Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Get Firm this February with Gaiam TV

As a busy single working mama, there is just never enough time in the day! Because of my schedule fitness always comes last, which I’m not proud about. I understand the benefits of exercise, but haven’t yet been able to get my butt into gear and dedicate the time necessary to prioritize my health. Enter Gaiam TV! There are some great gyms near me, but they are very expensive, and if I’m not at work then I’m with my daughter, so impossible to get to the gym! Gaiam TV is the first streaming video subscription offering designed to support people interested in health, wellness, yoga, fitness, and personal development. Awesome! With over 2,000 titles, it really is like Netflix or Redbox for health, yoga, and fitness!  

I had the opportunity to check out all that Gaiam TV has to offer and I was blown away! I recently had to cancel my On Demand so I no longer have access to fitness videos, and I was so excited about all the titles that were on Gaiam TV. I’ve wanted to get into boxing and was psyched to see a boxing tutorial video with Sugar Ray Leonard & Laila Ali! Viewers can sweat it out with top instructors like Jillian Michaels, Mari Winsor, Rodney Yee, and Kathryn Budig to name a few.

After a long day at work, I swear my brain turns into mush, which is no problem with Gaiam because it’s extremely user friendly and simple to use. Viewers can customize workouts for weight loss, total body sculpting or increased energy and narrow down their options based on level, style, instructor, and amount of available time. Only have time for a short video? No problem. Have more time, no problem! With Gaiam TV, viewers can easily search for videos, make playlists, and preview selections. Plus, subscribers to Gaiam TV are offered the chance to rate and review Gaiam TV titles. This really is customized to fit your needs and meets you where you are in your fitness journey.

This isn’t something that you have to use during certain hours of the day; the entire library of award-winning videos is available anytime, anywhere. So whether you’re home, visiting friends or family, or on vacation, at work, you have access and 24/7 convenience for streaming from your computer, iPad, or smartphone.

Even better is Gaiam TV offers a free 10-day trial to prospective subscribers. Gaiam TV’s $9.95/moth subscription fee allows you to stream unlimited content, without restriction. This no strings attached subscription means that there is no commitment and you can cancel at any time. Click here to take advantage of Gaiam TV’s Free 10-day Trial - No Strings Attached!

How do you make time to exercise? Would you consider using Gaiam TV?




Monday, February 28, 2011

Mamavation Monday

What’s new? After gaining weight 2 weeks ago, I’m happy to report that I lost last week. Seems like I gain a little, and then lose a little, still not making significant process, which is annoying, but I understand why. School has been brutal and I’ve been an emotional eater, and I also haven’t been on my workout game so much. I’m still walking as much as I can, but not carving out time to workout at home as often as I’d like. Boo.

Big News: I think I’m going to sign up for my first 5 mile race in April. I reached out to my friends, but none of them want to run with me, so I’m going solo. Which makes me sad, but completing a 5k is a personal goal of mine for this year, so if I have to run by myself, then so be it. I’m worried that I won’t have enough time to train for it, considering March is tomorrow! But I talked with a coworker who gave me some tips about building up endurance, and I hope to be able to kick serious ass in April. This means I have to start running like yesterday. I’m thinking I’ll start training during my lunch break at work weather permitting. It’ll be tough to squeeze in time to run, but I want to do well in my first 5 mile race! And hope that registering will give me the extra umph I need to lose more weight by then.

I’m down to 166.2 and I am really tired of being in the 60s. I hope to be in the 50s by the time I complete the race. 


Monday, February 14, 2011

Mamavation Monday

Another super crazy busy week.My classes are really hard and this has increased my stress level and I've been an emotional eater. I am trying to only reach for healthy snacks, but its very very hard with all the juggling that I do. But I am trying. Managed to continue walking everyday and incorporated turbo jam a few times this week.

Scale shows I lost 0.8lbs last week which is progress.

Going to continue walking this week, and will try to do turbo jam as much as I can, but will be hard with 2 final exams, 1 quiz, 1 paper, work, and a child to take care of.


Monday, February 7, 2011

Mamavation Monday

Last Weeks Goals:
-Walk 15 miles
-Continue Shred
-Turbo Jam 2x this week
-Add brown rice/whole grain pasta
-STRETCH after every workout!

