9 miles!

I ran 9 miles today!!!!  I am so thrilled.  I did it in an hour and 19 mins.  By about mile 7 I was so giddy - singing obnoxiously loud to my Ipod (reminded me of the US Snowboarder Girl on the Olympics - if you saw that event!).

My fuel belt came this week.  I got it in black off Amazon - cheaper than the funky colors!  Today on my belt I had two water bottles, pepper spray, Ipod and some gel.  It didn't annoy me at all when I was running.  It might if it was warmer out, but I already have so many layers on....what's another!

The things girls worry about.....what to wear for the 1/2!  I was hoping for a tank top and capris or even shorts, but boy the weather really has to warm up over the next month before I start shedding some layers.  Today, I had on 2 shirts, light coat, tights, running pants, fleece hat and running gloves.  What would you wear?!

Floppy Arms - Part 2

My Friday housework always involves one load of laundry, vacuuming and mopping (traditional mop).  It's quite a workout on my arms, so do some housework to get your fitness in today.  And don't just do it .... DO IT ..... push the vacuum double time, SCRUB the floor......I'm sweating by the time I'm finished mopping.  I also decided to wipe down those door frames that were covered in lovely fingerprints.  That was yet another arm workout.

So it's amazing how you can incorporate fitness into your daily cleaning routine.

BTW, my tulips have started to pop out!  Spring is coming!!!

What will you do today to workout?  It better be something besides lifting the fork to your mouth again and again and again :)

Workout Wednesday / Floppy Arms?

Do you have floppy arms?  Do you want them to look better.....summer is on it's way!  I started with 1lb weights!  I know, funny, huh?  Then I decided to take the plunge and go to 4lb weights and then 8lbs.  Now I can do 15lbs!!

Workout Wednesday:  Work those arms with Weights!

Still Training

I'm still training for my 1/2 marathon in April.  I really want to complete it in 2hrs, but I'm just not sure if I'll be able to.  According to my calculations I should.  I also hope the mileage markers are very clear.  I've been to some races and they've had none (5Ks & triathlons).  So annoying.  I'm looking forward to the run and with the weather getting a little warmer it's been nice getting outside again.  Did you notice the nights are getting a bit longer, too?  It was 5:20pm and it was still light - that means evening runs are right around the corner.

I went to PA this past weekend and enjoyed 7 miles in the country.  How nice and beautiful.  I'm on week 7 (out of 12) for my training and I think I'm going to go up to 9 miles this weekend, so closer to the race I can really pull my mileage a bit lower.

Get out there and do something.....layers work well!

Workout Wednesdays

It's time to do some squats!  Have fun with them.  I just did another modification of them - squat and as you come up do a little jump, come up to standing position, squat and repeat......

Shoveling!

Shoveling: great way to burn some calories.  Your driveway is too short.....spontaneously go and shovel someone else's driveway!  No snow for all you warm state folks - stick to some squats, jumping jacks & jump rope today!!

Enjoyed STEP last night.  It's gotta be my favorite aerobic activity.  After that I did my 2nd favorite piece of equipment - the rowing machine.  Maybe I should join a rowing team!  That would be fun.  Or maybe I could just be the person that sits on the end and paces the team.

I didn't tell you about my shoe issues!  Last year, I bought these great New Balance 1224 sneakers.  Regular $140, but I got them on sale for $90.  So they went on clearance recently for $66 and so I said I'm going to buy 2 more pairs and that way I'll be good for the summer.  You really should only do about 400miles a sneaker and your sneaker is generally worn out before you even see the wear and tear.  Well I started wearing my new ones and my toes started bruising.  I went to NB to discuss this and he said my shoes are too small - I need the next size.  Ugghhhh.  I tried the 1225's on and they are gorgeous and so nice, but they are $140 (on sale on my shoe site for $99), but I still didn't think I could justify that, so I went with the 1224's / $66 in a bigger size.  I can return one of them, but not both because I've already worn the first pair.  Glad I didn't break in both pairs.  I think I can still use the 'smaller' pair, but I won't be running in them.  I can't wait for the 1225's to go on clearance.  Believe me, I'll be watching the site A LOT!!!

Flurries?!

