Drama on the Road

My pre-vacation progress has been halted! Now I need to reevaluate my current semi-plan (which has boiled down from South Beach to SB by day, chow down by night - not good). 

What put a stop to my weight loss? A minivan and a ditch. 

Yep, on the same day this fabulous blog was featured on AOL Health (btw - welcome new readers!), I was run off the highway by an absent-minded minivan driver. I'm ok, but my plan to complete Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred is on hold. My back is in painful knots and I'm still dealing with whiplash. My injuries, while dwindling, are still limiting my mobility from "workout diva" to "couch-chica." 

So now, with my vacation a mere 2 1/2 weeks away, I've hit a roadblock...quite literally. I'm considering my options, and will keep you posted on my pre-beach preparation plans. 

Don't cry for me though, I'm feeling like a very lucky girl. I walked away from the crash with nary a scratch. I should have bought lotto tickets. Then I could just hire Jillian Michaels to yell at me in person. 

 

Today's Obsession: Recipe Review of Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Yes, I know. Roasting vegetables is an Autumn activity. But it's spring here in the Northeast, and that means we're still chowing on veggies shipped in from warmer climates. So until the summer brings me super fresh local produce, you'll have to endure my latest roasting obsession: Broccoli

You can blame the Barefoot Contessa for this latest iteration of roasted veggies. I saw her recipe for Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli and I was firing up the oven within minutes. Of course, I had to make a few adjustments to ease the fat, but I think this dish turned out amazing.

Making It

Another super easy recipe. Chop up the broccoli into reasonable pieces (a tad bigger than bite-sized). 

Spread it out on a pan, sprinkle it with sliced garlic, olive oil, and salt & pepper. I had to watch the olive oil, it's easy to go overboard and un-healthy your veggies. Pop it in a 400 degree oven, give it a stir after 7 minutes or so. Let it cook until the ends get a little crispy like so:  

While the broccoli is still warm, toss it with some toasted pine nuts (optional...best to limit since they run about 100 calories & 10 grams of fat for 2 tablespoons), chopped fresh basil, fresh grated Parmesan cheese (the fresher it is, the stronger the taste, the less you need to use), lemon zest, and lemon juice. 

Sounds a little fussy, but it's not. A few little additions takes this from your typical "meh broccoli" to something company-worth (if you're willing to share...I'm not). Plus broccoli is notoriously high in fiber. If you can't stand the though of eating these mini Godzilla trees (think about it), this recipe will really help make the veggie much more palatable with minimal effort.

 

And if you can start eating the broccoli covered in all these delicious accoutrement, you'll be eating it with just a few sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! in no time. Think of it like training wheels for vegetable haters. 

5 Fit Tips for the Unfit - Starting Smart

Starting a fitness plan can be scary. Especially if you're not in shape. I've been there, more than once in fact. Not only do I fall into the yo-yo dieting category, but I also yo-yo workout. Oh, yes, it is possible. As a rule, I stay active. But there are circumstances when I'm not. I've had to start over thanks to a variety of circumstances. From as simple as "I left college and now sit at a desk 10 hours a day" (aka the Office Spread) to "I need to recover from abdominal surgery." 

It doesn't matter how or why, but starting smart is key. 

I've found that jumping in full speed and/or overdoing it (in intensity or in minutes) too soon will lead to either injury or burnout. Neither is going to get you into smaller jeans. Here are some tips that I follow to get (and stay) started on the road from unfit to fit. 

Tip 1: Accept It, You're a Wuss 

Sorry, but it's true. If you've been out of the gym for an extended period of time (or if you've never even been in one), you should ease in to your routine. Make sure you are performing the moves the right way, and that you're at a comfortable intensity level. Gradually pump up the weight/incline/jam as you gain strength and confidence. This counts for workout videos too. Swallow your pride and follow the "Modified Moves Girl" in the group. Especially if you were in shape in the past - you'll be mentally ready to follow the "Advanced Super Woman" moves. 

Keep in mind that more weight on your body is more stress on your joints. You might need to go low-impact until you lighten up a little (trust me, I'm there now).  But it's OK, you're doing it for YOU, right? The "Advanced Super Woman" will never know.

Tip 2: Set Small Goals - Really Really Small Goals 

Yes, losing 20 pounds is a great goal. But you won't get there if you're sitting at home watching The Simpsons. After a tough day, it's so tempting to just hit the couch or succumb to distractions like getting a free gift at the cosmetics counter. When you're having a hard time staying on track, set mini-goals. When I absolutely do not want to go to the gym, I challenge myself to do 1 thing: Get to the Gym Parking Lot. 

