Flex Wednesday

It's Flex Wednesday!

As I've been working on my Chalene Extreme and getting stronger, I've really noticed my enjoyment of the lifting part of these exercises. I have always enjoyed lifting weights and really enjoyed the arms and back workouts in P90X and I love that Chalene is based around lifting with upper body and lower body at the same time. I know that many women think that they will "bulk up" if they lift and look like those crazy body builder women on steroids, but that is sooooooo far from the truth! Strength training will tone you up, boost your metabolism, and make you a lean, mean, fighting machine!! You are building muscle which burns fat and calories, so why not pick up those weights and try it!!! Plus, who doesn't love having awesome arms in a tank top. I have to say that I wore a tank top under my cardigan when I had to get my allergy shots this past Tuesday and I felt great when I was walkin' around in my tank top because my arms are starting to look awesome!!! When you work hard, you are allowed to flaunt your guns! That's what it's all about! Be happy with who you are and be proud of what you look at in the mirror everyday. If you aren't happy, make a commitment to yourself that you are going to change and then explore options that will work best for you! I am always here to help and provide suggestions for anyone looking to change their life!

30 days Chalene Extreme

I am coming to the end of my 30 days on Chalene Extreme. It's going to be time for me to switch to the next phase and I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed this first burn phase. It has been a lot of lifting and a lot of squats and various leg moves, but I have really loved the lifting part of these exercises. I have this weird obsession with arms and I think that's why I love lifting so much. As I type this I am extremely sore and my thighs are killing me enough that it makes it hard to go up and down steps, but that's what it is all about. I have always been 100% in love with P90X and that was my number 1 workout, but now that I have discovered Chalene, I am really loving her too! I'm cheating on Tony Horton!! EEEEKKK! lol

Chalene is very motivating and I have started following her on Facebook and everyday she really posts motivational ideas and she pushes you to be the best person you can be. I think her workouts so far are great and I'm thinking about trying Turbofire next. I have heard good things about Turbofire and I tend to stay with programs when I like the trainer. Hence my love of Tony Horton and P90X which is why I purchased P90X3.

The arm workouts in the first burn phase are really great. She focuses on fly's and working your biceps and shoulders while also doing squats and lunges which with the extra weight kill your thighs! Want a good thigh and butt workout also? This is for you! It's like squat city! But, I can say that I am noticing my bum is a little more lifted in my pants which is pretty exciting! YAY! I think it's the little things like seeing small changes in your body, that keep you coming back for more. Seeing the changes in yourself and your mood and how much energy you will have is really the best part of this journey. When I come home from work I am tired, I don't feel like getting my workout clothes on and starting my videos, but I have the motivation pictures and I have my challenge group, where people are just like me and don't want to do it, but they do. I am so thankful for my challenge group and the people involved in it, because they make me want to BRING IT everyday and they are the ones that make me want to show up and get it done. It's about teamwork and going through struggles with others who are in the same boat that you are. The only person holding you back is yourself.

Fresh Salsa Recipe

I tried making my very own salsa tonight and let me tell you this recipe rocks!! Of course anything made with fresh ingredients is going to taste 100 times better than the store bought stuff, but WOW! I am in salsa heaven! This recipe is sooo simple and fast, the only thing you need is a cutting board, knife and a blender!

For my salsa, I did not use the entire jalapeño pepper. I used about half and left the part with a ton of seeds out. I like my salsa spicy and not using the entire jalapeño worked out well for me. If you like your salsa really spicy, use the entire pepper and all of the seeds. If you are looking for a little milder salsa, be careful with the seeds. You can experiment and always add seeds as you go to get the temperature you are looking for.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!!






Fresh Salsa Recipe:

1 can whole peeled tomatoes
1 jalapeño
1/2 white onion
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 handful of cilantro ( I love love love cilantro, so I added a little more, but it's all in what you like)
Throw ingredients in blender/food processor and blend until you get the consistency you desire.
Enjoy!!