Workout Wednesday :)

After not working out at all yesterday I was ready to workout all my wiggles today.  No kidding, I was getting the wiggles.  I have joined a workout support group with my friend, Lorraine, and it is awesome.  Her friend is a Beach Body Coach and created this group so we would have people to hold us accountable, support each other, and give any good tips we might have. This week we have started a 6 Week Challenge, and boy is it challenging. 
Well.........as I mentioned already, yesterday I did not work out so today I had to play catch up.  I had to do yesterday's workout and today's.  Did I forget to mention that I had to teach Spin too?!  No biggie though, all is good in the world. 
I made sure I got to the Y early enough before my class so I could play catch.  I found an empty room, hooked up my music and went to town. 
The first workout for the 6 Week Challenge is:

I was so excited to get this done today, so I did this first.  I made it a little competition with myself.  I wanted to see if I could beat Monday's time.  GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?!  I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHOOP WHOOP!
Monday, 7/23/12~Time= 14 minutes 39 seconds
Wednesday, 7/25/12~Time=12 minutes 39 seconds
Can you believe that??? I beat my time by 2 minutes exactly!  This was a very proud moment for me.

On to workout #2.  I was starting to get a little tired, but was very determined to get it done.  Here it it:

I'm going to be honest with ya.  I broke the jumping jack into 2 sets of 40.  It kills my feet to do all 80 at once (damn plantar fasciatis).
Wednesday, 7/25/12 Time= 13 minutes 40 seconds

All in all not a bad day.  I followed those two workout with my Spin class.  Not to pat myself on the back, but I think the class was killer too. 

Enjoy the rest of your evening :)
xo

Fave of the week

Drum roll please....................................................This week's fave is the Adidas Military Hat.

I have two of these hats, and they are awesome!  Adidas does a great job making them moisture wicking (aka sweat proof).  I just love working out and having sweat dripping in my eyes, NOT!  The hats are also really cute!  You cannot even imagine how many compliments I get when I wear it. 

I know this is short and sweet, but some days that's just how it has to be!

xoxo

recipe round up

Happy Friday everyone!  I am finally remembering to post a healthy recipe to the blog.  WHOOP WHOOP!  It's a little late, but hey I guess it's better than never.

This week's recipe is for Grilled Chicken Bruschetta.  I LOVE this recipe because it is so fresh tasting.  I have a family of five and three out of the five will eat the bruschetta topping.  Not too bad I suppose.  Here it goes, I hope you like it.

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta

6 chicken breasts (pounded a little if they are thick)

McCormick Montreal Seasoning

~Just season the chicken with the Montreal Seasoning and set aside.  I let mine marinade in a covered dish in the fridge for about 4 hours.

Bruschetta Topping

• 8 roma (plum) tomatoes, seeded & diced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil  ( I have used dried basil, about 1 TBL)
• 2 - 3cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

***Grill the chicken like you normally would.  After it is done top with the Bruschetta.


EASY PEASY right?  I love it.  If you want the bruschetta warm then you can add it at the end.  My son likes it topped with a little bit of shredded mozzarella or parmesan.  I like to eat it with the bruschetta cold, it tastes so fresh and so good.  I promise next week I will take pics of the food when I post! 

Happy Workout Wednesday :)

There are NO excuses for not working out!  Okay, maybe a few are acceptable but plain laziness is no excuse.
This morning I am being forced to get in the ark and make my way to the YMCA to teach a 9:45 SPIN class.  It has been raining since yesterday. I'm hoping that  the members brave the storm with me.

Have you ever taken a spin class before?  If not, you should go try one.  There are so many benefits of Spin.  

1. BURN, BURN, BURN those calories.  A 30 minute Spin class can burn as many as 500 calories. Whoop Whoop, who doesn't want to burn calories?
2. Cardiovascular Health~
3. Progress at you own pace.  The amount of resistance that you apply and the speed of your legs is totally up to you.  This is a push at your own pace kind of class.  The instructor is there to guide you along.  
4. Mental Strength~  Everyone has good days and bad.  When you go to Spin you can close your eyes and push yourself through the bad.  Just remember, everyone has something that they are pushing through!

