Sunday, March 13, 2011

Revived - Weekend Workouts and Eats

It takes 21 days to form a habit. Looking back it has been almost 2 months (55 days) since I rejuvenated my lifestyle of cooking healthier and working out 5 days a week. How do I feel?

Honestly, I feel like a new person.

I feel healthier, more awake, more comfortable in my own skin and proud of myself for taking control of my body {on a higher level}. We all know how hard we can be on ourselves. I can honestly admit I am my own worst critic. I have always felt pretty {most days}, but now my perspective of my own beauty includes being fit and active. My goal was to tone, to not dread the first day I slip into my bikini.

My "I can't" attitude has now turned into "I can".

I am not measuring my success by the number on my bathroom scale, but rather how I feel inside. How I feel in the morning when I am getting dressed. How I feel after eating dinner. When I would go out to eat I never thought twice about what I was putting into my body. Now, I look for healthy alternatives when out and say no to things I know I will regret and beat myself up about. I allow myself to indulge on occasion, but know I will have to work twice as hard the next day at the gym. And I accept that. 

I no longer give up easily.

I am now pushing and challenging myself in new ways at the gym. I played club field hockey in college and even worked at a gym my senior year, but I never really pushed myself. I don't let my mind give up as quickly as it used to. Yesterday and today I ran intervals for 4 miles for a total of 50 minutes. 50 minutes may seem long, but I alternate running with walking at a 6.5% incline which is my "recovery" time. 

0-5 minutes: 3.6 0% incline warm-up
5-20 minutes: 5.6
20-26 mintues: 6.2
26-30 minutes: 3.6 at 6.5% incline
30-35 minutes: 5.6
35-40 minutes: 3.6 and 6.5% incline
40-45 minutes: 5.6
45-46 minutes: 6.3
46-50 minutes: 3.6 at 6.5% incline

"Interval training combines short, high intensity bursts of speed, with slow, recovery phases, repeated during one exercise session... According to the American College of Sports Medicine, more calories are burned in short, high intensity exercise." source

Do you run intervals at the gym or are you a distance runner? My legs are finally getting used to running and I feel better hopping off the treadmill dripping with sweat then when I would just do the elliptical.


Honestly, how cute are these guys? Maggie and Chance were exhausted after our long walk around the neighborhood today. I am so glad it is finally nice out! AND Alyssa at FashionFitnessFoodie would be extra proud of me because Friday I finally went to Tasti D-Lite for some frozen yogurt!


I got a cup of 70 calorie french vanilla with half heath bar and half strawberries. I couldn't even finish this bad boy! I am now hooked, and good thing because it's only 10 minutes from my house!


what's on my salmon?
 garlic
low sodium soy sauce
lime juice
honey
pepper
splash of vegetable oil


So good and so easy! I roasted some skinny asparagus with olive oil and garlic and cooked some red potatoes with Old Bay. 

I'm off to enjoy my food and watch Real Housewives of OC! Hope you had a good weekend!

xoxo,
Cara

17 comments:

  1. I'm SO happy you are loving the new healthy lifestyle!! I personally like longer distance running more because after years of soccer workouts I found that sprinting makes my quads HUGE so I just stick to distance to make them lean out. That's just me, though!! It may be totally different for someone else. And that froyo looks bomb. I'm watching RHOC tonight, too :) Who is your fave? Mine is Alexis.

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  2. Yay! I'm so happy you're loving this new lifestyle!! Intervals are amazing. I try to do them once a week. They always kick my butt!

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  3. I love intervals! Especially how sweaty I am afterwards. If I'm sweaty after a run, I feel like I didn't do anything! Haha.

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  4. Cara, I'm SO glad that you're feeling healthy and happy! It's truly amazing what a few lifestyle changes can do for both body and soul. :-)

    Interval workouts are my favorite because they give a better workout for less time. Initially, I dreaded the high intensity periods, but now they're my favorite part. So invigorating!

    Your dinner looks delicious. I've been on a salmon kick lately...Can't get enough!

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  5. Ooh your salmon looks delish! I have got to try this combo of toppers for the fish! =) Thanks for the idea!

    and omggggggggg the pups are too cute for words! =)

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  6. yay! a healthy lifestyle is FABULOUS and makes you feel so accomplished! So happy you're feeling better girl :) you're such an inspiration to so many of us! and your salmon looks SO yummy! if I lived closer- I def would love to take your pups for a walk! how cute are they?!

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  7. Im so happy to hear that the lifestyle changes are working out for you! I used to be into distance running, but lately its all about sprints/intervals! (Im doing that tonight at the gym). The salmon looks sooo good and same with the Tasti d lite! I had some when I was in NYC and really liked it..theres none out here though!

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  8. I never knew tasti d-lite was the frozen yogurt charlotte ate in SATC episodes! I saw it online when looking up the address! It made me want to go try it even more! You are motivating me to go workout tonight!

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  9. @Cait
    omg they would love that! i am so glad it is staying light later because now when i get home it will still be light enough to take them out! they feel so spoiled when we go for walks!

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  10. There's nothing better than actually feeling healthy. It takes a big adjustment but speaking from my perspective I'd never go back :)

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  11. @Cait
    Jenny you are totally right! It almost is like an addiction! I always think man if I weren't at the gym I would just be veggin' out on the couch relaxing, but I couldn't picture doing that now!

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  12. Congratulations on getting healthier I love froyo and yours looks divine!

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  13. What a positive, upbeat, encouraging post. You should be proud of your accomplishments!

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  14. @Stephanie
    thank you lady! i definitely am and I am so glad I started earlier rather than later... especially since spring has now sprung and summer is around the corner!

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  15. That really makes me want to try the Tasti d Lite near me! That is great that your feeling so much better :) I need to keep up my good habits, especially on the weekends.

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  16. You are so inspiring! I love that you say you have a can do attitude now!

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  17. That's so awesome that you've changed your attitude and you're loving your healthy lifestyle!! It's all so very worth it! :)

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