Blazing Upper Body Workout & Protein-Packed French Toast

Hey hey my little sweet tooths (yeah, “teeth” just doesn’t work here)! Sounds like almost every one of you prefer sweet to savory for nightly noshings! I can really go either way, I just try to steer clear of the spice and chocolate…unless I am in need of a crazy dream to conjure up a recipe!

So I mentioned in this post how I was in a bit of an exercise rut. I’ve accumulated quite the collection of workout DVD’s over the past couple of months trying to spice things up a bit, but lately I’ve found myself avoiding them all like the plague!

On Tuesday, I didn’t have time to get a workout in before work (read I couldn’t get my lazy self out of bed before 6:30am because I stayed up too late the night before reading blogs). I usually only workout in the mornings on my late weeks at work (9:00am-7:30pm) because I know that the LAST thing I want to do when I get home after a 10 hour shift is get my sweat on but on this particular day, I got home and just couldn’t shake the itch to do something!

In less than a couple of minutes, I put together a simple upper body workout that took me all of about 20 minutes to go through. I did it more to get the blood pumping and release a few endorphins, but I ended up getting a pretty stellar workout! My triceps are STILL sore! I love it when I surprise myself like that so I thought I’d share with you guys!

*Disclaimer: I am in no way a trained professional. Please use caution while performing exercises and always ALWAYS speak with your healthcare professional before attempting any new workout regimens.

Heather’s 20 Minute Blazing Upper Body Workout:
Total Circuit: Each move at 15 reps x 3 sets using weights that are just over your “comfort level”

  • Standing Bicep Curls
  • Overhead Tricep Extensions
  • Rear Delt Raises
  • Chest Presses (on floor or stability ball)
  • Dumbbell Pullovers (on floor or stability ball)
  • Shoulder Presses
  • Standing Inner-Biceps Curls
  • Tricep Kickbacks
  • Push-ups (modified or regular)
After set, rest for 1 minute and repeat.

I didn’t think about it until after I was finished but next time, I’m going to add a minute of cardio in between sets like jumping jacks, mountain climbers, or high knees. My favorite workouts are those that mix strength training and cardio moves together!

Let me know what you think if you decide to give it a whirl!

And what better way to refuel after your DIY circuit training than with a plate of crisp and warm Protein-Packed French Toast!

Protein-Packed French Toast: (serves 1)

  • 2 slices whole wheat bread
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/8 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla until combined.
3. Add protein powder to egg mixture and whisk until no lumps remain (small                         continuation of previously mentioned workout).
4. Place bread slices in mixture and allow to soak up as much as possible before placing in      skillet.
5. Cook approximately 4-5 minutes per side or until crisp and brown.

I seem to have acquired a minor major obsession with the peanut butter, pumpkin butter, and carob chip combo in the last week. And I blame thank my friend Jennifer for giving me a jar of McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Butter! 😉

And howabout a drizzle of pure maple syrup for good measure?

Mmm, yes please!

What combo can you not seem to get enough of lately?

 

 

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25 Responses to Blazing Upper Body Workout & Protein-Packed French Toast

  1. totally making this. yup. it needs to be in my belly…. SOON! <3

  2. Missy says:

    That French toast looks so good – your pictures are always superb!
    My fave combo lately has been balsmic dressing (Maple Grove Farms) with French’s spicy brown mustard – on a salad mainly. I love spicy mustard!
    My sweets are the usual: chocolate with strawberry or raspberry or peanut flour, banana and maple extract in a smoothie.

    Great upper body workout. I know what you mean on DVD’s. I have so many and I have never done most of them. #fail for me!! 😉

    • Haha! An avid workout DVD collector but not user…that’s how I am with scrapbooking stuff! I have all the stickers, pens, papers, and whatnot, yet I never made a SINGLE scrapbook! Lol!

      I haven’t had any of the MGF dressings in a while…might have to pick up some balsamic this weekend though! That combo sounds great!

  3. I love your idea of adding protein powder to your french toast. I just got some new protein powder and I think I’ll give this a try!! I’m also a fan of the DIY upper body workout. I did something similar this morning. I love lifting weights 🙂

    My combo that I can’t get enough of lately is cottage cheese and fruit!

  4. you’re killing me with your french toast lately! how about you come make me some? i can’t seem to want to make myself anything but a bowl of cereal in the am these days 😛
    i can’t get enough of egg+ pb+ frog prserves + bbq seasoning…on irish soda bread. yes, still. i’m so obsessed. i think i might even prefer it to tofu.
    thank you for sharing the workout, too. i’m always looking for something!

    • I can snack on cereal during the day or late at night, but I never seem to crave it anymore for breakfast…I’d rather take a few minutes more and dive head first into a stack of French toast or a big bowl of oats!

      Did you get my Twitter message this morning?

  5. Katie says:

    Yum! What kind of protein powder do you use?

    ps: I stay up too late too….usually reading blogs. 😀

    • I’m still looking for a good one…I used to use American Sports Nutrition Whey Protein, but I’ve been out for a while so lately I’ve been using Terra’s Whey since I lucked up and found some on sale at TJ Maxx! The taste is amazing and it mixes really well!

  6. Lee says:

    Your food always looks so yummy. And pretty.

  7. Delicious looking French toast 😉

  8. Jenny says:

    I think a lot of people in the world would be much more inclined to work out if they knew that they could “indulge” in that breakfast after the fact. Really, how can something that decadent be so healthy? I love youuuuu!

  9. Anastasia says:

    I get so bored of my DVDs too and sometimes will just pull my favorite moves from each to create my own workout. I want to try your workout this weekend!

    You’re killing me with all these awesome french toast recipes!

  10. That french toast looks delicious! GREATidea to add protein powder; I’m totally doing that next time I make french toast! 🙂

    This week, I’m loving the combo of carob and cherries. MMMM.

  11. Lindsay says:

    yummm. I get more dessert ideas from you than ANY other blog btw 🙂 Love all of them!!
    I’ve been addicted to coconut butter lately. I won some in a giveaway and now I put it on EVERYTHING! Soooo good on waffles and pancakes. mmmm

  12. Your food photography looks professional! I have a new blog, Beautiful Busy Bee. Do you have any tips on improving the quality of my pictures of food? Thanks!

    • Hi Maria! Welcome to blog world!

      I’ve learned a LOT about photography from simple trial and error, but I can give you a few tips from what I’ve learned along the way:

      1. Take you pictures outside or near a large window, but not in direct sunlight.
      2. White plates and bowls help the food to “pop” more in the photo…save the colors/prints/patterns for your placemats or table coverings.
      3. Sometimes I use a 3 ringed binder wrapped in aluminum foil for my light bounce. I just stand it up on the opposite side of the plate across from the light coming in from the window. If you want to check it out, Ashley from Edible Perspective explains light bounce pretty well in this post: http://edibleperspective.com/2011/03/photography-101-playing-with-light/
      4. And finally, experiment with different angles and centering. Sometimes I surprise myself with just snapping several different shots and then sorting through them on the computer!

      Hope that all made sense! Let me know if you have any other questions!

  13. this looks sooo delicious! And muscle burning and blazing workouts are the best workouts! way to go~~

  14. That French toast looks Ah-mazing!

  15. Miri Leigh says:

    This toast looks simply savory! And thanks for the workout info!

  16. elise says:

    ohhhh, i really love the idea of pumpkin butter and peanut butter together! my carob chips stash needs replenishing!!!

  17. I LOVE CHOCOLATE, PEANUT BUTTAH, AND OATMEAL!! 😀

    Girl, your breakfasts are the BEST!! 😀

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