12/30: Meals and Fitness for the Week
Is anyone else excited to get back in the swing of things this week?
I’ve been on sugar overload since Halloween and am ready to get more fruits and veggies in my life. It’s not to say sugar won’t sneak its way in there (it will), but there were quite a few days over the holiday season where I was lucky to get in one serving of a fruit or veggie. It was sad. I’ve also noticed that I’ve looked tired lately even though I’ve been getting plenty of sleep and bought new concealer 😉 Lack of fresh produce will do it to me, and even though I’ve been eating enough, it hasn’t been the type of food that energizes me.
Here’s what’s on the plan for eats:
-Juicing! Even though it’s chilly, an afternoon juice is always a great option for a blast of nutrients. I don’t have a ton of time for meal prep, but Liv gets a kick out of watching me make a juice (especially when I share it with her). I’ll be making some green lemonades (romaine, cucumber, lemon, kale) and red juices (carrot, beet, ginger) this week.
-Salads, warm salads and soups. During the winter season, you can always lightly sauté salads to make them more warming and add in a hearty dressing , like a mustard vinaigrette. Today, I’m going to prep two soups to have on-hand to easily reheat for Liv and myself: vegan tomato soup (using hemp milk) and our latest fave: roasted veggie soup.
-Pre-made protein. Shredded chicken taco meat to add to burritos and salads + some steamed eggs
-Snacks: this is where I’ve found myself reaching for chocolate and cookies lately. Making an effort to chop up veggies to dip into hummus or guacamole, or I can grab an amazeball, smear an apple with almond butter, or enjoy some steamed eggs.
-Dinners: keeping it simple this week. Chicken burgers with sweet potato fries and salad, grilled salmon and veggies, quesadillas with beans and rice, and a pizza night.
The fitness plan:
-Sunday: RUNDAY (6 miles with a friend)
-Monday: OFF
-Tuesday: Strength (30 min) + jump rope intervals (15 min)
-Wednesday: Teach Zumba (45 min)
-Thursday: Teach Glide and Buff Booty (45 min each)
-Friday: OFF
-Saturday: Active recovery (I’ll be at work, but no active teaching classes on my schedule for now)
What do you have planned for this week? Are you making any fitness or nutrition changes for your New Years goals?
Don’t forget to get in your 12 days of fitness workouts!
Today is day 5:
4 toe touches (each side)
3 mountain climbers (each side)
2 pushups
1-minute plank (can be 6 rounds of 10 seconds up, rest for 3 seconds)
Leave a comment and let me know how it goes! I just did mine- a plank minute is a long one 😉
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Great meal ideas! I am looking forward to stop my sugar comaing too after New Years Eve. I will probably do a few days detox and then back to normal with veggies, fruits, protein and some chocolate or cookie here and there 🙂 do you have the jump rope intervals posted somewhere? Happy Sunday!!
I am looking forward to trying clean eating and active exercise for the first time in my life. This year I am making it my goal to make these lifestyle changes in order to take better care of myself and my body.
I am totally looking forward to more clean eats in my life! I’ve been enjoying my holiday cookies and such but I, too, am feeling tired!
I right there with you on the treats–I enjoyed plenty in the last month and now I’m ready to really treat dessert like a treat (not a regular part of my everyday eats).
One of my goals is to drink more water!! So I am starting today 🙂
I’m with you Gina! I need some more fresh foods in my life. I’m looking forward to getting back to normal this week myself. I’m always jealous of your shredded chicken. It looks amazing. I love the idea of juicing too. Such a great way to get tons of nutrients in. Now I just have to splurge and buy a juicer!
Definitely having trouble getting back in the swing of things…on top of Christmas my mom’s birthday was this week too, and now new years…there are treats galore in the house and I’ve been doing a lot of mindless munching. Not beating myself up over it, but can’t wait to get back on a normal pattern of eating
My sister bought me a juicer for Christmas a few years ago, and it’s still in the box! I’ve been wanting to start lately, but I have this weird issue with drinking veggies (I know, I know). I need to start with fruit and add some subtle vegetables in. Any suggestions on some mild flavors that wouldn’t overpower fruit?
Cucumber is a great crossover from fruits into veggies. They have tons of juice in them and the flavor is so fresh. Melons and cucumber with some carrots or romaine lettuce is nice. Juicing lettuce is more fun than it sounds!
that’s an awesome tip! and yes, cucumber and veggies are such a mild and delicious combo
I did mine before work this morning! Been adding zero’s to the end of the rep exercises on days when I don’t have a workout scheduled. For example: 50 Frog Crunches today! It was a ab killer 🙂
I hope you have a planned workout tomorrow, because 60 pull-ups would be a killer!
We are currently in the middle of PCS, we were suppose to leave December 10th so our house got packed up on Dec. 6th. Then we found out that we would be leaving Jan 4th, so no frig has gotten our eating to a tailspin. I have never missed eating veggies so much in my life. The moment we move into our apartment we are going to be starting the Whole30 Challenge. My husband and I truly need a HUGE detox from sugar and it is filled with vegetables. I love your post and can’t wait for all of your recipes!
I hear you on the sugar overload! I was actually a bit excited to go back to work last Thursday just so I could get back in the salad for lunch routine with healthy snacks!
Your meal plan sounds delicious. Any chance of posting the vegan tomato soup recipe?
