12 minute Workout Wednesday!

Blast these out and you will be dripping with sweat before you know it. All you need is 12 minutes, a medicine ball, jump rope, your body, a sweat towel and water.

1. Medicine Ball Push Ups- 1 Minute
Start in upright push up position with one hand on the medicine ball, and the other hand on the floor.  Lower yourself to a push up remembering your form- abs engaged, chest and back strong and flexing while lowering, extending while lifting. Upon raising to starting position, roll the medicine ball to the other hand. Repeat for 1 minute.

Starting position

One hand is on the ball (my right hand in this photo), lower to push up position

Upon extension, roll the medicine ball across to the other hand (my left)

Lower to push up position.
Repeat.

2. Plank Hold on Medicine Ball - 1 Minute
In upright plank position, place both hands on the medicine ball.  Make sure your shoulders are rolled back, there is no crunching at your shoulders, and that your core is engaged.  If you get tired, don't "pooch" your abs towards the ground, engage them and push down towards your toes.

Hold the plank position, smile, think of your strong core

3. Jump Rope - FAST - 1 Minute

Repeat 4 times

It may seem like an easy workout, but honestly, if is super challenging and allows you to reach outside your comfort zone in a short amount of time.  Your arms, chest, back, glutes, abs, legs and heart will all thank you!!

Challenge the Power of YOU! 
copyright 2012- Erin Kreitz Shirey - www.powerfitnesspdx.com

Dig Deep Play Hard Challenge- Days 12-21/21

Dig Deep Play Hard Challenge Map from Days 12-21.  You can do this Challenge. You have it in YOU to push yourself to try something new and become your best self yet. Challenge the Power of YOU!

Day 12:  Did you read the update for Days 1-11? How are you on your path? Did you push it hard in today's workout? Was your cardio hour full of HIIT intervals? Did you drink your water, eat clean, no wheat or sugar? 8 hours sleep each night? Tackling your To-Do Lists? Today was a PUSH day--- work the workouts so they don't work you wrong. Be ready, tomorrow is another workout and nutrition ideas and options.
Day 13:WOW, the 100 Club Workout is a TOUGH one. Your entire body will love you. Modifications you can make if needed: Down Dog Push Ups- do 5 right, 5 left, 5 right, 5 left for your 20. Burpees with Jacks-...if you are getting tired shift to 6 reps, or 2 reps with each burpee.
How ARE you doing? Do you feel cleaner today, day 5 of no sugar or wheat? Are you drinking all of your water? Have you noticed you overindulge in one foodgroup? Are you writing in your journal? Keep up all of your hardwork!! Only 8 days left! 100 Club Video Here

Day 14: Active Rest Day- Stick with the Challenge as best you CAN, and do something fun today. Not a specific workout, but an active day with eating clean. Ride your bike to the Farmer's Market, explore new neighborhoods by foot, do a walking adventure in the city you live, play beach volleyball, go on an adventure date, or host a dance party in your backyard.

Day 15: GET back on track today. Yesterday was a fun day of celebration, independence and enjoying family and friends. Today, log your food, drink your water, eat CLEAN, get your HIIT cardio in and strength workout from Day 13 (repeat that workout again on Saturday, Day 17), journal, limit wheat and sugar (or omit them again) and eat two veggies and fruit at lu...nch, dinner and snacks.
You have noticed how you feel now when you taking care of your body inside and out. You can feel the difference from when you were eating before. The next 4 nights, get to bed 30 minutes earlier to read a fun book. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep.

There are 6 days left of the Challenge. Remember, do what YOU can do! You have worked so very hard and know how and when you feel good now. Keep it up!
Day 16: Today, get your hour of cardio intervals in, do an additional 20 minutes of HIIT Training later in the day (yes, 1 hour 20 minutes total of cardio) and core work:
1 minute plank
30 seconds Mountain Climbers
30 seconds side plank toe touch Right
30 seconds side plank toe touch Left
30 seconds Burpees
Repeat 4 times (total time 12 minutes)

In addition, refer to the To Do list you created last week. Finish up the tasks holding you back, and be done with them. They are yours to conquer and once you do, 10 pounds lifted from your shoulders. Refer to BLOG post here.

