Posts tagged ‘cardio’

December 7th, 2012

Former & Future Workouts

by Tiff

Happy Friday!  Sorry for yesterday’s mushy post.  I usually shy away from those, which I guess is why I edited it a wee bit after returning from the gym.  Hmmm… I wonder which version went via email to those who subscribe…?

Anyway – today’s not mushy at all.  In fact, it’s hard. (Or at least it should be if you want to get sweaty!)

gym

 Flashy clothes make workouts more fun!

Here were my workouts from this week.

  • Monday: short walk with Kevin, 10 min kickboxing, 10 min lower body pilates, and 30-40 min hip/knee therapy
  • Tuesday: 30 sweaty minutes on stationary bike, Little Black Dress Workout (as posted)
  • Wednesday: 3-mile run (interval), pushups (20×3), machine chest flies, resistance band chest press
  • Thursday: 3-mile run (slow), Little Black Dress Workout (machine leg extension instead of single-leg deadlifts)
  • Friday: I plan to do maybe a crossfit style workout for 20 minutes followed by core work.
  • Saturday: We’re not there yet, but I hope to run a little outside.

I’m really enjoying that LBD workout, as you can tell.  It’ll come in handy tonight at Kevin’s holiday party!  Speaking of former workouts – there’s one more worth mentioning.  I did this one last week and really enjoyed it.

workout

1 min run on treadmill, 1 min run fast on treadmill, 1 min kb swings, 1 min jump rope, 1 min knee pushups (repeat 3-5 times)

The trick is to keep the treadmill going while you do other stuff.  You can use the clock on it as a timer for your other exercises, and you don’t waste time starting it up again.  Of course, don’t forget the warm up and cool down.

I don’t really have my future workouts totally nailed down yet, but I worked on them a little last night.  Hopefully I’ll have an entirely new routine ready by Monday.  I really feel like changing it up for the rest of the month.

 

  • Got any holiday plans this weekend?

 

August 13th, 2012

Back on track… for real this time

by Tiff

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I recently returned from a very indulgent (but totally worth it) vacation.  All those amazing meals made me want to get back on track this weekend.

Hmmm… about that…

Friday involved green smoothies, naps, and this healthy dinner.  It’s a wheat berry bowl with edamame (for protein), red bell pepper and bok choy for a boost of vitamin C (airplanes are icky), and garlic (an attempt to kick my cholesterol’s booty).

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On the other hand, Saturday involved a wine tasting at the US National Whitewater Center.  Music, rafts, and sweet Southern wine made for a lovely afternoon.

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But that lead to this later that evening… whoops!  (Yeah, I tackled that pizza myself… big whoops!!!)

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Sunday was a wee bit better.  I made Kevin his fav meal (beef and onions in red-wine gravy), and I made myself another wheat berry edamame bowl.

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I hope to keep on the healthy track this week.  In fact, I plan to do this workout today.  I need to get my blood pumping!  I plan to run through this twice after a brief warmup. 

 

Time Exercise
2 minutes jump rope*
1 minute full burpees
1 minute kettlebell/dumbbell swings
1 minute decline push up on stability ball with knee pull-in
1 minute squat to dumbbell overhead press
1 minute tricep dips
1 minute 4 high knees, drop to floor, get up & repeat
1 minute alternating lunge with bicep curls
30 seconds pendulum
30 seconds mountain climbers

 

If you try and enjoy the workout, be sure to let me know!  *If you lack a jump rope, jumping jacks should be okay.

 

  • Do you need to get back on track too, or am I the only one with extra toxins kickin’ around?
July 27th, 2012

Spin Me Right Round, Baby

by Tiff

Happy Friday Happy Friday Happy Friday!  I’m glad it’s the weekend even though I don’t even have any plans.  Well… I do plan to attend spin class today, but that isn’t exactly what I meant.

