of 24.

I just had to post the schedule again so I could check off last night's workout.

Week 1:
S: Step Blast - done!
M: Legs & Glutes - done!
T: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs - done!
W: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step + Weights - done!
T: Imax 2 - done!
F: Body Max 2 - done!
S: Rest - done!

Week 2:
S: Low Impact Circuit Cardio Timesaver Premix - done!
M: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights - done!
T: Pyramid Lower Body - done!
W: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Step Blast - done!
F: Rest - done!
S: 9 holes of disc golf - done!

Week 3:
S: 4 hours of moving heavy furniture - done!
M: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Pyramid Upper Body - done!
W: Low Max - done!
T: Walked around Disneyland all day - done!
F: Walked around California Adventure all day - done!
S: Walked around San Diego stores all day - done!

Week 4:
S: rest - done!
M: 3 hours of typing - done!
T: 4 Day Split Higher Intensity Step + Weights - done!
W: 4 Day Split Kickbox + Weights - done!
T: Kick Punch Crunch
F: Off
S: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights

Week 5:
S: Pyramid Lower Body
M: Low Impact Step
T: Kick Punch Crunch
W: Pyramid Lower Body
T: Pyramid Upper Body
F: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step
S: Cardio & Weights

Week 6:
S: Off
M: Complete Aerobic and Weight Training
T: Step Blast
W: Imax 2

Tweaking the schedule again

Life got in the way of yet another workout. Monday night I spent all night helping Sean type up a paper for his class so I missed my workout. I'm glad I'm sticking with the schedule and tweaking it as I go though. It's taking me longer than a month to get through a month's worth of workouts but I'm getting through it. It's nice checking off each one. It makes me feel like I'm really accomplishing something. Last night I did Higher Intensity Step from 4-day Split with the heavy weights chest and back part. For some exercises, I lifted a lot heavier than I'm used to. I really surprised myself by making it through all the sets. I think I'll start lifting heavier on other exercises to see how I do.

Okay, here's my revised schedule:

Week 1:
S: Step Blast - done!
M: Legs & Glutes - done!
T: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs - done!
W: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step + Weights - done!
T: Imax 2 - done!
F: Body Max 2 - done!
S: Rest - done!

Week 2:
S: Low Impact Circuit Cardio Timesaver Premix - done!
M: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights - done!
T: Pyramid Lower Body - done!
W: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Step Blast - done!
F: Rest - done!
S: 9 holes of disc golf - done!

Week 3:
S: 4 hours of moving heavy furniture - done!
M: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Pyramid Upper Body - done!
W: Low Max - done!
T: Walked around Disneyland all day - done!
F: Walked around California Adventure all day - done!
S: Walked around San Diego stores all day - done!

Week 4:
S: rest - done!
M: 3 hours of typing - done!
T: 4 Day Split Higher Intensity Step + Weights - done!
W: 4 Day Split Kickbox + Weights
T: Kick Punch Crunch
F: Off
S: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights

Week 5:
S: Pyramid Lower Body
M: Low Impact Step
T: Kick Punch Crunch
W: Pyramid Lower Body
T: Pyramid Upper Body
F: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step
S: Cardio & Weights

Week 6:
S: Off
M: Complete Aerobic and Weight Training
T: Step Blast
W: Imax 2

Another Disney Trip

So we felt so guilty about Emily missing out on the trip to Disneyland with Nick, we decided to take her without Nick. And to make it even better, we told the nice people at the customer service desk that we were celebrating her birthday and they gave her a button with her name on it. Since her actual birthday is during the summer, we'll never go to Disneyland on her birthday. It's just not gonna happen. The rest of us have all spent lots of birthdays at Disneyland since we have spring birthdays but Emily's always missed out on that. So we celebrated two months early, is that so wrong? We had a great time. Emily got loads of attention for her fake birthday (she got a free desert at Cafe Orleans) and she got to drive the Mark Twain, which was just about the coolest thing we've ever done. After Disney, we spent the rest of the weekend in San Diego. It was nice. I ate a lot of junk for the past few days but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been. I also didn't get my scheduled workouts in so I'll need to tweak my schedule again to make sure I don't miss out on anything.

Here's my revised workout schedule:

Week 1:
S: Step Blast - done!
M: Legs & Glutes - done!
T: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs - done!
W: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step + Weights - done!
T: Imax 2 - done!
F: Body Max 2 - done!
S: Rest - done!

Week 2:
S: Low Impact Circuit Cardio Timesaver Premix - done!
M: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights - done!
T: Pyramid Lower Body - done!
W: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Step Blast - done!
F: Rest - done!
S: 9 holes of disc golf - done!

Week 3:
S: 4 hours of moving heavy furniture - done!
M: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Pyramid Upper Body - done!
W: Low Max - done!
T: Walked around Disneyland all day - done!
F: Walked around California Adventure all day - done!
S: Walked around San Diego stores all day - done!

