Tag Archives: fitness

April 29, 2013 · 6:22 PM

Playing Catch Up

I had all intentions of posting blogs daily last week. Hell, I even had topics to post about, but life had other plans for my time.

Oh well.

After last weeks celebration of finally hitting 200 miles for 2013, I dropped off a bit. I’ve had an awful ache in my neck that just won’t let up and I have been busy with stuff around the house. I’ve also still been playing nurse-maid to the puppy, who thought it would be a great idea to eat half of a tennis ball. Thankfully he is doing better now, I just hope my wallet heals from that vet visit soon. Sigh.

I miss getting out and clearing my head while running. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll steal some time to log a few more miles. Oh…and hopefully I make it to the mall to get some more of this…

Designer Whey Protein To Go – Lemonade

I received this sample in the mail a while ago and I kept forgetting about it. I brought it out with me the other day during my run and finally gave it a shot. To my surprise, it was pretty tasty. I think I was nervous about trying it because I have a picky palette when it comes to protein drinks. There was a slight after taste to it, but nothing awful. I actually finished the whole bottle and decided that I would like to pick up some of the Orange flavor to see how I like that.

Last week, I also got an e-mail from Fitness magazine saying that I was invited to their Fitness Blogger Meet and Tweet event AKA #FitBlogNYC this year!! I’m truly excited about this opportunity and I can’t wait to go. I’ve already met some great people via the event hashtag on Twitter, and I look forward to meeting them as well as seeing MomsGottaRun. (Someone remind me of this excitement when it’s 4:30am and my alarm is going off because I have to get ready to catch a bus into NYC. Okay, thanks.)

Photo Credit: TreadmillRunway.com

This week I plan on hitting the weights again and getting my eating under control as well. Every now and then I forget to adjust my caloric intake when my workouts drop down and that’s not a good thing. I’ve been sort of spacey about my nutrition since getting sick. I also thought that being home would make keeping up with eating properly easier, but I was wrong. It’s all just time management and I haven’t been very good at that since losing my job a few months ago. It’s time to get my shit together and start functioning the way I am supposed to.

Speaking of functioning the way I used to… I think I felt a small spark of excitement over design today. I was asked by my good friend Beth, from With Glitter In Her Veins, to help her design some stuff for a new business she starting up. She needed a logo, Facebook Cover photo and stuff like that, so this morning I started messing around with it as I enjoyed my morning cup of sanity. To my surprise, inspiration came to me quickly, I e-mailed my design to her and she loved it! It felt good to have the creative juices flowing again, so I decided to make a new logo for myself and try my hand at designing invitations again. I’m not sure if I’ll get a nice bonfire going with this spark, but I might as well give it a shot again and see where it goes.

How was your week? What is everyone up to with their fitness these days?

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Filed under Health & Fitness, Products I've Tried

Tagged as #FitBlogNYC, Designer Whey, fitness, Fitness Magazine, Graphic Design, Health & Fitness, healthy-living, Miscellaneous Ramblings, Personal Growth, Running

April 20, 2013 · 10:59 AM

Celebrating A Milestone

Yesterday was Fitness Friday and I reached a pretty big milestone! For the first time ever I hit double digits on a run/walk! The furthest I had ever walked prior, was 8 miles back in 2010. My furthest run was 7.5 back in early March.

I started out running yesterday and for some reason, I just kept going. Hitting that double digit has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile now, but I never really went for it. I started to get tired and struggled for a little while around miles 4 & 5. That little voice of negativity in my head started to beat me up, but I pushed through and decided I was going for it. I shut that little voice up by deciding that my time didn’t matter today, all that mattered was hitting my mileage of choice.

Once I made up my mind, the rest was pretty easy. I slowed down and walked when I needed to and picked up the pace and ran when I felt good. I have to get my legs used to carrying me for longer runs and they’re not quite ready to do that yet. Until they are, there is nothing wrong with slowing down to a light jog or fast paced walk.

I know that with determination, time and practice, I will be able to run the full 10 miles. My goal is actually 13.1 with a respectable pace, but I have to remember that it takes time to build up to that. I have to remove the self imposed pressure that I place on myself to perform at great levels. I have to learn how to celebrate my milestones, instead of getting mad that I didn’t reach them at a certain level, or by glancing over them to start working towards the next goal.

