Sweat it Out (Tuesday):
Elliptical 1 Hour

Sweat it Out (Wednesday):
45 Minutes Weight Lifting
15 Minutes Body Matrix
15 Minutes Foam Rolling

So far this week has gone really good with the gym.  I seem to have gotten my mojo back, and my workout today was intense and gratifying!  My legs and arms are like jell-o!

Of course, I will be doing the obligatory post about New Year’s resolutions on January 1st, but there is a challenge that I will be preparing myself for in the meantime.

Two years ago I tried to do the PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) 21-Day Vegan Kick-start.  I have a friend that is a vegan (in fact, her whole family of 11 are vegans as far as I know) and when I was trying to focus on losing weight the first time in 2009 she reached out to me and suggested that I try a vegan diet.  This would be a HUGE change from my current lifestyle, but I feel I now have the time and energy to at least give the 21 day challenge a try.

When I told my hub’s that I decided to do this in January his reply was “We don’t eat that much meat”.  But the fact is that I have meat with almost every meal of the day, and dairy for sure.  I have a history of high blood pressure in my family and high cholesterol, and animal products have the highest percentages of cholesterol in them.  I think my body could use a break for a few weeks.

The way I look at it is that I am currently using exercise as my main focus of losing weight, and I really need to be focusing on the food (with exercise still playing its part, just not as the main focus).  I know that the way I am eating is not helping my energy levels and by focusing on my diet I know it will improve my workouts.  Besides that, it’s three weeks of my life.  I need to change-up my diet, and much like the NROLFW has changed the way I work out, I know an eating plan will do the same for the way that I am fueling my body.  I also want to really KICK-START my weight loss for the beginning of the year.

I believe in a plant-based diet, I have just never had the willpower to get going with it.  Let me just reiterate that I am not going vegan.  But just like your workouts need to be changed up, so does your eating.

The Challenge will go from January 1-21.  It will end on my hub’s birthday, just in time for birthday cake!  I will be sharing short snipits fo the benefits of a plant-based diet for those 21 days, and sharing any fun recipes that I think you might enjoy!  Also, if any of you want to join me please feel free!  Here is the website to sign up for the daily emails: 21 Day Vegan Kick-start, and here are some great books that I suggest reading that have helped me to make this decision to try out the kick-start:

• Eat to Live
• The China Study

So until January first I will be studying up on new recipes that will keep this challenge interesting and I know that I will see improvements in my day-to-day life!

“The New Rules of Lifting for Women” Phase 5, Day 3, Workout A:

• Single arm Squat and Snatch: 4 sets of 8, 20 Pounds
• Single leg Deadlift: 4 Sets of 8, 40 Pound bar
• Barbell bent over row: 4 set of 8, 40 Pound Bar
• Seated Row: 4 Sets of 8, 70 Pounds
• Push Ups: 4 Sets of 10
• Horizontal Wood Chop: 4 Sets of 8, 60 Pounds
• Plank: 4, 60 Second holds
• Squats: 2 sets of 24, 15 Pound Body Bar
• Lunges: 2 Sets of 12, 15 Pound Body Bar

I subbed out a couple of the exercises that I just wasn’t feeling.  The seated row and push ups were a much better rotation.  The exercises they have in the workout are awkward and I can’t get the form right.  Plus, I never feel them working anything(except for the pains in my lower back, not good) and it feels like a waste.  This was an awesome workout where I moved the Sets up to 4 and REALLY felt the burn!

Happy Wednesday All!!!!!