Week 4:
S: rest - done!
M: 4 Day Split Higher Intensity Step + Weights
T: 4 Day Split Kickbox + Weights
W: Kick Punch Crunch
T: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights
F: Off
S: Low Impact Step

Week 5:
S: Pyramid Lower Body
M: Cardio & Weights
T: Kick Punch Crunch
W: Pyramid Lower Body
T: Pyramid Upper Body
F: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step
S: Off

Week 6:
S: Complete Aerobic and Weight Training
M: Step Blast
T: Imax 2

Small Weekend Setback

I was a little busy this past weekend so I missed my workouts and I'll have to rearrange my workout schedule. That's okay though. Life happens. And it's not like I didn't move. Saturday morning we went and played disc golf and then Sunday afternoon, we rearranged furniture for several hours. We (finally) got a new TV (47" Magnavox, did you know Magnavox TVs were made by Phillips? Neither did we, so if you're looking for a TV, save yourself $100 and get a Magnavox.) So, we decided to switch some stuff around. We realized that the office has become a storage area for stuff and no one was using it ever so we decided to turn it into a game room/exercise room. We moved the piano from the family room to the living room. We moved the green couch from the family room to the living room. We moved the purple couch from the living room to the family room. We moved the moved the old TV and the big wooden trunk we were using as a coffee table up to the office (I've got massive bruises on my arms from helping Sean get it up the stairs, I look like I've been beaten) and put the TV on the trunk. We moved one of the desks from the office to the family room and put the laptop on it (we put the mac mini in the entertainment center and connected it to the new TV and picked up a wireless keyboard and mouse, it's freaking sweet!) We moved the big leather chair and ottoman from the office to the family room and put it in the prime TV viewing position. We moved the little file cabinet from the office into the family room. We put the Wii (and all the Rockband and Wii Fit stuff) in the office. And I put all my exercise stuff in the office. Right now we have no seating other than a stability ball but I think we're going to get a few of those gamer chairs and maybe some bean bag chairs for seating. The old, old TV (the non-HD tube that's 27" and refuses to die even after our movers broke it) is still in there but we've got someone picking it up tonight after work (offered it up on craigslist for free and got so many responses, I think I probably should've asked for money). There's still more arranging to do in the office/game room/exercise room. We still need to hook up the PC on the other desk, shred some old papers and find a home for some stuff but otherwise, it's looking pretty good up there. It'll be nice to actually use that room for something. And it'll be REALLY nice to not have to spend 30 minutes getting my exercise stuff out and putting it back every day. Anyway, after all that work, I was pretty sore and tired so I didn't work out. So I'm tweaking my workout schedule so I don't leave anything out.

Here's the new schedule:

Week 1:
S: Step Blast - done!
M: Legs & Glutes - done!
T: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs - done!
W: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step + Weights - done!
T: Imax 2 - done!
F: Body Max 2 - done!
S: Rest - done!

Week 2:
S: Low Impact Circuit Cardio Timesaver Premix - done!
M: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights - done!
T: Pyramid Lower Body - done!
W: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk - done!
T: Step Blast - done!
F: Rest - done!
S: 9 holes of disc golf - done!

Week 3:
S: 4 hours of moving heavy furniture - done!
M: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 min. walk
T: Pyramid Upper Body + Abs from Cardio & Weights
W: Low Max
T: 4 Day Split Higher Intensity Step + Weights
F: Off
S: 4 Day Split Kickbox + Weights

Week 4:
S: Kick Punch Crunch
M: 4 Day Split Bootcamp + Weights
T: Low Impact Step
W: Pyramid Lower Body
T: Cardio & Weights
F: Off
S: Kick Punch Crunch

Week 5:
S: Pyramid Lower Body
M: Pyramid Upper Body
T: 4 Day Split Lower Intensity Step
W: Complete Aerobic and Weight Training
T: Step Blast
F: Off
S: Imax 2

It's okay, I didn't need my arms or legs for anything....ever

After three days of heavy weights, my limbs are fried. I swear, last night I had a hard time picking up my three pound weights to put them away. My 12s and 15s are still sitting on my living room floor. I'm having a hard time typing today and my thighs scream at me when I walk. I'm glad I don't have any more weight workouts scheduled until Sunday. Something that I'm really proud of: since I got my barbell (best $35 I ever spent), I can lift MUCH heavier for lower body work. I was doing leg presses and squats with my barbell loaded to 45 pounds and I actually did every rep without missing a beat. I need to pick up some 2.5 pound plates though so I can go up in weight in 5 pound increments. 10 pound increments are a little much.

Here's what I ate yesterday
B: oatmeal with blueberries and soy milk
S: banana
L: Sandwich made with fake turkey, veggie cheese, mustard and lettuce on whole wheat bread, lentil soup
S: Homemade vegan chocolate pudding *drool*
D: Vegan mac & cheese made with whole wheat macaroni, nutritional yeast, veggie cheese and steamed brocolli
S: two slices of whole wheat bread with light margarine (I was so hungry after my workout that I was dizzy)

Workout: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk

Going into week 2 of my rotation

Week one went pretty well. I got a new step because the Firm step I've been using is not designed for all that jumping around I've been doing (best exercise-related investment ever). I also picked up a barbell set from Walmart for $35 (2nd best exercise-related investment ever). I did all 90 minutes of Body Max 2 on Friday, which was insane. For those unfamiliar with Cathe Friedrich exercise videos, she's a crazy lady trying to kill me with exercise. 90 minutes is already a crazy long workout. 90 minutes with Cathe is bordering on suicide. Saturday was a much deserved rest day. Me and Sean had CCW class all day on Saturday, which was totally fun. When I get my little card in the mail, I will legally be able to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona. How sweet is that? Last night I did the cardio timesaver premix from Low Impact Circuit.

