Workout Wednesday - Day 59 (sort of) of PIYO

Today is Day 59 of PIYO...sort of.  Technically I missed a solid week of workouts because my mind and body took a break after the Labor Day weekend at the start of this month.  I indulged myself in some rest and relaxation...and food...that made it hard to get back on track after the long weekend away from my normal routine.  Then I got a bit of a sore throat/cold situation happen so I slacked on my regular workout routine.

I am committing to another week of PIYO to take me into the first full week of October. I'll finish just in time to celebrate the start of hockey season in our house (which means 1st Game Pizza) and our 5 year anniversary.

The photo above was from my workout yesterday, on Day 58.  I'm going to take this to a solid 70 days.  I always feel better when I complete a workout and I know I'll feel accomplished when I complete the ones I missed earlier this month.

The progress I've been making in my strength and flexibility keep me going.  Above is the Beast Pose where you're on all fours but you push off your knees by about an inch so you're hovering over the ground.  This may look easy but Holy Core!  Those muscles engage like WHOA!

Another pose I've improved on?  Warrior 3!  This one had me falling all OVER the place at the start of the PIYO program.  Now I can hold this pose and feel much more stable in it. Another accomplishment and achievement that is not measured by the scale!

Winning!

Workout Wednesday - Let's Stop Talking About Our "Flaws"

For today's Workout Wednesday, I wanted to share a little something I read in my latest issue of Glamour magazine.  The editor's note was about going makeup free.  Mila Kunis, their cover star for last month, even posed without makeup for the cover.

This isn't a post about makeup, of which I know very little about and also don't wear much of.  It's about loving yourself and appreciating yourself whether you're all done up for a fancy night out or at home in your sweats, messy hair and no makeup.  Being kind to yourself whether you've reached a fitness goal or you're still working towards it.

Below is an excerpt from the editors note by Cindi Leive that I tore out and keep nearby as a good reminder about self acceptance.

"Either way, let's stop talking about our "flaws."  One phrase you won't see in this magazine's discussion of the more natural beauty look: that it's about "embracing your flaws" or "accepting your imperfections," as all the self-help memes in my Instagram feed say these days.  Sorry, what?  The lines around your eyes, your beauty marks - these are not flaws; this is your face!  This isn't just a semantic point, either: Seeing your spots, dots and wobbly bits as flaws implies that there is, out there, some perfect ideal you're not measuring up to, and that the best you can do in this world is to accept that sad truth and move on.  I'm not down with that!  You're you, I'm me, and neither one of us is flawed." - Cindi Leive, Editor-in-Chief, Glamour Magazine

I agree with Cindi!  There is NO "perfect" ideal out there that you're not measuring up to. Give yourself a break!  You are working on yourself and your own happiness.  Comparing yourself to others steals that joy away from you.

I know this is easier said than done.  I've been there!  That's why it's important to have these reminders every once in awhile.

Love you body.  Treat it well.  Embrace yourself.

And go workout.  Not to lose weight, but to treat yourself.  Those endorphins will make you feel great and a finished workout provides such a sense of accomplishment!

Workout Wednesday - Day 45 of PIYO

 

Today is Day 45 of PIYO.  Wow!  To be honest, the Labor Day weekend threw me for a loop. I missed a couple workouts and then I missed a couple more.  I'm definitely off by several days according to my PIYO calendar but I am doing my best to get back on track. I'm not going to make myself crazy by trying to make up 5 missed workouts in a day, or even a few days.

I know the work I'm doing is worth it and missing a few days won't derail me completely. Besides, one of those days I didn't do a PIYO workout I was on a 75 minute paddle board adventure.  Another day I missed a formal workout?  I was on an 8 mile walk with my husband.  Life has a way of balancing itself out.  Inhale, exhale, move on!

I know each day, each little healthy choice I make for myself is good for my mind, body and spirit.  And that's enough. :)

Also, a little reminder...

That inner voice you hear each and every day?  It's your own and you hear it most often.

Remember to speak kindly to yourself.  Be nice to yourself, your body and your mind.

You deserve it.

Workout Wednesday - Non-Scale Victories

On this Workout Wednesday, I wanted to take a moment to discuss non-scale victories or NSV.  These are so important to be aware of, to notice and appreciate along your journey to improved health and fitness.  These are improvements in yourself that have NOTHING to do with that darn scale.  The scale is not the only way to measure progress, nor should it be!

