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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Intervals



Maybe one of my kind readers can help me figure out a workout routine I saw at the gym tonight. There were two girls....we'll call them....Thing 1 and Thing 2. They were doing some kind of interval training. I almost recognized it. Now I've done interval training before - when I'm running this is when I alternate between running as hard as I can, and a more comfortable pace. When I'm weight training, I alternate between some heavy duty cardio and weights. But what I saw tonight was new to me.

First, they began with the world's slowest walk on the elliptical. I wasn't even sure it was possible to walk on the elliptical. But I bet it would have been hard to run, barefoot as they were. Then came the part where they sat on the floor touching their toes, talking to each other. This was followed by Thing 1 returning to the treadmill for more walking while Thing 2 left the gym to talk on her cellphone. It was repeated about 3 times.

As for me, my favorite kind of intervals are those involving layers of super fattening sauces and super healthy meats. It's another way of getting your heart rate up and then down, and then up, and then down. And it's the tastiest way if you ask me.

Like this southwestern chicken and pasta bake. Layers of pasta, chicken, cheese....that's an interval I can get behind. Plus it was a great way to use the gigantic penne I picked up in Atlanta. I love bringing things home with me, and this was a great buy. Bigger than penne, but just a little smaller than manicotti tubes. They hold the chicken and cheese and sauce inside of them, so each bite is perfect.



Southwestern Chicken and Pasta Bake
12 oz your favorite pasta
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 cups shredded Mexican style cheese
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 can Mexican style corn with bell peppers
1 jalapeno, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375. Cook and drain pasta. Combine sour cream, milk, and half of cheese in a large bowl.
2. Stir in pasta, chicken, corn, and jalapeno. Spoon into a baking dish sprayed with baking spray.
3. Sprinkle remaining half of cheese on top. Bake for 25 minutes.

5 comments:

  1. you've got me cracking up here - I was ready to dive into a good HIIT explanation! Not needed, apparently ;)

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  2. running barefoot? my soles are cringing just reading that.

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  3. Sounds like a fun thing to watch at the gym, that's for sure.

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  4. Sounds like the time I went to yoga and fell asleep behind some mats in the corner. Thankfully, the instructor was very laid back.

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  5. I like making fun of almost everyone at the gym. But barefoot takes the cake.

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