Change it up!

I sure wish those Braves would have changed it up sooner.  Then perhaps they wouldn’t be preparing to make this Bobby Cox’s last game.. (Currently bottom of the 8th; down by 1 run)

I’m glad I changed it up in the breakfast department.

2% Plain Greek Yogurt + Strawberries + Chocolate Cheerios

I would usually grab the Nonfat yogurt before the 2%, but this was so much richer and yummier – with very little difference in fat content.

I am proud to be able to acknowledge that I need to change it up in the work department.  I may have to make a sacrifice, but I know that it will be in support of my husband and the future family that we want to have together. 

I found some amazing ways to change it up in my grocery cart this week!  For a while, I have been a devoted fan of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze.  Who knew Joe was holding out on me?

 

SO much better than Almond Breeze (but dear AB, you are still delicious).  TJ’s unsweetened vanilla almond milk was creamier and had a slightly stronger vanilla flavor.  That wasn’t my only new change-up from TJ’s.

Enter the jerky..

Oh my, my, my..  Jack Link’s lost the battle.  Hands down!  This stuff isn’t overly smoky, has a perfect level of saltiness and travels well – which explains the work desk picture. 

So we’ve got food changes, possible work changes.  All that’s left is to change it up at the gym.  I got a fun present in the mail to help me do that, courtesy of Paperback Swap.  (PS, I LOVE this site almost as much as the book that it afforded me)

I know that Janetha and Mama Pea have both had awesome success in BFL.  I am pretty sure that I am not meant to lose more weight, but I am still slightly dissatisfied with the tone in my body.  I zoomed through the book in about 2 hours and have implemented the program into my cardio and one round of weight training (concentrating on chest).  The goal for this week is to take “before” pictures and begin recording my BFL progress.

I can’t wait to see how my body reacts to how I have changed it up!

Have you changed it up recently?  I’d love to hear about it!

Flaming chocolate

Today was the first day I have ever taken pictures of food that wasn’t actual art.  I never realized how ugly oatmeal is on camera!  Despite the appearance, it sure did taste yummy!

I had every intent of pulling myself out of bed at 5:30 to make the 6am hot yoga class, but the bed was cozy and my hubby looked so comfy.  I just couldn’t do it.  He’s up at 7:30 to head to work and I’m up with him at that time, every morning.  I was determined to make it to advanced step and needed a bit of energy prior to.

Enter bowl of oats – full of apples, cinnamon and vanilla bean torte Nectar Whey Protein. 

This is my favorite type of  fuel, but I knew Robin’s class would be killer so I mixed my normal pre-cardio energy drink.  

1/2 scoop of GNC Amplified N.O. Loaded which tastes like fruit punch and gives me a good kick in the pants! It’s 400mg of caffeine in 1 scoop though.  The first time I tried it, I used the whole scoop and thought my heart would explode!  I think I have a pretty decent ticker, but that was ridiculous!

I got to the gym a bit early so I did some weight work before class.  In 15 minutes, I did:

1. Flat bench dumbell chest press – 8 reps with 30# x 3
2. Kneeling bent over row – 10 reps per side with 35# x 2
3. Flat bench dumbell flyes – 6 reps per side with 15# x 3
4. Upright dumbell row – 12 reps with 30# x 3
5. Bosu crunches - 25 reps x 4
6. Reverse crunches – 15 reps x 3

All this before a KILLER hour-long advanced step class.  Overall I burned (according to the Polar) 1,010 calories; Max heart rate was 175 and average heart rate was 162 – a pretty good burn!  I was most definitely exhausted.

A quick stop at Trader Joe’s and I came straight home for a recovery shake at 11am:

1/2 scoop chocolate pudding BSN Dessert protein, 1 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Green Superfood powder, 2/3 cup frozen strawberries, water and 3 packs of Splenda.  Love!   This would hold me until my big Melting Pot dinner at 5pm with Patty!  I always look forward to MP trips.  I just wish it were a bit more affordable so that Steve & I could go more often.  Luckily, they were having Ladies Night tonight – all 4 courses (cheese, salad, entree & chocolate) for $25.  Even luckier, I was able to actually get reservations!  I usually attempt to make them about an hour after getting the email and they’re already booked.  Not tonight!

The grand finale: The Flaming Turtle chocolate fondue which is milk chocolate & caramel flambee’d at the table.

Completely cool, no?  Here’s the delicious plate of food they serve with it.  I munched on the strawberries & bananas and one of the marshmallows, so I didn’t feel too guilty about it!  I’m going to miss this girl so much when she relocates to ‘Bama, but her 2 daughters are both down South – they will be so happy to have their mom close by!                                     

A good day with a good ending.  Off to bed!