100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 84: Where does the energy come from?

When you are very, very busy like me, where do you find the time to workout?

You just do!

I am dead tired, no lie, but I got my workout in at 10 p.m.  Hey, if that's the only time I have, I make it count! I am so not the morning person, so when I try to wake up early to get it in, I FAIL every time.  getting it in at night, for me has been the best option and I have been working out like crazy for years now. 

But when you are sooooooo busy, schedule it in like anything else you do.  I put it on my To-Do list like everything else.  And there is something about striking things off my To-Do list I like.

Today felt like the first time in awhile I went out 110% with my workout.  I have been getting in short daily workouts, 20-30 minutes, but tonight I got my hour in! I practiced my Beyonce Move Your Body workout by doing it 4 times in a row. Whew! Love it!  This is definitely a good workout...well, don't do it just one time and think you're doing something.  I say at least 4-5 times.

After that, I did Turbo Jam Cardio Party.  I wanted to do Hip Hop hustle or Abs, but both of those might have irritated my achy ankle, so TJ worked fine.  That was a whole 43 minutes! I did it all!  No stops, no break! AND I killed that workout and left nothing on the floor but my sweat.

Yeah man!

Total workout time: 60 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 74: Even on those days...

When you just don't want to do anything, DO IT ANYWAY!!

That's how I felt about my workout tonight. Tired, late phone conference, washing a load of clothes, would rather be writing...but BAM! I had to get my workout in (especially since I missed yesterday).  Tonight was Bikini Bootcamp and I REALLY did not want to do it because it knocks out all the little energy cells I have left.

BUT I DID IT ANYWAY!

Mind over matter, and my mind can get pretty lethal when it wants to. So I pushed play, did my workout and I feel a whole lot better now.  I went easy on the weights because ummmm...yeah man, it's TOUGH.  Next week I am going all out, now excuses.  Ain't no stopping me now...

Workout time: 40 minutes 

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 61: Turbo Kick Round 41

Chalene really brought it in this one.  I love, love, LOVE it! 

Okay, but I'mma need to learn this one before I give it my all.  I was stumbling through some of it, but when I have it down, I know this is a calorie killer.  I have a long way to go before I feel confident with this.  But I will chip at it daily.

What's so killer about Turbo Kick? Hmmm, the punches, the kicks, the energy, the music! 

Every Turbo Kick starts with a nice warm up with lots of punches in it and a few kicks.  Then the punch section starts, MY FAVORITE!!  Not only does it work your arms, it works your abs because there is a lot of twisting.  I could just do this section alone and be a happy camper.

Then the kicks, which for some reason, I don't feel it as much.  Maybe I need higher kicks or more power in them.  Definitely need to perfect the technique here.

Then there is the punches and kicks section, which I like because it seems a little fast paced, annnnd....I know what is after that. TURBO section!  I didn't think I would have the energy, but lo and behold, I just brought it and did the whole thing (well, most at turbo level, the rest I took it down a notch).  But the Turbo section is what makes Turbo Kick so exciting, getting your heart rate up that high, that fast and having fun!

As Chalene says, "It's a party!"  and "If exercise is not fun, you won't do it!"

I definitely felt like I had fun at a party. Thanks Chalene!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 58: Hip Hop Hustle 1 on a new level

I had the fan Hustle 1 workout and had done it multiple times, but now I do it to learn the moves exactly and memorization.  Next I learn how to cue to teach others this awesome workouts.  I guess this was the Hip Hop Hustle workout that started it all!

I pretty much have it down, but I keep watching the rehearsal and each time I learn a tidbit more.  Chalene's my teacher and she keeps me on my toes.  maybe I add an extra twist, or dip a bit lower or perfect a difficult move....it's always something.  Love it!!

If you think this is just another dance workout, TRY IT!  You sweat like you are running on the treadmill at a 10!!  I mean, if you are doing it the way you are supposed to do.  Most know that I am a Hip Hop Abs with Shaun T junkie...I have not done that in weeks!!  HHH has become my new addiction.

I think Hip Hop Abs DOES work the abs more than Hip Hop Hustle....BUT, this is more dancy while getting a great workout as well.  And you don't have to worry about doing it perfect, you still get a great workout.

It may seem difficult to the nondancer (but then in that case, so does Hip Hop Abs), but the first few times, just learn the moves. Every time you do it you get better and put more energy on it!  My fave moves:

The Dorothy-because it's just so cool looking.

Step Knee-for the energy you can put into this!  High or low, it's awesome

The grapevine-no, not just the basic grapevine from the 70s, this is the jazzed up grapevine.  There are 2 versions of it throughout all the HHH workouts.  There's the main one, with a dip in the middle that we were tested on in Instructor training.  Then there is the "crazy legs" one that I love, love, LOVE in Hustle 5.

The Hammer-not a signature move, but I love it.  There are various moves that are called "the hammer" but they all include pumping of the fist.

Anything where there's booty shaking!!  C'mon, who doesn't like to get buck!!

I did 65 minutes sore ankle and all.  Woo-hoo!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 56: No not really, but listen...

What happened was....

I totally forget to blog!  Have I been working out??  Yes and no.  Some days I do, some days I don't.  So I figured today I would pick things back up where I left out.  Rather I blog these 100 days in a row or not, I WILL blog about 100 days of execise.

And so, it's day 56.  What has been going on? Well, last weekend I attended Hip Hop Hustle AND Turbo Kick Instructor trainings.  Go ahead, read my old blogs, I discussed it before.