Today's Spin Class

Warm up~Linkin Park- What I've done

Mixed Terrain~Usher- Dj Got Us Fallin in Love- Pick up at the pace at the 1st chorus, back off, climb through next 2 chorus'. 

Sprints~ Enrique- I like how it feels.  Surge through the chorus.

Climb~ No Stress- Start cranking your tension, when the chorus is coming up get out of the saddle and climb.

Flat~ Jimmy Eat World. Use this as a recovery.  NOT A BREAK!

Climbing~ Taio Cruz~Higher

Sprints~ Maroon 5~ Moves Like Jagger

Climb~ Chris Brown~Yeah 3x~Pick up the pace on the chorus

Sprints~ Young the Giant~My body~GREAT PICK ME UP SONG!                      

            ~  Matchbox 20~ How Far We've Come~ Go all out!!!!!!!

Cooldown~ Howie Day~ Collide~Acoustic version

               ~ David Crowder Band~ How he loves~Acoustic version

There you have it!!!!  That was my morning workout in a nutshell.  

Oh yeah~ I also added weights since i got to the gym so dang early after dropping the kiddos off at VBS!  It was nice, but I really would rather have a work out buddy.  Working out on the floor alone is the pits sometimes! 

  

 

Monday's Fave Product

Good morning fabulous people :)

It's time for me to blab about another one of my favorite products.  So far I have talked about shoes and water bottles.  What could be next???  Puma Socks.

Yup, that's right I'm talking about socks.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these socks.  Up until about 3 years ago I was your typical housewife/mom wearing something like this....

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! Fruit of the Loom No Show Socks.  I will never wear those things ever again.  The stretch out and just don't feel good on the feet.

I love the way Puma Socks feel on my feet.  They are form fitting, so they feel like they fit right to the arch and they are moisture wicking.  There is nothing like working out at the gym or going for a run and your socks feeling gross.  Puma socks also come in fun colors if that matters to you.

July16-20th workout schedule

MONDAY~ Goal is a short 20-25 minute run & 45 minute SPIN CLASS

TUESDAY~ Kickboxing, what else? ;)

WEDNESDAY~ I teach two 45 minute SPIN classes. 

THURSDAY~ Run in the am and teach TABATA in the pm.

FRIDAY~  Weights or kickboxing

SATURDAY~  The goal is a 5 mile run :)

Feeling a little blah

I know I missed Friday's recipes again.  I swear I will get it together soon.

Do you ever have one of those days/weeks where you just feel a little blah???  This has been one of those weeks for me no doubt.  I think it was a PMSing kind of week so I guess that should explain it :(

I worked out a lot this week, but was counter productive in my eating so I might as call that a wash.  Thank God for do-overs.  That's my plan this week.....a complete do-over.  I am going to work out and eat right/clean ALL IN THE SAME WEEK.  Don't laugh, it's kinda hard sometimes.

This is going to be a week of getting on the right track, setting goals, and finding my oomfff.  I don't know exactly what oomfff looks like, but I'll know when I see it.  Maybe it's a feeling.  I'll let ya know.
~~Getting on the right track ~  I need to make better food choices, add more weights to my work out, and stick to my goals.  I can do this!
~~Setting Goals ~ This is a little tricky.  I am going to set short and long term goals.  I think short term goals are good for seeing a what we see as instant gratification.  Long term goals are good for us to see how far we've come and how much butt we have kicked ;)

SHORT TERM GOAL

1. Drink more water.  At least 64oz, but I would like to be closer to 80 oz.
2. Eat the right foods= more proteins, veggies & fruits and less garbage.  
3. Run 3 times this week.
4. Commit to a 10k and figure out if I can really do Half.
5. Lose 25 lb by the end of the year

LONG TERM GOALS 

1. Run a half marathon
2. Feel better about myself
3. Do a TRI ( I really want to hear the announcer say.....JEN ST. AUBIN, YOU ARE A TRIATHLETE)
4. Get my 5k under 30 minutes
5. Be a better version of me
6. Lose  40 lbs total

^^^^^^^ Do you see this?  ^^^^^^^

This is what I want in a nutshell.

