8/12: Meals and Fitness for the week

Hi friends! Happy Sunday! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.

I thought it would be fun to start sharing meals and fitness plans for the week, so we could all get some ideas and motivation from each other. I like to prep on Sunday, so during the weeks’ craziness, it’s easy to grab things from the fridge to eat quickly or take with me. Over the past couple of years, I stopped posting most of my food as it’s become redundant and probably boring to see every day. (I eat a LOT of egg burritos.) I also wanted to get away from feeling like I always have to make something exciting, because most of the time, meals are fast and furious around here. Lately I’ve been focusing more on fitness and the new-to-me products and fun recipes.  

I usually stick to the usual staples and keep the same things in our grocery rotation, in addition to whatever we need for specific recipes. I usually only plan dinners for 4 nights or so, because often the Pilot will fly or work late and I’ll have something easy here at home.

Here’s what we have going on for this week: 

Recipes:

-Chicken and zucchini pasta with goat cheese

-Coconut shrimp curry and brown rice

-Cucumber and avocado spring rolls with chili sauce

-Almond butter banana fudgesicles

-Kale, chickpeas, chicken sausage and egg

Shrimp 5

Prepping ahead:

-Quinoa

-Baby food

-Amazeballs

-Grilled chicken breasts

Groceries

Grocery list:

-Eggs

-Milk

-Salad (kale and other)

-Salad veggies (tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, cucumber, whatever looks good)

-Zucchini

-Apples, pears, bananas

-Mirepoix

-Maple syrup

-Almond butter

-Frozen peas, broccoli and sprimp

-Coconut milk (2)

-Chickpeas (2)

-Chicken breasts (4)

-Chicken sausage

-Frozen fruit

-Chocolate and vino

Sabino4

Fitness plan:

-Sunday: 6 miles

-Monday: OFF

-Tuesday: 20 minutes of weights + 20 minutes of HIIT

-Wednesday: teach Zumba

-Thursday: 20 minutes of weights + 20 minutes of HIIT

-Friday: OFF

-Saturday: teach Zumba

Supine weights

So there ya go! I’d love to hear what you have on the menu and planned for the week!

If you’d like this to become a regular thing on the blog, please let me know what you think <3

xoxo

Gina

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92 Comments

  1. Rebecca on August 12, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I love this feature-it’s so helpful to see your workout plans for the week! It’s nice to see the flow of the workouts/how you lay them out so they’re not too repetitive (i.e. HIIT two days in a row).

    Question: if you were to do a tabata, would you count that as your HIIT for that day? And then do weights in addition? And do you put the weights sets in between the rounds of tabata?

    • Fitnessista on August 12, 2012 at 2:43 pm

      yep! i would do the tabata instead of hiit (which i do sometimes), and do a warm up, few sets of strength training, a tabata round, strength, tabata, strength, tabata, cool down

  2. Kelsey on August 12, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Love this feature- please keep it up! Its a good reminder of ways I can plan for the week as well:) Thanks!

  3. Amanda on August 12, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    I would love this feature to continue! My pilot works crazy hours too… So I squeeze workouts in during nap time (I would love to get to the gym but he’s never home early enough) and quick meals in when I can.. Our 5 month old is about ready to start solids as well!
    This week I plan to make: lemon pepper chicken, layered Mexican bake, and creole tilapia… Plus whatever Michael wants for his bday dinner on Thursday! Making my first ever cheesecake for him too… Any tips?

    The workouts this week will include in no particular order: 3 mile stroller run x 2,, 20 minute HIIT + weights, insanity DVD, p90x shoulders and arms.

    • Fitnessista on August 12, 2012 at 2:55 pm

      one of my favorite cheesecake tips is to cook it in a water bath- you wrap the bottom of the pan in foil and bake in about 1 in of water. after it’s done, leave it in the oven (turned off) with the door cracked for a little while. it will keep it from collapsing and cracking
      happy early birthday to your pilot hub 🙂
      xoxo

  4. Wendy on August 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    What is the recipe for the cucumber avocado spring rolls? It sounds delish!

