V-Day & Yoga

First and foremost, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  My husband did well this year....maybe it was the multiple emails suggesting small gifts, or that blog post I wrote a little while ago....or maybe just me driving him to the mall and told him "I want this!"  Either way it happened, I'm happy.  I got not one, but TWO yoga blocks (for the price of one! make sure you check your clearance section in Target!!!), and a travel / to-go size spray pen of Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume.  I wasn't sure I was ready to commit to this scent without thoroughly trying it first and at only $22.00 (actually, $13.00 out of pocket, I had a gift card left over to Macys!) it's the perfect way to try it out since it was affordable.  It's a really pretty scent, however it is strong. One (small) spritz and you are good to go for the day.

So while we are somewhat on the topic of yoga, since I take classes (during the week) where my parents live, I don't get to do this on the weekend (I'm WAY to lazy to drive 45 minutes for an hour class. Shame on me). I've scoured the internet for great at-home work outs, in case you were interested!

Beginner Basics in Flow  

I had a hard time embedding this video into the post but that link brings you directly to it

10 Days of Sun Salutations
This is great for intermediate to advanced yogis. You really need to know the poses to keep up with her! None the less, it's a great FREE at-home yoga work out

Yoga for Relaxation

Standing Poses & Sun Salutation
(this one is my favorite)

What do you think of these workouts? I find them challenging and feel so relaxed after completing them! I'll be practicing this weekend, because what do you know, another SNOW STORM IS COMING. YAY.

"Inclement Weather" - not stopping me from working out!

My gym decided to close at noon today due to Winter Storm Maximus.  It would be an understatement if I told you I was just "bummed" out.  I'm extremely upset!  I was so excited that Vinyasa Yoga was on the schedule for tonight from 7 - 830pm. Hello, an hour and a half yoga session? YES!
But anyway, since I can't go to the gym, let me bring the gym to me? No, that doesn't make sense but I'm sure you gather where I'm headed here.

Some of my favorite workouts don't involve going to the gym. While I would prefer to go to the gym, and utilize the pool, or classes that are available with my membership, sometimes it just isn't happening and that's when I turn to my trusty Pinterest board "Health and Fitness". Here are my top 5 at home work outs that don't require many items!

Here are the links to each exercise:

1. Tone It Up "Malibooty" Workout
2. Yoga Surya Namascar, Sun Salutation
3. Tone Zone
4. Dumbbell Crunchless Abs
5. Squat Circuit Challenge

What do you think, pretty easy right?

Week 1: Couch to 5K

So one of my goals for 2014 is become more physically fit.  I don't want to lose weight but I've found since being out of college for a few years, I've become some what of a lazy bum.  I can't lift more than 5lb weights, run a mile without huffing and puffing, and dare I even mention, I can't swim for the life of me anymore (I was a swimmer in HS, the 200, 400 and 500 freestyle). It's so sad!

Starting today, I am going to focus on the "Couch to 5K" program, but a modified version. By the end of spring, I'd like to compete in a 5K and by the end of summer, a 10K! Anyway, I'm not paying to download the app on my phone when I could research what the "program" entails and come up with something all in the same.  I will also be focusing on strength training with 3lb and 5lb weights as right now, that is the max amount I can lift in free weights.  The machines at the gyms (row, bicep curls, yadda yadda) I can go as high as 15lbs.

This is the first month.  It will be in installments of 4 phases (months). Months 1&2 will be mostly walking and then Month's 3&4 will switch over to be mostly running.  A lot of the Couch to 5K work outs involve crazy maneuvering of the treadmill which I hate doing because it would involve changing the speeds in very short intervals.

This should be a fairly easy month as I'm comfortable walking on the treadmill.  When I start running (and going anything higher than 5 speed), images of this come into my head:

Well, I won't be dancing onto the treadmill, nor will I be wearing hightop sneakers, but still! It's always so nerve wracking!

So now that the work whistle has blown for the day, I'm off to the gym!