I have a beast of a workout to share with you all this morning. Hold up. Let me clarify. This workout will not make you look like a beast. It will make you feel stronger than a beast. It will give you a hunger beast (aka that super hunger that sets in after hard training). A strong body to kick butt on my fitness endeavors? Me likey. A strong appetite reflecting a fired metabolism? Me likey that too.

I have only so much time to milk all I can out of my workouts. I like to go big or go home. Balls to the wall. Squeeze out every last drop. Okay, you get the picture.

I began my workout yesterday with my short, steady 2 mile run from my training plan. That run where I sorely missed my revamped workout playlist? Yea, that one. While completing my run, I dreamed up a circuit workout with a new mix of moves I wanted to try. I hopped off after my 20 minutes and got my self all set up in the weights area to bust out the little routine I came up with on my run.

My subconscious apparently had something against me. It had it out for me when dreaming up this circuit. Clearly…

• Speed Skaters – 20 reps per leg
• Kettlebell Swings – 15 reps total with 20 # kettlebell
• Wall Squat with Resistance Band Chest Presses – I grabbed a heavy resistance band and looped it around these wood columns we have in our gym. I did 45 seconds of a wall squat up against the column while simultaneously doing chest presses with the band.
• Planks with Spidermans – I held a straight arm plank for 15 seconds, then completed 10 “spidermans” (pull knee out and up to the chest) on my left side. I held a plank again for 15 seconds and did the final 10 spidermans on my right side.
• Toe Taps on the Step – A drill where I shuffle my feet quickly, tapping my toes up on a step. 45 seconds.
• Kettlebell Cleans – 10 reps per side with 20 # kettlebell
• Wide Stance Squat with Upright Row – 12 reps with 10 # dumbells

The combination of complex moves that work the entire body, plyometric style drills, and new-to-me equipment (kettlebells!) gave me a much tougher workout than I expected. I went through the circuit three times…and still finished in around 20 minutes! Wham, bam, thank – you – ma’am subconscious!

I felt the effects of this workout later in the day when I craved a hearty and filling dinner. I wanted my favorite enchiladas!

Kill the Hunger Beast Enchiladas

• 6 oz lean ground beef (or chicken or turkey)
• 1/2 can refried beans
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1 can green enchilada sauce
• 1 can 98% fat-free cream of chicken/mushroom soup
• 1 small can diced green chilies
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese of choice

Preheat oven to 350. Cook your ground beef/chicken/turkey. In a large bowl, mix the filling ingredients (meat through grated carrot). In a separate mixing bowl, stir the enchilada sauce, soup, and diced chilies to create the sauce. Pour 1/3 of the sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Place approximately two large spoonfuls of filling mixture into center of corn tortilla. Roll and place seam-side down in the baking dish on top of the sauce. Repeat until you fill all your tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble.

You can easily make this recipe without the beef and simply use the full can of refried beans. We use the beef on occasion for added texture. You can also use your personal favorite enchilada sauce. I do the soup mix in mine to create a thicker sauce because I’m a freak about thinner sauces making my enchiladas too soggy. Overall, lots of ways to mix this up and I’m sure they will all taste good. Unless you add some chocolate covered grasshoppers or something crazy like that. But I trust you’re smarter than that.

• Do you like enchiladas? Green or red sauce? What fillings?
• Of Possible Interest: Check out my interview as the “Fit Blogger We Love” over on the Fitness Magazine site this week!

This morning I had a short and sweet 2 mile run that I completed on the treadmill at the gym. It felt anything but short and sweet, however, because I didn’t have my tunes to distract me. I occasionally don’t mind running without music, but the treadmill boredom just calls for some pump-me-up jams. I think the fact that I had just revamped my playlist and then left my iPhone at home bummed me the most. I had anticipated listening to all of these goodies -

Because My Playlists Feel Incomplete Without Their Music

The Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga

Til The World Ends – Britney Spears

Just Can’t Get Enough – The Black Eyed Peas

Katy Perry – E.T. (which btw is SO weird, but strangely addicting)

Because Dance Tunes Make Great Running Music

Tonight – Enrique Iglesias featuring Ludacris

Dynamite – Taio Cruz

Happy, Upbeat Songs to Keep Me Going

Keep Ya Head Up – Andy Grammer

Good Life – One Republic

I Waited Way Too Long To Add To My iTunes Library

Rolling In The Deep - Adele

Loser Like Me – Glee

Good music does so much for me. I can have boundless energy if I have great music powering me through. At least I know these songs will come in handy on my 6 mile run Saturday morning! I also now know what I need to ask for as a birthday present – iTunes gift cards. New music may be worth it, but it adds up fast!

• What new music are you currently loving?
• How often do you revamp or switch up the music you listen to? I like to switch up my playlist every week or two, but I only add new music every few months. I mix it up between stuff like above and my favorite Christian artists.

IMPORTANT!! Please take a moment to visit Susan’s blog and give her an uplifting message of love and support as she battles a tough health situation. Please.