Wednesday, Sept. 29 Food

Workout:
1/2 Protein Shake
Banana

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast
String Cheese

Lunch:
Mixed salad w/ Italian Dressing
2 Breadsticks
2/3 cup of capellini pomadoro

Snack:
Apple

Dinner:
Ground Turkey
Spanish Rice
Corn

Wednesday, Sept. 29 Workout

For the majority of our time at boot camp this morning we ran did interval training, running cycles of intervals going from a level 5 (speed walk) and progressing up to a level 9 (sprint). We did  4 cycles of this so it was a ton of running. I definitely still feel better about my sprinting than my 7/8 speed. I got my heart rate up to my maximum target heart rate every time. The best part is that my heart rate recovered SUPER quickly which means my heart has been trained.

In addition, we did just a few strength things including:

• military presses
• chest flys
• bicep curls
• tricep extensions
• plank
• donkey kicks
• fire hydrants
• crunches

Tuesday, Sept 28 Food

Workout:
Banana
Protein Shake

Breakfast:
English Muffin
1 Egg
1 sausage
Hashbrowns

Lunch:
1/3 order of Peanut Curry with Chicken & Veggies

1/2 cup of Thai Soup

Snack:
Apple

Dinner:
Chicken Wrap w/ Veggies (only 1/2 of the tortilla)
10 shoestring fries (I DEFINITELY wanted more)

Tuesday, Sept 28 Workout

Oops, I'm a couple days behind... Life is very hectic this week.
Today was my favorite kind of workout at boot camp. Strength and determination combined. You had to really push yourself to reach a goal.

We had to do 100 of the following exercises ins any order that we wanted as long as we completed them.

• Push ups
• crunches
• reverse crunches
• tricep dips
• weighted squats
• military presses
• rows

Then we had to do the following exercises:

• 20 lifts with the 25lb ammo cans
• 10 reverse lunges with slosh tubes in our arms
• 50 undulations with the ropes
• 15 rows on TRX
• 15 curls on TRX

Great workout! My heart rate was sky high and I'm still feeling shaking from the muscles. Love it. 

Saturday, Sept 25 Food

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Lunch:
1/2 Turkey Sub
Baked Chips

Snack:
Banana

Dinner:
Tuna w/ Whole Wheat Pasta & Peas

Snack:
Kettle Corn

Saturday, Sept 25 Workout

Today I did a bike ride with a couple of friends down and around Art Prize. It was FREEZING so we needed gloves and stuff but it was still good to be outside and moving. It was good practice to be on my bike in and out of traffic and stopping and starting so much...really helped me use the clips and steering well.

Friday, Sept 24 Food

Breakfast:
Fiber 1
Skim Milk

Lunch:
Turkey Sub
Baked Chips

Snack:
1/2 of 3 Musketeers

Dinner:
1/2 Chicken Breast w/ Spinach Artichoke Spread
1/2 cup of red skin potatoes
garden salad
2 rolls

Drinks:
1 beer
2 martinies

Thursday, Sept 23 Workout & Food

We had a great workout at boot camp today. We did Tabata- maximum effort, maximum speed strength training. We did three exercises for 20 seconds each, rested, then did the set again. The sets focused on these main body parts

Set 1- legs
Set 2- shoulders & arms-
Set 3- back and chest
Set 4- legs again
Set 5- core (this one just about killed me)

We did cardio bursts in between. I tried really hard to add jumps where ever I could to get the best heart rate jump.

I love strength training exercises :)

What I ate today:

Workout:
Protein Shake
Banana

Breakfast:
Whole Wheat Toast
Eggs

Snack:
Almonds
Apple

Lunch:
Ham & Cheese Sandwich
Chips
Oatmeal Raisin cookie

Dinner:
Lean Pockets
Kettle Corn

Wednesday, Sept. 22 Workout

Today could have been a fun AND great workout at boot camp but I was mostly aggravated. In two of my past 4 workouts I've had to workout without a trainer. Last week I helped to lead a group so it wasn't bad (yes, that sounds controlling, but I could help control the intensity). Today however, I was with a group of 8 women, none of whom could make decisions.

