Wednesday, November 18, 2015

10-Week Challenge - Week 10

This is the final week of the challenge!  And, coincidentally (or not, wink wink), it is a little over a week from Thanksgiving.

To make things even more focused for you this week, here is a 10-day pre-Thanksgiving plan that you can use to get ready for the holiday. 

Holidays are a time for food, fun, family, and friends.  By following this plan, you can help to reduce your stress about indulging on Thanksgiving Day, because you will have set the stage to enjoy your holiday!



DAY 1 - Wednesday, November 18
Nutritional Challenge:  Eat a healthy snack 2-3 hours after each meal today.  Some ideas are a small handful of nuts, carrot sticks and hummus, a fruit-and-nut bar (i.e. Kind, Larabar), or yogurt with fruit.

Physical Challenge: 
Complete 5 rounds, taking breaks as needed, of:
- 20 Mountain Climbers (Each leg = 1 rep)
- 15 seconds Plank
- 10 Jump Squats


DAY 2 - Thursday, November 19
Nutritional Challenge:  Eat a vegetable salad and lean protein (i.e. grilled chicken, tuna, beans) for one of your meals today.

Physical Challenge:  Do a 45-60 minute workout of your choice.


DAY 3 - Friday, November 20
Nutritional Challenge:  Eat a piece of fruit before each meal today.

Physical Challenge:  Triple your trips up and down the stairs (i.e. instead of going up once, go up, down, and then up).


DAY 4 - Saturday, November 21
Nutritional Challenge:  Make your last meal today mostly lean protein and vegetables.  Try not to go too heavy on the carbs before bed.

Physical Challenge:  Do a 45-60 minute workout of your choice.


DAY 5 - Sunday, November 22
Nutritional Challenge:  Make a one-pot dinner that you can eat for the next few days for healthy lunches or dinners. Some great ideas are vegetable stew, chicken soup, or chili. Try using turkey or chicken instead of beef.

Physical Challenge:  Take a walk today.  If you don't like walking in the cold, do some shopping and walk at a brisk pace throughout the store.


DAY 6 - Monday, November 23
Nutritional Challenge:  Prioritize eating a healthy breakfast this week.  This week will probably be busy, and you need your fuel! 

Physical Challenge:  Do a 45-60 minute workout of your choice.


DAY 7 - Tuesday, November 24
Nutritional Challenge:  Replace two meals today with vegetable salads and lean protein (i.e. grilled chicken, tuna, beans).

Physical Challenge:  Take three five-minute breaks today to take a walk, do some yoga sun salutations, or throw in a set of pushups, squats, etc.


DAY 8 - Wednesday, November 25
Nutritional Challenge:  Eat super-healthy today.  DO NOT SKIP MEALS, but remember that tomorrow will be a day of indulgence.

Physical Challenge: 
Perform 10 of everything, 9 of everything, 8, 7...until you get down to 1 rep of everything:
- Lunges (left leg)
- Lunges (right leg)
- Pushups


DAY 9 - Thursday, November 26
Nutritional Challenge:  Have fun today.  Enjoy the holiday and eat your favorite foods.

Physical Challenge:  Take a walk while the turkey is resting before carving it.  Not only will it deter you from carving early and losing all the juices in the turkey, but it will get you moving at least for a little while today.  Invite your family and share what you are thankful for while you walk.


DAY 10 - Friday, November 27
BACK ON TRACK!!!!
Nutritional Challenge:  Go right back to your healthy eating.  Toss the leftovers or send them home with relatives.

Physical Challenge:  Do a 45-60 minute workout of your choice.  THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET RIGHT BACK ON TRACK!!!  Even if it's just a walk around the block.  You can even get your family involved!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

10-Week Challenge - Week 9

Pep Talk 

We are in the home stretch of the 10-Week Challenge.  Thanksgiving is coming, so now is the best time to refocus on your health and fitness goals.  Earn that turkey dinner!

Here are your goals for this week.  It is a little more challenging for our final push, but I know you can do it!  Additions are marked in BOLD text.
  1. Complete 3 40-60 minute workouts this week.  
  2. Complete 1 30-minute workout this week.
  3. Plan and eat a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks each day.  Limit your takeout to 1 time this week.
  4. Reserve one meal this week for a "treat" meal.  It can be any meal -- Friday pizza night, Sunday brunch, Tuesday work lunch, etc.  Just make sure to get back on track afterwards.
  5. If you slip up, get right back on track with your next MEAL, not the next day.


Challenge Workout

Complete the following exercises for 60 seconds each, taking breaks as needed:
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Lying Leg Scissors
  • Oblique Mountain Climbers
  • Crunches
  • Side Plank (30 seconds left, 30 seconds right)
  • Lying Toe Touches
  • Plank
  • Reverse Crunches

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

10-Week Challenge - Week 8

Pep Talk 

Three weeks to go!  Let's really push hard here at the end of the challenge and make November a great month for health and fitness.  Hopefully you have created a solid foundation for yourself over the past few weeks.  Now we can really prioritize our goals and finish strong.  Coincidentally, this will take us right into Thanksgiving week.  Stay focused!

Here are your goals for this week.  Additions are marked in BOLD text.
  1. Complete 2 40-60 minute workouts this week.  
  2. Complete 2 30-minute workouts this week.
  3. Plan and eat a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks each day.  Limit your takeout to 1 time this week.
  4. Reserve two meals this week for "treat" meals.  They can be any meals -- Friday pizza night, Sunday brunch, Tuesday work lunch, etc.  Just make sure to get back on track afterwards.
  5. If you slip up, get right back on track with your next MEAL, not the next day.
YOU CAN DO THIS!



Challenge Workout

Complete 10 of everything, then 9 of everything, then 8...all the way down to 1 rep of everything:
  • Pushups (knees or feet)
  • Jump Squats (or regular squats, but double the repetitions)