Confession: We love our electronics around here. Confession #2: We are fond of Nintendo products. While we do have limits on how much time our children can be interfacing with screens (unless they are reading on the kindle), we do own quite a few options for the time that they are allowed. Both boys have DS handhelds and we've had a Wii for years. I'm not much of a game player, but even I've had a rockin' good time with the Wii. So, when Nintendo offered to send me the Wii Fit U and the Fit Meter to review, I was all over it. I've always wanted to try out the balance board and I'm definitely looking for new ways to help my one child burn off excess energy and to get the other child moving. Takeaways: the Wii Fit U game … [Read more...]
Running couch potato
Recently, the NY Times reported on a study of how much time runners training for a marathon spent sedentary. Not surprisingly, it found that, when not actually working out, the runners were just as sedentary as everyone else. No conclusion was drawn as to whether all the running balanced the sedentary behavior, but still, people, that's a lot of sitting. I've been trying really hard this year NOT to be a couch potato. Like many people, my job involves sitting in front of a computer. I shop online. I socialize online at least some part of every day. I drive when I need to do a grocery trip or Target or any number of errands where I'm either taking something with me or bringing back something. I am, however, fortunate in two ways: … [Read more...]
Revolve Party!
A while back, RevolveDC offered me a chance to come for a free ride and bring 20 of my local friends. Obviously, I jumped at the chance and sent out word to my local running buddies and some of the moms' groups I belonged to. It didn't take long to fill all of my allotted seats. I rode on Wednesday with a friend and Angel kicked.our.butts. So, I took Thursday as a rest day to make sure my legs were up for a fun ride on Friday. Friday, a decent percentage of women showed up for the ride. (Most of us were moms and we all know that kids can throw a wrench in plans.) Once again, Revolve did not disappoint. Friday's instructor was Grant Hill. This was the third time I've taken his class and he ALWAYS pushes me harder than … [Read more...]
Go big or go home (+ a winner)
Beer Geek has a few days of leave he has to use by the end of the year. Because this year he's covering the office during Christmas week, he's decided to take a few random days off between now and then. Monday was the first of those days. Being the good wife that I am, (stop laughing), I asked him what he'd like to do on his day off. His response? Let's bike to Mad Fox Brewery and back. Although my immediate reaction was "hell.no.", what came out of my mouth was "Sure, I can do that." What??? Let me tell you a little bit about the planned ride. It's hilly. It's 5.5 miles each way. Some biking in traffic is required. It was windy yesterday. And, oh yeah, it's HILLY! And the farthest I'd ever ridden before was 3 … [Read more...]
Fitting it in
This week, Jones is attending a computer camp. He's loving it. He's learning all sorts of things I don't understand. I, on the other hand, am not loving this week. Why? His camp is a 50 minute drive away. So, I have two options: drive 50 minutes 4 times a day or drive 50 minutes 2 times, but have to kill 8 hours away from my parents' house. Monday I chose the "kill 8 hours" option and spent that time test driving cars to replace my Civic. While it was time well spent (I decided which car and even did some negotiating), it was EXHAUSTING. It didn't help that the last salesman had the personality of a wet sponge and knew less about the car than I did. I walked out of that dealership completely drained. (And since I know … [Read more...]
Staying fit without running
Back in the dark ages days before kids, I was not really a runner. I ran, occasionally. But I was slender and fit. How? I lifted weights three days a week and hit the elliptical, exercise bike and very occasionally the treadmill the other two days. Yes, 99% of my workouts were done during my work lunch hour, which meant the actual workout was never more than 40 minutes. And I looked and felt amazing. Fast forward to after Jones' birth. I got smacked with Postpartum Depression AKA PPD. It was a rough time for me. Having a newborn is hard (especially when you get the non-sleeping version). Having a newborn while struggling with depression is a whole different world. (Not sure why it never occurred to me that it might … [Read more...]
Get out of the heat with RevolveDC (Giveaway!)