Mon:
4.21mi -Shred
Tues: 4.08mi
Wed: 0mi - Turbo Jam
Thurs: 5.28mi
Fri: 4.36mi - Shred
Sat: 0mi
Sun: 1.91mi



Total Miles = 19.84miles

Jan 17th                     Feb 7th
Weight: 168.4             Weight: 167.4
Chest: 39                    Chest: 38
Waist: 39                    Waist: 39
Hips: 42                      Hips: 40









If you recall, last week I lost 1lb and I wasn't that excited about it, but happy to see the scale decrease. Well this week I gained back the 1 lb, which is frustrating. I'm honestly running out of workout/fitness steam, and not sure what it will take to get back on track.

I don't handle stress well, and I'm stretched so thin raising my daughter, working, Senior year in College, volunteering, blogging, dealing with absent parent, and trying to figure out life after school. When I stress, I don't think yah I should work out. I think, I need to go lay down. 


It is encouraging to see that my measurements have gone down a tad, minus that damn stubborn waist. Ugh.

I've been wanting to lose 2lbs a week since like forever, so this week, I will continue the walking and do a workout DVD everynight...which will most likely mean I'll be headed to bed an hour later everynight. Which will mean a crankier mommy. There honestly doesn't seem like there is any damn balance!

This week's goals:
-Lose 1-2lbs
-Walk 15 miles
-Workout DVD everyday!!
-Increase water intake

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Chef’s Requested.

Question: What are you doing to keep your heart healthy? I have honestly never considered making sure my heart was healthy, and don't know how to ensure that my heart is staying healthy.



Monday, January 31, 2011

Mamavation Monday

Last Week’s Goals:
-Walk 15 miles
-Lose 2lbs
-Low-No Carbs
-Continue eating hearty breakfast
-Stretch/Heal traps

Last Week’s Totals:
Monday: 4.2mi
Tuesday: 2.84mi
Wednesday: 5.33mi
Thursday: 0.13mi
Friday: 4.34 mi
Saturday: 3.39mi
Sunday: 1.05mi

Total = 21.28miles

I overall had a not so great week and my pulled trap muscle had me not engaging in Shred or rigorous workouts. Instead I did alot of stretching. I tried Yoga, but only lasted 15 minutes. I’ve tried Yoga in the past. Really tried to love it…but I don’t. Yoga is just not for me lol.

So I surpassed my goal of walking 15 miles so that is awesome, oh and I lost 1lb! I measly pound, I know, I know I should be happy, and given I had a hard week I didn’t think I was going to lose. And I did! It’s just frustrating. I’m making all these changes in my life, and I just lost 1lb?! At this rate it’s going to take forever to reach my goals. I walk an average of 20 miles a week, so I know I’ve gained some muscle. And muscle builds fat. Soooo burn baby burn lol!

Speaking of goals, I have quite a few. The biggest is I want to lose 30 pounds by June!! One of my closest friends is getting married in Canada in June, and I’m using her wedding as a goal to lose 30! Somehow, someway I WILL be down 30 pounds by June! Ahhhh!! But it feels really good to have a goal to be working for. I added a “Get it right – Get it tight” widget over on the right column to track my progress.

Last week I also decided to go low-carb and man was it hard! I’m so used to incorporating pasta and rice into my meals! But I didn’t have any! It was super difficult, and this week I’m going to integrate brown rice and whole grain pasta [which I love] but of course only in moderation. Going to continue a diet high in fruit and veggies!

This Week’s Goals:
-Walk 15 miles
-Continue Shred
-Turbo Jam 2x this week
-Add brown rice/whole grain pasta
-STRETCH after every workout!



BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear.

Question: What does “wellness” mean to you? Hmm, what does wellness mean to me? Not a very easy question to answer. Wellness means that my body is in harmony and fluid. Wellness means that I am engaging in activities and eating foods in which provides positive fuel to my body to be the best it can be. Wellness means making healthy choices for myself and my daughter.


Monday, January 24, 2011

Mamavation Monday

Goals for last week:
-Walk 20 miles
-Keep track of water
-Continue Shred
-Watch serving size

Last Week’s Totals:
Monday: 2.5mi [5,662 steps] - Shred
Tuesday: 5.23mi [11,848 steps] – 1hr Zumba
Wednesday: 3.01mi [6,828 steps] - Shred
Thursday: 5.73mi [12,967 steps] - Shred
Friday: 0.74mi [1693 steps] – Turbo-Jam
Saturday: 2.71mi [6149 steps] - Stretch
Sunday: Stretch

Walking Totals: 19.92miles

I continued the 30 Day Shred this week and as of today have 7 days left. I’m really excited to be on the last week because Jillian Michaels is really getting on my nerves!

