Life is a little different these days. People are being asked to socially distance themselves at the minimum to shelter in place at the maximum. Some people are making the personal choice to self isolate due to either exposure or being in the vulnerable categories. We as a family are doing our best to self isolate. In the last few days, I've run two errands that HAD to be done (can't let the animals starve...), but mostly my outside time has been running or walking the quiet streets of my neighborhood. In fact, I have a daily checklist that includes both getting in a workout and getting 20 minutes of outdoor time. (Yes, I'm that person who has to have checklists and to do lists or I'll spend this whole time doing nothing.) I'm a firm … [Read more...]
5 Fitness Items on my Wish List
This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission for purchases made through the links in this post. These types of links are indicated by an *. 2018 has been a year of trying something new. I'm trying to roll with the punches for our family schedule, I've taken another part time job running ZOOMA's ambassador program, and I'm working out in a different way. I've had to make some changes to my life to accommodate those things. I keep a running list of tickets I need to buy and races I'd like to run (along with deadlines for price increases, although I'm currently of the opinion that I'll pay more and actually run a race rather than register early and lose that money if life gets in the way.) I have timers on my computer that I use … [Read more...]
Tips for staying fit during the holiday season
Shoo turned to me recently and asked the date. When I told him it was the 6th, he turned to me and exclaimed "Mom, Christmas is less than 20 days away!" Yes, Dear Child, thank you for sending me into a panic. I immediately went online and ordered Christmas cards (from Cards Direct again because it was fast and easy) and put together the photo calendar I do each year (which necessitated staying up until midnight, which totally went against my recent "get more sleep" attempts.) This has definitely been a week where I'm juggling (not totally successfully) all.the.things. But other than the calendar night, I've been really good about two things - 1) going to bed even if things aren't "done", because really things are never totally done and 2) … [Read more...]
Building a home gym #MakeYourMove
This post is sponsored by Kohl's. I was paid for this post and received the included exercise equipment as compensation. Confession: I am not good about cross training and I like to take the path of least resistance when it comes to exercise. I can't tell you how often I've said I'm going to take a class or hit the gym and just not done it. I'm much better about doing workouts in my home. (Not as good as I am about running, because well, I have a love affair with running, but definitely better than if I actually have to leave the house). Despite that, I've maintained a membership in a gym for the last year, so that I could occasionally do cardio besides running. Not any more. Beer Geek and I have been talking for a while about … [Read more...]
Home Gym Essentials
For the last few months, I've been slowly but surely turning my children's playroom into my personal home gym. The room that used to be filled with legos and cars and balls is slowly but surely being converted into a place to exercise for me. After all, at 14 and 10, my kids really weren't using the space any longer. In fact, they gave me carte blanche to throw or give away anything out there. Since it's Friday and the topic is "fitness", I'm going to share the five things I think every home gym should have and what versions I happen to have. A cardio machine - Sometimes running outside or riding a bike or getting to a class is just not an option, whether that's because of the weather or a kid home sick or needing to work out at an … [Read more...]
How marriage is like fitness
20 year ago, I made a decision that changed my life path: I made a random stop by the fraternity house where many of my college friends had belonged. I had heard a rumor that some alums were there hanging out for the evening. Beer Geek was one of those alums. 1 year later, I married him. 19 years of marriage later, I know I made the right decision. In many ways, keeping a healthy marriage is much like keeping a healthy lifestyle. So, here are 5 tips for maintaining a healthy marriage as well as a healthy lifestyle. 1. Don't compare. Your marriage, just like your fitness, is yours alone. Don't compare other couples public behavior to your day to day marriage. Same thing with running - you don't know where they … [Read more...]
Wii Fit U + Fit Meter Review
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...]
Monday Musings
I have no real, coherent post in me today. Just too many random things going on. I went four days without running. I woke up this morning in desperate need of a run. I had to drop my car off to have the dealership fix what they broke last week. It took an amazing amount of restraint to not take my lack of running pissiness out on the service dude 'cause I was not exactly happy to be there. I've also spent the last four days convinced I have ticks crawling on me (thanks, camping). Did you know there is actually a medical term for that? Formication. I have to wear my hair up in a bun because my hair brushing against my neck freaks me out. Instead of running yesterday afternoon, we went to a party at a friend's to celebrate … [Read more...]
Mama got a new pair of socks!
So, I've managed to keep up my weight workouts for two weeks. I'm seeing a bit of muscle in my shoulders and back and my legs feel a bit stronger. If I keep it up for two more weeks, I get to buy some new running tights. Hopefully that will be enough incentive to keep going and hopefully by then, I'll see enough body improvements to want to keep doing it for that. I am pretty excited by the new socks though LOL and Jones loves his new Brooks shoes (and Shoo seems to think that the 26.2 magnet I bought belongs to him LOL). All in all, a good trip to the LRS. I did a 10 mile run yesterday and it felt pretty good. I averaged just under a 10 minute pace, with only one mile being over 10 (mile 7 where I hit two stoplights and ate a Gu). If I … [Read more...]
