Posts tagged ‘yoga’

« Older Entries
March 4th, 2013

In Need of Cat Nap

by Tiff

Exhausted.  That’s the first word I’d pick to describe myself right now.  This picture of Cleo shows exactly how I feel.  She’s totally passed out, but she’s still got a content little grin on her face.  (What?  You know you give your pets people-like expressions too.)

cleo

I was up early Saturday with a lot on my to-do list.  Remember that barre video I linked to in Friday’s post?  I recommend you check it out if you’re into that kind of thing.

I did these two videos back-to-back on Saturday morning.  Though I wasn’t sore after, my quads were definitely feeling it!

After a couple errands, Kevin and I drove up to Raleigh to meet some friends.  They’re getting married in a few months; aren’t they cute???  All of us got to watch the Hurricanes beat the Panthers.  Go Canes!  (my first NHL game)

nhl     hurricane

Sunday was the usual- cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and my favorite show, 60 Minutes.  I whipped up some tasty stuff though, including some awesome muffins, which I will share with you tomorrow, my lunch for the week, and this awesome dinner.  Winnner!

beef

beef picadillo with brown rice

  • Did you have a busy weekend?
  • Are you as exhausted as I am?

Posted in Out & About | 18 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,
December 14th, 2012

Friday Fitness

by Tiff

Goodness knows I need to focus on my fitness! Wednesday was quite indulgent. Luckily the rest of the week has been fairly tame, which is good since I have two holiday parties this weekend. Later today, my office is going bowling, so there will be free pizza n’ beer. Tomorrow Kevin and I will attend our neighborhood shindig. Busy Busy Busy!

but not too busy for exercise

Monday was chest and triceps day. I also did some cardio, but I can’t remember what it was. Anyway – here’s the lifting part.

push it out

Tuesday was leg day. Wowzers. That wasn’t easy. I powered up with sets of around 15 reps and totally owned the leg press! Wednesday was a back and biceps routine. I’ll be sharing that next week if ya’ want it.

leg day

Yesterday morning, I did physical therapy exercises and this yoga video, which I enjoyed, and I went for a run later in the day.

Today I’ll be hitting the gym again for shoulders, abs, and whatever cardio strikes my fancy. Tomorrow I’ll complete another 3-mile run.

This will be my plan through the remainder of December and possibly a week or two into January.

Have a happy Friday!

  • How have you been keeping busy at the gym/yoga studio/track/etc.?

Posted in Fitness | 14 Comments »

Tags: , , , ,
October 5th, 2012

Protein Pumpkin Pudding

by Tiff

This post is a bit all over the place, so I’m just going to jump on in there.

1- Yesterday’s workout was a short run and 50 minutes of yoga. The first yoga video was core focused, and the second one was a heart opening sequence.  You can find it on YouTube here.

2 – Even though yesterday’s strength training was done on a yoga mat, I still got some quality protein.  Okay, I haven’t actually tried this protein yet, but it did arrive on my doorstep.  Thanks for hosting the giveaway Nichole!

protein

3 – Really though, I did get some protein.  I created this little bowl of yum for afternoon snack.  It’s pumpkin protein pudding!

pudding

The fiber, fat and protein between the pumpkin, chia and whey help keep you full.  I don’t really recommend the walnut and raisin topping for their macros, but they’re cute on top!

pudding

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin
  • 1 tsp chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 scoop vanilla protein
Mix all of the ingredients, except for the protein, and place in the refrigerator.  I kept the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes.  This allows the chia seeds to get all gummy and pudding-ish.  When you’re ready for snack, thoroughly mix in your protein, and enjoy!

I decided not to add nutritional info because this depends so heavily on the milk and the protein you use.  I tried it with vanilla almond milk and with dairy skim milk, and the dairy milk was much better.  It’s kind of like the filling of pumpkin pie.

