As promised I am still here... blogging (albiet somewhat periodically) but I am still here.  Update on the past week - AWESOME week.  I had many great workouts, a couple that left hurtin for a few days but that's all good.  Sign of accomplishment, work well done.  One workout in particular (Wed evening) I did with a friend of mine who loves the same type of workouts I do.  I brought the "pain" all the well knowing what we were getting ourselves into... and yet not an ounce of sanity set in as I crafted the torturous 1hour together.  Here's how the workout went down;

25 minutes HIIT Cardio

Strength Circuit (three rounds of each pairing of exercises, no rest... quick quick quick);

-Jump Lunges (30)
-Bench Step Ups with DBs (30)

repeat three times... next set;

-Negative Pullups (8... insert devil face here)
-Pushups on Med ball (12)

repeat... you guessed it three times... next set;

-Pikes on ExerBall (25)
-Back Ext on ExerBall (25)

Generally I would have done another set of exercises, but really this was plenty for a fat ass gal who is reclaiming her physique.

All in all - had a great week.  Four solid workout days and some progress to show for it in the waistline.  LOVE that :)

Lastly, I want to share a new healthy dessert recipe I concocted/tried this evening.  High protein, low sugar cheesecake.

Here are the basics;

3/4 cup lowfat cottage cheese
1 TBSP sugar free jello pudding (I used white choc flavor)
3 (or so) TBSPs unsweetened almond milk
1/3 scoop vanilla protein
sprinkle of stevia

Place all in heavenly blender - aka - Vitamix and blend till smooth.  Makes two servings, place in two small bowls to chill in fridge for 30mins.  Top with fresh strawberries.  Divine.  Lovely.  Delish.  YUM.  

Greetings loved ones!  Well I have much to update you on.  First, I have started running again.  Hellz bellz!  I ran three times last week.  Only 2 miles or so each time... but that's a great start considering I haven't been running regularly in a. very. long. time.  The runs have felt great, I actually have energy when I come home from work and have run twice after work in the evening.  My body hasn't been hurting or achy like it usually is after work.  While i have been running at a much slower pace than I normally would (think snail pace... firing on two cylinders), I have still been out in the open air with my hair flowing in the wind (well, actually I have been wearing a beanie but you get the idea here).

Secondly, I recently tried a new class called R.I.P.P.E.D.  It's the next fitness craze.  While I liked it, I'm just not sure the gargantuan class is for me (yes, there were a lot of people there).  The format was good but I think I'd like to stick with my own little strength training routines - which I have actually been doing again!!!!  I have made good use of my TRX, kettlebells, dumbbells, elliptical, spin bike, exerball and yoga mat that I have in my basement workout area.  I haven't been going balls to the wall on the weights, only 1-2 sets of 8-10 different exercises, but I have been just sore enough to know that I am making improvements.  My mid-back has been sore.  Gotta be careful there with the vertebrae issues I have, working on getting those babies nice and strong!  Whoot whoot!

As far as nutrition... well the amazing thing is that since I have been off my anxiety meds (not sure if I mentioned this before but there ya go) I have been so much better about my food intake, both type of food and amount.  I feel like ME again.  I will blog more about food later and some of my new fav recipes like Kale salad - yummer!  (see preview pic above - grilled chicken breast with szechwan seasoning, grilled peppers and kale salad)