A New Workout, Vanilla Latte Protein Shake, and a Giveaway!

Hey ya’ll! What’s goin on? First of all, I know the pictures in my previous post are all out of whack.  That always happens when I post from my Ipad (ugh) I will fix them, I swear.

Anyway, we are still enjoying bomb weather here in ski country. Speaking of skiing, the resorts open in like, two weeks and it hasn’t snowed at all. Should be interesting! I love it though. Can it stay this warm all winter long? Moving right along…

I have been loving exercise bands lately. They are cheap, easy to pack (I take one with me to the gym because they don’t have any), and will definitely make your workouts harder. Such a simple tool but it does so much! You can find them on Amazon for around 10 bucks.

This workout is focused on your lower body and will definitely make that booty sore. Don’t you love that feeling though? I mean, to a point. I don’t want to take a tumble down my stairs…

I recommend going through each set in this workout four times. I just want to make sure that your legs are pure jello at the end. If you notice though that it’s too much, stop at 3 sets. That’s great too! Here’s a breakdown:

Band Side Walks- You can place the band around your feet or around your thighs. You could actually double up with a band around thighs and feet if you’re feeling extra saucy. Once the bands are in place, sink down into a squat (go low, baby!), and take 15 steps to the right, then 15 back to the left.

Bridge with Abduction using the Band-  Lay down on the ground with knees bent. Place the band around your thighs. Lift your hips and bottom off the ground (squeeze that bum), then push your knees outward, bring them back, and lower back to the ground.

In/Out Jumps- Place the band around your ankles. Sink down low into a squat and jump out, then jump back in staying down in a squat the whole time.

Donkey Kicks- Place the band around your feet and get on all fours. Bend your right leg and push your foot up towards the ceiling. So your leg is bent the whole time and your squeezing your right butt cheek as you raise your leg. Do 15 reps then switch legs.

Standing Abduction- In a standing position, place the band around your ankles. Standing on your left leg, lift your right leg to the side keeping it straight. Slowly lower back down for 15 reps. Switch sides.

Star Jumps with Weights and Band- Grab a light pair of dumbbells and place the exercise band around your ankles. Bring the dumbbells to shoulder height. Squat down low (with legs together), then jump up and out bringing legs out wide and simultaneously pressing weights overhead. Land back into squat.

Step Ups with Weights- You can do these with weights or without. If using the dumbbells, keep them at your sides. Step up with right leg onto a bench while bringing your left knee up towards your chest. Then lower the left leg down onto the ground and repeat 15 reps. Switch sides.

Lunge Walks- You can use weights with these or not.  Step forward with your right leg into a lunge. Then straighten out that right leg and bring left leg forward into a lunge. Repeat for 15 reps on both sides.

Jump Lunges- Start with your right leg forward and drop down into a lunge. Jump up and switch legs bringing your left leg forward into a lunge.

Yesssss. So much burn. You’re gonna love it.

 

Vanilla Latte Smoothie and Giveaway!

I love the flavor of the coffee. Yes, the caffeine is obviously an added benefit, but I also really enjoy the flavor. Coffee, coffee ice cream, coffee yogurt-you name it, I’m on board.

What I usually do with my protein shakes is add whey protein, leftover coffee from the morning (so it’s not hot), frozen banana, ice, almond milk, and sometimes cocoa or PB2. All those flavors just mesh so well together.

When I had the opportunity to work with Click, a protein powder mixed with gourmet espresso coffee and flavors like vanilla latte, I jumped all over that. What a great (and obvious) idea! I already love this combo, so they’re saving me step. 🙂

Here’s the smoothie I whipped up after my leg workout:

Vanilla Latte Protein Shake (featuring Click protein powder and espresso):

• 2 scoops Click Vanilla Latte protein powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 2 scoops PB2
• almond milk
• crushed ice

That’s it! It tastes amazing, trust me. If you like the flavor of coffee, you’ll love it.

I used the powder in a protein shake, but you can actually just add it to water and drink it hot like a cup of coffee. You can also enjoy it cold too during those summer months (iced coffee, anyone?).

CLICK Nutrition:

One thing I always check when it comes to protein powders is labels. This one especially you may wonder..does it have a lot of sugar? It’s not bad actually.

2 scoops of vanilla latte:

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 1g
• Carbs: 11g
• Protein: 16g
• Sugar: 5g

So, the amount of sugar is not too bad but it is more than other “regular” protein powders. There is also less protein. But, this is a great substitute for your morning coffee with definitely more protein than a normal cup and possibly less sugar too.

Giveaway Time! 

The best part! 🙂

One reader will receive a full canister of CLICK in whatever flavor they choose: vanilla latte, mocha, or caramel and a CLICK shaker bottle.  

To enter: leave me a comment below telling me what flavor you’d like to try: vanilla latte, caramel, or mocha. That’s it! Easy peasy.

 

For more recipes featuring CLICK products, you can visit their website at www.drinkclick.com.  They have some yummy ones including a pumpkin spice latte (’tis the season) and no-bake CLICK mocha protein bars.  Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Giveaway ends Monday November 14. Good luck!

*edited: I decided to extend the giveaway!*