Kettlebells

It's dinner time and I'm pooped. It was a busy day of running around, and it's finally summer temps around here! Daughter and I are hitting the movie theater to avoid the temps (even though our basement is deliciously cool).

Lunch time workout was Kettlelbell Express. This is a hard-hitting 30 min workout! I was swing the bells yesterday for only a few minutes, and today my hamstrings and glutes are TIGHT! So, after another 30 mins of 'bells today I'm guessing that I'll be crippled! LOL!

Laurissa had us doing groupings of three today, such as: 20 double handed swings, 15 burpies, 20 double handed swings. Or 15 clean and press (one side), 20 bootstraps, 15 clean and press (other side). There were more like exercises (wood choppers, around the body with a stall, etc) but my brain refuses to remember. My body, on the other hand, remembers all too well as I continue to stiffen.

Interestingly, I dropped a bell today. My right hand has been aching lately - mostly the joints at the middle two fingers. After dropping the bell, and leaving a large DENT in Laurissa's floor, we both agreed that I should go see my chiropractor or physio. I'll see about an appointment tomorrow - which is good as I'm off in the afternoon to pick up my son from his first week at 'sleep away' camp!

Tomorrow, if I can walk, is TRX with the task-master Cole - I'm dreading it already. Now, today, I tell myself that I'll just take it easy. The problem is that tomorrow, in the class, surrounded by fitter (and often younger) people I refuse to take it easy. In my head I tell Cole "yeah, this 41 year old can BRING IT!". I'm such a freak! :)

Ok, off to the Movies - theater popcorn here I come!

Tabata's & Water Rower

It just dawned on me that today is my 4th day IN A ROW that I've made it to the Gym!! I honestly can't tell you the last time that happened. I can't tell you the last time I made it to the gym 4 times in a week, let alone consecutively!

Tabata's today were:

1. 20 sec plank, with 10 seconds of flutter kicks (8 rounds);
2. 20 seconds of wall sits, with 10 seconds of rest or holding wall sit and alternating leg lift;
3. Burpies - 20 seconds, with 10 seconds of rest. Or squats for 20 second, and holding a low squat for 10 seconds;
4. 20 second sit ups with a weight (med ball) and 10 seconds of  overhead circle with the ball (from the floor lifting shoulders off the floor)

Because that wasn't hard enough, or we weren't sweaty enough Shanan and I stayed and did 2000m on the water rower. Now, we haven't touched a rower in ages, but Laurissa said we needed to do it in under 10 minutes. I got mine done is 7:55 and Shanan's took 8:58. Not bad. And, we had good 'splits' - the split is the speed to strength ratio (I think). Here we are afterwards!

So, that's it for today. Tomorrow will be Day 5! Tonight's a "crazy-running-around" type of night, I'm sure I'll be in bed at 9pm : )

Later

Anniversary Reflections

Two of my life milestones happened around this time in July - 2 years ago I bought the house I now live in (and still love to pieces regardless of how much work there is left to do), and 1year ago I started working out with Laurissa (when Core Essentials was just her and we worked out in Alderney Landing).

This has me reflecting on what I've accomplished one year of a healthy lifestyle:

1. I've lost 20 pounds - This was done sloowwwllly - which they say is the best way to lose weight if you plan to keep it off (which, obviously I do). I think there is more to loose, but I've learned not to obsess about the weight as its not a good reflection of fitness or muscle mass (muscle weights more than fat, so if I've lost weight but put on muscle traditional weighing myself won't account for that).
2. I've lost 8 + inches (I've overdue to me measured) - this is a collective loss, but the place where the largest I've lost the most was in my torso: this is the 'natural waist (smallest point of your torso) and what I call my waistline (where my pants actually sit). A modest amount from my butt and hips, and then smaller amounts from arms and calves. Interestingly, I've lost a noticeable amount from my face and neck but you can't measure that! LOL!  
3. My fitness level is VASTLY different - I have no way to gauge how much this has improved as I didn't take an initial fitness test of any sort, BUT I can now do an hour of hard cardio without passing out, and I recover quickly (whereas I would have been done for for the day when I started). I have muscles were there weren't any, and those that I had which were bulky and inefficient are now long, lean and efficient!
4. Healthy eating habits - While this something that I started for myself, it has become more of a goal we reached as a family. I started eating better, so hubby started eating better. Hubby buys the majority of the groceries, so he started buying better, and therefore we thought more about what we were giving the kids. The kids saw us reading labels, making better choices and watching portion sizes - and they started asking questions and learning about making healthy choices!  
5. I'm a healthier, happier person - Maybe this one is the most important. I feel better in my own skin. I have more confidence. Working out 'takes the edge off', and for me this means I'm more patient and laid back. This makes me a better mother and wife. Sounds sappy, but very true.

Oh, and before I forget hubby and I took in Carly's Sat Hustle Class! As a picture is worth a thousand words I'll leave you with Before & After shots of the two of us!

Before

After!

I should sign off with a few thank you's. One for Shanan, who got me started and has become my best workout partner (and friend). One for Laurissa (and the Core Essentials Crew) for showing me the way. One for my hubby for supporting me along the way, and then joining in! One for all those people I know who have taken the moment to tell me they've noticed the changes in me, and lastly one for myself for sticking with it, even when I REALLY didn't want to!

Later!

Leaving town

I'll be off-line until Saturday - I'm leaving this afternoon to a conference in beautiful Annapolis Royal. I can't wait. I'm staying in a beautiful B&B called the Garrison Inn - I will have the Queen sized bed and bathroom ALL TO MYSELF!! :)  I've packed my skipping rope and sneakers and hope to get a workout in at least one of the two days I'll be away. I also have my camera, and will take loads of pics!

Today's workout was Kettlebell Express and it was AWESOME - here's what it looked like:

• 15 Burpees
• 50 Double handed swings (35 lb bell)
• 15 Bootstraps
• 30 Double handed swings
• 20 Mountain Climbers (really 40 if you could each touch)
• 15 box jumps

We did this 3 times! Phew, I was really sucking air after that, but feeling good! Most of the class cooled down, but one of Craigs clients had joined us (as Craig is out of town for the next fewdays), so Laurissa added a few other exercises for us.

• 15 snatches (R)
• 40 Mountain Climbers (really 80 for each touches)
• 15 snatches (L)
• 15 deadlifts (R) (with 30 lb bell) on the plyo box
• 15 deadlifts (L) (with 30 lb bell) on the plyo box

So now I have the wonderful 'happy tired feeling' I have after a good workout! I'll need this happy tired feeling to help me cope with my travel buddy - a hippy at heart who does not cope with a time schedule!

I'm outta here, see you all in a few days!

Breathing easier

Another successful visit to Angie, my osteo/massage therapist today. I was having pains in my shoulder and mid back when I was breathing deeply - while it did hurt it was really a bother! Now, it's gone in one side and much less in the other side. I'm told it has to do with my lungs not moving around as they should (when I breath) and the fascia which surrounds it all. The end effect is that my back isn't hurting and I can breath deeply without hurting. One more visit and I'm hoping well have all this stuff worked out and me moving fluidly again.

I missed half of my kettlebell workout (I had to take son to the Doc's to have a sprained thumb confirmed!), so wonderful Laurissa (who now has a blog too) let me take 1/2 of the kettlebell class, and then stick around for the Power 1/2 Hour workout - have I mentioned how much I love this lady?? ; ) All in all I think it was a 45 minute workout. I can't remember the specifics, but I was sweaty and happy at the end of it!

I grabbed a quick shower, and dried off with my workout pants (I hate it when I forget to pack the essentials!) and off to see Angie.

The other fun thing I did today was put up an arbour (from Lee Valley....mmmm, Lee Valley, I seriously LOVE that store)! When we moved into our house 2 years ago I found an old honeysuckle vine near the side of the house - but it was in bad shape (infested with Aphids and the wood was too old) and didn't have anything to climb on. Since then I've been babying it and trying to revive it...here's some pics of it!

The first bloom is healthy and the second one isn't...its still a work in progress. After that I just waked around the garden and took pics of the flowers - which I will leave you with!

Nite

Columbine

Cranesbill bloom

the last of the Primrose blooms

first of  Daylilies

last of the lungwort (puminaria ssp.)

chives about to bloom

the last, spent tulip

& we have forget-me-nots everywhere.

Super Saturday!

Well, after yesterdays double workout I opted to have a 'workout free weekend'! Now, that doesn't mean I'm not working the old body, it just means I'm not having an 'official' workout. Instead I took the kids to the spring frolic - and had a blast.

We walked down, I spent more money that I should on tickets ... and released the kids! LOL! There was face painting, candy eating, prize winning, and game playing - here's a few pics:

After lunch we had play date, yard work (gardening is damn hard on my back!), laundry on the line, and a few quick errands. We had a great supper (chicken, broccoli, green beans) and then grabbed the dogs and an extra kid and hit the park. The dogs had a great run - and I Fur-bin-ated them! (this is something I hate to do at home as it makes such a big mess in the yard).

All is quiet now as I sit here with a rum and diet coke (rum from the Dominican). I must say I'm feeling like I worked out today. Is it possible that yard work is harder on me that a 60 minute workout with Craig? The difference is that Craig is harder on me at the time and I recuperate much faster.

I'm off to veg in front of the TV and snuggle my hubby.....

Nite!

PS I forgot to mention that some of the 'die-hard Core' ladies and I are planning another special little something for Laurissa and Craig - stayed tuned for more details! : )

Double workout

I wrote this yesterday, but was so tired last night that it completely slipped my mind to post it!

We started the day at 7:15 with a 45 min kettlebell workout with Craig! About halfway in I was asking myself 'WHAT were you thinking???' - LOL! All in all it was an excellent workout, but unfortunately it's a blur. We did a 10 minute super set, a tabata of swings/box jumps, and 2 quads (one done early and the other late in the workout).

We grabbed a shower, got cleaned up and was at the office at 8:30. Really, this is a great way to start your day. As Craig says, you can look at just anyone in the building and KNOW that you have done more already in the day than most will be doing all day! :)

Here's what this afternoon's workout looked like (done twice):

• 50 double handed kettlebell swings
• 100 scissors
• 100 low jacks
• 30 leg lower, v-through, butt lifts
• 25 Side crunches (each side)
• 25 crunches (hanging from the bar)
• 100 high knees

After lunch I gorged myself refueled with a portion of raisins & almonds, small yogurt, pita with real chicken and veggies and a LOAD of water! :) MMmmm, I'm feeling much better now!

I think I was as laid back I get today (due to that nice, tired feeling after the second workout!), but remarkably I wasn't sleepy tired, or too physically tired to keep moving. I actually had a pretty productive paper-movin' day at the office (I usually make Friday the day to removal all those half finished projects, notes, permits, etc from my desk).

Upon returning home, I dropped my bags and grabbed the dog leashes - off to the park for a walk/game of ball/rumble with whoever else might be there to play with!

Hubby made supper:

I figured I had the extra calories to burn, so I had me the last Stella (thank you Craig W.) and my pita pizza. Then a hot tub to loosen all the sore muscles, then snuggled with the daughter to watch 'The Princess Bride' (love that movie!).

All in all a pretty stellar day!

I can see clearly now....

Ok, finally I get it. That mind over matter thing.

It's one thing to tell yourself you can do 'it' (whatever it might be, in my case its heavy kettlebells - like 36 or 40 lbs bells), its a completely different thing to BELIEVE that you can do 'it'. Today, I believed I could do it and I did - simple as that. I guess before I was telling myself I could do it without believing that I could.

I'm done being afraid of heavy weights, or put simply, weights that scared me. I think this stems from my back injury (car accident 7 years ago). It took me so long to start to be mobile and strong again that I don't ever want to go back there. I'm afraid of re-injuring my back. However, I'm not accounting for my increased fitness and strength - I haven't really believed in it, until now.

This all happened due to a lack of kettlebells at the Studio today. There are two kettlebell classes going on at the same time, and therefore there is always competition for the 'good' bells (the bells of the proper weight for the individual) get taken up fast (like all the size 9's in the shoe store!). So, today I was stuck with either a 20 lbs (too light) or a 30 lb - 30 lbs it is! And I did great! Actually, it was doubled moves today (moves with a kettlebell in each hand) so I was swinging 60lbs!!!! For the double handed swings (two hands on one bell) I used a 36lb and was looking for a 40 lb!! : }

I didn't fight it, and I didn't stress that I couldn't do it. I just looked at it and knew I could do it - and I did! Now, I didn't get as many reps in as the rest of the ladies who were using lighter weight - but I did great. I'm not sure how that lightbulb moment happened - maybe I just relaxed, stopped worrying and enjoyed the movements?

Anyway, I'm happy and feeling like I more challenge  - a challenge is "a test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking". This shall be my motto for the next while!

Nite ; )

Nite

Work up, work down....

What a beautiful day in Halifax! :) And the whole long weekend is looking similarly awesome!! Happy long weekend everyone!

Today's workout was a list of exercise that you worked your way though, then worked back through them from the one you just did working backward to the one you started with...clear as mud ; ) ?

• Deadlift (30lbs) - single leg x 15 reps
• Plyo jumps - single leg x 30 reps
• Deadlift (30lbs) - single leg x 15 reps
• Plyo jumps - single leg x 30 reps
• Walkouts - single leg x 15 reps
• Plank - scissoring legs out, then in (30 reps)
• Toe touches with a butt lift (30 reps)
• Scissors legs (30)

This was a wonderful leg workout, and thank god there was little to no arm/shoulders involved - I'm still hurting from that Damn Cindi! LOL! Great way to start the weekend, and as Monday is a holiday Shanan and I will be partaking in a Kettlebell session with Craig tomorrow am - eeeekkkk!!! Hubby will take the kids to the Bluenose fun run, and I will try to get there afterwards to cheer them on at the finish line!

So, a little while back Shanan and I had done some guerrilla gardening at Core Essentials, but I forgot to post the photos. I have nothing pretty for you to look at today, so here they are! A little late, but as promised here are the before and after pic:

So here I am after supper, the kitchen is clean, the kids are playing SOMEWHERE in the neighbourhood and hubby isn't home until 7:00....what ever will I find to keep myself busy? Perhaps a nice, cool long weekend beer on the sunny deck??

LATER!

A quickie

Today didn't turn out to be the day I had planned. It started with an early morning dentist trip (check up for my daughter and I both) that didn't see me dropping off daughter at school until just after 11:00! They were running late, and the hygenist was very slow meticulous. Anyway, rather than heading to work for a few hours I went straight to the Studio!

I was pretty excited - kettlebells on Mon and Wed only - so I was looking to make the most of it. However, sadly my neck/base of head and back weren't in total agreement. I started strong with turkish get ups (20 lbs), into double handed swings with a 30 lb bell. Then into cleans, and then cleans with push presses - here I moved to a 36lb bell, and I have to say I was feeling pretty good. Back into single handed swings, alternating singles, and singles again. After this I was back to the 30 lb bell -I try to convince myself that I was being smart and listening to my body rather than bailing out! By the end of the class I was moving a 25lb bell, which felt too light but my mid back and neck/base of head were really talking to me.

The good news is I see Angie at Beech Street Health tomorrow at 9am!! I'm a wreck, and like I said yesterday I'm too much of a Border Collie to really slow down. I'm expecting Angie to want to see me again soon, and perhaps even tell me to give the workouts a rest for a week or so. I can't imagine not working out for a whole week.....we'll see what she says. The great thing about Angie is she's both a massage therapist and an osteopath (well, almost I think she has one more year of study left).

So, a decent workout (I could have done better/worked harder but  the body isn't complying with the messages from the brain). Ate very well, but didn't drink enough water. Oh, and talking about foods, check this out: www.embracingbalance.com/2010/05/superlicious-giveaway.html. Jamie, over at Embracing Balance has a superlicious giveaway for Vitallicious snackies! Mmmm, low fat and looking sooooo yummmmy!! You really can't go wrong with Mint Chocolate chip!!! I'm gonna have to find me some of these local - maybe Petes?

Anyay,. that's your quickie.....and no pics :(

I'll work harder tomorrow.

Nite!

40 lb kettlebell!

I missed yesterday - my son had a meltdown of epic proportions which required tag-team parenting. Also, a girlfriend found out she didn't get a job she had applied for and was HOPING to get (as a way to leave a not so good work team, not that she was super keen on the job) - and this required:

Cold Stone ice cream!

It was so rich, I almost didn't finish it - but fear not, the competitor that I am, I worked through it and FINISHED it! : ) Thank god I worked out - it was an excellent Booty Bootcamp workout, but it was just Shanan and I - we had Laurissa all to ourselves...mmmmmm, feeling the love ;P

Today was my second Kettlebell Express noonhour workout, and it was even better than Monday, and here's why:

I was swingin a 40 lb kettlebell today!! Not for the whole class, but during one exercise. And for the rest I swung a 30 lb with no problems! I must say, I never thought I could do it...but I did!! And Laurissa is so sneaky...

Here's what I can remember of it....

• 
  
  Figure 8's - swinging bell between legs, changing hands at the back.
• Figure 8's (with an arm raise)
• Bulldogs - lying on the ground, legs out with feet flexed up, kettlebell overhead with straight arm - now lift yourself up with glutes and hamstrings. I found this one hard to do, but I'm sure with practice will come.
• Single arm kettlebell swing

• Kettlebell snatch

• Windmills (I did double - so when you are lowered to the ground the hand that is touching your foot picks up a second kettlebell and raises it up when you come up)

And the Kettlebell ladder - this is when the 40 lb bell came into play. A kettlebell ladder is where you choose an exercise and simply “go up the ladder.” For us it was a set of 10 burpees to start and end the ladder. The ladder itself was double handed swings working up the ladder using a 30 lb bell, a 35 lb bell, and a 40 lb bell. Working up was: 20 reps with the 30 lb, 15 reps with the 35 lb, and 10 reps with the 40 lbs. Working down the ladder was: (single handed swings) 10/side with the 40 lb, 15/side with the 35 lb, and 20/side with the 30 lb. Ending with burpees!

I was  toast after this....it was excellent! The reason I say Laurissa is sneaky is this: she asked what the heaviest weight I swing was - and walked away. She laid out the bells for each of us for the ladder exercise, but didn't say much about it. I didn't realize the weights of the bells until I was into it - and suprising (to me) is that it was ok. Don't get me wrong I was huffing and puffing all the way, but I did it and didn't bail!!

I know I will have some great benefits from kettlebell training, and some great bruises! I have them on my wrist, and today on my hips from the figure 8's. It's all good though! Tomorrow is Booty, so maybe I'll have a small rest? :) I'll leave you with a picture of my 40 lb bell!

Nite - I'm off to heat my hammies!

Mojo returning

Today was a fast, crazy day! To work (on time for a change) and finished weeding through the voice mail and emails which piled up over the vacation...then I realized that I have a meeting at 3 and I'm giving not one, but two presentations - THAT I HAVEN'T STARTED YET!! Eeeekkkk!

So, I frantically start working on the powerpoints and in the back of my mind is my workout at 12:30. This means I basically have to be done the presentations by 12:15. Fear not, I got 'er done! (And I did pretty well during the presentations too!)

Today was another time trial, but one that we hadn't done before. It was four rounds of the following:

• Single leg deadlift with a plyo jump (10 per leg)
• Maltese Cross sit ups - from laying down (arms over head) into a sitting position (with feet pressed heel to heel in a psudo cross legged position. Touch one foot, arms over head and back all the way down. Then bring legs into the air and lift heels to the ceiling. (20)
• single arm pushup (wide legged) - (5 per arm)
• mountain climber (1, 2, 3), into standing with a jump, and back down (20)

So that group of 4 exercises x 4 rounds took me 25 min (and some seconds). I was pretty happy with the time, I always push hard on that last one so I can be happy with the time, AND remember, I'm a tad competetive so time trials and the thing for me. I ALWAYS have to better my time...ALWAYS!!! :)

Anyway, workout felt good during and I'm starting to get back some of the energy level afterwards (like I used to feel). Its feeling less like a chore and more like the fun!! YEAH!

Oh, and its Craig's (the other crazy trainer at Core Essentials) 4-0 birthday today - so Happy Birthday Craig. It's not so scary is it??

I know I promised more pics today, but it was just so busy that I didn't have time - even if the camera was in my purse! I'll try harder tomorrow...

Nite

Sweaty girl, sweatier boy

FINALLY I'm using the camera! I'm so proud of myself! LOL!

This morning Hubby had a one hour, one-on-one session with Craig at Core Essentials. He was very excited about it, but also a tad worried. I should explain: I know my hubby and what a hard worker he is, and I appreciate what a top notch trainer Craig is. I KNEW that the two would hit it off! So, I suggested that hubby try a few sessions with Craig for that extra push in his workout routine. Hubby goes to the gym very regularily and does his routines (that Laurissa help him with) and is has totally toned up and dropped a bunch of weight!

Previously (not long ago) hubby had his first one-on-one session with Craig with the kettlebells (which is a new piece of equipment for him and one that Craig loves). During this session He and Craig got to know each other and hubby learned the K-bell moves! Afterward hubby made the mistake of telling me that he was feeling pretty fresh afterwards, and even joked about maybe going for a run!

WELL, we can't have him not fully embracing the Craig experience (or the level of post workout fatigue thar he's expecting), so I made sure to share this little tid bit of information with Laurissa, who MUST have told Craig ;)

Their second session was today at 9am, and as the Studio is 2 minutes from my office I took the oportunity to run up the street and sneak in! Here's some of the pictures that I took (oh, and hubby was so in the zone that he didn't look up or really know that I was there taking pictures!):

Those are two 35 lb kettlebells that he's pressing there, and I'm not sure of the crazy number of reps were done!

This was a pull up on a band, again high number of reps!

I'm proud of him, he did  AWESOME, and Craig thinks he quite the athlete (high praise indeed). I'm also glad he found somone to push him the way I know he wants/needs! We LOVE the Core Essentials team!

So, enought about my hunny - My workout today was Booty Boot Camp, and man did Laurissa bring it! My a$$ is a tad sore, which can only mean that it was a very efficient workout! Also, let me put this side note in that lately I've been sweating like a beast. Normally I get hot and turn red. No sweating. Now, I turn red AND sweat! LOL! I'm not used to this....and I stink! :)

Here's what today's workout looked like:

• warm-up: about 3 minutes of skipping
• TRX - single legged lower to the ground, switch feet at the ground, raise back up on one leg (weight in heel of foot) - (10/leg)
• TRX - hamstring curls (10)
• TRX - Plyo squats (leg straight back) (10/leg)

Here I am on the TRX:

• TRX - bridge with legs scissoring in and out (10)
• TRX - single legged lower to the ground, switch feet at the ground, raise back up on one leg (weight in heel of foot) - (10/leg)
• Side lunge (holding a 8lb med ball), put med ball to outside of foot, push off bringing knee across body and bring med ball with you (over head) (10/side)
• Crazy Jump (my name) - standing on one foot, jump into the air and kick your bum with the standing foot (landing softly) (10/leg)
• Queen's curtsy - (with a 10 lb weight on the leg) pulse 3, bring leg with weight back in and straight out to the side (10/leg)

Here are Shanan and I once we're all done - two tired and sweaty girls:

Great workout, and I'm so please that Hubby and Craig are working so well together - they are both smart, intense guys so it make complete sense that they'd get along like a house on fire!

Ok, time for some mommy stuff - tomorrow is the big day, the big 4-0! My daughter and I will be expecting breakfast in bed from the boys of the house. I think I might need to have a stiff drink tonight!

Nite

Hump-day workout

I love to see my own trainer SWEAT! When we arrived at the Studio Laurissa and Craig had joined in to the class they were teaching - Advanced Kettlebells! We only saw the last 10 minutes, but MAN they were working hard!

Once we started our workout it was with stretching  .. lots of stretching. This is always good, and likely something we all don't do enough of. Also, Craig stretched us out so they were different stretches than we do with Laurissa - variety is the spice of life!

Once we got warmed up we jumped right into the workout - we started with:

• 10 burpees
• 20 mountain climber
• 10 bootstraps

Then we worked our way into the core of the workout:

• kettlebell situps (12)
• 10 push ups
• leg over with kettlebell circle
• 10 push ups
• combo (30) brazillian, reptile and knee in
• 10 push ups

and finished with:

• 10 burpees
• 20 mountain climbers
• 10 bootstraps

Oh, Extra time, so lets do:

• plank - leg in, leg out and up into the air squeezing glutes
• 10 more push ups!

Good workout, feeling tired afterwards but once I ate I was feeling great! The afternoon flew by (bringing me closer to the vacation that I'm obsessed with!)

And I finally remembered the camera today, unfortunately it wasn't until suppertime - but here is supper:

Nothing fancy, but when in a rush there is nothing better than 'Breakfast for Supper', and the kids think its a hoot! So we have 1/2 an english muffin, scrambled eggs, and sauted veggies (onion, red peppers, zuchinni and mushrooms). Quick, easy and healthy!

I have already placed the camera in my bag for tomorrow. Hubby has a training session with Craig that will prove to be his undoing, and we have Booty Boot Camp at noon - I aspire to snap some shots of both!

Ok, I'm tired and ready for a rest.

Nite

The Meltdown!

Sorry, no post last night - it was 10:30 by the time we got home from the Meltdown and we were tired! We had a quick snack and off to bed. I just have to say how EXCELLENT the Meltdown was!

Here's how it worked, teams of 5 (Shanan, me, hubby, Jane and Jennifer) started on the RealRyder.

Laurissa led us through an intense 15 min ride. This was also the first ride I've done with Laurissa and as short as it was I have to say that I think she would be a tough instructor - she had us doing left/rights for 2 beats each WHILE out of the saddle! I'll have to remember to try her for a 60 minute ride in the future. : )

After the RealRyders we were off to Kettlebells.

This ws sprinkled with cardio moves like burpees, bootstraps, and mountain climbers. We worked though the basic two handed swing, one handed swing switching up top, rack position and cleans. Craig did this portion, he is the kettlebell man, and he lives up to his reputation - he is an intense instructor. He gets in your face, but not in an agressive way, more of a 'I'm watching and I KNOW you can do it - so DO IT' kind of a way. :)

Next, and final station, was the Water Rowers.

We did a 2000m ride, my time was 7:38. A good time for a woman, but I know I could have done better. It was a hard ride, I was cursing those last 500m. I really enjoy the rower though - reminds me of my youth. Hubby had the second best time at 6:20-ish. Shanan had a WICKED ride (I nattered in her ear the whole time trying to push support her through it)! Good fun! This makes me want to better my time ... not that I'm competitive or anything!

This just in! Here's a link to a short video that shows my team on the water rowers (Hubby is on far left and I am in the pinky shirt on the far right).

