Fitness and Food: August 2014

The beginning of the month is always a good time to make goals, and a new plan for the month ahead.

Fitness

This month I am going to make a 3-day plan. I usually have a 4-day plan but lately have been finding it hard to fit it all in. So this month I am going to try 3 days, and if I fit in an extra day or two, it's just a bonus.

A. Chest/Back
1. Dumbbell Chest Press
2. Barbell Rows
3. Dumbbell Incline Flyes
4. Lat Pulldown
5. Floor Chest Press, one arm at a time
6. Deadlifts

B. Legs
1. Leg Press
2. Hamstring Curls
3. Dumbbell Lunges
4. Calf Press
5. Goblet Squats
6. Leg Extenstion

C. Full Body (Circuit Style)
1. Dumbbell Shoulder Press
2. Russian Twists
3. Jumping Lunges
4. Push Ups

1. Kettle Bell Swings
2. Reverse Crunches
3. Bicep Curls
4. Jumping Squats

Incline Treadmill Walking

I also plan to walk to work when I can, now the weather is slightly better and there is only one more month until Spring!

Food
I have quite a few social things on this month, but I still need to try and eat well and be healthy. I find it pretty easy to get back into bad habits, so I really need to make some healthy habits.

One of my biggest things I need to focus on, is not buying snacks from the supermarket. Pick n mix lollies and corn chips are my biggest downfalls. So my plan to stop that, is if I want a treat, I need to go out somewhere and have a single serving. I.e cake at a cafe, frozen yoghurt at soyo, etc.

I have a couple of dinners planned with friends, my anniversary with my boyfriend, and an awards night with work. Cheat meals are always acceptable in my plans, so I will be able to work them in no problem. A balance of life, and healthy living is so important. My biggest focus will be on snacks.

Now it's getting closer to warmer weather, I'm hoping I will have more motivation and stick to my goals!

Gratitude & Goals: August 2014

August already! This year is going so fast, but at the same time I feel like a lot has happened.

So far this year I have:

• Bought my first car
• Moved out of home
• Got a new job
• Moved in with my boyfriend
• Got approval to buy our first house
• Traveled to the Gold Coast
• Traveled to Bali
• Bought a new bed, washing machine, lounge suite and other house-related things

I'm pretty goal orientated, so it's important for me to always have goals. Just as important, is being grateful.

Gratitude

• A full-time, busy job that I enjoy
• A great relationship with my boyfriend
• Renting a house in a good location, next door to mum, while we save for our own place
• Savings, and leftover money to spend on things I need/want (like cracking my Galaxy S3 a couple of days ago, and upgrading to an S5)
• A reliable car
• My friends and family (and cat!)
• My health and wellness
• Plans for our future

Goals

Short term goals for August:

• Find out the asking price for the house next door, and make an offer
• Gym at least 3x per week
• Walk as much as I can, since the weather is getting better
• 2x cheat meals per week, with one cheat treat out (no pick n mix or corn chip snacks!)
• Pay off my S5 on my credit card
• Save more than I have budgeted
• Feel healthier and focus on fitness and nutrition

Have a great month everyone! I'll be reviewing these in 2 weeks, and again at the end of the month. 

Recipe: Beetroot, Pineapple, Carrot, Celery, and Ginger Juice

I've been into making juices at home a bit lately, and experimenting. Today I made a beetroot, pineapple, celery, carrot, and ginger juice.

Makes 1

Ingredients: 

• 5 baby beetroot/2 medium
• 3 small carrots (1 large or 2 medium)
• 1/4 - 1/3 pineapple (depending how sweet you like it)
• 1 (long) stalk of celery
• small cube of ginger (depends on taste...I like it strong. add small amounts until happy with it)

Directions:

Juice all ingredients and pour into a glass. Add small amounts of ginger inbetween adding other ingredients.

Nutritional Info:

165 calories, 1g fat, 38g carbs (8g fibre, 26g sugar), 4g protein, 230mg sodium

Review: Lorna Jane Fluro 3/4 Workout Pants

Every time I travel to Australia I always stop by the Lorna Jane shop. This time I went to Lorna Jane in DFO in Brisbane.

I bought these 3/4 workout pants on sale for $55 AUD.

They are made from "LJ excel Classic" which is apparently their best selling fabric, being shrink and fade resistant, quick drying, and breathable, among a couple of other things.

I wore these for the first time today, and for the ultimate test - it was squat day, so I could test how stretchy they were!

There is a handy pocket at the back with a zip (which I like, I always think things will fall out without one). There is no inside pocket on these pants.

They are pretty tight, but really stretchy. The big grey band around the top makes them comfortable and doesn't dig in and make big fabric marks on your skin. I like the length of them, especially since it's coming up to winter (boo!)

They were comfortable to squat in, and so far they seem like great workout brands. 

Final verdict: 4/5

While a little on the pricey side, you are paying for the brand, and hopefully long-lasting quality.