Posts tagged ‘gym’

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May 23rd, 2013

Gym Feelings & Quest Love

by Tiff

Happy Thursday!  I felt much better yesterday, which must have had something to do with all those well wishes.  Thanks a bunch!

Today is my leg day, but it’s nothing too crazy.  To be honest, I used to feel like this while working out (insert any BAMF here)…

but now I feel more like this – only not so tan.

fit

Okay – I don’t actually have  belly like that, but I’m just happy I held onto some of my old soccer shirts so that I don’t have to be shimmying into spandex every morning.  Ahhhh, yes – gotta love baggy clothes.  In case anyone was wondering, I’m actually more like this in the gym right now.  (I took this sneaky selfie yesterday to show the bump!)

bump

I worked out on my lunch break and had another spring salad afterwards.  I still got my protein for the day with protein oats for breakfast and a protein bar for snack, a Quest Nutrition protein bar to be exact.

Not tooooo long ago, Quest kindly sent me a mixed case of goodies to try, along with their new-ish pb cups, as part of their campaign with FitFluential.  I believe I mentioned receiving them, but now that I’ve tried more flavors, here are some thoughts.

brownie

I prefer the natural line, and so does my belly.  However, the others are good too.  My favorite of the original line is Chocolate Brownie, and my favorite of the natural line is Banana Nut Muffin, though Strawberry Cheesecake is quite tasty too.  I must admit, I’m not really a fan of the pb cups (die-hard Reese’s lover over here).

quest

They’ve got loads of protein, are incredibly low-carb, and are packed with fiber.  What’s not to love?

  • How do you feel in the gym, pic 1 or pic 2, or something in between?
  • What’s your favorite snack or meal bar?

Posted in Food | 17 Comments »

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November 6th, 2012

Shake up the Routine

by Tiff

This week has kicked off a new workout routine.  I loved the last one, and I’ll miss it.  I was able to set a new squat record, significantly increase core definition and strength, and still increase my running miles.

However, it’s time to shake things up a bit.  I have a somewhat similar routine that I have done in the past.  I found this worn-out sheet in my binder of collected workout tips n’ tricks.  I have no idea if I created it or when I last completed it, but apparently it was worth keeping.

workout

Odds are I created it, or at least customized it to fit my needs, so with a few more tweaks, here it is.

heavylifting

I hope ya’ like it.  I actually had to get to the office early yesterday, so I didn’t even have time to do day one according to plan.  I still got in a good chest workout at home, so I’m not too worked up about it.  Even though I have the day off today to vote, I’m still hitting the gym early.  (Side Note – I’m no physical trainer; I just know what works for me.)

Happy Election Day!

Posted in Fitness | 19 Comments »

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October 26th, 2012

No work but still no play

by Tiff

Happy Friday!  Today’s post is a little later than normal because I don’t have to work today.  Yay!  I have NO idea how I had a couple extra vacation days this year, but now seemed like as good a time as any to take one of them.

After all, it is the day after Clemson’s Thursday night game… wink wink.  Okay, that actually had nothing to do with it even though Kevin and I did meet up with some friends to watch the game.

dinner

We had dinner at home first.  *Side note: I had never tried this combo before, but it’s heaven for a carb queen like myself, baked beans over a baked sweet potato.

bells

I had two beers at the bar, both of which were Bell’s Two Hearted – a fantastic IPA.  Though I managed to not order fries while I was out, I failed to resist temptation at home.  Sorry I polished off all your chips, Kev.  Whoops!

brekkie

So here I am now with my breakfast and green tea gearing up for a run.  Yesterday was supposed to be my run day, but I swapped it with today’s arm workout since my legs were too sore.  They’re actually still pretty sore, but that’s what you get with a new squat PR!  That felt pretty good!  (at the time)

gym

So even though I don’t have work today, I still have a workout and one last dresser to sand and paint.  I have another Habitat for Humanity build tomorrow, so I better not push myself too hard today!

  • Have you ever had leftover vacation days?
  • What are you up to this weekend?

Posted in Fitness, Food | 27 Comments »

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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!

recycled pic

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?

 

Posted in Fitness | 16 Comments »

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July 10th, 2012

Beast Mode

by Tiff

My body hasn’t been happy with my slow and steady return to running, but that doesn’t mean I quit moving.  Kevin and I started a walk streak this weekend to gear up for our Europe trip. Do we really need to train?  No.  Is it a fun excuse to bond and be active together?  Heck yes!

In other weekend news that I failed to mention yesterday, we took our cats to the vet Saturday.  They needed another rabies vaccine, and apparently they also needed to be sedated.  I had no idea my sweet babies could act like such demons!  Just look what Cleo did to the wall before knocking a picture frame off the wall and then promptly getting stuffed back into her cat carrier.

photo (1)

my “claws” added for effect

It’s okay – we all get into beast mode sometimes.  I can’t recommend getting into beast mode at the doctor’s office, but I do recommend beast mode during a workout.

 

I’ve been in beast mode lately at the gym.  It’s not that I’m doing the hardest arm workout ever, but it is definitely my favorite.  This one gives the best results even though it only takes about 35 minutes to complete.  So with out further adieu, I present my Armed & Dangerous upper body workout – beast mode optional… kinda.

armed & dangerous

Start with 3 sets of 10, but change it up with a few drop sets or 3 basic sets of 8 or 12 reps on subsequent runs of the workout.  I usually do this one 2-3 (usually 3) times per week for 4-6 (usually 6) weeks.

cat 001

afternoon cat nap

Even though we all love beast mode action, it’s good to relax too. This pic is just to show how my furry children didn’t stay angry at us for long.  (Kev + Leia = BFFs)

 

  • Do you have a favorite go-to upper body workout?  If so, link up!

 

Posted in Fitness | 18 Comments »

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