I’ve had upper trapezoid pain for awhile now. Seems like whenever I get into a workout routine my traps get super tension. And it has happened again. I pulled my trapezius muscle. They hate life. They are super super tense and ache! Which means I haven’t been doing Shred for the past couple days. I’ve instead been switching hold and cold ice packs, stretching, and popping advil. Eck. I tried Yoga tonight, but it just reaffirmed how much I hate Yoga. This pain is ridiculous and I want it to go away ASAP! I'm going to try to swap out both my chairs at work and home with stability balls with hopes that it helps me with my occasional lazy posture. If you have any tips/suggestions please send them my way!!!

In happier news on my weekly weigh-in on Sunday I managed to lose 0.8lbs. Again. What is up with this not-even-1-pound-business? I’m getting really annoyed!!! I know I should be happy the number on the scale is going down, but I’m getting bummed the number isn’t decreasing faster considering all the darn walking I do! I mean I WALK giiiirl! Sigh.

My daughter and I were FINALLY able to make it to Zumba on Tuesday! Getting there and getting home was a disaster, but the actual class was fun and there were only a few people due to the crazy weather, so we really got to enjoy ourselves. She was a little shy at first and by the end of the class she was running around and dancing around. Too friggen cute!!

I really really really want to lose 2lbs this week!!! So I’m going to try to go low-no carb. No potatoes no bread. I’ll have to grow to love brown rice and if I need to I’ll add in whole wheat pasta. This will be a challenge. Also, once traps are feeling better going to increase my 30min workouts to 45minutes by adding in TurboJam as cardio.

This Week’s Goals:
-Walk 15 miles
-Lose 2lbs
-Low-No Carbs
-Continue eating hearty breakfast
-Stretch/Heal traps

How are you getting more fiber in your diet this New Year? I've started using flaxseed in smoothies and dishes as well as FiberOne bars.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Fiber Plus


Monday, January 17, 2011

Mamavation Monday

Last Week’s Goals:
-Walk 20 miles
-Continue The Shred – Level 2
-3-30sec planks everyday
-10 pushups everyday
-Zumba class Tuesday
-Buy water bottle & record water intake
-Lose 2lbs

This Week’s Totals:
Monday: 3.4 miles - Shred
Tuesday: 3.4 miles - Shred
Wednesday: 0 - Snow Storm
Thursday: 3.4 miles - Shred
Friday: 6.42 miles, 14,539 steps
Saturday: 3.09 miles, 7,012 steps
Sunday: 0.41 miles, 931 steps

Total Miles = 20.12

This was a rough week for me mentally, physically, and emotionally. My semester started on Monday and I have two very interesting and tough classes: Social Problems + Biology of AIDS and STDS. They are 6 week intensive courses compared to regular courses that run 12 weeks. That means double the work. Which means I’m stressing out. On top of that I was chosen as a Mamavation Mom finalist, which means I was on a crazy marketing campaign trying to get votes. I’m exhausted. The results of the 2 Moms are the winners are announced tonight. I’m sure I’ll have a post up tomorrow one way or another. THANK YOU to all that have supported me and voted and helped spread the word. It was so very very appreciated. Thank You just doesn’t seem like enough.

Update: I didn’t win Mamavation Mom.Thank you for the support of friends, family, and fellow bloggers.


Next Week’s Goals:

-Walk 20 miles
-Keep track of water
-Continue Shred
-Watch serving size

Measurements:
Weight: 168.4
Chest: 39
Waist: 39
Hips: 42


Entering another Mamavation challenge, called Move it or Lose it.




Sunday, January 9, 2011

Mamavation Monday

What a week!

