It’s your day!
By workoutmommy | May 11, 2008
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Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
Have a great, and ACTIVE, day! (and don’t forget the massage for after your workout!)
photo credit: joliz
Topics: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Elisabeth Hasselbeck in Fitness Magazine
By workoutmommy | May 9, 2008
No matter how you feel about the messenger, you must love the message!
picture source: Fitness Magazine
Topics: one fit mommy | 11 Comments »
Food pushers, couch potatoes, and more
By workoutmommy | May 9, 2008
Charlotte had a great post this week about sabotage and the various reasons why we might not be supportive to friends & family in their efforts to live a fit lifestyle. This post really hit home with me as I feel like there are several saboteurs in my life. (Many of them are probably reading this blog, so please leave me a comment to say “hi” if you recognize yourself, okay?)
- Food pushers: these are people that just cannot understand why you do not want to eat potato skins or mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. They want you to help devour the Bloomin’ Onion while disregarding the fact that it has 2300 calories and 134 grams of fat! They are always telling you to get seconds or thirds, despite repeating over and over that you are full.
The food pushers love food, but only the unhealthy kind. How about greeting us with a plateful of fruit instead of a pile of nachos the next time we come to your house? This way, I won’t have to decline and you won’t feel slighted. (and a note to the brownie maker– I do appreciate a good brownie, but please do not leave me with a freshly baked batch when you are leaving town for a week. Thanks!) - The couch potatoes: They think exercise is a dirty word. They will go out of their way to sabotage your workout and make you feel bad for wanting to even exercise in the first place. Someone actually told me that I am endangering my health because I like to exercise? What?!
The couch potatoes are just that. They sit on the couch and tell you how awful they feel, yet they do nothing to change it. They are saving you a spot on that sofa because misery loves company. No thanks, I’d rather enjoy a good walk than sit in front of the TV all day/night long. - The food police: they track every morsel of food that you eat and comment on everything. Generally, they are always on a diet themselves and want you to join them in their hunger. It is about a healthy lifestyle people. I can eat a slice of birthday cake and enjoy it. Please do not make me feel self conscious about it by exclaiming “Lisa is eating cake?!”
Please do not comment on items that might be in my grocery cart either. I am not perfect, I enjoy a good snack every now and then and don’t need YOU pointing out the fact that I am not making the healthiest choices. Again, I am human and will need years of therapy to make up for comments from the food police. - The skeptics: these are the people that are suspicious of everything you do. If you suddenly pass on seconds or dessert, you are labeled with an eating disorder. If you like to get up early to exercise, you are considered a freak. And my new personal favorite–being selfish. I have been accused of being selfish because I take time away from my family to exercise. Silly me, I thought I was adding years to my life by being active!
What about you gang, do you have any saboteurs in your life? Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: about me, links | 14 Comments »
Big Bottom bonus
By workoutmommy | May 8, 2008
There is now a plus for those of us blessed with big bottoms.
Check it out here.
Now if they could only find the benefit of the muffin top!
Please don’t just sit there on your bottom, get up and be active gang!
No excuses!
photo credit: MR MARK BEK
Topics: facts | 14 Comments »
Sister Skinny is rockin’ the sixes
By workoutmommy | May 7, 2008
It’s time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”!
Please meet Katie, one of two sisters from the infamous blog, Sister Skinny. Katie is a busy mom who blogged about her journey to her goal pair of size six jeans. Her story was one that I followed everyday and I teared up when I watched her finale video. She reached her goal and hung up her blogging shoes but fear not gang, I tracked her down to make sure she still has on her workout shoes!
Here are a few things I learned from Katie:
- blanching broccoli is not as difficult as it sounds!
- meal planning is key.
- she ate peanut butter and honey sandwiches…on white bread?
- prioritize fitness and set a goal for yourself
- not only is taking your kids to the grocery store possible but is also a great opportunity for teaching them about nutrition
I really am in awe of Katie for all that she has accomplished, she looks amazing in her size 6 jeans. Congratulations Katie for reaching your goals and please stop by often to tell us all about maintenance!
Read on for more…..
Q: How many kids do you have and how old are they?
Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
Changing my diet was (and continues to be) the biggest challenge for me. On a very basic level, exercise is me-time; even on my crappy days, everything I do at the gym or on the trail is for moi. I love having that time to think, to “reset.” I feel like I sometimes get more done mentally in that hour than I do actually being around the kids- I don’t have to split my brain so many ways. When I go running, I love being in nature without having to tie shoes or dig through a backpack to find a sippy cup. Even at the gym, I enjoy being around adults even if I don’t talk to a single one.
Also, when I stop exercising for an extended period of time, I get depressed. I’m not sure if it’s chemical, hormonal, psychological, biological, or a combination of some of those elements, but I know that working out really does help me deal with life. That hour I take for me seems to multiply my abilities in the form of energy and being able to just roll with what comes (a vital skill in my household).
I’m planning on doing a half-marathon in August but I pulled a hamstring a couple of weeks ago and so have been swimming instead of running. It’s feeling a lot better but I don’t want to take any chances. I’ll hopefully start running again soon!
Healthy eating has definitely changed the way I feel. It’s not just the actual food, it’s also the satisfaction that comes from successfully fueling my body. I feel empowered to have lots of meals at my disposal that taste good and fill me up. The key for me with my meals is to plan. Even if I can just have a list of options near the fridge for that week, I am so much more likely to skip the leftovers on the high chair, or just grab a graham cracker from the cupboard when I’m hungry. If I can “see” my next meal in my head, there’s a much higher likelihood that that is what I’ll actually eat.
I know how they feel. I’m just an ordinary person. There was a part of me that didn’t believe I could actually lose weight. For sure. And ok, if I did lose some weight, I’d always have that nagging 5 or 10 pounds right?I kind of had just accepted it as part of motherhood. After all I had just done this incredible thing. I now have another human being in my care who is 100% dependent on me for all of his needs. My focus in life had suddenly been readjusted. Who cares what I weigh? But the truth is, walking around 35 pounds heavier, while not as important as my child or my role as a mother, still really affected me. I didn’t have any clothes to wear. I didn’t have any money for new clothes. I didn’t feel good about myself. And what was my temporary fix? Pumpkin chocolate chip bread, honey nut cheerios, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches…on white bread. I think many of us go through times when we struggle and doubt our abilities. I remember feeling so overwhelmed. (”I’m supposed to exercise and plan meals? On top of X, Y and Z?” Haha. That was with ONE child).
HA! I don’t get anything done.
Is that a trick question?
of course they’d stay home!
(provided they were at Aunt Molly’s of course)
Q: how are those skinny jeans feelin’?
A little too good. I’ve caught the bug and want 10 more pair. I can’t stop trying on jeans!
I don’t blame you Katie, you deserve it!
Thank you for allowing me to feature you as “One Fit Mommy”!
Topics: interviews, one fit mommy | 13 Comments »
Cinco de Mayo fitness fiesta
By workoutmommy | May 5, 2008
It’s Monday gang, which means it is time for another round of move it Monday! Today we are having a fitness fiesta in honor of Cinco de Mayo!
Today’s challenge is:
- FIVE minutes of jogging in place
- FIVE minutes of running up/down your stairs
- FIVE burpies
- FIVE forward lunges
- FIVE squats
- FIVE minutes of running up/down your stairs
- FIVE squat kicks
- FIVE push ups
- FIVE more push ups
- and finish up with 55 crunches
Need help with form? Send me an email, I am happy to help out!
No excuses gang! Skip the margaritas, say no to the chips, and go be active!
photo credit: Kevin Labianco
Topics: move it Monday, workouts | 9 Comments »
Progio Training Companion review
By workoutmommy | May 4, 2008
I still have not been able to find that personal trainer, so I was thrilled when Dirk Bartels, founder 
of Progio Mobile, Inc., offered me the chance to test drive their Progio Training Companion.
The Progio Training Companion is a hand held fitness system that provides step-by-step instructions of your workouts and tracks your results. It allows you to take your exercise program with you and acts as a personal trainer, right in the palm of your hand!
The Progio is very easy to use and makes scheduling and completing your workouts quite easy. Here are some of the features:
- a calendar: you can schedule and keep track of your workouts here. No more wondering what to do, just turn it on and be ready to exercise!
- the workout library: You can purchase pre-made workouts from Progio.com, Hyperstrike.com, or another content provider. Just sync your device with your computer and your workouts are uploaded and ready. If you already have a personal trainer, they can also create workouts for you and send them to your device.
- detailed workout information: this was the key for me. It tells you what to do, how to do it, and how many to do. If needed, it will provide more detailed instruction (video clips, pictures, description, etc.) It shows you how many sets you should do and lets you check them off as you are done. It also keeps track of how long it takes you to do each excercise and workout.
- workout log: a summary of your workout, including the date, the total time it took you to complete the workout, the number of exercises you performed, and the total number of sets you completed.
- heart rate monitor: my test model did not have this feature, but the 20p model comes with a built in Polar receiver. Just wear the chest strap and it tracks your heart rate for you.
After using the companion for about a month, I think it is a great tool and I love the portability factor. I can take it anywhere and it is ready to go for me. The video clips are extremely helpful, especially if you are a beginning exerciser. The workouts themselves were quite challenging and I used muscles that I had not used in way too long, especially with Michael George’s 20 minute strength training routine!
I’ve said before that I struggle with strength training, so this device was perfect for me. There were no excuses with it, I wanted to complete the workout, (because it tells you if you haven’t!), and it pushed me to get it done.
The main downside for me was getting the opportunity to use it by myself. My 2 year old was fascinated with it and wanted to play with it, which is not conducive to mommy getting a good workout! When I’m doing a DVD, I can half listen and watch while still paying attention to my boys. With this though, I had to focus on the device and realized it is not something I can use effectively while they are under my feet.
The device itself is also on the pricey side but if you are spending money on a personal trainer each week, the Progio Training Companion is going to save you money in the long run. Other options include loading the workouts directly to your iPhone or iPod touch.
If you have a gym membership, I think this would be perfect for you. You can load up your workouts and go through your routines without distraction. (and the other members and trainers will be very jealous of your portable trainer!)
I definitely recommend the Progio Training Companion for you or the fitness enthusiast in your life. Thank you again Dirk for allowing me to review it!
On that note, I am off to do some lunges, overhead presses, and whatever else my Progio instructs me to do today.
How about you gang? What are you doing to stay active today?
Topics: product reviews | 4 Comments »
5 things to put on your to do list this weekend
By workoutmommy | May 3, 2008
Are you working on your weekend to do list?
Here are a few things to add to it:
- Be active! Get your heart rate up and sweat!
- Take time to be thankful for all that you have in your life.
- Be kind to others.
- Eat veggies with every meal and snack on fruit.
- Enter my contest.
Topics: fitness | 7 Comments »
Tempted by treats? Think ABC!
By workoutmommy | May 2, 2008
Tempted by that bag of cookies in the pantry or the last cupcake leftover from a party?
Here’s a tip: eat an apple first.
If you still want the sweet treat after eating your apple, then go ahead. Chances are you probably won’t but even if you do, you’ll be full of goodness from the apple and less likely to eat as much.
I call it my ABC theory.
Apples
Before
Crap
Try it out and let me know how it goes!
Have you been active today? No excuses!
photo credit: jillclardy
Topics: nutrition | 15 Comments »
Canned food too?
By workoutmommy | May 1, 2008
What started out as a simple post about my water bottle has morphed into so much more! There is so much information out there about the safety of BPA in plastics and it all has me very worried, especially as a mom with kids who drink from plastic sippy cups all day long.
Even more alarming is that more BPA is likely to be released from canned foods than plastic water bottles! This is the first I have heard this, have you? This is bad news for my household. I am domestically challenged, which means we eat a good share of canned food.
Here are some important excerpts from the Enviroblog that opened my eyes a bit. Please visit the site to read the entire article.
“What is BPA?
BPA is a chemical used in the production of certain kinds of plastics, including polycarbonate plastic (like hard, colored water bottles and 5-gallon drinking water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans. BPA can leach from the plastic and into foods and beverages, especially when it’s heated or used for long periods of time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested, which is especially troubling since the chemical is linked to breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb. It’s a good idea to avoid exposure to BPA whenever possible.
Polycarbonate bottles: As the original post mentioned, studies show low levels of BPA leach out of polycarbonate bottles (like Nalgene and other hard, colored water bottles) at room temperature. More BPA leaches when the bottles are filled with hot liquid. Generally these bottles will be marked with recycling number seven. Polycarbonate is hard, translucent or clear plastic.These bottles may be marked with the number 7. If you’re going to use a polycarbonate bottle, be aware that it’s likely that higher amounts of BPA leach out of older and damaged bottles. Although we recommend that you avoid drinking from polycarbonate bottles, it’s important to note that your potential exposure to BPA through canned food is considerably higher. As far as we know, #7 drink bottles are rarely recyclable. To be sure, check with your local recycling center.
Other plastic bottles: Don’t reuse single-use plastic drink bottles (PET, or #1 plastic). It’s a good instinct, but bacteria can build up on the inside, and they may leach chemicals too. Drop them in the recycling instead. Bottles made from flexible, cloudy-colored HDPE #2 are considered a safer option if you must have a plastic bottle.
Canned Foods: No matter what brand you use or where you buy your canned food, the cans are almost certainly lined with an epoxy resin that contains BPA. If they didn’t use it, the cans might rust, or you might end up with metal residues in your food. But because of the high temperatures used in the canning process, your potential exposure to BPA from canned food is much higher than your potential exposure from plastic water bottles.
Only one manufacturer that we know of uses non-BPA lining on some of their food cans:
Eden Organic Beans are packed in lead free tin covered steel cans coated with a baked on oleoresinous c-enamel lining that does not contain bisphenol A (BPA). (Oleoresin is a natural mixture of an oil and a resin extracted from various plants, such as pine or balsam fir). These cans cost 13.77 percent more than the industry standard cans that do contain BPA. This costs Eden $300,000 more a year. To our knowledge Eden is the only U.S. company that uses this custom made BPA-free can.”
Enviroblog also offers tips to minimize your BPA exposure:
- Limit canned foods. BPA leaches into canned food from the lining. When possible, and especially when pregnant or breastfeeding, limit the amount of canned food your family eats. Particularly avoid canned soup, pasta, and infant formula.
- Avoid polycarbonate plastic. Hard, translucent plastic marked #7 is probably polycarbonate, which leaches BPA, especially when heated. Ditch your polycarbonate water bottles in favor of a stainless steel bottle. Don’t microwave plastic — use ceramic or glass instead.
- If you’re formula feeding your infant, consider using powdered formulas packaged in non-steel cans. Also, choose baby bottles made from glass or specially-marked plastics that don’t leach BPA (like polypropylene or polyethylene).
I have a feeling this is just the beginning of it all. First it was my kids’ toys getting recalled and now all of our cups/cans might be toxic. I’m about ready to pack up and move to a grass hut on a remote island somewhere. I’m bringing my running shoes though, I’m pretty sure they will be on the safe list!
Topics: product reviews | 7 Comments »