So this is a fun fact: I just started with a new therapist here in Gainesville. Her office is 1.8 miles away from my apartment. I do not have a car, or even a bike for that matter (that second part it my choice, I just don't feel comfortable riding bikes in the street). That means I walk 3.6 miles every Sunday. I walk about 3 miles an hour, sometimes a little speedier, but it's super hot out, so it's about 35 minutes each way. While the negatives include having to wake up pretty early on a Sunday to budget in travel time and arriving at my appointment completely drenched in sweat, the positives include GETTING to wake up early on a Sunday morning I would have otherwise slept though and done nothing with, and according to SparkPeople's fitness tracker, burning more than 300 calories for the round trip. Isn't that nuts? It's not like I had to add in this super extra exercise time. I'm just getting in some light cardio because it's *on my way*.

Also, when did I start exercising to kill time? Not the walk to therapy, but I got home, and immediately after the 35 minute sweaty walk home I sat down at my computer, checked SP and facebook, realized I was bored, and thought, "I'll just exercise!" I admit I didn't do it right then and there. I was pretty wiped from my walk, so I had lunch and messed around online for a while, but when things got boring again, I decided it was time to get moving. I completed the 28 Day Bootcamp Challenge yesterday (thanks to everyone who "liked" that on my activity feed! makes me feel so loved to know you guys saw that!), so today, instead of slacking off, I started SparkPeople's 28 Day Bootcamp w/ Coach Nicole DVD!

I was not psyched for the DVD before I popped it in, but I am now! When I put it in the DVD player, I really was just thinking "I'm bored, this is something to do." But I really liked it! This DVD is a lot more professional than the previous ones (Fit, Firm, and Fired Up - which I never really got into - and Cardio Blast - which I like a lot, but it's not necessarily up to professional workout video standards). Coach Nicole is as adorable as ever, but now she has two groupies behind her, one of whom does easier/lighter variations when appropriate, and the other harder variations. You can choose the specific workout you want to do, or you can follow the 28 day plan. They show you the calendar and it looks like a great mix. Some days, like Day 1 which I did, are just a warm up, quick (about 12 minutes) cardio "burst," and then a cool down, while other days focus more on strength, or last way longer and get both strength and cardio in. There are also days built in (one or two a week if I remember correctly) to either rest or crosstrain. My guess is I'll get bored on the rest days and end up pulling out Gold's Gym Dance Party for Wii. Super fun, and actually makes you sweat if you play it right!

So yeah! If you're like me and like to work out in the privacy of your own home, and you are a total Coach Nicole groupie, I want to tell you to go get this DVD so you can start today, because even though I've only done one workout, I've just got a great feeling about it. Oh and if you do want to buy it, pick it up at Target or target.com. You get SparkPoints that way, but not through other retailers for some reason.


So now it's 5 o'clock in the afternoon/evening, I have no classes tomorrow, and my classes at this point in the semester are all a little too easy to study much more than I already have for them, especially on Labor Day weekend. I guess I could exercise even more, but I'm a little tired out. It's also a little too early for dinner and to late for a snack. What to do with myself?

OH! Last thing, I promise. I had a WONDERFUL snack this afternoon and I feel like I must share. It's not super low fat or diety in any way, but it is really delicious and easy. Cut a regular block of feta cheese into quarters (or somehow find yourself with a 2 oz cube), and pop in the toaster oven for about 4 minutes. Take it out when it gets a little runny and drench in as much lemon juice as your heart desires. That's it. Two ingredients: feta, lemon (or lemon juice). So easy and SO tasty. It will make your mouth happy, it won't sabotage your healthy eating efforts for the day, it will give you 8 grams of protein, and it will fill you up if you're just hunting for a snack and not a serious meal.


Happy long weekend everyone!