Week 2 Wrap Up

So week 2 of Insanity is complete.  Although today was rest day from the program, I still like to do something.  I ordered Insanity Asylum a few weeks ago and have just been dying to get started, but I am committed to finishing this round of Insanity.  This round has been a completely different experience so far as I want to see it through to the end.  However, I have incorporated one of the workouts from Asylum into my weekly workouts on Sundays. I use the Back to Core DVD.  I absolutely LOVE doing this as my Sunday workout.  It isn't the fast paced workout you typically expect from Insanity, but rather very controlled, isolated exercises.  It makes you sweat hard and you can feel the burn in your muscles...I absolutely LOVE it.  

Tomorrow is Fit Test day, or progress check as I look at it.  In preparation for that, I did my measurements today, and am beyond pleased my results.  I have lost inches in my thighs, stomach, and waist.  I have yet to step on the scale, but weight loss truly wasn't my focus this round, but rather pushing myself to new limits with each workout and focusing really hard on cleaner eating.  This past week, I added something new to my healthy lifestyle, E & E, which is a pre-workout powder/drink which Beachbody sells.  This product is absolutely amazing.  It helps you to take you workout to an entirely new level, and "kill it" as my coach would say :-) My workouts Thursday-Sunday have been absolutely, indescribable.  I feel like it gives me an extra push and just when I think I can't give anymore I somehow manage to find it within myself to "dig deeper" and push myself harder.  Anyone looking to add something to their workouts, I TOTALLY recommend this product.

With today being Father's Day, I used this as an occasion to incorporate some of my healthy foods into our menu for today.  I love sharing healthy meals with my family.  It can be so difficult to continue to make good food choices when the holidays and family occasions roll around.  But you have to remember, this is a lifestyle.  Of course its ok to have the occasional cheat meal and to enjoy a night out, but this has become a way of life for me.  Each and every meal I eat/cook, I'm looking to maximize whatever it is that I am putting into my body.  Food is fuel for the body, so you want to make sure you are fueling it with good things.

Here's a couple healthy and very tasty side dishes from our meal today:

Black Bean Fiesta Salad:

3- tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2- tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1- garlic clove (minced)

1/2- teaspoon ground cumin

1/2- teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1- 9 oz can of black beans (low-sodium; rinsed)

1- cup corn (fresh or frozen)

2- celery stalks (diced)

1- green bell pepper (diced)

1- red bell pepper (diced)

1- red onion (diced)

In a large bowl, combine lemon juice, garlic, cumin and pepper.  Add beans, corn, celery, bell peppers, and onions.  Toss to coat.  (I let mine chill in the fridge for a couple hours, or even over night)  This is a great side dish or can be used as a snack.

164 calories; 6g total fat, 8mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 20g carbs, 2g fiber, 9g protein, 119mg calcium

Fresh Fruit Salad:

1-package of fresh raspberries

1-package of fresh blueberries

1- can mandarin oranges (sugar free)

4-5- kiwis (cut in quarters)

1-package of fresh strawberries (sliced)

Green or red grapes

Combine all fruit in a large serving bowl.

Tips for healthy food choices when presented with less healthier options:

Substitute a bun for lettuce or eat just the meat.

When attending a get together somewhere else, always offer to bring a dish, that way you can count on at least one thing that you can load up on your plate :)

Remember everything is moderation

Week 2 has been great. I have incorporated a few new food recipes into our menu schedule, added an edge to my workouts with the help of E&E, am using my team beach body account to track my works, and am once again seeing great results from this program.  Can't wait to see what results Fit Test brings tomorrow and what the rest of week 3 has in store.