Yes, for real. I know if I drive all the way to the parking lot, I'll go inside. But driving somewhere is a much smaller mental hurdle than Do 50 Minutes of Cardio. If I'm still being stubborn, I promise myself I'll only workout for 15 minutes. 9 out of 10 times, I'll feel great after 5 minutes and be ready to conquer a tough workout. If I still feel tired after 15 minutes, then I let myself off the hook (it usually means I need the rest/am getting sick). 

It works for home workouts too. Put Sneakers On works for me pretty often (you can't lay on the couch with your kicks on), as does Hit The Play Button on DVD Player. Once it starts, I start. 

Tip 3: Find Something You Can Look Forward To

Just like with diet plans, if you can't stick with it, it won't work. If you hate doing a certain workout, and can't find a way to make it fun (good music/workout buddy/etc) you'll never stick with it. You wouldn't marry a doctor because your friend married one and it worked for her, right? And you wouldn't be best friends with someone because she seems like a good fit. You actually have to find the thing that clicks for you! 

Just keep trying things and find what clicks. Like dancing? Try Zumba or Hip Hop Abs. Are you stressed out & angry? Sweat it out with Barry's Bootcamp or TurboJam. Give routines a shot despite your predisposed ideas.  Sure, Spinning sounds like torture, but in reality it's a workout that lets you go at your own pace. But you wouldn't really know that until you try it for yourself. 

Tip 4: Find a Place that You're Comfortable Sweating

Comfort is key for your workout clothes, shoes, and most of all, location. You need to be comfortable enough to make a complete jackass out of yourself. Not that you will, but you want to feel un-judged when you sweat, groan, and whine like a little girl (if you're me). If you're joining a gym, check out the facilities (is the locker room a nudist colony or can you grab a curtain?), the equipment (does it look new or like it belongs in an outdated dentist's office?), and the staff (are they approachable or mainly meat?). Also take time into consideration - the gym at noon can be a whole different scene than the gym at 5 pm. 

You might find the gym is not your bag. That's ok! Find a place you like walking, like your neighborhood or a nearby park (safety first, of course), or someone you like walking with. Or, like me, you can pull all the blinds and get crazy in the comfort of your own home, where no one will hear you whine. 

Tip 5: You Are Allowed to Look Cute When You Work Out!

Wear comfy workout clothes that make you feel fit, cute, confident. Forget your hubby's old tie-dyed t-shirts and those lacrosse shorts that were cool in high school. Score yourself some fly tanks and cute capris to get your sweat on. If you're embarrassed in your clothes, you won't want to keep working out. Check out the sale section of Sports Authority for some good deals, or go all out with coordinated duds from high-end athletic outfitters like Athleta or Lucy. It sounds simple and vain, but you'll be amazed at the confidence-building power of a new sporty hoodie. 

Bonus Tip: Get Advice

Research your routine. Check out some of the people I follow on Twitter. There are some amazing pros willing to help you on your way with some educated advice.  

The Bottom Line

Whether you're starting out for the first time, or starting again for the tenth, just go about it in a smart way. If you're injured, you'll never get off the couch. If you're not feelin' your workout spot, you'll never get off the couch.  If you're not loving what you're doing, you'll never get off the couch. And if you never get off the couch, your ass will become as big as one. So get to the gym parking lot and get going!

Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred: Level 2

Tonight I tackled Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred level 2 workout. I started the workout feeling good, feeling strong. I finally conquered Level 1, and was ready for a new challenge.

Well, a new challenge I was handed, along with my ass. 

The level 2 workout starts manageable. It's a mix of old school Jane Fonda-esque moves (easy) combined with some crazy-ass, fall-on-your-face difficult exercises. Not "crazy choreography" difficult, more like, "I'm pretty sure that gravity won't let me get away with that" difficult. Even though I'm confident that I'll be strong enough to handle them in 3 - 5 workouts, the phrase Plank Jack will haunt my dreams for a little while (it's a combo of holding your body in plank position while doing jumping jacks with your legs...apparently it is physically possible).

Needless to say, my body is hurtin'. I really have to stick to the low-impact (read: pansy-style) moves until I get some strength with these move. My knees and ankles were not thrilled with me after the performance. Yes, that is a Boo Boo Buddy, and no, I don't have kids. I just find they're handy to keep around for aching joints...and they're super cute. I'm not made of stone ya know!

Recipe Review: Falling for Falafel!

I heart falafel - little deep fried balls of aromatically spiced chickpeas. However, anything with the words "deep" and/or "fried" in its description are an automatic no-no in diet land. But all is not lost, I found a way to get a fix without any fryalator madness. 