So what was the workout? We were given a list of exercises and then we went into downtown and whenever we came across an Art Prize piece we were supposed to do 1 of the exercises until we had seen enough art to cross all of our exercises off the list. The girl with the list (while she was nice) could not make a choice so we'd stand around all giving our input about what direction to go or what exercise to do. I think for some of the women, it was a stalling tactic. For others, they just wanted everyone to feel involved in the decision making. I'm sure that there were at least 1-2 times when I frustrated people because I tried to keep us moving but, really, I can promise that I was 5x more frustrated than they were.

The other issue was that, in doing boot camp for so long, I've learned how to mix exercises to keep heart rate up. So, when they would do things like plank, tricep dips, sumo walks right in a row, my heart rate dropped dramatically. I kept asking if there were jumping exercises to get the heart rate up (like jump rope, star jumps, stairs, etc.) but they were avoiding them like the plague. In part, this reality makes me happy because it means that I've learned a lot about working myself out well and getting the most out of my 45 minutes. BUT, I don't want to work myself out, I pay to have  trainer.

So, I'm waiting to see if the group gets smaller next month. I know that Rob and Wendy are doing an awesome job and workouts like yesterdays hard one remind me why I go to boot camp. They are trying to mix it up and I do appreciate that.

Tomorrow is no running, only weights.... I'm looking forward to that :)

Tuesday, Sept. 21 Food

Workout:
Banana
Protein Shake

Snack:
Almonds
String Cheese

Lunch:
Turkey Veggie Chili
Salt & Vinegar Chips

Snack:
1/2 apple
Kettle Corn

Dinner:
Fiber 1 Cereal

Tuesday, Sept. 21 Workout

Today was a great workout at boot camp. We worked on speed and agility and really got our heart rate up. We moved the entire time without recovery breaks since the focus was on cardio.

We did all sorts of speed things across the parking lot like quick feet, jogging, running, high knees, butt kicks, etc. To keep the heart kicking we did several jumping drills. These are always killer!

We also did strength things including different kinds of push ups, curls, squats, military presses, rows, etc.


In between certain sets we ran 2 laps around the parking lot.

We finished with a series of planks for our core and then stretching.

Really, felt great about the workout today. That's always a good thing!

Monday, Sept. 20 Food

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Lunch:
1/3rd order of Chicken Pad Thai w/ Veggies
1 cup Thai Soup

Snack:
Banana
5 Starburst candies

Dinner:
4oz Seasoned Chicken Breast
1 1/2 cup sweet potato bites
green beans

Dessert:
Kettle Corn

Sunday, Sept. 19 Workout & Food

I did 18 miles on the bike tonight. I did a solo ride and it was really great to get out there and let my mind have some peace and my lungs have some fresh CRISP fall air. I felt like I was pushing myself hard. It helped that TONS of cyclists were out there and when they were going fast I wanted to go fast as well.

Here's the thing...it was GROSS!! I had 38 bugs on ONE ARM after my ride. My other arm was probably the same and my chest was covered. You could hear the bugs hitting my helmet by the dozens. The grossest part was that the bugs didn't die when they hit me, they kind of just stuck there. Loads made it to my mouth and I'd have to fish them out. Sure, they're just the little gnat type ones but it's still SICK SICK SICK. 

What I ate today:

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast
Banana


Snack:
1/2 apple
Protein Shake


Lunch:
Veggie Turkey Chili
Whole Wheat Bread


Dinner: 
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast


Snack:
Kettle Corn

Saturday, Sept 18 Food

Workout:
Protein Shake
Banana

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Snack:
Peanut Butter
Whole Wheat Bread

Lunch:
Tomato Soup w/ Veggies
Sweet Potato

Dinner:
Chicken Breast w/ Pesto
Red Skin Potato w/ sour cream
Green Beans

Snack:
Kettle Corn

Saturday, Sept 18 Workout

There was a Saturday session planned for boot camp and since I got rained out of my Thursday session I decided to get my rear end out of bed just after 7am to get a good workout in (also hoping it would help with my poor mood lately!)

