Day 1: 30 Days of Fitness Challenge- Yoga, Cardio, Weights and HIIT!

Talk about perfect timing! With a new month starting today, it's the perfect time for me to start my 30 days of fitness challenge. I've packed on a few extra winter pounds and I'm definitely not happy about it. I did well for most of the winter and I didn't feel like I gained any weight until the very end of winter, sometime around February, when I just felt my body suddenly packing on some pounds. Although, I'm not sure why because I hadn't changed anything. It seems like I have put weight on all over, but, I really notice it in my abdomen area as well as my hips and butt. Most of my jeans had become WAY too tight and I started looking like a sausage in them (best way to make you look even bigger!) And, yesterday, I was more than filling out my biggest pair of jeans!

I had been toying with the idea of challenging myself to either a 30 days of yoga or a 30 day workout/HIIT (High-intensity interval training) challenge. Since I prefer to do a little bit of everything: yoga, cardio, weights and HIIT, I just couldn't make up my mind! So, I decided that I will just do a "30 days of fitness" challenge. This way I can do any of the above as long as I do one form of exercise every day for the next 30 days! And, I will use this blog to keep myself accountable and on track.

I did the dreaded "weigh-in" and it wasn't good, but it also wasn't as horrible as I had expected. I guess I was expecting worse considering the extent that I was busting out of my biggest pair of jeans. Sadly, this indicates that it's most likely all fat that I;ve gained and no muscle- since muscle weighs much more than fat. (Picture 5 lbs of fat vs 5 lbs of muscle.) But, I guess it would be wishful thinking to hope for muscle gain when you're not even working out...

Time for change. I wish I could keep working out all the time once I get started. Not only do I look better when I workout but I also feel better! I go through phases though; I'll work out regularly for a while until something sets me back and then I fall off the "workout wagon." This time I stayed off the wagon for far too long,


The Challenge:

• I challenge myself to do some form of exercise activity daily; whether it be yoga, cardio and/or weights. (workouts can range from 15-60 minutes, depending on how I'm feeling and how much time I have.) note: my workouts will mostly be on a treadmill or following along with DVDs as I do not have a gym membership
• to lose weight and gain muscle.
• to fit into ALL of my jeans.
• to lose 5 pounds, minimum! (it doesn't sound like a lot, but I don't even want to picture what 5 pounds of body fat looks like!)
• and hopefully reap some other benefits along the way! 

 My Stats: 

• My start weight today is exactly 145 pounds and ??% body fat (trying to get my height into the scale to find out my % of body fat)
• My goal weight is 140 pounds (my ideal weight is 135 pounds)
• I am 5.7 and a half (just for reference)
• I have taken my measurements and will share how much I lose, if any 

My Tools:

• variety of workout dvd's (yoga, cardio, weights, HIIT)
• free workouts on YouTube 
• treadmill 
• mini stair climber
• kettlebell
• free weights
• resistance bands
• my body weight (lots of squats and push-ups)
• Old Navy workout clothes, I LOVE their workout gear (seriously, check out their compression pants!) hehe.. had to throw in some fashion!

Some of my gear:

From experience, I know that I look and feel my best around 135-137 pounds, and, I also know from experience that it's a little unrealistic for me to STAY at that weight. Usually, 140 pounds is pretty easy for me to maintain without too much effort.

I will be trying to eat healthier as well, but I will not be going on any "diet" per se. No calorie counting, no diet restrictions. Although, I do try to limit my sugar (especially) and carbohydrate intake as I have for years after a rather large, unexpected and sudden weight gain many years ago (and that's what worked for me to lose the weight.)

I will be keeping a journal and I will weigh in once a week (I don't like to weigh-in daily as our weight can fluctuate daily due to water weight as well as many other factors.) I will also document anything else that comes up during this 30 day journey, such as: stress level, sleep, mood etc. It will be interesting to me to see what changes, if any, may occur during the challenge. I could definitely use a boost in the mood and sleep department!

Here I am in a before shot. I knew I had gained weight, but, I didn't realize that I got this large (for me) until I took this pic a couple of days ago! (I once heard a professional photographer say "a camera doesn't lie"-yikes!) ps. don't mind all the cat toys... lol

Day 1 of 30 (April 1, 2015):

Wow, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words. Didn't realize I got so out of shape! (not sure why the picture is stamped March 2015, it was taken today, April 1, 2015)

Note: I have been having problems with my right knee. If it worsens, I may have to modify what I am doing during this 30 day challenge.

If you like, follow me on Instagram. I'll be posting updates on there as well. https://instagram.com/healthandbeautygirl/


Wish me luck! And, I hope you will join me!


xo Amy

Healthy Protein snack: My Favourite Black Bean Brownie Recipe!

Today I wanted to share one of my favourite recipes with you.

This one is for Black Bean Brownies. I have tried many black bean brownie recipes and this one is my favourite. It's not only really easy to make but it also tastes great! It also doesn't require any rare ingredients that you wouldn't necessarily have at home.

I like to have protein snacks on hand and I prefer to make them myself so I can control what's in them and even more importantly, what is not in them.  Also, it is much cheaper than buying a processed snack at the store. These are super high in fiber and protein and not too high in sugar, you can also control the amount of sugar and they type you use. Also, this is a no flour recipe! Hooray for less carbs!

I have a few favourite recipes on rotation right now. I make a batch whenever I get a chance and it will usually last me a few days. ( I tend to eat 2-3 square at a time!)

Here is what you will need:

Here is the latest batch. I don't usually put this many chocolate chips on them, if at all (I use 50% cocoa chips or above) but this was the first time I made a batch and forgot to put them in the mixture itself.

Ingredients list: (see how simple!?)
I would recommend using a food processor for this and you will need an 8 x 8 baking pan.

• black beans 
• cocoa powder 
• quick oats 
• salt
• pure maple syrup, agave or honey
• stevia 
• coconut oil
• pure vanilla extract
• baking powder
• chocolate chips 

This recipe was created by "Chocolate Covered Katie" she has some great recipes!! You should really check out some more of them. But here is this link to her amazing "No Flour, Black Bean Brownies" http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/

Let me know if you try them.

Enjoy! 

xo, Amy