Say hello to...

My new running shoes! Yes, I finally bought a new pair of tennis shoes...and "it's about time" would be an understatement.

I've been working out and running (on the treadmill) in the same pair of shoes for two or so years. Horrifying, I know. It gets worse. They used to be my sister's. When she was in middle school or early high school. (Ahem, around 10 years ago is when she got them.)

So I've known for awhile that I've needed a new pair of running shoes. But I ignored it. That is until I started experiencing pain in my right toes whenever I curled them. I was told it was just a pulled tendon, but the pain has lasted about two weeks now. Hence, the decision to buy new tennis shoes, because I'm pretty sure my old shoes are the culprit.

Yes, I've been wearing them regularly for the past two years (since I work out almost every day - weight training, that is). But I've been running on the treadmill regularly for the past month or so, which isn't normal for me. I typically only do so during the summer and winter breaks (when I'm not busy with school), and only a couple times a week. But because I've been so determined to keep up with the 3-Month Best Body Plan, I've stuck to the schedule religiously, forcing myself to get up extra early on cardio days to go run on the treadmill.

So I've been spending more time in those old shoes, on the treadmill (not just lifting weights, which doesn't require much foot action). Who knows if my "toe pain theory" is right. But we'll see how they feel after a few days in my new shoes.

(By the way, I got them at Target for $30. I've had a $25 gift card that I didn't know what to do with, and then it occurred to me today to use it on the shoes. So they're not the best, but it's a well-known brand - Champion - they feel very comfortable, and they look pretty nice too.)

Building muscle with protein powder just got tastier...

If you're like me, you probably don't like downing bland whey protein and water after a workout. It's powdery, doesn't always mix well, and tastes like...well, bad water. (Ok, so I've only ever tried one type of whey protein powder, but it was vanilla flavor, so I was expecting it to taste, well, vanilla-y.)

"Oxygen" magazine offers a new way to power up with protein powder: Substitute 1/4 of the required amount of flour in any baking recipe. That way, you get the muscle building power of whey protein packaged in deliciousness.

Try this "Oxygen" recipe (found in the January 2010 issue) as a tasty post-workout snack:

Cocoa Muffins
Ingredients:

• Nonstick oil spray
• 1 1/4 cups oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp whey protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup low-fat milk + 1/2 tsp white vinegar)
• 3 tbsp agave syrup
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin pan with oil and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and the next five ingredients.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg, applesauce, buttermilk, syrup, and oil.
4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in egg mixture. Stir just until all dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in raisins.
5. Portion batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool muffins on a wire rack.

This is a perfect post-workout snack as it provides "an ideal carb-to-protein ratio (provided by the applesauce and whey powder) for a quick muscle recharge" (Linda Melone, "Oxygen"). According to the article author, Linda Melone, "You need both carbohydrates and protein to properly fuel and repair you muscles after exercise." Just protein won't cut it.

So pop one of these tasty muffins within 30 minutes after a workout and reap the muscle-building benefits (without the bland packaging). Yes, I've made them myself and love them so much, I want to cry when they're all gone.

And if you prefer to drink your whey protein powder but want to give it a yummy kick, "Oxygen" offers yet another way to use protein powder in the February 2010 issue: Combine whey protein powder with orange or pomegranate juice. "The simple carb (juice) will help drive the protein's amino acids to your muscles more quickly, promoting improved recovery and faster muscle growth," Judi Ketteler writes.

Another option? Mix your whey protein powder with yogurt and fruit (particularly berries). Bonus? The plethora of antioxidants in berries will help reduce muscle soreness.

(Recipe and quoted portions of this blog courtesy of "Oxygen" magazine. January 2010 issue: "Muscle Up!" (includes recipe) by Linda Melone. February 2010 issue: "Post-Workout Booster" from Nutrition News; "Radical Repair" by Linda Melone; and "Instant Energy!" by Judi Ketteler)

My first blog entry on my brand spanking new laptop...

It finally happened. I got a new laptop! If you know me, you know how big a deal this is. I've had only one laptop, and I've had it for four years, and it has crashed about four times. So yes, it's about time! I'd post a picture of the new one, but it has been discontinued (luckily, my dad ended up finding it at a Best Buy in Massachusetts after having no luck at several Best Buys in Houston) so it's no longer viewable online. But basically...it's a Toshiba, and it's awesome. And I can open and close it (yes, my old one has remained open for the past few months because it's broken and closing it would have resulted in the top part breaking off).

Best Body Plan: Month 2 Begins

From dumbbells/body weight to gym equipment...so starts Month 2 of Oxygen's Best Body Plan. Yes, I spotted the new issue over the weekend and kicked off the second month today. Bring on the intensity, month two...

Month One of Oxygen's Best Body Ever Plan: Check

I wrapped up the first month of the Best Body Plan yesterday, and, thanks to a month off of long school/work hours, I was able to keep up with it all. Ok, ok, so I missed a cardio day here and there..and a weight training day or two (thanks to a few busy visiting days in Houston). But I made up for missed days as soon as possible.

And, because I actually forced myself to lift weights at the gym (usually I only go there for my trusty treadmill) so I could move up to ten-pound weights after weeks 1&2 instead of only using my eight-pound weights at home - yes, I have a bad habit of only ever using one weight size - I made up for missed cardio days with a 15-20 minute jog on the treadmill before weight training.

Month 2, I'm ready for you...school, work, and all. Bring it! Yes, I'm excited to see how much I can keep up with the next two months when school is added into the mix. But I'll have to wait another week...The February issue of Oxygen doesn't hit stands till January 19. But it promises 1,800 abs moves to mix-and-match. Definitely worth the wait. (Especially since month one of the Best Body Plan only featured one abs exercise...really, Oxygen? But I created my own abs workouts, which I paired with cardio days) Curious? Get a sneak peak of the February issue at oxygenmag.com.)

So, since "getting fit" is a typical New Year's resolution (that never lasts very long...well, for me it does...I'm always getting fit. It's never a New Year's resolution. Just my typical daily requirement, minus rest days) how did you kick off your get-in-shape plan for 2010?

And if you're like me and can't afford a personal trainer (or a gym membership) to give you a workout plan, where do you find your workouts? (Me? Oxygen, obviously. And Women's Health magazine, lately. By the way, womenshealthmag.com or the magazine: great place to find easy yoga routines that don't require a class, instructor...or being boneless.)

(Yes, I thought I'd throw my readers - if there are any out there - a few questions. I never do, but...hey, maybe that should be my New Year's resolution: Gain a following by involving my readers. Oh, and blogging more would probably help, too.)