Tuesday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 2 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x7 sets, 21 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches
25 bicycle crunches
25 pulse crunches
1 minute 10 second plank
25 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Monday Dinner: Chicken Pot Pie

Cut up chicken breasts into bite sizes and cook in some butter (cook through but don't brown)
Season with salt and pepper
Chop up onion, red bell pepper, carrots and celery
Boil red potatoes and carrot pieces until soft
Fry onion, bell pepper and celery in a small pot in some butter
Add in half and half and a couple tablespoons of flour to make gravy in the pot
Cut potatoes into cubes and add to gravy with carrots and chicken pieces
Add a desirable amount of dill to the gravy filling mixture
Line a casserole dish with crescent roll dough
Fill casserole with gravy filling mixture
Place an additional roll of crescent roll dough on top of the filling as a crust
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes

Week 3

Week 3 weigh in: 137lbs

Monday Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Sunday Legs/Abs and Swimming

100 Jumping Jacks
20 right leg pulses
20 right toe touch leg lifts
20 left leg pulses
20 left toe touch leg lifts
30 squats
20 mountain climbers
20 spiderman mountain climbers
(x2 sets of all)

*For leg pulses and toe touch leg lifts: 1st set if from flatback position leaning off the bed, 2nd set is from downward dog.

Ab Workout
20 table top crunches
20 bicycle crunches
20 pulse crunches
1 minute 10 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

We also went swimming and tubing at Bass Lake before heading back to LA.  We rented a boat for 3 hours.  It had a BBQ so we made carne asada.  The water was pretty cold but we went swimming anyway.  We decided to make funny videos of everyone's first jump into the lake.  Tubing was really fun because there were only about 3 other boats on the lake so we pretty much had it all to ourselves.

Note: Another girl wanted to join in on the mini boot camp but the other two who originally wanted to do it again changed their minds.  One was way too tired and the other was going to make everyone in the cabin breakfast and had to get started.  Since those two dropped out, the new recruit decided not to do it.  So I didn't end up having another mini boot camp session.  But I still did the exercises by myself.

Saturday Legs/Abs and Hiking

100 Jumping Jacks
20 right leg pulses
20 right toe touch leg lifts
20 left leg pulses
20 left toe touch leg lifts
30 squats
20 mountain climbers
20 spiderman mountain climbers
(x2 sets of all)

*For leg pulses and toe touch leg lifts: 1st set if from flatback position leaning off the bed, 2nd set is from downward dog.

Ab Workout
20 table top crunches
20 bicycle crunches
20 pulse crunches
1 minute plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

We also went hiking in Yosemite up to the waterfall.  The hike was short and easy but the climb up rocks to the waterfall was a bit challenging.

At the end of the day we also did the Uptown Funk cardio dance for fun back at the cabin.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Note: At the cabin I was able to encourage two other girls to join in my workout in the morning before we left for Yosemite park.  I called it a mini boot camp since it was early before we left.  It was fun to get some other people to do it with me and I think they enjoyed the workout.  They told me they wanted to do it the next morning as well.

Friday Abs/Cardio Dance

Ab Workout
10 crunches up
10 crunches with both legs to the right
10 crunches with both legs to the left
10 crunches with right knee crossed over, left elbow to right knee
10 crunches with left knee crossed over, right elbow to left knee
10 crunches with legs alternating in and out
10 crunches with both legs together in and out
10 crunches with legs alternating up and down
10 crunches with legs together up and down
10 crunches with legs all the way up in the air and down
10 crunches with legs pulsing straight up
10 body rocker crunches
10 body rocker crunches on the right
10 legs together and V up crunches on the right
10 body rocker crunches on the left
10 legs together and V up crunches on the left
10 body rocker crunches on the stomach
10 crunches scissoring the legs

Cardio Dance to Uptown Funk
Disco point to the right
Chest bump to the right
Hula hoop spin around
Disco point to the left
Chest bump to the left
Hula hoop spin around
Lasso and Frying pan flip forward leading with the right hand
Hula hoop spin around facing the other direction
Lasso and Frying pan flip forward leading with the left hand
Hula hoop spin around
*Repeat until the end of the song, the dance goes in a square (to the right, to the left, forward and then back)

Note: Ab workout is part of conditioning at the end of class at The Aerial Classroom.  Cardio dance is part of warming up before class at PoleMoves.  I went to Yosemite for my friend's birthday for the weekend and wanted to do a quick workout before leaving early so I did abs first thing.  At the cabin a bunch of people wanted to do the cardio dance for fun so it was a group effort.  Really funny and fun to do in a group.

