Grateful for Muscular Legs (Live Fit Day 3)

As a former dancer, I’ve always had a strong core and leg muscles.  I couldn’t tell you how long it took my legs to build those muscles, but I’ve been dancing since I was 5 years old.  I was teased for having muscular legs when I was younger, but times like these couldn’t make me more proud of my strong  legs.  Yesterday (Day 3) was legs/calves day in Jamie Eason’s Live Fit program.  I had to make some adjustments to the exercises, because my complex’s gym didn’t have some of the equipment needed.

I started off with 15 min light cardio.  (I know, I know.. I’m not supposed to be doing cardio during Phase 1, but I like to do light cardio to warm up my muscles).  I hopped onto the elliptical and peddled for 1.24 mi.

I completed the majority of the exercises without modification.  Let’s take a look at my fitness log sheet.

Leg press and leg extensions I did exactly according to the plan.  However, my gym did not have the equipment needed for the sumo BB squat, standing calf raises, and seated calf raises.  In order to try and target these muscles anyway, I did calf raises using my body weight.  I stood facing a wall and completed 6 sets of 12 reps of calf raises without any additional weight.   My gym only had one machine for both leg extensions and curls, so I had to do the leg curls laying on my stomach.

If you live in the Philadelphia area, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather we are having.  It went up to the 60’s yesterday!  It was so nice that I didn’t freeze when I drove over to the gym in shorts!  SHORTS in February!

After coming back from the gym, I decided to try out Clare‘s vanilla banana shake.

[Ingredients]
1 rounded scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 cup almond milk
1/4 teaspoon xantham gum = used to thicken shake
1 frozen banana
ice cubes

[Instructions]
Place all items in blender.
Blend.

It doesn’t get any easier than that my friends.  The texture of the xantham gum was a bit strange.  I accidentally got some on my hands, and when I went to wash it off it had a lotion like feel.  Kind of gross.  However, the taste of this shake is delicious!  The protein powder was not chalky at all.  Next time I think I might add some more fruit or peanut butter for added taste.

What’s your favorite protein shake recipe?