  5. Jeni on August 12, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I get to work out this week for the first time in 4 weeks after minor surgery, yay!!!! My plan is to do 1 day Power yoga, 1 day Astanga, 1 kettle bell class, 1 spin class and arms/ back day, and one run. Just put a loaf of Pineapple Banana Ginger (secret chickpea) bread in the oven, and I plan on devouring that over the week!

  6. Ashley Marchant on August 12, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Plan for the week for food: make a bunch of grilled chicken plus some stir fry veggies, tilapia (not sure how I will cook it), Chicken sausage meal with veggies, smoothies, protein perfect pancakes.
    Workouts: Power Yoga, boxing, lift upper body and lower body with extra cardio for warm-up cool down and a couple of HIIT workouts on the days I work : ) ( I work 12 hour shifts so the quick but effective HIIT workouts are perfect!) Like sharing ideas, always looking for ways to spice it up!!

  7. Jacquelyn on August 12, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    I am an addict to your blog! I look forward to it EVERY day!!! I LOOOOVED this post. I am always so fascinated about your life and your eats and everything! Keep it up Gina!!! I absolutely adore you and your fam!! XOXO

  8. Ush on August 12, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I like this feature as well, hope you keep it up!
    Food plan: breakfast cookies ( love!), other oatmeal concoctions, chicken sausage and veggie casserole, lentils, okra & broccoli side dishes, haven’t figured out the rest yet … i have some squash, red curry sauce, other randoms to incorporate.
    Workout plan: crossfit, off, crossfit, crossfit, crossfit, off, crossfit (today-sat)

  9. Andreina on August 12, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Please keep this on. It´s a great way to get new ideas for meals and work outs.

  10. Azka on August 12, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Super helpful – please make this a regular feature!

  11. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy on August 12, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    this is such a helpful post! thanks!

  12. Ksenija on August 12, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    I love this idea! Especially with a little family I imagina that it is really stressful to always cook up some healthy exciting meals and prepping ahead must be a huge help throughout the week.
    Since I am mostly cooking just for me, and sometimes also my boyfriend and/or friends, I do mostly prepare my food for the day the evening before. But I do always have some staples around like raw dried fruit/nut balls, healthyfied cookies or muffins, something breadish to top with peanutbutter and bananas and some cooked quinoa, rice, oatmeal – whatsoever. Recently I also started to make my own soy yogurt – which makes a great snack to go with some fresh fruit.
    My workout is not really planned at the moment, I kind of go with the flow. Round about 3 times a week I go for a morning run, the rest of the week I place my bodyrock/zuzka light workouts and yoga and on thursdays I have my kickboxing class. Most important: One day a week is off.

  13. Averie @ Averie Cooks on August 12, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Almond butter banana fudgesicles AND the spring rolls w/ chili sauce – and if I wasn’t shrimp allergic, the coconut shrimp – you’ve got a stellar week lined up! And yes to the fast and furious thing 🙂

  14. Silvana on August 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    I love your blog and think this a great idea. As a teacher, I’m all about planning! Also, I always buy mirepoix-it is such a timesaver!

    • Fitnessista on August 12, 2012 at 3:56 pm

      and at trader joe’s, one thing of mirepoix is the same price as the bag of celery. i would never eat a bag of celery, so for cost savings, it makes more sense to just buy the mirepoix

  15. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance on August 12, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    Almond Butter Banana Fudgesicles?!?! Sounds good. I need to be better at meal planning for the week–I fly by the seat of my pants too much.

  16. Jackie on August 12, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Big fan of this idea!! And all those meals sound fantastic…

  17. Jessi on August 12, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I’m dying to try this healthy butternut squash mac&cheese this week. I’ll also probably make my bulgar lentil (chicken) sausage salad It’s perfect for a summer day!

    My workout plan is just to try to squeeze it in each day. We have some house renovations going on and my in-laws are coming, so it’ll probably be a challenge.

  18. Laura @ She Eats Well on August 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    I love this feature on your blog; it is inspiring. It’s a lot of planning! But worth it, in the end.

  19. Stephanie on August 12, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I like this idea! I would love to see more! I think it would also be interesting to see a post on what you eat all day – maybe just one day just to get an idea. Something like, “a day in the belly of Gina?” haha

    Thanks for all your dedication to this blog. I’ve been reading it for several years and have watched it grow. I love all the changes you have made. I have a son who is 3 months old, so I especially liked reading your family pages, since I could always see what was coming up next for me. Keep it up!

