Holiday Challenges!

 

Hey guys! I hope your weekend is off to a great start!

The past few days I have been up to my eyeballs in Christmas decorations.. I love Christmas decorations once it is all up..

I got my sweat on this morning at GPP and got a quick run in at skills on the TM. My hip has been bugging me a little again lately. I first started to notice it last night, I spent a good half hour last night icing and rolling the life out of it and got back to it today, I started slowly before picking it up and when it actually came down to getting it done, I just wasn’t in the mood to really run. To keep myself from becoming bored I turned it into a walk/run workout. It was actually a lot of fun and made the time go by fast!

I would rather run outside right now, because the weather has been strangely warm during the day, but not quite warm enough to take the babies out in the stroller. A run is a run though, good or bad and I got it done!

No hip pain! But I’m not going to push it and give myself a few extra “run free” days for a couple weeks. I hate injuries.. so I better do my best to avoid them!

HOLIDAY CHALLENGES!

Tomorrow is December FIRST!!

It is time for the egg nog, candy, parties and all that jazz to begin!!

It is common to gain a few pounds between Thanksgiving and New years! There is a way to keep it off! Or at least spare a few RIGHT?! Not by avoiding it all but enjoying some things—not everything. – Tis the season right?!

There have been a ton of challenges popping up everywhere and I am not one to turn down a challenge, especially if I can benefit from them!

Challenges are good for us.

Here are a few of the faves! You can pick to do some, all or none. It is up to you!

The “Holiday Hold Em” Challenge

From the GPP website:

This one will be simple (don’t want to burn you out on challenges this close to the New Year).

It goes like this:

You are to weigh yourself in ASAP.  If you are able to replicate that same weight on January 2nd, you are eligible for $10 off your next GPP membership dues.  For those off-site (or if you choose this option instead): You will be eligible to purchase a GPP shirt at cost (around $14.00 including shipping).

Here is the kicker:

For those of you who LOSE WEIGHT, you may take an additional $2 per pound lost off your next GPP membership dues.  Off-site you may apply the same $2 per pound to additional shirts or other GPP products (protein, bars, etc.)

You must state that you are “in” by posting to comments.  You do not have to post your weight.  Please consider posting daily, as it strengthens this community and our collective efforts.

This is a fun and simple challenge to help keep us in check through the holidays! It would be fun to have you all join in! Why not? Right!?

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Facebook Challenge!

I found this gem on FB today! If you love squats.. you will love this challenge! No pressure. It kind of reminds me of following a marathon training plan.. There is even rest days! I like that it is different everyday! I’m not a huge squat lover.

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DEDICATED DECEMBER!

This starts tomorrow!

Janetha @mealsandmovesblog.com did this challenge last year and it is simple to follow and be part of and you get the chance to win some cool stuff!!

Check out her post HERE!

 

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Fit Mixer Boot camp

If you want to switch up your routine for the new year, check out the  fit mixer boot camp

If you want in for a chance to win a FREE spot into the boot camp starting January 14, 2013

Get this DONE.

• Make a video under 3 minutes long describing why you need fit mixer® Boot Camp
• Upload the video to YouTube.com
• Title the video “Why I need fitmixer Boot Camp”
• Email the link of your video to info@fitmixer.com
• Share the video with your friends via Facebook, Twitter, Email – however you can – and tell them to vote by “Liking” (clicking the “Thumbs Up” icon) your video on YouTube.

The person with the most video “likes” on December 8 WINS!

Baylee is ready to get her workout on through the holidays.. How about you?

 

Good LUCK!

Question of the day:

Which Challenge are you in for?

What is your favorite holiday indulgence?

 

SIDENOTE: TRADER JOES opened today in SLC today! FINALLY!! I can’t wait to go but want to wait a little while for the crowds to die down.. I don’t think I was the only one that is a food fanatic in town.

Abs Delight

 

Yesterday was a busy day teaching, errands and playing with the twinners so by the end of it I decided to spend a little extra time just hanging out with my little family. Tuesday nights are the only night Brent is home during the week so we decorated the Christmas tree..(again) and just had a lazy night at home.