I saw nothing about flurries last night on the weather, so it was an outside run today WITH FLURRIES!  It was 37 out though.  I did 7 miles.  YAY.  That's my longest ever.  It felt great.  I felt like I could have done another 3 miles no problem, but I wanted to stick to my training schedule!  I ran 2 miles and stopped back at home for water - I had set a cup at my driveway.  Then I ran another 2.5 and had my sister (thanks, Kate!) put a cup outside her house.  I don't have a hand held water bottle thing.  I don't think I'd like to hold it for that long.  My fuelt belt hasn't come in yet.  Jon's is too big for me.

Tomorrow starts week 6 and that will put me half way though my training for the 1/2 marathon.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Just because I ran 7 miles doesn't mean I get to eat whatever my heart desires for Valentine's Day!  Be careful!!!!

Welcome to Moe's!

So a little free sample table was set up from Moe's at my gym yesterday!!  Ugghhh, do they realize how fattening those chips are : )  Do you?  BTW, I did take some!!!  LOL  My almost 3 yr old and I enjoyed a small sample bag together (after my workout!).  You can still enjoy extras, but remember portion control!!

Do you know most restaurants have nutrition info right on-line?  Check them out and know what you are going to order before you go.

Here's just a few for you:
Chili's
McDonald's
Panera Bread
Dunkin' Donuts
Starbucks Beverages
Starbucks Food (by store)
Moe's
Dairy Queen (ice cream)

Just back from a 4 mile tempo run!

Happy Exercising today - it's not too late to do something AND the days are getting a bit longer too.  YAY.

Avocados!

Right now avocados are my favorite fruit!

Depending on the size you can get about 4-5 servings out of one. A serving size is about an ounce (2T), 50 calories, 4g fat and they have about 20 vitamins & minerals. They have monounsaturated fat which eaten in moderation can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease & strokes.  It also helps you get the fat you need without eating the 'bad fats.'

I love eating them on crackers - Kashi Heart to Heart Whole Grain Crackers - it makes a nice meal!  I put avocado on my taco salad last night.  It's just so yummy.

To cut up wait until they are pretty soft to the touch.  Your finger should leave an impression when you gently squeeze it.  Then cut length wise one side and then the other side and sorta twist it open.  After that you can remove the seed and start scooping the insides out with a spoon.  Yum!  What a treat.  They say put some lime juice on it so it won't turn brown, but whatever....it turns brown pretty much the instant you start cutting.  It still tastes fine.

My grocery store has them for 99 cents.  Sam's has them a little cheaper, but you have to buy 6 (I think) of them.  If I buy too many I'll eat them all, so I limit myself to 1-2 a week.

Weight Watcher points:  7 crackers and 1 serving of avocado = 4pts!

Happy eating healthy today!
Jen.

Workout Wednesdays

Ok, so I made this video for you and it came out great, but the problem is we have a video camera (no it's not VHS-C either!) that doesn't seem to want to put the videos on the computer.  My husband tried for hours (thanks, anyways!).  While it's disappointing for just the Workout Wednesdays it also means we can't put our home videos on the computer.....ugghhhhh.  So you get the bootleg version of me taping the video with my digital camera.  Oh, the world we live in!  The rest of Workout Wednesdays might be video less, but we'll work on this!!

Excuse the poor quality, but get the point and do some "stairs" today to start or continue on your Trek to Fitness!!!

Same Results?

Are you sick of getting the same results from your workout/healthy lifestyle?  SWITCH it up. 

Eat different things (all healthy things, of course)
Do more weight training / do more cardio.
Change your cardio - do speed training or do a long distance run or do a short run and ride the bike.

I feel like your body gets used to a certain exercise routine, so fool your muscles/body.  Change is good!  Instead of my dumbbell workout the other day I jumped on the rowing machine for 15mins.  It was great.  Rowing worked more than just my arms!  Multi-tasking - I like that!!

My 1/2 marathon training schedule changes things up a bit.  I'm not always doing the same mileage or the same type of running.  I continue to include STEP class, swimming and spinning, so I'm not just always running, running, running.  I would get bored of that.

Off to do 4 miles of speed training tonight.  Then my favorite show is on, Biggest Loser.  Go green team!!!

Baby it's COOOOLLLDDD Outside!

So I told you I was going to the gym to run my 6 miles, but I decided to go outside instead.  It was cold - probably around 32, but super sunny.  It's just 12mins to the gym, locker room time, getting on the right treadmill and then 12 mins home.  I can save a lot of time by just hitting the pavement - much easier running outside than on a treadmill!  I layered up - 2 shirts, hoodie, 2 pants, 2 socks, fleece hat and my running gloves.  Running gloves are so key!  I enjoyed a bit of DC Talk and U2. 

