My home gym & routine

Here's a little look into my at home (garage) gym. I often do the stair(s) in my garage. I do them normal, side ways, and backwards. These different ways all work different muscles. I really need a lot of work in my upper leg/butt area...badly!

One of my favorite leg workouts is the fire hydrant. You get on all fours and hike up your legs, like you're peeing on a fire hydrant (I didn't name  it).

I also do backward leg lifts (not sure the right name for it). Again, you're on all fours and lift your leg behind you, straight up (with a bent leg).

Santa brought me a great gift...a new weight bench! I'm getting so much use out of it already! I do my ab workout on it and it really pushes me. It's because I need to balance on it (and try not to fall off). It's a great way to push myself a little harder (which I'm already needing). I feel like my normal routine isn't doing what I need it to do, so I need to do it another way or add more weight. 

Are you an at home workouter or an at he gym? I use to be only at the gym person, but kids have changed me (of course).

Fitness Blender

Since it's too cold to run outside with Lars, I haven't been running. My only time to run is in the morning, It's been about 35 degrees (I know, I know that's a heat wave compared to some parts. But that's freezing for CA). 

While Lars is awake and playing, I do do some working out (ie: squats, jumping jacks). My only other time to get in a "real" workout is while he's sleeping. So, I take to Youtube. I've found (no one found it for me or was told to try it out) the best workout videos!!! They are by Fitness Blender. The videos that I've completed have a side bar showing how many calories you may be burning. It feels like I'm right in the class at the gym. Here's my set up:

Here's what the screen looks like. The calorie burner is off to the right, a count down for each rep is in the top right corner. They always explain what you  need for the workout and what you'll be doing. These are a must try!!

What workout videos (or dvds) do you use? How often do you workout? Run?

Winter Running in California

Christmas came early for this runner! Newton Running sent me a pair of super comfy, airy and light weight shoes to try out. It took me forever to test them out (because of the rain thing). I've been wearing them around when I run errands and walks with Lars. I have officially tested out the shoes and worn them in.

I LOVE them!!!

They are + one. That means that they've added an additional lug (5 total). The fifth lug gives the runner a "broader and more stable platform, greater POP sensation, engineered to be faster and more efficient, designed to accommodate the splay of all 5 metatarsals and feels more responsive with better ground communication". 

When i first put these shoes I, the first thing I noticed was the POP and how light weight the shoe is. This totally benefited my running. 

This week is suppose to be cloudy, but no rain. We'll see if the weather people are right about that. If they're right, I can run all week!!

This is what Lars looks like when I run with him. I bundle him up when we hustle out the door. I also give him a toy to rattle around. But mostly, he "talks"while I run.

I've also been trying to workout at home too. This is what it looks like when I'm trying to do my squats and lunges. Little man runs around me and I end up being chased down the hallway. Toys are all around us and I try not to trip over them. 

How do you balance running and working out at home with a toddler? 

Just Can't Get Enough

When I was about 5 months pregnant, I stopped going to the gym. I didn't have the energy to workout, after working 8 hours. So, I cancelled my gym membership. I still haven't renewed it. I have some weights and medicine balls and mats at home, and  I've set everything up in my closet.  I just pull out the needed equipment and getting my sweat on

I absolutely love working out at home!! Lars and I go for our morning run and then when he goes down for his afternoon nap, I head outside to workout. What's in my closet: 5 lb weights, 7 lb weights, 10 lb weights, 15 lb weights, 6 lb medicine ball, stability ball, leg weights, jump rope, yoga mat and a thick, padded mat. I can do so much with all of this equipment!

Yesterday, to train for my beast spartan race in October, I did my max amount of push ups in 2 minutes and max amount of sit ups in 2 minutes. I did this 3 times. For push ups (my weak area), I did: 30, 21, and 21. Sit ups: 83, 62 and 53. I'm going to keep track of my progress and hopefully the numbers get better and better, especially in the push up area.

On Friday, this little guy turned 5 months!

Lars is getting so big! He's very eager to walk. He really want to skip crawling and start walking. He loves laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling fan, kicking, laughing and squealing. Lately (within the last few days), he's been blowing raspberries, making funny faces at us, to get a reaction (and it works), he loves his new activity saucer and loves being outside as much as possible (which is what I like too). He's just a great kid!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

Do you workout at home, the gym or just outdoors?

What is your go to workout?

If you have kids, how old are they?

To Cross Fit or Not to Cross Fit

I had yoga planned, last night. But, when it came time to leave work, I didn't feel like relaxing and staying calm and quiet. I wanted to move around and lift heavy things over my head. So, I got changed at work, like I normally do and headed home. I got my little at home gym set up and went to work. 