*****What are your goals?  Short and long term?  Do you have goals?  If not, set some.  Stick to them.  Let's do this together. 

xoxo, Jen

Workout Wednesday

I have been killin' it the gym this week, how about you?  What does your workout schedule look like?
Here is what mine has been:
~Monday- Roller bladed 4.5 miles with my friend Kim in the morning and then I taught a Street Fighting class in the evening.
~Tuesday- Kickboxing 
~Wednesday- I taught a 45 minute Spin class and took an hour yoga class.
~Thursday-  I will probably run a few mile on the dreadmill and teach Tabata for an hour.
~Friday-  Kickboxing/Street Fighting is on the schedule again
~Saturday-  Running with the Striders

Here is an example of a little upper body workout that my friend Dorine does at the end of kickboxing.

10 overhead presses with heavy weights

10 push ups

9 overhead presses

9 pushups

....and so on and so forth down to one press and one push up.  It seems like it wouldn't be too hard.  IT SHOULD BE HARD!  Your upper body should be shaking.  This is a fast moving set.  As soon as you are done with the presses you are going right into those push ups.  NO BREAKS in between.  The weights that you are using should be heavy.  If you do this whole set and feel like it was easy, use heavier weights next time.  I usually use 8 or 10 pound weights.

****If you would like to add intensity to this, pyramid back up.  Grab a quick sip of water and start back up with 1 press and 1 push up.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!!!!

xo, Jen

fave product

Good afternoon bloggees!

I will make this short and sweet today :)  I know I didn't post any Tasty Eats on Friday.  I promise I will post 2 this week. 

This week's Favorite Product is........Nathan's Handheld Water Bottles!!!!

This little sucker has saved me soooo many times.  Today was no exception.  I filled my water bottle with ice and some cold water and went out with my friend Kim to go rollerblading!  It was a HOT one, even at 8am.  I debated on whether or not to take it, but boy was I glad I did.  By the time we were finished skating I had sucked down the entire bottle of water.  It is sooooooo nice and convenient.  You can slip it right on your hand and it's like it's not even there while you are enjoying your favorite outdoor activity.

The Nathan's Handheld Water Bottles come in a variety of sizes and colors.  You can get them at sporting stores or online.  We own a few of their products and they are the bomb :)

July 8th-14th Schedule

Sunday- rest day

Monday- 4.5 miles of rollerblading, 45 minutes of spin, and 55 minutes of Kickboxing

Tuesday- I haven't decided....either 60 minutes of weight lifting  or 55 minutes of kickboxing

Wednesday- 45 minutes of spin

Thursday- possibly tabata 2x

Friday-  kickboxing 55 minutes

Saturday- 3-4 mile run with my Strider friends :)

*****at any point this week i may decide to add a run in there just because I think I need it :)

 

 

Happy 4th of July~Wokout Wednesday

Happy birthday America!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th so far.  I started of my day with awesome people doing the Lutz Independence Day 5k!  It was hotter than a b*tch out, but what do ya expect in Florida in July.  My time was not great, but that doesn't matter today, I got out there and did it! Going out with a group of friends is the best way to start the day off :)

Being that it is Workout Wednesday I am posting some Tabata workouts.  Some of you are probably saying who, huh, what?  Tabata is an intense workout.  It is 4 minutes of a high intensity exercise done 20 seconds on and seconds rest with a 1 minute rest between each set.  It may sound easy, but if you are doing it to your max then you will definently feel it.

Tabata= 20 seconds on/10seconds rest for 4 minutes

 

Set 1~ Mountain Climbers

Set 2~ Tricep (Cobra) Push ups

Set 3~  Spiderman Plank~ Plank position alternating right toe touch/right side of body and left toe touch left side of body.

Set 4~  Squat Jumps

Set 5~  Heavy weighted bicep curl

Set 6~  High knees (running in place)

**There you have it!  That should take you at least half an hour to do if you do correctly and take the 1 minute break in between sets.


***If you are advanced I recommend going through this twice.  Just load up some killer tunes and rock through this workout!

There are tabata timer apps that you can download to your smartphone or Ipod to get you through these kid of workouts.  ie...tabata timer & HIIT interval timer, they are both free.


God bless America~Have a fantastic fourth everyone!