Here's the plan for this week:

M: 4-day Split Bootcamp with heavy weights
T: Pyramid Lower Body with Abs from Body Max 2
W: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 minute walk
T: Step Blast
F: Off
S: Imax 2
S: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 minute run

My poor legs!

I'm rocking this new rotation. My legs are totally fried from Monday's workout but I'm not letting that stop me from getting my workouts in. My legs are really sore though. I've been stumbling around like a cripple today. Tonight is Lower Intensity Step plus heavy weights for shoulders, core and calves. I'm really looking forward to tonight's workout because I ordered a new step and a barbell and they should be waiting for me when I get home today. My old Firm step just wasn't designed for the workouts I'm doing now. I needed something more substantial.

Here's what I ate yesterday:

B: oatmeal with banana slices and soy milk
S: red grapes
L: Tofurkey and avocado sandwich on whole wheat bread with mustard and tomato slices and some tomato soup
S: apple
S: strawberry sorbet
D: Golden Potato and Tempeh Casserole with some purple cauliflower (how cool is that?) and broccoli

Workout: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs

Off to a great start!

My legs are all jello-y from my workout last night. I'm really looking forward to some low impact cardio tonight. I think low impact is about all I can handle right now.

Here's what I ate yesterday:
B: oatmeal with blueberries and soy milk
S: Red grapes and a small granola bar
L: burrito made with a 100-calorie whole wheat wrap, fat-free refried black beans, salsa, corn, red bell pepper and almond cheese with a cup of tomato soup
S: Small banana
D: Homemade bean burgers on a whole wheat bun with grilled onions and almond cheese. Also had baked sweet potato fries and mixed veggies.

Workout: Legs & Glutes

Now that I doing regular workouts again, I'm getting serious

Okay, making exercise a priority these last few months has really helped. I don't feel like I have to scramble to fit it in anymore and I've had a little bit of weight loss. Now, it's time to get serious. I made a rotation for myself and I'm really going to focus on weight training because let's face it, I'm a weakling. Cardio's great and all but I really feel like I'm missing out by not spending enough time on weights. I've always had a hard time following a rotation because of life getting in the way but I figure if I don't have time for my scheduled workout, I can do something else and pick it back up the next day.

Here's my plan:

Week 1:
Monday: Legs & Glutes
Tuesday: Low Impact Step + Stability Ball Abs
Wednesday: 4-Day Split Lower Intensity Step (inc. weights)
Thursday: Imax 2
Friday: Body Max 2
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Low Impact Circuit (Cardio Timesaver Premix)

Week 2:
Monday: 4-Day Split Bootcamp (inc. weights)
Tuesday: Pyramid Lower Body + Abs from Body Max 2
Wednesday: Pyramid Upper Body + 30 min. walk
Thursday: Step Blast
Friday: Off
Saturday: Imax 2
Sunday: Pyramid Lower Body + 30 min. run

Week 3:
Monday: Pyramid Upper Body + Abs from Cardio & Weights
Tuesday: Low Max
Wednesday: 4-Day Split Higher Intensity Step (inc. weights)
Thursday: Step Blast
Friday: Off
Saturday: 4-Day Split Kickbox (inc. weights)
Sunday: Kick Punch Crunch

Week 4:
Monday: 4-Day Split Bootcamp (inc. weights)
Tuesday: Low Impact Step
Wednesday: Pyramid Lower Body
Thursday: Cardio & Weights
Friday: Off
Saturday: Kick Punch Crunch
Sunday: Pyramid Lower Body + Abs from Muscle Endurance

Week 5:
Monday: Pyramid Upper Body + Abs from Low Impact Circuit
Tuesday: Lower Intensity Step
Wednesday: Complete Aerobic & Weight Training
Thursday: Step Blast
Friday: Off

That Cookie Recipe Everyone's Been Asking for...

Okay, this is NOT my recipe. It's from Vegan With a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. I just lightened it up a bit and used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose.

Sparkled Ginger Cookies (the semi-healthy version)

4 tbsp. tubinado sugar (regular sugar will work but coarse is better)
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 c. applesauce
1/4 c. molasses
1/4 c. soy milk
1 c. sugar (I use turbinado sugar)
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease two cookie sheets. Place the turbinado sugar in a small bowl.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. In a separate large mixing bowl, mix together the applesauce, molasses, soy milk, sugar and vanilla. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and combine well. If it's too wet to roll into balls, add a bit more flour. Roll into 1-inch balls, flatten into a disk, press the cookie tops into the turbinado sugar and place 1 inch apart sugar side up on a prepared cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, let cool on cookie sheets for 3-5 minutes, transfer to cooling rack.