I took the babes to the grocery store with me and they finally caught eye of the the mini-carts…

(I promise I did Bee’s hair.. she is going through a “bow hate” phase and took it out..)

They actually did really well following me through the store and taking turns putting things in the cart.. and some things they decided to put in on their own….

ANNNND I forgot one ingredient I needed for my recipe… so that will have to wait. I love when you go to the store for something you need and end up forgetting it all together… oops!

BREAKFAST + WORKOUTS

This morning I added a little ginger to my normal bowl of oats in the morning and it was fantastic! It tasted like Crumbled Ginger man cookies!! Plus some grapefruit!! (Which is fantastic right now BTW.)

It was perfect fuel to get me through this mornings workout!

HERE is the complete WOD.

It was a team workout, if you have a workout partner is an awesome workout to do together and it working out as a team always makes the workout fly by. Kind of makes you feel like a kid again and by the end you’re a sweaty mess.

I had about an hour to kill before coaching the noon class so I headed out for a short run and being the smart person I am, I was wearing a skirt and made it about a mile outside before I took it in to the TM because I was not warming up. Skills gym is right across the street from GPP so I ran over there to finish the run up. As soon as I got on the treadmill I ran 3 miles at a moderate/easy pace and decided I was bored and couldn’t handle anymore TM running for the day. I hopped off and did a quick abs circuit!

I made this up as I went along and it ended up being a great workout! Not only were my abs on fire, my shoulders were burning from the jump rope!

Here are a few demos of the exercises that I included in the above workout!

Plank Rows

Hanging leg raises

KB swings

Ball Pikes

I whipped up a quick recovery shake at skills before heading back to work.

I added a few frozen blueberries and strawberries into my chocolate protein and blended it with water and ice and it came out to be the perfect thickness! I love when that happens! I usually make the mistake of adding to much ice or not enough..#proteinshakefail ---- But this totally hit the spot today!

LUNCH-

Lunch came pretty quickly--

I really had a craving for eggs so I scrambled 4 egg whites up with some spinach, and had some raspberries and sweet potatoes on the side..Which I ate the majority of them while my eggs were cooking.

The twins took a LOOOONG nap today, so I took advantage of the extra time to get some stuff done around the house that I have been procrastinating.. think laundry, dishes, toy room clean-up.. etc.

My stomach has been a little unsettled today so I decided on a light dinner to get me through the night.

I cooked a fillet of tilapia on a skillet and seasoned it with a new to me.

Mrs. Dash- extra spicy!

Extra spicy it was! I It was the perfect addition to my fish. It was spicy hot but not to the point you have to take a drink and try inhaling to cool your mouth off hot.. but just enough to get my taste buds jumpin’!

I loved it!!

Question of the Day?

What is your favorite spice to season with?

I love all Mrs. Dash! I have a serious collection going on.

What is your favorite core movement?

I have a new love for blank rows! They work the back and burn the core!

Thanksgiving Round 2

 

Yep, not kidding. I for one am over Thanksgiving. But I usually get 4 Thanksgiving dinners… and this year, I only got two…pretty much with the same people..

So I’m doing another Thanksgiving recap along with a weekend re-cap. Its all good ya’ know. New recipe coming atcha’ tomorrow..

Weekend Re-cap

My Grandparents showed up this weekend so we spent some time together in SLC. My BIL and his brother and friend build a display for Deseret Book every year and this year they built a taffy maker train. It is pretty amazing to see. It is massive and even has a train whistle that you can pull! I couldn’t get Tanner away from it. He loved it!

 

My grams and gramps are from Boise so we don’t get to see them very often, but it is always a treat when the make the trip down for a surprise visit!

If you get a chance to come to SLC. Temple square is definitely a must do. Especially during the holidays because the lights are phenomenal! Every tree branch and bush is covered in lights. We have made it sort of a tradition to go every year. The kids love it. It was pretty packed though.. So it was hard to stop and enjoy the lights without being in some ones way.

