I've heard the arguments that you shouldn't watch TV or listen to music while exercising because you end up moving slower. While I understand that when it comes to reading, I think that my exercise pace can be *fast enough* if I'm watching TV or listening to my iPod that it will be effective. Plus, if I am enjoying my workout, I'll do it longer!
I did this on the crazy stepper yesterday and tried to go for 30 minutes. Normally I'm bored after 10, but I actually lost track of the time (even though there was a big red countdown right in front of me) and did about 32 minutes yesterday because I got distracted by watching Wipeout. Plus, while watching Wipeout, it reminded me that I wanted to audition to compete on that show, but wanted to wait until I was in better shape.
I absolutely love having my iPod on while I'm working out too... I have a high-energy mix of music that motivates me and keeps me going! The rhythms are usually pretty fast, so I end up running or riding faster than normal.
If you can find a way to enjoy your workout so that you can still participate at a high intensity, but maybe workout longer, go for it. It's so helpful to feel like you have enjoyed your time!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Checking in!
Alright, check-in time for this week's workouts and meals so far!
Monday: We made Beef BBQ (think Sloppy Joes) for dinner, and I had sweet potato fries with the sandwiches! For exercise, I did 25 minutes of strength training, all in the legs, and on the Expresso bike (Expresso.net) I rode Farmer's Bluff: 6.91 miles in 29 minutes 35 seconds.
Tuesday: I forget the foods. I rode the Expresso bike again, doing the Dragon Fire course. Total miles: 5. Time: 19:15. Strength Training: 30 minutes.
Wednesday: Day 1 of menu planning. We made penne pasta, light alfredo sauce, smoked sausage (smoked turkey sausage is an available, healthier option), and peas. We microwaved the peas, mixed the sauce and sausage together on the stove, and added the peas to that when everything was hot. Drain the pasta, add the sauce combo, and enjoy! I had to work in the evening, so no gym.
Thursday: Meatball subs for dinner! Combo with green beans... sounds odd but we didn't have tossed salad so we improvised. Topped it off with a 31 minute workout on an odd take on a stepper. It's a great machine: if you take short strides, it's like you're climbing a set of stairs. Longer strides? It feels like you're running uphill.
So in four days, here are some totals: about 80 minutes of cardio and over 50 minutes of strength training.
Also, I did my first weigh-in on Monday. I re-weighed this morning and already lost 2.5 pounds!!! Look what happens when you go from nothing to something!
Monday: We made Beef BBQ (think Sloppy Joes) for dinner, and I had sweet potato fries with the sandwiches! For exercise, I did 25 minutes of strength training, all in the legs, and on the Expresso bike (Expresso.net) I rode Farmer's Bluff: 6.91 miles in 29 minutes 35 seconds.
Tuesday: I forget the foods. I rode the Expresso bike again, doing the Dragon Fire course. Total miles: 5. Time: 19:15. Strength Training: 30 minutes.
Wednesday: Day 1 of menu planning. We made penne pasta, light alfredo sauce, smoked sausage (smoked turkey sausage is an available, healthier option), and peas. We microwaved the peas, mixed the sauce and sausage together on the stove, and added the peas to that when everything was hot. Drain the pasta, add the sauce combo, and enjoy! I had to work in the evening, so no gym.
Thursday: Meatball subs for dinner! Combo with green beans... sounds odd but we didn't have tossed salad so we improvised. Topped it off with a 31 minute workout on an odd take on a stepper. It's a great machine: if you take short strides, it's like you're climbing a set of stairs. Longer strides? It feels like you're running uphill.
So in four days, here are some totals: about 80 minutes of cardio and over 50 minutes of strength training.
Also, I did my first weigh-in on Monday. I re-weighed this morning and already lost 2.5 pounds!!! Look what happens when you go from nothing to something!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
And so it begins...
Here's the starting info!
Weight: 185 lbs.
Bust: 39"
Chest: 35"
Waist (Belly Button level): 39.5"
"Natural Waist": 35"
Hips: 43"
L Thigh: 24"
L Calf: 15.75"
L Upper Arm: 13"
L Forearm: 11"
I used Spark People to aid me in my measurements (where to measure, what to measure), and then used their Waist-To-Hip Ratio Calculator to determine my health risk. The response was eye-opening.
I am at a Moderate risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments. (I used the natural waist measurement for this.)
My husband and I are trying to be healthier, not just for ourselves, but for our son. We realized that our diet is very unbalanced: lots of meat, lots of starches, very few veggies and fruits. That's not good for us, and it's not good for our toddler. So now we are trying to introduce fruits and vegetables throughout the day for all of us.
Tonight the menu is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and for dessert we'll have apple slices with caramel sauce.
Instead of having 2 pancakes for breakfast, we'll give the little guy a pancake and a banana.
If you have recipe ideas, please share them! I'd love to find more healthy foods that actually taste good and don't require 8,000 ingredients. Also, we like hot food, so 18 different kinds of salads probably aren't a good idea for us.
Weight: 185 lbs.
Bust: 39"
Chest: 35"
Waist (Belly Button level): 39.5"
"Natural Waist": 35"
Hips: 43"
L Thigh: 24"
L Calf: 15.75"
L Upper Arm: 13"
L Forearm: 11"
I used Spark People to aid me in my measurements (where to measure, what to measure), and then used their Waist-To-Hip Ratio Calculator to determine my health risk. The response was eye-opening.
I am at a Moderate risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments. (I used the natural waist measurement for this.)
My husband and I are trying to be healthier, not just for ourselves, but for our son. We realized that our diet is very unbalanced: lots of meat, lots of starches, very few veggies and fruits. That's not good for us, and it's not good for our toddler. So now we are trying to introduce fruits and vegetables throughout the day for all of us.
Tonight the menu is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and for dessert we'll have apple slices with caramel sauce.
Instead of having 2 pancakes for breakfast, we'll give the little guy a pancake and a banana.
If you have recipe ideas, please share them! I'd love to find more healthy foods that actually taste good and don't require 8,000 ingredients. Also, we like hot food, so 18 different kinds of salads probably aren't a good idea for us.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Introducing... ME! (Before)
One of my goals this year is to really put myself first. I realized in the past year that I do need to take care of myself before I can really take care of my son.
My goal this year is to drop 20 pounds. I want to get down to 165 by the end of the year. It should be totally do-able. I don't want to sacrifice ALL my time with my family, so I know I won't be able to get to the gym every single day. That's why I'm giving myself a full year instead of just until the summer. However, I'd LOVE to meet this goal by August.
"Before" pictures are coming... I'll also be using this blog to keep track of my workouts and share healthy meal options. Comments are also a great place for YOU to post healthy recipes for me, too! (Please do! I need some more options!)
My goal this year is to drop 20 pounds. I want to get down to 165 by the end of the year. It should be totally do-able. I don't want to sacrifice ALL my time with my family, so I know I won't be able to get to the gym every single day. That's why I'm giving myself a full year instead of just until the summer. However, I'd LOVE to meet this goal by August.
"Before" pictures are coming... I'll also be using this blog to keep track of my workouts and share healthy meal options. Comments are also a great place for YOU to post healthy recipes for me, too! (Please do! I need some more options!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)