  20. elizabeth on August 12, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    This is such a great idea! Thank you! Planning is so important, but often overwhelming to me! Is there any chance that you can share the recipes of the meals you are making during the week? Elizabeth

  21. Melissa on August 12, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Love this feature!

    2 of our dinners are usually “salad beasts”…with varying protein and then the rest is dependent on the mood of the diner 🙂 Don’t know what else is on the menu plan yet…the “chef” is currently taking a nap. I shop, he cooks…sounds like a fair trade off to me! (he’s the better cook but it’s also a scheduling-thing around here that has resulted in this routine)

    I’m in marathon training mode right now so I have 1-yoga, 3-4 days of running 1-(speed or tempo, 1-medium-long..5-7 miles, 1-long…this coming week will be 15 miles, and either a fun run with a friend or maybe a trail run), and finally 1-cross train-might be bootcamp, strength, or Zumba depending on my mood)

  22. Hillary on August 12, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    I would love to see something like this weekly. I live alone, so it’s easy to get into food and fitness ruts—every once in a while, I need ideas to boost me out of it! (Like that chicken and zucchini pasta—yes, please!)

    Just went grocery shopping, and I’m planning on making southwestern chicken burgers with baked sweet potato fries, as well as a bean/rice/veggie stir fry for dinners. I’m also going to get in one long run this week, at least two weight sessions, and a kickboxing class (in addition to my usual cardio routines)!

  23. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on August 12, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Huge fan of this idea – I hate feeling like I’m in a dinner rut so this definitely has the potential to give me lots of new ideas.

  24. Kate @KateMovingForward on August 12, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Love this! My workout plan is Monday: Run 3ish miles; Tuesday: Strength and HIIT; Wednesday: Yoga; Thursday: Strength and HIIT; Friday: Rest; Saturday: Fun cardio aka rest, bike ride, or something on the water–maybe kayaking or canoeing! 😀

  25. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy on August 12, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    I don’t have the whole week planned out, but tonight we’re having tofu salad rolls w/ peanut sauce. And we took the makings for pita and hummus plate w/ feta and kalamata olives. A great option for a party, but also a easy, no cook dinner option.

  26. Eucalya on August 12, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Sharing your meals and fitness plan is a great idea! Is it possible to have your chicken and zucchini pasta’s recipe? I’d love to know how you cook it! xxx

  27. Abby A. on August 12, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Planned my week ahead today too! There is speghetti squash, chicken sausage, amaze balls, boiled eggs and roasted chickpeas on the menu- as well as Zumba, cardio funk, pilates, and barre on the menu for exercise! Love reading everything you post- I ditto what someone else was saying that I’m “addicted”…lol

  28. Ilana on August 12, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    I have a ridiculous week ahead.. I’m starting a 10 day teacher training immersion tomorrow…ten hours a day every day with no chance to go out to grab food, plus I’ll still be teaching at least one class at night every day…. it’s gonna be a doozy for sure. prepping like cray: raw almond hemp cheese, raw seed cheese, almond or hemp milk, frozen bananas for smoothies, a large batch of chia porridge, energy truffles, chopping up veg for quick use. planning on making stuffed squash blossoms (just started working with them, fill them like nori wraps. they’re easier because theyre already rolled), nori & collard burritos, large salads and smoothies to go…I’m about to hit the grocery store now. gonna be a delicious one for sure.

  29. Holly on August 12, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Almond butter banana fudge sickles! Please tell more! Is this something you make or buy? This incorporates all foods I love!! I like the idea of a weekly set up too. 🙂

  30. Meg @sassyrun on August 12, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    I love this! The hardest part for me is planning out my week in advance, so its super easy to just copy your ideas instead of come up with my own 🙂 And I agree..you HAVE to share that recipe to the cucumber avocado rolls!