After we finished workout out there was nubblies (fruit, hummus, crackers, BEER and wine!) Yummmm. The hummus was sooooo good, and I washed it down with a nice, cold beer! All in all it was an excellent evernt and a SUPER way to welcome Craig into the Core Essentials fold. It was also nice to meet some of Craigs clients and learn about the successes he's been able to help them achieve.

And, lets remember that we did our regular noon hour workout - although Laurissa did take it easy on us knowing we had the evening event too. I can't even remember what we did, but I was sweaty so it must have been good! LOL!

Also, I did buy a new camera! Yeah!! It's the Fuji Finepix J20, and looks like this (IN HOT PINK!)

Now, I know I was going to take all sorts of great photos but the Lithium battery seemed to have juice in it, but died early in the day....so, now pics just yet. However, there was a great pic of hubby coming off the water rower last night that I should be able to pilfer get a copy of and use here soon.

Today, after yesterdays double workout, will be a day of rest. Its 8:00 and I'm going to finish my coffee and take the girls to the dog park so Abby will have someone to play with. Echo doesn't care about such things as long as I bring a ball for her. Its sunny, but -10 out there....bbbbrrrrriiiiiiiiihhhhhhh!

Later!

Tricky Tobata's?

Sorry for not posting last night, it wasn't until I was in bed that I remembered. That's also because I often think about what I want to blog about before hand, so maybe I had it all worked out in my head?? Anyway, sorry about that! So now this post will be a catch up of yesterday and today.

Yesterday was our first day back with Laurissa after her being off over March Break - she looks refreshed and I think she had a nice break off with her kids! We started off doing 'internal work' but once she described it (30 seconds on, 10 seconds off for 6 reps) I realized that she was sneaking in Tobata's! LOL!

Anyway, we did the following intervals TOBATAT'S:

• burpees
• lunges
• squats
• mountain climbers
• pushups
• plank with legs V-ing in and out

I was cursing (in my head)...it was a hard workout, maybe because we'd been off for a week doing just ryder?? And, I was SWEATY! LOL! Good workout, even if I had to modify a few of the exercises to give my old knee a little less action.

Ok, today (Tuesdays and Thursdays) I've taking up the Booty Boot Camp workshop at Core Essentials! (With only 23 days until:

I've decided to ramp up the workout schedule for the best possible results). This workshop is aimed to "Tone & Tighten and sculpt the best butt ever! This workshop will focus on the derriere. Get ready for steps and lunges!"

I haven't done this workshop in many months and had forgotten how good Laurissa is at really targetting the butt!  But on the positive side, it gave my upper body a well needed rest.

I'm tired, pooped, fatigued....done! All in all a good day, I ate really well and lots of good exercise (including walking up my the STEEP HILL I live on tonight after work - I was really feeling the Booty work :)

Nite!

midnight snackers

I wish I was one of those people who can buy snacks (relatively healthy ones, like multi grain Tostito's) and only eat a serving a day and then leaving the rest for another day/snack. But I'm not. I am the type of person who can not bring snacks or treats into the house in large quantities because I will eat every, last one upon them entering the house. I might make it until bedtime, but then I might wake up to pee and think 'mmmmm, chppies...' and before returning the warm safety of my bed bypass the kitchen and eat the whole bag. I'm not proud of this, but I know myself well enough to not bring these things into the house. Unfortunately this mems my kids suffer (I guess I can justify it by saying that they don't need the stuff either, but hell, they are kids and as a kid you should be able to eat some of the crap mommy can't!). Anyway, this is my thought of the day....

Today is my much needed day of rest. I worked out 5 days this week and my body is tired. I'm hoping to take in a Zumba class at Core Essentials tomorrow - there is a new teacher that Shanan is raving about so I thought I'd try it out. It's fun and a great way to get that cardio in for the week.

Since I've mentioned Core Essentials, check out the work they are doing to the business - http://www.coressentials.ca/demo-time-core :

When I started training with Laurissa we workout outside  - even if the weather was bad. It was fun, I loved it! This was in July of 2009. By Novemeber Laurissa had bought herself a building and started to increase her business from her basement to this beautiful old heritage building in the downtown of Dartmouth. Due to the was the pervious owner had separated the building for tenants the only way to the second floor was via an exterior stairway. So basically there was a large unit on the ground floor, and a large unit with a loft on the second.

After the reno's are done the building will be whole again - interior staircase, two shower/change rooms on the ground floor and a large studio space! The upstairs will be largely altered except that the large storage room (coats, closet, etc) will now have the groundfloor stairs exiting into it. Its perfect! And I'm so proud of Laurissa for being so sucessful in making her business grow. She's found a pocket in the market with the unique Water Rowers and RealRyders and lined up some excellent instructors (and just this week brought Craig Guthrie into the fold).  Its must be an exciting and stressful time, but she's really doing such a great job! Keep up the good work Laurissa!!

