Workout Log 181 - Week 25 Review - No Change

Looking at this passed week and compared to previous weeks, I totally sucked.  I only went to the gym 3 times! Yikes! Funny thing is, I had no change in appearance and my numbers stayed the same from last week. So no big deal. At least I didn't gain anything from all the fatty foods I ate. :-)

Since the Christmas season is in, I can see myself missing a few more days as there are so many Christmas parties to go to and so many goodies that are pretty much in your face (like cookies, cake biscuits, beer and other Christmas goodies). But what is key here is to balance the limited goodies with exercise and overall make a best effort to eat properly.

So if I were to change anything about the last week, I wish I could have gone in the gym at least 1 or 2 more times. As for food, I'll continue to do my thing and 'nibble' at the goodies, but I'm definitely not going to dismiss it. =)

Week 25 Pic

So speaking of which, as for today's workout, I completed arms, calves, triceps, abs and chest.  I also added in 15 min extra cardio on the treadmill burning 180 extra calories. Felt damn good to get back in there!
No goodies for today. Kept pretty healthy.

Tomorrow is weight training and abs. I shouldn't have any problems missing this workout as I have nothing planned. Looking forward to it. =)


Week 25 Status Results

 










Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 180 - No Workout - Christmas prep with the Familia

As previously planned, no workout today as I was still with the family finishing up on the pastel dish. I also had a couple of beers while preparing the dish.

Tomorrow I will be getting back on the bandwagon and get back on the path of my journey. For whatever is scheduled for Monday (which I believe is weight training), I'll add some cardio to it as well. Looking forward to it. =)

Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 178 - The Office Christmas Party

With no time for a workout in the evening, I had previously planned to have today as my reward day  as well as my day off for exercise since I have our office Christmas Party this evening.

The office party is pretty low key, but overall had a good time. I enjoyed a few Steam Whistle's (Toronto's finest beer) along with the expected bar type appetizers such as pizza, wings, breaded shrimp and etc. Calorie count definitely pretty high this evening, but it's a reward meal so, it's that's not too bad.

I'll pickup the pace again tomorrow with weight training and cardio. Looking forward to it.

Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 179 - Making Pastels with the Fam'

I totally forgot about this weekend....Every year my parents and I get together 2 weeks before Christmas to make a Spanish / Trinidad dish called Pastels aka Hallacas. Since the process to make this dish takes approximately 10 hours to complete 100 pastels, I have reserved the whole weekend to help out. See below for an example of what it is.

This dish is composed of seasoned lean ground beef, onions, raisins, olives, capers and corn meal wrapped in a banana leaf. The banana leaf is used to preserve and shape the pastel. Tastes delicious, but high in carbs, fat and sodium.

This is another reason why we usually make this dish during the Christmas holiday. We eat it now, so in January we can work it off....Well in my case I rather work off the food I eat, so I don't gain. =) But unfortunately today, not only did I sample a Pastel, I also ate KFC with the family.

Obviously there is no way to avoid eating this delicious and fatty meal, but will have to make sure that I work hard next week to make up for it. Oh ya - I'll be missing tomorrow's workout as well...Oh well, what can I do.... ;-)




Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 177 / Week 24 - Going Rogue (You Betchya!)

So back in the gym today and completed 30 min cardio along with a few rogue exercises that wasn't exactly on the program. The scheduled workout was to work on back, arms and legs...Since I used the treadmill for running and speed walking on an incline, and then used the chin-up bar for a few sets.

So in perspective, all areas were covered that needed work for the workout. The workout itself was refreshing seeing that I missed yesterday's scheduled workout, but I'm not gonna beat myself over yesterday's lazy day. I needed it... ;-)

Tomorrow will not be possible for a workout due to my busy schedule, but will reserve tomorrow as my rest day. Looking ahead, I will pickup the pace on Saturday...

Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

 

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 176 / Week 25 - Lazy Day

Skipped out on the workout for today...No real excuse, except that I was just.. 'lazy'. =) My day was going pretty terrible already with planning and made the choice to skip it and just relax on the couch. I'll pick up the pace tomorrow and get back on the wagon.

As for eating and other commitments, I kept pretty good. As an example, for my last meal in the evening, I ate brown rice instead of white rice while eating sushi.

Tomorrow I have weight training planned and will continue the journey tomorrow.
 
Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 175 / Week 25 - Healthier Eating During Christmas Time

Today was cardio and completed 30 min. on the treadmill. During lunch, I got really tempted by holiday goodies and just had to take 1 cookie. With the cookie in hand, this prompted me to create some tips to help you all out with dealing with the goodies during this Christmas season. See below for a few tips.

 The Realistic Guide to Eating Healthier During the Christmas Holidays

Since I don't really diet, I'm not going to tell you to stay away from festive sweets, drinking the eggnog spiked with rum, or the high calorie meals you will be having with the family. Surprised?

What I am going to tell you is to have these things in moderation. As I have journeyed for the past 175 days, I had changed my lifestyle for healthier eating and exercise and I'm living proof that I can still eat things I love, without gaining any weight. So let's go through 5 tips that will hopefully get you through the next three salivating weeks.

1. Make a promise to yourself that you will not overeat.
Everyday(including this difficult festive time), you should be eating several small light meals (5 or 6 meals). Each of these meals should be around 300-400 calories. If you are eating this many times and drinking water, you will feel full throughout the day. If someone is passing around sugar coated Christmas cookies, chocolates, butter cookies and etc., have one or maybe even two... Not one or two of each (let me just clarify). I agree in having fun during this time, but moderation is key. 

2. Planning in Advance
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. You know that the party is Friday and it's Monday. Why not make Friday your reward meal day and eat healthy through-out the week? This way, you can eat as much as you want, drink as much as you want and not feel guilty. It's your reward meal right? =)

3. Pot Lucks and Family Functions.
If you are attending a pot luck or family function that require you to bring something, offer to bring the veggies and dip. This will at least give you something healthy to munch on while your socializing instead of the chips, cookies and candy canes. Also, once you reach the 'buffet' table with all the goodies, do not fill your plate and create Mount Everest. Instead, fill 3/4 of the plate with whatever you want.

4. Festive Drinks
You're off to a party and it's BYOB(Bring Your Own Booze). Try getting a light beer (to at least reduce the calories) or a white wine (not a port wine) and have 1 or 2 half glasses. Each glass of white wine is approx. 65 calories (Red is 70 calories). Do not binge. I like getting drunk too, but save it for new years. This way you can still have an intelligent conversation with your Aunt Sally without slurring your words. =)

5. Go to the gym and include cardio
If you plan on eating goodies or already have, the gym is a must. Balance is everything when you are trying not to gain weight during the holiday season. Try to go the gym before the festive dinner and go again the following day. I can guarantee you that all the 'guilt' will go away once you finish your workout.

Happy Holiday's to you all and enjoy a safe and healthy season.

Mission 3 Challenge - Daily Results

See here for last weeks picture and status results