When you can't workout outside...

As the seasons change, we loose our extra hours of daylight and desirable weather which allows us to jog, run, walk, swim, hike or bike outside. Many times the inability to do our favorite outdoor exercises results in no exercise at all. It is easy to get into a comfortable routine and loose the motivation to make a change. Here are a few ideas to get you pumped up for your Fall and Winter workout options!

• Utilize free week trials, groupon gym discounts and friend referrals ~ I always joke with my friends that with all the different bootcamps, yoga studios and gyms that offer a free week trial, I could probably get by with never paying for a membership! Taking advantage of these discounts and free trials is a great way to try out new exercise programs.



• Get a new membership ~ If you find a studio, gym or bootcamp that you enjoy- join! When you know you are paying a monthly fee, you are more likely to stay true to your weekly workout schedule...making sure to get your money's worth!



• Update your playlist ~ Running a few miles on the treadmill isn't always the most desirable workout...but running on a treadmill with a new playlist with a few of your favorite songs is a great way to get pumped up!



• Take a Group Class ~ Most gyms offer a wide array of group classes. Spin, kickboxing, zumba, weight lifting classes, gravity training, bootcamps and yoga...with so many choices, you are way less likely to get bored or burned out! Working out in a group is also very motivating...I don't know anyone who wants to be the girl that leaves the class 30 minutes early. My competitive nature always seems to kick-in, preventing me from slacking off!



• Workout in the comfort of your own home ~ It is easier than ever to order exercise DVDs online or walk into the local Target to pick up weight resistance bands, hand weights and bosu balls.

Now this is INSANE!!!

After finishing my first month on the Beachbody Insanity program, I thought I had it all figured out and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as challenging as I first expected. I enjoyed a nice "Recovery Week" with lower-impact cardio and balance exercises and was getting excited for the second month which included Max Interval Plyo, Max Interval Circuit Training and Max Cardio Conditioning DVDs. WOW! The intensity is definitely intensified in the month two DVDs! The 35-45 minute workouts are increased to 55-60 minutes and the warm-up followed by two sets of interval drills is advanced to three sets of drills and the exercises in each set are definitely INSANE! The Beachbody advertisements suggest that up to 1,000 calories can be burned in each exercise...during the first month I was skeptical about this claim, but now after a week with the new DVDs, I am starting to believe. That is, if I could actually finish every single drill, set and exercise which I am still working on. I am looking forward to the next three weeks of pure insanity and hope to report back with some great results! If you don't hear back from me, call 911- I may be passed out on my living room floor!! Wish me luck.

Hot Yoga~My New Caffeine!

Forget coffee, Hot Yoga is my new caffeine fix!!


Until about a year ago, the smell or thought of coffee was my motivation to avoid the snooze button and get my butt out of bed. But shortly after being introduced to hot yoga, I had a new addiction that got me up early...even on the weekends.

I admit, I use to think yoga was nothing but pure stretching and relaxing. I remember telling friends, if I tried a yoga class, I would probably fall asleep. To me, a good workout equalled a good sweat ~ running, turbo kick-boxing, lifting weights and getting my heart rate way up. Little did I know...yoga, especially hot yoga, is a great way to get your heart pounding and makes you sweat like no other!

It was my friend Laura who introduced me to my first yoga experience...Bikram Yoga. I was dealing with an injury and unable to run or attend my weekly kickboxing classes. I tried everything from herbal remedies and acupuncture to chiropractors and hot packs, but nothing seemed to be working for me. The worst part of my injury was my major cardio withdrawals!! It was killing me to see people running outside and driving my the gym almost put me into tears (to be completely honest...I am sure I had several good cries/ melt downs over it)! Laura told me that hot yoga was an amazing workout but without the strain of running and best yet, it might get my leg back to normal. I was in!

To say I was proven wrong about judging yoga before I ever tried it, is definitely an understatement. WOW! Bikram Yoga was an incredible workout! It was 1.5 hours of challenging my body in 100-110 degree room. Leaving the class, I felt completely renewed. After about 2-3 months of consistent attendance to classes, my leg was back to normal and I was back to my regular workout regimen. In addition to feeling like new, my flexibility was at a whole new level.


