Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Power Performance


Hello and happy Wednesday!  


Happy indeed, but I was not so happy at 4:30am this morning during my incline/speed work run!  

Ugh, for some reason, this mornings run was rough.  I pushed through it and got in 4 miles in just around 34 min but I had to stop for 10 sec almost every interval change.  I have a system that I call the 4,3,2,1 Run that I follow for my speed/incline.  I start at a 1% incline for 4 min at a steady speed, then increase incline 2% and speed .3 for 3 min, 2% incline, .2 speed for 2 min, 4% incline .1 speed for 1 min. 
It's really a great run but today, I was just not at my best. 

I was glad when it was over and came home to stretch it all out with Power Yoga for 10 min. 

Breakfast was good! 


1/4 Cup Organic Cinnamon Squares, 1/4 Cup Kashi Harvest Wheat, Pear, Applesauce, Blackberries, Vanilla Chobani, Honey Almond Butter, Flax

Getting refreshment with grapefruit and iced coffee. 

This breakfast will never get old. 

After a few hours in the office, I was ready to leave for lunch at noon on the dot. Like clockwork my hunger struck. 

It was unreasonably hot today and incredibly humid and the thought of eating anything remotely warm was sickening. 

Ice Ice Baby!  Purple Green Monster! 

1/2 Frozen Banana, Frozen Cherries and Blueberries, Spinach, POM juice, Hemp Protein Powder, Chia, few ice cubes

If you're turned off by the green that the spinach turns the smoothies, try adding cherries or blueberries.  The dark berry will overpower the green spinach and you will never see a spec of green! 

For something to chew, I whipped up a great salad to go with the smoothie. 

Arugula and Spinach, Broccoli, Cucumber, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Sprouts, Olives, Capers, Smoked Salmon, Cottage Cheese and Hummus with a few pita puff as croutons

Grapes for dessert! 


Completely satisfying and filling. 

So now I have something really cool to show you guys. 

I bought a new bracelet! 



It's called a Power Balance Band and one of my coworkers sells them for a company that he runs.  Apparently, they are the latest rave in the sports and fitness world. 

The Power Band claims to improve balance, strength and flexibility by working with your body's natural energy fields. 

Here is what the website states: 

WHAT IS POWER BALANCE?

Power Balance is Performance Technology designed to work with your body’s natural energy field. Founded by athletes, Power Balance is a favorite among elite athletes for whom balance, strength and flexibility are important.

HOW DOES THE HOLOGRAM WORK?

Power Balance is based on the idea of optimizing the body’s natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies. The hologram in Power Balance is designed to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body.


So many people at work have been wearing them and now I've been seeing them all over ESPN.  I really wanted to see just how this little rubber bracelet was going to make me stronger.

So I tested it out today with my strength workout.

I did an "around the world" session at the gym.

1/2 mile sprint
leg extensions
front and back lunges with bicep curl
jumping jacks
25 crunches
5 min bike
Repeat 3 times

Result?  Well, I definitely had a MUCH easier time with sprinting than I did this morning.  My energy levels were a lot better, but I don't know if I noticed a huge difference in strength.  Granted, I did arm work yesterday so I didn't really engage in much upper body tonight.  Overall, I think if anything, the band gave me more mental confidence.  I'm going to keep wearing it regardless.  If anything, it's pretty and pink and it makes me feel tough! :)

My appetite is always so funny in the hot weather.  I never really feel HUNGRY until I start to eat something.  Then, all of a sudden hunger hits full force.  It's like I need to wake it up.

When I started to make dinner and nibble on the ingredients, I became quite excited for the finished product.

Grilled Tilapia Tacos


With Grilled Corn, and Black Bean Mango Salad


Loved it!  I say this all the time, but whenever I eat Mexican Food, my stomach seems to magically expand.  I could keep going and going.  But I stopped because I wanted to save some for lunch tomorrow. :)

One more day closer to the weekend my friends.

Something to do: If you have not already, please enter my giveaway for a chance to win a Calphalon Panini Press! Contest ends Friday!





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11 comments:

  1. So sorry your run wasn't the greatest. I think we all have runs like that sometimes!

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  2. I agree with you weather plays a huge part in my eating too. I crave smoothies and salads more then usual when it is hot and humid outside. That bracelet sounds interesting, never heard of it!

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  3. Isn't it weird how some days runs come so easy and other days they're totally difficult? I want one of those bands! Does the company have a website? Gorgeous dinner. The guac and corn totally make it. Great meal gf!

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  4. I saw that bracelet on a tennis player and wanted it so badly!! It's so cool looking. I thought it was a watch at first. Let me know if you feel the benefits :)

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  5. Sorry your run wasn't the greatest this morning...I think that happens every once in a while to everyone!

    Your dinner looks amazing!

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  6. Girl, I feel you... sometimes I wake up feeling totally energized and ready to work out, and other times my body feels like lead and it's impossible!

    Thanks for sharing the info about the power band. I've never heard on them before, but my chiropractor did tell me I needed to improve my balance!

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  7. i'm not turned off by the green color, but it's nice to know you can turn a smoothie a beautiful purple and still have the greens inside.

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  8. Your taco looks amazing! I wish I had that for dinner tonight. And I have been drinking way too much iced coffee lately...it is just so good!

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  9. Runs can be tough for no reason, but I'm glad you powered through it! You dinner looks amazing...black bean and mango salad, AND tilapia tacos with guac? Sounds pretty perfect!

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  10. your food always looks AH-MAY-ZING! like i want one of everything - especially that dinner! and the bracelet is cute - no matter if it works or not :)

    p.s. i need to try applesauce and yogurt.

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