Tag Archives: working out

Getting Benched

You hear and read it all the time, listen to your body.

An ache here, a pain there, a little bit sore – no big deal.  I think most athletes and  individuals who workout, get into the mindset that you need to push through the pain, or the pain only exists in your mind.   Most of the time it is in your mind, but sometimes…… you may have pushed too hard.  Which is what I think I did. Damn-it.

During a kickboxing class a few days ago, I noticed an unfamiliar hurt around my knee as I knee’d the bag as quickly and hard as I could for a minute straight. I knew after 10 seconds, but I kept going.  This is the point at which I should have stopped. I think we always know, as with  most things in life. You just know.

The soreness hasn’t gone away and I’m afraid of making it worse. I’ve been told to ice it, and I decided it’s time for a break.  I like taking a step back and looking at situations to see what I can see differently. In this case, I’ve realized that my whole leg hasn’t been up to par lately. The foot has been tight, shin has been sore, hamstring  and quads are tight….the signs were there. I’ve been going too hard and not warming up and stretching enough.  I want to be healthy and fit, but am I really doing myself a benefit if I’m not listening to my body when it’s talking?

I’m going to take a week off from any running, jumping, pounding or leg extensions then I’ll ease back into it.

This post is just a gentle reminder to; listen to your body, pay attention to signs, and take a break every once in a while.   p.s This can be carried into other aspects of our lives

Amp Your Workout with FIT Radio


While searching for a running app I came across FIT Radio.  Omg – do it. Just download it now.

The free App is available on Android and iPhone and is described on their website as, DJ engineered music of all genres designed to amp your workout!  That’s exactly what it is and does.


High quality mixes are available from DJs from the around the world, organized by  genre, DJ or type of workout.  You have the option to customize your account by choosing a particular mix to be a favorite, and it saves to your  Favorites for easy access.

Because of the variety of genres, you can choose a mix suitable  for your Warm Up/Cool Down,  Cardio, Runs or hard hitting gym time.

This app takes the guess work out of creating workout playlists. They are already created, and by real DJs for that matter.

I find that the app is simple to use and fun to play around with.  Best part to me is, that it’s multi-functional.  Obviously you can use it for more than just working out. ie, cleaning the house, getting ready for a night out, or  entertaining.  So far, I’m loving FIT Radio. Try it out for yourself.

Learn more about FIT Radio on their website at www.fitradio.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

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p.s. My favorite station is Back in the Day! 80′s -90′s Classics. Peep it.  Also, DJ CO1 has some great party mixes.

If you listen to FIT Radio and have a favorite station or DJ or let me know what it is.

Do Two More

Two more minutes reading, two more sheets to fold, two more reps at the gym, two more minutes on the phone with an old  friend, two more minutes on yourself.

Apply this wherever you see fit. I started at the gym.  Just two more squats, two more minutes running, two more push-ups. It kind of revs you up a bit, because you really want to finish strong and make it worth it. You eventually see and feel results; physically and mentally. Where do you think can you apply Two More?

 

Use a Deck of Cards for a Workout!

I’m taking a class once a week called Metabolic Training.  The term is new to me, but it’s a  pretty kick-ass work out. Makes you sweat, makes you burn and in all honesty makes you want more. I googled metabolic training and here’s what came up.

The short definition of metabolic training is completing structural and compound exercises with little rest in between exercises in an effort to maximize calorie burn and increase metabolic rate during and after the workout.

I want to share with you the fun way the trainer taught the class today. He used a deck of cards.  Each suit was assigned an exercise.  For instance,

  • Heart =  Squats (holding an 8lb kettle bell)
  • Spades = Kettle-bell Swings
  • Clover = Push-Ups
  • Diamond =  Medicine Ball throw
  • So there were 4 workouts. And the Joker was for 25 jump swats.

He would draw 1 card, and call out the shape. Then draw another card, and add up the numbers from the 1st and 2nd card.  So if the 1st card was a 10 of Hearts and the 2nd card was a 7 of spades (the shape doesn’t matter for the 2nd card) we would have to do 17 Squats.   Continue this process until all the cards are done.

52 cards in a deck, that 26 quick bursts of a workout.  This was my first time using cards as a tool for exercise. I thought it was pretty cool.  You never know what your gonna get next. We were lucky enough to the have the 2 Joker cards pulled right after each other.  50 jump swats in a row are no joke!

If you haven’t already tried using cards as tool for your workouts, try it! Mix up the exercises. Challenge yourself.

4 and a half months to go

I’m beginning to get more and more excited about running. I have four and a half months to continue preparing my mind and body for the Half Marathon. That in and of itself is pretty exciting. I’ve never been athletic, or into sports or anything like that. I do go to the gym but I’m not a fanatic. When I first started working out it was because I wanted to lose a few pounds, but over the last two years or so my perspective has changed and I want to feel good & live better. A healthier and more balanced life. Perspective changes everything.

I thought I’d tell you about my progress in general and just kind of let you know where I’m at. I go to the gym a few times a week, I do cardio and strength training, and when I wake up early enough to catch the 6am Tues/Thurs Pilates, I do.  Where I would like to be is running 4-5 times a week, adding about a mile every 10 days . I want to be consistent with Pilates and to continue strength training. Aaaaaaand, I want to continue to implement better eating habits and trying new foods/dishes. I’m writing this things down because I read it good to say your goals out loud or write them down.  That’s all folks.