In this post, I wanted to share some workouts and recipes I've been doing for the Whole30 challenge, in addition to some progress pics - because I think girls love judging other girls' bodies so JUDGE away if it gets me more page views!
So, I was actually going through some old pictures the other night and found some from a few years ago. I think I look so much happier and healthier these days!! What do you think? I actually remember that day, it was the Bruins parade and I'm pretty sure I there's rum in that soda I'm holding. I was still pretty active, but I was drinking and going out A LOT along with dealing with a lot of crappy stuff like a job I didn't care for, being away from my best friends and dealing with a breakup. Anyways! I am MUCH happier now, and it's amazing how your body can really reflect that, I always seem to be in the best shape when I am emotionally well.
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Welp anyways!
I've found some great recipes from stupideasypaleo.com so I highly recommend that site as a resource. Besides that, I've found most of my recipes from pinterest and searching through paleo or Whole30 boards. Whole30 eating is very similar to paleo, but it's more strict. I think it's because paleo eating is supposed to be sustainable and Whole30 is meant to be only for 30 days. So some paleo recipes will include things like raw honey or something like that, which is not Whole30 approved.
Recipes
I made these two recipes this weekend and so far I really like them! However, I'm sure by the end of the week the thought of chili will make me want to vomit.
- Paleo Sweet Potato Chili: http://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/2014/09/24/paleo-sweet-potato-chili/
- Paleo Plaintain Beef Pie: http://stupideasypaleo.com/2013/04/16/paleo-plantain-beef-pie/
Here are the infamous "chicken and meatballs" recipes from week 1 and 2. Honestly, they're not bad! I just got sick of them
- Buffalo Chicken Fingers: http://stupideasypaleo.com/2014/03/30/crispy-buffalo-chicken-fingers/
- Basil and Artichoke Meatballs (I used meat instead of turkey): http://paleomg.com/turkey-basil-artichoke-meatballs-egg-free-nut-free/
Workouts
I shared in an earlier post that I've been doing a 3-day lifting split with cardio every other day. I've been thinking of switching it up though because I've been doing that for about a month and a half, maybe more.
I haven't been doing very traditional cardio either. I've been doing more circuit training with low weight/body weight exercises. I'm a huge proponent for this because you burn just as many (if not more) calories as running or biking and you create a higher EPOC for yourself. EPOC is excess post-exercise oxygen consumption - which is basically the "afterburn effect", so you continue to burn calories after you've left the gym.
I'm also a crossfitter. I was a member of a box for about 8 months, and have just been utilizing the workouts on my own lately for my cardio. The WODs are fantastic for high intensity cardio sessions. I am DRIPPPPPINGGGG sweat when I'm finished, it's amazing, and way more interesting to me than HIIT (high-intensity interval training) on the treadmill or bike. I make sure to scale down the weight for a more aerobic rather than anaerobic effect.
One of my favorite WODs is how I start any leg day
- 25 front squats
- 25 back squats
- 20 front squats
- 20 back squats
- 15 front squats
- 15 back squats
- 10 front squats
- 10 back squats
- 5 front squats
- 5 back squats
- 1 front squat
- 1 back squat
- RULES: 65 pounds - clean the weight (don't use a squat rack). Any time you put the bar down, 3 burpees.
** Note: if you're not well versed with olympic style lifts, don't clean the weight. If you'd like to learn more on cleaning, here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxpHF6N6qk
Here are a few other workouts I've done for cardio:
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Here are a few other workouts I've done for cardio:
- 50 double unders (or 100 single under jump rope)
- 40 kettlebell swings (18kg)
- 30 hang power cleans (65lbs - I always use 65lbs as a base for cardio workouts)
- 20 box jumps
- 10 pull ups (or TRX rows)
- 60 Burpees
- do this twice through - you'll be sweatin your @$$ off.
- rest as little as possible
- 20 pushups
- 20 hanging knee raises
- 20 double unders (40 singles)
- 16 pushups
- 16 hanging knee raises
- 20 double unders
- 18 pushups
- 18 hanging knee raises
- 20 double unders
- keep this pattern until 4 pushups/4 hanging knee raises
- Every Minute on the Minute (also known as EMOM start on the minute, when you finish, take the rest of the minute to rest)
- EMOM for 10 minutes
- 3 burpees
- 4 power cleans (65lbs)
- 2 hang power cleans (65lbs)
- Rest 2 minutes
- EMOM for 10 minutes
- 1 shoulder press (65lbs)
- 2 push press
- 3 push jerk
- 3 burpees
- Rest 2 minutes
- EMOM for 5 minutes
- 5 thrusters (squat to overhead press)
- 3 burpees
- So, essentially this workout will take exactly 29 minutes.
And lastly, some progress pics. Definitely seems as though I've lost some inches around the stomach area, and my love handles have a little less love to them. I'm also happy because my T n A haven't been affected at all so yeah! I'd like to keep those fat.
Also I am terrible at taking selfies and back selfies are like really hard. I don't use a filter either so I'm not sure why there is a huge difference in lighting between the pictures.
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