Welcome to December! It really seems as thought the older I get, the faster time goes by. It’s kinda scary. I had a protein drink before heading out to the gym.
Kind of looks like John’s eggnog, doesn’t it? I wish that it was.
Pubsgal asked about what warmup I do before lifting. Normally I hit the treadmill for 10 minutes or so when I don’t bike, but don’t mention it here for boredom sake. I also will do some unweighted moves before I start loading up the weights on the first couple exercises.
Exercise | Set/rep/weight | Muscle worked |
Reverse lunge with forward reach | 3 set of 10 with 8# DBs (16# total) | Full body |
Barbell Split Squats | 3 sets of 10 at 65# | Lower body |
Dumbbell Pull Over | 3 sets of 10 at 30# <—- increase | Back |
Horizontal Wood Chop | 3 sets of 10 each side at 30# | Core |
Barbell Bench Press | 3 sets of 10 at 60# <— increase | Chest |
Triceps Pull Down | 3 sets of 15 at 30# | Triceps |
Upright Row | 3 sets of 10 at 30# | Shoulders |
Good Mornings | 3 sets of 10 at 35# | Low Back and Hammies |
Then I walked for a little more. Headed back to pick up John for Bagel Day! We were back at Cool Beans, which was all decked out for the holidays:
I had a sunflower bagel, which was oh-so-delicious!
It’s time for Lifting Move of the Week! It is the reverse lunge with forward reach. This is from the New Rules of Lifting for Women. It will get your heart rate up, that is for sure. The move is basically a reverse lunge while simultaneously reaching forward with your arms while stepping backwards. Try this move without weights at first, because it also works on your balance and coordination. Apologies for the fuzzy video. Not sure why it uploaded like that.
I like to twist the weights so they are horizontal to the floor because that just feels more natural to me. You also don’t want to go too heavy on the arm weights. This move is much harder than it looks. For a super challenge, do this from a step.
Today was a challenge to stay around 1500 calories. Tomorrow I will talk about why I chose that number, so come on by for that. I like to eat bread (duh) and that really is where a good chunk of daily calories come in. Most times I can lower my calories in a day just by ditching a bread item from the day. Well, not today! Good thing the Cool Beans bagels are small, but still doing a bit of guestimation on calories here. It’s all relative.
I would have liked a piece of bread with lunch, but I refrained and ate my tuna with lemon pepper straight up.
I always eat my clementines in sets of 3. I don’t know why that is, but I rarely vary from that. Guess I am just showcasing some odd habits this week. 😳
While I am sipping on my unpictured latte with some protein added, I will entertain you with my December goals.
- Keep an eye on my portions. Even when I finish up this 1500 calorie week, I am going to really pay attention to portion sizes (also known as snacking) and keep the creep from happening. I plan on really enjoying the Christmas feast, but it is only a couple of days and not 4 weeks, you know?
- Relax! I am very go-go-go and forget to just chill out. That means more reading and listening to music.
- I will barbell squat 105 pounds with 6 reps by the end of the month. I am at 95 right now, so I should make it.
- Reflect on this past year. Another reason why I love blogging – I can do that easily LOL!
That’s enough for December. It’s hectic enough as is.
Today has been pouring rain and incredibly windy. The temps got to about 60 degrees, which is amazing. I keep thinking about how much snow this would be if it was colder. I think we would be talking feet!
I wanted some eggs for dinner, so it was time for an omelet! This had laughing cow and sauteed broccoli in it. I love this combo.
Snack time tonight will be this:
It’s sitting in the fridge waiting for me! This is a mix of fat free ricotta, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, stevia and 1 tbsp of cranberry sauce. Surprisingly tasty!
Calorie tally: Preworkout: 110, Breakfast: 526, Lunch: 350, Snack: 165, Dinner: 282, Evening snack: 95. Grand total: 1528
Question: Do you have any December goals?
It looks like you’re really strong with your calories. I struggle with that. I stay around or just under 2,000 a day but it’s a struggle!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..So Much to Be Thankful For =-.
All of your food looks so delicious, as always. I am going to run 26.1 miles in the month of December.
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..An Average Tuesday =-.
I’m going to try to master that reverse lunge w/reach off the BOSU. Just as soon as I can be certain there really aren’t any cameras in the gym. 🙂
.-= cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..Guests Are Arriving! =-.
I love those little Christmas-topiary-trees in the urns – so pretty!
No goals for December. I think November wore me out. 😉
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Wednesday Workout Update =-.
I’ve put a lot of food combinations on my plate, but I’ve never put broccoli in an omelet. Why not? I have no idea. I love omelets, and I eat broccoli almost every day. I think I know what to make for breakfast this weekend. Thanks for the idea!!!
Thanks for commenting on my last post regarding the new WW program. It seems to be rather controversial, particularly the zero point fruit. Time will tell, but I will continue working it the way I always have. By the way, your food looks great! You also amaze me with your consistency with exercise and your food. Obviously that’s why you have been so successful!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Odds and Ends Weight Watchers New Program and TAGGED! =-.
Oh yeah, that is a hard move! Thanks for the demo. I saw a girl doing it at the gym once with one of those weighted soft balls, and I’ve been wondering how to do it ever since. I thought it was a forward lunge, and that just didn’t make sense to me, balance-wise. Hmmm. A day where none of your food tempted me. What were those stick things you had at lunch?
Good job on controlling the calories!
.-= debby´s last blog ..This ‘n That =-.
The omelet didn’t tempt you at all?
The sticks are Wheat Thins Crunch Stix. Kind of like pretzels, kind of like crackers. They are pretty good.
I hope to practice serious portion control this month….not sure with all the holiday events if the scale will go down, but if I can maintain, I’ll be happy.
.-= Roz´s last blog ..Title trouble again… =-.
I did a good job getting back into exercise last month until I got strep and a sinus infection right after Thanksgiving. I did some cardio last night so I am hoping to keep exercising all through the month of December. 🙂
1500 is about the lowest I can go calorie wise. I have trouble keeping calories low!
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Gluten Free Thanksgiving- Eggnog Ice cream- and a Mozaik Giveaway! =-.
I love me some clementines! They are delightful 🙂
Jen
.-= jen´s last blog ..Weight Watchers =-.
You’ve already read my goals on my blog yesterday, so yes I have them 🙂
I like the relax goal, it’s so important to do that. I try to shut down the laptop at 9 pm every night and watch something I recorded, read or make a puzzle because I love to do that too apart from reading blogs.
You’re not strange, I eat my Clementimes by three too unless they are big but I usually buy the small ones. Two just doesn’t seem enough 🙂
Thanks for your comment today Lori I had never thought of maintenance like being a pilot but boy how true is that. A great way to think of it and I’m going to go a little easier on myself from here on. Love watching you do your weight training moves. I mix pumpkin with greek yogurt and pumpkin pie spice and splenda and it’s really yummy. Like to dip apple slices in it.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..I hate the yuckys =-.
All I know is I want to finish up my Christmas shopping as soon as possible!! Have fun with friends and family. Just enjoy myself. That’s what the holidays are all about!
.-= Ash´s last blog ..Spaghetti and Meatballs =-.
My December Goals are to finish my Hot 100 challenge strong and see a loss of at least five pounds this month. I LOVE how you said the Christmas feast can be a few days, but not four weeks! So true.
p.s. You make those moves look so easy!! 🙂
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Throwdown Challenge – Results =-.
Lori, I love the reverse lunge move.. very cool! I have gingerbread bagels in the freezer waiting for me! 🙂
How goes the weather.. I heard there was snow galore in upper NY!
.-= Jody – Fit at 53´s last blog ..My Eats Post Below =-.