Ok, well I gotta get ready for the day - I'm pulling in some overtime today by working the Home Show booth. Also, I'm mentally trying to phsyche myself up for the X-Weighted weigh in tomorrow am - last week I was up 2 lbs......I'm feeling positive...fingers crossed!

Mags

Walkin' the Girls

Most evenings of the week are impossible to get in a workout - kids have activities, hubby often wants to get to the gym and we only have one car. I've always enjoyed walking my dogs, and its great exercise! Plus, Echo my older (6 yrs) dog is heavy right now - she usually puts on some 'winter weight' but this winter was more than usual. Also, Echo is a garbage-gut - she will eat anything and everything. Echo will eat something she knows she's not supposed to (gargage, her WHOLE bag of dog food, etc.) and then put herself in her kennel and not come out! LOL! Smart border collie knows she shouldn't and can anticipate her punishment!

Anyway, I was reading Amy's blog (one of a few that I generally read daily) and she's having a hard time finding the time to get her exercise in and has realized that she LOVES walking with her pup Jersey. It's good for the pups, good for the owner and a great bonding experience. Tonight was able to walk the girls BEFORE supper *this is the only free time*.  I was able to get out of the office a squinchy bit early and we walked for 50 minutes! I calculated this to be between 300 and 400 calories burned! So see Amy, its great exercise too!

Well, the mom hat calls - clean up after dinner, homework, laundry, bath kids.......
Nite

PS check out what's going on at Core Essentials - the are expanding!

Sun-shiney Saturday

I woke up to a bright, sunny day today - it looked warm too, but as I stepped out the door with the girls for a morning walk I realized my mistake. Nevertheless its a beautiful March day, not quite spring but hey we live in the maritimes! We had a great, hour long walk through the parks and some of our back streets.

I also woke to aches and pains in my hip flexers - thank you Laurissa! Wow, I guess it was that stutter stepped with the 'drop' to touch the ground. I HOPE to workout later today, but only if I can loosen these puppies up! Although the walk with the pups did a great job at loosening things up :}

Also, I'm hoping we can squeeze the time in for a TRX workout - we have early dinner arrangements with friends and Jake has hockey and we still have to install at least one of the two toilets today!! Heavens knows I need to burn off the CHIPS and ALCOHOL that was consumed last night at Shanan's - but it was sooooo worth it! I haven't really touched that stuff for such a long time. And the chips were my favorite - plain, rippled...mmmmmmmmmmmm

Ok, off to install a toilet - did I not tell you how damn handy I am? Guess that comes from being the oldest child to a step father who was an electrician by trade and handyman at heart! LOL!

Later!

Beach prep in the middle of a winter storm?

Arriving at work today was difficult due to the high winds (gusts measured at 136 miles/hour and sustained winds of 80 miles/hour) - thankfully its too warm for snow and instead huge amounts of rain. The upside was that the power was knocked out at work and we were sent home for the day!! Yipee!!

So what's a girl to do with the whole day off, kids at school and my retroactive play in my pocket (we just signed our union contract after a year of waiting)?? SHOPPING!! LOL!

Now, I didn't go there thinking about bathing suits but that's part of what happened. First I scored a new pair of jeans (IN A SIZE 30!!) for $16 and cute top (for $18 at Jacob Connection) for a part tomorrow night. But I landed at Bikini Village and with the help of a wonderful sales lady tried on over half  a few suits. I narrowed it down to four, and with the help of hubby (who was also off today) chose the best one:

I'm pleased with it, its flattering and fits well. Now the really great thing about having done this 7 weeks before the trip is that its has grossed me out  motivated me into loosing those last few pounds (around the belly is anyone with some pull with the higher power is reading) preferably! This is the only picture you will get until I return from my trip with photos!

Oh, I also stopped at Winners and picked up the cutest Roxy beach bag - perfect size, large but not enormous. Canvase, cute pattern, and one side has three outside pockets that would fit sunscreen, waterbottle, etc. We are really getting ready for this trip! I can't hardly wait!!

The down side to not working today was that I also lost the opportunity to workout at Core Essentials today. I had planned on using the TRX tonight, but instead I'm running around the house while the kids are at swimming trying to power clean! We have a Real Ryder class first thing tomorrow, and I'm pleased with how I ate today so I'll leave it at that. 

Right, well, back to the cleaning!

Nite