Hump Day Juice Cleanse and Holiday Workouts

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I'm a day late (but not a dollar short!) with this post. I have been pretty busy lately, for reasons I will share soon, but there are some big changes in the works and some big things brewing! For now, here's a look into some of my crazy habits.

What I Ate Wednesday via Peas & Crayons

This What I Ate Wednesday (and Fitness, too) post includes meals from my impromptu hump day juice cleanse as well as my workouts from the past week. Why do I post this? Because I have gotten questions before about whether I really eat the food I post (sometimes, yes... sometimes, no...) and how often I do the fitness regimens I post (and in what order).

The Food:

I started the day with a green juice, which I had picked up the day before at Loop Juice in the Chicago French Market (LOVE that place). It was a little sweet tasting for my preference, so I added the juice of 1/4 of a lemon. I felt pretty satisfied after this juice, but I probably would have wanted to munch on things if I hadn't been in meetings all morning.

For lunch, I decided to keep things "liquid," but still wanted some protein. I had received this Orgain Chocolate protein shake in a Klutch Box a few months ago, so I drank it for my liquid lunch as I walked to Target. It was pretty good, but definitely tasted like a "healthy" shake. It reminded me of the Ensure drink that Abbot makes.

Around 2:30, I was getting hungry again, and I had a red juice in the fridge from Loop Juice. This. Was. Delicious. It was so tasty and sweet that I was sad when it was gone. As I can remember, it includes pomegranate, beets, apple, carrot, and ginger.

While I started cooking dinner, I was starving. I had planned to do the juice cleanse for most of the day but have solid food for dinner, so I made myself a little appetizer in the microwave of a corn tortilla with some mixed cheese and italian seasoning, topped with sriracha. Great little 100 calorie snack to keep you from going insane while you wait for dinner!

I roasted some shredded brussels sprouts from Meez Meals in olive oil with salt and pepper, and topped it with sriracha.

Meanwhile, I also pan seared some tilapia filets in grapeseed oil and then sprinked them with taco seasoning once the fish was cooked enough that it started breaking apart easily. I heated up some corn tortillas and made some fish tacos for dinner. My husband and I both loved them, and it was a super easy (we're talking <10) minute meal.

The Fitness:

Because last week included Thanksgiving break, my workout schedule was a little wacked.

Wednesday: 45 minute Stairmaster Sprint

Thursday: Skip! Thanksgiving, y'all!

Friday: 45 minute Stairmaster Sprint/2 mile run, 20 minutes weights, 10 minutes abs (I was all over the place trying out a new gym, so I did a little bit of everything)

Saturday: 60 minute run (6 miles)

Sunday: 100 Burpee Challenge, 30 minutes mat work (pilates-ish)

Monday: 45 minute Stairmaster and Treadmill cardio

Tuesday: Body By Science

Wednesday: Skip! I was totally wiped from the past few days of workouts, for some reason!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• What's your go-to "I'm starving and can't wait for dinner" appetizer?
• What is your favorite workout from this past week?

Wedding Countdown Workouts, WOTDs

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My wedding is soon. Like, two weeks from Friday. I've got a post on the back burner about wedding fitness prep and the exercise and diet changes I've been making as the big day approaches, but that technical fabulousness is for another day.

The jist of the workout goals are:

• Long runs / Spinning / intense cardio 2 days/week
• Bodypump / Full body weights 2 days/week
• Core Toning / Pilates 2 days/week with 30 minutes cardio built in around it
• Single out and hit my shoulders, biceps, triceps, and abs at least 2 times / week in addition to the full body weights

Thursday: Bodypump
I've been keeping track of my weights in order to ensure I'm either hitting my muscles with the same amount (if last time was challenging) or increase the amount (if last time was easy or just alright). As a result, I've been really loading on the kgs, which means more muscle and more calories burned. #winning

Apparently my photog skills are declining. No face in this shot. Oops.

Friday: 20 Minute Interval Run  Shoulders, Abs on Weight Machines
I did this interval run and loved it. It's pretty short but really burns a lot of calories and leaves me with a real "clean burn" feeling.

After my run, I did my shoulder burn out routine and then did my abs on a few weight machines. I added in a few other weight lifting exercises that my fiance talked me into doing, so by the end of my lifting, I'd burned 244 calories (run not included). 

I don't know why I even track weight lifting calories - they are always so low.

Saturday: 60 Minute Spin Class
We have to show up at least 30 minutes early for class to sign up on Saturday mornings, because it gets really packed. So, we also added in about 20 minutes of walking/running.

