Shocking your system

I thought I would touch on exactly what I do, to keep myself plateau free.  Or at least how I TRY..... to avoid plateaus.

The main thing I do is switch up my workout routines on a regular basis.  I never do the same things each week.  Even if I am doing say Ripped in 30 or 30 day Shred, I do other things as well.  One week it might be throwing in some 20-30 minute kickboxing workouts.  The next week, I will throw in some tabata.  The week after that, I do both of those, along with JM.  I try and mix up what one I do at lunch, and what one I do at night.  I also always switch up my rest days.  And if I can get outside and walk or run for 20 minutes, I will throw that in.  I don't want my body to ever get used to one thing.  I know it is working, because I am still sore, each week.  I am on week 2 of Ripped in 30 and I am still getting sore.  Same with tataba, that thing kicks my ass, every time.  Not in the way that it is hard, but each time I do it, I push just a little harder.  Like when I do squats, I do them lower.  High knees, I go higher. Skaters, I go lower.  I am always pushing myself. WHY????  Because I like to see just how far I can go.  AND...I want to see just how great of shape I can get in!

When it comes to food, I try and mix it all up.  I stay with the same calories, I just mix those calories up. When we eat and drink the same things, every single day, our bodies stall.  Same with workouts.  If you are doing the same workout every single day, your body gets used to it and you stop progressing.  You gotta trick that bad boy!  Here is what my week looks like:

Sunday-Ripped in 30, bike ride.
Monday-Jill Coleman 24 minute kickboxing
Tuesday-Rest Day
Wednesday-Ripped in 30, 19 minute tabata
Thursday-Ripped in 30
Friday-Jill Coleman Kickboxing
Saturday-Bike Ride, Ripped in 30
Sunday-Ripped in 30, taebo

As far as my meals go, this week, we are grilling out each night.  We have done chicken, pork chops and turkey burgers so far.  I pair my protein with a veggie and a carb. I have been having Fage Greek yogurt (plain) with fresh fruit like watermelon and pineapple, for my snacks.  This is the time of year that I LOVE to eat.  Fresh fruit and grilling, does it get better than that.  I have also been drinking a lot less wine. Not that I ever drink more than a four ounce glass during the week, but now I have a Becks Premium light.  I have this while the kids are playing and the hubby is grilling.  For breakfast I have been making my own oatmeal. I throw some old fashioned oats in a baggy with the flax seed.  When I get to work, I throw in some fresh strawberries and pop it in the micro for 2.5 minutes. SO yummy and no artificial crap in it.  You know like the instant packs have.  My mid morning snack has been 35 calorie high fiber toast with all natural peanut butter.  SO YUMMY!  Lunch will be a salad full of fresh veggies.  I am loving cucumbers right now with sriracha peas and my own vinaigrette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  I also throw in some blue cheese crumbles.  After the salad I will have either some protein and a sweet potato or a healthy choice meal.  I try to avoid packaged meals but sometimes, I have to take the convenience route. 

With the holiday weekend coming up, I am already thinking of meals to plan for the family.  I don't use the holiday's as an excuse to be "bad".  I just don't want to feel like shit come Tuesday. I see lots of fresh fruit, veggies and grilled food, happening! I will also bake some yummy strawberry crisp and make some mock ice cream sandwiches with my PB2, cool whip, graham crackers and Hershey syrup (the low sugar kind).  Healthy food doesn't have to be icky and boring!

Happy Hump Day!!

XO,
Lori