Spring Cleaning Your Workout Regimen

Spring Cleaning Your Workout Regimen

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Spring is in the air; it’s time to clean up and shape up! It is the perfect time to get in shape and commit to a workout routine that will help you achieve that summertime body. This season opens up a variety of fresh opportunities to take your workout to the next level and gives you a unique weight loss solution. These tips will take your everyday exercise habits and tune into your inner fitness guru.

Activewear

If you’re experiencing muscle fatigue and joint pain more often than usual it might be time to retire your current footwear. A good rule of thumb is to replace your walking shoes every 300-400 miles. Spring is time to change your sole mates whether it’s flex frame and well-cushioned for the walkers or shock absorbing for the cross training, it very essential for your active lifestyle.

Outdoor Workouts

Flowers blooming, warmer temperatures, and longer daylight hours means it’s time to take your workout outside. Go for a walk with a friend and ditch the treadmill. Or balance and clear your chakras with an outdoor yoga session in your backyard. Why not head over to your neighborhood park? With an exercise mat or ball to do lunges, leg lifts, and planks springtime just became the motivation and outdoor workouts are refreshing.

Snack

Food just comes alive during the spring, literally. Farmer’s markets are ripe to the brim with seasonal produce, like berries, spinach, arugula, asparagus, and fresh herbs such as parsley and mint. Indulge in the season with a delicious smoothie, using spring fruits or vegetables, to enjoy before or after your workout. Combine fresh berries, a banana, nonfat Greek yogurt, fat-free milk, vanilla extract, and your choice of a sugar substitute in a blender, and you have yourself an invigorating pre- or post-workout drink. Couple it with a Good to Go Bar for an easy and energizing burst of protein.

Exercise Buddy

Studies show that when you work out with another person, you’re more likely to stick with your exercise routine, so partner up and create a workout schedule. You can take after-dinner walks, set up a weekend date to hike, take a bike tour of a neighboring town, go for an interval walk on the beach, or rent a canoe or kayak to paddle along a lake or river. A game of tennis, anyone? The warm weather gives you and your workout buddy options to keep from routines in your workout regimen.

Challenge Self

Itweightloss-goals‘s important to keep taking your workouts to the next level, you don’t want to fall into a plateau with your exercise routine. To stay motivated, create an exercise inspiration board where you pin “before” photos of yourself, pictures of clothing you would like to wear once you reach your goal weight, and motivational quotes and images.
Paprika Shrimp & Green Bean Saute

Paprika Shrimp & Green Bean Saute

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Try something new tonight: Green beans brings color to the garlicky shrimp, as well as a crunch. Lay it on a bed of Spanish-inspired sauté butter beans and serve with quinoa or brown rice, for a deliciously nutritious meal.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 cups green beans, trimmed (about 12 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, (21-25 per pound; see Note), peeled and deveined
  • 2 16-ounce cans large butter beans, or cannellini beans, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup sherry vinegar, or red-wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

    PREPARATION

    1. Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Put green beans in a steamer basket, place in the pan, cover and steam until tender-crisp, 4 to 6 minutes.
    2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and paprika and cook, stirring constantly, until just fragrant but not browned, about 20 seconds. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Stir in beans, vinegar and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup parsley.
    3. Divide the green beans among 6 plates. Top with the shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with pepper and the remaining 1/4 cup parsley.