I'm bringing you back to the basics of how I started my fitness journey with Workout Wednesdays.....be looking forward to them : )

I need to sit down and work on my training schedule for the next several weeks.  I think I'm only scheduled until Tuesday!

Dinner

So I made this yummy dinner the other night.  It's VERY healthy.  Took me a bit of time to make it.  You can find it at:  http://greenlitebites.com/2010/01/03/stuffed-cabbage-pigs-in-a-blanket/  Let's see the stats:  Serving Size: 2 piggies, 260 Calories, 2g Fat, 8g  Fiber = 5WW pts (13g sugar, 39g carbs, 25g protein)

When we went out for my b'day dinner last night I got Eggplant Rollotini.  Don't worry I only ate 1 of the 4 rolls.  I'll be eating it for days.  The only thing I was soooo disappointed in was I forgot to order the whole wheat penne.  Ugghhhh.  I was so annoyed.

I was happy to get a quick run in OUTSIDE before the bus came.  Tomorrow is my longer run.  Since it's only going to be a high of 31 I'll be on the treadmill tomorrow for 6 miles.  Luckily, I found some old CDs and put them on my IPod - DC Talk, U2, a Whitney Houston CD that looks really new and I don't think I've ever listened to it - sorry if you are the one that bought it for me!  So it's nice to have some new stuff on there.  To think I'm sick of listening to Rump Shaker or Whomp There it Is! LOL.

Need to register for the 1/2 before it fills up.  Not sure what to expect in NYC!

Top 10 Tips

Below are my notes from my talk I gave at my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group this morning.  More practical, basic ideas on food and exercise.  MOPS Ladies - I did have my workout schedule....it was in with my menus!  Sorry!!

 

Jen's Top Ten Exercise and Get Healthier Tips

A good workout helps me get through the day

and  makes me a better mother

Food

1. Food Journal.  Write things down you eat.  Be careful when you get your kid's snacks not to have a few here or a few there.  If you do, write it down!
2. Use some type of system/tool: Weight Watchers (see below) or Calorie Counter (below)
3. Portion Control.  Pay attn. to food labels and ingredients (stay away from fructose corn syrups and partially hydrogenated oils)
4. Restaurant Nutrition Info.  Available online.  Know what you can eat before you go out.
5. Don't buy it!  / Freeze it.  Don't buy the things you are tempted to eat.  When you bake you can freeze things like cookies, so you don't eat and eat and eat them.  You can have one a day or one a week!

Exercise

1. Start at home.  Stairs (just go up and down and up and down), weights, run/walk outside, jump rope while kids play outside, exercise ball, DVDs, youtube.com has great exercise videos/ideas
2. When you are out and about:  Pick a parking spot far from the store (get an extra walk in!), Squats when you are pumping gas (I'm serious; I do this!!), Watching sports events for your kids: do laps around the court/field, Go for a walk with a friend instead of going for coffee, Mall Walking with stroller
3. Workout while you watch TV (especially during commercials).  Sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, weights
4. Get up early
5. Set Goals / Have a plan!

http://ronisweigh.com/

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

My First Entry!

I LOVE talking about exercising and so I thought why not start a blog!  So here I go.....I've learned a lot and I continue to learn.  Most importantly I have fun with exercising - I train, I participate in great events and I get my friends & family involved!

I woke up at 5:50am to go swimming yesterday.  I was not in the pool until about 6:25am.  I couldn't seem to get moving fast enough.  After my initial 500m (20 laps) warm-up, I stopped and looked outside.  It was still dark, but the snow was still falling.  It was so pretty and so peaceful.  It just made me feel good and I enjoyed the rest of my workout a little more with that snow visual.

I'm currently training for a 1/2 marathon that I'll be doing with my little sister in April.  I'm on a 12 week training schedule.  My longest run so far in my training has been 6 miles and I do about 16 miles a week.  I'm enjoying training, but I sure do miss biking and swimming.  I'm not doing a lot besides running - I still get swimming and biking (and step & spin!) in, but my intensity level is way lower - just trying to maintain those other sports at the moment.

My life isn't 100% about exercise, so don't worry I'm sure I'll have other stories for you.  Why "Trek to Fitness?"  I have a Trek bike and it took me about 1 min to find that the title wasn't taken, so why not!

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