What Do I Do At the Gym?

Now that I am FINALLY able to run again, I am on a mission to reach my goals before summer 2017! I thought it was going to be much harder to get back into my old routine, but I feel like I never stopped! I don’t know about you, but I am not a fan of running for long periods of time, which is why I like my interval exercises.

My interval exercises consist of running for 5 minutes at a regular speed, then walk for 1-2 minutes, then run at a high speed for 3-4 minutes at a time, with a 1-2 minute break in between. I usually run on a high speed for about 4-5 reps, and then I walk on an incline for the last 10-15 minutes. Once I have finished my incline walk, and the treadmill has stopped, I run as fast as I can, holding onto the front handle bars (with the treadmill turned off), while the incline is still where I left it. I do this for about 2 minutes straight (this is great for your glutes by the way).

I have limited my cardio to about 30 minutes a day, so that I do not start losing the muscle I have gained from lifting weights.

I try to split up my cardio and weights 50/50 during my gym time.

When it comes to lifting weights, I try to dedicate one day to certain parts of my arms, one day to legs, one day to abs. Sometimes I mix a few different body parts into one workout.

Quinoa Bowls are GRRRRRREAT!

Today I decided I wanted to order a quinoa bowl for lunch, and I forgot how good they are! I got mine with turkey meatballs, corn, carrots, and broccoli. It came with a low-fat, tex-mex sauce on the side, which complimented the dish very well.

Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber than other grains. It is a great source of protein. You will also find that quinoa contains iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and a couple of other nutritious contents. For all of you people who are allergic to gluten, or just prefer to eat gluten-free foods, quinoa has you covered in that department too!

Quinoa is also super easy to make. You can create your own dishes with it right at home! Peep my lunch below…. I’m sure it will make you hungry/interested in trying =).

For All You Mac and Cheese Lovers Out There!

A healthier alternative to mac and cheese, AND you can’t even taste the difference! Mac and cheese is one of my all-time faves, as I bet it is many of yours too! It is just a great comfort food to have in the house for a night in or a quick dinner, but as many of you know, it is not the healthiest meal to eat.

I recently came across chickpea mac and cheese (well actually one of my co-workers told me she tried a sample at Fairway). Now, obviously if you make it from scratch, I am sure it is even healthier than buying it in a box, but it’s still chickpea mac and cheese! None of those high carbohydrates from pasta! Chickpeas are low in carbs, a rich source of fiber, and a quality plant protein… I’d say that is a win/win situation!

So who makes this chickpea pasta I speak of? The name is Banza. They also sell other types of chickpea pasta as well, so that you can create your own healthy dishes with different sauces, meat, veggies etc.

ENJOY!

The Paleo Diet

So I’ve been hearing about this diet for a few years now, and have yet to try it! After doing some research, it seems like a great and easy diet to stick to…. if you compare it to some of the others that are out there.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The paleo diet is a diet that consists of fruits, veggies, grass-fed meat, nuts, and seafood. It is a very clean way to diet, AND you are still getting all of the proper nutrients your body needs on a daily basis. The only thing you cannot eat on this diet, which your body needs for fuel, is carbs.

What you can’t eat on the paleo diet:

• Dairy products
• Starchy veggies
• Grains
• Sugars
• Processed foods
• High-fat meats
• Salty foods
• Legumes/beans

What you can eat on the paleo diet:

• Grass-fed meats such as turkey, bison, chicken, lean beef, pork
• Seafood
• Fish
• Fresh fruits
• Veggies that are non-starchy, such as cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, green beans, asparagus, lettuce
• Nuts, such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios
• Eggs
• Plant-based oils

Another thing you should be aware of while on the paleo diet, is the fact that YOU must control your own portions. If you are consuming large portions, it will not help you lose weight, and pretty much defeats the entire purpose.

Again, this diet is not for everyone, and there are some disadvantages, but it is up to you at the end of the day!