Getting ready!

Today I can honestly say that I REALLY feel like I'm starting to feel positive and motivated again! Why is this you wonder? How can things change so drastically in a few short days?

I wish I could completely answer that. How do you switch from mildly depressed about feeling bad about your body, to positive about upcoming change (and looking forward to the work that will get you there)?

Part of it was reading Scott's blog, and seeing how other people also tend to fluctuate from a healthy body with good eating habits, to a less than ideal shape and poor eating habits. Also, I opted to take up his 30 Day Burpee Challenge as a New Years resolution - I posted this in my status of my Facebook and flippantly suggested friend might want to join me. And you know what? They DID! I created a little Facebook group for the 11 of us to post our daily successes. It feels like I have cyber workout buddies!

Also, I found a quiet space on my floor in my office building where I can do lunch workouts! Today I brought in a mat and stability ball. I'm also going to take some time to prepare a few 30 minute workouts that I can just grab and go without much mental effort. I'm secretly hoping I might be able to convince my buddy Shanan to join me in this endevour!

Today is also day 2 of eating healthy and it feels good. I'm using Daily Plate again because I like the way it is easy to use and makes me accountable to everything I pop in my mouth without thinking first!

So, that's it for today....
Mags

She's BACK!

Ok, this year will be short, concise posts. I tried to have long, descriptive posts with photos and images, but it took alot of time and I slowly stopped doing it. SSoooooooo, now it will be short and sweet posts, if for nothing else than to keep track of the days I've had success with getting a workout in and ate well.

• I've just found a new website that  I think will be a big help called Inner Skinny. I'm taking his Burpee challenge!! Wish me luck!
• I've started back up with the Daily Plate to help with intake.
• I've found a small area in my office building that I think I should be able to get in 30 minute workouts (if I don't tell anyone and am really quiet)!
• Power Skating starts next week, and I now have posession of some borrowed hockey gear. 

There's my pep talk for today. Now, off to catch a bus home and then walk the doggies in the COLD! :)

Later!
Mags






 

Isometric Intervals

In preparation for today I did some web research to find a good workout. My first stop was the TRX Training site where they are good enough to post videos of some of the best or newest workout trends. So, with my little piece of paper in hand, TRX over the shoulder, and Gymboss firmly attached at my waist I headed out (with my colleague Jenn).

Here's what the Isometric Interval looked like (I had to modify it as there were two of us and only one TRX). Isometric Intervals, or 10-3's, are 6 sets: 10 seconds holding a position, 3 second rest. The idea being that your body doesn't get as tired, and you hold better form which teaches your muscles to work more efficiently. The other bonus is the claim that this type of workout boosts metabolism. Here's what ours was:

• Mountain Climbers (TRX), while your partner skips (for the same amount of time)
• Side Plank (TRX) while partner does High Knees
• Hip Extensions (TRX) - this is more of a hamstring hold - and partner does bootstraps
• Rear Leg Lunge hold (TRX) while partner 

Because that really didn't take that long I took another online workout for Core Stability that looked like this:

• Sit up with twist to the side (20 reps)
• Knee tuck with Pike (20 reps)
• Mountain Climbers (20 reps)
• Plank from elbows while abducting legs (scissors) (20 reps)
• Knee Tucks (with kick to the side, but we didn't do it!) (20 reps)
• Push ups (20 reps)

Here's what I looked like upon return to the office:

Remember, the more 'red' I am the harder I worked - so over all I thought that was a 85% workout. I'd do it again!

Tomorrow is a day of rest, but TRX again on Thursday (the girls are already sending me their desired exercises), and Friday will be another Run I think. Now, if I could just get that chocolate bar out of my mind I'll be doing ok!

Later

Lets try this again....

Ok, last week (as my re-start to a new routine) was a bit of a bust.  Shanan and I worked out with my TRX in the park beside my office building and I wrecked myself! My shoulders were so sore I was taking Aleve for 3 days, I couldn't sleep though the night, and I was whingey!  This weekend was spent at the rink, and when I wasn't at the rink I was cleaning the house. I did walk the dogs, but it wasn't the nice, long walk we all three needed.

Today I couldn't muster up the courage to go out and do anything complicated - so I simply went for a run. Well, a jog! And, as I haven't been running for ages I did the smart thing and started with intervals. I used my GymBoss and set up a one minute run, 30 second walk. I did 14 rounds, which means I ran for 14 minutes, walked for 7, and a total of 21 minutes of activity! Most good running websites teach good running technique and encourage new runners to start with a slow but steady interval that will over several weeks, get you to running without stopping a set distance.

There is a nice trail along the Harbour that I used today, however I only went 1/2 way, and then moved up to Portland Street for my return trip:

So, tomorrow will be TRX in the park again with Shanan, and perhaps even Jenn! I'm going to try to spend sometime on the computer tonight and arrange the routine.