Day 17 & day 18/21- Days to follow up to push, and step back to assess your work. How did you do? Where are you feeling stronger and weaker? Have you learned a lot along the way, or are you feeling as if you struggled through the 18 days?
The last three days of the Challenge, I want you to embrace every element.

1. Drink 85-100 oz water


2. Sleep 8 hours


3. EAT CLEAN and log food


4. No sugar or...wheat


5. Cardio with HIIT intervals 60 minutes/day


6. Strength work Day 19 & 21, with Core work focus Day 20 (videos day 19 and 20)


7. Pre plan your food


8. Focus on To-Do List and refer back to it


9. Step back for 20 minutes to have no technology, read a book or meditate


10. Refer to your goals; highlight your strengths, see how far you have come, what you would like to work on next, where you feel you'd like to grow and how your nutrition affects your daily activities


11. Add in 20 extra minutes of cardio and strength intervals- Day 4 video.

Day 19: You can do this workout and you WILL do this workout. You have worked hard for 19 days, just 3 more. Keep it up! Strength Workout Here


Day 20: Get Centered-When out doing errands and work today, spare the air and use your body to go from point A to B. Run, walk, bike, skateboard or heck, why not kayak to your destination if you can. Once there, smile and say "Hello" to as many people as you can. I promise you will feel much more centered and relaxed after.- Being centered allows you to step back, assess, and then push farther ahead.  YOU are almost at the end of 3 weeks.

Day 21: Core Workout. You had asked for one, I promised and while it is 24 hours late, it was made with love for you. Now tell me, what is one thing you learned about yourself with this Challenge? Recap tomorrow, but tonight, think about one thing you gained (in addition to strength), while you lost inches.
Core Video Here


Dig Deep Play Hard Challenge- FINAL DAY!! How are YOU feeling? What did you learn? What nuggets will you incorporate after the challenge?
I dare YOU to now push yourself and register for something athletic you have never done. A triathlon, a half marathon/10K/5K, Kayak race, soccer tournament, rock climbing trip, or an overnight running relay.
I was able to push it hard, gained strength, lost stress and 4 pounds along the way. So excited! KEEP IT UP!!
Dig deep. Play Hard!
Cheers-
Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey
Video Link Here
** Please share your nuggets you've learned along the way, and what you will incorporate from now on. SO proud of you!

Clean Eating- How you will eat for 21 days...and the rest of your life

Clean eating isn't just a way to eat, it is a lifestyle. You want to live CLEAN, and eat all food right from the source. Truly, it is that simple.  You want your meals to be made with 5 ingredients or less. Use spices to enhance flavor, not lots of butter and added fats. Think of Clean Eating as a means to eat how we should...eat real food that is not full of names we can't pronounce. 

There are a number of proven benefits of Clean Eating:
1.    Lower Body Fat
2.    Increase Muscle Mass
3.    Improve Energy
4.    Decreased risk of types of diseases like diabetes, stroke, heat disease and cancers
6.    Less consumption of pesticides, artificial food additives, and preservatives sodium and sugar
7.    Eating Clean is Eating Green: the foods you preference in Clean Eating lifestyle are minimally processed, using less energy and produce less waste than highly-processed food
8.    Less expensive and locally supports the economy. Clean Eating involves lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. Local farmers markets are key to buying food in season, thus helping the economy you live in.
9.    Sustainable. Unlike fad diets, Clean Eating is a holistic approach to eating that a person can practice their entire life. It is not a die, but how you eat to live.
10. Food is Fuel, and Clean Eating helps you be fueled with the most nutrient dense food possible.

