Day 3

Today is day 3 of ChaLean Extreme and let me tell you....this program is NO JOKE!! Husband is even doing it with me and he'll tell you the same thing. He is pretty lean and it takes a lot for him to admit that something is physically challenging...but he honestly couldn't finish some reps last night during Burn Intervals and gave some HUGE props to the Ab Burner! He does ab workouts almost daily on a stability ball and admitted last night maybe it wasn't doing as much as he thought it was. This makes me chuckle a little bit because he was a HUGE skeptic when I ordered these videos, vowing he wouldn't do some silly DVD with me. Ha ha!

We rearranged the workout schedule to fit our needs. Chris is away on business almost every Wednesday night so we're making Wednesday and Sunday our off days. So we did Burn Circuit 1 on Monday and Burn Intervals and Ab Burner last night. Tomorrow we'll do Burn Circuit 2, Friday will be Burn It Off and Recharge, and Saturday will be Burn Circuit 3.

I know this program states you can use the resistance bands for the workout but I must be doing something wrong. I tried using them during Burn Circuit 1 and just wasn't reaching muscle fatigue buy the 10-12th rep. My husband agreed so we're going to invest in a set of good weights next week. I figure that I plan to stick with the program for much longer than 90 days so it will be something I use for a very long time. Unfortunately I can't afford the Bowflex SelectTech weights. Well, we COULD afford them but they are just SO expensive! Especially since I think we'll be buying two sets so we can still do these workouts together. We would be spending somewhere around $1,000 on weights.....that's just a LOT of money.

I did some looking around online and Weider has a set of weight similar to the SelectTech's for around $250. They have them in stock at our local Sears store so I might be picking up a set. These are also adjustable but not in 1/2 lb. increments like the SelectTech's. I read some reviews and people stated they were good weights you just have to watch when you pick up the weights since some of the unselected weights like to stick...but if you pick up slowly you should be fine.

We have also been watching our food intake very carefully and my husband has made me his personal dietitian for the next 90 days. I get up with him at 5 a.m. and make him breakfast....the same breakfast listed above. I pack him a turkey sandwich with 2 oz. cracked pepper turkey breast on 2 slices of whole wheat bread with one slice of low fat Swiss and mustard. I throw in an orange and our pre-bagged snacks of Triscuits and almonds for him to much on during his snack times.

For dinner the last two nights I have tried some of the recipes I found on Chalene's blog. (http://www.chalenejohnson.blogspot.com) I tried chicken fajitas in lettuce cups and this is a twist I may implement for quite some time. Instead of using a tortilla which is loaded full of carbs and refined flour you use a whole piece of iceberg or bib lettuce. I think we'll even have turkey tacos next week using this same variation.

We also had turkey chili last night which the boys both LOVED. My 1 year old Gavin couldn't get enough! I added a few of my own variations to this recipe like using a little chili seasoning instead of adding each seasoning to the pot, adding about 1/2 c. of bottled salsa, and yes (eek) just a few pinches of salt. I also added a little extra cumin and fresh cracked pepper. Oh, and I can't forget that I added onion and minced garlic to the turkey while I was browning it. I must declare it was a pretty yummy pot of chili. Not a flavorful as the chili I usually make but undoubtedly much healthier.

Yesterday after a trip to the local Wal-Mart for a new blender since mine decided to crap out on me, I tried a whey protein shake. I must admit that I am a little scared of the whole shake scene. Usually I find them 'wheaty' tasting and grainy. I had a shake consisting of 1/2 c. 1% milk, 3 fresh strawberries, 1 scoop whey protein powder, and 4 ice cubes. It was pretty yummy. I even shared a little of it with my 2 year old who even agreed. It made about a 16 oz. shake and it was VERY filling. I had this instead of my usual morning snack of almonds and some fruit. I think this will be something I have either as a meal or snack daily. It REALLY increases my protein intake, which is something that I struggle with. And may I add that I spend a little extra $$ on a GOOD blender which I believe made all the difference in the shake. It has a 'smoothie/shake' presetting and blended it perfectly and chopped the ice really well.