So about half way down to the park it started raining. Then, as I waited for the trainer in the park, it started lightening and thundering. In the end, the class ended up being cancelled all together. I was annoyed (not at the trainer-it was a good idea to cancel) but I was annoyed at having woken up when I could have slept in.

I decided to still get a workout in and did a 2 mile jog. I know it's not much, but it's something. If it's nicer out this afternoon Jettie and I are going for a walk too so that'll be some added stuff.

Friday, September 17 Food

Breakfast:
Whole Wheat Bread
Peanut Butter
Blackberry Preserves

Lunch:
1/2 of a whole wheat roll
ham
swiss cheese
baked chips

Snack:
Kettle Corn

Dinner:
Fiber 1 cereal
Skim Milk

Thursday, September 16, 2010 Food

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Lunch:
Naked Chicken Burrito w/ Veggies
1 tbls of guac with 10 chips

Snack:
Peach

Dinner:
Turkey chili with loads of veggies
apple w/ peanut butter

Wednesday, Sept. 15 Workout

Today was better at boot camp. Rob split us into 3 squads and then we did a circuit around the river. Rob asked Michelle (a fellow veteran boot camper) and myself to lead the "medium paced" squad. I will admit, it was a bit of a shot to the ego at first. I thought "really, I've been doing this for 2 years and I'm still not at the top of the pack??? and these newbies are already better than me???!??!!". But, then I got perspective and realized that I've made it a long way and at least I'm not in the "slow paced" squad. I used this as an opportunity to encourage those in my squad. I shared my story, encouraged them, and pushed them. There's definitely a part of me that could see being a personal trainer. I guess it's not THAT much different than being a pastor, but..... :)

We ran the river route carrying our weights the entire time....10 extra pounds on your body as you run makes it a LOT more difficult. How on earth did I use to run with 50 extra pounds on me??? (right, I need to remember, I DIDN'T run :))

The exercises we did today included:

• jumping jacks
• step ups
• steam engines
• wall sits (with one leg raised)
• calf raises (3 ways)
• back rows
• military presses
• pushups
• tricep dips
• tricep extensions
• bicep curls
• reverse crunches
• partner pushes with hands and arms (for your core...hard to explain)

I got a good workout because I pushed myself to run harder so that I could lead the squad from point to point since many of them don't know the route. I will keep trying to push myself to run harder throughout this months session and see if I can't improve. 

Tuesday, Sept. 14 Food

Breakfast:
Fiber 1 Cereal
Skim Milk

Snack:
String Cheese

Lunch:
Left over Peanut Curry w/ Chicken & Veggies
Apple

Dinner:
Turkey Chili with loads of veggies

Monday, Sept. 13 Food

Workout:
Protein Shake
Banana

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Snack:
Carrot cake made w/ pumpkin

Lunch:
1/4 order of Peanut Curry w/ Chix & Veggies
1 cup of Thai soup

Snack:
1/2 Apple

Dinner:
5oz Chicken Breast
1/2 quesadilla

Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 Workout

I'm not even going to call what we did today at boot camp a workout. There were a million people there so Rob had to do administrative things and then led us through all of the basic exercises for each body part. So, I moved. But not much. YUCK. Oh well, at least I got out there, breathed fresh air and got my blood flowing before the start of the day.

Sunday, September 12, 2010 Workout & Food

Today my friend Janet and I went for a 15 mile bike ride. There were back to back rolling hills so my heart rate would spike and my legs would burn. It was a good workout! It was also soooo beautiful out and being on a quiet bike on the back roads is a great way to experience that beauty .

What I ate today:

Breakfast:
2 Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast
doughnut (nice treat!)