Favorite Products

I have been thinking about this blog a lot lately. I want to do something other than talk about my goals and dreams (which I haven't really gotten into yet). I am going to have three day with assigned
topics and the other two might be me rambling.

Monday~Favorite Products
Wednesday~ Work out Wednesday
Friday~  Tasty Eats

These three topics are obviously three things that I love.  I am very excited to share this with you.

July 2nd's Favorite Product

I present to you Brooks Adrenaline GTS.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these shoes.  I know they don't look like they are much to write home about, but let me tell you they are!  This is my current pair of Adrenaline's.  Yes, I said current.  I have owned about 7 pairs in the course of 3 years.  I change out my sneakers every 4 to 6 months depending on the usage and mileage that I feel like I am getting out of them.  I was first introduced to Brooks in 2008 after I had done Race for the Cure and literally couldn't walk.  I went to see a podiatrist who diagnosed me with plantar fasciatis and bone spurs.  He told me that the PF had a lot to do with the shoes or lack there of I was wearing.  He gave me a short list of what I could wear and these were on there.  LET ME TELL YOU THESE SHOES HAVE BEEN A GOD SEND!  I wear them religiously.  They offer the best support and they don't require "breaking in."  I can't stand when you feel like you have to break shoes in before you can do anything in them.  I run in my Brooks and feel FANTASTIC!  I swear it is like running on clouds. 

Now, I don't know if I just like more room in the toe box or what but I always get the shoes a little bigger than what I normally wear.  If you are thinking about trying them out go for the half size bigger.

Please keep up with the blog weekly and I will post different products that I love.  I will talk about everything from exercise products to food I like and anything in between.

Thanks for reading!

 

The week head~July 1st-8th

I am going to try something different this week.  I am going to post my planned work outs and dinners.  Maybe I will feel more committed this way, who knows?

Mon~July 2nd~ 1 hr yoga / mojo chicken and squash

Tues~July 3rd~ either turbofire or cardio sculpt / turkey sloppy joes

Wed~July 4th~ ??????

Thurs~July 5th~ step or cardio sculpt, teach tabata / marinated pork loin and asparagus

Fri~ July 6th~ kickboxing / caprese chicken

**** I will definently eat more fruit and veggies than what I have posted.  That is just a quick glimpse of what I've got so far.

Tomorrow is something new for me.  I am going to try Greek yogurt in the morning for breakfast.  We'll see how that goes.

I am kinda nervous/embarrassed to tell my story in here. Here it goes :)

I was always pretty fit growing up. I played softball, marched color guard, and did various other activities that kept me moving. I ate pretty much whatever I wanted but could keep the weight off because I was always moving. We ate a lot of fast food and processed junk food. I can remember coming home from school and eating a bowl of nachos with nasty cheese whiz or oreo cookies. In my senior year of high school it started to catch up with me. I didn't stay active after my activities were over for the year. I got engaged to my husband, moved out of my parents house, graduated, and got married all in the course of a year. I went from 130 to 190 in a year.

It didn't get any better after we got married. Josh was in school and worked full time & I just worked. I spent a lot of evenings home by myself eating JUNK or out with friends eating JUNK! The pounds kept creeping up.

Fast forward a few years to my second pregnancy. I was HUGE!!!! After I gave birth in February of 2005 I weighed almost 240 pounds. Just disgusting! In 2006 we were on a family vacation and had pictures taken and when I saw them that was my "moment." I told Josh that as soon as we got home we were signing up for the YMCA and we did just that.

That was the best decision that I think we have ever made. We were both overweight and made a commitment to ourselves and to each other that we were going to lose weight. I started out just walking on the dreadmill and the elliptical and eventually graduated to group excercise classes where I met Kelly McGee Erickson. She was such an inspiration and great motivator for me. In the course of a year I had lost 75 pounds. I felt great and looked great. I was an excercise machine and was eating really well. In 2007 I got pregnant again. I maintained the working out and eating well through out the whole pregnancy.

What happened from there over the last 4 years????? I started eating less clean and working out less. HOWEVER, eating is the main problem for me. I just can't seem to NOT eat. I make the worst choices.

I am really hoping to turn my life back around and get back on track. I know that was really long and for that I apologize ;)