Power Up Pizza

So I began the week, Monday morning, with an early morning run.  Spring is finally here, and I must say, early morning runs in the spring are absolutely cathartic.  It is a form of cardio that is not just necessary for maintaining an eye on my fitness goals, but elevates my spirit and soul and mood like none other.  Having gotten out of my routine over the winter, my endurance levels had suffered a bit.  I've been gradually working back up, and Monday's run was my best so far in terms of time and endurance.  Had I not needed to get back and showered and ready for work, I would have run longer.  Running is key to leaning out my legs, balanced with targeted leg & glute days at the gym.


One of my higher carb days of the week is Saturday because that's my leg/ham/glute day.  I figure it's one day I both need and can afford the extra carbs and fuel.  After finishing up my training Saturday morning, I stopped by our gym's new grill just outside the cardio loft to order my post-workout lunch:  Power Pizza.  It's a whole-wheat crust pizza, prepared with the freshest veggies -- peppers, mushrooms, onions, lowfat mozz cheese and grilled chicken breast, with just a "bit" of olive oil.  Wholesome, non-greasy, and beyond satisfying.  Oh.My.Goodness.  WHAT a treat.  It was sooooo delicious.

After having my post-workout whey protein, I followed up a bit later with two slices of Power Pizza for lunch, and another slice around 6 pm for dinner, along with some veggies.

Our gym's new grill, Power Up Grill, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items.  Many members will order their dinners for the week, and pick them up each evening after their workout.  This is great for those who are too busy to cook a healthy balanced meal, or for newbies to fitness who are unsure about what foods to choose while dieting or building.  The grill does the work for them and it teaches them about healthy eating habits and food choices.  Among the items offered:

Fruit Bowl

Oatmeal

Egg Whites

Omelettes

“Get Big Breakfast” ~ (8 oz Egg Whites, 4 oz Flank Steak & 3 Pancakes)

Smoothies

Salads (Greek, Caesar and House)

Whole Grain Pizza

Wraps

Grilled Veggies

Grass-Fed Burgers

Flank Steak

Grilled Chicken

I'm really proud of our gym's new facilities and all the hard work that the staff has put into making this place a first-rate fitness facility.  I'm both honored and proud to be a member, and I'm looking forward to trying more menu items in the near future.

I found it interesting that after eating the Power Pizza on Saturday I felt full and satisfied, but not bloated, and no after effects of insulin spikes or cravings that I usually experience when eating processed pizza or pizzas ordered from local eating establishments.  It was a "clean eating" indulgence, and one I DEFINITELY intend on trying again in the future.

But I think I'll save pizza for those intense leg & glute days.  I wanna know that I've EARNED IT!  

(HARD-EARNED INSPIRATION!)

“The quest for fitness is an ongoing journey, one of extreme discipline, requiring patience, acceptance, discernment, commitment, and perseverance.

There are no shortcuts.

No push-button, overnight makeovers.

There are valleys and there are mountaintops. 

And although there is no finish line, the gratification for the effort is guaranteed.”

~T