Fitness Friday #6: Workout Schedule

I have recently been in a bit of a workout rut and haven't really felt motivated or excited for any of my workout DVDs. I use MyFitnessPal to keep track of calories and exercise and I heard about a workout challenge that sounded like the perfect solution! For the last two weeks I have been following Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Slim Down Challenge, which is tough, but a great motivator and it really helps that I am part of a group to keep me accountable! Here is the schedule:

DAY 1 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1

DAY 2 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1

DAY 3 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES

DAY 4 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1

DAY 5 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 6 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 7 - OFF!
DAY 8 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
DAY 9 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 10 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES

DAY 11 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 12 - BANISH FAST, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 13 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 14 - OFF!
DAY 15 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 16 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 17 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 18 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & 2
DAY 19 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 20 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM

DAY 21 - OFF!
DAY 22 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 & 1
DAY 23 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 24 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 25 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 26 - OFF!
DAY 27 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED LEVEL 1
DAY 28 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 29 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 AND THEN LEVEL 1
DAY 30 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES

So far I have noticed some small results (I'm looking to tone up more, not lose any weight or anything), I can definitely see my stomach muscles and better muscle tone in my arms. I'm definitely looking forward to day 30!

Fitness Friday #2: Recipe

This has become one of my new favorite recipes (with an adjustment!), thanks to Self magazine and Jillian Michaels!

Mediterranean Baked Salmon with Quinoa (Keen-wa)

(makes 2 servings)

2 Atlantic Salmon fillets

1-2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 and 1/2 Red Bell peppers sliced

1 Fennel bulb sliced

About half a small can of sliced black olives

1 tsp. dried Oregano (or 2 tsp. fresh)

Fresh Black Pepper (to taste)

1 Lemon

Rub salmon with olive oil, place salmon with veggies on top in pan. Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes (until fully cooked, baking times may differ). Drizzle with lemon juice. Serve with quinoa.

Quinoa Rice

1 Cup Quinoa

2 Tomatoes, chopped

1/2 Red Bell Pepper

Handful of Cilantro (chopped)

2 Cups Water

Cook 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water, after a few minutes add cilantro, red bell pepper, and tomatoes. Cook until rice is ready (no more water).

I thought this was very delicious, although I was not too fond of the fennel taste, so next time I will omit that and probably just add some yellow bell peppers and/or zucchini instead.

Fitness Friday: 30 Day Shred Review

Over the past few months I have really been enjoying working out (crazy, I know!). One of my inspirations has been Jillian Michaels, I love her no-excuses attitude and how encouraging she is to just keep going even when you feel like you are going to die! The 30 Day Shred DVD has been in my workout rotation for about 6 months and has stayed challenging. There are 3 levels (about 24 minutes each) beginning with the easier moves to build more endurance/stamina and then progressing to a very challenging Level 3 workout. Each level has a warm-up and cool down with 3 circuits of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs. I have done each level numerous times and continue to put this workout DVD into my rotation, and I still feel like I am getting a great workout each time. I haven't been trying to loose any weight, just trying to get more toned and I have seen an improvement! I can actually see some ab definition, my legs are more muscular than fat, and I have some pretty nice tricep muscles! Haha! I would definitely recommend adding this to your exercise DVD collection!

*When I started this workout I was using 2 pound weights and have since switched to 3 pound weights, the added pound surprisingly makes the workout more challenging!