Thursday Jumping Jacks/Legs/Abs

100 Jumping Jacks
30 right leg pulses
30 right toe touch leg lifts
30 left leg pulses
30 left toe touch leg lifts
40 squats with 8 pound weights
30 mountain climbers
30 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.

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
(x2 sets of all)

Note: My elbow was hurting again so I decided not to do Spanish Web today to give it a rest.  I was spending some quality time with my husband in the morning since he was switched to night shift and met up with my friend for dinner.  I got home too late and didn't have time to do a treadmill run so I did this quick (and quiet) workout instead.

Wednesday Trapeze and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x4 sets, 16 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bridge crunches
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (crunch up through straddle, down, pulse up straddled)
(x2 sets of all)

Week 7

 Week 7 weigh in: 136lbs

Tuesday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x6 sets, 24 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled)
1 minute 30 second plank
25 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Monday Hammock and Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x4 sets, 16 minutes)

Note: Today marks day 50 of my workout challenge.  I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed with the results.  Though I have noticed some definition happening I've lost almost no weight.  I've never worked out this hard in my life so I guess I had high expectations.  I do feel like I'm definitely stronger and more flexible but I was really hoping to get my weight back down to 130.  The run training has been going much slower than I hoped.  The goal is to be able to run for 30 minutes straight without stopping but before upping my run time I want to be comfortable running the current time without stopping and be able to do the run multiple days in a row.  The 3 minute run is still pretty difficult for me to do.  I've decided to try and up my game and run everyday instead of every other day.  I will try for full runs one day and maybe a half run the next day.  I'm not going to give up but I am becoming a little discouraged at this point.  Today I meant to do a full run before class but I just ran out of time so I did a half run instead.

Sunday Lyra

Saturday Trapeze and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x6 sets, 24 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled)
1 minute 30 second plank
25 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Friday Lyra

Thursday Spanish Web and Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x6 sets, 24 minutes)

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled)
1 minute 30 second plank
25 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Wednesday Dinner: Steak and Risotto

Heat up grapeseed oil in a pan
Salt and pepper both sides of steaks (make sure steaks are at room temperature)
Fry steaks until cooked to preferred temperature (I probably cooked it about 7 minutes each side)
Let steaks rest for 10 minutes before slicing
For risotto, place diced celery and onion in a skillet with olive oil and butter
Cook until translucent and then add Arborio rice
Toast rice until it absorbs the liquid, then add in a cup of white wine and cook it out
Season with salt and pepper
Add in vegetable broth and cook it out continuously until rice is softened (I made my own vegetable stock by saving vegetable scraps in a freezer bag.  When ready to make, boil them all in water for about an hour and then strain out the scraps)
Top risotto with parmesan cheese

Wednesday Trapeze

Week 6

Week 6 weigh in: 136lbs

Tuesday Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x6 sets, 24 minutes)

Monday Hammock

Sunday Dancing and Swimming

After I woke up from my nap it was 4am which technically means that I went out dancing on Sunday.  My friends were at Drai's After Hours at the Cromwell so I went over to find them.  I didn't actually ever end up finding them but I met a couple of people to hang out with for a few hours.  I danced with them until 6am and then went back to the hotel to sleep.

During the day we went to Drai's Beachclub pool on the rooftop of the Cromwell.  We hung out there all day and it was really fun.  We didn't really swim as it was more of a lounging type of place but we did a little poolside dancing since they had a DJ.  It was a nice and relaxing way to end our stay in Las Vegas with a great view.

Saturday Jumping Jacks

This weekend I went to Las Vegas with my friends.  My intention was to get up early and do my Treadmill Run before I left but that didn't end up happening.  Instead I just quickly did 100 Jumping Jacks before I left the house.  It's better than nothing I guess but not really as much as I wanted to do.  We did get all dressed up to go see a show, eat dinner and then go out to a club but I got pretty drunk early on and had to take a nap.  I made it to the show, we went to see Zarkana, but I fell asleep during it.  My friends took me back to the room to sleep while they went out to dinner and the club.

Friday Lyra

Thursday Spanish Web and Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 3 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x6 sets, 24 minutes)

Wednesday Dinner: Beef Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Zuccini

Place beef roast in slow cooker and season with red wine, sliced onion, carrots, thyme, 2 cloves of smashed garlic, 2 bay leaves, salt, pepper, parsley and roast beef seasoning
Cook on high for 4 hours
Boil red potatoes until soft, then mash with butter, salt, milk and garlic
Fry some chopped onion and a little garlic on a skillet with butter and olive oil
Add sliced zuccini
Season zuccini with salt, rosemary and lemon pepper seasoning

Wednesday Trapeze and Treadmill Walk/Abs

Treadmill Walk
30 minutes

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled)
(x2 sets of all)

Note: My knees were sore today so I just walked for 30 minutes today instead of running.

Week 5

Week 5 weigh in: 136lbs

Tuesday Cardio Barre and Treadmill Run

Treadmill Run
Run 2 minutes
Walk 1 minute
(x4 sets, 12 minutes)

Note: After Cardio Barre I wasn't feeling very fatigued or sweaty so I decided to do a half treadmill run as soon as I got home.

Monday Hammock

Sunday Lyra

Saturday Treamill Run/Abs

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

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled)
(x2 sets of all)

Note: I had brunch with my husband's family today so I wasn't able to go to Trapeze class.  I also wanted to give my elbow one more day's rest even though it isn't hurting anymore.  I'm really happy with the fact that I've been able to run 3 days in a row now.  I guess it's time to up my run time.

