Fun Fitness Survey

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!

I hope all is well for you this holiday season. I would like to wish all of my readers and their families a happy holidays and New Year. I saw this survey on Carrots ‘N’ Cake a few weeks ago. Please copy this survey to fill out for yourself if you would like.

Five Fitness Things I Can’t Live Without:

• Kettle bell
• Yoga mat
• Combat 1lb weight gloves
• Medicine ball
• Jump rope

Most Embarrassing Song I Listen to While Working Out:

Backstreet Boys "Everybody" among other similar 90's songs *_*

Favorite Pre-Workout Snack or Meal:

Some granola with 1% milk and some 100% juice.

On My Fitness Bucket List:

• Become a certified personal trainer
• Get certified to teach yoga with a focus on Ashtanga, Bikram and Essential Oils

Must Have Tech Tools:

• iPod
• Heart monitor

Favorite Workouts

• Zumba
• Ashtanga yoga
• Silks and lyra
• Indoor cycling
• Weight training

Top Exercise Gear:

• Lululemon black yoga pants
• Nike crop pants
• AE sports bra
• Mika Yoga wear Bikram shorts
• Lululemon cycling shorts

Motivational Mantras:

• One more (rep) can never hurt!
• Just keep on going!
• (Good) Pain is gain.
• Nobody better, nobody.

Favorite Cardio Exercise:

• Interval treadmill workouts
• Circuit workouts

Favorite Strength Moves:

• Pull-ups
• Squats with weights
• Plank pose
• Push-ups

Food Survey: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today I have a fun little meal survey I have seen floating around on a few other blogs, and as you know, I love my surveys. Here we go!

BREAKFAST

1. Favorite cereal as a child?

Either Peanut Butter Captain crunch or Frosted Cheerios. They are still some of my favorites. I ate a lot of hot cereal as a child, such as Cream of Wheat, Maypo or Wheatina.

2. Coffee or Tea? With milk or without?

Tea. I am also very strict with my tea. I have high tea at least four times a month when I can on the weekends. I prefer black tea with steamed milk and honey (if it is a fruit flavor) but if it is an earl or lady grey, I prefer brown sugar cubes with cold milk. If it is green or white tea, it should be unsweetened or with a touch of lemon.

3. The one food you eat most often at breakfast?

Figs, granola or soft boiled eggs. I change my breakfast on a regular basis and usually eat eggs four times a week for added protein.

LUNCH

1. Sandwiches are generally considered a “lunch food.” If you had to choose between a grilled cheese and a peanut butter and jelly, which would you pick?

Grilled cheese! My favorite? Three cheese- Monterrey, cheddar and pepper jack on white bread or tomato, cheddar, gorganzola with vegetarian "bacon."

2. You can only put four ingredients in your salad (not including greens); what do you throw in the mix? Additionally, which greens and dressing do you pick?

Ah, this is easy for me: goat cheese, craisins, candied walnuts and avocado. Honey mustard for dressing.

3. One food you can’t live without at lunch?

A hearty soup like split pea with croutons, cream of red pepper, or chicken rice and vegetables.

DINNER

1. It’s the end of the day. You’re tired, hungry, and your fridge is empty. If a fast food (from a chain) is your only option, where do you go and what do you order?

Hale and Hearty or Pret A Manger. Some of my favorites when I attended school and worked in NYC.

2. TV/computer on or off while you’re eating?

Off. I prefer conversation, otherwise if I am eating a snack or having something to drink. TV or computer is fine.

3. The one food you eat most often at dinner?

Crab cakes or pasta with shrimp and peas. Also a salad with avocado. Some of my favorites!

DESSERT

1. Choose between these two American desserts: cheesecake or apple pie?

Apple crisp or butterfinger, peanut butter cup or oreo cheesecake. I also love the red velevet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.

2. Choose between these two foreign desserts: tiramisu (Italy) or flan (Spain)?

Neither, but if I had to choose it would be Tiramisu, but very light.