This was also my first weight class with NO Explode and let me say, I was EXPLODING with power during these 60 minutes. I kept pushing myself to bike harder and harder and ended up with one of my highest spin class calorie burns. #winning

Sunday: Rest / 4 Mile Walk
When we woke up on Sunday, my fiance and I both felt physically exhausted. So, we skipped Sunday Morning Bodypump and opted for a long walk with the dog.

Monday: Bodypump
Since I missed Sunday's Bodypump, I went on Monday morning. This was my first Bodypump class with NO Explode, and I was a beast. Also helping: My awesome new Montrail shoes. So flashy. How can you not lift more weight?

You're sexy and you know it (sung to my shoes).

Tuesday: 20 Minute Run + 60 Minute Pilates + Shoulder Burn Out Routine
I was still so excited about my new shoes that I decided to hit the treadmill for 20 minutes on Tuesday morning to try them out a bit. 

My dog is trying to photobomb this pic.

Then, after my Pilates class, I did my good old trusty shoulder burn out routine (by that, I mean the routine I've been doing for only two months). My favorite thing about doing a shoulder burn out routine after Pilates is that the studio is empty!

I love an empty studio.

Wednesday: 15 Minute Run to Class, Mercury Method "Control" Class, 15 Minute Run home

I woke up at the butt crack of dawn (okay, 5:20, sun was barely up, still early) and ran to The Mercury Method for yet another workout in 97+ degrees. On my run home, I saw this fun chalk drawing in the street.

See the tips of my shoes? I'm headed toward fun!

Workouts: Bachelorette Parties Deserve Skip Days

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I'm full speed ahead at a work event until tomorrow afternoon, so the wonderful pictures from Parts 2 and 3 of my Bachelorette Weekend will have to wait just a smidge. For now, here's my weekly check in. Many rest days were had.

Wednesday: Runner's High Class @ The Mercury Method
I had a total dork move before this class and ended up locking myself out of my apartment. By the time I got a key from my land lord and was able to change into my workout clothes, I had to SPRINT the 1.7 miles to The Mercury Method. So, let's just say that between sprinting there, having an awesome class, and running (okay, fine, walking) back, I had a pretty great workout on Wednesday.

Thursday: Weights, 60 Minutes

I usually do Bodypump on Thursdays, but my fiance convinced me to take a week off and do weights with him at the gym. It ended up being awesome - the perfect way to surprise my body with some seeeerrrrrious weights. And I'm pretty sure it buffed me up for my sleeveless dresses over the weekend. Exhibit A:

Anyway, moving on...

Friday: 6 Mile Run
You guys... Hunger Games is on Netflix. Seriously. I didn't watch the entire movie (it's like 2 and a half hours), but I did manage to watch the best parts. Which means I started the movie on her way to the capital. Basically the middle 50%, I watched. #Winning

Saturday: Skip (Bachelorette Party'in!) 
I literally had no time on Saturday. That's legit.

Sunday: Skip (Yep... still!)

Yeah, I probably did have time. But, instead, I ate a huge egg sandwich, a big chicken salad, some chocolate cake, some yogurt, two bloody marys, and a beer. Sounds like... well, the day after your bachelorette party.

Monday: Skip (No excuse. Just felt lazy!) 
Totally had time. All I did was work from home during the day. Still no workout. Just wasn't feeling it. Instead, spent some QT with the BF at night and relaaaaaaaaaaaaaxed.

Tuesday: 60 Min Morning Cardio
I went to the gym before work and had a lazy run on the treadmill before actually waking up. Yes, I watched Netflix, but this time I did a little binging on Charmed (childhood favorite... don't judge). It was a pretty ineffective run, I'm sure, because it took me an hour to run 4 measly miles, and I walked a lot. #Whatever

Wednesday: Morning Cardio
TBD. It's thunder storming but I'm considering braving the walk to the gym to fit it in. Otherwise, Insanity DVDs, here I come! :)

Workout Wednesday and A Sneak Peak of Me in White

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It's Wednesday again, folks! After an eventful evening of dress fitting in the suburbs (there were some issues... that's all I'll say...), I'm back in Chicago!

While I'm obviously not about to share any images of my dress, here's a little sneak peak from the fitting appointment:

That robe is so freaking comfy. I want it in a million colors. I want to live in it.

Anyway... workout time.

Pre-class. You use a wooden bar in 98+ degree heat.

Wednesday

30+ Minutes Running

Barre Fly Class @ The Mercury Method

My plan for Wednesday was to head over the The Mercury Method to try out one of their new classes. I ended up coming from home, so I ran over (takes about 17 minutes, so precise). I was worried that I'd be late, so I had to run pretty quickly and my heart was PUMPING by the time I got there. That translated to a high heart rate during the entire class. By the time I got out, I was exhausted and could hardly run jog walk home.

