I woke up really early which isn't really new for me but I was out of bed and ready to roll very early because I had a mission. I needed to get a gift for my friend's baby shower. For some reason that stresses me out but since I got to the store the minute they opened (after stopping at Target for some less pricey accessories for it) it wasn't too bad. And the gift is going to be really cute which always makes me happy. I try to be thoughtful when I give a gift. Buying off of a registry makes that difficult but I think the presentation will make up for that :)
When I got home I made a quick light breakfast to eat before I went to the gym. I don't like eating before I work out at all but it was getting late at that point so I made something small but calorie dense.
A piece of gluten free millet toast with some almond butter, 1/2 of a banana and cinnamon. A perfect pre-workout breakfast.
After I digested for a few minutes I went to the gym and busted out an hour of cardio. It felt really good and I'm really looking forward to getting back on track with my training after having to slow down when I got sick. I have a double session Monday, a session on Thursday and will probably try and get a bonus session on Saturday to make up for missing last Thursday. I'm looking forward to this week :)
After my workout I was STARVING. After showering and getting some laundry in I made this ridiculously amazing lunch. Chopped salad, some simple guacamole (avocado, salt, pepper, garlic and lemon juice) with some of the dipping chips I got from Whole Foods last week. It was a perfect lunch. Very filling but I still felt virtuous after eating it.
I snacked on a chocolate brownie Pure Bar. I'll probably stick to these and Larabars and good quick raw snacks if I'm out and about and stuck. They are pretty good!
For dinner I'm about to chow down on this plate of brown rice and steamed tofu, broccoli and eggplant with a drizzle of garlic sauce. I made my dish while there was still a little sun left so I could get the picture. I got a new plate too :) Square with cherry blossoms. I love these smaller sized plates, they really help with portioning. I haven't used a regular dinner plate in a really long time.
As I mentioned before I'm feeling really good and energetic. I think it is a combination of the fresh, nutrient dense food and eating smaller meals more often again. I'm hoping that the energy stays for a while and that I'm able to push forward with my goals, mainly that I just want to be in great shape and feel comfortable in my body. I'm in pretty good shape but there is tons of room to get better and I'm far from my ideal body, but I'm working on it and I'll have it one day. I just have to push forward and take it one day at a time :)
I hope that you all enjoy your Sunday night. I had to throw out some food that went bad when I was sick and didn't get to the store today so if I have time I'll try and make a quick trip to Whole Foods tomorrow between work and the gym to fill in on a few things. I suppose I should make a list ;) This cuts down on frivolous spending. Usually.
That lunch salad looks really spectacular, and those chips look like a lot of fun! I have such a hard time eating salad off a plate for some reason; I make a huge mess EVERY time!
ReplyDeleteI love those Pure bars too, especially the chocolate. Unbelievable how clean the ingredients are.
Thanks! The chips are really good, especially with avocado ;) I make a messa ny time I eat salad, no matter what vessel I'm eating from.
DeleteThe Pure bars are great and I agree, the ingredients are so clean! I think the apple cinnamon one I just picked up has fewer ingredients than a Larabar. So impressive!
What a FANTASTIC Sunday!! I'm with you - usually don't like to workout with a full stomach. Breakfast does look really tasty, and I've seen the millet bread at the store. Guess I should stop looking at it, and try it!
ReplyDeleteDid you use different cardio machines or just stay on one? And a random question - what are you listening to these days, while working out?
I thought of you when I was thinking about my lunches this week, "I really should try a chop salad." I'm really inspired by your dinner, too!
In general, I'm inspired by you! I know you'll reach your fitness goals, and you have a packed week of training sessions to help you along. :)
First of all, I just want to say I'm so incredibly touched by what you just said. You guys all inspire me and keep me accountable and I value you all so much for it.
DeleteOK, so millet bread. Definitely give it a try. It is a lot more dense than regular bread but it has a great flavor and I actually can't imagine going back to regular bread now.
I tend to go through phases with cardio machines. Right now I've been using the arc trainer a lot which is basically a cross between an elliptical and a stair master. I go for 30-60 minutes. I plan on switching off with running on the treadmill as well once I build up on the trampoline.
I have very weird random taste in music so it tends to vary on my mood. I was listening to current pop music for a little bit but got over it pretty quickly since I hear it all the time. I've been listening to the Deftones a lot lately while I do cardiio, especially White Pony. Sometimes I'll listen to a 90's alternative playlist I put together and sometimes I'll listen to Eminem. It really depends on the day. I've been thinking about posting about playlists and things so maybe I'll do that soon :)
Hope to see a chopped salad in your posts soon! ;) Have a great night and thanks again for your kind words!
Oh I forgot! I also watch YouTube videos of my favorite fighters as inspiration while I do my cardio. I get inspired to push through the extra 10 or 15 minutes or increase the intensity. Especially because my all time favorite fighter does triathlons on his days off from training. If that isn't inspiring I don't know what is!
DeleteI'm so glad you're feeling better :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your energy levels stay up- I'm sure having more nutritious food in your system will keep you feeling great.
Your food looks great! & your new plate is too cute. I think the only time I use regular sized plates is for my huge veggie dishes or salads... plus having a smaller bowl that looks fuller is somehow more satisfying (to me anyway?)
All the best xxx
Thanks Claire! I hope so too, I'm feeling great today, I'm ready to kick ass in a little bit :)
DeleteI agree, smaller dishes make it look like you are eating so much more. It is such an easy way to keep you in check too.
Ladies can totally hang with the men! That's my mission with my band - in the rock genre, women tend to be sparse and oftentimes very "soft" (or they go to the other extreme and abolish their femininity), so it's my goal to kick ass and be as good as, if not better than the boys! Go us! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling better!!
That's so awesome! I hope you'll let us know when we can purchase your music :) I'd love to support fellow kick ass ladies!
DeleteThanks!
I'm so glad you're feeling better! Some days I just wake up and I'm full of energy too, without any real explanation. That chocolate Pure bar sounds yummy. I stopped eating off of full-sized dinner plates a while ago too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sage! Yeah, I'm feeling good today so I definitely can't complain :) The Pure bar is a really great, clean way to get your chocolate fix. Dinner plates are so overrated ;)
DeleteThat's great that you're feeling better! I've found colds and flus go away much faster now that I'm vegan.
ReplyDeleteYou continue to be such an inspiration for sticking to your goals and pushing through. So much awesomeness!
I adore that plate. It looks very pretty! I no longer use dinner plates, either, unless if all of our small ones are dirty. It definitely helps with portion sizes!
Aww thank you so much Molly :) You are an inspiration too, pushing through your injury like a champ! You are doing awesome, keep it up!
DeleteThanks! The plate is a silly little no break kinda deal but it is pretty and square which I love :) Sometimes you just need to shake things up a little!
Did you make that dinner yourself? What is the Garlic Sauce?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful food yesterday, hope you're still on the upswing!
Sadly no, I didn't make that simple meal myself. It makes me feel lazy when I think of it but oh well. I don't know exactly what is in the sauce but I know there is no chicken/fish/beef sauce or broth in it. I'm sure there is tons of sodium which is why I try to limit the amount.
DeleteThanks, still feeling great!