4 – On a side note, I had two great meals yesterday.  I owe one to blue cheese dressing and one to Trader Joe’s red curry sauce.  The salads I’ve been having for lunch this week have been awful, so yesterday I used Kevin’s not-light, not-healthy, super-yummy dressing.  Worth it!

salad  curry tofu

 Happy Friday!  What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Posted in Fitness, Food | 15 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,
August 30th, 2012

Motivation Nosedive

by Tiff

My motivation has seriously taken a nosedive this week.  Anyone else?  I’ve been keeping up my workouts, well – except this morning.  I just didn’t feel like running in the dark today, so a run and a little runner yoga have been pushed back until after work.

Really though, that doesn’t mean I’ve wanted to work out.  Or clean up my house.  Or go to work.  (Okay, I never want to do those last two, but you get the idea.)  The week is just going by so slowly for me.

Are you in the same boat?  I hope not!

So what’s a girl to do?

 dumbbell  pump

Go to body pump.  That cheered me up yesterday.

http://i0.wp.com/profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc6/211155_48736069129_228377301_n.jpg?resize=180%2C180

Only do 6minutes of yoga instead of the planned 20.  (Stressing about fitting in yoga for relaxaion is just silly.)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/onlinevitalicious_2223_12932746

Eat a Vitatop.  I went over my calorie “limit,” and I use that term very loosely, by 100 calories yesterday.  Sometimes a girl just needs chocolate.  (These are overpriced.  They’re convenient and tasty, but every time I eat one, I tell myself to never buy them again.  Call me Brittany because whoops, I did it again.)

On a side note…

I’ve been researching plant-based diets (vegan).  I’m not becoming a vegan, but I’m flirting with the idea of going vegan with benefits for just a wee bit.  It’s in response to this trash I’ve seen in the news this past week.

I was just about to start a high-protein diet too, so who knows where I’m going with this.  High-protein yet low-tummy ache vegan diet tips would be appreciated!  (Lentils, tempeh, and I don’t get along.)

  • What’s your recent, “Sometimes a girl/boy has just gotta…”?

Posted in Fitness, Food | 14 Comments »

Tags: , , , , ,
August 28th, 2012

Yoga – The Cure for the Common Life

by Tiff

I’m no serious yogi. I have a hard time clearing my mind, taking the time to practice, and most of all, stretching. In the words of my high school cross country coach, “Tiffany, you’re about as flexible as an oak tree!” Thanks Coach.

I’ve only been to one “real” yoga class, and I only went to that one because the kind folks at FitSugar paid for it. I usually stick to freebie videos I find online.

YAS Spin/Yoga

However…

I like yoga. I like the calming effects. I like focusing on my breathing. I like feeling all the little muscles I usually forget to notice. I even like trying to touch my toes.

Kevin and I have committed to doing one yoga session every night this week. It has to be longer than 20 minutes, but it doesn’t have to be hot n’ sweaty bikram or rapid-fire power. I usually only stick to power yoga videos, but that’s usually because I’m doing yoga for fitness.

chick n' beans

Side Note: I had this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken last night, and it was glorious.

This week is different; I’m doing yoga for relaxation. I haven’t been sleeping well the last few weeks, and I think the calming effects of hatha, vinyasa, and restorative sessions might help me turn off my brain at night.

Regular yogis already know the benefits of yoga, but for the newbies, here is a list of 10 others.

  1. “A sunnier outlook” according to Self Magazine (which I think would strengthen social relationships)
  2. Less aches & pains, especially with back pain
  3. Lower blood pressure (from reduced stress and the small aerobic benefits) according to WebMD
  4. Better sleep (I hope so!)
  5. “Steamier sex” also according to Self Magazine
  6. Better digestion (mainly when twists are included)
  7. Management of chronic health conditions, according to Mayo Clinic
  8. Higher self confidence
  9. In-tune with mindful eating, according to Yoga Journal
  10. Fitness benefits (increased strength, muscle tone, flexibility, balance, etc..)
  • Do you practice yoga?
  • Ever practiced yoga for a specific reason?

Posted in Fitness | 11 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,
« Older Entries