 

Thanksgiving #2

Yesterday Afternoon we had another Thanksgiving dinner at Brent’s dads house. He got re-married last year and they put together a complete spread exactly how Thanksgiving should be.

Homemade everything, special china, and everyone sitting and passing food around. Our family is so big we barely fit, but I loved it!

I filled my plate with some turkey, salad and corn bread stuffing—Which was fabulous! Then after dinner I continued to snack on a veggie tray that was sitting out. I forget how much I love cucumbers! I use to buy them all the time but kind of have forgotten about them lately.

It was a great meal and great time with Brents family again.

Thanksgiving was different this year because I didn’t really get to spend time with my family because they went out of town but it was nice to not have to jump party to party this year.

I welcomed back clean eating today and I made sure to get my workout in today. I also even taught Body Attack plus a little TM walking with my friend Melissa to catch up over the weekend.

Now that thanksgiving is over and the pies and treats are gone, I’m recommitting to my THF diet. I have about 5 more weeks with Porter so its time to buckle down! Holiday’s got nothing on me.. well.. kinda but I’m working on it .

It’s time for some shut eye! I have a early workout on tap for tomorrow!

Question of the Day:

What is your plan to stay in check during the holidays?

Gingerbread Pancakes

Almost every year, once Thanksgiving passes I start craving Holiday flavors, peppermint, gingerbread, and apple spice but NOT egg nog.

Nope, I just don’t like it. In fact, can’t STAND it.

Anyway, besides the fact for my hatred for egg nog, my gingerbread obsession has been in full effect.

This morning when I was pulling down my oats for my morning oatmeal, the ginger fell out of the cupboard. I took it as a sign to skip the oats and go straight for cakes.

Yes, please.

Gingerbread Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbs. saigon cinnamon

2 tsp  fresh ground ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

3 eggs whites

3 egg yolks

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/3 cup almond milk

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients with a wire whisk to combine.

2. In a small bowl, combine eggs, maple syrup, and almond milk.

3. In another medium bowl, mix eggs with a electric hand mixer until the egg whites peaks form.

4. Add egg yolk and maple syrup mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well.

5. Gently fold egg whites into batter, spooning about 1/2 cup in at a time, until all egg whites have been incorporated.

6. Heat a non-stick pan on low-medium heat with about a Tbsp. of coconut oil. Pour batter into pan.

7. Cook until the first side is set. It takes about About 2-3 minutes, depending on your burner. Then, using a thin, flat metal spatula, flip pancake and cook other side another 2 minutes or so.

*Make sure they don’t burn! They cook pretty quick.

Enjoy!

Serve with your favorite toppings, eggs on the side, just forget about the the egg nog!

Question of the day:

What is your favorite Holiday flavor?

Thanksgiving 2012

 

I’m sure you guys are sick of Thanksgiving re-caps but your getting one more.. I’ll make it quick.

Thankgiving started at GPP with the “Pie Burn” The workout was a mash-up of a few GPP classics. I was able to do the first 20 minutes of the workout before I had to head to Golds.

Golds holds an annual “Turkey Burn” 90 minute Combat/Attack class on Thanksgiving. I have been part of this burn team for the last 5 years. It was and always is a tough class and it felt good to sweat buckets before sitting down to Dinner!

When I got home I did a quick clean sweep of the house and showered. My MIL came over and started setting up for the Thanksgiving feast!!

My rolls turned out fantastic!!

Mash potatoes, turkey, stuffing, you know the rest..

We had a great time with Brents family, everything turned out perfect. Tanner was off running around with his cousins and we couldn’t track him down for the picture..

All the girls spent some time going through ads for the best black friday deals. We decided to hit up Target since it opened at 9. My sister in law and my niece and nephew got there shortly after and the place was a madhouse. The line to purchase was snaked throughout the entire store…

It took as an hour to get here….

But we made out with Christmas! It was a successful black Friday err.. Thursday shopping.

The next morning it was right back to GPP to burn off the pie.

I am most definitely feeling it today! It made Combat and Pump today quite heavy on the bottom half..

I just found out my grandparents are here from out of town and coming to visit! I’m off for a little more family time!!

Question of the Day:

What was your Turkey day Workout? Post turkey workout?

Did you Black Friday Shop?

In the process.

I am in the process of creating some rolly goodness.

Lets hope they rise… Yeast has always been my worst enemy.

Did I mention it is almost midnight to?

But my cranberry sauce is also in the making and I love making it because it fills my house with the most yummiest smell of cranberry heaven. Not to mention is the best cranberry sauce you have ever had.

Workout:

GPP

5 mile TM

My run on the TM today was kind of a run/texting run. (I was totally THAT person at the gym..)

Thanksgiving is at my house this year so I was coordinating everything with a few family members. I will call it multi tasking. Texting and running is no easy task. I’ll refer to it as a talent from here on out.

Work, Running, errands, cleaning, playing and now baking! Off to roll these rolls!

Goodnight!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Get your workout done first thing! You won’t regret it!

Ill be at GPP bright and early ready for the “Pie Burn”

Then I’m shooting over to Golds for 90 minutes of Body Combat and Body Attack.. Yearly sweat fest. Got to love it.

Question of the day:

What is your “Turkey Burn” Workout for Thanksgiving? Race? Gym fun? Most gyms around here are holding some sort of event to help burn those calories early.. (Like it really matters, you can’t out workout a bad diet..) –>just sayin’ But you can enjoy it .

Can you clean?

Last night my sister texted me and asked if I could storm today’s GPP workout with her at 5:45am.
AM.
It has been awhile since I have done a early morning workout. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get up and go. I set 2 alarms.. just in case….
I got up and I went.
AND I liked it, in fact I totally miss early morning workouts!! I may possibly be a crazy person.
But once I get out of bed, put on my gym clothes and walk into that gym. I know its time to get to work. I leave everything at the door and just get it done!
Paul, a member of GPP just completed his first IRONMAN Sunday (IMAZ) and he walked in the door of the gym before 7AM today. If he can get back to his workout that quick, and ready and eager to work, then I can drag my sorry butt out and get it done.
HERE is my workout today: It was also fun doing with my little sister. She is getting TOUGH!
After the workout I spent some time on the spin bike, nothing crazy just kept a moderate pace for 45 minutes before coaching the next class through power cleans, presses and pull ups.



I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. I love power cleans. My hands however did not love the pull-ups today due to the rip I got last week. I need to pull out the pumice stone and file my calluses down.. I get a rude reminder once I hit a certain WOD.


I snagged some muscle milk at the grocery store last week on clearance and brought it to drink post workout.. As soon as I took a sip I wanted to hurl.
Totally expecting chocolate and got latte…


*+

After GPP I headed across the street to sub a Pump Class and even snuck in a quick run on the Treadmill. It was short-but every mile counts right? KEY word. Mile.

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My calves are completely wrecked after the 200 – 24 in. box jumps yesterday…So I didn’t feel to bad about cutting my run short..like warm-up short. Besides I was starving..

I came home and made a huge bowl of oatmeal. Totally hit the spot, but I was ready for lunch 2 hours later.. I’m out of chicken and went for the next best source of protein- EGGS!

I also snacked on more raspberries while the eggs were cooking and warmed up some sweet potato lazy fries to complete the meal.
After color time, dance time and turkey drawing time, I got the twinners down for a nap and I got a ton of work done today on the computer! A productive afternoon! Yay!! I was half tempted to take a nap but my mind was reeling and I just couldn’t slow down.
I made a 3 minute pumpkin muffin to get me through the workload.

Not the prettiest but with Janetha’s Vanilla bean coconut butter on top it was definitley the tastiest.
Fact: I could it that whole jar with a spoon.
Dinner was uneventful and same old tilapia and broccoli. I’m a little over it and getting excited for some turkey!
As the day is wrapping up, my early morning is starting to catch up with me. I’m going to head off to the grocery store and get some ingredients needed for thanksgiving!