  31. Cai on August 12, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    These next 2 weeks before I have to go back to school, my mom and I are doing an all vegan cleanse. Not too hard, since I’m already a vegetarian and she doesn’t eat much meat.
    Anyway, today we cooked large quantities of black beans, quinoa, and made homemade hummus (sooooo good); also chopped up tons of red bell peppers, celery, and cucumbers to have on hand, and we’re planning on roasting some sweet potatoes with yellow and acorn squash. And of course, we bought lots of summer fruits– peaches, mangoes, bananas, melons. 🙂
    It will be a tasty 2 weeks!

  32. Jessica @ Busy Living Healthy on August 12, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    I really love this! It’ll be really helpful for me because I’m about to start school back up in a couple of weeks & I always love having fast things I can throw together. 🙂

  33. Shannon on August 12, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Hi Gina, I would love for this to be a regular feature on your blog 🙂

  34. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on August 12, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    Love this definitely make this a regular feature! You plan your week out similar to mine! It just helps so much with staying on track and being ready for the week ahead!

  35. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More on August 12, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    I made a delicious cold couscous salad recipe last week that I’m planning to repeat again this week. Over a bed of arugula it was AMAZING and I dreamed about it each night I came home from work. Must be good if I want it again so soon. 🙂

  36. Danica @ It's Progression on August 12, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    I would love for this to be a regular post! I always meal plan and plan my workouts for the coming week and it’s always great to get new ideas.

  37. Catie on August 12, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    In the middle of this post, I was inspired and got up to start a huge pot of brown rice going on the stove so that I’ll have some this week, and some to freeze. Thank you for the reminder to do this! Definitely like the new feature.

  38. Mary-Heather on August 12, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Such a great idea for a post!!

  39. becca on August 12, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    I really love this post. It helps me to get ideas for my week grocery list and also work out plan! Hope you keep this update going!

  40. Jess T on August 12, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    Love this! I’ve been in the habit of planning food ahead for the week for about a year and it definitely makes the week go more smoothly, especially when my husband and I both have evening activities planned and I have 20 minutes to get dinner on the table.

    This week’s menu has homemade veggie burger’s (ohsheglows recipe) with oven fries & salads, ravioli with zucchini and a creamy lemon basil sauce & salads, and grilled pork for my hubs with beans, spiced sweet potato wedges and more salad.

    Workouts will be 3 ChaLEAN Extreme lifting workouts, 3 C25K runs (week 6!), along with some Turbofire.

    Can’t wait to see more of these posts for some new ideas!

  41. Kim on August 12, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    I really really like this!! While I am learning to plan my weeks out, it is helpful to see yours. I love your blog 🙂

  42. Emily on August 12, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    I love this! Being able to see your meal and exercise plan inspires me to actually write one out for myself. I know that it would save me a ton of time and money.
    Cucumber & avocado spring rolls sound to die for! Hopefully you’ll share the recipe with us. (:

  43. Catherine Crain on August 12, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    making some amazeballz this week! I’ve been dying too and am going to trader joes tomorrow and stocking up! 🙂

  44. Jess on August 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    I think it is a great idea as a regular feature! Definitely makes a big difference to plan things out!

  45. Anne on August 12, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Your Sunday prep has motivated me to be way better about prepping on Sundays, and I am so thankful for it come Wednesday!
    Today I prepped three lunches, Pasta, chicken breast, tofu, and spaghetti squash!

  46. Christina R on August 12, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    i love this new feature – always coming up with new and great ideas for the blog!!

  47. jameil on August 12, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    Andouille sausage & southwest potatoes with cheddar & corn (NYT recipe); Veggie burgers (Guy Fieri recipe) with squash casserole; Garlic shrimp pasta & vegetable tamale pie. I’m excited already! After several weeks of menu planning, I took a week off and that whole week I was discombobulated! Menu planning is awesome!

  48. jaclyn on August 12, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    love this! DO keep it up!

    PS- you MUST post the almond butter banana pops! those sounds ahmazing! 😀

    • Fitnessista on August 12, 2012 at 9:20 pm

      i totally will!

  49. vicky on August 12, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    Please keep this feature! Always down for some new inspiration in the food department.. Thanks!

  50. Ali on August 12, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    I like this feature too. Meal plans for the week involve lots of tomatoes, peppers,eggplant and chickpeas. Workouts will be zumba, walking and a little strength training where I can fit it in.

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