A Vernacular Spectacular

It is my personal opinion that the world at large is in serious need of a vocabulary lesson.  Words like skinny, thin, fat, and chunky have no business describing anyone in either a positive or a negative light.

Lets review, shall we?

I for sure do not want to be defined by any of these words.  And so, readers (if you're out there), I challenge you to compile, share, and utilize a set of new and better adjectives for defining yourself and others.  Perhaps we can change the world's obsession with "skinny" and "fat."

Here are some adjectives that I hope to utilize about myself in the very near future:

I leave you with song lyrics from My Fair Lady...."Words, Words, Words....I'm so sick of words.  I get words all day through...first from him and now from you.  Is that all you blighters can do?"

Might as well JUMP...

This morning I awoke with my usual desire to work out.  However, on Sundays, my gym opens late and I have to be on the road down to Cherry Hill soon (more about this in a minute).  I therefore turned to the lovely and fantastic  Jamie Eason for a quick home workout.  I did her amazing plyometrics routine which only took 20 minutes, but got my heart rate up, my muscles burning, and broke a mean sweat (routine to follow).

If you are unfamiliar with the term PLYOMETRICS, the term literally breaks down to plyo (plus) and metrics (movement).  It is a form of exercises that utilizes fast, explosive movements to strengthen muscles both concentrically and eccentrically.  There really is no better form of strength training (assuming your joints and cardiovascular system can handle it!).  I try to incorporate plyometrics into my workouts at least 3 times a week, and I always enjoy treating higher level patients (particularly young athletes) who can begin to utilize plyometrics in their recovery process.

Jamie Eason's Plyo Card Routine:  
Jamie instructs you to use a deck of cards for this workout!  You flip 3 cards at a time, add up the values, and that's how many reps you perform.  Leave the jokers in and depending on your fitness level, they can be valued at either 1 or 11.  I couldn't find cards this morning, so Jamie instructs you to use sets of 15 reps if you don't have cards.  Here is the workout:

• 2 sets of 15 JUMP SQUATS
• 2 sets of 15 JUMPING JACKS
• 2 sets of 15 ALTERNATING JUMP LUNGES
• 2 sets of 15 HIGH KNEES
• 2 sets of 15 MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
• 2 sets of 15 RUNNING BUTT KICKS
• 2 sets of 15 WIDE PUSH UPS
• 2 sets of 15 JUMPING JACKS
• 2 sets of 15 BICYCLE CRUNCHES

Jamie is even so kind as to include a video clip of the exercises (love her!):  Plyo Card Routine - Video

Now that I worked up a nice sweat, I am more than deserving of this morning's smoothie:

• 1 cup Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 4 frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds (ground)
• 1/2 scoop of protein

Clean Smoothie on top of the Clean Cookbook :o)

I'm off to Cherry Hill to cook a birthday dinner for my mom.  Recipes and photos tomorrow!

Day 14!!! - Fixated on your Verdigre

HALFWAY POINT!!

Definitely over-ate today, but trying not to stress out about it. My friends chocolate and marshmallow peeps were all too appealing today.

Brunch: egg white and mushroom omelette w/ a teaspoon of mozzarella cheese; scooped out whole wheat bagel w/ a teaspoon of cream cheese

Dinner: Tuna Melt - 1 can of tuna made w/ low fat cottage cheese and spices; 1 Thomas' Light Multigrain english muffin; 2 slices Borden Fat Free Sharp Cheddar Slices

Green Smoothie! - supremely green today - green tea, celery, green pear, spinach, frozen mango and peach slices

Measurements and photos tomorrow. Hope my sugar fix today didn't screw me up too badly

Also...did Shred Level 2

Two weeks to go!

Day 8 - Happiness Is...

Just a quick morning post, as I sit here sipping my protein shake...Today was measurement and photograph day! Not a huge difference in the photograph, but I was pleasantly surprised by the measurements! I take measurements at the bustline, umbilicus, natural waist, hips, upper arm, forearm, thigh, and calf. I am pleased to report that I have lost 7cm at the umbilicus, 4cm at the natural waist, 2cm at the hips, 1cm at the forearm, and 0.5cm at the calf. All other measurements stayed the same. This makes for a total loss of 14.5cm in 1 week!

Just proof that diet and exercise really can work together to provide quick results. Totally motivates me for the week even though I got ZERO sleep last night thanks to be nervous for my new clinical rotation.

Did Shred Level 2 this morning and it is definitely getting easier. :o)

EDIT: Today's Green Smoothie: 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1 celery stalk, 4 chunks of papaya, 1 gala apple, and 4 frozen strawberries.





greeny-licious! complete w/ green straw :o)