Author: Orange DECA

Will the cold ever pass?

I am an outdoor runner. Don’t get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my treadmill and after 10 years, it is still going strong. But I MUCH prefer to be out in the sunshine! The wind in your hair, the new paths to explore… such a nice change from the (what some would call) dreadmill. I typically don’t mind running in cold weather and just layer up accordingly.

But COME ON WINTER! You are KILLING me! Even my warmest layers cannot compete with the subzero temperatures we have been having around here. Hot Yoga has been wonderful (if you haven’t checked out Harbor Yoga studios in Dublin, you are missing out!), but this girl is ready for Spring.

I am going to have to get creative, as we are in for another week of negative temps.  Update running playlist.  Check.  Hang motivational posters on wall near treadmill.  Check.  Hi ho, hi ho, off to the treadmill we go!

Do you prefer treadmill running or outdoor running?

Weekly workout

As promised, we will try to feature a new WEEKLY WORKOUT to keep things fresh around here.  The same old, same old is not only B-O-R-I-N-G, but your body adapts to a particular workout and then plateaus.  This week, try an interval run.  pumapunisherThe PUMA PUNISHER is an example, thanks to LiveLifeActive.com for sharing.  Personally, I think 10 is too fast and 5 is too slow, so I’ll modify it to fit my running needs (prob 8.0 as max and 6.0 as min).

Here is another example for a 30 min workout, compliments of slimsanity.com…

30 minute race pacing treadmill workout

Adjust to YOUR needs and remember, only try intervals if you’ve been running consistently without problems.

You could also keep the speed constant and adjust the incline.  Or if you’re outside (meaning you live in the South or West or are crazy, as its been -15 here recently!) you could just pick up your pace for one-three minutes, then slow back down.  

If I get overly ambitious, maybe I’ll create my own and post it (after successfully completing it, of course).

Happy (speed) running!

 

Yoga… so how many calories, anyhow?

Exercise isn’t just about burning calories, there are all the other benefits… stress relief, cardiovascular & heart health, etc, etc.  BUT we all like the calorie burn too (or some of us may not do it!)

I’ve been using My Fitness Pal lately to try and shred the last 5-10 pounds and rekindle my pre-baby self.   The calorie tracker only gives you 170 calories for 60 minutes of Hatha yoga.  170 calories in 60 min!?  You burn more than that walking for an hour!

So I did some internet investigating.  Hatha is a low impact, more basic form of yoga.  [Hot] Vinyasa yoga, the kind I’ve been doing at Harbor, gives you much more of a burn.  Phew!

To read more, visit Fit Sugar’s article, LEARN YOUR BURN ~ while you’re there, check out REASONS YOU SHOULD TRY VINYASA YOGA.  It is a great workout and my new favorite cross-training activity.

Baby yoga-11

See you on the mat!

Start a SOCIAL DIET group

Social diets are trending right now… using technology, social media, apps and the like to get a group of people together to help motivate each other to reach their fitness goals.

Our LIVING FIT group is in the middle of an 8-week social fitness challenge in which we have a new ‘bonus’ challenge each week.

Some ideas we’ve inspired each other to do…

  • Track success using Google Drive so we can all access it & check on each other’s progress
  • Keep a food diary ~ several of us started using MyFitnessPal and I am in LOVE with it!  Similar to Weight Watchers, but FREE!
  • Try a new healthy recipe
  • Try a new fitness exercise
  • Go an entire week without eating refined sugars
  • Make regular posts to the FB group page and make regular contact with peers  to help everyone stay motivated

Why not start your own Social Diet (or rather Social Healthy Lifestyle Challenge… ‘diets’ seems so depriving!) Good luck!

Its a new year, make it a FIT one!

Welcome!  This blog is beginning for several reasons…

  • I have a passion for running, fitness and staying in shape.  After the birth of my son (he’s now 11 months), a lack of sleep and overall motivation kept me from hitting the trail often.  He is coming up on a year now and its time this momma got back on the run!
  • I teach.  I coach.  I have a passion for inspiring others.  If this blog is read by someone every now and then, and it helps motivate them to get FIT, then it will have served a higher purpose!
  • I LOVE being social.  If I can talk to, meet, work out with, or interview others during the process of creating this blog, then I will be one happy momma!
  • I’ve always been a writer at heart.  Had a diary when I was 8.  Had journals all through high school and college.  And now, I’ll have a blog.  I majored in Marketing at THE Ohio State University, took lots of Communications classes and now teach high school students the fabulous subject of business.  In fact, they will be creating blogs soon for a class project, and maybe they will fall in love with writing too!

Hope you find a little piece of inspiration while reading about my fitness journey.  Maybe it will be to run.  Maybe it will be to blog.  Either way, get moving!

~Teresa