Now I'm not saying that it's easy to stay off the scale or totally disregard what number it might reflect.  I used to weigh myself twice a week and it drove me crazy.  I became too hooked on what that scale said and forgot to realize all the other amazing things my body was doing for me. These days I weigh myself a few times a month, if that, just to check in.  I try to focus on those NSV as my main indicators of progress.  Mostly I try to just pay attention to how I FEEL.

The list of NSV listed at the top of this post are just a small sampling of what might constitute a NSV for YOU.  Try to notice these things and appreciate them when you do. I just had one last week and it consisted of me holding a plank for over a minute.  What?! At the start of this year I would have struggled to hold a plank for 15 seconds.  The fact that my body was strong enough to hold itself up for 80 SECONDS was amazing and definitely a VICTORY!

I can tell you honestly, that accomplishment made me feel better than any number I might see reflected on the scale.  It's truly amazing what consistent actions can turn into.

It's not what we do once in awhile that shapes our success, but what we do consistently. 

So why don't you try something?  Put the scale away.  Hide it in a closet, under the bed, in another room.  Give yourself a break from that little mind game gadget.

Remember, it does not know YOU.

It cannot measure all the wonderful things that make you uniquely YOU.

It doesn't know your quick wit or sense of humor.
It doesn't know your passion for volunteering.
It doesn't know your love of animals.
It doesn't measure how special and precious you are to your family and friends.
It doesn't know how many burpees you banged out in a week.
It doesn't know you broke your personal record for a plank hold.
It doesn't know you kicked ass at work yesterday.
It doesn't know that you can make delicious tacos.
It doesn't measure the fun you had at girl's night.
It doesn't measure the love you have for yourself.
It doesn't measure where you are on your personal journey.
It doesn't know your smile.
It doesn't know your husband thinks you're beautiful everyday.

It just doesn't know.  Don't give it more power than it deserves.

Oh, and today is Day 38 of PIYO and although I missed a few days over the Labor Day weekend, I'm back at it and looking to finish strong!

Green Toast - Avocado and Edamame

Have you ever tried a savory toast for breakfast?  There are lots of sweet options for breakfast but every now and then I like to go the savory route.

This one was inspired by an avocado sitting on the kitchen counter that had to be used before it went bad.  Avocado toast is super popular and there are tons of versions of this tasty toast.  I started with that as my base and decided to add on some steamed edamame, a squirt of lime and some sunflower seeds for crunchy texture.

A drizzle of honey lent a slightly sweet note to all the savory and it actually turned out to be quite a delicious and filling breakfast!  I ate this one morning before my husband and I went on a 7 mile hike and it was a great way to get some protein and carbs before heading into the wilderness.

Ingredients:

• Avocado (I used 1 small, ripe avocado)
• Steamed edamame (however much fits on your pieces of toast)
• Sprinkle of sunflower seeds
• Drizzle of honey
• 2 pieces of whole wheat bread
• S&P
• Lime

Instructions:

• Toast that bread.
• Spread that avocado on the toast.
• Drizzle some honey on top of the avocado.
• Edamame goes on the toast next.
• Season with S&P as desired.
• Squirt of fresh lime.
• Sprinkle those seeds.
• Done!

If you didn't know, avocados are a GOOD FAT and offer great health benefits too!

4 Ingredient Quinoa Bowl

It's Friday and if you're like me, you're ready for the long holiday weekend...Hello Labor Day!

Let's keep things simple with an easy, four ingredient meal you can enjoy for lunch or dinner. Heck, put a fried egg on top of this and even enjoy it for breakfast!

I ate this for lunch at the office.  I had all the ingredients cooked on a meal prep day and was just able to put them all in a bowl and have an easy lunch.

Vegetarian, full of protein and I got a good serving of veggies!

Ingredients:

• Quinoa
• Broccoli florets
• Edamame (frozen, steam-in-the-bag variety)
• Baby Portobello Mushrooms
• Optional: Garlic, Soy Sauce

Instructions:

• Cook the quinoa to package directions.
• Season the broccoli with salt, pepper, olive oil.  Roast in a 400 degree oven until browned at the edges, about 15-20 minutes.
• Saute the mushrooms with garlic in a pan with olive oil.  Season with S&P.
• Steam the edamame according to package directions.
• Serve together in a bowl and top with low sodium soy sauce.
• Enjoy!