Biking around town

This morning I biked to the gym!!!!! This was the first time I have ever done this before. I've never lived close enough to my gym to bike there, but I do now. Due to all the rain I hadn't tested out the gym route yet. But today it was dry and I felt like it was the perfect day to give it a go.

I biked the two miles there, did a full body workout, and then biked towards home.

But not before biking a few extra miles to the local coffee shop Ugly mug for a very small soy latte. I hung out reading two of the local newspapers and checking up on all the local entertainment happenings. I then biked home pretty quickly because it looked like it was going to start raining .

It's opening day of the neighborhood farmers market today. I had planned on walking there with my mom and then having dinner afterwards together. But it's raining really hard, so we will probably skip this weeks market and I'll catch it next week.

A new fitness adventure

The other day I laced up my shoes and tried out a new fitness activity.

I tried out barre 3 which is a combo of ballet, yoga, and pilates, with a LOT of stretching thrown in. I wanted to try it because I have been really missing my Wednesday dancers workout class. The instructor has been on maternity leave and there is no other class at my gym similar to that class. Basically Danielle was the only one who taught it. My legs and abs have REALLY been missing the intense deep muscle conditioning. I thought barre 3 would be along the same lines as dancers workout and worth trying.

It was way too slow paced for me with too much stretching throughout the class and not enough time working the muscles. I have a new member 3 time trial membership. So I have two more times to try it out. But I did enjoy trying something new.

So sunny I had to wear shades

It was so sunny here today. Such a nice unexpected change in the weather from the usual rain. So I definitely had to get outside. I went for a run cruising through all the neighborhoods and taking in all the views of the beautiful older homes.

It was so sunny I had to break out the shades. Now I just can't wait until it's a little warmer also.

Sunny but not warn

The sun was shinning bright today and I knew it was a good day for a bike ride. I hurried home after work, threw on some workout clothes, added extra layers, and set out.

I traveled pass the river.

By the park, that was empty because it was so cold.

And looped through historic downtown. All in all it was a good ride but a little on the chilly side. I'm longing for the nice warm summer rides, but it's still nice to get out and ride the roads.

Big open sky

Wow is that a blue sky I see. We had a windy rainy monsoon going last night, it actually woke me up a few times.

When I realized it was sunny and the rain was scheduled to hold off until 3pm I dragged my bike out.

I hit the road. It was very cold out, I'm still figuring out the right clothing and layering for such weather. It was a short but nice ride, with a good amount of time to clear my mind. I love running and biking as my form of meditation. It gives me time to just think about things, make plans, and agendas for the week.

I didn't like all the leaves on the ground, they kept getting stuck in my gears and pedals.

Beautiful weather

It was just the most beautiful fall day today.

I had originally planned to go to the gym since it's been raining so much lately. But today turned into a crisp sunny afternoon.

I got on my bike and did a little riding, about 8 miles or so. It wasn't my best ride, I wore the wrong clothes, had trouble with the gears, and was very wobbly with my steering. Oh well hopefully there will be more sunny afternoon's before winter comes.

Change of plans

I had a change of plans this morning. The sun was shinning bright, the sky was blue, and my upper body muscles were sore. Every reason to skip the gym and go for a run.

I haven't gone running in weeks, ever since I got my new cycle bike.

I started with a good pace and my body felt really good. It was one of the best runs that I have had all summer. I was just really feeling it today. The thing I love most about running is that its my form of meditation. It gives me that time to just run and think about all kinds of things. I come back refreshed and renewed.

I ran about 7 miles, towards the end my abs, quads, and glutes were screaming at me that they were done.

Upon returning home I did some much needed stretching, re hydrated, showered, and now I'm enjoying lunch.

Sunny run

I've got my shades and I'm ready for my run. It was the perfect day for a 6 mile run. It started to warm towards the end, and the mailman tried to run me over not once but twice. Other then that it was a good run.

After my run I was so heat stroked and tired I could have collapsed into a blob. But instead I did some ab and leg exercises to finish my workout. Good thing I committed mentally earlier on to do those, are it might not have happened.

Booty moving

This morning I was up at the crack of dawn to get my booty moving. I started my workout with 20 min. on the spinning bike followed by some abs, legs, and upper body resistance training. I did exercises that involved both the upper and lower body at the same time. It increases the heart rate and you get a better workout, it all saves time. I finished with 20 min. back on the bike to end my circuit workout.

Perfect run

This morning I went on a 6 mile run. The weather was perfect and I was feeling good. I did a few hills and worked on my speed on the 3 miles back home. Once I got back home I also did some resistance training.

Afterwards I did a little stretching and yoga out on the deck while taking in some sun.

I'm having an early lunch and then it's off to work. I had leftover pasta salad topped with hummus and some egg whites that turned out kind of ugly in the pan.

I'm about to eat my lunch and then I'm off.

Indoor spinning/cycling

Meet my spinning bike, one of the toughest workouts. This isn't like a stationary bike. On this bike you can ride in different positions, and it's all manual so there is no momentum. All the work comes from yourself. It's outdoor cycling (like Lance Armstrong style), but inside.

This morning I was up bright and early to get my workout in. I started with 20 min. on the spinning bike (this guy right here he's all business). I then did a full body resistance training including abs and legs. In between each set I did some kickboxing moves that worked my abs and legs. It was a two for one, I worked my abs and legs while also keeping my heart rate up and burning major calories. I finished with another 20 min. back on the bike.

Look what I just found, Spinfreak. It's a website where people post different routines. I'm going to become a member and test out some of the routines. I've been looking for a way to change up my spinning and take it to another level.

Ready for a change

This morning I was up early yet again to workout. It was the only time I could get a workout in. I did yet another bootcamp style workout today. It was different from yesterday's and Sunday's workouts (I never do the same workout twice, they are always different in order to challenge my body) but after three days of varying bootcamp workouts I'm over it. I'm glad that tomorrow is kickboxing and the rest of the week involves some trips to the gym and some outdoor runs.

Working out before the heat

This morning I worked out before work and before it really heats up, it's supposed to be 100 degrees again.

I started with 15 min. on the spinning bike followed by upper body resistance training, with intervals in between to keep my heart rate up. I finished with 30 min. back on the bike and a whole lot of stretching, I'm pretty sore from yesterday.

Here's' my tip of the day for Project stay cool and healthy. If you are planning on working out know the weather during this time of year. If it's going to be over 80 degrees workout in the morning when it's cooler. If you plan on working out in the afternoon do it an air conditioned building or wait until after 8pm when it starts to cool down.

I worked at at 5am this morning and it was already 77 degrees. I drank plenty of water and paced my workout, so I didn't get over heated. I also had a fan to help keep me cooler.

I'm going to an all day meeting today. Lunch and snacks are to be provided but you never know what that means. So I'm going prepared with some healthy stuff. I'm packing a banana, grapes (extra to share with my friend Tara), half of a pb sandwich, and a Larabar. It's better to go prepared and bring what I don't eat back home.

Fun in the sun

I got up early this morning to workout before work. I had some set backs going into my workout. First the family computer wouldn't work, that's where I get my music from. Then the remote to the TVs battery was dead, so I couldn't get music on that either. I ended up using my ipod which just doesn't work so well for an at home workout, especially when doing interval training.

I started with 25 min. on the spinning bike followed by upper body resistance training working each muscle group with one exercise and two sets per exercise. I finished with another 25 min. back on the bike. Even with the music problems it was a good workout and I was super sweaty afterwords, gross.

Today is a beautiful day. I got home from work early and finished a few chores around the house including prepping dinner for tonight. Now I have a few hours to relax and enjoy the weather, that never happens. We also just setup our patio furniture outside last night and I just found out my laptop works out on the deck. Now I can get some work done and relax at the same time, it's going to be a good summer.

Now I'm off to enjoy some of the sun.

4th of July fun run

For lunch I had a small bowl of Whole Foods vegetable soup from the soup bar, I picked this up when I was shopping last night. I also had a slice of Great Harvest nine grain bread with a smear of red pepper hummus and Diestel brand turkey. I waited an hour for lunch to settle and then it was time to get ready for a run.

I went on a 4th of July 5 mile fun run. After some stretching I set out for a 5 mile run with speed drills on the 2.5 mile return trip. After I finished my run I did some abs and then stretched.

It's time to get ready to go to a 4th of July BBQ and have some fun with friends.

Push yourself

After work I was planning on heading to the fancy 24 hr. fitness to workout. As I got on the freeway leaving work the traffic from the holiday weekend started to back up. I decided that the direction I was heading was all freeway and it was heading directly out of town where everyone else was heading. Rather then spend my afternoon in the car I took the exit to my house and came home to workout.


I decided to go for a 5 mile run that ended up turning into an 8 mile run. When I got to the turn off to start running back towards home for my 5 mile run I was feeling pretty good. So I pushed myself onward and ran the rest of the loop to equal 8 miles. Sometimes you just need to push yourself to go a little further. On the way back home I sprinted most of the way, minus the hills. I decided it was a good time to work on my speed, I'm a pretty slow runner, but I can run far.

Once I got home I finished with some abs, legs, and some stretching to wrap up the workout and the week.

Stress be gone

Today I really needed a workout, mostly just to relieve some stress, it's been one of those days. I had planned on going to the gym but I just didn't feel like driving there and dealing with the other people working out. Instead I came home for a bootcamp style workout. I started with chest and back followed by 10 min. on the spinning bike. Then shoulders and biceps and back on the bike for another 15 min. and then triceps and back on the bike for the last 15 min. In between each set I did some interval's to keep my heart rate up such as jumping jacks, running in place, and jump roping. It was a good solid 1.25 hrs of stress relieving. Now it's time to shower and start dinner and I'm hungry.

I see blue sky

It's Wednesday and for me that's one of my favorite days because I get to do my favorite workout, dancers workout and turbo kickboxing. But before that I need to have a hearty breakfast so I have lots of energy for another intense class.


1/4 cup Bob's oat bran
2 TB. Bob's apple cinnamon hot cereal
1/4 cup water
mix together
topped with
a few slices of banana
drizzle of raw honey
and a baby scoop of Tj's peanut and flax butter

Topped with some Tj's low fat almond granola and a splash of soymilk, the oats were
looking a little thick.

It looks like it might be a nice day today. We have had so much rain here and haven't really had a summer, so we need a few nice days. I have lot of running around today after the gym. Jeff and I are leaving tomorrow to go camping for 4 days with my family. I will be giving you updates along the trip with lots of tips on eating healthy and staying active while vacationing/camping.

The return of Charlie

After work I went to the gym to get some heavy resistance training in. I did some upper body resistance training and then hit the stairs for 40 min. of HIT training. I really pushed myself because my body and my mind were in a battle and really wanted to give up. I pushed through and did some serious intervals. I may have pushed a little to hard, because I felt a little heat stroked afterwards. I was completely read faced and soaked even more then usual.


The sound of the tuna made this guy come running.

He had to make sure he got his little piece of tuna.

While fixing dinner I sipped on a glass of herbal peach ice tea, I'm still working on re hydrating.

Getting it done

Monday morning workout

I was up bright and early this morning with the job of getting it done. I'm starting to dislike my Monday workout's. I was thinking this morning that maybe I would start taking Monday's as my rest day and workout Saturday or Sunday instead. I think it's just that I have to get up at the butt crack of dawn, on a Monday, and the craziest day schedule wise for me. I would rather enjoy my workout then have it be torture.

This morning I started with 15 min. on the spinning bike followed by abs, legs, chest, and back. Round two was 15 more min. on the bike followed by shoulders, biceps, and triceps. Round three was back on the bike for another 15 min. to round out my total cardio time of 45 min. Moving from cardio to strength training keeps the heart rate up, burns a lot of calories, and keeps the body moving and working hard.

What is your favorite time of day to workout? Mine would be around 8 or 9am and having no time restraints makes it even better.