Thursday Spanish Web and Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Wednesday Trapeze

Tuesday Dinner: Chicken with Roasted Potato Medley & Caesar Salad

Season each side of chicken (I used Penzey's Poultry and 4S Seasoning Salt)
Fry in a little vegetable oil for about 2-3 minutes each side
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes
Cut up potatoes (I used red, gold and purple)
Toss in olive oil, salt, dill and rosemary
Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes
Chop up romaine lettuce and toss in caesar salad dressing
Top with grated parmesan cheese and croutons

Tuesday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches
25 bicycle crunches
25 pulse crunches
1 minute 10 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Monday Hammock

Week 2

Week 2 weigh in: 137lbs

Sunday Lyra and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches
25 bicycle crunches
25 pulse crunches
1 minute plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Saturday Jumping Jacks/Legs

100 Jumping Jacks
20 right leg pulses
20 right toe touch leg lifts
20 left leg pulses
20 left toe touch leg lifts
40 squats
30 mountain climbers
30 spiderman mountain climbers
10 push ups
(x2 sets of all)

*For leg pulses and toe touch leg lifts: 1st set is from flatback position leaning off couch, 2nd set is from downward dog

Note: I was originally going to run on the treadmill today but I wasn't feeling well so I opted to do this workout instead.

Friday Dinner: Steak with Mac 'n Cheese & Spinach Salad

Salt and pepper each side of steak
Fry in butter and olive oil for about 2-3 minutes each side
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes
Boil pasta
Place 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour in a pot
Add milk and cheddar cheese plus some parmesan
When evenly melted and creamy add in drained pasta and stir well
Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes for a crunchy top
Spinach salad is a kit from Trader Joe's (it's my favorite and comes with vinaigrette dressing, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and blue cheese)

Friday Lyra

Thursday Spanish Web and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 3 minutes
(x5 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches
25 bicycle crunches
25 pulse crunches
1 minute plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Note: My calves are better but still sore so I modified my run to be less intensive and did some extra long leg stretches today.  If I have certain pains, aches or soreness I'll modify my workouts to be less intense for the parts that hurt.  I think it's important to push yourself but also to listen to your body.

Wednesday Trapeze

Tuesday Dessert: Irish Carbomb Cupcakes

I got this recipe from browneyedbaker.com

The cupcakes were amazingly good!

*The frosting and ganache portions were huge and could have been halved. I basically had enough frosting and ganache to make 48 cupcakes but only enough cake batter for 24. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tuesday Dinner: Corned Beef and Cabbage

Place corned beef in a large pot with seasoning packet, 2 bay leaves and one can of Guinness
Boil for one hour
Add 6 carrots, 6 red potatoes and a head of cabbage to the pot
Boil for 1 additional hour
*Seasoning packet comes with the corned beef

Tuesday Treadmill Walk/Abs

Treadmill Walk
30 minutes

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches
25 bicycle crunches
25 pulse crunches
50 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Note: This morning my calves were very sore to the point where I was limping while trying to walk around the house.  I definitely don't want to injure myself, so even though I was originally planning on running this morning, I decided to walk for 30 minutes instead.

Monday Jumping Jacks/Legs

100 Jumping Jacks
20 right leg pulses
20 right toe touch leg lifts
20 left leg pulses
20 left toe touch leg lifts
30 squats
20 mountain climbers
20 spiderman mountain climbers
(x2 sets of all)

*For leg pulses and toe touch leg lifts: 1st set is from flatback position leaning off couch, 2nd set is from downward dog.

Note: Last year I sprained my left shoulder so I'm always careful to warm up and stretch before aerial class and also to stretch it out afterward.  Last night/this morning it was still sore from Lyra class yesterday so I decided not to go to Hammock class tonight.  Instead I did this simple workout.  I would have added push ups to it but I didn't want to strain my bad shoulder.