I received a handy little email newsletter from one of my fav cooking mags, Cooking Light. Typically, I find their recipes to be both smart and a little gourmet. In fact, I've been known to use their recipes for company, and no one has suspected they were eating something relatively healthy. So when I saw they were pushing a 20 minute falafel recipe that clocked in at just under 300 calories, I just couldn't resist. So I printed me out a copy of Falafel Pitas with Cucumber Dressing and got things cookin'.

Making It

The recipe prep is super easy. However, you will need a food processor, blender, or other super chopping device. If not, you'll be mashing this stuff together for a little more than the 20 minutes Cooking Light promised. 

The ingredients are really normal stuff for an international food. Cumin is the wildest thing you'll be adding here. I liked that aspect, since most Greek or middle eastern recipes call for tahini or some other exotic spices that I'd have to hunt down. Already having all the ingredients on hand was a major plus.

So all you do is dump some canned chickpeas, spices, an egg (plus egg white), and a few other goodies into your chopping device and give it a whirl until it's a patty-forming consistency. Then cook them in some olive oil. Now this is where I got a little concerned about keeping the calories down. I use olive oil all the time, but these falafel patties sucked up the oil like an American car. 

So I had to add a little on the second batch. Sure, it meant they tasted great, but I'm sure it hurt the calorie benefit a little. Oh, and these really do take a little time to cook through, about 4 minutes a side. But that gives you time to make up the light yogurt tzatziki-esque sauce that goes on top. (But, I recommend making this first, since the longer it sits the better it tastes).

Eating It

Once the falafels are cooked, they're good to go. Load one into a whole wheat pita with some lettuce, tomato, and cucumber sauce. Try to have at it while they're still warm. The cool sauce and crunchy lettuce with the hot falafel is really delish. 

The reheat factor is really great with this one too. In the microwave or in the toaster oven - these heat up really well. If you make smaller patties, these would be a great make-ahead appetizer (serve a pile of 'em with the sauce on the side).

All in all, this is an easy, fast, and tasty recipe. It's def on the make again list in my house.

 

Love/Hate Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred

I finally have a nice tropical vacation planned for May! That's the good news. The bad news? Right about now, I'd look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man rockin' a bikini.

Clearly, I must act fast.

After debating and researching what videos work, I ended up getting my hands on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred video. I've read rave reviews: people have lost weight, inches, and are all around more buff after the experience. Sold.

The Basics

Jillian Michaels is the hard ass behind the hard bodies sculpted out of jiggly fat on The Biggest Loser. Let me tell you, she does not mess around. The workout is a mere 20 minutes. The moves are basic (remember gym class? you will now) and easy to follow. It's broken up into short bursts: 3 minutes of strength (weights), 2 minutes cardio (jumping jacks), 1 minute abs (sit ups, or if you're me, whimpering on the floor about the last 5 minutes). There are 3 levels, so as you get stronger, the workout will get harder. Which means you will make progress.

The Experience

Jillian is really a hard ass. In a good way. She really gives it to you straight. There is no perky cheering in this workout, but there is tough encouragement. While many moves have the beginners variation (a standard in all workout videos - it took me years not to feel like a wimp for following the modification girl in the back) some are just basic. At one point Jillian says "if you're looking for the modified version of the jumping jack, you're not going to find it here" and goes on to wimpify you with the fact that her 400 lb Biggest Losers can do a jumping jack. It's a refreshing, realistic point of view. But, if you're not into tough love, this might not be for you.

The only big con I see with this video is the music. It's boring, it's not familiar, not motivating. The last time I did the workout, I played some of my own tunes over it, and that helped a lot! I recommend Great DJ by the Ting Tings, Womanizer by Brit Brit (Britney Spears), and Just Dance by Lady Gaga. (I swear these recommendations are not necessarily reflective of my daily music habits.)

The Results

Still not sure. I feel better, stronger. But I'm only on day 5. My hubby did the workout with me a few times, and he agreed it's a super tough workout. After my first couple sessions, I felt as if I had spent an hour at the gym working out nonstop. Jelly legs and all. Pretty impressive for a short workout.

Aw Nuts! Tainted Love

A mere day after I purchased an obnoxious sized bag of my favorite pistachios from Costco, this happens! Setton Pistachio in California, the second largest pistachio processor in the US, is voluntarily recalling giant bags (1,000 - 2,000 pound bags) of nuts due to salmonella contamination.

Apparently the roasted nuts were mingling with the raw nuts - which is a bad thing. Roasting is supposed to kill all the bacteria that hangs out with the raw pistachios. Think about it - would you store your nicely cooked chicken paillard in the same Snapware as your raw chicken thighs? Ew.

Luckily, my pistachio love will go on. Everybody's Nuts - maker of the surprisingly amazing Salt & Pepper pistachios, has assured by way of a very large interruption on their website, that my nuts are OK.