Marry Me!

The class, itself, was pretty intense. It incorporates a bit of dancing, a lot of abs, and a lot of arms. As it turns out, I must have been pulling the bar too far back, because I actually injured the area around my sternum (it happens to me in Bodypump if I have lazy form on the chest fly). I was in pretty severe pain during the night on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Tisk tisk. Bad Carly.

Thursday
30 Minutes Stairmaster
15 Minute Dog Run
I usually do BodyPump on Thursday mornings, but after spending most of the night unable to sleep because of the aforementioned chest pain, I decided it wasn't worth it to wake up at 5:30 for a hard weights workout. Instead, I did a pretty painless stairmaster workout on my lunch break, and also took the dog for a short run before getting ready to meet my parents for our menu tasting.

Friday
15 Minute Interval Sprints
15 Minutes Abs
60 Minute Spin Class
On Friday, I tried my first Friday afternoon Spin Class. I was slightly worried but ended up LOVING it. It felt so good to get out of a class at 6:50 and be so worked out. I walked home afterward and made my fiance and I a delicious meal of lemon and pepper salmon with a side of broccoli. #YUM

Saturday
Skip
After having some bad pain in my sternum/chest area on Friday night/Saturday morning, I decided to forgo a workout. Plus, I had lots of exciting wedding meetings!

Sweaty hair post-Bodypump-and-CXWORX

Sunday
BodyPump (60 Minutes)
CXWORX (30 Minutes)
Sunday is fast becoming one of my favorite workout days of the week. Once I realized there were back to back BodyPump and CXWORX classes, I was sold. They're in the same room at the gym, so I don't even have to do any work or hustle to get to the next one.

Monday
Muscle Definition (60 Minutes)
I went to a muscle definition class that was pretty fun. The trainer does his own music mixes and it was pretty awesome. Like taking a class to clubbing music. Lots of energy.

Let's go, pup.

Tuesday
30 Minute Run
I had to get to work pretty early, so I didn't have a lot of time in the morning to make a workout happen. I ended up just taking the dog for a run. We went about 4 miles in 30 minutes, which felt like a decent workout because I'm still kind of new to running outside so it always works new muscles in my legs than the treadmill.

If you're ever wondering why I take my dog on a lot of my outdoor runs, it is for two reasons. First, she makes me feel VERY safe. I feel like I can run through any neighborhood because, if anyone tried to mess with me, she would protect me. Second, I cannot explain how happy it makes her to be taken on a run - which in turn makes me so happy. Her smile throughout the run makes me want to run more. This picture, taken ten minutes after getting back from a run, should explain it all...

I love you, I love you, Yes I do, Yes I do.

Wednesday
20 Minutes Stairmaster
20 Minute Run
I slept at my parents' house in the suburbs on Tuesday night, because I had been up there to have my first dress fitting. I have to catch a 7:05 train to make it to work on time, so I got up at 5:15 (ouch) for a run in the basement.

The unfinished part of my parents' basement is where the elliptical and treadmill are. It's kind of scary and makes me feel like someone's going to sneak up on me and try to kill me. Seriously. It's sometimes a huge distraction and I find myself looking over my shoulder.

Nothing an episode of The Bachelorette can't fix, though!

You're creepy.

What about you?

• Do you ever find yourself having weird pain after new workouts?
• How many skip days do you typically have per week?

Absent Minded Professor - WOTDs

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At my gym, there are lockers with keypads you can use to lock them. This means I can no longer just search for my lock and know that my stuff is inside... because all the locks look the same.

Earlier this week, I totally effed up and forgot where my stuff was. I mean, they all look the same. I had to get someone to let me into like five different lockers before we found my stuff. Pretty sure she thought I was some kind of gym locker bandit. 

Now, I have to resort to things like taking a picture on my phone of my locker number, or writing it in pen on my hand. Actually, the above picture is from when I signed up for a spinning bike and thought I'd forget what my number was. 

This is the story of my life... complicated theories? Got it down pat. Logic games? Nail it. Remembering a simple number? Impossible.

Wearing the same pants over and over? Check. Okay, no, I don't wear these Ellie camo workout capris every day... but I have worn them twice this week and taken a picture in almost the exact same pose. Time to throw those babies in the wash...

And finally, an awful "I just woke up, why the eff am I at the gym?" picture. This is real life, folks. Also, I was terribly pale in that picture. Don't worry. The situation has been remedied.

