Oh how I wish I had done less than 25 push ups for my second initial test. Yeesh.
As for something more exciting, I am workin' on it. Promise. Coming soon to a theater near you.
3.30.2010
3.28.2010
good but not great
I was really hoping that my second test would be as awesome as some of you, *cough *cough Chelsi, but instead I could only pump out 27. That's ok. It's still plenty better than my first initial test and so I am satisfied for now. I think we need a little motivation here, a little pick me up. Maybe I should find something interesting to post about, any suggestions? Or I could just keep doing/saying push up, push up, push up, push up....
3.23.2010
pregfit instead of just pregnant
Since I have alot of friends who are either pregnant, trying to get pregnant or have been pregnant, I figure a working out while pregnant post might be of some use to all.
My pregnancy with Jack was healthy, normal and fairly easy. I never puked, only felt nauseated during the first trimester and was able to work on my feet as a waitress the whole 9 months. I gained 39 pounds.
My pregnancy with Violet was equally as good. However, I continued exercising at my pre-pregnancy fitness level and only gained 29 pounds.
When I get questions about what is a healthy and safe amount of exercise during pregnancy I usually tell people to continue their current exercise routine until comfort necessitates modification. Basically that means if you lift weights, you can keep lifting them. The modification will come when you don't feel comfortable lying on your back and you will have to do chest presses, crunches and other exercises on an incline. If you take aerobic classes or do other aerobic activities, you can keep doing that same workout for the same duration of time. The modification will happen when your bladder forces you to stop jumping and you have to minimize the movements to a lower impact option.
Here are a few tips:
During cardio exercise you should be reaching 40-60 percent of your maximum heart rate. Basically, you should be able to speak while working out.
If it feels uncomfortable, it's probably not right. Again, listen to your body.
Any good fitness instructor should be able to provide you with specific pregnancy modifications. Feel free to ask for options before or after class. During class listen for the words, level one, low option, or low impact. Those are for you.
Tests have shown that exercise during pregnancy can reduce or even eliminate symptoms of morning sickness. I know I never threw up but the naseau was awful too. I felt less naseau on the days I worked out. Swear.
It sounds simple, it sounds easy but you would not believe how many people freak out about exercise during pregnancy. It's ok to keep it up and keep it moving. Going back to the post below, as long as you listen to your body, you will be fine. If you have questions about what you can and can't do, talk to your doctor. You may be surprised to find that doctors really support/encourage good, sweaty exercise through out the entire 9 months. Whatever you do, don't stop. I promise you that your body will have an easier time during delivery and an easier time losing the post pregnancy weight. For me the best part of teaching classes all the way to the end of my second pregnancy was the tiny sneakers Violet was born wearing. Just kidding but wouldn't it have been funny? No really, it was gaining 10 pounds less than I had with Jack. Worth every ounce.
***Every pregnancy is different. If you have had or are having a pregnancy with complications, this post probably will not apply to you. I am speaking to the average woman, with the average pregnancy. If you think you may have a pregnancy with specific guidelines, talk to your OBGYN before embarking on any exercise program.
My pregnancy with Jack was healthy, normal and fairly easy. I never puked, only felt nauseated during the first trimester and was able to work on my feet as a waitress the whole 9 months. I gained 39 pounds.
My pregnancy with Violet was equally as good. However, I continued exercising at my pre-pregnancy fitness level and only gained 29 pounds.
When I get questions about what is a healthy and safe amount of exercise during pregnancy I usually tell people to continue their current exercise routine until comfort necessitates modification. Basically that means if you lift weights, you can keep lifting them. The modification will come when you don't feel comfortable lying on your back and you will have to do chest presses, crunches and other exercises on an incline. If you take aerobic classes or do other aerobic activities, you can keep doing that same workout for the same duration of time. The modification will happen when your bladder forces you to stop jumping and you have to minimize the movements to a lower impact option.
Here are a few tips:
During cardio exercise you should be reaching 40-60 percent of your maximum heart rate. Basically, you should be able to speak while working out.