Last Week’s Goals:
-Walk 18 miles
-Continue with The Shred
-Continue eating healthy snacks
-Increase water intake
-Become a Mamavation Mom finalist

This Week Walking/Exercise Totals:
Monday: 3.4mi [2nd day Shred, Lv1]
Tuesday: 3mi Shred, 45 sec plank, [3rd day Shred, Lv1]
Wednesday: 4.1mi [4th day Shred, Lv1]
Thursday: 4.2mi [5th day Shred, Lv1]
Friday: 4.3mi [6th day Shred, Lv1]
Saturday: .5mi, 3-30sec plank, 50 jumping jacks [7th day Shred, Lv1]
Sunday: 1mi, 4-30sec planks, 15 push-ups [8th day Shred, Lv2]

Total Miles = 20.5

Another week in a row that I surpassed my walking totals! I walked an extra 2.5 miles beyond my goal, and it feels great! I’m really getting used to walking now; it’s become something I have to do. I don’t even get mad anymore when I see the bus go by. Walking has given me a time to clear my head and get my thoughts together and catch-up on my music!! I’m pretty obsessed with Kanye West – My Dark Sick Twisted Fantasy oh and N.E.R.D! Definitely have to have something upbeat for my walk to work in the morning. And I feel like my legs jiggle less and that they’ve possibly firmed up! Wouldn’t that be awesome! With all the walking I’m doing, my legs HAVE to be toning up!

I have continued with Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. Somehow. You’re supposed to do Level 1 for 10 days than switch to Level 2, but I along with Tara at The Young Mommy Life have been doing The Shred together and she progressed to Level 2, so I HAD to switch. When she told me she sat on the floor for 20 minutes after, I was a little scared, but I went ahead and did Level 2. And…..it kicked my butt, big time!! Attempting to do Level 2 really showed how out of shape I am! I had to stop multiple times even though I followed the modified version of the exercise. Jillian Michael is serious! Its 20 minutes of pure butt-kicking. Instead of motivating me, it’s making me want to run away! But I know that I HAVE to press on. That I have to force my body to work hard. It’s just really discouraging when I cannot keep up with the pace or exercises! But into week 2 we go, and I’m determined to by the end of the week do Level 2 without stopping! Go hard or Go home I say.

I think I did pretty good eating healthy snacks last week. I tend to snack on the same things and immediately go for almonds or tangerines or my dried fruit/nut mix, so overall I have been doing ok. I didn’t buy many new snacks for this week because I still have a lot of snacks from last week.

Breakfast. UGH. So I have to admit, I don’t love breakfast. I would much rather skip to lunch. Most days my body isn’t hungry until 11am, but I know waiting that long to eat is not healthy for my body SO I’m going to be making smoothies or oatmeal in the morning. There is a great smoothie recipe featured in this month’s Health magazine that I’m going to adapt for me. The ingredients include baby spinach, ground flaxseed, frozen fruit, and milk. I’m excited and nervous about the spinach, but hoping its packed with good for you stuff, so hoping my body likes it…and my tastebuds!

I went grocery shopping today and these are some of the foods I picked up:
Oatmeal, flaxseed, whole grain pasta & egg noodles, mushrooms, strawberries, and baby spinach.

Been doing a lot better with water this week, and I hardly had any juice which is great. But I realized that I probably should try to pay attention to how much water I’m drinking. So the plan is to go buy a small water bottle and keep on filling it up. If you remember in a previous post I said a bigger bottle intimidates me and I like my water really cold, so I think a small one would work out great for me.

I packed my lunch everyday but Tuesday, when I was craving sushi!! So I headed over to Whole Foods and got some veggie sushi and inari and it was just delish!!! Mmm, totally worth the money!

I was supposed to go to Zumba with my daughter on Tuesday, but she was sick so we’re pushing Zumba class to this coming Tuesday. Now that I’m really thinking about it, I’m nervous about how she is going to do for an entire 60 minutes of dancing. Yes she loves to dance and is a ball of energy, but ya 60 minutes, I don’t know. But I’m still going to try and will bring a bag full of goodies to entertain her if she doesn’t want to dance anymore.

Mamavation finalists get chosen tonight at midnight, I’m going to try to stay up as late as I can, but I start getting cranky at 10 so we’ll see. Big thanks to all those that have supported me in my quest for wellness, it has meant so much to me!! I’ll keep you updated to let you know if I am a finalist!

Oh and I lost .2 lbs lol. Its not much, BUT its a start. And I am very very happy that the scale did not INCREASE!!

This Week’s Goals:
-Walk 20 miles
-Continue The Shred – Level 2
-3-30sec planks everyday
-10 pushups everyday
-Zumba class Tuesday
-Buy water bottle & record water intake
-Lose 2lbs

I also want to start meal planning to try to make my life easier, and I’d love if you could share your favorite healthy dinner recipes!!

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by SalonPas.