Week 1

 

Week 1 weigh in: 137lbs

Sunday Lyra and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
20 table top crunches
20 bicycle crunches
20 pulse crunches
40 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Saturday Dinner: Sweet Potato and Chicken Enchiladas

Saute chopped onion, green chili pepper and cilantro in a little bit of cooking oil
Add in chopped chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink but not browned
Skin and boil 2 sweet potatoes until soft, chop into small pieces
I tossed a package of frozen corn into the hot water to thaw it out (usually I use fresh corn)
Grate an entire small block of mild cheddar cheese
Spray casserole pan with canola oil to prevent sticking
Build your enchiladas: on a flat tortilla add chicken mixture, corn, sweet potato and a small handful of cheese, roll up and place in casserole (fits 6 enchiladas)
Pour enchilada sauce evenly over top (I love Trader Joe's brand, it's delicious and not too spicy)
Top off with the rest of the grated cheese
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes

Saturday Trapeze

Friday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
20 table top crunches
20 bicycle crunches
20 pulse crunches
30 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Thursday Dinner: Shepherd's Pie

Brown 1lb of ground beef and 1lb of ground lamb with some onion (drain)
Season: I added some garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and parsley
Add in about 1 cup of red wine (I used Syrah to give it a mushroom flavor)
Cook the wine out
Skin and boil about 6 russet potatoes
Mash with salt, 1 stick of butter (cut into tablespoons for faster melting) and milk
Grate some parmesan cheese in
Spoon beef/lamb into casserole, add in corn, carrots and peas and toss well (I used frozen vegetables though I usually use fresh corn as its more flavorful, make sure frozen vegetables are thawed first)
Cover with mashed potatoes and bake for 30 minutes
*I didn't add any gravy as I was trying to make it healthier but I think it needed at least a little.  It was good but a little dry.

Thursday Spanish Web

Wednesday Trapeze

Tuesday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 1 minute
Walk 90 seconds
(x8 sets, 20 minutes)

Ab Workout
20 table top crunches
20 bicycle crunches
20 pulse crunches
20 second plank
20 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Monday Hammock

Intro

After 9 years of working in post-production for movie trailers and TV promos I decided to take a much needed sabbatical.  I'm very proud of all the accomplishments I've made in my career.  I started out as a receptionist, moved up to become a production coordinator and junior producer, went on to being a post-production supervisor and then ended up as the director of post-production heading the department at a successful trailer company.  The hours were very long and the work required a lot of dedication.  I'm thankful and happy for the experience but it really wore me down.  I started feeling burnt out from working all the time.  The company I worked for was pretty far from where I lived and with traffic in LA, my commute was an hour and a half each way.  Commuting three hours a day on top of the workload just exhausted me too much.  I wasn't sleeping well or eating healthy.  I didn't have time to cook or workout.  I was just tired all the time.  I gained a lot of weight from sitting at a desk and eating out daily.  I knew I couldn't do that job until retirement and I'd eventually need to take a break.  I decided that it was finally time for a change and to take a leave of absence from the trailer industry.

Which brings me to this blog.  I decided that I wanted to take three months off from working.  I wanted to use that time to clean my house, cook healthy meals, work on my side projects and most importantly get in shape by pursuing my passion.  I started taking aerial classes over a year ago but I haven't been consistent.  It was impossible to take weekday classes with my work schedule so I could only do weekends.  If you really want to get good at something, practice really does make perfect.  You have to keep going to class and practice consistently.  And I just wasn't getting the practice in.  So I decided that every single day during my time off I would do some form of working out, whether that's an aerial class or a treadmill run or a set of ab crunches.  I'm dedicated and determined to get in shape and now I have no excuses.  My husband and I are planning to start trying for a baby in June when we go on our one year anniversary trip and it was always on my Cradle List to work out consistently for three months before trying.  Plus, I plan to start looking for a new job at the end of June after we get back (I know it can take up to a year to get pregnant but even if it happens right away I'm planning to work during my pregnancy).  That gives me roughly 100 days.  This blog is for me to track my progress.  I think posting pictures/videos of each work out is going to help keep me motivated.  So let's see how it goes.


Starting Weight: 138lbs