Tag Archives: work outs

Fitness Friday: peanut butter yogurt balls and hummus flat bread recipe

By Blake Dykes

Another week gone, which means you are one week closer to achieving your goal. Now maybe you’re completely satisfied with your health, and you only want to eat better and exercise more, that’s fine as well.

I know for me, I get sucked into eating the same things for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and that’s a really bland diet. Having a bland diet is dangerous in the way that you’ll get bored sooner or later, and then end up just eating a gallon of ice cream, desperate for flavor. So I want  to give you a few recipes to spice things up every now and then.

Keep in mind, these recipes are all my own creations, so what taste good to me may not taste good to you. Also, you can modify the recipe to your own liking.

Peanut butter- yogurt balls

Creative name I know. I got a small Yoplait blueberry Greek yogurt parfait. Then I got my peanut butter out of the fridge (this only works with cold peanut butter). Take around ½ tsp of peanut butter and roll into a ball. Then, dip the peanut butter in the yogurt and roll it around in the granola that comes with the parfait. Place the balls on a pan with wax paper. Place in the freezer until frozen. Once they are frozen you can eat them or store them in a gallon bag in the freezer. Don’t just leave the balls on the pan because they will pick up the flavors of everything in the freezer.

Those personally are one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast or just as a post-workout snack. This next recipe is something I always turn to for a quick and easy meal when I don’t like what my mom makes for dinner.

Flatbread hummus

Take a piece of whole wheat flat bread, spread some hummus on there (red pepper is my favorite), then put some feta cheese on top with roasted pecans. Then, I just toast it in the oven for around five minutes on 350 degrees. If you only want your bread toasted, and don’t want warm humus, then you can toast the bread then put on the secondary ingredients. Fresh basil also taste very good sprinkled over the top.

All those recipes are really great to incorporate into your diet for some life and flavor, but let’s not forget this weekend’s challenge.

Weekend Challenge:  Don’t eat out. I know how tempting it is to go by the drive thru on Friday nights after a football game, or going out with your friends. But let’s face it, not many of us can say “no” to that buttery loaded baked potato. Or that Caesar salad loaded with croutons and bacon. So make it easier on yourself and forget dining out and make something much more cheaper, and something that your body will thank you for. Also, remember, each weekend try to build on the previous weekend’s challenge, don’t just forget about the one prior. This should be building on your overall wellness and health.

Now I don’t have a workout for you this weekend. That’s not because you get a free day, though — that’s because I want you to do what you want to do, without being told. You know what works best for you, no one can tell you what workout or running route challenges you more. But, I am going to give you a quote to ponder over the weekend.

“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the yard line.” – Ross Perot.

Fitness Friday: Weekend fitness plan

By Blake Dykes

You managed to make it through the week and maintain your healthy diet (hopefully), so don’t ruin it this weekend at Lanesville Heritage. As appetizing as fried butter may sound, it doesn’t look good on you, trust me. Here are some tips to follow when picking foods at Heritage:

Say no to the food if it’s…

– Fried

– Coated in sugar

– Coated in chocolate

– Has skin

You can eat it if it’s..

– Grilled

– All natural (corn with no butter, fruit, etc.)

– Grilled chicken

If you plan on staying all day pack your own snacks so you won’t be tempted to spend your money on overpriced, heart-attack causing foods. Saying no may not seem worth it at the time, but when Monday rolls around, and you’re trying to zip up your pants, you’ll be thankful that you didn’t eat that funnel cake.

Now as far as workouts go, I’m not going to make one for today, I’m going to give you a little weekend guide.

Friday- Run for three minutes, walk for two. Repeat this 10 times.

Saturday- Pick one of the workouts I have posted, or your own modified version, and complete it one time in the morning and once before you go to bed.

Sunday- Jog (or as fast as you can) up and down a staircase for 10 minutes straight. Then, enjoy the nice weather this weekend is forecasted to have and go on an hour walk at a reasonably fast pace. Bring your friend, mom, or dog. Just go out and get some fresh air. Exercising doesn’t always mean running and doing intense cardio, it’s important that you enjoy what you do so you don’t get burnt out.

Weekend Challenge: Each breakfast you eat this weekend has to have less than three grams of sugar. Most people mistake breakfast as a ticket to eat a dessert in the morning, when in reality it should be the best meal you eat to start your day off right. Natural sugars you don’t have to count, like from fruit and yogurt (only organic cane juice or Stevia though, not plain sugar though). There are plenty of options, I’ve given you recipes to banana bread and oatmeal that each have no sugar, or you could stick to a banana and a greek yogurt, or an egg and whole wheat toast.