Although Bikram Yoga was an intense and satisfying workout, I am always open to new practices and quickly after being introduced to CorePower Yoga, I was hooked. It was love at first class. Some of the personal cons, I found with the Bikram practice: the harshness of some of the instructors, breakouts on my face from the amount of sweat that comes with an 1.5 hour, 110 degree class and the feeling of exhaustion was nowhere to be found at CorePower. The studio smelled 110% better, the locker rooms were like the ones you find in nice spas, most of the classes are one hour and the studio is usually between 90-95 degrees (which I find to be perfect...challenging yet not "I'm going to pass out or throw up at any minute" hot) the instructors are supportive, uplifting and guide you with ease.


The combination of a challenging workout with uplifting messages from the instructors make CorePower Yoga a perfect way to start the day. The instructors encourage you to set an intention for your practice. It is one hour of YOU time. Time to put the everyday worries and stresses aside and just focus on your mind, body and spirit. It's really an invigorating, peaceful and energizing experience.

I am not saying I don't need coffee...I still grab my starbucks after class, but I have found a new reason to get out of bed. A reason that makes me feel good, refreshed and relaxed all while getting in a very good sweat!

Tasty Thursday ~ Perfectly Pear Pork Chops

My low dinner expectations that I based on my close-to-empty refrigerator were turned completely around last night when my fiance and I came up with our own pork chop with cinnamon pear concoction. It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory, low calorie, low carb and most importantly delicious! I decided to share our dinner with you tonight for Tasty Thursday. When we cook in my kitchen, it is a pinch of that and a splash of this, so please hang in there with me and my personal recipe without exact measurements. Perfectly Pear Pork Chops Ingredients:

• 2 Pears (cored, skinned and cut into wedges)


• Ground Cinnamon (1-2 tablespoons or a few "dashes of cinnamon")


• Honey (1-2 tablespoons or "drizzle" over the pears to taste)


• Lemon Juice (2 tablespoons or a couple "squirts")


• 2 Pork Chops


• Kosher Salt (to taste)


• Fresh Ground Pepper (to taste)


• Bread Crumbs (we chooose to use very minimal bread crumbs, but this is up to you)


• Green Veggie (seasoned and prepared as you wish)

Directions:

1.) Skin pears and cut into bite sized wedges. Combine into a saucepan with lemon juice, cinnamon and honey. Cook on medium uncovered for 3-4 minutes and then cover on low for 10-12 minutes.

2.) Preheat the grill for medium-high heat.

3.) Season pork chops with olive oil, salt, pepper and breadcrumbs. 4.) Prepare your favorite green veggie. I grilled chopped asaparagus seasoned with lemon juice, light olive oil and fresh garlic. 5.) Grill pork chops with light olive oil or cooking spray. Cook on each side for about 5 minutes or to desired wellness. While my fiance and many recipes call for 3-5 minutes on each side, I prefer a good 6-8 minutes on each side (pink meat freaks me out). 6.)Plate pork chops with green veggies. Pour pears over pork chops. Enjoy!

Unusual but Motivational!

A lack of motivation is the number one reason that causes us to stray away from keeping to a dedicated workout schedule. I truly believe that you need to find some type of motivation in order to stick to your workout routine. So I ask myself, what keeps me motivated to wake up early everyday for my morning workouts??? Along with setting milestones, goals and rewards, I have picked up a few unusual motivators along the way. Workout motivation can come in many forms... wanting to look fabulous at an upcoming event, the need to loose "baby weight", training for a race or simply wanting the satisfaction of seeing a lower number on the scale. Below is my personal list of motivators that inspire me to get up, get dressed, and head to the gym and even more importantly motivators that help me stay on that treadmill! These probably aren't the "healthiest" ideas or even normal for that matter, but they work...they get my butt working out on a daily basis!


Short Shorts
When I go for my runs, I wear my short shorts! Why? Because, when I have the desire to cut my run short, I look down and take one look at my "thigh jiggle" and keep going!!! What can be more motivating than looking down to see the reason why I am running in the first place! Likewise, when I am at home alone and doing my Insanity workout DVDs, I put on a sports-bra and the shortest shorts that I own... same effect...not going to whimp out on the workout when I look at the jiggle. (Like I said, neither healthy nor normal...but it works for me!) I have also recently noticed that wearing a sports-bra during my home workouts really helps with keeping my core tight throughout the exercise.

