Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Trying Out New Gym Locations

I am a member of the Y in my area and there are quite a few locations to choose from. Mostly, I go to the one about 6 minutes away on my lunch break. There is also one that's about 15 minutes from my house that I go to on weekends, or the nicer one that is about 20 minutes away from my house.

I wanted to find one that is in between my house and my work so I went to the Shady Grove one on Monday. Its a nicer area, and I have come to realize that the nicer the area = the more people that go to the gym = the more people to judge you.

Now, don't take that the wrong way. The gym was nice, huge. The people weren't mean. But its just not as friendly as some of the other locations. I'm sure some of that was me, I get intimidated in new situations and so I avoid eye contact/conversations with new people. So that's something.

So, I'm standing in the "fitness" area trying to figure out the set up. there are about 10 treadmills squeezed one by one against a wall/window. In front of those are the ellipticals, different brands, each with their own weird options. I don't like ellipticals. I feel stupid on them, but guess what I ended up doing the longest? yup.

I tried the treadmill first. There is always that one in every gym that makes some weird noise when you get to a running pace. I ALWAYS FIND THIS ONE. I got to a running pace and it sounded like I had hammers on the bottoms of my shoes. So I opted for a 5 minute walking warm up and then weights. Then I did the dreaded elliptical and felt stupid. I just don't like all that bouncing motion I get. (and I don't mean from my -A boobs...just...everything else. My cheeks. My pony tail. My knees. But my boobs? nah.)

After this embarrassing spectacle I made of myself I did some sit ups and went home. There is a good chance no one even noticed I was in the gym. It was just one of those times I felt silly. Ever have those?

I returned to my go-to lunch time location yesterday and felt much more at home. Plus, only about 3 people are there when I am. So If I trip up on the treadmill or fall off the exercise ball, there are less witnesses :)
a46 Daily motivation (25 photos)

Winery!

Saturday = Girls Day.

It was the first Girl's Day that didn't involve Willow since...she was born, I think. Jessi H is getting married this Friday so we went to Colonial Beach for the night. We went to a 25,000 square foot antique mall and did about 3 miles of walking Saturday. We also went to a winery (a first for both of us! It's important to know how to make a proper sangria), and went to a kind of Tiki Bar to see a band.


So, this is kind of embarrassing, but I always thought sangria was just any kind of wine mixed with fruit and ginger-ale. Nope. Turns out the proper wine to use is Port. I'm not a big fan of the stuff, its a little strong tasting for me, but turns out it is perfect for sangria. Oak Crest Winery in King George, VA has a free wine tasting which was nice. It seems like a small winery but most of their wines were really good. There was one called Hot Jazz that had jalapeƱo juices in it. It would be awesome for cooking, not so much for drinking.


The hotel we stayed at has just been remodeled at the start of the summer, and it was right at the beach. It was a clean hotel but nothing fancy, but when you are coming from Bumpass that is not something required! The staff was nice though, and the rates were very reasonable. We stayed at Rivers Edge Inn.

I didn't know this, but Jessi H pointed out that the "sand" (aka pebbles) is where VA stops and Maryland ends. We ate nachos at a casino that was right over the water so technically we ate them in Maryland. That, for some reason was quite entertaining to us.

We had a great time, and it was nice to get out and go somewhere new.

Friday, September 13, 2013

When You Get In A Slump

What keeps you motivated when you get in a fitness slump?

I've been going to the gym at least a few times a week, plus weekends for about a month and a half now. I don't know if I just don't notice or what, but I feel like I look no different. Not that I was expecting to become a 6-packed, guns for arms, running machine or anything. I was just expecting a little more...firmness? Which, by the way, is hard to find in some areas after having kids. I don't care who you are.

Sometimes not seeing the results you want can leave you unmotivated. We have to remember that everything takes time, and its more about how you feel than how you look. (Right now I feel b-l-o-a-t-e-d)

Also, its good to switch it up a bit, or kick it up a notch. Try doing 20 reps instead of 15. Try adding 5 lb. to the weights. Go an extra quarter, half, or even whole mile. Try a group class. Any (or all) of those can be helpful.

I haven't ran outside in a while, so that will be one of my goals for next week. Maybe switching it up and getting some fresh air will help.

Still not seeing the results you want? Keep these in mind:

- Give your body a break. Those rest days allow those muscles to heal and strengthen.
- Drink enough water, if not your body will retain it.
- Sleep! Sleeping 8 hours (or trying) is essential for your body, mental focus, and well...everything
- Eat! Eat for fuel. I'm not saying skip the ice cream because that would be hypocritical of me. Ice cream can be fuel....right? Just be sure that the bulk of your food is veggies, fruits, grains and lean meats.
- Try cardio and weights. Doing cardio for at least 10 minutes before weights helps to speed up your metabolism and it warms those muscles up!
- Last on my list- Stretch! Before. After. Both.

da mo 83 Daily motivation (25 photos)
from Theberry.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

So...I Took a Little Break...

Okay, lets go back about what? 2 months? Whoops!

I draw a sweet dirt family for Josh, and he draws a dinosaur. Romance isn't dead here! lol 

I'm just going to do a quick update and then get to it!

New happenings:
-Willow is 2...its terrific and terrifying at times
- I joined a gym. You can call me a gym rat, because I love it!
- I started back with school.
- We took Willow fishing for the first time and she was so good she took a nap on the boat.

Wow, nothing big ever really happens in my life. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.



Anyway. With everything going on in summer, I haven't been running like I was. I would rather come home after work and play with my daughter. I did join a gym and one of its locations isn't far from my job so I will go on my lunch breaks at least 2-3 times a week plus on the weekends too. I have an hour lunch, so I will fit in about 10 to 15 minutes of running on the treadmill, then weights. I also will do the elliptical but I hate it. That thing is just awkward.

Another reason I've been going to the gym more than running outside is because it has childcare. So on the weekends when I go I can take Willow. She gets to socialize and play with other kids while I do my thing. If we don't have errands to run then we will go to the pool after, which she loves too. I see it as a win/win.

I went to a new location Sunday, and it was the biggest gym I've been to yet. The Y in Ashland was 2 stories. It even had an indoor track. I was compelled to use the indoor track but then I saw the treadmills. They have touch screens! They have different "paths" you can take while running! Its like traveling virtually to Italy, Germany or other places. So, I had to try it. I ran 1.5 miles and loved it. After that I used the usual machines. Chest Press, Leg Press, and some that I can't remember the names. Let me just say, its Wednesday and I'm still sore. I'm going to my usual location at lunch today.

Another reason I've been shortening my runs is because I want to focus on other fitness goals. I would like to see an improvement in over all strength. I will always continue running as long as I continue fitness but since I have not signed up for any races I am not training for anything. I do enjoy seeing the difference in my strength in my arms, shoulders, back and legs. Abs are another thing. After have a baby those things might take years to build up!



Okay, so catch up is done. not much is new. But I will continue to write, just in case some one might be interested (but lets not get my hopes up here, okay?)