Archive for Author fitlizzio

A Workout and……ARNOLD!!!

Ah, it’s finally more than halfway through the week. This means the weekend is in sight, which means….well I’m probably working. But that’s besides the point.

I thought I’d bring you guys a workout today that is sure to work your lower body until it begs for mercy. It hurts so good, doesn’t it?

I’m a big fan of pairing heavy-ish lifts with plyometrics. My theory is that you have given all you’ve got during the heavy lift…and just when you think you’re spent, you take that weight away and explode through the movement to total exhaustion. It’s effective, brings on the sweat, and makes you a more functional athlete (or mathlete…you have to keep track of your own reps.)

In blue, I denote what weight I used. Obviously, everyone is unique to their own strength. Know your body and your strength. I am not a doctor and you should always check with one before starting a new fitness program. 

Burn It Out

Superset #1 – 4 sets:

 Barbell Squats (8-10 reps) 75-85lbs

Squat Jumps (12-15 reps) *Advanced: use a 10 lb medicine ball

Superset #2 – 4 sets: 

Barbell Walking Lunges (10-12 reps per leg) 30-40 lbs

Jumping Lunges (8-10 reps per leg)

Superset #2 – 3 sets:

Dumbbell Bulgarian Squats or Split Squats (10-12 reps per leg) 15 lb DB’s

Heavy Decline Leg Press (15 explosive reps) 90 lbs

Finish this workout with a 1 mile run as  fast as you can or a few sled pushes if you have access.

Oh, and I almost forgot the most important part of this post. God happened to be at my gym today for a photo shoot. Yes, today was a good day…..

me and arnold

(Although it looks like I have a double chin in this photo, I don’t ACTUALLY have a double chin. I think. 😉

Have Your Pasta and Eat It Too!!!

….errr something like that.

A few weeks ago, I got a random craving for pasta with italian sausage and red sauce. Such a delicious combo, but it can be very calorie dense and carb heavy. I don’t know about you, but itty bitty portions of pasta just isn’t cool, people.

I decided to put my own healthy hand at the dish, and to my surprise, it was AMAZING.

I know what you’re thinking…amazing as in it’s edible AND healthy….but fo’ realz…this was good!!

Here’s my dirty little secret recipe. I encourage you to try it! It makes a HUGE portion of food for around 350 calories. It’s balanced, delicious, and leaves you feeling happy (as all meals should!).

 

 

I promise this is a dish that your entire family will love. If you’re not keen on soy(the shirataki noodles are made with it) you could also use Miracle Noodles which are made with glucomanin instead of soy.

 

1. What is your favorite dish?

 

2. Do you have a comfort food that you’ve healthified?

Because Who Doesn’t Love A Survey….

I’ve been busyyy. I’ll have a more *real* post up in the next day or two, including a KILLER workout I did today. For now…some random facts about yours truly…

A. Attached or Single? Attached and happy!

 

B. Best Friend? My boyfriend Charlie, my sister, Maggie.

 

C. Cake or pie? Totally depends on the cake & pie people!!

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D. Day of choice? They all run together for me. I like Saturdays though.

 

E. Essential item? Chapstick. Never leave home without it.

 

F. Favorite color? Black & gray; black and red; black on black….

 

G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms!

 

H. Home town? Scottsdale, AZ

 

I. Favorite indulgence? White chocolate brownie from White Chocolate Grill in Scottsdale. It’s a blessing I don’t live in Scottsdale anymore 😀

 

J. January or July? July

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K. Kids? Nope. Love my nephew.

 

L. Life isn’t complete without: Being active, being outdoors, exploring, hanging with people I love, and loving what I do for work/my daily life.

DORK TC 3 

M. Marriage date? Not yet.

 

N. Number of brothers/sisters? 1 sister, 2 brothers

 

O. Orange or apples? Apples. I loveeeeeee apples. Especially pink lady and honeycrisp. And every other variety… 😀

 

P. Phobias? Bugs. All bugs, all sizes, all shapes. Just..NO.

 

Q. Quotes? Good question. They are a grammatical symbols and look like this “”

 

R. Reasons to smile? I love what I do for work, I love being athletic, and I love the people in my life.

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S. Season of choice? Summer and Spring

 

T. Tag 5 people

1. Sarah @ SkinnyRunner  

2. Karen @ Runner Girl Eats

3.  Candice @ Hungry Mother Runner 

4. April @ The Weigh I Am 

5. Heather @ Where’s the Beach

 

U. Unknown fact about me? Hmmm….I’m a pretty open book. I can’t even think of any secrets the world doesn’t already know (that I’m willing to tell, that is.)

 

V. Vegetable? I love almost all vegetables. No peas, thank you.

 

W. Worst habit? Biting my nails. Lately I’ve been getting acrylics to try to keep it in check. 😉

 

X. Xray or ultrasound? X-ray vision!!

 

Y. Your favorite food? Apples and strawberries.

 

Z. Zodiac sign? Pisces!

 

Studio, Running, Bleachers

Happy Sunday Friends! It’s been a great weekend so far! It’s been filled with all of the things I love: music, fitness, and rest.

I started out this morning by making a kale smoothie….and then promptly pouring it into a glass of water. FAIL. I laughed it off….and drank it anyways. 😀

Let’s back up to yesterday….you may or may not know that I am a sound engineer. On my off time from my regular jobs, I try to make it into the studio to do what I love…record music.

Yesterday, I spent the day with my boyfriend at his recording studio. He’s recording/producing a really cool band this weekend, so I came to help out and hang. It was SUCH a fun day in the studio. The kind of day that I’ll always remember and that makes me realize why I got into music! Sometimes, you just get it right. There’s nothing quite as awesome as a good band, playing live together in the studio!

studio

Moving on….the studio session went until about 2am, so getting out of bed today was a bit of a challenge. Around 10:30am, I was able to pry myself out of a bed to make a smoothie (see above), and set out for a run and some bleachers. I was able to get 3.1 miles in 25:50 and since the track is close to my house, I decided to stop by and do 10 sets of bleachers to finish off the workout. I feel great!!

To finish out my Sunday, I’m heading back to the studio for some more music making! Have a good one people!

What is your favorite way to spend your weekends?

 

Spartan Race

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been seeing these obstacle races around and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t minorly majorly intrigued!!! I love challenges!!

My gripe? They’re expensive. I am first in line for running, jumping, crawling through mud, jumping through flames (okay, maybe not that…but maybe…)and competing against other competitive people, but I also try to be smart with my money.

After going back and forth a bit, I finally bit the bullet and decided to just go for it! I will be running the Spartan Sprint in Malibu this December! I was able to get $10 off my race and figured, this is as good a time as any!

Why not share the good wealth?…..You can take $10 off your race entry as well!!! All you have to do is go to the Spartan Races website and enter coupon code SPEAR10 to enjoy the coupon. It won’t last forever, so sign up soon!!!

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*I am not affiliated with Spartan Races, but yes, I will receive an itty bitty commission if you click this link and purchase an entry. 

 

Winner, Workout, & Food…

Winner

Wooo! What a weekend it was…..which means I never got to announce the winner of the Polaroid Sunglasses Giveaway!!!

Congratulations Katie L.!!! Please e-mail me at fitlizzio(at)gmail(dot)com with your full address so I can send your brand new sunglasses to you!!!

For the non-winners, until next time folks…and there will be a next time!

Website

On to a shameless plug….

My brand new website is LAUNCHED!!! I’d be delighted for you all to check it out! It was a long time in the making and I am so excited to finally be “on-line!” My Part Time Manager is OFFICIAL! 🙂

Lizzy Slider

Eats

While I’ll likely never be the type of blogger that documents everything I eat, here are a few tidbits from today!

My never fail Summer Breakfast Smoothie (made with kale, strawberries, blueberries, 1/2 banana, greek yogurt, protein powder, and stevia). It is SO delicious and the perfect pre-workout breakfast that doesn’t make me too full and doesn’t send me to the gym on an empty stomach!!!

breakfast smoothie

After my cardio session (just a 30 minute sesh on the treadmill today) I grabbed a NuGo Protein Bar so I could shower and get ready without chewing my arm off. Real sea salt crystals on the bar. Pretzels inside. Chocolate. Yum.

nugo protein bar

On my way to job #2, I grabbed my favorite $10 salad from Beverliz Cafe in Beverly Hills. It is so fresh, summery, and delicious. The Strawberry Chicken Salad comes with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken, strawberries (durr), and feta cheese. The balsamic vinaigrette is to die for. I didn’t snap a picture today because I think I had eaten it all before I even thought of it.

Other random eats throughout the day: Plain strawberries (have I mentioned I love strawberries?), an apple, crystallized ginger (my weird obsession), and an Ezekiel, egg white, chicken sausage sandwich (yum in my tum).

And now for a doozy of a workout….I did this last night and I am feeling it today for sure….

Workout

1 minute rest between supersets…adjust weight to what you’re comfortable with! As always, always ask a doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Superset #1: 4 sets

Snatch(45lb BB) – 10 reps

Push-Up Plank (10lb DB’s) – 8 reps

Superset #2: 3 sets

DB Bench Press(25lb DB’s) – 12 reps

Step-Up Hops(bodyweight) – 12 reps per leg

Superset #3: 3 sets

Pull-Ups with a Resistance Band(green band) – 10 reps

Squat Jumps(bodyweight) – 15 reps

Superset #4: 3 sets

Windmills(15lb DB) – 8 reps per side

Good Mornings(45lb BB) – 15 reps

What is your favorite exercise? 

I love Snatches (gosh that sounds awful but seriously there is no other way to say that…). They are really tough, you have to really work for them, your form has to be spot on, your entire body is involved, and you feel so strong doing them!!! Kapow!!! Your turn!

The LA Way

Don’t forget to enter the sunglasses giveaway!! You have until tomorrow to enter!

I always love reading other people’s “Day in the Life” posts, so I thought I’d do my own.

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My life is busy. I have 2-3 jobs, a workout schedule, and a boyfriend. I try to have a social life too, but lately it’s mostly in the form of workout dates.

So you may be wondering why I have multiple jobs and what I do. To answer the first question, the simple answer is: I like it that way. I get bored easily, don't like to do the same thing for too long, and need to keep my mind overstimulated. It is what suits me best and there will likely never be a time when I have only one job. It's not for me to do the 40 hr work week with the same schedule day in and day out. Instead, I work all day (but doing it on my own schedule)! 🙂

Job 1: I’ve worked for Iron Gym for two years. I started out as a front desk gal when I moved to LA, but after about a year, took on a bigger role. I don’t know my title, as I’m somewhat of a utility there, but in short, I am the front desk manager, client account manager, customer service rep, and everything in between. I work when I want to, so long as my tasks are done in a timely fashion.

Job 2: I am the office manager and personal/family assistant to a celebrity. (Sorry, can’t say who for privacy purposes.) It is an extremely demanding and time consuming job, but I get to go to work in workout clothes and somewhat have my own schedule there (although I’m the typical LA assistant with a blackberry, iPhone, and iPad on me at all times. No, I’m not exaggerating.) I love it, love the family, and love the fast pace.

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Job 3: I am launching my own business soon. Details will be revealed once my website is up. That should be by the end of the weekend!

On to my day!

8:30am: I roll out of bed, brush my teeth, throw on my workout clothes, blend a green smoothie and head to the gym to get a little bit of work done.

10:30am: I take a break from e-mails and get a 30 minute cardio session or a weights session in (depending on the day and how/what I’m feeling like)

11:15am: Get a bit more work done at the gym, head home to shower and eat a protein bar, and head out to job #2

12:30pm: LUNCHHHH

1pm-5pm: Work away at my 2nd job. This includes but is not limited to scheduling, ordering needed items, researching items for my boss, arranging airfare, etc. Every day is different. 🙂

5:30pm: Head back to the gym. I usually do a second workout that is entirely different from what I did in the morning. It ranges from weight training to plyometrics to steady cardio and even to my beloved Hip Hop Dance class.

7pm: Head upstairs to the gym office and do some more work. I stuff Quest Peanut Butter Cups down until I can make dinner.

10 or 11pm: I call it quittin’ time! I usually make dinner for myself or with my boyfriend. We tend to go for chicken, bell peppers, onions, and some brown rice or black beans. Our go to meal that never fails.

In between all of this, I am working on my personal business and working part time as an assistant to another executive. I don’t ever stop during the day, but I guess that’s what I like. I am happy at my jobs and wouldn’t trade them in for anything. The only thing I really need to work on is getting more SLEEP!!!

Well, there you have it. The LA way of life…

  • What do you prefer when it comes to work? Are you a freelancer? Do you work a normal 9-5, 40 hr/week job?
  • What is your dream job?
  • Polaroid Sunglasses Giveaway!!!!

    I’m so excited to host my first giveaway!!! I have a pair of BRAND NEW Polaroid Polarized Sunglasses (Model x4305C; retail at $150) that I am giving away FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

    polaroid glasses

    You have three ways to enter. Enter all 3 ways? That’s 3 entries for you!!! Here’s the dealio:

    1) Post a comment on this status answering one of two questions:

    Do you wear sunglasses when you run?

    Do you buy designer glasses or the cheap gas station glasses? I usually go with the cheap ones. I lose them and definitely abuse them. It’s nice to have a good pair for some occasions!

    2) Tweet it!! Put a link to this post and write “Free Polaroid Polarized Sunglasses Giveaway!” #sunglass #llila #fitness

    Make sure you tag me so I can count the entry @lizziomusic

    3) Share on Facebook! Link this post and leave a link to your Facebook page in the comments.

    I will choose a winner next Friday, June 14th at 9pm PST. Each entry will be assigned a number and I will pick a number at random. Check back to see if you’re a winner!

    *I am not affiliated with Polaroid.

    One Hundred and Ten

    110 Pull Ups…110 Push Ups…110 Jump Squats…110 Hanging Leg Raises…in 35 minutes…

    close up

    Let me explain….

    Yesterday, I made a workout date with my good friend Ally. We didn’t specify the type of workout we would do, only that it happen. 

    When the 7 o’clock hour rolled around (evening time), we met at the gym and discussed. There wasn’t much discussion before I decided, “Yes, I know what we should do!”

    Lizzy Tip 101: The excitement in my voice as I describe a workout is completely relative to the intensity of the workout. I was excited…

    I quickly grabbed the green strength band from the wall of hanging bands (because who doesn’t have one of those?) and explained what we were about to conquer…

    Hellish Pyramid Workout

    4 exercises, circuit style
    Sets of 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
    NO REST (rest if you need, but no scheduled rests)

    Pull Ups w/ Green Band

    Jump Squats

    Push Ups

    Hanging Leg Raises

    Alternative names: “I can’t move after this” Pyramid Workout, “My body hurts” Pyramid Workout, “Pull WHAT Up” Pyramid workout

    This workout was KILLER. It is definitely advanced and for someone that consistently works out. We finished in around 35 minutes and basically dropped to the floor. I dare you to try it! 

    What is your favorite style of working out?

    Pedal on the Pier 2013

    Today I had the chance to be a part of a really great charity event! This morning I joined hundreds of people on the Santa Monica Pier for The Harold Robinson Foundation’s Pedal on the Pier.

    Pedal on the Pier is an annual fundraiser for the Harold Robinson Foundation. Money raised is used to send inner city children to camp, all expenses paid. Last year, they raised $500,000. This year? $600,000!!!

    So what is it? The event is put on by Kinetic Cycling and Keiser Spin Bikes. Basically, 100 spin bikes are set up on the pier. Individuals and teams “buy” a bike and then do their own fundraising up until the event. On the big day (today), riders and their teams hop in the saddle and ride 100 miles(per team). There are DJ’s, dancers, a dance floor, and plenty of vendors giving away free stuff. All in all, a really FUN event. And for a good cause too.

    I headed out today with my team at Iron. We set up a booth and enjoyed the day giving away free gym passes and having impromptu dance parties. The weather was great and the company was even greater. The energy at this event was absolutely amazing!

    Here are some photos from the day:

     
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    John(owner of Kinetic) and Spase (amazing spinning instructor and DJ) workin’ the crowd!

    iron booth

     

    The Iron Booth

     

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    The Iron Girls! (I’m in the middle)

    It’s always fun to see so many people come together to do good. It’s refreshing. 🙂

    Do you/have you ever attended a big charity event?

     

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