MIRACLE NOODLES

For all you who want to cut back on the starchy carbs yet still enjoy your pasta or noodles, here's the perfect food solution.
Shirataki are very low carbohydrate, low calorie, gluten free, translucent Japanese noodles made from the konjac root. Largely composed of water and glucomannan, a water-soluble dietary fiber, they have little flavor of their own.
I recommend rinsing and draining them before preparation. Then I cook them in a bowl in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to extract more water from them as well as heat them up. Then eat them with whatever. I had these Fettuccine Shirataki with salmon and spinach in a bit of cream sauce. Yum! And yesterday I made a chicken thai soup with the skinny Shirataki noodles. Delish!
Yup, I would say they are Miracle Noodles for sure!

RIPPED IN 30

Yesterday I started a new workout program. I love going to the gym and lifting heavy, and I loved doing the LiveFit trainer, but right now I need a program that will fit into my kickboxing schedule and traveling with work. So, I did a bit of research and you know me, I always love a bit of Jillian Michaels. I loved her 30-day shred program, which together with running, helped me lose my last 15 kg/33 pounds on my weight loss journey. No gym. Just running with Murphy and 30-day shred. And not long ago she came out with a newer, similar version called Ripped in 30, so I figured I'd give it a go.

She has divided each weekly program into 3 circuits and it's 3 divisions into each circuit: 3 min strength, 2 min cardio and 1 min abs. There's 4 weeks of different workout programs and they get harder and harder as the weeks go by. So, I started week 1 yesterday and man did I sweat! I like to consider myself as pretty fit by now and have good cardio ability, but because most of the moves are combo moves (i.e. one sequence incorporates more than one movement, for example squat and then dumbbell shoulder press, or lunge with dumbell biceps curl, etc.) my heart rate was really high at the same time as I was working resistance. And there is no rest for 30 min. Hence the sweating! And the sore buttocks!

Think I will really like Ripped in 30. I like week 1 program so far anyway. Good start! There is a meal plan with this program as well, if you're interested, but I already have a good diet so don't feel I need it.

HAMSTRING INJURY

Oh, it was going so well! Despite a rough night with a crazy mjauwing male cat, I was feeling so strong starting my leg workout this morning. In retrospect, I now know I should've warmed up a bit more after being out in the cold.

After doing one set of walking lunges I could feel my legs starting to spasm a bit. No worries I thought. Take it easy. Walk it off. But then a hard muscle twinge in one of my buttocks hit me and it hurt! So I thought, fine, I can go to the next exercise and see if it gets better. I just finished last rep in first set of one-legged deadlift and my hamstring just gave in on me. The pain hit me so surprisingly fast, I actually yelped. It's never attractive to yelp in the gym. Haha! I sat down and stretched for a bit, massaged it, but realised I had to call it a day. Bummer!

It's much better now after stretching and massaging it, but it doesn't help it's the same hamstring I pulled really bad during a dance performance when I was 17 and had to jump down into splits in really high heels. No yelping then. Big smiles all around. Show no pain. Thankfully, it happened at the very end of the performance, so I could limp off stage and cry my eyes out. Since then, my left hamstring has never been the same.

But it's the year of no excuses, right??!!! So, no excuses to attend kickboxing tonight. Yee-haw!

Here's what I managed to do today before ending my workout abruptly:

SUN SUN SUN

Amazing how much sun can affect the mood! Mine anyway.
Rest day today, from the gym that is. Had a wonderful walk with Murphy in the cold but beautiful morning. And when the sun peeked out over the hill top, it was gorgeous and the whole world lit up. Oooh, so want the Spring to arrive now. Somebody mentioned a snowy forecast for this weekend. Nooo!! No more!! Bring on more sun sun sun!

DAY 11 LIVEFIT

Day 11 of Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer plan and I did shoulders and abs as you can see from my mobile screen shot. Didn't feel super strong, but I got through it. According to the plan, I am supposed to relax for 3 days now, but because I have 3 group training classes to teach on Saturday, it's just not possible rest. But I'm sure the cardio won't hurt my body either. After all, I'll be resting tomorrow and Sunday, beside all my walks with my doggie.

From what I can see, next week will be a mix-up in the LiveFit workout schedule. Very exciting! Will keep you updated on the progress.

LIFE MAGASINE ARTICLE

Here's the article about yours truly and my IndoorWalking class in the last edition of Life Health & Fitness' magasine. I have finally been able to save it onto the computer and post the whole article for you to read. Enjoy!

(And for you English-speaking peeps, go ahead and learn Swedish... ;) )

And to add a testimonial to this article, after regular IndoorWalking classes for about 6 months now, I must say my cardio physique is much better, legs much stronger, as well as back muscles, and my butt has taken a completely different dimension... It's so much more perky and shapely. It looks happy!!! :D Me likey...

NOT MY BEST FORM

Eventhough I got 8 hours of sleep, I wasn't in my best form this morning at the gym. Usually, I feel strong and get a surge of energy. I suspect my mental down swing is probably playing a big part in me feeling physically weak as well. Since my wonderful job assignment is now finished, I'm looking for work. Again. Because of seperate accommodations, I'm back to living in the flat without my man. Again. And as a result my economy will soon be in the gutter. Again. On the positive side though, at least I have a home I love, food on the table and clothes to keep me warm. And I know everything will sort itself out soon. Again.

Here's my workout from today, back and biceps:



Considering I was feeling weak, I think I did pretty good. Next week will be even better. :)

JAMIE EASON 12-WEEK PLAN

Jamie Eason

Last Monday I started a new workout plan in pursuit of pushing my body to the next level. Since I lost all my overweight pounds, I have kept my weight at a steady level for about 2 years and I have slowly been trying to build more and more muscle. But this time I really want to try to get ripped and lose those last vanity pounds. Have no idea if I can, but I want to try.

One of the persons I admire in the fitness industry is Jamie Eason and I look to her for inspiration, recipes and tips. I stumbled over her LiveFit 12-week Trainer Plan on bodybuilding.com and thought I'd give it a go. I already have a healthy diet so it's not so much my food that needs tweeking, besides the fact that I'm now adding more carbs to my meals, but it's more my strength training regime that has been changed. Being a Fitness Instructor on the side doesn't make it easy for me NOT to have cardio the first 4 weeks, so unfortunately that is something I have to deviate from in the plan.

Here's my workout results for today, Chest and Triceps:

It's going to be interesting to see how my strength and body develops over the 12 weeks. Very interesting! Hope you'll enjoy the journey as well.