I am debating getting a juicer. I don’t want a huge appliance that I won’t end up using that often so I need to try out some juices first and see if it is something I would like regularly. So I plan to go to a new Juice Bar here this week.
Starting tomorrow (must go grocery shopping tonight) I need to get back to 5 fruits and veggies a day! I’ve been slacking and my skin and energy levels are definitely showing it!
hmmm i don’t really understand the hype of juicing…????
i guess for vegetable haters, it may be a less painful way of ingesting PARTS of the fruits and vegetables, but you’re squeezing out all the fiber and other goodies!
just curious as to why people juice since you mentioned it
it’s just an easy, quick way to get in a lot of nutrients.
What juicer do you recommend? I really want to start juicing!
i have the jack lalanne and love it. breville is also a great brand
I hope to finally finish losing the baby weight! My son was born in June and it has been a sloooow crawl to losing the weight, so I hope to finish it off and then some. I’m considering purchasing a jogging stroller (looking at the BOB Revolution based on your review) but am worried he won’t like it since he’s kind of iffy when it comes to our normal stroller. How was Liv with strollers before switching to the BOB?
she was always pretty happy in her stroller- she seems to really love the bob, though! do any of your friends have one so you could try it first?
Unfortunately no. We were going to at least look at one in a local store if possible. That’s a lot of money to spend if he doesn’t like it!
I love my Breville! Thanks for the reminder to juice. I love using the pulp in soups! 🙂
We have been pretty good over here in regards to maintaining a workout schedule (versus eating) although I have been doing more cardio & classes at the gym vs heavy lifting at home. I think I lifted ONCE this past week and I hate that! I am actually trying to talk myself into a short workout right now, which is funny since I would rather lift HEAVY than cardio any day. Must have been trying to burn off those extra bites of sweets throughout the week.
Does the workout plan above include both your personal workout for the day plus your active teaching classes?
i’ve been trying to get myself to lift more often, too!
yep, it includes everything 🙂 if i work, i usually don’t do an additional workout that day and will most likely have 1 active class to teach (the rest are pool, treadmill, strength or stretch)
I think I will try your chicken for tacos this week – anytime I can have dinner in the crock pot I’m happy!!!
I am loving the 12 Days of Fitness!! Can’t wait to start with the pull-ups tomorrow!!! Mine will probably be assisted!
I agree with looking forward to returning to some healthier eating! Will you be posting your juicing recipes? I have a juicer but have not used it yet.
yep i totally will!
What is this thing you call a vegetable? I don’t understand.
Haha. That might as well be a true statement because, sadly, I can probably count on one hand how many servings of veggies I’ve had in the last month. Did I really just confess that?! They just haven’t sounded good at all. I’ve tried. I have been dining in a lot for the challenge but it hasn’t been my normal healthy eats. And the chocolate! Oh, the chocolate. I can’t believe my pants still fit me.
I’m more than ready to get back to my regular healthy eats and drinking LOTS of water. I’m FINALLY craving a yummy colorful salad!
Can you please post the tomato soup recipe when you make it? My grandmother used to make me tomato soup every day after school because I loved it so much. I love trying new versions of it. It brings back so many warm very missed memories.
hahah that’s how i feel too! everything still fits but really, i’ve been eating junk. at home, too. at least it was all delicious?? ready for some veggies back in my life (consistently) 🙂
yes, i’ll definitely post the recipe.
xoxo
I am so ready for a clean up! This past week has been too much for me and I don’t feel like myself. Hardly any veggies! I’m going to enjoy new years eve but make sure to exercise, and grocery shop tomorrow at Sam’s club for bulk fruits and veggies. Cut out most dairy and grains, and eat good protein and fats. I’m ready for it!
Oh man…..we moved about 6 weeks ago and the base to our juicer somehow got missed in the packing. Luckily, I got in touch with the new tenants and was able to go get it yesterday, but I have never wanted to juice so badly IN MY LIFE. What an awful time of year to not have your juicer! I can’t wait for our produce box this week to see what kind of crazy concoction I can come up with.
Had to race off to church after my run this morning, so Day 5 is happening riiiight now….
Loved this post – thanks, Gina! I’d love to start juicing and making more smoothies with vegetables .. do you have any more ideas? I’m allergic to carrots and avocado, so it can be a little bit limiting. Great suggestion about the warmer salads, too! I usually have a hard time bringing myself to eat/make salad in the winter months, but your suggestion of adding warm veggies & more hearty dressings is fantastic!
I NEED to detox from all this sugar and crap I’ve been eating… not going to happen today though 😉 I think I’m planning on starting on 1/7! I can definitely see and feel the difference in my body, I need those healthy eats to be my best.
YES! I can’t believe that I am saying that I miss veggies in my life, but it is true. I called my hubby the other day on his way home to pick up sweet potatoes since I was craving them. He was laughing at me, but they were awesome.
that was me yesterday- liv and i shared one while walking around bed, bath and beyond haha
I am so excited to return to my routine again! You’re right, ever since Halloween there has been a constant stream of sugar and barely any fruits and veggies. It’s gotten to the point that I actually started craving salads…and that never happens!
Happy New Year’s Eve!
I love to snack on veggies and hummus too!
This year my focus is too gain about 6lbs of muscle, drink more water, and to bring my lunch to work.
Happy New Year!
xo- jin
jinfitness.com