Let’s start with a stark realization I had yesterday. I’ve been giving myself WAY too much credit on my workouts. But first, breakfast, because I am linking up with Jenn for WIAW after all.
After Kaitlyn went down for a nap and I set Hailey up with some toys and books, I popped in Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. To start myself off easy, I decided to do level one. It left me feeling sweaty and happy, but y’all…. this morning? I can feel it EVERYWHERE. My hip flexors, my shoulders, my biceps, my butt. It’s an embarrassingly wonderful feeling to feel so sore from a 20 minute workout.
I think I’ve had trouble pushing myself, so until Kaitlyn is a little older, I think I’m going to enjoy the at-home videos. Whew, hurts so good!
Ok, after my killer (20 minute) workout, I needed a snack.
Half a banana, a handful of almonds, half of my vitalizer strip (it’s a lot to take at once!) and water… lots of water. I forgot to mention it yesterday, but it’s another area I’m focusing on improving.
Lunch was one of my salad in a jars. Clearly I went a little heavy on the veggies and light on the lettuce. No complaints here though and can I tell you how giddy I get when I open the fridge and see lunch ready to go?
The afternoon was full of snacking…
A couple ‘unwiches’ of cheese and turkey on lettuce with mustard, plus yogurt and baby toes.
Have you tried the key lime flavor?! Dessert I tell you. And please get the 2%. Nonfat yogurt makes me sad now.
I snagged an olive or two while Hailey ate dinner and I worked on ours. I’m not usually a pork person. It usually intimidates me, but at my friend Jane Marie’s suggestion that is was an easy dinner, I decided to try it out.
Harris Teeter had some quality selections, so I grabbed this tenderloin from Niman Ranch and marinated it in a combo of soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, Worcestshire sauce and salt and pepper for the afternoon before grilling it up.
I made sure to use my meat thermometer to convince myself it was done.
It might have ended up slightly overdone, but still really delicious! Maybe my fear of pork is gone?!
I loved hearing that so many of you are gearing up for a health reset of your own. I love the group effort/motivation and will be checking in with you again to share my progress and hear about yours!
What area do you focus most on when trying to do a health reset?
Is there a protein that intimidates you?
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
30 day shred is no joke 🙂 Ut sounds like you have a great plan on getting back into a exercise routine. I think it’s great you can squeeze a workout in while your littlest sleeps. Great job 🙂 I love the 2% yogurt as well it is just sooo much better. So glad others are discovering that too. Thanks die sharing!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I hear you! I felt the same way after doing some 30 minute PopSugar Circuit workouts. I couldn’t believe how sore I was! I’m sure part of it is that we’re working out muscles we don’t normally think about. But still! Definitely a good realization!
Brittany Dixon says
Whew, glad I’m not alone! I’ll bet you’re right that it’s largely because of using new muscles. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself 😉
Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey says
When I’m focusing on a health reset, I try to drink more water, eat less dessert/sugar, and be more active (e.g., taking the stairs, parking far away). My hubby and I just returned from visiting our family in Tennessee and after a week of casseroles, we are ready to reset our health!
John J. Stathas says
I’m perpetually in re-set mode! Do more exercise!!
Brynn says
Way to go! I try and focus on making healthy choices with food, moving and lots of water. Just changing my mindset helps me, too. Even if I can’t get in a workout, if I know I’m striving for health I will eat better and move more in a natural way throughout the day.
Brittany Dixon says
I totally agree. I’ve been so pumped up this week with my refocused mindset and I really think it makes a big difference.
Verna says
It’s hard to find a balance after having a baby. Especially a 2nd (or 3rd) baby, I think. You don’t want to push yourself too hard. You already have SO much going on. Eventually it’s just time though! Hang in there, mama! It took me a very frustrating year to loose all my baby weight from #3 but I got there, slowly but surely. P.S. I love the meat thermometer! I use it ALL the time!
Ann says
I really struggle with cooking fish – I always overcook it! I am obsessed with my meat thermometer!!
With the start of September, I am removing all baked goods and refined sugars from my diet. Just trying to get back into the pre-summer mindset of less sugar and more veggies!
Marjorie says
I have done other Jillian workouts, and she packs a LOT in a short time. I have not done that particular one, though.
I have started taking my vitamins with my protein shake. I can swallow two at a time. I can’t take vitamins with water all that well (sensitive gag reflex).
Danica @ It's Progression says
Whenever I do a reset (I typically call it a “refocus”), I almost always have to pay the most attention to sugars in my diet. They can creep in so easily and before I know it they’re an every day thing instead of an occasional treat like they’re supposed to be.
Shannon @ Skinny Sometimes says
I love pork tenderloin and it’s great on salads 🙂 It’s easy to grill too. Just cut it into medallions, sprinkle on some seasoning and cook like you would chicken. My favorite salad combo with pork tenderloin is with blueberries, feta, walnuts and sweet potato slices on spring mix with balsamic vinaigrette.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that salad combo sounds fabulous! Love the idea of sweet potato slices- feels fall-ish 🙂
Christina says
Loving your posts this week – I had just gotten myself into a regular exercise routine (thanks to a new Pure Barre studio that just opened near me!) and was doing great, and then went away for 5 days over the holiday weekend. I was feeling a little defeated after all the food and drink I indulged in, but I’m trying to shift my mentality and focus on clean eats and lots of water! Thanks for the inspiration.
Kathy says
I always need to focus on cutting out breads, crackers. I get weak. 🙂 As far as an intimidating protein…QUINOA…until I tried your method and now I am IN LOVE I tell you!! It is NO FAIL every time!! I love, love, love it. Now if I could only make rice but really no worries since quinoa is a great substitute for that.
Brittany Dixon says
Breads and crackers are some of the first things I knock out when ‘resetting’ too! I can do without sweets, but I find myself adding more and more bread in without realizing it. Don’t get me wrong, I love some bread, but too much doesn’t work well with my body 😉
And I’m so glad the quinoa method works for you! Great reminder that I need to make it again soon 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Pork kind of intimidates me too! I’ve done it in the Crock Pot before, and it was super tender and delicious, but I’ve never tried it on the grill or in the oven. I always forget about it too! You’ve reminded me to try it again!
And way to go on your workout and healthy eating!! You’re killin’ it so far!
christina says
holy moly fage has a key lime flavor?!?! fage has always been my favorite GY and there was another brand that has key lime but it was too sweet. must find it!!
Erin @TheGrassSkirt says
I am the queen of at home workouts! Right now, I am really into my Tone It Up Beach Babe DVDs, Jari Love, and I just ordered Insanity (which probably makes me insane). It is just so much more practical with two under two to look after!
Suzana says
I used to work at a women’s shelter where I was responsible for making dinners for 12-15 women. I was soooo intimidated by cooking meat that I would stress and worry and Google recipes and meat precautions for 2-3 hours before I started cooking on each shift. Some of the ladies helped me cook, and it all worked out fine, and I came out the other side with a killer recipe for slow-cooker Pulled Pork! Pork tenderloin, bbq sauce, butter, and a secret ingredient… but it’s SO easy and so hard to mess up, I really suggest you try it! There’s loads of recipes on Google.
Holly says
Love 2% yogurt and popsugar fitness! I have worked out to those videos for the past year since my little one was born and feel like I get a great workout!
Namagiri Sridhar says
Hi Brittany,
I am finding it so hard to even complete level 1 of Jillian. How do you do it so easily. I am out of breath after 10 minutes.
Can you please check my blog? Can you take part in the #sempuliArt fun?
Thanks,
Namagiri