Fitness Princess: The Wedding Dress Challenge Week 4

Welcome back! We are now in Week 4 of the Redbook Wedding Dress Challenge and last week was tough! That Tabata style workout was killer on my legs. I barely made it through the sixth round without crying!
Here is the video from last week.
I don't feel like last week was really productive. I was lacking in posts and just so busy. I only did the Tabata workout once (although I liked it and plan to add it to my routine) and I barely got to finish my yoga video. Also, I didn't write down any of my food last week as my planner pages weren't printed. Oops!
Last week I tried a very different type of yoga video that focused more on relaxation. (I needed it last week!) Here is the video:

I set up my yoga mat next to my bed and followed this video right before I was ready to go to sleep. Man, did I get some great sleep after doing this! I think I will have to add this, as well as the tabata exercises, to my weekly routine.


Now, on to this week!
Looks like this week is gonna be all about cardio! The workout is intervals of 30 seconds of jump rope or jumping jacks, followed by a series of strength training exercises. I am going to need to modify the push ups and dips for my shoulders.
Also, looks like we are dumping yoga this week to repeat the week two workout. Awesome! Here is the link for easy access.
Finally, here is the nutrition guide for anyone who wants it. I usually just write down what I eat and try not to worry about calorie counting. Do what works best for you!

Looks like dinner is getting a makeover! I agree that more veggies at dinner is a great idea. I usually try to supplement this differently, as I don't really eat big portions. I will make a big glass of fresh squeezed juice, like my Green Lemonade, and drink that in addition to my small portion of meat or grains.

Good luck this week and be sure to leave a comment below on your progress!

Princess K, out!

Cooking Princess: Green Lemonade

Welcome back everyone!

It looks like my Wedding Dress Challenge series is becoming kinda popular. Thanks! To keep on with the "health" kick, today's recipe is for Green Lemonade.

Oh, don't give me that look, Ariel! It is actually really tasty. I discovered this tasty juice from my last juice cleanse. I got the recipe from Mr. Joe Cross, the star of Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.

His new book just came out in the US but I bought his former title at the Kindle store. Anyone interested in a juice diet/cleanse, I urge you to check out his books and website.

So, Green Lemonade. I don't have a real juicer at home but my NutriBullet does the job pretty well. I just have to strain the pulp out with my flour sifter and voila! Tasty juice and more then my dialy does of vegetables. This is a great way to supplement veggies into your diet without eating endless salads.

Sadly, my photobucket is on the fritz so all my pictures are not available. :( So, check out the ingredients below and have fun making your own juice. Remember to de-seed your apples and cucumbers before juicing or blending!

Green Lemonade
- 1 cucumber
- 1 stalk of celery (or less!)
- 2 green apples, no seeds
- a handful of leafy greens (I like spinach; kale is also good)
- juice of 1 lemon (I use the lemon juice in the plastic lemon and just add until it is tangy.)

Blend (with a small amount of water) or juice all ingredients together. If blending, use a strainer or cheese cloth to filter the juice from the pulp. Blend pulp again and repeat until desired.

Happy juicing and Princess K, out!

 

Fitness Princess: Wedding Dress Challenge Week #2

We're back with Fitness Princess K!

Last week was week one of the Wedding Dress Challenge and, boy, was it hard. Really, I have been hitting the treadmill several times a week over the last few months but I still feel out of shape after this last week.

Here is the video of last week's workout and fit list.
Phew! I get tired just looking at it! I did the workout three times, completed the 1 mile walk/jog (twice) and played Just Dance 3 as my "sneaky exercise." However, I did not get to the yoga part of my fit list!

Much like this penguin, I was going good until the yoga. :( However, I did spend two days out of my weekend lifting and moving stuff from Houston to my home in Louisiana.

My fit test results were as follows:
Combined results from three workouts
-Push ups: 62
-Squats: 90
-Burpees: 28
-Plank: 30 seconds average
-Flexability: I can touch my toes and hold it!

Not too bad. I did my push ups from my knees because I have a lot of difficulty with my shoulders. (Torn rotary cuff on one side and an aggravated nerve on the other. That's what I get for 10+ years of flute playing.)

I have lost 1 pound since last week and am down 1 inch on my hips and waist.

Now, onto this week! Check out the new workout here.
And here is the new nutrition check list for anyone who wants it.

 

Looks like we have added a new feature to extra! "Close the kitchen after dinner." Nice. I actually don't snack much after my dinner but I tend to eat around 8:30-9pm because Jeremy doesn't get home until then most nights. However, since I have reclaimed by slow cooker this past weekend, maybe I can move my dinner time before 8pm and still have warm dinner for Jeremy? 

Leave comments below on your experience with the first week of the WDC.

Princess K, out!

Fitness Princess: The Wedding Dress Challenge

Welcome back to the blog!

I usually post crafting/sewing things on Tuesdays but unfortunately my machine is in the shop.

Sadness (especially since it is a brand new machine!).

So, instead of crafting, today I am going to update about a new fitness challenge I am undertaking.

THE REDBOOK WEDDING DRESS CHALLENGE!

You know, Redbook? The magazine?

Yeah, like that! I have never read Redbook magazine so this fitness challenge came to me via Pinterest. (PIN IT!)

Now, I have been losing weight little-by-little this year. Mostly, I have been watching what I eat and hitting the treadmill during my lunch break. I have also completed two juice fasts, courtesy of Joe Cross of Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. (It's a documentary on Netflix. Be sure to check it out!)

The Wedding Dress Challenge is a twelve week program that consists of three 15-minutes workouts (that change each week), a nutrition guide, and a weekly "Fit List," which is a varying list of fitness tasks to complete that week. The timing of this works well for me because I am actually planning to shop for my wedding dress in 12 weeks! (Crazy!)

I will be completing each workout on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays while also continuing my treadmill exercises Monday thru Thursday. I have already been keeping track of my nutrition with my planner and will continue to do so.

If you are interested in reading more about the Wedding Dress Challenge head over to this site.

Week 1 Workout and Fit List: here.
Here is also the Nutrition Planner they provide:

I am not a fan of counting calories since that could make me fall back into my bad practice of "negative body image". My suggestion is to eat more veggies and fruits than you have been (odds are you haven't been eating enough of them!) and to cut out those "bad" carbs (like white bread and rice.) Try to substitute with whole grains.

Make sure to write down or log all your food! If it goes in your mouth, you jot it down. When I started to write down everything I was eating, it made me more accountable to what was going in my body. Too much fast food, not enough real food.  I like to use good, old fashioned pen and paper but there are a number of apps available for your smart phone or tablet (and some are free!)Find what works for you!

I will be updating on Tuesdays every week and also posting my own improvements. (Crafting/Sewing posts will move to Fridays.)

Feel free to post comments on your own fitness challenges or even if you want to undertake the Wedding Dress Challenge yourself!

Princess K, out!