The Skinny on Fast-Food Breakfasts
March 10, 2010
Long road trips, getting on a plane, long days in the studio, all day office meetings, these are all times when a hearty breakfast is just what you need. But if you are on the road or in a hurry, grabbing breakfast from a fast food restaurant can be risky business if you are under-informed. It might be surprising, but grabbing a breakfast sandwich doesn’t have to be such an unhealthy idea. For example, before I get on a 5 hour flight to the west coast, I get a sausage biscuit with cheese. It runs about 500 calories and will keep me full for 6 hours (which is unheard of)! I could go healthier and switch it to an english muffin and add egg, but taste IS a factor for me. Since I would usually eat a meal and a snack in those 6 hours, my calories come out about the same and I’m not hungry! Plus, the high sodium content ensures that I will grab a big bottle of water before I get on that plane!
What is your go-to fast food breakfast?
If you don’t already have one, check out the links below to guide you in the right direction!
Best and Worst Fast-Food Breakfasts – Medicine.net
8 Best Fast Food Breakfasts – SparkPeople.com
Fast-Food Breakfast Slideshow: Best and Worst – WebMD
P90X Review Progress Report: Week 6
March 8, 2010
I ended up out of town for P90X – Week 6 and although that presented some challenges, I was able to make it work. I took my resistance band and the videos with me and was able to do most of the strength training moves. Plus, my parents have a treadmill so I was able to get in a little extra cardio. I wasn’t able to up the weights like I’d planned but that is what this week is now for!
This week, I want to take the moves to the gym and see if I can get a better workout since I’ll be able to mess more with the weights and enjoy the gym. It’s an experiment, but we’ll see what happens! Next week is recovery week, but I definitely don’t feel like I’ve worked hard enough this time around. Going to have to really push it this week.
P90X Review Progress:
Reviews from P90X-ers:
I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.
Leg Stretch: Quadriceps
March 5, 2010
You’ve been stuck inside at the gym on the treadmill or you’ve given up exercise all together as the weather declined. Either way, as the weather improves, it will be time to get outside and resume your exercise routine. The main thing you want to keep in mind is that you don’t want to get hurt! This means you need to
1) Ease into your outdoor routine
2) Stretch, stretch, stretch!
It can be easy to get carried and away as a weekend warrior and go on really long bike rides, hikes or jogs when the sun comes out. Make sure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard, too fast. This can result in physical injury or emotional burn out.
Stretching is so boring and time-consuming. This is probably why it’s something that few people do. Turns out, stretching is really good for you, especially after a tough workout. It helps to cool the muscles down, work out the kinks and this helps to prevent soreness and injury. Take the time, especially if you’ve been on the bench for a few months, and stretch!
Today we are focusing on the quad stretch because its a great stretch for every sport or activity. It focuses on the front of the thigh, which takes a beating during running, hiking, biking, walking…
<< Slide Show: How to do the Quad Stretch >>
Watch Amy Mac’s Quad Stretch Video
Easy Lunch Options: Soup It Up!
March 3, 2010
We’ve only got a few weeks left of warm winter soup before we have to clear the decks and prepare for sensational summer salads! Before soup season comes to a close we need to make the most out of the last few batches.
1) Add Vegetables
Even if you aren’t going to make a homemade pot of soup, you can still add veggies!
2) Go Lean
Switch out ground beef or steak for a leaner meat like ground turkey or chopped chicken.
3) Perfect Combination
Transition from soup to salad by spending the next few weeks eating them together! One of my favorite lunch combos is soup and a salad. Skip the excess bread with empty carbs and pair these together for the perfect start to spring!
What suggestions do you have for making the most out of the last few weeks of soup season?
Chuck Liddell Naked Workout Video
February 26, 2010
How many times have you been on the elliptical (in your Reebok shoes, of course) and thought, “This would be so much better if I was naked.” Well, this was obviously the case with Chuck Liddell and his girlfriend, Heidi Northcott, and then to have it caught on camera… too weird, right?! The video of their naked workout was released on TheBigLead.com and apparently its part of a viral ad campaign for one of Chuck’s sponsors, Reebok.
So what are your thoughts? Great exposure (haha) or shameless plug?
I think it’s ridiculous that someone actually thought that this was a peeping tom cam. Plus, I didn’t notice the shoes at first. (I was too busy trying to figure out how I’m always trying to find a sports bra with maximum support and… well, anyway.)
If the video goes viral and everyone is happy, then good for them.
Watch the Chuck and Heidi Naked Workout Video!
