Nothing better than a good beating (in the gym)

Like the title? I thought of it all by myself.

And to clarify, there's nothing better than a good beating in the gym, working out HARD, and reaping the rewards. Not really getting beaten. That's probably not as good.

As most of you know I take boot camp and kickboxing classes through the gym's Mixed Martial Arts program (although where is irrelevant to the story). On Saturday, I was the only lucky student in class so my instructed and I felt it was the perfect opportunity to kick my ass pick up the intensity a bit. When I say a bit, I really mean kick my body into high gear and see if I can hold on for the ride. Well, I can. Since I started with the classes, my fitness level has excelled and the classes, although they are getting harder, are just not hard enough. For example, a typical rest between exercises is three minutes of jump rope. Honestly, I remember about a year ago, when thirty seconds was rough.

Back to my original train of thought, since I was the only person who made it to class on Saturday, Sean, my boot camp instructor, set out to actually have my tired at the end of the hour session. Mission achieved. He had me doing non-stop movements with some new features added into the mix.

Class included, but was not limited to, the following, all back to back:

2 minutes jumping jacks
2 minutes mountain climbers
2 minutes jumping jacks
2 minutes mountain climbers 
**
30 seconds rest
**
15 four count push-ups
4 minutes back and forth shuffle drill with burpee at each end
**
30 second rest
**
4 minutes one handed kettle bell swings (26 lbs), alternating arms half way through
3 minutes core
3 minutes mountain climbers with hands on medicine ball (talk about core!)
**
30 second rest
**
Lap pull down on machine @ 90 lbs- 10 reps
Assisted pull-ups- 10 reps
4 minutes (holding 8 lbs medicine ball) Squat-jump-bounce medicine ball-squat-throw (instructor catches ball and throws it back) Repeat.
**
30 second rest
**
Lap pull down on machine @ 90 lbs- 10 reps
Lap pull down @ 75 lbs- 10
Lap pull down @ 90 lbs- 8
5 Hanging L- hang from pull-up bar and bring legs, straight, up to an L shape

There was more but that's all I can remember. It was rough but amazing. I think I had a "runner's high" for about 4 hours after that class. I left shaking, sweaty, beat. Glorious. I'm certain that there are few things in life better than a crazy hard workout like that one.

So, conclusion. My instructor has agreed to be my personal trainer for two days a week, aside from the boot camp and kickboxing classes I take. I am very excited! After reading about Averie wanting to do a figure competition, I got the itch to work harder to achieve better results. I want a sculpted body and am going to get there. I'll be posting more workouts, or what I can remember of them, as they come and hopefully snapping some pics of my favorite ab/core workouts. I've got some killer ones to share!

And if working out hard is in the plans then so is eating well. Calories burned is calories earned and you need to fuel a working body.

Sunday morning's fuel was a rendition of Ohh May's Frozen Chocolate Protein Custard

It tasted better than it looks.

Topped with tahini, goji's, and cacao nibs

Averie posted the most amazing looking Sesame Ginger Maple Baked Tofu a while back and I couldn't help but make it.

TRY THESE NOW.

The Sesame Ginger Maple Baked Tofu was incredible. I happily devoured much more than I should have.

 Served with braised chard and drizzled with Ume Plum Vinegar.

This was a new purchase for me. Oh so good! 

And I couldn't just leave wine out of the fun!

Yum.

Remember these guys I posted on Saturday, from Cafe Gratitude?

I AM SUPER HOT Spicy Dark Chocolate Nugget

or I AM SPICY (as their uncookbook calls it)

I'm pretty much in love with these guys so I decided to pull out my Sweet Gratitude recipe book and made my own.

They were definitely good. Seriously good. 

I put my own twist on these and packed them full of super and energizing foods.

Spicy (cayenne spiked) version below

Recipe made a lot. And I'm sorry, but I'm not sharing.

And, for now, the recipe is my little secret. But they just might pop up for a giveaway soon...

Happy Monday! (Even though it came way too fast)