If it feels uncomfortable, it's probably not right. Again, listen to your body.
Any good fitness instructor should be able to provide you with specific pregnancy modifications. Feel free to ask for options before or after class. During class listen for the words, level one, low option, or low impact. Those are for you.
Tests have shown that exercise during pregnancy can reduce or even eliminate symptoms of morning sickness. I know I never threw up but the naseau was awful too. I felt less naseau on the days I worked out. Swear.
It sounds simple, it sounds easy but you would not believe how many people freak out about exercise during pregnancy. It's ok to keep it up and keep it moving. Going back to the post below, as long as you listen to your body, you will be fine. If you have questions about what you can and can't do, talk to your doctor. You may be surprised to find that doctors really support/encourage good, sweaty exercise through out the entire 9 months. Whatever you do, don't stop. I promise you that your body will have an easier time during delivery and an easier time losing the post pregnancy weight. For me the best part of teaching classes all the way to the end of my second pregnancy was the tiny sneakers Violet was born wearing. Just kidding but wouldn't it have been funny? No really, it was gaining 10 pounds less than I had with Jack. Worth every ounce.
***Every pregnancy is different. If you have had or are having a pregnancy with complications, this post probably will not apply to you. I am speaking to the average woman, with the average pregnancy. If you think you may have a pregnancy with specific guidelines, talk to your OBGYN before embarking on any exercise program.
push up and up
Is it just me or was day 3 of week 2 not as bad? Yeah. That's what I thought. It is just me. I thought that I would be weaker after taking so many days off but I think I am stronger. Maybe it's because I finally gave my body enough rest to actually rebuild what I tear down when I work out. Who knows? All I know is that brief hiatus has really re-inspired me to grab this thing by the horns. Hope you guys are feeling good too. I can't wait to take the "initial test" over again on Thursday to see how much I've grown. Did you read that Chelsi did 32 after an initial test of only 14?! Isn't that rad?! Can I get an Ugh! Ugh!?
i listened and learned
You know how everyone keeps saying things like, "listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs"? Well, I listened and I learned that everyone is right. Saturday morning was my last class of the week and as I mentioned before I had taught 8 classes in five days. Boy was that alot. One night I taught a Zumba class from 6:30-7:30 at Gold's on the East side of town, then sped all the way to LA Fitness on the North side of town to teach Zumba from 8-9. Luckily I was only five minutes late and I didn't kill anyone on the way. (For all of you Utah peeps that is basically like driving through town from the University Mall to the Provo Towne Center in under 30 minutes.) My point is, I may have overdone it a teensy bit last week and as punishment my body thought it would be a good idea to make me sick. As if making me sore wasn't bad enough, she threw the illness in there for good measure.
I am happy to report that after 3 days of basically doing nothing (nothing meaning no exercise) I feel a million times better. In fact, I would venture to say that I feel one hundred million and ninety nine percent better (There's a little shout out to the Maury Povich paternity test show for you)! It's wonderful. Life is good and I think I know what all the fuss is about. Listening to your body really does produce good results. Now, if I could only convince my body that it needs all of the chocolate chip cookies. :)
Here's a little challenge for you, since the hundred push-up program isn't enough, try listening. If your body says you're tired, sleep. If she says she is hungry, eat. Thirsty, drink. Naked, shop. Wait what?! Ok that last one was lame but really, listen. Don't gorge, pig out or force yourself beyond your limits. Chances are it will have a negative effect rather than a positive.
Now, go q-tip your ears and listen up. I bet your day will be so much better.
I am happy to report that after 3 days of basically doing nothing (nothing meaning no exercise) I feel a million times better. In fact, I would venture to say that I feel one hundred million and ninety nine percent better (There's a little shout out to the Maury Povich paternity test show for you)! It's wonderful. Life is good and I think I know what all the fuss is about. Listening to your body really does produce good results. Now, if I could only convince my body that it needs all of the chocolate chip cookies. :)
Here's a little challenge for you, since the hundred push-up program isn't enough, try listening. If your body says you're tired, sleep. If she says she is hungry, eat. Thirsty, drink. Naked, shop. Wait what?! Ok that last one was lame but really, listen. Don't gorge, pig out or force yourself beyond your limits. Chances are it will have a negative effect rather than a positive.
