DAY 339 OF 365: HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are half way through the work week and that much closer to the weekend. I am so looking forward to another fun filled and relaxing weekend, though I do have to get my Christmas shopping done. I usually wait till the last minute but I think this year I will break that tradition and shop early. As much fun as last minute shopping can be, it is not worth being pushed around by psychotic crazies trying to get last minute deals.  Has anyone seen the YouTube video with the stampede trying to get the two dollar waffle makers? Or how about the woman that maced people to get the TV she wanted? Can we say crazy!
Today's session with JC was a demanding one. I was still sore from Monday's session and JC did not care. He knows that if he pushes me enough I will give it my all and challenge myself. The only problem with that is by the end of the session I want to go curl up in a ball and go to bed. But as much as it pains me to say this, it is worth the agony and soreness to see the results. I can see the difference in my face and chest and my shoulders have broadened. It is a far cry from the pale fat boy that started this challenge almost a year ago. Now don't get me wrong, I still have a long way to go even after day 365 comes and goes. But at least I am now living a healthy lifestyle that I am proud of. OK, enough of me blabbing. Time to call it a night. Till tomorrow.

DAY 338 OF 365: STILL RECOVERING FROM MONDAY

So I am still sore from Monday's work out with JC. Even as I sit here and type this blog my legs are screaming in pain. Lucky for me that I am meeting JC tomorrow morning. That was sarcastic in case anyone was wondering. Lets just hope that we are working on another muscle and that my poor legs get a break. I have a feeling that will not be the case though. Well, I am off to bed. I am ready to pass out. I have been enjoying the array of Christmas classics that are on each night. They are really putting me in the holiday spirit. The downfall is that it makes me want to drink eggnog and warm apple cider and have cookies. Till tomorrow.

DAY 337 OF 365: DAMN THOSE STAIRS

So today's workout with JC consisted of legs. Lots and lots of legs. I ran up and down the stairs with weights, and then proceeded to jump up and down the stairs. There was one point that I was so exhausted that I actually thought I was going to tumble down the stairs. By the end of the leg workout I was wobbling back and forth with a pair of shaking, uneasy legs. I must say though, these legs have never been stronger. There was also some abs work, with some cardio thrown in for fun. JC's goal now is to drop 2 inches in four weeks in my mid section. I guess all that complaining that I have been doing about not seeing a tighter mid section motivated JC. Now he is determined more than ever to see me with a six pack. Little does he know that I would settle for a two pack.
The work front has been great. I am slowing down a little which means normal hours and a life for me. I am actually enjoying the holiday season and I might even try and squeeze in some Christmas shopping this week. Tis the season, right? There might even be some cookie baking in my near future. This evening I got home and juiced some greens, and just sat on the couch in the dark watching the tree sparkle with Christmas carols playing in the background. Quite festive and relaxing all at the same time. A part of me wants to have a small holiday party. Not as big as the one that I had last year, but something small and quaint with a few close friends and co workers. But I am not sure that I want to deal with the hassle. So I will re address the whole party thing later this week.
Well I am off to bed. I am visiting the dentist tomorrow morning before work and we all know how fun that can be. Till tomorrow.

DAY 336 OF 365: SUNDAY DINNER AND A MOVIE

So today was more holiday cheer for me. The tree is now officially decorated, the house is festive and the smells of spruce and gingerbread linger throughout. I even had Christmas carols playing all day to get me in the spirit. Since I spent the majority of the day decorating and being all holly jolly, I forgot that I needed to go grocery shopping and prepare dinner. Silly me. So I popped over to the A&P and did some shopping and then back home to cook some pork chops marinated in apple cider, some root vegetables roasted in balsamic vinegar and some quinoa cooked in chicken broth and orange juice. The perfect ending to a wonderful day. The rest of the night was spent relaxing and enjoying my festive tree. Tomorrow it is back to work and a morning session with JC. I need to remember that even though it is "tis the season", I can't over do it with the holiday sweets and my guilty pleasure, eggnog. I did find low fat organic eggnog if that makes you feel better. Well off to bed. Monday morning is right around the corner. Till tomorrow.

DAY 335 OF 365: CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

Today was all about Christmas for me. I went this morning and picked out a tree. I pulled out all the Christmas decorations and had Christmas music playing all day. I wish that I could say that I worked out or juiced or made a healthy meal, but instead I reverted to a child and let the season take over. I became giddy going through the decorations and sang along with Christmas carols while visions of sugar plums danced in my head. I even went out and picked up some eggnog and ingredients to make warm apple cider. I am pretty sure that tomorrow will be more of the same with a Christmas movie thrown in for good fun. I might even bake some cookies. Oh, my house is going to smell so festive tomorrow. Well, I am off to bed. Till tomorrow.

DAY 334 OF 365: A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN

Every once in awhile you need a break from all your hard work to experience life and friends. Tonight was that night for me. Dinner, drinks and memories was the perfect combination for a fun night. Now the meal might not have been the healthiest, but the laughter and smiles were just what the doctor ordered. We need those healthy relationships in order to stay fit and healthy. We take for granted what a good laugh can do for the soul and how cleansing that it can be for the body. Ditch the negative and add the positive. Today was a great day for my career and social life. I am starting to remember that I am not living for my job but rather for myself. Life is too short to not experience all that it has to offer. So do yourself a favor, get out there and enjoy it. With that my friends I am off to bed. I have a condo to decorate for the holiday, a tree to pick out and maybe even some cookies to bake tomorrow. Not to mention some holiday classics to watch and carols to be sung. Till tomorrow.

DAY 333 OF 365: TIS THE SEASON FOR JUICING

This is the perfect season for juicing. Fall means the orchards are in bloom and the fruits and greens are fresh off tree or out of the ground. So I thought that I would share two new juice recipes with you. Since I started this challenge, I have started to try combining things that I think might taste good together. I mean, that is the fun part of cooking, don't you agree? Sometimes you hit it out of the park, and other times you hit it into the garbage. You learn and try again.

Minted Apple Orchard

6 apples, stalks removed
3 pears, stalks removed
1 cup of mint leaves

Juice all three and stir to combine.


Zapple

6 apples, stalks removed
2 zucchini
1 1/4 inch piece of ginger
ice cubes to stir

Juice all three and stir to combine


I am definitely looking forward to the holiday season and this weekend I will be picking out my tree and doing some holiday baking. I am doing some research on some healthier cookies but I am also baking the classics. I worked hard this year and there is no reason why I can't indulge if I use portion control. Well, it is off to bed for me. I have to be up and out of the house tomorrow morning by 7am for a meeting in the city. Sleep tight!