Feel the need to join in? Try a Naked Yoga class! – FitSugar.com
Also, in case you, like me, are concerned about the safety of working out naked – Nashville Fitness Examiner
Progress Report: P90X Week 4 & 5
February 23, 2010
Catching up on my P90X reviews. Week 4 was a recovery week, which was much needed. However, I ended up on the road for 9 days and missed some of Week 4 and most of Week 5. Instead of stressing about it, I ended up going for a few jogs, did some stretching and re-started Week 5 this week. I’m sure this isn’t what Tony had in mind, but sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.
So far, Week 5 has been tough. We are back to the high intensity workouts and although they are a struggle, I’m feeling really great about it. You can probably see my bulging biceps and ripped ab muscles from there!
The workouts are great but I’m starting to get a bit bored and am definitely missing the gym. If they had a P90X class at the gym, I’d be all about it! I think I’m going to try to work in some light cardio at the gym in the coming weeks just so I can stay with the program and keep up my motivation. Plus, the weather is getting nice so maybe getting out and about is all I really need. Think the winter blahs have officially set in… at least spring is right around the corner! The bet is still on between Nik and I (even after the missed workouts) and I’m looking forward to the celebratory event at the finish or at the very least, his share of the money if he quits! :)
P90X Review Progress:
Reviews from P90X-ers:
I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.
Best Sports Bra: Moving Comfort Sports Bras
February 22, 2010
Sports bras are like jeans, you have to try on a million before you find the right one! I’ve been searching high and low for years to find a sports bra that works for me. I’m not even sure how I found the Moving Comfort Fiona Sports Bra but I know that I’m ordering more! I wants maximum support, something comfortable enough to wear for hours and looks nice enough to shoot in! I found it all in this 1 perfect sports bra – I love the adjustable shoulder straps! It’s price point is in the middle, the color selection is good and if you order through Amazon, you get free shipping too! I’m sold! … Now, if I could only get them to be one of my sponsors (hint, hint)!
Finding Exercise Motivation
February 19, 2010
I had to laugh and cringe at this post on motivation and frustration at Fit Sugar.
from FitSugar:
Confession time. It was cold and rainy last weekend, and I motivated myself to go to the gym for an indoor cardio workout that would warm me up in no time. When I got there, it was like everyone in the entire city had the same idea, and every machine was occupied.
After waiting for about 10 minutes, I decided to throw in my towel…
I have also gone to the gym a couple of times and had to leave without working out before. It is the worst feeling ever! I always tell people that the hardest part of working out is getting there, but there are occasions where the gym is too crowded or maybe you try to workout when sick or too tired and it just doesn’t happen. I remember one time, it was a terrible winter day and I thought that working out would make everything better. I finally made it to the gym, did 1 set of bicep curls and said, “This is stupid, I’m going home.” and then left. Sometimes, its ok to not feel motivated or in the mood, just focus on how great your next workout will be.
Focus on your motivation, mix up your routines and have fun with your workouts to prevent burnout!
Super Bowl Snacking
February 5, 2010
It’s every football fan’s favorite time of the year – the Super Bowl! In addition to watching the game, you have to have an amazing food spread to properly celebrate. The foods are generally classified as junk food and eating them over the course of the game can add up to more than a day’s worth of calories… plus the calories in beverages!
First, know what you are getting yourself into. Here is a quick guide to some nutrition facts for popular Super Bowl foods.
If you are going to the party, plan on taking a dish of your own so you have something healthy to nosh on.
If you see some of your favorite foods on the table, eat those, only those and only a small amount of those. Don’t try to fight the temptation because by the end of the night you will have eaten those plus these and a little bit of that.
If you are hosting the party, you can make a few easy food swaps and no one will think, “Wow, healthy food.” they’ll instead applaud your variations and creativity.
Fit Links:
- Try my chicken strips with hot sauce recipe.
- Other Super Bowl food swap ideas.
- Super Bowl Fit Life (2008)
Latest Barefoot Running Adventures
February 4, 2010
I know so many of you were intrigued by the concept of barefoot running and the Vibram FiveFinger shoes that I’ve been using, so I wanted to keep you up to date on our latest adventures!
Fingers (and toes) crossed, I’ve been nearly knee pain free since last fall. I’ve continued to run, hike and so some yoga in the Vibrams and think that they are largely responsible for my improvements.
I will be running a 5K this week in these barefoot running shoes, which is the first event I’ve used them for. It is suppose to be 30 degrees and snowing but I’m confident that my decision to run in them is the right one.
Finally, I wanted to draw attention to a Time Magazine article, Toe Huggers, written about the author’s positive experience in the Vibram FiveFingers as well.
More about my barefoot running shoes experiences:
Buy Vibram Five Finger Barefoot Running Shoes at Amazon:
Find Me Here:
