Sweat like you Mean it

Ever since I fell in love with running (again), I've been doing it a lot more. Of course, I have to arrange my running schedule around a little man. I think I've been doing pretty good. There's always a lot of sweat (I don't go out past 10 am) and I've been working out my lungs. My lungs are my weakest part of running. Here's what I look like after my run, every time (notice the veins shooting out of my hands):

This is what I've been eating lately. It has Stacey's tortillas, cooked dice chicken, cooked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and a little ranch. It was so good!

This little guy has been enjoying his Cheerios, green beans (pictured) and yams. We had a period of time where he would refuse eating any type of food. We found out that he wanted to feed himself. He's pretty good at that now, but still needs to practice. He loves to practice!

Can't wait for tomorrow's run!

What have you been eating?

I can lift a car over my head!

Yesterday was an interesting April evening. I felt like I was working out in a sauna the entire time! I headed out for my simple 2 1/2 mile quick run around the local park and knew I was going to have a difficult time. This is because it was 87 when I left work. 87 in April! I'm all for warm weather, but not this warm this early in the year. I guess I'm just happy to be able to run outdoors (we'll see how long that lasts). 

I was able to squeeze in 10 minutes of rowing after my run and before my spin class. I did about 1600 meters (which is almost 1 mile, .99 miles). I was still gushing sweat from my hot run. Not many people walk into their gym already red faced and sweaty. 

Feeling tough after the spin class

Spin class was great, as usual. The instructor pushed us to sweat more than we did last time. I didn't go to class last week (I was sick), and it's crazy how much difference it makes (in a bad way) to miss a class. Plus,  I was still sweaty from the run and rowing. 

The instructor kept saying that he wanted us to feel like we could lift a car over our heads by the time we were done with his class. I like the little things they say throughout the entire class. It makes me start to tell myself the same thing. It was so warm in the class, it was like I never left my sauna. he class was completely full (10 more people came in looking for bikes, too), the fans were going and the ac was set to freezing, but it was still crazy hot/stuffy in there. I could feel the sweat dripping off of me. But, by the time I left class, I felt like I could lift a car over my head!

Driving home with the windows down (at 7 o'clock) allowed the sweat to dry off and stop dripping. I could feel a few layers of sweat cover my entire body. My legs felt the grossest!

How many times a week are you completely covered in a sweat dripping layer? What was your workout yesterday (or today)? If you could vote for me, for best blogger (even if you're not local), you'll be my new BFF (check out the right side of my blog)!!

Sweat-y Workout

All of last week, all I wanted to do was workout. I wanted to get my sweat on. But, I couldn't because I was  so sick. Every time I took a deep breath, I hacked up a lung for 10 minutes. So, I took it easy and got a lot of things done around the house. yesterday, as it got closer for me to leave for the gym, I didn't want to go. Working out gives me a boost, a boost I haven't had in over a week. I needed to go, so I made myself. And, boy an I glad I did!

On Saturday, I was finally able to meet my friend for our run date. I was able to convince her to do my crazy leg workout with me afterwards. We completed our 5k around the park and then walked to a (mostly) quiet place in the park to work our legs. Let's just say, I'm still sore and my ripped class didn't help make my legs feel better last night. 

Since it was crazy windy here yesterday, I took my outdoor 5k to the treadmill. I don't mind the treadmill, I would just rather be outside. If there is any weather that I don't like, I will go inside (unless I'm training for a race in that weather). 

After the 5k, I was able to sneak in some legs weights (which did make my legs feel happy) before the hour long ripped class. I love this class. This is what my workout did to me. I did take it a little easy because, I  still have this stupid cough, so I can't push too hard without coughing like a crazy person. It looks like I got kissed by the sweat fairy (never mind the horrible picture of me)!!

Tonight, yoga is going to feel so good! I can't wait to stretch for an hour! My legs so need it!!

What area do you need to workout the most? I need the upper leg/booty area the most!

My Sweat is Talking

When I workout, I sweat...big time! I smell really bad and when it drips in my mouth it's very,very salty. The worse part (for anyone near me at all) is that i smell extremely bad. I'm not even joking. It's not a b.o. kind of smell, just a bad smell (I can't explain it).

Well, it looks like my sweat has been trying to tell me something this entire time:

Stinks: Your diet may be to blame. Caffeine stimulates sweat glands under your arms and in your scalp and groin, which secrete a fatty, odiferous sweat. And if you eat a very low-carb diet, your body breaks down protein and fats, creating acetone, which is excreted through sweat and has a distinctive ammonia smell.

Pours: You're hydrated and working hard. Seasoned riders may not sweat more than cyclists who aren't as fit; but they're able to work harder and produce more sweat. In hot conditions, however, fitter athletes have greater sweating capacity, according to research published in The American Journal of Physiology.

Stains: You may be losing a lot of salt. Less-fit riders who aren't used to riding in heat shed more sodium than their fitter, heat-acclimatized counterparts. Choose a drink with 400 to 600 mg of sodium per serving.

Stops: You're not adequately replacing your fluid loss, says Penn State University sweat researcher Caroline Smith, PhD. Performance starts to plummet when you lose more than 2 percent of your body weight. This is a sign of heat exhaustion, when your core temperature can rise quickly, potentially leading to heatstroke

This is how to calculate your sweat rate per hour:

• (Weight before an hour-high intensity) — (Weight after this run) = Weight lost.
• (Weight lost) X 16 = Ounces of sweat lost during run.
• Ounces of sweat lost during run + Ounces of fluids consumed during the run = Sweat rate per hour.

Why we sweat:

Armpits, Anus, Genitals

The apocrine gland is a type of sweat gland that produces sweat that has protein and carbohydrates, which is why you get that yellow stain on the armpit of your shirts. It also has a more thick and milky consistency, which can smell because of the bacteria (healthy bacteria) that live on your skin.

Apocrine sweat is produced by adrenaline, which is controlled by your adrenal medulla. So when you start to work out these are usually the areas that start sweating, as your body needs adrenaline to work hard. In the woolly mammoth days, the smell of this sweat also worked as a defense to predators.

Side note: Asians have fewer apocrine sweat glands than other races, which is why scientist believe they tend to be less prone to body odor.

Palms, Feet, Forehead

The eccrine glands are the most common sweat glands that are found on the palms, soles of your feet, and your forehead. Eccrine glands secrete a clear, odorless sweat that helps regulate your body's temperature by allowing heat loss through evaporation. These glands are controlled by the hypothalamus and tend to be primarily activated by emotional stimuli and stressors that increase body temperature.

If you have a lot of nervous energy, feel angry, or are surprised, these are the areas you will start to sweat from first. This sweat will be especially prevalent after a stressful day at the office, getting cut off in traffic, or dealing with a pissed off person.

Face and Scalp

The microscopic sebaceous glands are in your skin, which secretes an oily, non-odorless liquid that waterproofs and lubricate your hair and skin. Today, lower levels of sebaceous activity are found because they don't serve as much of a purpose in modern human life.

Some Sweat, Some Don't

Everyone sweats differently under different circumstances. If you're a healthy individual who hits it hard and still can't break a sweat, then you could be dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, cut down on your margaritas, and get 20 to 30 minutes of exercise—call it "sweat exercise".

Regardless of where you sweat, remember that sweating is extremely important for your body. By staying hydrated and doing exercise, in a weeks time, you will notice your sweat change. In the beginning, sweat can be salty and oily. As you sweat more, it gradually changes to a watery, clean and fresh sweat.

What does the sweat taste like? 

• Salty: You have been eating a great deal of carbs: breads, pasta and fried foods.

• Sweet: Lots of sugar in the body with can come from fruits, chocolate, candy, or alcohol.

• Sour: You've had a bit too much dairy and soy products: milk, cheese, or tofu.

• Vinegar: Too much protein and animal products, which gets turned into ammonia.

• Thick: When your sweat is thick there is a lot of gluten in the body which comes from breads and pastas.

Margaritas: Margaritas...enough said

What does your sweat say?

Sweat-tastic

Last night, I had a small salad in a huge bowl. Look at my hand behind the bowl. It's huge! It was very filling and did it's job (until I got out of the shower).

Left overs were for dinner. I think they tasted even better than the first day.

I got the feeling to bake. I needed to, but mostly, just wanted to. I love baking and sharing the foods I make with friends and family. I made Golden Chocolate chip muffins. I made these in the mini muffin pan, instead of the normal sized one. This way, I don't feel guilty when I have one (or maybe 2). It's all about portions.

Jason wanted to eat them directly from the oven. I warned him to wait until they cooled a little (maybe at least 5 minutes). He learned his lessons as he breathed steam. There are a lot of chocolate chips in here. I think next time I make them, I'll back off the chocolate chips, just a little (I know, strange for me to say).

I had a 6-8 mile run, 30 minutes on the stairs and legs weights on the schedule for today. This afternoon, I talked to a friend and some things may be changing to my workout schedule, tomorrow. So, today (to prepare), I only ran 4.5 miles and finished the full 30 minutes on the stairs.

After this workout, I was sweating bullets. I love getting a super good workout on my own, and not because of the heat or something like that. I always feel so good afterwards. I'm in a good pain right now!

What is your #1 sweat-tastic workout?