Over the past four years, I have skipped many celebrations and I regret that. I regret pushing myself towards the next goal instead of taking some time to reflect on where I came from and what I just achieved.

The beauty of this journey is that I am always learning…and as a result, I will continue to grow as a person.

Yesterday I put the Further in #FurtherFasterForever. Down the road I hope to add the Faster, but I have Forever to work at it and enjoy the celebrations as I go.

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Filed under Fitness Inspiration, Health & Fitness, Running

Tagged as Challenges, fitness, Fitness Friday, Fitness Inspiration, FurtherFasterForever, Health & Fitness, mental struggle, Personal Growth, Run/Walk, Running, Self Acceptance

April 12, 2013 · 12:23 PM

{Fitness Friday} Full Body Workout

Wow, it’s been awhile since I’ve done a Fitness Friday post.

I don’t have much to report about my own workouts for the past week. I’m still feeling pretty run down and I’ve been having issues with my breathing since being sick. I have not gone on a run in a little over three weeks, which has left me quite cranky and feeling a little defeated.

On the bright side, I did manage to do a few mini workouts this week and it felt good to workout. I stumbled upon an oblique mini workout that I shared on my Facebook Blog Page, and it left my muscles sore which felt great!

If you have not already “LIKED” my page, please take a moment and do it. I often share workout tips, mini workouts and recipes over there. You can click on the banner to the right or just CLICK HERE to visit me on Facebook.

The week has been also been spent focusing on staying hydrated, finding and trying new recipes, getting enough sleep and eating on a schedule. Being sick really turned my routines upside down and like a toddler, I tend the thrive on routine, so I get cranky when my schedule is messed up.

Before getting sick, I also made up this workout for the days that I can’t get out to run. It can be done anywhere, even outside if you’d like and it doesn’t require any weights which comes in handy if you are traveling, too!

full body workout

I would probably even toss a forearm plank in at the end of this for a little extra core/shoulder burn!

Hope everyone has a great weekend filled with nice weather! We are supposed to be in the 60’s here on the East Coast, so I’m hoping to get out and enjoy it!

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Filed under Health & Fitness, Quick Workouts

Tagged as fitness, Fitness Friday, Health & Fitness, Home Fitness, workout plan

March 22, 2013 · 10:02 AM

Who Wants To Kick-Ass in April?

Summer is quickly sneaking up on us, although you wouldn’t know it by the weather we’ve been having. Your window of opportunity to tone-up and shed a few pounds is quickly closing and those damn Girl Scouts and their cookies aren’t helping!

(For the record I love the Girl Scouts, I was one, my daughter was one and my nieces represent…it’s the evil cookies I don’t like…well…I love them…but my ass doesn’t.)

Anyway… I was killing time on Pinterest while being stuck in the house with sick kids and I stumbled upon this:

Thanks to Lauren for noticing that the dates on here do not reflect 2013. Please make a note of that if you plan to follow along. If I have time, I’ll make a new graphic and post it.
Click on the image to view the source of this workout and look up past ones.

I know the same three moves daily can become boring, but they are all very effective and I think you’ll be amazed by how much improvement you’ll see with each passing day. Just like with the plank challenge, you start out slow but with each passing day, you become stronger. This also doesn’t take a lot of time out of your day. You can easily do this before you take your morning shower, or just slip it into your usual routine.

So who wants to join me for a month of booty toning goodness?

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Tagged as Challenges, fitness, Fitness Friday, Health & Fitness, Home Fitness, Plank Challenge, workout plan

March 21, 2013 · 3:39 PM

My Week So Far + Five Things

This week started out dragging and then suddenly flew by!

My weekend was nice and quiet. Saturday was a rest day for me, which my body truly appreciated since I’ve been pushing it so hard. As I was lazily laying in bed, I stumbled upon a Groupon for the Color Me Rad 5K, which is taking place in May. Of course I couldn’t resist signing up for another Fun Run…especially since it was only 20 bucks! After a lazy day and dinner, the hubs and I watched “Oz The Great and Powerful”, which I enjoyed but had some issues with. Have you seen it? What were your thoughts?

Sunday I earned my final badge in the #FurtherFasterFurther Road ID Challenge, by doing a 3.17 mile run, wearing green for St. Patty’s Day. After my run, I begin cooking our St. Patty’s Day Feast and then we spent the rest of the day relaxing and eating.

