2015 Workout Challenge!

Need a little boost in your workout routine? Looking to challenge yourself and keep yourself on track? I hear ya! Consistency is so important in any training you do. I did a great job training for my first 2 marathons, but then my consistency went out down the shitter.  Let's just say my last marathon was pretty crappy too.  Well, since that marathon took almost 6 hours to complete, my running buddy and I had plenty of time to talk about how to kick ourselves in gear! We needed to hold ourselves accountable.  What's one thing that I hate doing? Wasting $$$$ I don't need to spend. Here's a way to get your butt in gear!  Rally a friend (or two or three!!) to complete this challenge!

Are you ready?!

Printer Friendly Version of the Workout Challenge Contract 

Find a willing friend and agree to the following terms: 

I will work out a minimum of 30 minutes on 20 separate days and will follow the following rules: 

• If a workout is over 30 minutes it still only counts as one. 

Each person within this contract can use one over 30 minute workout as a freebie per month to count for a missed day.

If I do not meet this workout requirement (30 minutes for 20 days), we owe each contracted person $20. 

If everyone misses the same month, each person's $20 goes into a pool to go to the next winner (a winner is the person who meets the workout requirement for the month when the other didn't). 

If everyone completes the workout requirement, you keep your $20. 

If someone is injured to the point of being unable to work out, then we have to tell the other person and stretching has to be the workout (or what we agree to at that point) until the injury resolves.

I agree to all terms listed about and am committing myself to this workout challenge by signing and dating below.    

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Contract period: 1/1/2015-12/31/2015

Here is a log  to track your workouts.  Good luck!! 

Happy New Year!! What's your New Year's Resolution??

Happy New Year!!!  I look forward to building my blog and providing you with different tips, tricks, recipes, and projects that hopefully will inspire you! I think that last year was a good start and I can't wait to ramp it up!

 Looking back at 2014, it was a pretty eventful year, but I can't say that I stuck to my resolutions very well.  I always go for your typical eat better, exercise more, blah blah blah. This year, I've decided to switch things up.  Instead of getting rid of things, I'm going to ADD. Add more family and friend time, add paying it forward tasks, and add positive focus.

It is SO easy for me (and probably many of you) to see the negative.  I want to try and find that silver lining in things.  I want this year to be about letting others know how much they mean to me and how they impact my life.  I want to help others the best I can, and I want to make sure I carve out quality time with loved ones.  So often we "talk" about what we want to do, but when it comes to actually doing it, we don't follow through.  This year WILL be different!!! Who's with me?!

So here are my thoughts for the year.   

1.  Family/friend time

- at least one dinner per month with family and/or friends.  We are always together in large masses where it's so hard to have a quality conversation with anyone.  This will give us that opportunity! 

2.  Pay it forward

- I'm still figuring this one out, but there are so many things that I can do to make it an impact.  Sometimes even just a smile at someone makes a huge difference! 

- Register for races that donate to charity.  I register for 3-5 races a year.  This year, I want to make sure that the races raising funds and awareness for a charity.  

3. Positive focus

- This isn't a set activity thing per se, but hopefully will be built in my mind set for the new year.  Spending quality time with loved ones and doing things I love, would definitely build my positive focus.

I can't wait to share projects and tips throughout the year that will help us show our love and passion! 

"So often we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to enjoy the journey." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

What's your New Year's resolution?! I would love to hear from you!! 

30 minute workouts..fit in that workout!

I have made a commitment, using this blog as my motivator, to work out 4 times a week.  This is week one...and I'm already struggling. It is now Thursday and I am only working out for the second time this week.  That means I will have to work out tomorrow and Saturday to get my 4 times in.  I feel like I have been making working out a job, instead of just enjoying what I love.

My goal was to workout 4 times per week, at least 30 minutes. So 30 minutes is what I did tonight.  I was engrossed in the TV. (yup one of those nights) and just didn't "feel like working out" (said in a whiny voice).  However, being able to workout while watching TV at home was amazing!

I used the Workout Trainer App by Skimble https://www.skimble.com/workouts  (it's available on the App Store and Google Play).  It has a free and paid version. I use the free version.  There is an abundance of different workouts ranging from 2-minute planks to 30 minute, 60 minutes+ workouts.  I've used the kickboxing, abs, yoga, and HIIT workouts on the app in the past.  Tonight I decided to try a Pilates workout, which was pretty good.  There were a few long rest breaks, but I used some of them to incorporate some abs and additional planks.  My only problem was my 170 pound dog trying to sit on my during the workout, but that has nothing to do with the app! At least it was a cute pain in the butt! I definitely think the app is worth checking out! 

Who can get mad when seeing this face interrupt your workout?! 

He reminded me of the Huffington Post video with Pets Interrupting!!

