Friday, June 29, 2012

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Green Smoothie

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There is a debate raging in our house. An interesting one at that because it involves differing views of fitness. It all started when I saw this picture:
@ http://www.beccasfitlife.com
This girl (Becca) looks amazing to me. I love her body and want it for myself. I think it's the right amount of muscle and definition. This is my fitness goal. Alex, on the other hand, thinks it's too much muscle and too much definition. He doesn't agree with my fitness goal. Yet, he wants to look like those guys on the muscle magazines with their veins bulging out of their arms. I don't even know if I have the dedication or the willpower to even have a body like that, but I want to try. One step toward that goal is this green smoothie. It's delicious and healthy and the perfect in-between meals snack. The best part is that Cati likes it so I'm able to sneak in spinach into her diet.

What do you think of my fitness goal? Too much muscle?

Green Smoothie
Source: Iowa Girl Eats
Yields 2 Servings

1 frozen sliced banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk)
4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
2 Tbsp wheat germ

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Stephanie

5 comments:

Sarah said...

This is my goal too! What does your workout regime look like? I've been doing a lot of crossfit style circuit workouts and LOVING it!

I drink almost the exact same smoothie (minus the yogurt and i use coconut/almond milk instead) every day for breakfast and/or post work out. SO good!!!

PS are you still on Facebook?

Lara said...

Are you sure it's worth it? I mean, you seem to be a beautiful woman, your husband loves you and you have a wonderful family. I get it that you want to be healthy and look good, but why wanting to become just like her? I would love to look like that too, don't get me wrong (I'm 27 and have 2 kids), but is it even possible and worth it? Yes, she can, but a)How old is she?; b) Does she have kids (being a mum changes your body so much... even if you go back to your pre-pregnancy weight, or at least that's what happened to me - larger hips, awful breast, no stretch marks but lots of very visible veins throughout my legs....)?; Does she have a job, a house and a family to look after? I don't think so. A body like that takes a lot of time, time that you could spend with your daughters and/or husband or simply time you could spend doing something fun. I think you are already beautiful and your life is perfect as it is - you are a woman, a mother, a wife. So sure, stay healthy, stay fit, maybe choose a dance or yoga class so you can also have fun and work out, but don't dream to be someone else.

Stephanie said...

Sarah, I'm not on Facebook anymore. I haven't started working out so I don't even have a workout regime. Where do you find the crossfit workouts?

Lara, thank you so much for your comment! I honestly don't think I'd ever be able to have a body like hers because I just don't have the time to dedicate to getting and maintaining a body like that. As it is, right now I have trouble finding the time to exercise because I am focused on enjoying what time I do have with my girls. A lot of things get put on hold during the day for them. Even though I feel very fortunate to have a "perfect" life as you put it, I still want this for me so I can feel good about myself. I don't dream about being someone else, I dream about having the motivation to look like that; to be able to say "All day I work hard to make sure my girls are happy and developing well and make sure my husband comes home to a happy house, and I still have the energy to do something for me that makes me feel and look good." So much of my time and energy is focused on others and nurturing others. This is something I can do so I don't forget that I too need nurturing. Trust me, no one will EVER get neglected because I am working out or trying to attain a certain fitness goal.

Lara said...

I know you would never neglect your girls or your husband, I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old and I too feel like that, would love to look good and I perfectly understand the need to do something for you as a woman. All I'm saying is, maybe wanting to look like that girl is impossible, unrealistic and unfair to yourself. Why don't you try Lindsay Brin (http://www.lindsaybrin.com/)? At least she's in her thirties, has 3 kids, had 3 C-sections and is a very busy woman...

Sarah said...

You can totally do it!!! It is not impossible or unrealistic if it is a goal that you have! You know my stats: 27 and two kids two and and under with a house to take care of and other responsibilities. I do on average 4-6 miles every morning with the kids (they are in their stroller and then get to play outside for a solid hour before we come home for lunch). Once they go down for their nap i quick clean up and then do (on average) a 40 minuture strength training circuit (today i did a HITT kettlebell circuit).

Please email me if you ever want to chat about this. For me it is a GREAT stress reliever! I miss chatting with you, we'll have to catch up soon!