Daily Archives: March 8, 2012

Here’s my random workout…

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Here’s my random workout for the day. I really wanted to get in more cardio than the stuff I could do on my own, but there weren’t any open machines (really, its like no one in Calgary works. they all just go to the Y all day and hog the machines).

Jumping jack/plank jack tabata
Here, I did 20 seconds of jumping jacks, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds plank jacks, 10 seconds rest. I repeated that series 4 times.

Bosu Squats/Lunges tabata
Left foot on the Bosu ball for 20 squats, rest for 10 seconds, left foot on the bosu for 20 forward lunges, rest 10 seconds. Repeat that 2 times, then do two full sets with the right foot on the bosu.

Jump Rope/Mountain Climber Tabata
Jump rope for 20 seconds, rest for 10, 20 seconds of mountain climbers, rest for ten. Repeat set 4 times.

Toe Reach/Single Leg lift Tabata
On the floor on your back with feet in the air over your hips, reaching your fingertips to your toes and getting yours shoulder blades off the floor for 20 seconds, rest for 10, both legs still in the air, left leg stays put and lowering and raising the right leg for 20 seconds, rest for ten. Repeat 4 times. (After two rounds, switch to left single leg lift)

Swiss ball rollouts 3 sets of 12

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Jacknife and pikes (alternating between the two, but ultimately completing 2 sets of 12 for each)

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Concentrated Bicep curls: one arm at a time, all the way up and all the way down for 12, then all the way down and halfway up for 8, another rep of 12 to finish. switch to other arm.

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Triceps: 12 full motion, pulse halfway for 20 seconds, another 8 full motion

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Repeat the bicep curl, except change the second half to all the way up and halfway down for the 8. Another set of Triceps.

Chest press/fly combo:
8 Chest presses, 8 fly, the combine every other for a set of 16.

Weighted split Squats: 16 each side, hold the last for 20 seconds

Tabata High Knees/Alternating Front kicks:
Run with high knees for 20 seconds, rest for 10, standing alternating front kicks for 20 seconds, rest for 10. Repeat 4 times.

I finished my random workout with more plank holds, crunches, hip raises and side crunches on the stability ball.

Not too shabby. If you have any questions, let me know!!! (I ammmmmmm a certified personal trainer! ;))

And dinner DID include BAAAAAAAAAA-CONNNNNNNN (I totally just Oprah-style yelled that in my head. Laugh with me if you know how that sounded)

Bacon, onion, mush and pep ‘dang ques-a-DILL-a’ accompanied with a spinach salad.

*RANNNDOMMM*
So, my FAVORITE MAKEUP OF ALL TIME is Benefit. I rarely get to buy it because it’s mucho expensivo, but sometimes I splurge (also included in the splurge category: lululemon, anything chocolate, and wine) Anyhoo…Benefit is sold in drug stores here. DRUG STORES, PEOPLE. Still expensive, but much more convenient. I am peeing my pants at the thought that I can round the corner and pick me up a new Bad Gal Lash and Erase Paste.

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Ah, sigh.

What do you guys splurge on?

Here’s the alfredo sauce..

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Here’s the alfredo sauce I mentioned in the last post:

1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden brown.

In a small saucepan, stir together milk, chicken broth, flour, salt and pepper over low heat until smooth and thick. Stir into garlic. Continue to cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thick. Stir in parmesan cheese. Serves 4.
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Since writing this recipe (a whopping .2 seconds ago) I have decided to make this a food related post. Because I have hips. And thighs. And an appetite like a horse.

I came across the following post from theKitchn this morning: they asked if anyone believed in second breakfasts. I thought to myself “uhh doesn’t everyone have second breakfast?” I more often refer to it as ‘brack’ (breakfast snack)
Second Breakfast: Hobbits Need it. Do you?
I make sure to keep my bracks healthy but filling. Focusing primarily on the filling part, because everyone knows those mid morning hours seems to creep on and lunch feels like it will never come.

Ok, I changed my mind. This post won’t be entirely about food.

Let’s talk about me.

Current me: I have no job. I have barely any of my clothes (could only bring what would fit in the car). I threw out most all of my decorations, furniture, accessories, i.e.: BELONGINGS. I am missing my friends like whoa. Missing my routine. Missing teaching classes at the Y. Gaining weight. Not putting on makeup. Not doing my hair. Not sleeping.

I knew the transition would be hard, but WOOF.

There are positives:
I am with Tyler
I am more experimental with my cooking
I am trying classes at the gym I wouldn’t normally take
I’m reading books (..again. These are fun!)
I get more Layla time

Wow, that bit right there got pretty deep. I didn’t want to post it or anything, but putting it all down into words makes me feel better.

Now on to lighter topics:
Snooki is pregnant. HAHAHAHA
Colton on Survivor needs to go.
I like blogging
I wish I remembered to bring more sweat pants
I ACTUALLY TRIED TO BUY THE HUNGER GAMES ON iBOOKS BUT IT WASNT THERE.
a) scary that I actually tried to buy the book
b) even scarier that I admitted to it
c) where the heck can I buy it so I can read it on my iPhone under the covers at night?

Anyone else care to vent? I’d like to hear other people’s woes besides my own 🙂

Never have I ever…

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Never have I ever done a clean and jerk before yesterday. What, you say?! It’s true. Buff ol’ gym rat Jen has never ventured towards that part of the gym. Well, the Muscle Blast class I took yesterday had us doing them for about 14 minutes. It was like Crossfit for free. AND NOW I LOVE DOING THEM.

Last night, I got all Betty Crocker-like and made alfredo sauce from scratch (gasp) and threw together this meal:

It was pretty decent. But, my belly wasn’t fully satisfied, so I cut up a banana and dipped it in melted chocolate. That’s the best way to end a meal.

Due to glorious time shift, we were able to watch Survivor at 6pm last night. I found that to be the perfect time to get in a good stretch, since I knew I was going to be sore from the Muscle Class. I threw a blanket on the floor and got to stretchin’. To paint a better picture for you (there was no way I was having a picture taken) I was wearing my yoga crops and a mumu. Hello Victoria’s Secret model-meets nursing home resident. Whatever, it’s a cute mumu.

Let’s talk about today.
Today is Thursday. And today I am going to do my own little workout. I’ll post later since I am not sure what space/equipment will be available at the gym.
Today, I turn in my fitness resume.
Today, I GO SHOPPING.
Today, I will figure out how to incorporate bacon in the dinner menu.
Today, I entered a lil’ giveaway over on Athena’s blog at Fitness & Feta and you should too!

And now, come the questions:
What’s something that’s new to you at the gym (or your workouts)?
What’s your favorite way to eat bacon? Any recipes?!!

Layla says hi