One thing I do not like about the new gym are the two very defined sections. Either you’re (a) a runner and pump it out on the treadmills (the ellipticals are off to the side because nobody only I use them) or (b) you’re a hard-core weight lifter and spend time on the other side of the gym. Today I traveled away from my safety zone known as the elliptical and walked to the other side. Oh the drama!
I will say that the weight machines were pretty awesome. I did some leg workouts to target my quads, since that’s how I’m working on getting over my “runner’s knee.” But it was incredibly awkward to be surrounded by big buys with big guns who looked as if they were Arnold impersonators. Seriously.
Maybe someday I’ll work up the courage to start on the free weights near the mirrors like the big boys do. You never know. 😉
Last night I prepared a chocolate lover’s breakfast cookie and added in 1/4 c. wheat bran.
This cookie was so dark and delicious!
I needed this coffee this morning!
In addition to my morning rendezvous at the gym which included 30 minutes on the elliptical and a bit of leg exercises, I also spent some time really stretching out my quads on the foam roller. And I now know what my Physical Therapist (or Physiotherapist, whch Sarah mentioned is the way they call it in Canada—I totally like it better that way! 
) meant by letting the knot work itself out by holding the foam roller over a tender spot for a few seconds. I could literally feel the knot wooshing out as I slowly rolled over my quads. Was it painful? YES! But I also felt like a million dollars afterwards, which totally made up for the temporary torture.
Cashew roll-up for the drive to school! 😀
- 1 T. cashew butter
- whole wheat wrap
Tuesdays are the perfect day for salads. I have a good 20 minutes to eat between Nutrition Problems in the U.S. and Principles of Management—plenty of time to crunch!
- mesculin mix
- 1 carrot
- 1 tomato
- 1/2 cucumber
- toppings: 1/3 homemade garlic hummus, splash of balsamic vinegar and a spritz of orange juice for the zing
Garlic hummus is such a fun salad topper!
Packed with my favorite flavor of Doctor Kracker: seeded spelt. Very “buttery-tasting” and crunchy!
Library snacks: apple, orange and some mixed nuts!
Soup du jour! And one of my personal faves. 😀
VEGETARIAN BLACK BEAN SOUP
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) vegetable broth, divided
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup diced peeled potato (or unpeeled red potatoes)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 green onions, sliced
- In a saucepan, bring the onion, garlic and 1/4 cup broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in the beans, potato, thyme, cumin and remaining broth; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in tomatoes and hot pepper sauce; heat through. Sprinkle with green onions. YIELD: 6 servings
Nutrional Analysis: One serving (1 cup) equals 173 calories, 2 g fat (trace saturated fat,) 10 g fiber, 10 g protein
With the last of the kashis for crunch.
There was one slice of chocolate cake left from dad’s birthday party, so I slivered off a teeny slice with a scoop of Mint Galactica Coconut Bliss. Pure bliss. 😀
I’m a bit anxious for tomorrow’s Role-Playing session in Counseling. I’m supposed to be the counselor for someone pretending to have Type II Diabetes. Have to say, it’s a bit nerve-racking—especially in front of an entire class! I plan on re-reading the materials and getting an idea for what I should focus on, which always reduces the nerves.
“To do your best is all you can do”—Audioslave.
Off to make a snack and catch some Biggest Loser! 😀
Question: If you’re a gym-goer, where do you find you spend the most time? Or do you liven things up with a ton of variety? Definitely the ellipticals! I’m trying to branch out a little at a time though. 😉
OR
Question: How do you mentally prepare for something that is personally challenging for you? I prepare for the worst case scenario but hope for the best all at the same time. 😉
Running To Slow Things Down 
Love your comments about the gym – I’m one of those women with the free weights in front of the mirror – my bravery ends at the squat rack though. I’m terrified to go near the thing – figure I’ll make a complete arse of myself and do something absurd like squat with the bar and not be able to get up.
In general I do almost half & half time btwn weights and the treadmill…mixing in the other odd bit of cardio.
I’m in health counseling too! We did a role-play not that long ago where I was a patient with diabetes.
I tend to stress out over things- especially school work 😕 Lately, I’ve been trying not to overload my brain and just relax a little more 🙂
Your food looks delicious!
I also spend a lot of time on the elliptical but also spend time on the stretching mat and with the weights. I need to spend more time with those weights though.
I can’t wait to hear about the counseling session! Don’t worry – you’ll rock! My counseling class is so huge that we definitely don’t do any role play (too bad, because I’d like to practice!). If I’m nervous for something like a presentation, I practice a few phrases in front of my dogs (!). The best step I take, however, is to think of all the times I’ve done a super job at something, to give me confidence that I will succeed again 🙂
Good for you for going over to the weight side of the gym! I have yet to make it so far 😉
Thanks girl! Your words of advice helped me today in staying calm for the role-playing, so I really appreciate it. 😀
I stick to the ellipticals but have been eyeing the rowing machine. I usually try to get in on the inner thigh machine and some medicine ball action, if there is time.
🙂
haha there are definitely sections to the gym! just like a high school cafeteria lol. i always stick to the treadmills and the mats for stretching after. definitely never go to the weights section, i’m too scared haaha but i do try and go to 1-2 weight training group classes during the week at my university, which are just girls so i feel comfortable.
that breakfast cookie looks great! i need to make one asap. i love chocolate for breakfast
Your green monsters and apples always look so appetizing!
Bookmarking the awesome soup recipe! I hate how all gyms seem to have the cardio vs weights divide as well. I had to do a counselling station before for an oral exam, except to a mom with a girl recently diagnosed with type 2 DM. Good luck on your session!
your gym sounds a little tricky. i love mine because it has a women’s free weight room which comes in handy for my weight days! good luck on the role playing!
Yeah, that half of the gym is definitely intimidating. Ha, ha.
oh do it go to the free weights with the mirrors! i used to love to do that when i went to a gym….i would be the only woman and i loved it-shows the boys something!
oh i have to prepare for an interview today-i am scared…..but i talk myself up and then own it 🙂
I need more of your attitude when it comes to free weighting at the gym! Haha…
Good luck on the interview! 😀
I spend 1/2 my time on the elliptical (which are PACKED at my gym – wish they weren’t) and then 1/2 my time with free weights in front of the mirror with the “big boys.” Some of the guys look at my like I don’t belong there – but I just tune them out while rockin’ out to my iPod and pumping iron.
I’m down with weightlifting like a big boy. Sometimes I’m the only woman at the weight stacks and that’s a-ok. I don’t think anyone notices.
I spend most of my time in the cardio area too. I do find it slightly intimidating to venture into the free weight/Nautilus zone since I’m not so experienced with strength training!
And I am like you- I prepare for the worst and pray for the best!
I hit all parts of the gym! Used to be scared to go some places when I was “bigger” but now I am all over and don’t let anyone bug me…….I pay to go there and I am going to get my $$$ worth! =)
Awesome advice! 😀
I use the cardio machines whenever I go but I only use the weight room when I get to the gym early in the morning when the big guys are all sleeping!
I’m STILL working on that!
I’m so intimidated by the “weights side” of the gym. Good for you for crossing the line. 🙂
Good luck with your role playing…I used to GET SO nervous when I was student teaching, and I had to teach just ONE lesson in front of a class…gah, I still get anxiety just thinking about it. But now, I teach a jillion lessons a day, and it’s no biggie. Just think ahead to how EASY this will seem once you’ve done it a few times.
My gym has defined sides too and I see a lot of girls on machines (and using them wrong) simply because they do not like the “mans side.” UGH! I go right over there, take a weight bench and go to town. And if they stand waiting looking annoyed, I make my session longer. 🙂