Now, go q-tip your ears and listen up. I bet your day will be so much better.
3.21.2010
shunshine! i hate shunshine!
Remember when Mad Madame Mim got sick and the anecdote was sunshine? I wish that would cure me right now because this whole not being able to breathe thing is screwing me. I am officially postponing my push ups until at least one of my nostrils is clear and my face doesn't feel like it's having braxton hicks. I hate to do this but after teaching 8 classes in five days last week plus the gnarly week 2 of one hundred push up mania, I think this cold is my body telling me to sit down or else! Please don't give up just because I am taking a sick day. Please! I need you!
3.18.2010
push up-chuck
Am I the only one out there hating this more day by day? I seriously dread Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we're only on week two. So pathetic!!
Also, do any of you do more than the max out "at least" number? Yesterday I hit 17 and that was all she wrote. Seventeen? Is that all it takes to zap me of me muscle juices? I guess so.
I will not quit, I will not quit, I will not quit, I want to quit, I MEAN, I will not quit, I will not quit....
Also, do any of you do more than the max out "at least" number? Yesterday I hit 17 and that was all she wrote. Seventeen? Is that all it takes to zap me of me muscle juices? I guess so.
I will not quit, I will not quit, I will not quit, I want to quit, I MEAN, I will not quit, I will not quit....
3.17.2010
tooty fruity
I have this awesome dieting tip that is going to blow your mind. At least, it should because it works like a freaking charm.
Eat a handful of fruit roughly 30 minutes before eating a meal. When I am cooking dinner or preparing lunch the first thing I do is slice an apple and eat half or have some berries. Any fruit will do and it doesn't have to be alot.
I'm not sure the exact science of it all but when I think about it logically these are the reasons I can come up with for it working. First it starts to fill up your tummy before your meal which helps you eat less. Next it is a fiber rich food which also sustains the full feeling for longer after you eat. And last, I think it somehow keeps my blood sugar stable. Not sure if this one is true and since I'm not a doctor or a registered dietitian I don't think you should quote me on that. However, I do notice that I am less fatigued when I follow this rule. You know how after you eat, you just want to take a nap? I don't get that very often anymore.
So there you have it. Three pretty good reasons why you should eat fruit before you eat your meal. If those reasons don't officially do it for you how about this? I can't stop losing weight. Yeah I teach gym classes and work out alot but we all know that diet is 80 percent of weight loss. We also know that I am the WORST dieter in the world. So if I am losing weight and this is one of the only "dieting" tricks I am using, it must be working right? Right. Try it. You'll like it.
A big thanks to Heather for this tip. It has revolutionized my life in the last month. I never imagined something so small could make such a big difference. It works for me, I hope it works for you too.
Eat a handful of fruit roughly 30 minutes before eating a meal. When I am cooking dinner or preparing lunch the first thing I do is slice an apple and eat half or have some berries. Any fruit will do and it doesn't have to be alot.
I'm not sure the exact science of it all but when I think about it logically these are the reasons I can come up with for it working. First it starts to fill up your tummy before your meal which helps you eat less. Next it is a fiber rich food which also sustains the full feeling for longer after you eat. And last, I think it somehow keeps my blood sugar stable. Not sure if this one is true and since I'm not a doctor or a registered dietitian I don't think you should quote me on that. However, I do notice that I am less fatigued when I follow this rule. You know how after you eat, you just want to take a nap? I don't get that very often anymore.
So there you have it. Three pretty good reasons why you should eat fruit before you eat your meal. If those reasons don't officially do it for you how about this? I can't stop losing weight. Yeah I teach gym classes and work out alot but we all know that diet is 80 percent of weight loss. We also know that I am the WORST dieter in the world. So if I am losing weight and this is one of the only "dieting" tricks I am using, it must be working right? Right. Try it. You'll like it.