It's hot in the DC metro area right now. Really, really hot. Workouts in my unairconditioned basement have kind of sucked, whether it's a run on my dying treadmill or a weight workout. Even going to the pool yesterday wasn't that refreshing because the water was warm. Ugh! I like sweating because I got a good workout. I'm not a fan of sweating before I even move. Just one of many reasons I like Revolve: a spin studio with air conditioning! Anyways, RevolveDC has offered me the chance to give one of my local readers a 5 ride pack! Not just one free ride, but five! Remember how much I loved my ride? It was pretty awesome and I can't wait to become a regular in the fall. And RevolveDC just won Best Indoor Cycling Studio in … [Read more...]
A teaser: The FitBase
Last week, I met up with a friend for coffee. This may have been the first time I've actually sat down and talked to this friend, as opposed to being covered in sweat and cursing his name. See, C.J. is a personal trainer and running coach. We've hung out at races together (note that we haven't raced together 'cause he's way faster than I am) and I've hired him on occasion to make me lift weights. But C.J. has recently started an awesome new project and I wanted to hear all about it. After our meet up, I figured all my DC peeps should hear about it too. The FitBase So, what is The FitBase? Well, right now, it's the beginnings of a database of all the gyms, classes, and personal trainers in the greater DC area. Doing a search … [Read more...]
(Wo)Man of Steel™
Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Soldier of Steel ™ So far, June is the month of not running. (That's not completely true as I did run a half marathon. A long half marathon.) My various body parts have asked for a break from the pounding that is running. One of my ankles is really angry at me and in fact threw a complete temper tantrum this morning. Jacked up ankle + 3 inch heels? Recipe for face plant. That's all I'm saying. So, I'm looking elsewhere for fitness. Yoga, Best Body Bootcamp, Pilates, Spinning and, now, Soldier of Steel ™. I swear, the perfect opportunities seem to fall in my lap just when I need them. What am I talking about? Check this out... I want to … [Read more...]
I don’t wanna
I'm pretty sure every mom has heard that phrase at least once in their lives, usually from their 2 year old who's refusing something like putting on shoes or eating their breakfast. Some kids go through a phase where that's their response to pretty much everything, even good things. Today, my inner two year old was loud and clear: I don't wanna. I need to work. I don't wanna. I need to run. I don't wanna. I need to go grocery shopping. I don't wanna. Apparently my inner two year old wanted to just sit and do nothing and drink coffee. (What can I say? My inner two year old has sophisticated tastes...) I told myself that this month I don't have to run if I don't want to. But, that doesn't mean I can sit on my butt and … [Read more...]
#WhatsBeautiful now?
As part of my participation in the Under Armour What's Beautiful campaign, I made a goal of stepping outside my comfort zone. While I haven't exactly managed to do one thing that scares me every day, I did successfully step WAY outside my zone to race a trail half marathon. It was pretty awesome putting myself out there where I had no experience before. OK, maybe the whole time wasn't awesome... But I did it! Now what? There are still four weeks left. I need a new way to step outside my zone. I know. I'll stop running. What???? OK, I won't stop running. I'm just going to make cross training a priority. It's been years since I focused on something besides running for exercise (12.5 to be exact...) and it's time … [Read more...]
Five for Friday
1. I've been doing Tina Reale's Best Body Bootcamp for the last 8 weeks. I'll write a review this weekend, but {spoiler alert} I'll be signing up for the next round. Today, the workout involved upper body weights with burpees in between. In fact, it called for a total of 125 burpees! Umm, I've never done more than 5 burpees in a row, ever. But I did it! The last few of each set of 25 might have involved a pushup on my knees and something that looked more like crawling than jumping my feet forward, but I did it. Who'd like to come feed me later when I can't lift my arms? 2. I've also been participating in the What's Beautiful campaign with Under Armour (through FitFluential). Yesterday a box came in the mail with some free … [Read more...]