The challenge of TIME is often the biggest obstacle. But this is where To-Do list come into play. Incorporate them into your daily life, especially on weekends.  Use Sundays as food prep days.  After a few weeks you’ve altered some of your cravings to adjust to living and eating clean…since it is what your body needs.  Try to do your food prep, plan and shop on the same days of the week.  Additionally, you can journal to meal plan.  Create a Clean Eating Journal with recipes, what works for you and doesn’t, shopping lists, and also include photos of yourself doing the active events Clean Eating gives you energy for.  Talk with your friends who eat clean and ask to share recipes, ideas and also advice on what works for them.

Food Choices For EATING CLEAN!

Non fat Milk – Organic preferred
Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt- Trader Joes is less $
Soy Milk, Rice Milk and/or Coconut Milk
Avacado!!
Edamame
SPINACH!!! Add it to everything
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Coconut Oil
Fresh Fruit In Season (try to go local and Farmers Market, Market Hall, Alameda Market Place, Whole Foods)
Fresh Vegetables (same as above- from the farm to your table)
Salsa- make some of your own with tomatoes, cilantro, scallion, lime juice, red pepper, salt, pepper, and chili flakes (add pineapple or mango to flavor it too)
Eggs
Firm Tofu
Whole Wheat Noodles (elbow/fusseli/spaghetti)
Lemons and Limes
Nuts- Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts (all unsalted and without sugars or seasonings)
Olive Oil
Whole Wheat Bread – enriched with fiber and protein a plus
Spinach wrap breads/whole wheat wrap bread
Lundenberg rice cakes
Tea
Whole Grain Crackers- Kashi TLC and Garden of Eaten are good
Whole Wheat Pretzels- Trader Joes or Honey Gold are fine
Gluten Free Options of Rice Crackers, Tempeh crackers, Brown Rice Snacks
Natural Peanut Butter- Trader Joes/Adams
Natural Soy Nut Butter- Trader Joes good option
Whole Fruit for jam (sliced strawberries, mashed blackberries, banana)
Hummus – make own with garbanzos, timarac, cayan pepper, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro
honey
Beans- Black beans, Garbanzo Beans, Kidney Beans, Fat Free Refried Beans
Cheese- String Cheese, goat cheese, feta, swiss --- all have less fat than Gouda/Cheddar/Brie. Try for 7 grams or less per serving.
Lean Deli Meats—Turkey & Chicken
Trader Joes Vegetable soups- Tomato/squash/pepper
Fresh Fish – Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Ahi, Trout
Shrimp
Basil, Cilantro, Rosemarry, Thyme
Seasonings!!
Balsamic Vinegar
Dried Fruit- Apricots, Cranberries, Raisins, Apple, Figs, Mango
If you have bars – Remember 5 ingredients or less--- KIND and LARA Bars are good options
WATER!!  100 oz daily!!

Ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet:
Add them to your breakfast, lunch and snacks!  Add Spinach and tomatoes to eggs, cucumber and bell peppers to sandwiches, chard and scallions to frittatas, fresh mushrooms to tomato soup, lettuce wrapped around bell pepper slices with goat cheese, bell peppers baked and stuffed with barley/basil/sundried tomatoes and smidge olive oil.

Snack ideas:
•    Goat Cheese Medallion and Sliced Pear or Apple
•    Fiber enriched Lundenburg Brown Rice Cake dipped in 1 tb peanut butter, apple slices, cinnamon
•    carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, broccoli with 2 tb hummus
•    ½ cup nonfat greek yogurt with 1 cup berries and 1 tb sliced almonds/1 TB Almond Butter or walnuts
•    ½ PB & Fruit wrap – half wrap with 1 tb PB & sliced strawberries


Dinner ideas:
Frittata over spinach salad
BBQ Vegetables & Fish
Rissoto with tofu and grilled vegetables
Fish Tacos
Grilled kabobs, fish burgers, corn salad
Peanut Veggie Stir Fry
Pumpkin Curry Soup with Tofu

