Healthy Smoothies!

I started making myself healthy smoothies this week. We got a blender to make margaritas for card club, and I have been taking full advantage of it. I first got inspiration for making smoothies from Iowa Girl Eats. If you're not familiar with her blog, you should be. It's very popular and she posts SO many healthy and delicious looking recipes. I can't cook so I don't attempt any of them, but they sure do look yummy. I even saw her on the news last week! Did I mention she lives in Des Moines? Even better!

Anyway, she made this Green Monster Smoothie and insisted it didn't taste terrible. It included lots of spinach, so I was skeptical. 

All this week I've been trying different concoctions and I've been thoroughly enjoying my smoothies. I make them each morning and sometimes after my workouts. I have actually lost weight eating these smoothies! I think it kick starts my metabolism in the morning. My fitness says "The second most important meal of the day is the meal you eat after your workout," because your body is a sponge. I think the post-workout smoothie is also doing my body good.

I don't have a real "recipe" with measurements (of course), but I will tell you the kinds of things I throw together. 

Frozen strawberries (about a handful)

Frozen banana (half a banana--I would suggest cutting it up and freezing it first)

Frozen blueberries (about 1/4 cup)

Pineapple (about 1/4 cup)

Skim milk (about 1/2 cup)

Orange juice (about 1/4 cup

Greek yogurt (2 tbsp)

Peanut butter (1tbsp)

Spinach (1 large handful)

I make this about 10 minutes before heading to school, and then I put it in the freezer to get it extra cold. Sometimes my blender makes it a little too frothy, but I think that's because I keep it in there for too long. I also bought kiwis and oranges that I'm going to try out. I use Greek yogurt because it's high in protein. I haven't been brave enough to try the Green Monster yet, I wanted to make sure I could commit before I spent extra money on Almond Milk and Chobani Greek Yogurt. For now I'm using A&E Skim and Yoplait Greek and it's doing just fine.

I really can't say enough good things about this smoothie thing! It saves me time in the morning because I can eat breakfast on the go, and it re-energizes me after boot camp. Go make yourself some healthy smoothies! 

Being Fit vs. Being Skinny

This is going to sound weird, but last night I was showing Kevin my biceps and triceps because I am just so proud of how strong I am getting from boot camp! Then Kevin put his foot in his mouth and said, "Why do you want big muscles?" Then, of course, I got defensive. :). Which prompted me to write this blogpost.

I am dang proud of my muscles! I work hard for them every single day. I love being strong and I love being fit. I will never be "skinny." It's just not in my composition. And you know what, I don't want to by skinny. I'd rather be fit over skinny any day. I eat healthy and I work out everyday. I am happy to be in shape!

To end this rant, this is the workout I did today at boot camp.

To summarize, that's 200 push ups, 50 pull ups, 50 sit ups, 100 vertical jumps, and 50 squats. With a mile warm up run. I demonstrated all the exercises to Kevin and he said, "I don't think I could do all that." :)

I am proud to be able to do this! I've been doing boot camp for 4 months now and am in the best shape I've been in, even though I may not be at the lowest weight. Each cycle we get "newbies" who join our class. This cycle, we got quite a few guys to join. Big, tough, burly men who struggle through the workouts while some of our returning females kick some butt! 

If anyone needs help moving a couch, opening a pickle jar, or flipping a tire, I'm your girl ;)

P.S. If anyone in the Des Moines area is interested in joining my boot camp class, you can do so here! :)

Booty Camp

Ow. That's what I'm feeling today as I wake up. I started boot camp [again] yesterday. This is the boot camp I took this summer for 3 months that kicked my butt and got me in shape. But when I started student teaching, I couldn't motivate and/or dedicate myself to keeping up with it. (I know, excuses excuses.)

Now that I'm [technically but momentarily] unemployed, I have plenty of time to motivate AND dedicate myself. For Christmas, I asked Kevin for a month of boot camp. He 11-uped me and got me a year of boot camp. Yes, that sounds like a terrible gift to receive from your significant other but it's what I wanted, I swear! :)

I was welcome back with "open" arms with an intense workout. I was a little nervous to start boot camp again, as I knew I would be in significant less shape than I was when I left. I spent enough time with my instructor that he knew my fitness level and knew how hard he could push me. I went to boot camp fired up and ready to give it my all!

However, when I left, I didn't feel like I gave it my all. I was a little disappointed in myself and I knew I could do better. This feeling sucks. There's nothing like leaving a workout feeling like you kicked some @$$. I am writing this to remind myself of that feeling. Tomorrow when I leave boot camp, I want to feel like I'm about to pass out, throw up, or collapse. I love that feeling.

On the bright side, I did go immediately to the grocery store to get a bunch of healthy food options. I know you need the diet and the exercise in order to see results. Again, I'm utilizing myfitnesspal to keep myself on track. You can hear me rave about it here. HIGHLY recommend it if you're serious about getting in shape.

I genuinely enjoy working out and I am excited to get back on track with my program. It doesn't hurt that I had the added motivation of looking fly in my wedding dress for my hubby. 

I know a lot start thinking about their health at a good starting point in the year (i.e. a new year!) so here's some motivation in the form of typography for both of us. All images found via Pinterest, of course.

What your motivation should be

 I know this is gross but it's a good visual

I should read this everyday. The fact that someone else paid for me to work out is also good motivation. :)

 A good thought

Love it

This is a good reminder for when I don't think I can do anymore. Of course I can.

Leave a comment and I will.

[If any of my readers in the area are interested in signing up for this boot camp, here is the link. Pricing varies. If you e-mail him he'll work with you. There are lots of time slots available and it WORKS! http://www.tworkitoutfitness.com/]