Snack:
Apple

Lunch:
Veggie/Turkey Chili
Whole Wheat Bread
Carrot Cake made with pumpkin

Dinner:
At a potluck gathering
1/2 cup lasagna
1/2 cup of a chicken pasta dish
1 piece of bread

Saturday, September 11, 2010 Food

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Lunch:
Fiber 1 Cereal

Snack:
String Cheese
Marshmallows (yep, that's an odd snack combo)

Dinner:
1 1/2 Tostadas
10 chips with Guac

Dessert:
Peach Crisp

Friday, September 10, 2010 Workout & Food

Today I went for a 10 mile bike ride in this beautiful weather. Seriously awesome to get out in the sun! I did Reeds lake a couple of times to get some hills in. I don't know why I suck so badly at hills, but I do. My friend Greg told me that our 30 mile Ride for Refuge is quite hilly so I decided I'd better practice!

What I ate today:

Breakfast:
Fiber 1 cereal
Skim Milk

Lunch:
Tuna casserole w/ Whole Wheat Protein Noodles & Peas

Snack:
Homemade carrot cake cupcake made with pumpkin & cake mix only (one of my healthy sweet treats that I love!)

Dinner:
(same Tuna thing as lunch)

Snack:
Chips & Salsa

Thursday, September 9, 2010 Food

Workout:
Protein Shake
Banana

Snack:
String Cheese
Raspberries

Lunch:
2/3 of a Naked Chicken Burrito w/ Veggies

Snack:
1 handful of Mike & Ikes

Dinner:
3/4 of a Turkey Tom sub w/ easy mayo from Jimmy Johns

Thursday, September 9, 2010 Workout

Today we did a full TRX workout. I LOVE TRX. Yep, it's the first time we've done it in awhile and I can tell I've missed it (and my body could tell it wasn't as strong as it used to be when we did TRX more regularly!)

We did exercises for every body part including thighs, hamstrings, calves, obliques, chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, and, of course, lots of core.

I was happy to see that my core continues to get stronger.

Next month there are going to be 80 people at the morning session of boot camp so there is absolutely no way we'll be doing TRX for awhile. I may ask Rob if I can borrow one for my house to use on my "off" days. We'll see :)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Food

Workout:
Banana
Protein Shake

Lunch:
1 1/2 cup of chili

Dinner:
1/2 cup chicken byrani
1/2 cup chicken tikka masala
1 cup of basmati rice
1/2 piece of naan bread (hard to only have 1/2 piece!)

Dessert:
1 natural fruit popsicle

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Workout

We ran again today. I started in a full sweatsuit because it was so cold but I warmed up quickly with all of that cardio. We did about a 2 mile loop through town doing things like push ups, up & downs on the wall, tricep dips, moving v-ups, reverse crunches, lunges, different kinds of squats, etc.

At the end, we went back to the park and did some yoga/flexibility stuff. It was nice to feel the breeze and breathe deeply to end a workout. Now, granted, I'm apparently not flexible, but every time I venture into the yoga world, I do like it. I'll have to add that back to my weekend practice!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Workout & Food

Boot camp was rough for me today because we did strong cardio work. I officially named the workout "hills and stairs" workout. Yep, that's basically all we did....hills and stairs.
We did 3 minute straight up and down stairs. I know, 3 minutes doesn't sound long, but believe me when I say that 3 minutes of STAIRS is long.
We also did the hill at Michigan and then ran over a couple blocks and did that hill too.
Throughout the workout we did some cardio pushes including jumping exercises and sprints.

We added a few strength exercises like push ups, tricep dips, wall sits, etc. but, really, let's be honest, it was mostly running hills and stairs :).

We finished with a strong core set.


WHAT I ATE TODAY:

Workout:
Protein Shake
Banana

Breakfast:
Eggs
Whole Wheat Toast

Lunch:
2/3 order of Peanut Curry with Chix & Veggies
1 cup of Thai soup

Snack:
String Cheese
Grapes

Dinner:
Fiber 1 Cereal

Brief Pause

Now that the 90 Day Challenge is over. I'm giving myself a week off of blogging. I'll be back up on Tuesday, September 7.

(and, no, this doesn't mean I'm not working out and not watching what I'm eating :))