Friday Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala and Saag

Marinade chopped boneless and skinless chicken thigh pieces in plain yogurt, chopped garlic, chopped ginger, paprika and tumeric
In a food processor combine 1/2 onion, 2 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of ginger
Put some butter in a pot and combine the processed onion, garlic and ginger
Add paprika and cumin
Process fresh tomatoes and add to pot
Add in heavy cream, salt and garam masala
Add chicken marinade and cook until done and tender (mine didn't have enough tomatoes so I added some Trader Joe's Creamy Tomato Soup to the curry base)
For the Saag, heat up grapeseed oil in a pan and add onions, ginger and garlic
Add in frozen spinach and cook until soft
Season with paprika, tumeric, cumin, garam masala and salt
Add in heavy cream and cook thoroughly (the Saag would have been better with Paneer added in but I didn't have any)

Friday Treamill Run/Abs and Legs

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

Ab Workout
25 table top crunches (lift and lower legs then crunch)
25 bicycle crunches (left, center, right, center)
25 pulse crunches (legs straddled as opposed to tucked fetal position)
(x2 sets of all)

Leg Workout
30 right leg pulses from flat back position
30 right toe touch leg lifts from flat back position
30 arabesque right leg lifts from standing
30 left leg pulses from flat back position
30 left toe touch leg lifts from flat back position
30 arabesque left leg lifts from standing
30 squats with 8 pound weights
(x2 sets of all)

Note: My elbow was sore again after yesterday's Spanish Web class so I decided not to go to Lyra class tonight.  Instead I ran and worked my legs and abs.  Because of my elbow, I skipped my planks and downward dog leg lifts.  Also, my ab workout is starting to get too easy so I needed to make it harder.  Originally I was only going to do my treadmill run and ab workout but I felt really good and wanted to keep going so I did my legs too.

Thursday Spanish Web and 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 20 second plank
25 lift and lower alternating knees from plank
(x2 sets of all)

Wednesday Trapeze

Tuesday Cardio Barre

Week 4

Week 4 weigh in: 136lbs

Monday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 90 seconds
Walk 90 seconds
(x7 sets, 21 minutes)

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

Note: My right elbow is a bit sore most likely from overworking it doing back to back aerial classes so I decided to give it a rest and not do Hammock class tonight.

Sunday Dinner: Bacon, Rainbow Chard and Carmelized Onion Quiche

Carmelize chopped onions by browning them in some cooking oil
Chop up rainbow chard and add to onions and cook until wilted
Cook bacon thoroughly but don't crisp
Beat 6 eggs with some whipping cream
Add grated Gruyere and Swiss cheese to eggs
Add onion, chard and bacon to egg mixture and mix
Pour mixture into a pie crust
Bake for 30-40 minutes

Happy Easter!

Sunday Lyra

Saturday Dinner: Currywurst & Caesar Salad

Cook some chopped onions in some butter until translucent
Add ketchup to onions
Add in curry paste, curry powder, paprika, a little chili powder and salt
Top on a hot dog
Chop up romaine lettuce and toss in caesar salad dressing
Top with grated parmesan cheese and croutons

Saturday Trapeze

Friday Dinner: Pan Seared Salmon with Asparagus & Rice

Season salmon (I used salt, white pepper, a lemon pepper seasoning blend and rosemary)
Heat up butter and olive oil in a pan and place salmon skin side down
Squeeze lemon juice on top of salmon
Once skin side is crispy (5-10 minutes) flip over and squeeze lemon juice on skin side
Cook the other side another 5-10 minutes and then finish off by baking in the oven about 20 minutes
Spay asparagus with cooking spray
Season with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic and parmesan cheese
Bake in the oven until the tips get a little brown (20-30 minutes)
Place a bit of rosemary and lemon juice in rice cooker with the rice to give it some flavor

Friday Lyra

Thursday Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwich & Hummus

For the chicken salad:
Cut up a chicken breast and cook in some butter (cook through but don't brown)
Chop up some celery and onion
Place chicken pieces, celery, onion, a few pickles, dill, mayonnaise and salt in a food processor
Pulse/process to desired consistency
Can be eaten in a sandwich or as a spread on crackers
For the hummus:
Place 1/4 a cup of tahini, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon in a food processor and process for 1 minute
Add in 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 a can of drained/rinsed garbanzo beans, cumin, salt and a little paprika and process for another minute
Add in the rest of the garbanzo beans and process
Add in 3 tablespoons of water while the processor is on to get desired consistency
Top with some additional olive oil and paprika

Thursday Treadmill Run/Abs

Treadmill Run
Run 90 seconds
Walk 90 seconds
(x7 sets, 21 minutes)

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

Note: My calves were sore today so I decided to do a lighter run.  I should be up to 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking now but took it a little easy today.  I also decided to switch up my ab workout but I only did 1 set.  Next time I'll do 2.

Wednesday Pole and Exercise Park

I also went to the exercise park today.  While there I did a bunch of exercises but didn't really keep count of how many sets/reps I did.
Pull ups
Push ups
Dips
Knee hang crunches
Leg lifts
Arm presses on the provided equipment
Leg presses on the provided equipment

Note:  I took pole fitness for 3 years starting in January of 2012.  It was the first physical type of working out I ever did (no sports, gymnastics or dance background prior).  I loved it and it was basically my gateway into aerial.  Though different, they compliment each other.  I started taking Lyra in February of 2013 and Trapeze in January of 2014, though not conistently.  I decided this year to focus more on aerial rather than pole but Trapeze class was cancelled tonight due to low sign up so I went to pole class instead.