12 moves to lift your booty & spirits

busy mama @ home booty workout!  pin away!

         wanna see something incredible?  just go outside! tv off, iPad and phones down (except to take a pic or it didn't happen, haha)

whether you get in a 6 minute or a 60 minute workout a day, they're both better than a 0 minute workout! #AmIRight!?  squeeze this puppy in when you can and follow it up with a walk outside if the weather permits.

see the clip here via Instagram; the entire workout is below.

get on the floor and do 12 reps on each leg and make sure you actually SQUEEZE your glute(s) for every single rep.

nah, GO!

1. ^donkey kicks (push through your heel...not toes)

2. ^straight leg hamstring curls (foot is flexed)

3. ^stiff leg lifts (point your toe)

4. ^heel up and overs

5. ^clam shells (lying on your side, feet always touching)

6. ^inner thigh lifts (laying on your side)

7. ^front leg kicks (laying on your side)

8. ^super womans (also great for lower back)

glute bridge variations:

9. ^both feet down

10. ^L leg cross, R leg cross,

11. ^L leg straight up, R leg straight up)

you did eeeeet! now go feed and love on that baby!

K E E P   U P   W I T H   U S !

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happy 4th + 19 weeks

bell pepper baby status!

 1 week away from being halfway there!? man. seems like after the 1st tri passed time really took off.  i have SO much i want to get done and now that i feel like going hard again (k, not too hard!) and accomplishing some long-term goals with Fit Foodie Le, LLC that's what's on my agenda.

* HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! *

 i got up early before the house woke up to get in some cardio and yoga, but the yoga class started later than i expected, dang.  i can't walk past a dumbbell without picking it up sooooo,

[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="http://fitfoodiele.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cake-by-the-ocean.mp4"][/video]

i did a few moves from my prenatal workout plans including this one that targets your glutes, one at a time.  it also challenges your balance, which works your core!  try it with or without a dumbbell and remember:

• keep your knee behind your toes at all times.

• sink down into the heel of the leg you're working to really activate your glute and hamstring. 

• keep a flat back during the entire move.  workout how you'd like to look. nobody wants to walk around with terrible posture, right!?  that always reminds me to fix my form. 

current 2nd tri woes:

numbness! 

most times i wake up these days, my hands, wrists, or even my entire arm(s) are numb and tingling and i have to lay there and wiggle my fingers like a mad woman until it goes away.  so annoying!  ever since Father's Day, i've felt way more fetal movement, my tummy is popping out a lil' bit more, my breasts are sore/swollen more often, and my areola have darkened.  growth spurt!  i read that the numbness has to do carpal tunnel syndrome from the swelling that compresses the nerves in my wrists.  it tends to get worse as the pregnancy progresses. great! lol.  i could probably cut back on my salt and up my water a bit more to help fight the swelling and that's what i plan to do.

---

for the 4th, i baked up some lemon pepper, Weber Garlic Sriracha, and BBQ sockeye salmon,and grilled up some colossal BBQ shrimp.

 we hit up HEB after church the day before and it was a maaad house!  sample stations every couple of feet and people everywhere getting ready to party.   both the salmon and shrimp were on sale for 7 bucks and some change per lb; what a sale!

Chiso and i had a lil' too much fun on snap chat during our samples shopping trip (add us! fitfoodiele):my bump gets me extra samples, weeeeeethat ice cream concluded our sample fest!  i also grilled up some corn and lean, ranch turkey sliders with homemade guac cause Chiso requested burgers with his fireworks!  i really wanted some baked beans but by the time i finished all that i was TOAST and ready to sit down.  in addition to meal prepping for our 6 Pack USA clients and my postpartum moms, i am learning how to seriously get IN and OUT of the kitchen quicker by the day.  shortcuts are everything when it comes to meal prep! else you could spend way more time than you need in the kitchen and i don't have any to spare.  don't give up on meal prep and stay consistent. it will soon become second nature to you. our brothers and sisters came over with their kids and all the little cousins had a blast eating brownies and dodging watching fireworks. good times! 

Q:  what was the highlight of your 4th of  july?

K E E P   U P   W I T H   U S !

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Esprit De She 5k + glute bridges

breakfaaaast this morning!  just an egg white omelette chock-full of kale, roma tomatoes, baby bella mushrooms, mrs. Dash onion & herb seasoning. cheddar almond cheese, sriracha and avo on top. super filling!

let's get physical.

basic glute bridge: with your head on the floor and heels on  the bench or floor, raise your hips off the ground while squeezing your glutes and pressing your heels into the step or floor.  when your glutes are level with your hips, stop. lower and repeat.  mix it up with different counts- singles and pulses set those buns on :shock: FIRE :shock:

leg variations: 

• left foot on your right knee (pictured) 12 x 2
• right foot on your left knee (pictured) 12 x 2
• right leg extended at hip level (pictured) 12 x 2
• right leg straight up in the air 12 x 2
• left leg extended at hip level 12 x 2
• left leg extended up in the air 12 x 2
• heels down, toes up 12 x 2

tips:

• this can be done on the floor without the bench; alway make sure your surface is stable. an elevated surface provides a wider range of motion to perform the exercise.
• keep a neutral chin; slighty tucked in towards your chest
• avoid pushing your hips too high as this can hyperextend your back
• you should feel this primarily in your glutes. if you feel lower back discomfort, try doing them without elevation.

have fun!

i added a new recipe to the ebook today- roasted, curried cauli (as in cauliflower) mash.  i used to eat broccoli and cheese like nobody's business but neither one of them are kind to my tummy. soooo, this was a great, flavorful replacement.  i also had some roasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon, and pan seared lemon pepper tilapia.

are you on IG? of course you are. i'm doing @fitnessfoodandstyle's May Photo A Day challenge this month cause i love me some Dani and it looks fun! you should join me.

'don't copy, compete with or compare yourself to others. their path is not your path, nor should it be. everyone has a unique gift to offer. what is yours?'

-mary frances winters

with that said, this next event is for my fit ladies only. let's finish this race and compete together as a team. the Athleta Esprit de She Houston 5k/10k will be making its debut on May 9th, 2013!  yes, 8 days away!

 

let's make their very first year one to remember.  if you would like to run with the Fit Foodie Finishers, send me an email (le@fitfoodiele.com) so i can send you the link to sign up!   we will be running the 5k, so whether you're a veteran or first timer, come oooooon.

le

get on the floor

and do the exercises below at home, in front of the tv while you stuff your face with... pancakes.

ok do them after the pancakes.  they are guilt-free, so do it in whatever order you like, just promise me you'll do both!!!!!

my favorite smoothie fruit combo to order in the Lifetime Cafe, or any smoothie place really, is blueberry banana. which means blueberry banana pancakes were calling meeeeee this morning.

so i answered.

blueberry banana cakes

the stuff:

• 1/2 cup wheat bran
• 1/4 cup oat bran
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3 0z banana
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (ya might need more!)
• 5 drops vanilla creme stevia
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 2 egg whites

do this:

miiiiiix!  everything! i threw the banana into my mix and mashed it up with a fork until it was chunky smooth.  so you can either throw your fruit in your batter, or leave it for the topping. or do half and half. it's your call!  i'm pretty sure i used like 1/2 cup or more of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but it's cause i don't like my batter sooooo thick. 1/4th a cup just might work for ya though.  again, i've been experimenting with oat bran, but you can totally use 1/2 cup of ground or rolled oats as a sub.  stats are for the entire recipe. look at all that fiber and protein! *high-five*

2 fantastic floor exercises that build your booty and strengthen your core:

#1. glute bridges

a.)on your back, plant your heels firmly into the floor and bring them as close to your glutes as you can get'em.

b.)with your palms pressed into the floor on either side of you, drive your heels into the floor, pull your belly button into your spine, keep your hips and shoulders square (level), thrust them up towards the ceiling and squeeeeeeeeze your glutes!!! 4 x 25

for an extra challenge, try these options:

• extend one leg out straight, keeping it level with your opposite knee.  hold until it burnzzzz! switch.
• put a weighted barbel or a heavy plate across your hips.
• place and hold a dumbbell in between your knees while thrusting. don't drop that weight!

#2. planks

we all know how to do these, right?  super simple but so effective!

a.) keep your body as flat as a board- no glutes in the air, and no sinking hips.  resting on your elbows and toes, pull your belly button into your spine as tight as possible, and tilt your pelvis slightly towards the floor, and of course, squeeeeeeeze your glutes.

b.) hold this position for as long as possible.  if you'd like a challenge, try these options:

• transition to a high plank (palms directly below your shoulders); repeat low to high to low, etc.
• take your right leg  up and hold, repeat on the left
• take your right arm up and hold, repeat on the left
• drop your hips and glutes to one side at a time in a twisting motion while keeping your toes and elbows planted. greeeeat oblique exercise right there!

what has Chiso been up to? well, we are currently in potty training mode. aaaaaand we're gonna get it right one of these days.   my OBGYN and his Pedi gave me great tips and one of them was to invest in a singing potty, which makes perfect sense!  every time he does his thing, it plays a little song. i'll have to bootleg it and use my cell for now.  whatever works.  when he finally completes his mission that fateful day in the NEAR future, trust me, you will know. i will blow up this blog, twitter, IG, sound the alarm, run tel dat, EVERYTHANG :lol:

it's #throwbackthursday on IG!

how bad do you want to change?  make the decision, commit, and DO IT then!

le

clean, all natural, guilt-free chocolate sauce

i'm going dip and drizzle crazy.  i've googled homemade chocolate sauces in the past and normally they contain some type of oil (usually coconut which is 120 calories 13g fat, 12 saturated), a wack sugar substitute that tastes like chemicals, or just an ingredient i don't particularly care for.  i took a complete gamble with the ingredients and the measurements and it turned out, well, darn good. so i tried it on what else, some dessert first!

i made a guilt-free arctic zero sundae with soy whip and crushed pistachios.

trial and error is a huge, frustrating part of coming up with your own recipes.  it can get expensive too!!  so getting it right the first time (or at least the first few times) makes me feel good. really good.

would you like to read about my fantastic workout from this morning before i share the recipe? ok great!!! there is something about the peacefulness of the gym super early in the morning.  i get it now.  i can clear my mind, focus on my to-do list not only for that day but my long-term goals, projects, dreams, next moves, pray...talk to God...and get my life together.

  it's that crucial.  minimal interruptions, effective workout, no waiting on the equipment...  it's never the same in the evenings immediately after work.  even late at night; it doesn't compare.

symmetry is good.  symmetry is preferred. lol.  my right shoulder area is still more defined than my left, but i'm in the process of fixing it. one way to correct that is to do isolations (one limb at a time).  i used to pass this machine up, but never again!  i added it to my routine this morning and felt different parts of my glutes and hamstrings being worked way more vs. pressing both legs at once.  do NOT let the machines intimidate you- you can't progress if you don't try different things.  find a trainer and ask them for a demo if you can't decipher the directions.

i rushed home to my breakfast and my boys!  made some egg whites and topped them with fat-free feta and parsley.  i kept my banana oat pancakes simple and sprayed them with 'i can't believe it's not butter' and walden farms pancake syrup. aaand reduced sugar Heinz for my eggs.

 for my oatmeal though, i topped it with more fresh bananas, crushed almonds, and a drizzle of my clean chocolate sauce!  mmmm crepes would also be a grand idea.

  by the way, my oatmeal is cooked in unsweetened vanilla almond milk/water, and a splash of vanilla.  then i add cinnamon and stir.

ready now?

3 ingredients:

clean, guilt-free, all natural, chocolate sauce

the stuff:

• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp all natural, raw, coconut crystals (found at Whole Foods)
• 1 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk

do this:

i suggest you heat the milk first ( you can nuke it for 15-20 seconds) THEN add the cocoa powder and crystals.  the cocoa won't absorb into the milk if it's cold and you will be stirring forever cause it  just won't mix. just like oil and water. you can either add more or less almond milk- the consistency is up to you.  i found that after mixing these exact amounts together (get all the lumps out) and letting it sit in the fridge for less than 30 min, it was the perfect consistency for dipping, pouring, or spooning it straight :lol:

the sky is the limit!   double, triple, or quadruple the recipe as needed, just adjust your stats accordingly.

strawberries and chocolate - classic combo.

banana chunks, dipped and topped.

raw unsweetened coconut flakes, crushed almonds, crushed pistachios.

had way too much fun today.  happy friday eve :)

le