Tuesday, June 14, 2011
RevAbs Day 1
In the bag. This is a much easier routine than either Insanity or P90X. But this was just the "strength building" routine, we will see how the rest of the Ab focused stuff works out. I will admit, there were a few routines that had my abs pretty sore. Add in Mercy Abs, a 3 mile run, jiu-jitsu, and day 1 of a fast, and I'm actually pretty drained for one day =)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tofu as a Meat Substitute
Since starting the Engine 2 Diet, one of the things I have had to cope with is the loss of meat. It has been a very well anticipated event in our house when I grill up some rib eyes or bake some salmon. So, in trying to keep with the spirit of the diet, I've had to start trying the substitutes.
The Engine 2 Diet book recommends Tofu, but there isn't very much information on it. My first attempt at making Tofu steaks ended in total disaster, of this gross, gooey cheese like consistency, and a poor mixture to try to compensate for the taste with over spices. Not very good, and it left me and my wife trying to convince ourselves that "it wasn't bad".
We were lacking two vital pieces of information. First, if you drain the tofu (which is stored in water), freeze it, then thaw it, the texture completely changes to something more tolerable. It becomes more like meat and less like flan.
The second piece of information, tofu is just like a bland sponge. It will absorb ALL of the flavor you throw at it, unlike real meat. So the same ratios of flavoring and spices you would add to a steak will overwhelm you with tofu. Tofu will absorb the flavor of foods around it extremely well, so go sparingly on the soy sauce, Worcester sauce, and spices (or in our case, Engine 2 friendly substitutes). My later adventures have proven much more successful. Plus, any left overs can be broken up into crumbles and mixed in with black beans, brown rice, and veggies to make an excellent meal the next night for wraps or burritos.
The Engine 2 Diet book recommends Tofu, but there isn't very much information on it. My first attempt at making Tofu steaks ended in total disaster, of this gross, gooey cheese like consistency, and a poor mixture to try to compensate for the taste with over spices. Not very good, and it left me and my wife trying to convince ourselves that "it wasn't bad".
We were lacking two vital pieces of information. First, if you drain the tofu (which is stored in water), freeze it, then thaw it, the texture completely changes to something more tolerable. It becomes more like meat and less like flan.
The second piece of information, tofu is just like a bland sponge. It will absorb ALL of the flavor you throw at it, unlike real meat. So the same ratios of flavoring and spices you would add to a steak will overwhelm you with tofu. Tofu will absorb the flavor of foods around it extremely well, so go sparingly on the soy sauce, Worcester sauce, and spices (or in our case, Engine 2 friendly substitutes). My later adventures have proven much more successful. Plus, any left overs can be broken up into crumbles and mixed in with black beans, brown rice, and veggies to make an excellent meal the next night for wraps or burritos.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Status Update
So an update. I finished Insanity. Actually, I had to finish a week early due to a pretty bad neck injury I suffered in jiu-jitsu, but I'll allow it ;). again, I didn't follow the diet, so I didn't see the weight loss, but damned if a six pack isn't peeking out like crazy. I'm just about back to the physical level I was at last year. I have also decided to start RevAbs, so when that arrives, I'll be jumping into it for 90 days to really focus on that mid section. In the mean time I have just been running my daily 5K's while my neck heals.
In response to to the lack of weight loss and after watching Forks over Knives I have started on the Engine 2 Diet, which is a plant based, whole foods diet. I have been on it for a full week, and my energy has sky rocketed. The best thing about it is the food. While I didn't think plant based recipes could be this good (except the shakes I have been notorious for making), some of these are actually really good. The best ones I have had so far are a french toast recipe, and a black beans and rice recipe that I modified into a taco recipe. Since starting it, I've already dropped 3 pounds. Not bad for just a week.
In response to to the lack of weight loss and after watching Forks over Knives I have started on the Engine 2 Diet, which is a plant based, whole foods diet. I have been on it for a full week, and my energy has sky rocketed. The best thing about it is the food. While I didn't think plant based recipes could be this good (except the shakes I have been notorious for making), some of these are actually really good. The best ones I have had so far are a french toast recipe, and a black beans and rice recipe that I modified into a taco recipe. Since starting it, I've already dropped 3 pounds. Not bad for just a week.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Getting Ready to Try the Engine 2 Diet
2 weeks away from finishing Insanity. Very proud of myself, the first time I have actually made it through the grueling Month 2.
This week I went to go see Forks over Knives. It basically validated a lot of what I have been saying for a long time. The eye opener for me is that even fish can bad. So I am going to give the Engine 2 Diet a try. While I won't totally swear off meat, I will try to live primarily this diet. This ought to be interesting.
This week I went to go see Forks over Knives. It basically validated a lot of what I have been saying for a long time. The eye opener for me is that even fish can bad. So I am going to give the Engine 2 Diet a try. While I won't totally swear off meat, I will try to live primarily this diet. This ought to be interesting.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Insanity: One month complete!!!
Thats right, I've hit the 1 month mark, and am actually 1 week into Month 2. My conditioning has improved drastically. Previously I wasn't able to make it through the Max Interval workouts, but I'm hanging in there. Maybe its not easy, but I am still sticking with it =)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Insanity: Day 2
Just started another round of Insanity. Day 2 brings a lot of soreness in the back and glutes. But I stuck with it, hit play, and did Plyometric Cardio Circuit, followed by a 3 mile run. Once finished, I treated myself to some skillet baked tilapia, sweet corn soup, and coconut water. Now, rest for a few hours and try to make it to jiu-jitsu.
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