HITT - High Intensity Interval Training

Tuesday and Thursday mornings I rarely make it to the gym.

Ok I never make it to the gym. But I have a good reason. The gym opens at 6 and I teach class at 8. And I have to park, walk, etc. It makes for a tight schedule. My goal for this week was to make it to the gym EVERY morning. At 5:15 am this morning that was the absolute last thing I wanted to do.

However, yesterday gave me my motivation. We went to a great restaurant and I stuck to the diet perfectly. And you know what? Before I went to the bed I didn't feel "fat", "bloated" or anything else. I was happy! Talk about inspiring.

So I did 35 minutes of HITT at the gym. Boy was I feeling it. Basically you go as fast as you possibly can, so fast you couldn't keep the speed up for more than a minute, then recover for two minutes. I chose the elliptical this morning. It was also great to see I burned an extra 100 calories than my normal 35 minute session. Read about the benefits of HITT here... you may want to try it soon!

Meal 1: Oatmeal/Egg White Protein Pancakes
Meal 2: TIU Protein Shake: 1/2 Banana, 1/2 c. Strawberries, 1/2 c. Almond Milk, 1 tbsp. Flax Seed, 1 Scoop Protein Powder, 1 c. Water
Meal 3:
Meal 4:
Meal 5:

AM Workout: 35 Minutes HITT Elliptical

Food Confession

Sorry for the lack of blogs here lately... Friday I was busy babysitting, Saturday involved a banquet, FFA Contest, and getting a good workout in. But today I am back! And realized I need some pictures to my blog... I think it is going to start soon!


So what is my motivation? Why should I be working out busting my butt, eating healthy? I gave up creamed corn and a baked potato last night from the banquet to stay on track with my diet. Was it worth it?


Great question. After eating two spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough (I'm premaking cookies for an event in a week), I thought, I can stop now, tell myself it is OK to eat it, and promise to put in an extra 30 minute cardio session today. And now I have the motivation to keep working because I AM that strong. And from the Tone It Up plan I really have started to see my body change. 


In the end, its TOTALLY worth it!

Daily Update: Week 4, Day 1

Meal 1: Oatmeal and Egg White Pancake, Coffee with Milk and Stevia

Meal 2: Two spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough 

Meal 3: TBD

Meal 4: TBD

Meal 5: TBD

AM Workout: Walk, Attempted some yoga, I am going to need more instruction before attempting that one again!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is my favorite (and easiest) soup recipe ever. For those of you on the Tone It Up plan, it is a great meal 3!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 2-15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
• 2-15 oz. cans Mexican stewed tomatoes
• 1 c. salsa
• 4-oz. can chopped green chilies
• 14.5 oz can tomato sauce

Spray Crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken at the bottom (can still be frozen). Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low 8-9 hours or high 4-5 hours. Makes 12  1 c. servings.

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 5
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Canteloupe
Meal 3: Quinoa Salad, Celery, Grapes
Meal 4: Homemade Larabar, Almonds
Meal 5: TBD
AM Workout: None, Walk 1 Hour at Lunch
PM Workout: TBD

Weekly Workouts

I unfortunately did not get up for my AM workout today. Not that I normally do. I have to be at school by 745 to teach and 800 class. And the gym does not open until 6 am. Still, I needed some motivation to get to the gym EVERY day. So I have devised a workout schedule!

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 3
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Skinny Shake: 1/2 Banana, 5 Strawberries, 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 tsp Flaxseed
Meal 3: Ground Beef, Black Beans, Lettuce, 1 Roma Tomato, Salsa and Avocado, Orange
Meal 4: Quinoa Salad
Meal 5: Almonds, Hamburger Patty, Green Beans
AM Workout: None, Walk 1 Hour at Lunch
PM Workout: Cardio, Walk Annie

Quinoa Salad

The Tone It Up Plan has been a major factor in cleaning up my diet and getting fit. I developed a twist on their Quinoa Salad:

6 c. Baby Spinach (chopped)
1 1/4 c. Uncooked Quinoa
2 8 oz. cans sliced olives
1 can of artichoke hearts
1 tbsp. Garlic Salt
1/4 c. Balsalmic Vinegar

Cook quinoa according to package directions (I usually add in twice the amount of water, put on stovetop and once it is boiling let it simmer for about 12 minutes).

Let quinoa cool.

Mix all ingredients together!

Makes 5 servings (one for each day of the week!)

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 2
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Celery and Almonds
Meal 3: Ground Beef, Black Beans, Lettuce, 1 Roma Tomato, Salsa and Avocado
Meal 4: Quinoa Salad
Meal 5:
AM Workout: TIU Circuit, TIU Lean Legs Pyramid, TIU Bikini Strap Workout, HITT (30 Minutes) Eliptical (30 Minutes)PM Workout:
PM Workout: BOSU Class, Walk Annie