3. Ice cream: cone or cup?

Cup if it is a sundae (cookie dough with Reese's pieces, peanut butter sauce, hot fudge and crushed oreo), or a cone if it is straight ice cream (cookie dough or soft serve vanilla or twist).

Healthy Living Survey

Happy Weekend Everyone!

How was everyone's Thanksgiving and Black Friday? My family and I went out to eat locally for Thanksgiving this year, which I believe can be just as enjoyable, especially because there are no dishes to be done or leftovers to be packed up! Nonetheless, when we eat at home, I love to make my homemade Apple Sausage Stuffing and my Apple Crumb. For Black Friday, I purchased two bras (buy one get one 50% off) and a pair of underwear from Victoria's Secret and some hot yoga clothing for 15% off from Mika Yoga Wear. I know those purchases were for myself, but I am now thinking of what to get for my family members. I have some great ideas for everyone. Unfortunately, I cannot share them here because they read my blog. BUT, I will tell you what I got for them after the holidays!

 I found this fun little Healthy Living Survey from Running Around Normal the other day. I always enjoy filling out surveys, it brings out the young adult in me.   Let's play along!

1.  What did you eat for breakfast?

Frosted flakes and chilled apple cider. I was in a bit of a hurry!

2.  How much water do you drink each day?

I drink about eight 6-8 oz. glasses of water a day. If I am doing intense workout routines, such as Spinning, Boot camp, or Combat classes, my intake is raised to an additional two glasses each day. The only time I substitute Gatorade is when I am workout for more than three years a day.

3.  What is your current favorite workout?

A mixture of Spinning classes, weight lifting and flexibility classes, including yoga. The only three ways to get into shape: a mixture of cardio, weights and proper diet. Add flexibility classes to take that to an even higher level. Always exercise safely!

4.  How many calories do you eat each day?

Currently between 1800-2300 calories per day (depending upon my workout routine).

5.  What are your favorite healthy snacks?

• Yogurt with fresh fruit and granola
• Pirate's Booty
• Cliff bars and Luna protein bars
• Avocado and tomatoes
• Cucumber salad with dill
• Watermelon and mint
• Light string cheese
• Vegetables and hummus

6.  What do you usually eat for lunch?

1/2 of a sandwich (chicken salad, tuna salad or roast beef) and some crackers with a small side salad. If I am home, I love to have homemade soup or some cold pasta at home.

7.  What is your favorite body part to train?

My legs! I love Spinning classes.

8.  What is your least favorite body part to train?

Biceps...ouch!

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?

Chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough anything (ice cream, bites, cupcakes, etc.). Also red velvet cupcakes, toffee, and Oreo cookies in addition to cheese and chocolate fondue. If I didn't eat any of that [good stuff] I'd be really skinny as those are my only indulgences. I never eat anything greasy or deep fried.

10.  Do you take vitamins or supplements?

Yes: Fish oil, women's daily multivitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Kelp.

11.  How often do you eat out?

Two to three days per week (I'm including going out for dessert, tea and coffee).

12.   Do you eat fast food?

Never. Simple as that.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter?

My husband, my parents and my brother. Also my grandparents and in-laws. I love them all!

14.  Do you have a gym membership?

Yes! I go there practically everyday, I love it! I usually like to go to two classes per day, one weights or flexibility/sculpt and a cardio class.

15.  How many hours of sleep do you get each night?

I sleep for 9-10 hours a night. I definitely need my sleep otherwise I cannot function!

16.  Do you have a “cheat” day?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday and sporadic days throughout the year (parties, a get-together)

17.  Do you drink alcohol?

Every once in awhile, but not often.  I love a glass of wine sometimes, but I dislike most beer.  I don’t like the price tag on alcohol so we don’t buy it much.

18.  Do you have a workout buddy?

Not really, I am very independent with my workouts and work in general. However, anyone can always join me. I sometimes workout in groups, with my brother, my husband, neighbors etc. 

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?

Inspiring others to make positive and healthy changes in their lives.  Hearing that just makes my day!

20.  What was the last healthy thing you did?

Skipped dessert and did two hours of Ashtanga yoga.