Gossip Magazines or Friends to Gossip With
I can't always rely on my ipod to keep me on the stairmaster for that extra 15 minutes, but indulging in the latest celeb gossip with my US Weekly magazine or getting the juicy gossip about my girlfriend's work drama can definitely keep me occupied and before I know it, I have surpassed my hour goal! Other added bonuses of having a workout buddy: if you are competitive, you certainly don't want to be the first to suggest ending the workout and secondly, you are less likely to skip your gym session when you have plans to meet your bestie!

Milestones
Nothing motivates me more than a big upcoming event. Currently, my motivation is three important weddings this year (one of them being mine?!?!) and with the big day being over 9 months away...I have plenty of time to set a timeline, goals and milestones. Any time you have a "save the date" for an upcoming wedding, hometown visit, vacation with your man, or weekend getaways with old friends you have the opportunity to set a timeline with milestones that will help you get to your goal. Wanting to look and feel good for a special occassion is always a great motivator!!

Rewarding Myself
When I have a date night, birthday bash, wedding, or girls night on the calendar, I have the motivation to intensify that morning workout...knowing later on I will reward myself with an extra glass of wine or two and not have to worry about the calories in the delicious hor dourves. Another way I like to reward myself is with new clothing! When I have noticeably lost a few lbs after consistency with diet and exercise, nothing is better than buying the size small dress instead of the usual medium! When you are working your butt off during the week, you deserve to give yourself a cheat day with no worrying and/or a reward that makes you feel good and happy!

Saturday's Skinny-Chick Cocktail

Having a dinner party? Inviting the girls over before heading downtown? Cozying up at home with your netflix? Whatever you have planned for your Saturday evening, it's always nice to take the edge off after a long week with a cocktail... or two. Once in a while I crave those fruity-girly-high calorie drinks that me and all my girlfriends aggressively ordered at the bar immediately after turning 21! Nowadays, I just can't enjoy sipping those fun and fruity drinks without analyzing all the other savory foods I could be consuming for the same amount of calories. I always end up ordering the same boring old "Vodka Soda" and every now and then will add a splash or cranberry- living on the edge, ha!

BUT now we can enjoy those sex-in-the-city type drinks with half the calories. I will be hunting down, researching and experimenting with lower-calorie/lower-guilt concauctions of our favorite drinks for Saturday's Skinny-Chick Cocktail posts.

This week try this slimmed down version of one of my favorite girly drinks, the apple-tini!
Hey why not...its simple, its skinny and it's SATURDAY!

Apple-slim-tini
Combine one shot of apple vodka with diet sprite (club soda or 7up will also work) and a splash of light lemonade Mix in a martini shaker with ice. For a cute presentation, garnish with a green apple.

Excuses, Excuses!

I like to check "workout" off the daily to-do list first thing in the morning because giving myself 10 hours throughout the day to come up with excuses is way too dangerous! "Oops, I forgot to pack my sports bra in the gym bag... Oh, no! I totally forgot I promised my friend I would meet up for drinks after work... I am too exhausted to even put on my gym clothes after a long day at the office, how will I ever have enough energy to get in a good workout ?" The list of excuses can go on and on! It happens to everyone, even the most motivated of us. I can remember an instance when after doing one loop around the first third of the gym parking lot, I turned right back around and headed home (dressed in gym clothes, hair in a ponytail, water bottle, towel and all). I convinced myself that it wasn't my fault that the parking lot was "COMPLETELY" full and if the parking lot was this bad, just imagine how long I would have to wait to use the gym machines! Once you come to terms with how your mind operates, you can outsmart those endless excuses.

Here are a few responses to those excuses we tend to hear over and over again:

~ There just isn't enough time in the day!
~ You actually have the power to add hours to your day! I know you aren't going to like my solution but it works-wake up one hour earlier than you usually do. Before I got a puppy, I would wake up at 7:15am every morning in order to get in an early morning workout, but after I got the puppy he took up this time. Solution- set the alarm for 6:30am! I admit, it isn't easy the first week, but now I automatically wake up at 6:30am every morning. If you aren't a morning person, stay up an extra hour each night...life is short- get the most out of your day!
~ I also like my fiance's response to this excuse-"If you have enough time to watch TV, you have enough time to workout!" Better yet you can do both at the same time. Find a gym that has treadmills with personal TVs!

