Brea Getting Fit

Training takes alot out of you, especially if you spent over 2 hours exercising the day before…while I truly enjoyed my cardio (30 minutes), The Bar Method Accelerated Workout (45 minutes), and then a 45 minute walk with Ish, my body is having some issues catching up. What’s strange is that my workout yesterday would normally have been a “light” day by my previous standards. Odd. So, I tried to make sure that today was a shorter day. Ish and I got up early for a 30 minute run, doing 3:1 intervals (3 minutes running, 1 minute walking), which I timed using my Gymboss GB2009 SILVER. Have I mentioned how much I love my Gymboss? It’s one of the best pieces of equipment that I own! It helps me to stay on track with my running, and allows me to push myself without burning out. The timer buzzes when it’s time to change your pace (it can also beep incredibly loudly…but since I normally run before 6 am in a neighborhood, I thought that I would be polite and avoid lound beeping…). LOVE IT! After our run, we walked for another 5 minutes as a cool-down, and I got home just in time to fit in Power Squeeze from Squeeze: The Complete Workout with Tracy Effinger. The Power Squeeze segment is a great 20 minute workout that incorporates arms (pushups and tricep dips), legs (isometric exercises using a playground ball), glutes (pretzel & a back dancing variation), abs (situps using the playground ball) and some good stretching. I love this workout for days where I am genuinely pressed for time OR those days (like today) where I’m sore from my previous workout. I don’t generally workout if I’m in lots of pain, but since I was just achy this morning, I went for it. I also took Mr. Brazier’s advice about fueling withing 45 minutes of finishing your workout and made myself a chocolate/strawberry shake. SO DELISH!! In his book, Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, Brendan stresses the importance of fueling with the proper nutrients before, during and after workouts. I have noticed that since I’ve started paying attention to what I’m using to fuel my body, I have FAR more energy, and I’m sleeping better…all things that Brendan Brazier promises in his book. Interesting. I’m not sure how far I buy into making your own energy gels…but once I start to increase my distance past 6 miles, I’m probably going to break down and try them. He also has a recipe for some awesome-sounding Power Pancakes…must try those sometime soon…maybe this weekend. I think that the best thing I’m taking out of reading this book is a better understanding of how my digestive system functions and how I can eat the right types of foods to help my system work at its peak. I’m really loving how I’m feeling…and although this smoothie recipe is one of my own creation, it has a nice blend of protein/fat/carbs for a post-workout power boost.

Chocolate-Strawberry Smoothie
(serves 1)

Ingredients:

3 tbsp. Chocolate Silken Tofu
3/4 c. Spinach
4 LG Frozen Strawberries
1 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
8 oz Plain Soymilk

Method:

Toss everything in the blender and blend until incorporated. Enjoy!