Alternative fitness, part 2.

Just a few more of my experiences in the never ending quest to keep myself motivated to continue lifting and working towards getting fit, instead of being one of those girls on the treadmill or elliptical focused solely on being skinny.

You'll notice that the activities I seek out are generally physical activities.  I do other stuff, like go to the movies, archery range, hit happy hours with friends and go to the gun range. Not in that order, but you get my drift, right?  These are my fitness related activities.

1. Rock Climbing -  I love Rock Climbing, but its pretty rough on the hands.  Supposedly, a lot of women stay away from rock climbing because they think they lack the upper body strength needed for it.  However, according to the guy who taught me how to belay, women are better rock climbers because they use their legs, which what you're supposed to do.  Unfortunately, I rock climb like a guy... all upper body.  I typically leave the rock gym with sore biceps, triceps, shoulders and back. 

2.  Pole Fitness - Pole is a lot of fun, once you get past the pole burn, which is not fun.  However, this turned out to be a better workout than I expected.  Pole is actually a full body workout,  I left my first class feeling sore from head to toe.  The focus on improved flexibility is also a nice plus.  Unfortunately, the school I was attending didn't really seem to have a curriculum, and all class were drop ins.  So one week I might be the most inexperienced girl in the class, which meant I learned a TON of stuff, and the next weeks, I might be the most experienced girl in class which meant I spent the class working on basics moves I already know.  Couple that with the pole studio being about 40 min away, and I haven't been pole-ed in a while.

Since its only a matter of time before someone asks me about Zumba, I guess I should take a moment to address Zumba.  I, personally, am not a fan of Zumba  for *ME*, I don't find it challenging and have never so much as broken a sweat in Zumba.  I think Zumba is a great place to start if you don't already have a fitness routine.  For the first year or so of your workout, I think its a great cardio workout to supplement a lifting routine.  However, as far as I know Zumba doesn't have levels, and at some point you're going to need to switch it up, or leave Zumba behind because it won't be as much of challenge, for you.  

For those of you who are hard core Zumba lovers, I want you to look around the next time you're in class.  You'll see a lot of the same women who've been coming to Zumba week after week. How much of a difference do you see in their bodies? Do you see any women who look the way you want to? If so, ask them about their workout routines, I guarantee they do a lot more than just attend a few Zumba classes.  The same goes for all fitness classes.  Your workout needs to be dynamic and well rounded.  Don't just rely on a class for your fitness needs, and don't be afraid to try something harder.

On the list still to try (but not available locally that I know of) are Parkour, Flying trapeze, Adult gymnastics, Salsa dance, and maybe a martial arts class, but I want to find one that's practical for a short woman.  I'm thinking about trying Krav, Muy Thai, or Ninpo, but at the moment my schedule's a little too full.  So we'll see...

The quest continues,
Candydiva04

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One day soon this will be me!

Putting you ladies on notice, some day soon I *will* be on your level!

Candydiva04

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Fitness Alternatives part 1

I can't be the only one who gets bored in the gym? I can only do so many bicep curls or squats before I start thinking isn't there a better way to get fit without doing this!?!?!?  By now I know the answer, more or less, is not really.  At least not for the type of results I want.  


So to help combat that boredom, I've been exploring alternative workout options for the past year or so and listed below are some of my favorites. As this is a never ending pursit with me, I'll keep chronicaling them for you all.  I should probably point out that the goal here is to supplement my current workouts not replace them, although RR will tell you I occasionally get that backwards....  So the most recent supplemental exercise was a boot camp class that I found on Groupon.com.  

1. Fit Body Boot Camp  -     An hour-long, high intensity workout.  This particular boot camp was very much like doing an Insanity with a group of friends, in a gym.  Which I prefer to the actual Insanity workouts.  When I do workout videos, I generally get tired or fatigued and either sit down and watch them, or meander into the kitchen for a glass of water, and then stand in the doorway to kitchen watching the video.  In class, there's an actual person, who will get in my face (in a nice way) and motivate me to keep going.  Apparently, if done correctly, I can expect to burn about 1,000 calories during the hour, with a good amount of after burn.  The workout is mostly things like burpees, planks, sprints,squats, etc.  but done in short bursts, with even shorter breaks in between, which IMO made it a great cardio workout.  So far I don't feel sore, I feel really good, however  I did feel like I ran a marathon afterwards.  The next day my lats my were sore, but that was the only soreness I experienced. 

2. Circus Aerials - Hands down my favorite workout, its a AMAZING full body workout.  However, its also a *GREAT* and girlie way to develop upper body strength.  I took an 8 week session of classes last summer, thinking "I lift 5 days a week, this will be cake!"  I soon realized that my current workout had some serious holes in it, and knew that if I didn't start to address those holes, I'd not only continue being insanely sore, but also not be able to do all the cool tricks I wanted to do.  Unfortunately, the only place near Delaware that teaches Circus Aerials is about an hour and a half from me and that's not a commute I want to make during the winter, so this is currently a spring-fall workout for me... well obsession is probably a better word for it.  I am obsessed with Aerials, and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and unique workout that will actually help you to get stronger.