~ Gyms are too expensive!
~ Run around the bay, hike a trail, walk on the beach, bike around the city, jump rope, swim, get a workout DVD! Done and done...too easy!

~ I barely have time to spend with my friends!
~ I can't think of better quality time than working out with your buddies. This has two-fold benefits: 1- you have instant motivation, you are less likely to cancel on your gym session when you are meeting up with a friend there; 2- "Walks and Talks" (as I call them) or "Wogs" (a walk/jog as my friend Cindy calls them) are great gossip sessions and if you find a good talking partner, your workout goes by so much faster!

~ I have a baby!
~ There are so many great new programs for mommy's and mommy-to-be's! Check out Stroller Strides or local Mommy Boot Camps. Or refer to above and bring the baby on the "walks and talks" or "wogs" with you and the girls!

~ There is so much more that I would rather do with my time!
~ True, many times a big glass of chardonnay, tapas at happy hour or snuggling on the couch are much more tempting than clocking in a session at the gym. But like I said above, there is always a way to cram a workout into your schedule, whether it is combing friend time with gym time, adding more hours to your day or getting creative with where and when you workout. Plus, enjoying a glass of wine or ordering an extra tapa is so much better (and guilt-free) after a great workout! Lastly, snuggling on the couch doesn't provide all the wonderful benefits exercise does like weight loss, combating disease, mood improvements, and boosting your energy level (just to name a few of the hundreds)!

~ I just don't have the motivation!
~ Here is where I insert my teaser for next week's blog...I will be sharing my not-so-common motivators which will hopefully help your workout motivation level!

Tasty Thursday!

If you are anything like me, you start your weeks off motivated, with a full refrigerator and great intentions to cook healthy meals throughout the week. Monday and Tuesday are successful with well-balanced meals but as the week progresses, the meals and motivation start to dwindle. By Thursday, running down the street to grab some pick-up starts to sound really good. I need some type of inspiration to get in that kitchen again to prepare something healthy! To provide that inspiration - TASTY THURSDAY was derived! I will provide an Easy & Healthy recipe from my favorite meal plans, magazines and websites each Thursday. Hopefully this will inspire you to keep up the momentum of preparing healthy meals through the week. These meals are simple enough if you are cooking for one, but yummy enough if you decide to also cook for your honey or best friend!

Today's Recipe: Chicken Meatballs with Steamed Green Veggie from Insanity Meal Plan
I personally get discouraged when I see too many ingredients in a recipe, so let's start super simple this week with one of my favorite Insanity dinner recipes. These chicken meatballs are a great and healthy substitute to your traditional meatballs.



Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces lean ground chicken (sometimes I substitute with turkey...which ever is on sale at the store!)
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup whole-grain pasta, cooked
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce ( I suggest seasoning with some Italian seasonings and herbs)
• 1 cup green beans, steamed ( I personally prefer broccoli or brussel sprouts)
  

Directions: Mix ground chicken with egg white and seasoned bread crumbs. Form mixture into small meatballs, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve chicken meatballs over whole-grain pasta and toss with tomato sauce. Serve with steamed green veggies.

Insane enough to try INSANITY!

I recently noticed that I couldn't be in a conversation about workouts and exercise regimens without the mention of P90X. From Facebook posts and day-to-day conversations to great infomercials, P90X seems to be the newest "it" workout! Being the workout feign that I am, I jumped on the Internet and researched the program. Filling my tiny condo living room with the required P90X equipment: dumbbells, pull-up bar and weight bands was less than desirable. Just the thought of working out in front of the television with a yoga mat, exercise equipment and chair or stool made me claustrophobic. If you can relate, you might find Beachbody's Insanity to be a great substitute for the P90X craze.


After a conversation (which initially started about what else but P90X) with a friend's boyfriend who lost 10lbs the first month on the Insanity workout regimen, I ran home and googled "Insanity". From the same company behind P90X, Beachbody, promises the intense workout program will transform your body in 60 days and without any equipment at all! I was sold and a few days later popped in the first of ten Insanity DVDS.