I do love spin class though.  I don’t think I’ve ever shared much about it, so let me briefly explain why spin is so butt-kicking awesome.

spin

  1. You don’t have to be coordinated.  Unlike Jazzercise or step aerobics, you don’t have to follow choreography.
  2. Classes are usually 45 minutes, which is the perfect length for me.
  3. It’s interval training at its finest.  You pedal fast during sprints, or you climb up “hills” – it’s always changing.
  4. You don’t have to follow the rules.  Sometimes the instructor asks that you stand up on the bike and pedal (think going uphill), but I sometimes choose to stay seated if my hips are feeling a bit stiff or something.  Do your own thing.
  5. It’s as easy or as hard as you make it.  Each bike has a small dial that you turn to increase your resistance.  If you’re a newbie, and you want to hardly add any resistance, no one knows the difference!

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And that, my friends, is why spin class is awesome.  Here are some links to explain a bit more, such as how to position your seat, general FAQs, and calories burned.

I’ve had some good and bad instructors.  The music and the instructors make all the difference, so if you try it, I hope yours are good!

 

  • Do you like spin as much as I do?
  • Got plans for the evening?

 

July 23rd, 2012

In Review…

by Tiff

Workouts in Review

  • I hit the gym before work to complete my ARMed & Dangerous workout.  I’m really loving that routine.
  • I didn’t have time for cardio in the morning, so I did this Denise Austin YouTube workout after work.  I originally planned a short run, then I decided to walk with Kevin.  By the time we got home, it was thundering, so YouTube cardio it was.

Dinner in Review

  • I made this spicy bowl of goodness on Sunday night, and I had leftovers tonight.  It was a spicy bean & rice bowl with crushed tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and lots of cajun spice.

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Weekend in Review

  • Kevin & I visited my family in Kansas.  (No, I didn’t grow up there – they moved out not that long ago.)

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  • There was beer, music, and time with their kitties.

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  • There was also some tailgating, Sporting Kansas City (MLS) soccer, and… uh… more beer.

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So that’s what I’ve been up to lately – some healthy stuff, and some less-than-healthy stuff.  I assure you, it’s at least all been fun stuff!  I have a run set for the morning, so wish me luck (and good weather)!

 

  • Recap Something for me – workouts or weekends.
  • Ever been to Kansas?
December 16th, 2011

Friday Fitness

by Tiff

So much good stuff to share!  There’s so much goodness that I’m making a list.  (I’m not checking it twice, but you’re more than welcome to read it twice.)

1.   At yesterday’s company party, which took pace away from the office (thank goodness), I turned down cookies, pizza, brownies, and more.  Woohoo!  I did have a few beers though, so I definitely indulged.  Yes… it was well worth it.

2.   I have fun weekend plans.  We’re having another couple over for wine and lasagna tonight.  They’re bringing their baby, so perhaps I should say wine, lasagna, and Gerber Graduates.  Tomorrow is a date with the running buddy and a couples’ dinner at a friend’s place. She’s making chicken chili – winning!

Wedding

3.   I started a new workout this week.  I think it’s a keeper due to the triceps soreness and the great run from yesterday.  ***Tiff’s Tricep Tricks Coming Tomorrow***

 Pin It

***The last two exercises on the upper-body days should be quite challenging.  Of course, you should lift significant weight for all exercises, but these should elevate your heart rate a bit too.

I’ll probably do this routine for about 5-6 weeks, though I normally follow routines for 4-5.  I will change the leg routine as-needed.  (All this running isn’t making me lose weight everywhere, but it’s certainly coming off the booty.  I may need more bench step-ups in the near future.)

bench step up

 

I will also do a different fitness workout every week.  I skipped it this week since I wasn’t feeling well. In the coming weeks I’ll opt for my aerobics workout, a tabata routine, a boot camp workout, a plate routine, or something along those lines.

 

If you join in with me, be sure to post progress pics on your blog, leave me a comment, or shoot me an email with your thoughts (lovesweatandbeers at yahoo.com).  I enjoy learning  which workouts you guys like… or don’t like.

Have a great Friday!  What’s on tap for your weekend?

(Oh – and as you know, I’m no trainer. Do what your doctor says you can do.)