A big thanks to Heather for this tip. It has revolutionized my life in the last month. I never imagined something so small could make such a big difference. It works for me, I hope it works for you too.
3.11.2010
shape ups
Have any of you seen these shoes? Have any of you thought, "hmm, maybe I should try those?" Well if you have, shame on you! Hey, here's an idea, maybe you should exercise for real instead of spending big bucks on a pair of shoes that make you look like you ride the short bus. So lame. So ugly. Such a sad farce.
vacation
Hi push-up friends. Or should I say push-up fiends? Eh? Eh? Lame. Sorry.
I just wanted to let you all know that I won't be reporting for Day 3 of the push up challenge until Saturday. I had to take a lifting class today and ended up pounding out about 4 sets of 8. If you add that to all I did yesterday it equals, well, jello arms. So to give my chest a break I will be moving my Day 3 to Saturday from Friday. Just wanted to let you know. How are you doing? I bet you are rocking it and I know you aren't going to give up either. Seriously, how rad will it be when you can drop down and do 100?! Super rad. Can I get an ugh! ugh!?
I just wanted to let you all know that I won't be reporting for Day 3 of the push up challenge until Saturday. I had to take a lifting class today and ended up pounding out about 4 sets of 8. If you add that to all I did yesterday it equals, well, jello arms. So to give my chest a break I will be moving my Day 3 to Saturday from Friday. Just wanted to let you know. How are you doing? I bet you are rocking it and I know you aren't going to give up either. Seriously, how rad will it be when you can drop down and do 100?! Super rad. Can I get an ugh! ugh!?
3.10.2010
push update day 2
So it's official. I'm an idiot. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the push up charts onto my blog. I know it's possible because the girl I got the idea from had them on hers but I just can't figure it out.
My remedy for this problem is just to provide links to the corresponding chart each day. That's the best I can do. Sorry.
Anyway...I accomplished day two successfully. Ugh! Ugh!
It went like this:
Set 1: 10
Set 2: 12
Set 3: 8
Set 4: 8
Set 5: max out but do at least 12. I did 13. Ok, ok 12 1/2. :)
Here's hoping that you were successful in your second day. Has anyone else already had thoughts about how hard this will be getting soon? Like very soon. Yeah me too. But for some reason, it's still kinda fun in a sick, punishing kind of way. :)
My remedy for this problem is just to provide links to the corresponding chart each day. That's the best I can do. Sorry.
Anyway...I accomplished day two successfully. Ugh! Ugh!
It went like this:
Set 1: 10
Set 2: 12
Set 3: 8
Set 4: 8
Set 5: max out but do at least 12. I did 13. Ok, ok 12 1/2. :)
Here's hoping that you were successful in your second day. Has anyone else already had thoughts about how hard this will be getting soon? Like very soon. Yeah me too. But for some reason, it's still kinda fun in a sick, punishing kind of way. :)
3.08.2010
push-update
Day 1 done. Successful completion. I am going to get Michael to help me put up the charts for the coordinating days on my blog. I may be capable and even pretty good at teaching fitness classes but I am a complete moron when it comes to anything technical.
Here is the rundown
Set 1:10
Set 2:12
Set 3:7
Set 4:7
Set 5:10 (I may have been able to do more than 10 if Jack weren't trying to climb on my back for a ride.)
Phew.
If you are doing this with me, so far I only know of Chellor, then you can report on your own blog, on my blog in the comments section, on your refrigerator at home or on FB. I don't care, as long as you're being honest. I would love to hear how it's going for you though so if you do get a chance leave your stats in the comments below. Can I get an UGH! UGH! (More manly than a woot! woot! don't you think?)
Here is the rundown
Set 1:10
Set 2:12
Set 3:7
Set 4:7
Set 5:10 (I may have been able to do more than 10 if Jack weren't trying to climb on my back for a ride.)
Phew.
