Slow and Steady! Workout Plan: 9/8-9/14

Happy weekend everyone! I have been wanting to write a new workout post for a while, but I got very sick this week with a bad sinus infection and, thanks to antibiotics, am finally feeling a little better today! Needless to say, my workouts have suffered and I have mostly just done the elliptical with a few weight machines this week. However, I have been able to keep up with my plank challenge! Today was a hard one at 1:35, but I was able to pull through thank the Lord :) With that said, this week's plan is going to start out little slow. I have not been able to work out at the intensity I would like to, and I am very low energy as I try to get over this infection, so I am going to start with a short mileage and work my way up. Here is my tentative plan for the week:

9/8/13: 2 mile run, 20 mins elliptical HIIT, plank

Chest press, Tricep dip, and Tricep press

9/9/13: 3 mile run, plank

Nike Training Club class (this is strengthening and toning class for basically the entire body! I love these classes!)

9/10/13: 4 mile run, plank, swimming

Shoulder press, Lateral raises, Bicep curls

9/11/13: 5 mile run, plank, push ups

Leg press machine

9/12/13: 6 mile run, plank

Mid-row machine, Lat pull-down, Inner/outer thigh machine

9/13/13: 4 mile run, plank

Nike Training Club class

9/14/13: 6 mile run, plank, push ups

Chest press and Tricep dips

I am hoping that I can actually start on the right foot tomorrow morning with my 2 mile run. I have missed running SO much this week since I have been sick. Again, this is a tentative schedule. I may change things around this week depending on my health, schedule, and what is sore! However, I am hoping to stick to this plan! I will keep you posted using my Daily Manna posts on the days I have time to post :)

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Late Post! Daily Manna 9/3

Good afternoon everyone! I am very late posting my Daily Manna from yesterday, but I have some down time now so I figured I would share my day! Yesterday was an extremely busy, non-stop day for me, but thank God I was able to stay sane and make healthy choices along the way! I woke up extra early for my workout because I had to take my mom to work in the morning. I woke up around 5:45am, had my quiet time, and had my small pre-workout meal before heading out.

I had my usual flat out fold it bread with some peanut butter, popped in the microwave for about 30 seconds! I know my pre-workout meals can get pretty repetitive, but I figure...why steer away from something that works for me? I look forward to my peanut butter flat out melts because they taste SO good and give me good fuel and energy for my runs and workouts!

I was in a hurry this morning to make it back home in time to take my mom to work, so I ran faster than I normally do and PR'ed on my 4 mile run! I have never ran 4 miles in under 38 minutes, so this was a huge accomplishment for me! Even though I was in a hurry, I still fit in my plank for my September plank challenge!

I got home and quickly scrambled an egg with some egg whites, spinach, and a spicy jalapeno chicken sausage from Trader Joe's! This is one of my favorite sausages because it has all clean ingredients, no added sugars, and is pork-free (I'm not a big fan of pork!) I gobbled this up as quickly as I could before taking my mom to work!

After dropping off my mom, I had to drive an hour down to my apartment to officially check out with my RA, as well as turn some evaluation forms in for finishing my internship! Driving there and back took up most of my morning, so by the time I got home, I was ready for lunch! I made a simple turkey and spinach sandwich on my flat out bread, with a string cheese, a side of veggies, and a peach.

After lunch, I went to my mom's classroom to help her get ready for her first day of school (which is actually today). After we were done setting up her classroom, we decided to treat ourselves and get our nails done. It was so relaxing to be able to enjoy some down time with my mom, which we haven't been able to do all summer!

I met up my cousin and one of our best friends for an early dinner at 5pm at a HUGE Whole Foods that is by our house. I've really only had a few breakfast meals at Whole Foods before, so I was definitely unprepared for the plethora of options that met me in their prepared foods section. They had a salad bar, hot foods section, Indian cuisine, deli and sandwich bar, pizza parlor, and a Mexican station! I decided to stay simple and make myself a salad with a ton of veggies, grilled chicken, black beans, and an avocado dressing. This salad tasted so great! I also got some strawberries and pineapples as dessert, which definitely hit the spot! I am so excited to go back to Whole Foods and try some more of their different prepared foods!

Even though I had dinner early, my salad was very satisfying, which meant that I did not get those evening snack cravings! I love having filling dinners that keep me going until I get to bed because it prevents that dangerous night time snacking syndrome! Even though yesterday was a busy day, I enjoyed spending time with my family and friends, going out to eat, and getting to bed early :) That was my day yesterday and I hope you all are having a fabulous day today!

September Plank Challenge!

So I mentioned a couple days ago that I have been disappointed with my planks lately. I used to be able to hold them for a  lot longer than I can nowadays. I know how important planks are to core strength, which would definitely help with my running! Not to mention planks are a great, easy, and fast exercise that can benefit the whole body. SO! I created a September plank challenge that will start on Monday, September 1 and will take you all the way to a 2:30 plank by the end of the month! If anyone wants to participate, here is the plan!