Good morning!
Our good weather has come to an end. The weatherman is saying that we are supposed to get rain all weekend long! What a mood kill!! Thankfully I have some fun indoor shopping plans on Saturday with Krissy. We are going to a huge outlet mall and I hope to snag a couple of deals for our trip. Shopping is so much better when it is raining outside, isn’t it?
I started my morning off with some Bootaaaay! I did about 20 minutes of the cardio quickie from the Booty Camp Fitness DVD. Love, love, love this DVD.
I have done about 5-6 weeks of the booty camp now and I have noticed a lot of great changes in my body and I have built a ton of muscle. When I started the DVD back on Feb. 1st it was a sad sight. I could barely crank out TWO full push-ups! Now I am happy to say that I can do about 8-10! I have yet to wear my knee sleeves this season because my legs just feel all around stronger now as compared to last year. It is pretty exciting what strength training can do.
I used to be a huge cardio junkie. I would only do cardio day in and day out. I never saw any changes with my body which wasn’t too surprising!
I will be bringing the DVD with me on our trip to Florida. The great thing about it is that the exercises require no equipment, so I can do the DVD anywhere. Just pop it in my suitcase and go. The Booty Camp DVD might be available for purchase online in upcoming weeks, but this has not been verified. I will let you know when I find out any info! :)
Following the booty camp I did a 20 minute Hip Opening Flow yoga class from Yoga Download. I have been doing about 5 minutes of yoga a few times a week, but today I felt like doing something a bit longer. Plus, running and strength work make my legs reeeeeally tight!
By this time, I worked up an appetite and had an awesome post-workout green monster:
Post-workout GM:
- 1.25 cup almond milk,
- .75 cup spinach (ran out!)
- 1 scoop Amazing Grass chocolate meal,
- 1 frozen banana,
- ice,
- chia seeds,
- 1/4 cup oats,
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
A meal in a glass!
This GM is about 450-475 calories and packs a ton of protein, fibre, vitamins, healthy fats, and minerals!
And now it is time to share with you some of my favourite health links of the week…
Health News Round Up
Is hooping the next big fitness craze? – NY Times
A vertical marathon? One woman is climbing all 7 continents for women in the Congo – That’s Fit
Secret of success: Sneak in more exercise – Daily Spark
Running: How to transition from the treadmill to the road – Fit Sugar
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein: What it is and where it is found: – CBC
Running Gear you don’t need according to some runners – That’s Fit
I’m working out, so why am I not losing weight? – Vitamin G
Raw Lemon Blueberry Scones – Fitnessista
Top 25 cardio workouts – Fitness
Currently drooling over: Mediterranean Black Bean Quinoa Burgers – The Voracious Vegan
All is right in the world: Sid the Kid’s equipment is found – Hockey Canada
Is a thin body celebrated more than a fit one? – Daily Spark
Today’s questions…
– What is your favourite health link from above?
– Do you do strength workouts on a regular basis or do you focus on cardio?
Have a great end to your week!
When I dealt with disordered eating, I really only ever did cardio because I just wanted the highest calorie burn. Since then, I have been doing yoga and the Jillian Michaels DVDs (Shred, Banish Fat Boost Metabolism, No More Trouble Zones), and see big changes in my body shape … not really weight … and am much more confident because I feel strong and capable!! Strength training is really important to me now!
Ok so you totally make me want that DVD now too – Yeah for an awesome workout and for having the “guns” to prove it! Great job!
Holy Link LOVE – now I am going to be spending the rest of my day looking at all the great links – Thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
oh no! I hate running out of spinach.
Angela, your body is rocking! You’re such an inspiration. I wanted to share my new love with you–Cashew Creamery raw icecream. I got some from Wholefoods and it is so creamy and delish. The choc with a sliced banana was heaven. It’s soy-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. Definitely something to try!
Angela,
Wow you look great! Please get Eric to take a pic of you showing off those great abs. You look like you have great definition in your core but you are covering it with your right hand and hen flex those arms. Folks need to really see what results you have gotten. (Okay I know that humility or modesty may make you not to do so.)
I am glad to hear that you have moved to resistance workouts. I have been reading you for a few months and noted that you are (were) a cardio junkie. I am a weight lifter (even do bodyweight reps for interval cardio) and I wanted to recommend it to you but think it is not my place.
If you are interested in looking at other programs I highly recommend Turbulence Training by fellow Canadian Craig Ballantyne. He has a lot of programs for different objectives and some women specific programs. Some programs use free weights while others are bodyweight specific.
Okay it may be raining this weekend but hey it is the first half of March in Ontario (I am in Niagara Falls) and we are breaking 10 C some days. So what if it rains a bit. It helps to clean the streets.
I hope you have a fun weekend.
Ugh I am SO not happy about the rain, either!!
Your ‘guns’ look great! Keep it up! I need to work on mine… aside from what I get whipping fresh mayo in class ;)
I do a mix of cardio/strength. I, too, used to be a cardio junkie, but with less time (and energy!) lately I have been focusing on doing full body workouts that keep my heart rate up (cardio) and include weights or body weight exercises (strength), plus yoga on the side, and running a couple times a week for extra cardio. It has worked so far!
Thanks for all those links, I will check them out!!
Angela,
How can I buy a copy of the Bootie Camp workout? I have checked their site and can’t find the dvd for sale. Do you have to become a member? Do you buy it in stores?
Thanks.
Jane
awesome job on that DVD! its amazing how the body can respond to work you put in over time! yaya for not being a cardio junkie anymore!
I’ve recently started strength training and have totally noticed the difference in my muscle tone. it’s very exciting to see the positive changes in my body!
I always strength train 3-4 times a week. Ever since I was 15. I am 27 now, and I can say that I just can’t stop! I am not ‘buff’ and I am still curvy, so I think that strength training is da bomb :-)
My favourite link is the burger. Yum! And so simple. Last night I made black-eyed pea BBQ brown rice burgers just by throwing stuff together. SOOOO delicious!
Nice job, you look great. Lifting weights and doing high intensity workouts really transforms the body.
I’m big into weights! LOVE them! Walking, cycling and hiking are my cardio! Doing weights every other day keeps me very lean, plus it is good for bone health!
Woopwoop. Welcome to the gun show!! You look great!
I can’t get out of cardio. I wish I had more motivation to lift and work on weights!
Hey Ange do you think one of these days (when you have time! lol) you can try a vegan black bean brownie recipe? I’ve heard about it but I’m afraid to try it and I know you are the master of baking!
not sure if you’d be interested in this homemade nutella recipe. thought i’d leave the link anyway.
P.S. I want your abs. :]
http://crear-amor.tumblr.com/post/441402940/artislovely-read-no-further-if-you-are-dieting
I love the pretty glass for the Green Monster :-)
Weight training is so important for women, it’s a shame so many shy away from it. I’ve been hitting the weights for years, it’s great for your metabolism and bone density!
It’s hard to build muscle while losing weight so I’m focusing on the cardio right now. As bad as rain is isn’t it better than shovelling snow? :-)
Woo! I’m all about strength training!! I didn’t really learn to love my body until I learned I could shape it by lifting weights. With just cardio, I thought I looked exactly the same after losing 30 lbs…just a smaller version :P
I did not know that about hydrolyzed vegetable protein!