If you are doing this with me, so far I only know of Chellor, then you can report on your own blog, on my blog in the comments section, on your refrigerator at home or on FB. I don't care, as long as you're being honest. I would love to hear how it's going for you though so if you do get a chance leave your stats in the comments below. Can I get an UGH! UGH! (More manly than a woot! woot! don't you think?)
3.06.2010
shifty pants
Did you have to read that title twice? Yes I meant shifty not the other word you may be thinking of. Anyway, I am currently waiting on hold with Nordstrom Rack in Illinois. Why in the world, you ask? Because I am desperately looking for a pair of Nike workout pants. Ridiculous? Maybe. Ok yes. But let me just say, I get stopped constantly by strangers and friends alike asking me where I purchased these pants. They are the cutest work out pants ever. EVER! And yes, you were reading right, I ALREADY have a pair. I bought them in Hawaii at the Nordstrom Rack there in a size medium. At that time, they fit perfectly, now they are a bit large and wearing over sized workout pants while jumping around in front of an audience has become a bit risky. So here I am, listening to hold music and crossing my fingers that this store (there were only five across the country that even had them in stock) will actually have them. Pathetic right? Or just highly motivated? Also, I should mention here and now that I have already scoured the Internet high and low and I even called the Nike company. When I say scour, I mean scour, like looking at websites in Denmark and the UK. Seriously people, when I want something bad enough, you can bet your sweet booty that I'll get it.
CRAP!!! Two down, three to go. If no one has them, I may shed a tear.
So without further adieu, here they are. Before you scratch your head and say, "those? Really? That's it?" please remember that everyone is allowed to love and obsess over something different as long as no one else gets hurt in that process. :)
HALLELUJAH!!! I found em!!! Thank you Chicago! Thank you Maryland! I went ahead and ordered two more pairs just for good measure. Patheticism (is that even a word?) at its finest.
CRAP!!! Two down, three to go. If no one has them, I may shed a tear.
So without further adieu, here they are. Before you scratch your head and say, "those? Really? That's it?" please remember that everyone is allowed to love and obsess over something different as long as no one else gets hurt in that process. :)
HALLELUJAH!!! I found em!!! Thank you Chicago! Thank you Maryland! I went ahead and ordered two more pairs just for good measure. Patheticism (is that even a word?) at its finest.
3.04.2010
extreme turdiness
The reason I haven't posted anything about my push up challenge is because....I haven't started. AH! Not because I didn't want to, I am seriously psyched to do this, but because I have hardly had a chance to breathe let alone remember to drop down and pump out 20. Or however many it is. I started teaching at a second gym and I seriously get a sub request phone call EVERYDAY. Seriously. And since I have that awesome "I just can't so no" complex, I have been subbing like EVERYDAY. On top of that, my husband has been Q3 for the last couple of weeks, which basically just means he has been at the hospital for 36 hours at a time every three days, and my Grandpa is in town. Sheesh, can somebody throw me a rope here?! No, I'm not complaining. Too busy is much better than not busy enough. It seems it's always one or the other doesn't it? If anyone has found the sweet spot called just busy enough would you let me know where that is. Thanks.
So seeing as how my life is a giant bowl of bananas lately, I decided to go ahead and start this upcoming Monday for two reasons. A)Because I am hoping that some of you will get some balls (yes I said the word balls and yes I meant it in that way) and join me. And B) because I am going to hand out my blog address to all of my gym peeps in hopes that they will join me too. So, there you have it. Legitimate excuses as to why I haven't started yet and why I decided to wait.
Now for reals this time, who's in?
So seeing as how my life is a giant bowl of bananas lately, I decided to go ahead and start this upcoming Monday for two reasons. A)Because I am hoping that some of you will get some balls (yes I said the word balls and yes I meant it in that way) and join me. And B) because I am going to hand out my blog address to all of my gym peeps in hopes that they will join me too. So, there you have it. Legitimate excuses as to why I haven't started yet and why I decided to wait.
Now for reals this time, who's in?
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