WORKOUTS OF THE WEEK:

Wednesday: Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Thursday: Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Friday: First day off Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Saturday: 20 Min Ab Work, Spin Class

Sunday: CXWORX (Ab Class)

Monday: Body By Science, Muscle Definition Weights Class

Tuesday: Pilates

Wednesday: 4 Mile Interval Run

I've put together a pretty awesome plan for the next few weeks. If you haven't noticed, I'm a huge planner, especially when it comes to food, workouts, and travel. Here's a sneak peak of what the tentative exercise regimen will be: Weights, Resistance, Cardio, Weights, Resistance, Cardio, Weights. 

Fitness Tips & Week In Workouts

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Happy Monday! Back to the daily grind, and a week full of workouts and awesome meals. Or maybe a week of sitting on the couch and eating Oreos. Up to you, I guess...

I haven't done a Monday Fitness post in about two weeks because of my moving fiasco. That's a pretty poor excuse, but... deal with it! I'm back. 

In this post: A week of my workouts and a few fit tips. 

A Week In Workouts:

• Monday: Spinning Class, 1 hour
• Tuesday: Rest
• Wednesday: Yoga
• Thursday: Rest
• Friday: Stairmaster Sprint, 1 hour
• Saturday: Spinning Class, 1 hour
• Sunday: Body By Science (Weights), 20 Minutes Elliptical
• Monday: Spinning Class, 1 hour

Things:

Did you notice I'm enjoying Spinning Classes? Yeah. At my new gym, they have a room dedicated to Spinning Classes (I guess most gyms do if they offer spin), so they seem to have a ton of Spinning options every day. Because, I mean, why not, right? Anyway, I need to cool it on the Spin Classes. My butt is going to... well, fall off or something.

Tips of the Week:

1. Pre-cook your meals. That way, you guarantee you'll be getting nutrition without letting the hassles of life get in the way (running out of time, getting too busy, being too tired to make a meal). It only takes 1 hour on Sunday, and it means the world to your fitness. Great abs are made in the kitchen, my friends.
   
   
   
2. Be adventurous. Try a Spinning Class! Or if you already 'spin,' try yoga. etc. Change it up and make your body adapt to something new.
   
3. Eat breakfast. Just do it. It's really not that hard. Suggestions: Make yourself eggs. Half egg whites, half with yolks, then add some spinach and cheese (and more if you're fancy). Too "busy" for that? My breakfast this morning: Erehwon Rice Twice, Almonds, Chia Seeds, and Strawberries thrown into a bowl with Coconut Milk. Tastes like Strawberry Shortcake Soup. For Breakfast.
   
   

We Can Work It Out

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Disclaimer:  This is a workout-related post... and, I know, not everyone wants to listen to the Fitness Field Marshall.  If that doesn't pique your interest, don't cry.  I still love you.  Just for you, I'll be back later with some more love.

When I first got really into fitness, I often search the net for other workout schedules to learn from or try.  Actually, I still do that fairly regularly, just to keep it fresh and confuse my body.  Because that's fun.  

Kanye's Carly's Workout Plan:

    (Source)

Breakdown:

Cardio:
5 mile run
15 min Jump Rope
60 min Elliptical
Insanity Pure Cardio

Weights:
Jillian Michaels (No More Trouble Zones)
Weights Class

Abs: 
Jillian Michaels (No More Trouble Zones)
Ab Ripper X
Insanity Abs

Review:


Okay, good things about this schedule: Good mix of cardio and weights.  I've learned that too much cardio without enough weights gives very temporary physical results without adding much actual fitness to your body.  It is also really hard on my body joint-wise and muscle-wise and I end up with sore knees or shin splints.  Let's not grind our bones into the ground, shall we?  Similarly, too much weights without enough cardio might make us physically strong, but without cardio we can't see those muscles as well.

Bad things about this schedule:  No stretch day.  Other than my cool down stretches and the 15 minute post-weights class stretch, I didn't have an opportunity to really stretch my muscles.  No Yoga.  No Stretch X.  The result?  I'm sore.  It's not horrible, no -- and sometimes, to be honest, I like feeling a little sore because it reminds me that I really worked out hard.  But the soreness is not necessary - it just adds the mental comfort of knowing you kicked your own hiney.  I much prefer to stick in one day a week devoted to really stretching my muscles (like P90X Yoga).  I find that I'm able to perform better because my muscles stay feeling fresh.  That means my runs get longer and my weights days are more intense.  So, taking that day to rejuvenate is worth it by the end of the week.

Moving forward:  I'm planning to... (1) add a stretch day next week, (2) get some new workout music, and (3) substitute a long bike ride in place of what would be a run in order to change it up, surprise my muscles, and get a good cardio workout in without pounding the pavement.

Mantra:
Someone busier than you is running right now.

Want to get the workouts I did?