We’re over the hump! And the faster the better because I’m super excited for this weekend! I’m heading to Baltimore.. tell you more about it later.. but really looking forward to hanging out with great friends!
.. And yes, I realize I used exclamation points excessively.. what can I say I’m excitable..
.. 
FITNESS
Got in a good Shoulder & Ab workout followed by 30 min. of Elliptical Resistance Hills.
So I have excessively strong opinions about the elliptical. If you’re pedaling away for more than 10 minutes and not breaking a sweat, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re on there for 60 minute and calorie burn isn’t pushing 500 (and I mean on a reliable source, not what the machine says.. it way overestimates).. I really want to stop and ask, ‘do you really not have anything better to do, because walking in circles in front of the TV at home is as much of a physical challenge?’ Point being, you really can have a good cardio workout on the elliptical, but keeping the resistance high is key. If you have a machine that can also change incline, even better. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that having the incline as high as possible means you’re working harder. Working at a lower incline actually works more leg muscle, including that crucial glute area. So mix it up! My favorite is some sort of hill/interval course, but there are lots of ways you can play.
For an example of a good elliptical workout check-out the one I did today. My cardio’s pretty out of sorts at the moment, so of course make adjustments to incline & resistance according to your needs. It’s hard enough if your heart rate gets up and stays up. You should be nice & sweaty by the end of this!
.. but just my opinion of course 
NUTRITION
Favorite meal today was definitely this lovely mix. Diced Butternut Squash topped with Maple PB Flour Paste (2 tbsp Peanut Flour + 1 tbsp 0-cal Maple Syrup + 1 tbsp UVAB), 1/2 diced Apple and 1/2 cup plain Goat’s Milk Yogurt.. oh and of course a dash of cinnamon
I made this last night, and though not quite perfected, it turned out pretty good!
Apple Cinnamon Protein Bread
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Mix the two together then fold in Apple. Bake at 375 F for ~35 min. (watch it, I over-baked mine a bit).
Enjoy!
Any big weekend plans?
Elliptical fan?.. would love to hear your thoughts on my little rant..
Fun Links
Oh girl I love your breads. So good! And I would have to agree about the ellipitcal. I like to use it for recovery or stretching our hamstrings going backwards. But I do like that resistance hills you have there. Nicely done!
LC
your breads always look….so good!
plans this weekend? yeah, the beach!
YUM! I love apple bread. This sounds delicious and love the added protein. Can’t wait to try it out
SO ironic you posted this today. I was talking about this to a lady @ the gym yesterday. I have added two days of elliptical to my routine because I’ve found a way to make it challenging. Yes, you can definitely go too easy on it..but I find that at a low incline (5 or 6 on my machine) and a high resistance (11-12 feels like walking through mud!) and going back and forth between those in HIIT form, it KILLS. I sweat more there than I do on the stairmill, which is usually my cardio of choice. So yes, you CAN get a good workout on it.
PLEASE start blogging daily again!!
Loved seeing you had a new post!
First off, bread – YUM. Next, I totally agree with you on the elliptical, or even dreadmill for that matter. I have been banished to the elliptical b/c of IT band injury, and I hate it, but you can get in a good freaking cardio session if you push yourself, up the resistance, do some intervals, that sort of thing. Hope you’re doing well!!
That looks so yum!
My weekend plans are packing, shopping and last minute holiday get togethers with friends before we all get TOO busy!
ok first of all I love your little workout tracker! at first I thought it was a siomple calander, then i realized that when you scroll over it, there are little notes that you made! its sso awesome!
I also totally agree with you about the elliptical. So many people jack up the incline to 15, and keep the resistance low, which can acutally be harmful for your knees. the key is to change up the resistance AND incline often!
bread SO GOOD!!!
BREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! And protein too! YUM!
I so agree on the cardio.. no matter what you do, work it! With my back injury, I have changed things up way more than normal & that machine along with the StepMill & treadmill are kicking my butt AND I uses all 3 before the injury.. just modifying for it & still getting a great workout!
Yum! I love the flavor combo of apples and cinnamon. It smells the best when baking too!!
I so agree with you about the elliptical.
I do HIIT intervals and keep the resistance high and try to really push myself, so I feel like I’m working as hard as when I am running.
I’m tired of strength trainers dissing the elliptical. I had a bad ankle injury in May and I had to do low impact training for awhile, and elliptical is great. Now, I mix it up with running. I prefer running, but I don’t want to re-injure myself or overtrain, and I can get a good cardio workout with the elliptical.
yuuuuuummmy!!!