It was a BLAST!!  Both tough but I made it through standing.  I love both formats, but what i really learned is that I am in LOVE with Hip Hop Hustle even more.  It's the energy that is involved.  It's like...every time I hear some music I want to do those HHH signature moves.  I'm in the car, listening to the Hustle music CD and doing the dance moves in my head (and sometimes actually trying to do it while driving).  It is that addictive.

Sooooo...if after all my million and one blogs you have NOT checked out Hip Hop Hustle, what are you waiting for.  better yet, wait real soon and maybe I'll be coming to a class near you!

Workout today: 50 minutes of Hip Hop Hustle 5, 15 minutes of Hip Hop Hustle 9 (was supposed to be the whole thing but I was tired)

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 24: Hip Hop Hustle 11

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

This may be my fave!  Okay, okay, I know I said 9 was, but I have a new fave (I actually think I like Hustle 5 but I wanted to wait and get that as an Instructor).  Another great thing about 11 is that I do believe this is the one that I will learn at training.  SWEET!  I don't have to look helpless and can actually look like I know what I am doing.  Front row here I come!

I did both Hustles and then the Show.  The Show is were it's at!  I like EVERY move!  Now, I did have to keep rewinding to get the first 3 down, but I did and moved on to more.  I did not make it to the end though, because I put my hour in and was done!  Busy day!  I also had step practice with my sorority which drains my energy and I also count as cardio (but not the entire 2 hours...we do more talking than actual stepping).

I can't wait till I can do Hustle 11 from memory and with no music and teach others and add more energy to it.  Right now, I am just trying to get it to stick in my head!  Hustle 9 has been in my head all day long!  I have been rehearsing in my head.  I think I need to give Hustle a break though.  I have done it four days in a row!

Tomorrow I have another meeting after work so that pushes my workout further back....and I think I need to take it easy, my ankle was getting a little sore doing a couple of the moves in Hustle.  I think i will do some strength training.  Hmmmm, upper body, maybe I'll do P90X.  I think I will!

Total workout time today: 90 minutes!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 18: Hip Hop Hustle 8

Oh wow, wow, wowee, wow, wow!

Not only was workout a killer workout, but was difficult to catch on.  Or maybe it's just me.  Maybe after a long day of work and a looong sorority meeting and pushing my workout time back by an hour, I just didn't have it in me.  Well, those are all EXCUSES!!

I could not keep up, simple as that.  I did manage to get my 30 minutes, and I do believe those were good quality 30 minutes because I felt the workout in every muscle possible.  Hip Hop Hustle is REALLY a great workout and it's not all about the dance, even though that is the fun part and keeps me going.  I want to master these moves because it looks FUN!

And she did some oldies but goodies like the Cabbage Patch and the Butterfly!  This workout does not have a Show, and I actually liked that part.  Wonder why the format was changed.  It's just 3 Hustles.  The warm-up was pretty high-energy too!

I have no bad words for this workout, I just need to work on it and learn it like a pro!

Balls of Energy

Recipe from Oxygen Magazine September 2010


These are incredibly easy and super yummy!

Balls of Energy

28 (2 ¾ cups) pitted dates
½ cup water
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup whey protein powder
¼ cup unsweetened, non-dutched cocoa
¼ cup ground flaxseeds
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup ground walnuts or almonds

In a food processor, blend dates and water. Add nut butter and blend until smooth. Add protein powder in ½ cup increments and process. Add cocoa, flaxseeds and cinnamon and process until well blended.

With clean hands, gather some dough (about the size of a golf ball) and roll it between the palms of your hands. (Note: refrigerating the dough overnight makes it easier to work with the next day.) Roll each ball into ground walnuts. Set each ball on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 2 to 4 hours. Serve or freeze for later.

Makes 12 balls. Serving size 4 balls. Well, I eat two with a piece of fruit as a snack. I keep them stored in the freezer at work.

Calories: 230
Fat: 7 g
Sodium: 99 mg
Carbs: 31 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 15 g

15 tips for going raw

1) Rinse your body through with at least one large glass of water first thing in the morning. Drink it warm and/or with lemon juice if this makes it easier for you!

2) Drink at least 6 pints of liquid per day, either through pure water, smoothies or fresh juices.

3) Drink away from your meal time – no closer then 30 minutes before eating, and no sooner than 3 hours after eating.

4) Only eat when hungry – yes, even breakfast.

5) Aim for one vegetable juice or superfood smoothie per day, minimum.

6) Fruit, when eaten, should be eaten before a main meal, never after.

7) Eat something green and organic at every main meal.

8) Eat at least one large leafy green salad per day OR drink one large green juice OR make one green smoothie.

9) Eat sprouted foods every day.

10) If you’re eating more-raw eat a large fresh organic salad with each cooked meal.

11) If you’re eating all-raw, eat at least one high density food in adequate amounts with your large fresh organic salad per meal (examples: flax crackers, sprouted wheat bread, nuts, seeds, olives, avocado, pâté, sprouted beans)

12) Avoid desserts wherever possible – eat them as a snack 3 or more hours after dinner. Desserts clog you up!

13) Try to go for savoury snacks over sweet ones. The sweeter ones, such as dried fruits and snack bars, are more likely to knock you off balance, and can exacerbate cravings and mood swings. Try a handful of sprouted sunflower seeds or some dehydrated crackers for something a bit more interesting and satisfying.

14) Make sure you have adequate time to prepare, eat and digest before getting back to business.

15) Try to eat no later than 7pm every night. If the sky is dark, your body is also shutting down for the day and digestion will be more difficult.

BONUS 16) Remember that you need to love what you do, love what you eat and love the way you feel - this above all must be true : )