If I don't get changed at work, and I head home anyways, I will never get my workout in. I must get changed, so I don't have an excuse for not getting the work done. As soon as I put my things down, I got my foam mat out, my 5 lbs weights and my 10 lbs weights along with my medicine ball out and went to my phone to check out this new app I found (free).

The app was ok. I tried using it to do a core workout, but I already do all those routines. So, for the core, I just stuck to my normal routine. Arms, I have a routine, but I was looking for something new to do. The app was pretty helpful and planned a workout for me. I chose the "toned & trimmed"workout (I had choices of quick & easy, toned & trimmed, long & strong and loaded guns). Next time I'll try the long & strong workout). The "loaded guns"has an exercise called frog stand. I don't think I'm ready to try this at home (and without a spotter).

So, I've been looking for fun and exciting ways to get fit & toned (again). I've been hearing so much about Cross Fit. Has anyone tried it? How do you like it? Is it something you can do at home, or do you have to go to a special gym for that. I have the gyms near by, but I already belong to another gym that doesn't offer anything like Cross Fit. I'm kind of scared to try it, though. It looks so hard!

I found a very beginner's workout online and am thinking about trying it out. I have everything I need to do this on my own at my current gym. I think I may try it sometime next week. The workouts I'm concentrating on are focused around my thighs and up (core and arms area). 

What are your thoughts on Cross Fit?

What I Forgot...

Last week, Jason and I went to that Kings game I won the tickets for. It was a really good game and it actually went into overtime (we ended up losing though). It was fun to get out of the house and have a mostly free date night.

Last night, I was prepared to go the gym. I had my gym bag at work and about an hour before I was off, I thought "Did I bring my running shoes?". The answer is no. I wear some light hiking shoes to work. So, I guess I could have ran in them, but my ripped class would have been torture on my feet. I decided to go home and change immediately (or I would have ended up on the couch watching crap on tv) and do an at home workout instead. Jason had bought me a new (really thick) mat, some light weights (5 lbs) and a workout dvd for Christmas. The dvd came with 3 different types of workouts: pilates, yoga and a strength & cardio disc. I tried out the pilates. It was pretty good. My arms hurt from some of the moves.

One thing about working out at home, I can really wear whatever I want. When it's really cold, I dress really warm. Here's what the bottom half was wearing. Yes, those are heavy, thick slippers.

I had layers on the top: sports bra, tech tee and a cotton (yes, cotton) sweatshirt. Hey, I don't have heat (I do have portable heaters, though), so I always have to dress warm, even when I workout. I love my weight, especially the color!

I'm doing some weights tonight and then yoga class. On Wednesday, i have some errands that only allow time for another at home workout. So, I'll be trying the strength & cardio disc. Can't wait!

Did you get any fun gifts for Christmas? Have you ever forgotten anything important for your workout?

I'm Getting Girlie & My New Room

This weekend was such a busy weekend!! Friday night, we had out of town family over for dinner, right after work. I got up early on Saturday morning to do some things around the house before I left for a bridal shower. A couple hours after I left, I had our friends over for a dinner and girl time while the guys hung out. Sunday was going to be a relaxing day, but we got hooked working around the house. 

I had planned on going to my ripped class last night, but I was so tired, I couldn't bare working out for 2 hours. So, I planned on making our spare bedroom into my work out room. It's pretty sparse right now, but I'll get some stuff out of the garage this weekend, and make it better!

I ended up doing my entire ab mat workout in there. Of course, the kittens need to help me. I couldn't have done it without them! I killed myself in there!! I got a great workout in at home. It felt great! I didn't have a commute home afterwards. I've told Jason, that one day, I want to get a treadmill, a spin bike and some more mat work stuff. This will all save us money, because, I won't need to (pay) go to the gym. I think that is reasonable!

Never mind the bags under my eyes, I told you I was tired! This work out made my face look like this.

I'm getting girlie!! I was sent a super cute necklace to wear from Inspired Endurance. I love it so much! I never take it off!

One one side, it has a flower, on the other side, it has 13.1. This jewelery is 100% guaranteed and handmade and high quality. They are made from sterling silver & 14k gold. I've been wanting something special, ever since I crossed that first half marathon finish line. 

This is the perfect thing. I wear it in the shower, during my heavy (and light workouts) and even at work. The only time it gives me any problem is when I'm in spin class. The steep sprints out of the sattle causes the bead to band against my chest. Other than that (including running), it never "bothers" me. I often forget I'm even wearing it, until someone tells me that they like my necklace. 

Don't forget about my awesome giveaway here!!