No, if I can just eat healty and be mindful of my caloric intake....all I really need to do is rest my hand on my belly to remind me what it's all about! :}

Later!

September is a good time to get back on the Wagon!

So, I'm finally back from holidays and back at work - last week! LOL! This week I'm finally making the time for myself. Plus, I feel fat in all my pants.... :}

Last night I made my husband take the kids to their evening activities so that I could have an hour to myself to walk the dogs. It was a beautiful night, and we logged a 4 km loop that took us just under an hour. We were really moving at a good clip as I let my younger dog Abby set the pace!

With hockey try outs, gymnastics starting and both kids being a grade higher with more homework it's not realistic for me to think that I'm going to be able to get out every night. So, this means I have to make something work over my lunch hour. I've workout long enough with Laurissa to know what to do. I also have my own TRX, skipping rope and Gym Boss.

 
So, today I convinced Shanan to join me out in the little park beside our office building. We ended up doing 9 tabata's, but as we only have the one TRX we paired exercises as follows: 

• Squat's - Warm up
• Mountain Climbers & Star (TRX)
• Lunge 'swing throughs' & Shoulder Press (TRX)
• High Knees & Tricep/Bicep (TRX)
• Deadlifts (no weight) & Bulldogs/Hamstring curls (TRX)

In total this was 36 minutes of work. We were pleased with ourselves for doing it, and not worrying about who might be watching (and actually there weren't that many people around). Those that did notice us were more intrigued with the bright yellow TRX than Shanan or I!

So, hopefully tomorrow's schedule will allow me to do another 4Km with the dogs and I'm planning to hit the TRX in the park on Thursday!

Later!

Vacation!!

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted! I've been busy, perhaps so busy that I haven't made the time to post? Perhaps.

Since the last post I've made it to Core twice over the past week (Real Ryder each time, as that's what the schedule had to offer that worked for me, but also I've been trying to give my hand time to rest). This weekend past we went to New Brunswick to camp with one of my long-time friends Sara and Mo (and their kids). We had FANTASTIC weather and an all around awesome time - we adults have discovered that the older the kids are the easier the trips are on us. Their new found freedoms all them to come and go around the camp ground and require substantially less parental involvement!



Monday am, after dropping off the youngest at her camp, I took the oldest with me to Core. Cole was teaching a 45 min bootcamp styled class - it was harder than I though it would be, and I'm still feeling it today!

Tuesday am, today, I similarly dropped off and took kids with me to Core - today was a 4 minute ride with Laurissa. There were only 4 of us in the class, and two were Shanan and I, so I convinced Jake (the oldest) to grab a bike and ride with me! He did great, with the exception of cracking himself in the ankle at the very last minute! I think his pride was more injured than his body. I wish I'd taken a photo, but instead you'll have to have a look at this one of the two of us that I took on the beach in New Brunswick:

Tonight I'm pooped. I also washed, waxed and cleaned the interior of the car today. I just finished making cookies and cleaning up supper. I'm DONE!

Tomorrow I'm taking a day of rest from Core, but I do have planned to haul the rest of the wood from the driveway and into the basement. If I have the energy/time I might also trim the hedge and there was talk of grabbing our bikes and doing the BLT trail.....we'll see!

So, while I'm on vacation I'm hardly taking it easy (well, for now anyway). It is nice to be out of the office, even if this is more of a 'stay-cation'! :)

Later!

Canada Games Centre

Halifax has a wonderful new sports facility, and lucky for me, it's really close to where I live! Also lucky for me, I work for the municipality and they offer a corporate membership that is slightly less expensive but also a payroll deduction.

When the Center was still new and exciting I enrolled our family for a membership. Sadly, since the novelty wore off we haven't been using the Center like we should be. I took the kids on Sat for a 2 hour swim (where I treaded water for nearly 45 mins) and decided that we need to be making better use of the facility as a family.

Tonight, Shanan and I are took in a 1 hour aqua aerobics class - and it was awesome. It had been a while since I've taken a water class, and I'd forgotten some of the moves, but we just kept bouncing along and by the end we were sweaty *yes, you can sweat in the pool* and tired.  Also, we were chatting up one of the regulars and she was telling us about the other classes - Zumba in the water and cycling in the water!! How much fun does that sound? Next will be deep water aerobics I think! We are going to try to go twice a week, and still fit come Core Essentials in too.

Good workout, eating was half decent (translates into "I didn't eat the chocolate bar I was lusting after all afternoon), and we even brought the kids to the pool! The family that plays together, stays together (however, they are soooo tired and cranky I might be willing to part with them - cheap!)

Later!