I have successfully completed the first month of strength, power and resistance interval trainings mixed with high-intensity plyometric drills. To clarify my definition of "successfully"- I have diligently followed the assigned daily dvds for the past 30 days; in some cases with the hardcore drills, I am usually lasting a good 45-50 seconds of the 60 minute drills. Thus far, I have noticed more definition in my arms and abs. Unfortunately for all those out there that like to see the results on the scale- I have actually gained 1.5lbs (mostly likely due to muscle gain because my pants are beginning to feel loose which is always a sure sign to great results).

Here is my personal list of pros and cons:

• PRO: Sean T. and his fit team of six-pack shirtless men and sports-bra wearing women are very motivating.
• CON: An over-peppy Insanity student, Tanya comes off much more annoying than motivating! I want to throw a dog toy at the TV every single time she opens her mouth or makes an irritating gesture. I guess I have this type of student in every workout class I have taken, so it makes me feel like I am really in a group class!
• PRO: Easy to follow schedule and convenience of working out in your own home.
• CON: Lack of motivation from working in a group setting; must be very dedicated and committed to successfully complete this program.
• PRO: Most daily exercises are only 35-45 minutes!
• CON: With my A.D.D, I get very bored/distracted with two stretching sessions in one video.
• PRO: Having a weekly recovery workout and one day off gives me the motivation to push hard on the workout days.
• CON: I was excited to have a "with music" option, but the music doesn't add much and doesn't do what music is suppose to do in a workout- get me pumped up! I suggest turning Pandora on once you are familiar with the workout.
• PRO: No equipment needed.
• CON: Without a trainer on site, you have the risk of making a mistake on form. I have noticed strange pain in my neck and right hand which makes me question my form on all those planks.
• PRO: Great meal plan with a variety of food suggestions accompany the 10 disc program.
• PRO: Yes, the drills are intense but you never do one exercise for more than one minute.
• PRO: When I am finished with the workout, I don't have to get into my car all sweaty to drive home from the gym...I just walk down the hallway, jump in the shower and start my day- huge time saver!

As you can see, my Pros outweigh my Cons...looks like the program is a keeper!

Fitness Frenzy? What's this all about?

In regards to my workout addiction, I have heard it all from, "You are absolutely crazy" and "Why do you put yourself through this" to " I wish I had your dedication". So what if 90% of my Facebook wall posts are check-ins at the nearest gym or updates about my newest health endeavors and my idea of happy hour is a walk around the bay with my besties! Most of my close friends and family realize that my obsession with diet & exercise is just part of who I am, the way that I am wired while others think it is purely crazy.

I am not sure if you would call me the classic yo-yo dieter, or maybe I am a sucker for all those exercise and diet advertisements and infomercials, or quite possibly I just have a basic addiction to a good workout. All I know is that I never feel better than when I am walking out of the gym covered in sweat! I am definitely not the classic "skinny girl" we see at the gym ALL hours of the day, counting EVERY single calorie; more like the girl that clocks in a good workout at least once a day and counts calories only when I am on a diet that calls for it. I think my obsession for breaking a good sweat comes from my passion for good food and even better wine (yum)! In order to let myself indulge on special occasions and avoid my "BIG BONED" Italian genes, I started working out and found it to be the greatest stress relief and the best "me" time that I could ever ask for.

Whether I'm grocery shopping for a new diet that I plan to start on Monday or I'm on a new workout kick, I always have a few comical stories, enlightening findings or helpful hints to go along with these crazy wellness adventures. Consider me your guinea pig in experimenting the latest and greatest diets, partaking in innovative exercise routines and scoping out the hottest health and nutrition secrets. In the past eight years, a few of the many programs I have participated in include, the Cabbage Soup Detox, Medifast Weight Loss Program, Atkins, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Turbo Kickboxing, Beachbody Workouts and preparing for races. With new routines and regimens popping up every day, I know many more stories and adventures are sure to come. I promise to get down to the nitty-gritty...the important stuff...what works, what doesn't work, what is worth the time & energy and of course the things the advertisers don't tell us. You can rest assured that me and my type-A personality will put 110% into each wellness endevour and report back to you with all that you need to know (most likely even more)!