Last week of Push Phase

Sooooo, I haven't written in quite awhile, because I've been completely swamped with work and traveling. I was out of town for 12 fo the last 25 days... I have tried to keep up with my workouts as best I can, and I've only actually skipped one of the strength workouts in the Push phase. My cardio, on the other hand, had fallen off quite a bit. I got back into town from an 8 day trip on Monday, and as of Tuesday, I'm back on track with workouts and diet. My diet was a complete bust during the 8 days I was out of town. A lot of it was due to alcohol consumption...

I will finish up the Push phase (the heavy weight phase) this week and will post my results Sunday night. I'm a little nervous since my diet has been bad for the past couple of weeks. Chalean did say that I'd be really hungry this month because of the heavier weights (I'm using my 20 and 25 lb. dumbbells!, and my 50 lb suitcase was much easier to maneuver than usual on my work trips!). We'll see if I can make up for it with super-healthy eating for the next few days;).

I'm REALLY SUPER-EXCITED to start the Lean phase of this program, because I think I've really gotten alot stronger this month (the excess food probably helped;), and I think I will be able to see the definition that I've added after I lose this little layer mush that I've put on.

Chalean Burn Phase Results

                 Before            Burn
Height:         5'5"
Weight:        127     ->     124      = 3 lb loss
Chest:            35     ->        35     = no change (this was a surprise... normally the first place I lose...)
bicep:            10     ->        10     = no change (but I can see more definition in my arms)
waist:            28     ->      27.5    = 1/2 inch loss (my goal is 25 inches)
Belly:            31     ->        30     = 1 inch loss! (measured at belly button)
Hips:             37     ->      36.5    = 1/2 inch loss
Thigh:           21.5   ->        20     = 1 inch total loss (measured at widest part of upper thigh)
Calf:             13.5   ->      13.5    = no change

Overall, I lost 3 pounds and 3 inches total. Im most excited about the inch lost in my tummy. I will provide more detail and burn phase photos later (I'm updating from my phone now).

Burn Phase Before and After photos:

1. Before Front
2. After front
3. Before back
4. After back

Creamy Chicken Chili Recipe - Yummy, Easy and Healthy!

I came up with a super-easy, healthy Creamy Chicken Chili Recipe tonight (the hubby is out of town for work, so I'm free to experiment:):

Ingredients:

1 - six ounce can of chunk chicken breast
1 - individual cup of Fage 2% plain greek yogurt (7 oz)
1 - can of chili ready diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used white onion)
Optional - reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking instructions:

1. spray a non-stick pan with olive oil and start cooking chopped onion over low heat
2. Open containers of chicken, tomatoes and greek yogurt and mix together. Then add them to the pan with the onion.
3. Simmer until onion is soft.
4. Serve and enjoy!
5. Optional - sprinkle with reduced fat cheese

Makes about 2 (large) servings

Nutritional Data per serving:

Calories:    232.5
Carbs:        20 grams
Fat:            3.5 grams
Protein:      31.5 grams

Beginning Chalean week 4!

I'm starting the 4th and final week of the 'Burn Phase' in Chalean Extreme today. I can't wait to take my measurements to see if I got any measurable results this weekend! I will post the measurements along with photos for this phase on Saturday. Once again, my diet was terrible over the weekend, but it was pretty decent during the week last week. I'll be very strict this week in anticipation of my Burn Phase results photos and measurements!

Found my next BeachBody program! Shaun T Groupon!!!

 $20 for Shaun T’s Rockin’ Body or Deluxe Rockin’ Body Seven-Workout Set ($59.85 List Price)
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-shaun-t-seven-workout-dvd-set?utm_campaign=UserReferral_dp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu7789253

Shirataki - a 0 Calorie pasta alternative!

I've mentioned zero calorie shirataki noodles several times in my posts (I eat them several times per week). While I wouldn't say that they're just as good as real pasta, they're the best substitute that I've found. They're definitely best when mixed with a lot of other ingredients. I've been using the Hungrygirl.com recipes for them after my sister told me about the website: http://www.hungry-girl.com/biteout/show/2157. HungryGirl.com describes them as "The World's Best Pasta Swap." My favorites are the chicken carbonara and the tuna noodle casserole. My husband really likes them too.  They're made from some sort of weird japanese yam root that smells like seafood, so you have to rinse them after opening.

I've had trouble finding them here locally (I haven't seen them at our Whole Foods). Anyway, the noodles are on sale on groupon today:

 $34 for 24 8-Ounce Packs of NoOodle Zero-Calorie, Gluten-Free Noodles ($79.94 List Price) http://www.groupon.com/deals/dc-bst-gg-nooodle-shirataki-0-calorie-noodle?sd=false&utm_campaign=UserReferral_dp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu7789253

ChaLEAN Week 2 - Weight Training v. Cardio for fat loss

So, my parents came into town to visit this weekend, and we definitely over-indulged. My husband and I took them to a delicious all-you-can-eat cajun buffet for lunch (I didn't go back for seconds, so that's a small accomplishment), and then to a a delicious traditional German restaurant for dinner. We had a rare "cool" day (the high was only in the 90's), so we sat out on the patio and their was a live band. I had 2184 total calories on Friday, 2015 on Saturday, and I got somewhat back on track on Sunday with 1673 calories.

I skipped my ChaLEAN workout on Saturday, because we were busy with my parents, but I made it up on Sunday (which was supposed to be a rest day). It was a 2-part workout "Burn it Off" and "Recharge." Burn it Off is a high intensity cardio routine. Very light weights are used in a small portion of the workout. Recharge is a yoga/stretching routine. It is about 20 minutes long, but it seemed like an hour to me, because I've never really enjoyed stretching or yoga (too impatient I guess), but I know it was good for me.

I started my week 2 workouts yesterday with my second round of Burn Circuit 1. I really upped my weights on many of the exercises, and felt like I got a much better workout than the first time around. I kept with the same weight on any exercises  which included a lateral raise (their were a few), because I felt it was necessary to keep correct form.

I mentioned before that the main reason I'm writing this blog is to keep myself in check and motivated to complete the entire program. Another things that helps me with this is surfing Pinterest and Fitness blogs for motivational pictures and articles. Here's an article that I found very motivational, specifically with regard to sticking with the ChaLean Extreme program as opposed to going back to my normal daily cardio routine: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fat_loss_training_wars.htm.

Food Diary: