Day Six

Congratulations on making it this far! The whole idea behind the 7 Day Slim Down is every week, every day, there's a new chance to start making changes.  So love yourself, exercise because it makes you feel good, and the same goes for eating healthy, clean food!

Your exercise for today:


This is one of my simple, go to workouts. That's not to say it isn't intense, but it's very doable and you don't need a gym or any special equipment. I've designed it to be quick, effective and target all the major muscle groups with an added core-blaster. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine, drink plenty of water, take time to warm-up and stretch, take breaks if you need them and stop if you're experiencing any pain or dizziness.

Warm-up/Stretch for about 5 minutes (jog in place, walk, skip rope, etc.)

Complete a MINIMUM of 30 minutes cardio activity. (Biking, jogging, kick-boxing, power-walking, etc.) Put in one minute cardio interval "bursts"---this is how you up the intensity and push yourself harder. Do this every 4-5 minutes to really burn some serious calories and get your heart rate up.

500 Crunches ---- Yes, this sounds daunting but if you break it up into sections of 100 at a time it'll go by in a flash. Change 'em up---traditional, full sit-ups, leg drops, etc.

6 Yinyasas ---- Do this six times in a row, great for upper body, core and your mind! 
a) begin in down dog b) flow through to plank c) lower to chatarunga d) flow through to up dog e) return to down dog. Make sure you inhale and exhale through the moves, and don't rush it!

30 Squats

30 Triceps Dips

30 Alternating Lunges

Take a break, stretch, drink some water. I'd love to know how you feel after your workout today!

Tip: 

Make time to exercise...schedule it in like any other important appointment. It is essential to your well being, health, and how you feel about your self. It's not about being super skinny, but feeling, living, and looking good!

Recipe:

"Creamy Spinach Soup"

I made this TONIGHT!!! It is so good, pretty easy, deff cheap, and you can feed off it for at least 3 days!

Ingredients:

Olive Oil
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
3 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 med/large potatoes diced
3-4 cups spinach--washed, dried, stems removed (or buy those bags where it's all ready to go!)
8 cups chicken/vegetable broth ( I use half of each for flavor)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Add olive oil to preheated soup pot. Add diced onion & sweat over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until translucent.  Add sliced garlic and continue cooking 5 minutes more. Add zucchini and continue cooking 5 minutes.  Add chicken/veg stock and potatoes and bring to simmer. Season lightly with salt and pepper and simmer for 30 minutes or more (until the potatoes break easily.)
Then add spinach leaves and cook 3-7 minutes longer.

Puree all of the ingredients together with an immersion blender, food processor or blender. Return to the pot and check for final seasoning. Serve piping hot with fresh whole wheat baguette!!!