Have you ever been injured starting a new exercise routine? Tell us about it…If not, do you get any aches and pains? Where?

I have not been seriously injured as a result of starting a new workout routine, but while doing the workout program Chalene Extreme last year I experience severe discomfort in my neck. The Chalene Extreme program utilizes weights and focuses a lot on the upper body. For some reason 3 weeks into the program my trapezoid became extremely tense and seemingly flared up. Nothing I would do with ease the discomfort and world stretch and stretch, but nothing. Finally after consulting my Doctor she told me to stop the program and prescribed a muscle relaxer and weeks later the extreme tenseness of my trapezoids went away. But they are still generally tense and I know I can attribute that to the fact that I’m on the computer 40 hours a week at work and then when I’m home on the computer. Boo!


Thursday, December 30, 2010

Play Your Way-Personal Fitness Twitter Party with GameStop

Join the community at Mamavation for a special Twitter party Wednesday, January 5th from 8-10pm EST with Gamestop. Also enter for your chance to win the following:

1. GRAND PRIZE: Wii Bundle in black, white or red. The bundle comes with:
·         Black Wii System
·         Wii MotionPlus Remote
·         Wii Nunchuk Controller Black
·         Wii Sports
·         Wii Sports Resort

2. Biggest Loser Challenge
3. Biggest Loser Ultimate
4. EA Sports Active 2.0
5. Jillian Michaels FItness Ultimatum 2011 (2 winners)
6. Kinect Sports
7. Sony Move SPorts Champions Bundle
8. Your Shape Fitness Evolved
9. Wii Sports Resort

I’m gunning for the Wii! I’ve wanted one for forever to help me exercise, but haven’t been able to afford it! I hope I win, I hope I win!

See you there!!! 



Monday, December 27, 2010

Mamavation Monday 12/27

Hope you all had a great holiday!!

Monday: 2.3 miles
Tuesday: .5 miles
Wednesday: .5 miles
Thursday: 1.5 miles
Friday: 1.2 miles
Saturday: Merry Christmas
Sunday: Well Hello Blizzard!

TOTAL = 6 miles… GULP

Last Week’s Goals:
- Walk 15 miles [with the holiday I hope to still get in as much walking as I can]
-Pack a healthy lunch everyday this week
-Pack healthy snacks [already bought carrots + celery sticks]
-Increase water intake!
-Do a set of pushups + sit-ups 3x this week
-Resist temptation on Christmas!!

For the 3 weeks I have averaged about 21 miles a week, so this 6 miles is wayyy under what I have been walking lately, and I’m disappointed in myself, but I know it wasn’t because I was being lazy. I spent the week with some tummy problems that has me barely able to function at work. Add that to last minute Christmas shopping and Christmas, it was a hard week. I should have pushed myself harder, but there was a lot on my plate this week, and so I prioritized other things over making sure I walked 21 miles.

I did a pretty good job at packing a lunch this week. I forgot one day [only had bread] so therefore only ate bread, and was super hungry. I know that wasn’t good, but I didn’t want to go get something and didn’t want to spend any money at food! I spend enough at the grocery store every time I go!

Sooo someone ate my raw almonds at my desk, so I felt a bit stuck with snacks, as they were my go to snack. But I ate apples, celery, and carrots, and this week am thinking raisins, hummus, and apples will be good healthy satisfying snacks for me.

Not doing so great on the water intake. I mean, I’m drinking it, but not drinking enough. I have to figure out another tactic to want to drink more! Ideas??

Because I was sick all last week I didn’t do any pushups, so definitely want to make sure I get them in this week.

This Week’s Goals:
-Walk 10 miles [there is about a foot and a half of snow so hoping to get as much walking as I can]
-Pack lunch the 3 days I’m in the office
-Eat healthy snacks
-Do a workout DVD one time this week
-Limit alcohol intake on New Years


Alright still going strong on my Mamavation Campaign! I would love your support!! I still need your consistent support to become the next Mamavation Mom! We have until January 5th to show the people behind Mamavation that I have support! The public can’t vote until finalists have been chosen January 5th so keep the support going please!

1. Visit Mamavation Facebook Page and tell them why they think I would make a good Mamavation Mom. Be sure to include my handles @YoungFabMama | @AlexandraElizabeth
2. Visit, like, and comment on my Youtube video application. Click Here
3. Tweet: “Hey @bookieboo! I want (@YoungFabMama) to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa