12 Days of Fitmas–Day 2

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Fitness and tagged with Creativity, Exercise, Family, Fitness, Workout December 14, 2013

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend! Starting yesterday, I began the 12 days of Fitmas where each leading up to the big day, Christmas, I’ll have a “task” for you to work on. So…

On the 2nd day of Fitmas…

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR WORKOUTS

One of the biggest complaints I’ve been hearing lately is that people don’t have time to work out because of the holidays. I say, get creative!

Cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Throw in a few sets of calf raises while you’re waiting for those cookies to brown. The recipe calls for milk? Work out those biceps and triceps with the gallon before you put it back in the fridge. Forgot something in the living room? Lunge your way over there.

I’m serious.

I know it sounds silly but it’s all about using whatever time you have to be as productive as you can.

My daughter loves watching Sesame Street every morning so I’ll throw a blanket on the floor and we’ll lay and watch Elmo, Big Bird, and the gang. While it’s playing, I do leg raises and work out my thighs. Lauren thinks it’s hilarious when she sees my leg go up and down, up and down. I get to spend some time hanging out with my little girl and sneak in a mini leg work out. Win!

Too embarrassed of getting caught? Include your family and make it a fun day of finding ways to turn normal tasks into an exercise! While something is heating up in the microwave, tell your children to do jumping jacks until the timer beeps. Send your kids to pick up the mail and tell them to jog there (if you live in an area safe enough to do so). Have a family plank-a-thon. Set the timer on your phone and see who can last the longest.

What are some other ways you can get creative with a work out? I’d love to hear it!

The 12 Days of Fitmas

Posted by hellyontherun in Fitness, Healthy Eating and tagged with 12 Days of Christmas, Christmas, Cookie, Fitness, Food, Holidays, Indulging December 13, 2013

I thought it’d be a fun to a little something leading up to the big day, Christmas. Starting today, when you come to my blog you’ll find your “task” for that day of fitness. Some of them will be easy, some will be hard, some will be silly, and some will make you think.

I hope everyone is enjoying this winter season and I look forward to hearing what you think about the 12 Days of Fitmas.

On the 12 ^th day of Fitmas…

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

I know many have holiday parties to attend, family to visit, goodies being brought into the office—it’s okay to indulge every now and then. Really, it is.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m part of an online Healthy Moms group and every day it seems like a mom talks about how she feels guilty for eating a brownie or that they ate too many cookies. Hey, it’s not like you’re eating cookies every day of the week/month/year. It’s the holidays. Enjoy the cookie!

I never like to deprive myself of food. If something smells good, looks good, and tastes good, it’s going in. Part of staying fit is well, staying fit. I know that even though I might indulge, I’m going to still work out. Will I do something a little extra? Maybe, if I’m up for it. The point is, if you make fitness an integral part of your life, you’re able to have fun with food and not worry about having 2, 3, 10 cookies.

So on the 12^th day of Christmas, eat the brownie : )

—Do you ever feel guilty for indulging?

Or,

—Do you have fun with food?

We’re Streaking!! {Link Party}

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Mile, Runner's World, Running, Running Friends, Streak December 12, 2013

My buddy Salt and I would like to welcome you to our first Streaking Party!!

I was intrigued by the Runner’s World Streak Challenge because, well, I like challenges. I’ve been training for my full marathon and already running 4 times a week, I figured what’s 3 days of 1 mile? Sign me up!

Two weeks in and I’m going strong. I’ve been having a lot of fun doing this and on the three days I run only 1 mile, they serve as a cool break from the other “purpose” runs. There is no specific goal with these one milers—just do them. Here’s a recap of the past week : )

December 5: Thursdays are my tempo runs and also treadmill runs. My plan had me running 5 miles so that’s what I did. I love having a plan to tell me what to do (and that I can still control if need be). I’ve also never minded running on the treadmill; I know some runners abhor it but it’s never been a big deal to me. However, lately, I’ve been feeling my shins a lot more on the ‘mill than on the road.

December 6: Fridays are typically rest days so I did a pace mile around my neigborhood to continue the streak.

December 7: Saturdays are my long runs but I had my 15k the next day so I left it to a mile to continue the streak.

December 8: Hot Chocolate 15k! You guys read about my recap in a previous post but I could talk about this day over and over. I won’t though and spare you : )

December 9: Recovery mile to continue the streak. This was a slooooow mile!

December 10: Tuesday is cross train day so I did a streak mile followed by 10 miles on the bike.

December 11: Wednesday is speed day so out to the track I went: 3.16 miles with an 8:34 pace. Also, a member of my run club owns a baby store and was doing a raffle for a BOB Sport Utility jogging stroller………..and I won!!!!! I never win anything, really I don’t, but lately I’ve been on a roll. The stroller is so beautiful.

I also had my MRI last night. I’m hoping to meet with my doctor soon to discuss the results.

Overall, it’s been a great streak. One of, if not the best, reason I like streaking is that I’m doing it with my “sole” sister, Salt. Talk about motivation. I always look forward to her check-ins on our accountability board to see how her mile went. And, even though her miles are faster than my miles, I know she runs them with the same enjoyment I run mine.

Click here to enter your link and join our Streaking Party!