3. Ballet - inspired by my love of Circus Aerials.  The good Aerialists look like ballerinas who've learned to defy the laws of gravity.  So in the interest of being a better aerialist when I begin classes again, I've begun taking ballet classes.  So far ballet has never made me sore, or even feel like I'm getting a serious workout, but I'm pretty sure, my legs are starting to look better and more defined.  Either that or running around in tights and a leotard has made me more comfortable with my body, especially my legs.  Before ballet class, I was staunchly anti-tights and leggings unless I was going to Ballet or Aerials.  Then I started wearing leggings to workout, now I've started wearing them out in the world as part of an outfit.  I'm clearly  starting to enjoy the way I look in and out of clothes.   

I've found that now that I'm starting to like the way I look,  I  take more pride in how I look. During the "fat" years,  I found that I focused a lot on just my hair and shoes, everything in between kinda got left up to chance.  Now,  I've started painting my nails again, accessorizing, and putting more time and thought into wearing a COMPLETE (head to toe) look, which occasionally includes leggings, lol.  But I've noticed similar changes in some of the my colleagues at the gym.  Everyone starts off working out in baggy (sometimes ratty) sweats and t-shirts,  and as they lose weight their work out clothes become nicer, more fitted, and better coordinated.

Besides lifting and cardio what other activities do you do? Also, have you noticed that you pay more attention to your appearance as you begin (and hopefully continue)  to make progress, or is that just me?
Fighting the war on boredom, one activity at a time,

Candydiva04

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How to "Go Green"

My BFF, Tiff, and I have been swapping recipes and cooking tips, really, I'm just stealing her recipes, but it sounds much nicer when I say we're swapping, so I'm going to run with that.

Anyway, last time we talked about our diets and meal plans for the week, I mentioned that because RR has better eating habits than I do, I've been letting him rule the kitchen.  Otherwise we'd be eating junk, or junk disguised as healthy food.  So while I love having a man who cooks, (remind me to post his Ground turkey buffalo meatball recipe later, YUM!) it occasionally has its downsides.

The downside to him cooking is that more often than not, we aren't eating balanced meals.  Typically, its all protein, and little or no veggies.  In response, Tiff tells me to stop being lazy and cook more.  (Thanks Tiff!)  She was at least kind enough to follow that up, with this article on how to get more greens in your diet. The article suggests...

1. Stirring them into soup. I  don't eat much soup and when I do, its not homemade. So this won't work for me.

2. Slip greens into your chicken breast.  This one I LOVE since RR is VERY partial to chicken, this might be a great way to mix things up.

3. Blend leaves into your smoothie.  I was doing this for a while, and it was great, not really sure why I stopped.  CO at Fitness, Fashion Frank, posted this great smoothie recipe that her nephew brought home from school.  If its kid friendly, I'm sure adults will love it too!!  Its on my "To try" list.

4. Beat them into eggs.  Another great and practical idea.

5. Wrap your burger or sandwich with lettuce.  I think this one is slightly impractical for my lifestyle at the moment.  If I take a lettuce rapped sandwich to work, it'll be all soggy and gross by lunchtime. Since I generally buy bagged salads, this would require buying whole lettuce, strictly for weekend sandwiches.. not worth it. To me, but if it works for you, I'm all for it. 

Let me know if you're doing one or trying of these suggestions (especially the ones, I might have ruled out), I'm open to being persuaded! ;)

Hoping to "Go Green" soon, 

Candydiva04

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What I'm eating...

RR is one of those people who can eat the same thing day in and day out, I am not.  So last Sunday in a fit of "rebellion", I cooked.

I broke out the Crockpot and tried out this Cuban Braised Beef & Peppers  recipe from yumsugar.com

SLOW COOKER CUBAN BRAISED BEEF AND PEPPERS

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 red bell peppers, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut crosswise into thirds
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Nestle the steak among the vegetables. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
2. Twenty-five minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions.
3. Using two forks, shred the beef and mix it into the cooking liquid. Serve with the rice and top with the avocado and cilantro.

Serves 4.

Being a Crock Pot recipe, its was VERY easy to make, but hard to resist once it started cooking, and the aroma filled my house!  8 hours later I had a delicious plate of this! You'll notice that I used brown rice instead of the long grain white rice, the recipe called for.

It made a lot for 2 people, later in the week, we re-purposed it with 100% whole wheat flour tortillas into tacos, fajitas and burritos.  It was delicious, the RR has taken to calling it "Chipotle" Which is a HIGH compliment.

I also plan to mix up my lunch later this week with this

5-Minute Turkey, Avocado, and Hummus Wrap

Ingredients

1 whole wheat tortilla
2-3 tablespoons red pepper hummus
3 slices low-sodium deli turkey
1/4 avocado, sliced
Pickle slices

Directions

Spread tortilla with hummus, then layer on turkey, avocado, and pickle slices. Roll, then slice. Makes 1 wrap.

I'll probably use the Primo Taglio Oven Roasted Chicken from our local deli, in lieu of the turkey, purely out of taste preference, but this seems like a awesome alternative to my standard boring sandwich.

Until next time,

Candydiva04

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