I ended up earning 31 badges….some had double or triple worth so I think I ended up 37 or 38!

The rest of this week has consisted of my usual. I took another rest day and just stretched on Monday, Tuesday I ran, did some time on the trainer and then went and cashed in on my last massage. The hubs had given me a three month membership for Christmas and it was hands down THE BEST GIFT EVER. Since this was my last massage and I had a $5 off coupon, I decided to upgrade to a 90-minute session! It was painfully-blissful and just what my body needed!

Wednesday I did ChaLean Extreme, Push 1 & 2 and then followed it with 10.5 on the trainer. I also took a ride up to The Vitamin Shoppe and picked up some Quest bars. I’ve seen the lovely RunEMZ rave about them on Twitter and Instagram, so I had to check them out. Upon returning to my vehicle, I immediately tried the Chocolate Brownie and I was not disappointed at all! I need to get my booty over to GNC (since Vitamin Shoppe sucks and had limited stock of these) so I can try the other flavors she recommended.

IMG_5249[1]

Today has been a rough day. The hubs woke up puking around 1am, then my son woke up at 3am puking and finally the girl woke at 6am and followed their lead. I honestly don’t know how I escaped this, but I am truly grateful, as I am a total wuss when it comes to vomit. I did however complete a 15.5 mile ride on the trainer a little while ago and I’d like to do a short run as well as some yoga later.

Now for the Five Things…

The lovely Jackie, from Nora & Jac, tagged me in a Five Random Things post (which I didn’t realize was “random” so I’m winging this as I go) the other day, and I’ve been a super slacker about blogging, but I’m finally completing it soooo…

1. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York in this apartment building:

Brooklyn

2. I HATE mayo…loathe it. I’m so against it, I don’t even like to touch the jar in the fridge. There is something about it that creeps me out.

3. I have “corpse extremities”. Seriously… my hands and feet are ALWAYS ice cold. I can have socks and boots on all day, take them off and I have toesicles. The hubs just LOVES when I stick my icy, dead hands on his back.

4. I love taking road trips. Granted, I am referring to road trips sans kids. I love driving, seeing the landscape and listening to whatever I want on the radio.

Finally, I’m borrowing one from Jac’s post, because my brain isn’t really functioning due to lack of sleep…

5. I’ve had many people tell me that I look like Mary-Louise Parker…you can be the judge.

Twins?

Okay…there you have it. My week in review as well as Five Random Things about me. If you want to join in, please feel free and leave a link to your post below!

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Filed under Health & Fitness, My Ramblings, Running

Tagged as ChaLEAN Extreme, fitness, FurtherFasterForever, Health & Fitness, Miscellaneous Ramblings, Running

March 14, 2013 · 11:19 AM

Happy Pi Day {Mini Workout}

Today’s workout had me living the Life of Pi…. no no no….I wasn’t stuck on a boat with a tiger name Richard Parker …I just had to do things with the number 3.14 in mind.

I started off my morning with a 3.14 run on the trail. It was not a pretty run and my head was seriously not present at all. I was pissed off at myself IMG_5202[1] after being so close to beating my PR just a few days ago, but then I switched my mind set and gave myself credit for showing up and getting it done. Good job, Nikki!

After my run, I hit the trainer for a double Pi ride and it felt great. After pushing myself for 25 mile rides last week, 6.28 feels like a walk in the park.

I haven’t pushed myself this hard in a long time and it feels great! I actually like taking an active recovery day instead of a full rest day. It teaches me that I don’t have to go hard all the time, and that it’s nice to just slow down and enjoy the journey sometimes.

To finish off today’s Pi celebration, I didn’t have a slice of pie… instead I did this circuit workout and worked up a great sweat.

A big Thank You to the Billboard Hot 100 on Spotify for keeping my pace high!

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{Wordless Wednesday} More #FurtherFasterForever Badges

Click Here To See The Other Badges I’ve Earned So Far

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Tagged as fitness, Fitness Inspiration, FurtherFasterForever, Health & Fitness, Home Fitness, Personal Growth, Running, Wordless Wednesday

March 12, 2013 · 6:50 PM

Color Run…Here We Come…Again!

It’s official! The hubs and I have signed up for our 2nd Color Run!

This is the first “fun run” we ever did and we had so much fun doing it, we decided why not do it again!

If you would like to see our experience from last year, you can check it out HERE and HERE …. or you can just watch the video below, to see what The Color Run is all about.