Yoga: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/10/why-pet-owners-are-better-at-yoga_n_5574985.html

Here are few other apps that also have trainings/workouts you can do, but I haven't tried them to know what they are like: 

• Daily Burn App (free lite version)
• FitStar Personal trainer App (free lite version)
• Yoga Studio App ($3.99)
• Gain Fitness (free lite version)
• JeFit Workout

In addition, I thought it would be nice to outline some 30 minute workouts that don't seem as "hard" but still give you a good workout! 

Harvard Medical School posted an article called "Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of 3 different weights".  Here is the article for all the information/activities, it even includes some professions! http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Calories-burned-in-30-minutes-of-leisure-and-routine-activities.htm

Here are few examples based on a 125 pound person: 

• Weight Lifting: 90 calories (general) vs. 180 (vigorous)
• Running at 6 mph: 300 calories
• Low Impact Aerobics: 165 calories
• Circuit training: 240 calories
• Dancing (slow, waltz, fox trot): 90 calories  <--I watched Dirty Dancing tonight so I'm all for this!!! 
• Golf: 165 calories
• Bowling: 90 calories
• Swimming, general: 180 calories

OK, so some of these activities may seem like work to you, but there are so many things that you can do to incorporate into your workout to make it less boring! Here are some other workouts that may peak your interest if you want some routines to switch it up. 

• 30 minute workouts that burn 500 calories! Now I don't know how exact calorie counts are but the workouts make sense. I like the fact that you can get the workouts in pdf form too. http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/5-ways-burn-500-calories-30-minutes
• 30 minute boot camp workout gives some nice suggestions to add to your workout or combine to make a 30 minute work out.  Beware :it's a slideshow! http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20690381,00.html
• 30 minute At-Home Abs & HIIT workout: http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/30-Minute-At-Home-Abs-HIIT-Cardio-Workout-for-Fat-Loss-HIIT-Happens/g6/

I hope this gave you some ideas on how to switch up or add to your routine! 

**Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional trainer or by any means claim to be.  This article is based on my own personal experiences and what I find to help continue to motivate me.  Please speak to a medical professional to see what workouts are appropriate for you. **

Resources: 

• http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/15-best-iphone-fitness-apps-for-2014
• http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Calories-burned-in-30-minutes-of-leisure-and-routine-activities.htm
• http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/292474/the-25-best-fitness-apps
• http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/5-ways-burn-500-calories-30-minutes
• http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20690381,00.html
• http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/30-Minute-At-Home-Abs-HIIT-Cardio-Workout-for-Fat-Loss-HIIT-Happens/g6/

Running - back at it...

Trying to get motivated...Day 1...

OK so I felt like I wasn't motivated at all so I was hoping to get inspired.  I decided to go running near my house and hoped to get 5-8 miles in.  My headphones of course stopped working as I started my run...there went my new music for motivation.  I figured at best I would get 3 miles in then.  Well much to my surprise I managed 10 miles on a pretty humid day!

Now, I don't recommend that you go from nothing to 10 miles in a day if you haven't been running for a while, but I have been 'sporadically' running/working out so I figured I should try it.  I averaged a 10:00 min/mile pace, which isn't my best, but was good considering I haven't done 10 in awhile.

Hopefully day 2 of this week goes as well as today! ;-)

Oh ya, I managed to get roped into completing a marathon at the end of the year too! eek! I guess it's time to really get my ass in gear (and motivated!) I better get some new headphones....

Motivation

Motivation...or lack thereof...

I have been far from motivated to run or exercise in general and am hoping that writing about it will help me.  I googled "how to get motivated to work out", "what to do when your stuck in a running rut", etc.  None of it seemed motivating. To be honest, it just showed me HOW unmotivated I am. I mean, I am registered for a half marathon in 3 weeks! The beginning of the summer, I was consistently working out and running. I do a combination of running and weights with some cross training.

The past month I was working less (since I work in a school), so I was hoping that the reason was because I was simply lazy.  Well ya, it definitely is because I'm lazy. I just don't want to get off my lazy ass and work out (although I love the thought of working out and how I feel after!) That initial step of turning off the TV and getting changed into running clothes has been a major challenge.

OK so back to WHY do I feel this way?  Why am I not motivated to workout?!!?

I decided to come up with a list of easy changes to hopefully help keep me motivated for more than one day!

1.  Try listening to an audiobook or new music. Maybe if I have something that I'm looking forward to reading..well listening to, I will be motivated to work out??
2.  Make short term goals WEEKLY.  Week 1 (August 31-Sept 6) is workout for at least 30 minutes 4 times.  I have Monday off for Labor Day so hopefully this will be easier??
3.  Make a running date and group class with a friend.  Friends will hold me accountable!!!


OK this should be a good start. My 4 workout days are in my calendar..Let's see if this works! Maybe if I can follow my weekly goals for a certain number of weeks, I can treat myself to something (new shoes, massage, running clothes?!) Yesss I am ALL about tangible positive reinforcers!!!!!

What motivates you to work out? Are you a morning or night person to work out? I would love to hear for any of your ideas!