FitNeighbor

Squeezing it ALL in!

2008-09-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

I am not talking about squeezing into those jeans you have been wanting to wear for the past 6 months. Now that school has started, it is also time for us adults to start. What you ask? Just as the kiddos are getting into the groove of their new schedules, you need to schedule activities for yourself. Pick a night of the week. You and hubby can play tag team! It's just one night! Carpool with other families so you can trade kid responsibilities!

Whether you choose to do a FitNeighbor class, go for a run, go to a coffee shop, play on a basketball league, join a book club or go to bed early, that one night per week should be YOURS! What do you enjoy? AND, what is important to you that you just haven't gotten around to doing? If the one night per week is even a struggle, maybe your significant other and you pick one night per week and rotate weeks. Whatever works, you both deserve it.

It is the perfect time of year to reflect on your goals. Much better than New Year's Eve, believe me. This way you have 9 months to figure it out. When summer comes, things get even more crazy and it is hard to be consistent, but at least you know when September comes around again, you will get your night back!

Of course you also need to have family nights, a night out for your significant other (and if you don't have children, you can go out the same night!), and to be present at many of your kids' events. But, don't forget about you! You can squeeze it all in. It just takes communication, planning, a calendar and you to make sure your needs remain a priority.

Fitness on Vacation

2008-08-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Vacations are fabulous and much needed. However, sometimes we get into such a routine at home and in our day to day life that a vacation can put a complete halt to our fitness endeavors.

At the beginning of this month my family got in the car and drove to Denver. Have I mentioned I have two boys ages 2 & 4? I was so organized. I packed a cooler with healthy goodies. We stopped only for gas and at rest stops. We ate when we were hungry and again, with all the food in the car, there was no need to go through a drive through or pick up goodies at the convenient store. Well done.

At rest stops I played tag with the kids and did pull-ups on a tree. I did a few yoga poses but that is rather challenging with kiddos jumping on my back. I don't do well sitting for two days. I made up for it when we arrived at our destination.

I am not going to beat myself up for doing close to nothing for two days, but there was no reason I couldn't get something in while I was in Denver. The first day I was there I ventured out on a run. I forgot about the altitude and dry air until I was slapped in the face with it about 15 minutes into the run. It ended up being one of those workouts that I didn't enjoy, I trudged through it, was so glad to be done and as always is the result, was so glad I did it. The second day I was there I was brought up to Red Rocks Amplitheatre to run the bleachers and the stairs. At an even higher altitude (but prepared with water this time) I ran those devils for an hour. Killer. Felt hard but so much fun. I was very fatigued. A reason to take the next day off.

Back in the car the next day. For two more days of sitting and lets just call it recovery......that works right? Now the key here is to get back into your routine upon return. Once you have done that, your good. Fortunately for me I have track practice on Wednesday nights so I was forced to get out there and push it.

My biggest challenge on this trip was packing a cooler and meals as well for the ride home as I did for the trip out. I didn't do so well here. Our diet was horrible for those last two days and I paid for it. Upset tummy for a good couple of days. My boys had diarrhea and I am guessing it was from the food we ingested on those two days. Fortunately I won't forget that and plan better next time!

Use vacation time to do something different in your workouts. Red Rocks was fun because I don't do it everyday.

Cold Turkey

2008-07-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

No, not the turkey you eat. But I did it. I quit cold turkey. I am sure you are wondering what I am referring to. Yes, I was addicted. I admit it. I still crave it. I went through withdrawals. I am sure I will regress. Are you still wondering? Well, I am a coke addict. Diet coke I mean. I am(was) a two canner a day.

It happened by accident. When I opened the last can from my fridge on Sunday I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to the store to get more in time for my next fix. So I figured what better time to quit?

Monday I suffered. I had a headache all afternoon and had to tune that out and teach my beloved cycle class that night. I made it but I bet someone in class sensed I was off. I was crashing and I was crashing hard!

It is now Thursday afternoon. No diet coke. Do I miss it? Heck yeah! But I do feel better! I also figured I would save about $15/month.

While I know diet coke isn't the worst thing to crave, it certainly isn't good for you. What vice do you have? Maybe start small. Possibly just avoiding the person's desk at work that always has treats. Or the oversized cookies they sell(Jimmy John's cookies are ginormous) to accompany a lunch. Who really needs a cookie that big? Start small. Make changes a little at a time.

Wish me luck on my lack of diet coke. However, I am not willing to give up my morning coffee!

Find Your Fitness Passion!

2008-07-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's me. I am lucky that I am at the place where fitness is just a part of my day. I don't even think about it. I don't dread it and I don't procrastinate. I just do it. When I don't, due to things that happen in life, I don't feel guilty and I don't beat myself up. But I do feel off and don't like to miss my dose of endorphins!

Enough about me. How bout' you? Are you at that place yet? Starting a new fitness program is the hardest part. If you don't enjoy doing something, you are not likely to continue doing it on a regular basis. Your solution? Variety! Mix it up. Try new things. When you find yourself falling off the horse, get out of your comfort zone and try a new activity.

There is something out there for everyone: running, yoga, boot camp, swimming, kayaking, golfing and the list goes on. Just those few activities are so completely different from one another. Find your passion in fitness. Maybe I can help!