So far this year, we are officially signed up for this and the Rugged Maniac, which I am both nervous and stoked about. I’m debating a St. Patty’s 5K this weekend and I still want to sign up for The Glow Run, but registration seems to be glitchy at the moment.

If you’re local and would like to join us on August 31st at Raceway Park, feel free to contact me! Team “Off Like A Prom Dress” would love to have as many members as possible! Plus, we have plenty of time to plan out cheesy costumes! I’m thinking tutu “prom dresses” for the ladies and white “tuxedo” t-shirts for the guys.

Here’s a workout plan to get you ready for The Color Run 5K, if you are not used to running already…

color run

Oh…and don’t freak out! The color comes off pretty easily. You just need one of those shower puffs and some exfoliating body wash. However, I highly recommend going to your local Target or grocery store while still coated in color….the look on peoples faces is truly priceless!

Color Run not for you, but you’d like to do a 5K? Let me know! I plan on registering for others and I’m always looking to build a team whenever possible.

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Tagged as Color Run, fitness, Health & Fitness, Personal Growth, Running, The Color Run

March 11, 2013 · 9:17 AM

I Am Not A Fan Of The Gym

I’m pretty sure many of you who follow my blog already figured out, that I am NOT a fan of the gym. As a matter of fact, I can’t tell you the last time I even worked out in one. Possibly pre-children, so that would be over a decade ago!

This past week, however, I entered a gym again.

As you have seen, I’ve been participating in the #FurtherFasterForever Badge Challenge. I admittedly can be a very competitive person with myself, so I looked over the badges many, many times and set my sites on the ones I felt I could do. I normally do my running up at my local recreation center, which has paved route options as well as a 5k trail option. I also have a stationary bike at home, so I could attempt some of the cycling badges too!

The issue however, was that Mother Nature decided to bless the East Coast with yet another dose of craptastic weather. I powered through the wind and some rain that she dropped on us (and even got the hubs to join me on one of those lovely mornings), but when the slick snow fell, I admitted defeat and headed to the gym, in the clubhouse at my mom’s development.

Mike and I after a windy, rainy 5K.

The slick, snowy mess that Mother Nature decided to drop on us, was my morning warm-up before hitting the gym for the first time in years.

Less stubborn people most likely would have taken a rest day or just did the bike, but I had a badge to obtain. Yes…I am THAT thickheaded.

Anyway…. I must admit there is a nice set-up up there, and it is much smaller than your normal monthly membership gyms. They had a decent amount of treadmills, a few different bikes and an elliptical. They also had a weight circuit and an indoor pool. The pool would have been awesome if I knew how to swim….sigh.

Since I was there to run, I picked a ~~hamster wheel~~ treadmill and started it up. I instantly felt dread and doom take over as I ran but got nowhere. There was no breeze, no change of scenery, nothing. Just the sound of a belt moving below me and the yapping of some other people in the room with me. I realized I couldn’t look down or I’d get dizzy. I also couldn’t look left or right for the same reason. Sigh….I was stuck looking forward at either CNN or my own reflection in a picture on the wall. What felt like eternity was only 1.25 miles and I stepped off in defeat. I decided to hop on a bike, clear my head and then have another go. My second attempt yielded 3.25 miles, which I was happy with.

Top left: Pool Area, Top Right: Cardio Area, Bottom Left: Weight Area, Bottom Right: My first attempt on the hamster wheel.

I left the gym that day happy that I was able to log some mileage, but also in awe of the people I see on Twitter and Instagram who log all these miles on the ~~hamster wheel of doom~~ treadmill. I guess it’s one of those examples of “to each their own”.

My other issue with the gym is time restraints. If it’s busy, you can only use a machine for 30 minutes….I guess that’s not awful, but I have days where I can go further and longer and I like being able to do so, without someone pointing to a sign-up sheet to hint that your time is up. (BTW…that did not happen to me here, but it had in the past.)

I’m sure I’ll have to go back again this week, as there is chatter of another storm brewing. I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m grateful (despite my bitching) to have access to the alternative.

Do you run on the ~~hamster wheel to nowhere~~ treadmill? Do you have any tips or tricks to make it more tolerable?

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Tagged as #F3, Challenges, fitness, FurtherFasterForever, Health & Fitness, Home Fitness, mental struggle, Personal Growth, Running