Workout for week of 10/15/12

Workout for week of 10/15/12

Complete as many rounds as you can in 30 minutes of:

10 Pull-ups

10 Dips

10 Barbell Thrusters (135lbs men, 95lbs women, or just use a challenging weight)

10 Toes-to-bar

Modifications

--If you can't do regular pull-ups then grab a stool, chair, bench, etc., and do jumping pull-ups (jump into the up position, come down slowly) instead.

--If you can't do regular dips on bars then do dips on a bench or chair with your legs out straight in front of you. If that's still too hard then bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor.

--Be sure to keep your abs tight throughout the movement of the barbell thruster! Failure to do so will compromise your lower back which none of us need.

--If you can't get your toes all the way to the bar then just do knees-to-elbows. If that is still too hard switch to hanging knee raises. It's all basically the same movement, you're just adjusting how high you bring your feet/legs for your fitness level.

Have fun and enjoy!

Yours In Health,

Steven

Recipe - Green Pina Colada Smoothie

I'm always looking for more tasty smoothie recipes, and this one may be my favorite so far. If you're a coconut fan, such as myself, then I'm sure you'll agree with me. It makes a good bit so I drank some and saved the rest for the following day.


Green Pina Colada Smoothie
Makes approximately two servings.


Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 small banana
• 3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 handful of spinach
• 1/2 tsp stevia (aka Truvia)
• 1 Tbsp Chia seeds
• 1 handful of ice

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Enjoy

***Changes I would make***

• I would do 1/2 of a banana and 1 cup of pineapple. The banana flavor tends to be a bit overpowering, and personally I would like more of a pineapple flavor.
• 1 tsp of stevia instead of 1/2 tsp.
• 2 handfuls of ice instead of 1 to give it more of a smoothie consistency.
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder if you're using this as a meal replacement and/or snack.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this smoothie! It was quite refreshing. I will say that if you don't want/like the feeling of swallowing the chia seeds then let the smoothie set for approximately 10 minutes before you drink it. Chia seeds can hold 9-12 times their weight in water and they absorb it very rapidly. The more water you give it a chance to absorb, the less of that seedy feeling you'll notice when drinking it.

A few facts about Chia seeds:

• They were considered the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec superfood.
• Chia is the Mayan word for strength.
• It has been called "Indian running food" for it's ability to give you a sustained surge of energy with no crash.
• Approximately 2 times the protein of any other seed or grain
• 3 times more iron than spinach.
• Fair amounts of omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential fatty acids.
• More potassium than bananas.
• More antioxidants than blueberries.
• 5 times as much calcium as milk.

These facts and others can be found here:

http://www.naturalnews.com/022468_chia_seeds_food.html

If you try this recipe I would love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to post them in the comments section. Thanks!

Yours In Health,

Steven

Workout for week of 10/1/12

Here's your new workout for this week. Feel free to post your times and thoughts about the workout. Enjoy!

Workout
3 Rounds for time of:
50 Walking lunges
30 Second handstand hold*
50 Kettlebell swings (30lbs)
100 Jump rope skips


*A handstand hold is just that, flip up into a handstand (against the wall) and hold that position for 30 seconds.

Have fun and watch that form!


Yours In Health,
Steven