Please contact to request any recipe- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com

For additional questions, ideas and thoughts, please contact Erin Kreitz Shirey and
Power Fitness PDX – www.powerfitnesspdx.com  and powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com 





Food References for Clean Eating:
Online Resources:
The Gracious Pantry - www.thegraciouspantry.com
Clean Eating Magazine - www.cleaneatingmag.com
Eat Clean Diet – www.eatcleandiet.com


* Many thanks to Sandra Koulourides, MS, RD of Fuel Plus Fitness, Clean Eating Magazine for and Danielle Paskins of West Linn Fitness for some additional food choices and ideas. Refer to them in addition to Power Fitness PDX, they are fantastic resources.

Have fun and be creative,  YOU know the rules of Clean Eating, YOU know what to buy, YOU know you have to plan your choices...so now DO IT!  YOU CAN and YOU WILL feel incredible from the inside out.

Gemma Lim- 2012 Challenge Winner!!!

Here it is, one week post Power Fitness PDX POWER of YOU 2012 Challenge Winner Awards.  All the participants are still on a high, and feeling incredible. In the week since the awards more athletic feats have been happening, such as Annie dropping her PR in the Portland Rock N Roll Half Marathon, Michelle registering for the Mermaid Duathalon and Gemma pacing sub 10 minute miles on her training runs.  Monica, Rebecca, Alyx and Jeanne are all continuing on their dynamic paths in health and fitness too.  To say I am proud as a trainer of these women is an understatement. I am beyond grateful that they believed in themselves to GO FOR IT!

The Challenge was a stepping stone to a lifetime of better health and fitness.  It helped break bad habits while creating good habits. The Challenge allowed the women to focus on making lifestyle changes, that would forever evolve the way they view their bodies, their inner strengths, nutrition, stress management, goal setting and taking time to honor and take care of themselves.

Everyone won the Challenge in various ways, but the overall winner, Gemma Lim, stood out from the rest.  Gemma's entire life was altered and she is a brand new person.  She found a new life while strengthening and growing her already incredible one.  She found a real "athlete" inside a woman who "works out".  Gemma found her true self and isn't done on her health and fitness journey...it is only just the beginning.  The following letter is about Gemma's journey...

Erin,

 

It’s been over a week and I’m still in disbelief that I won the Challenge. We all worked so hard at pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone and I’m truly honored and humbled beyond words.

When I decided to join the Challenge, I had only hoped to lose more weight and inches through 10 weeks of focus and discipline. I didn’t realize that the Challenge is so much more than weight loss. You introduced clean eating as a major component in overall health and fitness. For 10 weeks I ate “clean” and I saw a huge difference in how I performed. Not only did I start losing weight and inches, my body got stronger and I had fewer headaches. What was even more amazing was my mind shifted and I sought healthy eating after the Challenge was over. Don’t get me wrong, the temptations are still out there calling my name, but I choose to eat the healthier options. Eating clean is so easy and sustainable! It really is! I hope that more people embrace clean eating and throw away all the junk food that is making our bodies sick.

Through our discussions, I stopped hesitating and challenged myself to do the SJR half marathon after years of contemplating whether I was fit enough to run a half. My family is amazed at my transformation. They have become accustomed to my Saturday morning long runs as part of my training for the half. I have become a runner! What a huge accomplishment, Erin! I know that SJR is just the beginning and I will run other races in the future. I am so excited that I have found another sport to help keep me fit, healthy and strong.

The Challenge also helped me re-evaluate my personal relationships.  I now put myself as priority and make a point of spending more quality time with Rene and incorporating fitness into our times together. I couldn’t be happier and always look forward to boot camp date nights and future trail runs together. 

I learned so much from participating in the Challenge and I highly recommend it to anyone. Ten weeks is all it takes and you will discover that you have it in you! 

Gemma

  

Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey & Challenge Winner 2012 Gemma Lim

Awards Night, May 14, 2012